Zal and Rudabeh · A8.21

Manuchehr’s Answer to Sahm’s Letter

Written royal consent travels outward, transforming anxiety in both households into a publicly prepared welcome. Mehrab explicitly credits Sindokht’s judgment for the reversal.

F&R English · 49 couplets · 6 commentary entries

Parallel text ↓Commentary ↓

The chapter in five texts

Text	Chapter treatment and distinctive choices
F&R English	Forty-nine couplets retain the royal answer, message relay, explicit credit to Sindokht and fuller preparations for the visit.
Moscow	Pp 227–230 retain the answer and preparations with local bracketed additions.
Mohl	Pp 170–172 support the expanded chamber and road preparations after the credit to Sindokht.
Ganjoor	Sh22 has 44 couplets, including one regional supply-list couplet shown as source-only.
Khaleghi	The answer and Kabul preparation are consulted within pp 255–258.

Parallel text

English left · Persian right. Ganjoor is the reference except where a row names a printed source. Select a number to open the relevant note. G identifiers distinguish digital sections across chapter boundaries.

1–10+

The Shah wrote Sahm an answer of good cheer,

With wondrous, auspicious words both bright and clear:

“O valiant chief, whose victories endure,

In every undertaking strong and sure,

In battle, feast, and counsel none compare;

The turning heavens have seen no form so fair.

Your blessed son, brave Zal, shall win great fame;

The world shall long preserve the rider’s name.

He came, and through him all your wish I knew,

Your counsel and the purpose you pursue.

Whatever you desired has now been done;

And Zal desired the same, your noble son.

I granted every wish that Zal made known,

And gave him every favor as his own.

Through him auspicious days come into view;

May fortune keep his path forever true.

What can be born from lion whose own prey

Is leopard, but a fierce lion in the fray?

I sent him forth rejoicing on his way;

May every evil thought stay far away.”

پس آن نامهٔ سام پاسخ نوشت

شگفتی سخنهای فرخ نوشت

که ای نامور پهلوان دلیر

به هر کار پیروز برسان شیر

نبیند چو تو نیز گردان سپهر

به رزم و به بزم و به رای و به چهر

همان پور فرخنده زال سوار

کزو ماند اندر جهان یادگار

رسید و بدانستم از کام او

همان خواهش و رای و آرام او

برآمد هر آنچ آن ترا کام بود

همان زال را رای و آرام بود

همه آرزوها سپردم بدوی

بسی روز فرخ شمردم بدوی

ز شیری که باشد شکارش پلنگ

چه زاید جز از شیر شرزه به جنگ

گسی کردمش با دلی شادمان

کزو دور بادا بد بدگمان

Ganjoor · m22:1-9

11–19+

Then Zal went forth with head uplifted high,

Above the warriors as he journeyed by.

Then Zal, in joy, sent forth a rider swift,

To tell his father of the Shah’s great gift:

“I left the Shah with royal honors shown;

He gave a robe, a crown, an ivory throne,

A noble horse, a torque, and treasures rare,

Bestowed with honor and with generous care.

With gifts in hand, I hasten now to you,

My honored father, renowned and ever true.”

Sahm heard the news, and joy so filled his soul

His aged head seemed young again and whole.

He sent a rider swift to Kabul’s gate

To bear the news that lightened all their fate:

“The sovereign of the world has shown such grace

That joy has banished sorrow from its place.

As soon as Dastan reaches me again,

Together we shall ride with worthy men.”

برون رفت با فرخی زال زر

ز گردان لشکر برآورده سر

نوندی برافگند نزدیک سام

که برگشتم از شاه دل شادکام

ابا خلعت خسروانی و تاج

همان یاره و طوق و هم تخت عاج

چنان شاد شد زان سخن پهلوان

که با پیر سر شد به نوی جوان

سواری به کابل برافگند زود

به مهراب گفت آن کجا رفته بود

نوازیدن شهریار جهان

وزان شادمانی که رفت از مهان

من اینک چو دستان بر من رسد

گذاریم هر دو چنان چون سزد

Ganjoor · m22:10-16

20–27+

The rider hastened on to Kabul’s hall;

Mehrab received the news and heard it all.

Mehrab rejoiced that kinship had begun

With Zabulistan’s radiant, noble sun.

As if the soulless had received a soul,

As if gray age grew young and once more whole.

He summoned musicians there from every side,

Who played as if their souls were scattered wide.

Then Mehrab called Sindokht before his sight:

“O fortunate in counsel, wise and bright,

Through your advice this darkened place saw light;

You reached a branch that kings acclaim as right.

Since you began this matter, deftly planned,

Now bring it to fulfillment by your hand.

My treasury lies open at your call;

Take crown or throne or wealth; take freely all.”

چنان شاد شد شاه کابلستان

ز پیوند خورشید زابلستان

که گفتی همی جان برافشاندند

ز هر جای رامشگران خواندند

چو مهراب شد شاد و روشن روان

لبش گشت خندان و دل شادمان

گرانمایه سیندخت را پیش خواند

بسی خوب گفتار با او براند

بدو گفت کای جفت فرخنده رای

بیفروخت از رایت این تیره جای

به شاخی زدی دست کاندر زمین

برو شهریاران کنند آفرین

چنان هم کجا ساختی از نخست

بیاید مر این را سرانجام جست

همه گنج پیش تو آراستست

اگر تخت عاجست اگر خواستست

Ganjoor · m22:17-24

28–33+

Sindokht withdrew and sought her daughter’s side,

And told the news with joy she could not hide:

“The one you chose is worthy, and his fame

Lets high-souled men lift heads that know no shame.

You hastened toward the wish within your heart;

Now all you sought is yours in every part.”

Rudabeh bowed, then spoke before them all:

“O queenly woman, praised in every hall,

The dust beneath your feet shall be my bed;

By your command my every path is led.

May Ahriman’s evil eye stay far away;

May feast and joy within your spirit stay.”

چو بشنید سیندخت ازو گشت باز

بر دختر آمد سراینده راز

همی مژده دادش به دیدار زال

که دیدی چنان چون بباید همال

زن و مرد را از بلندی منش

سزد گر فرازد سر از سرزنش

سوی کام دل تیز بشتافتی

کنون هر چه جستی همه یافتی

بدو گفت رودابه ای شاه زن

سزای ستایش به هر انجمن

من از خاک پای تو بالین کنم

به فرمانت آرایش دین کنم

ز تو چشم آهرمنان دور باد

دل و جان تو خانهٔ سور باد

Ganjoor · m22:25-31

—

Source-only passage; no separate English couplet.

یک ایوان همه جامهٔ رود و می

بیاورده از پارس و اهواز و ری

Ganjoor m22:39 · textiles and festive equipment from Pars, Ahvaz and Ray; no separate English list

34–40+

Then Sindokht turned to set the palace fair,

And decked it out beyond what words declare:

She made the halls a Paradise so rare,

With wine, musk, ambergris throughout the air.

Gold-woven carpets stretched from wall to wall,

With emerald threads that shone throughout the hall.

Bright pearls were worked like drops of water clear,

Their liquid brilliance gleaming, sphere on sphere.

A golden throne she set with royal care,

In craftsmen’s style of Chin, both rich and fair.

Its figures glittered, filled with precious stone,

With jeweled carvings through the patterns shown.

Its ruby feet burned crimson in the light;

Kayanian splendor crowned the throne in sight.

چو بشنید سیندخت گفتار اوی

به آرایش کاخ بنهاد روی

بیاراست ایوانها چون بهشت

گلاب و می و مشک و عنبر سرشت

بساطی بیفگند پیکر به زر

زبر جد برو بافته سر به سر

دگر پیکرش در خوشاب بود

که هر دانه‌ای قطره‌ای آب بود

یک ایوان همه تخت زرین نهاد

به آیین و آرایش چین نهاد

همه پیکرش گوهر آگنده بود

میان گهر نقشها کنده بود

ز یاقوت مر تخت را پایه بود

که تخت کیان بود و پرمایه بود

Ganjoor · m22:32-38

41–49+

She dressed Rudabeh, Paradise her face,

And worked a hundred spells of beauty’s grace,

And seated her within a gold-wrought room,

Where every ornament enhanced her bloom.

No stranger crossed the chamber’s guarded gate;

None entered while Rudabeh sat to wait.

All Kabulistan shone in rich array,

With scent and color, treasure on display.

The elephants wore Roman brocade bright;

Crowned minstrels rode upon them in delight.

They dressed the roads for Zal’s approaching ride,

And summoned servants in from every side.

With musk and ambergris the servants came;

They scattered treasure as they praised his name.

They spread rich furs and silks upon the ground,

While emeralds and gold were cast around.

They wet the dust with rosewater and wine;

The roadway flowed with fragrance rich and fine.

بیاراست رودابه را چون نگار

پر از جامه و رنگ و بوی بهار

همه کابلستان شد آراسته

پر از رنگ و بوی و پر از خواسته

همه پشت پیلان بیاراستند

ز کابل پرستندگان خواستند

نشستند بر پیل رامشگران

نهاده به سر بر زر افسران

پذیره شدن را بیاراستند

نثارش همه مشک و زر خواستند

Ganjoor · m22:40-44

Narrative and poetic form

The English’s most important fidelity is attribution: the king permits, the father communicates, the queen plans and the daughter acknowledges. A successful marriage has required several different kinds of action.

Couplet commentary

Quoted text · evidence · interpretation

1–10The written answer makes consent portable

1–10

The Shah wrote Sahm an answer of good cheer,

With wondrous, auspicious words both bright and clear:

“O valiant chief, whose victories endure,

In every undertaking strong and sure,

In battle, feast, and counsel none compare;

The turning heavens have seen no form so fair.

Your blessed son, brave Zal, shall win great fame;

The world shall long preserve the rider’s name.

He came, and through him all your wish I knew,

Your counsel and the purpose you pursue.

Whatever you desired has now been done;

And Zal desired the same, your noble son.

I granted every wish that Zal made known,

And gave him every favor as his own.

Through him auspicious days come into view;

May fortune keep his path forever true.

What can be born from lion whose own prey

Is leopard, but a fierce lion in the fray?

I sent him forth rejoicing on his way;

May every evil thought stay far away.”

پس آن نامهٔ سام پاسخ نوشت

شگفتی سخنهای فرخ نوشت

که ای نامور پهلوان دلیر

به هر کار پیروز برسان شیر

نبیند چو تو نیز گردان سپهر

به رزم و به بزم و به رای و به چهر

همان پور فرخنده زال سوار

کزو ماند اندر جهان یادگار

رسید و بدانستم از کام او

همان خواهش و رای و آرام او

برآمد هر آنچ آن ترا کام بود

همان زال را رای و آرام بود

همه آرزوها سپردم بدوی

بسی روز فرخ شمردم بدوی

ز شیری که باشد شکارش پلنگ

چه زاید جز از شیر شرزه به جنگ

گسی کردمش با دلی شادمان

کزو دور بادا بد بدگمان

Ganjoor · m22:1-9

Textual evidence

Manuchehr praises father and son, records that the wish is granted and sends Zal away with a blessing.

Interpretation

The English maintains the epistolary form and the continuity between Sahm’s service and Zal’s promise. Its lion-and-leopard ancestry simile is a source-based compliment, not a literal biological lineage.

Return to parallel text

11–19News moves faster than the returning bridegroom

11–19

Then Zal went forth with head uplifted high,

Above the warriors as he journeyed by.

Then Zal, in joy, sent forth a rider swift,

To tell his father of the Shah’s great gift:

“I left the Shah with royal honors shown;

He gave a robe, a crown, an ivory throne,

A noble horse, a torque, and treasures rare,

Bestowed with honor and with generous care.

With gifts in hand, I hasten now to you,

My honored father, renowned and ever true.”

Sahm heard the news, and joy so filled his soul

His aged head seemed young again and whole.

He sent a rider swift to Kabul’s gate

To bear the news that lightened all their fate:

“The sovereign of the world has shown such grace

That joy has banished sorrow from its place.

As soon as Dastan reaches me again,

Together we shall ride with worthy men.”

برون رفت با فرخی زال زر

ز گردان لشکر برآورده سر

نوندی برافگند نزدیک سام

که برگشتم از شاه دل شادکام

ابا خلعت خسروانی و تاج

همان یاره و طوق و هم تخت عاج

چنان شاد شد زان سخن پهلوان

که با پیر سر شد به نوی جوان

سواری به کابل برافگند زود

به مهراب گفت آن کجا رفته بود

نوازیدن شهریار جهان

وزان شادمانی که رفت از مهان

من اینک چو دستان بر من رسد

گذاریم هر دو چنان چون سزد

Ganjoor · m22:10-16

Textual evidence

Zal sends a rider to Sahm; the rejuvenated father sends a further message to Kabul and promises the joint visit when Zal arrives.

G m22 10 ↗ G m22 11 ↗ G m22 12 ↗ G m22 13 ↗ G m22 14 ↗ G m22 15 ↗ G m22 16 ↗ Moscow p 227 ↗ Moscow p 228 ↗ Moscow p 229 ↗ Moscow p 230 ↗ Mohl p 170 ↗ Mohl p 171 ↗ Mohl p 172 ↗ Khaleghi p 255 ↗ Khaleghi p 256 ↗ Khaleghi p 257 ↗ Khaleghi p 258 ↗

Interpretation

The English correctly preserves the relay of knowledge. The households can prepare before the physical reunion because messengers, letters and people travel at different points in the sequence.

Return to parallel text

20–27Mehrab names the person who saved the situation

20–27

The rider hastened on to Kabul’s hall;

Mehrab received the news and heard it all.

Mehrab rejoiced that kinship had begun

With Zabulistan’s radiant, noble sun.

As if the soulless had received a soul,

As if gray age grew young and once more whole.

He summoned musicians there from every side,

Who played as if their souls were scattered wide.

Then Mehrab called Sindokht before his sight:

“O fortunate in counsel, wise and bright,

Through your advice this darkened place saw light;

You reached a branch that kings acclaim as right.

Since you began this matter, deftly planned,

Now bring it to fulfillment by your hand.

My treasury lies open at your call;

Take crown or throne or wealth; take freely all.”

چنان شاد شد شاه کابلستان

ز پیوند خورشید زابلستان

که گفتی همی جان برافشاندند

ز هر جای رامشگران خواندند

چو مهراب شد شاد و روشن روان

لبش گشت خندان و دل شادمان

گرانمایه سیندخت را پیش خواند

بسی خوب گفتار با او براند

بدو گفت کای جفت فرخنده رای

بیفروخت از رایت این تیره جای

به شاخی زدی دست کاندر زمین

برو شهریاران کنند آفرین

چنان هم کجا ساختی از نخست

بیاید مر این را سرانجام جست

همه گنج پیش تو آراستست

اگر تخت عاجست اگر خواستست

Ganjoor · m22:17-24

Textual evidence

The delighted ruler summons Sindokht, credits her counsel for lighting the dark place, praises the branch she reached and opens the treasury again.

G m22 17 ↗ G m22 18 ↗ G m22 19 ↗ G m22 20 ↗ G m22 21 ↗ G m22 22 ↗ G m22 23 ↗ G m22 24 ↗ Moscow p 227 ↗ Moscow p 228 ↗ Moscow p 229 ↗ Moscow p 230 ↗ Mohl p 170 ↗ Mohl p 171 ↗ Mohl p 172 ↗ Khaleghi p 255 ↗ Khaleghi p 256 ↗ Khaleghi p 257 ↗ Khaleghi p 258 ↗

Interpretation

This is explicit attribution of political accomplishment to the queen. The English does not have to manufacture a modern tribute: the husband himself names her plan and asks her to complete the work.

Return to parallel text

28–33Mother and daughter honor reciprocal agency

28–33

Sindokht withdrew and sought her daughter’s side,

And told the news with joy she could not hide:

“The one you chose is worthy, and his fame

Lets high-souled men lift heads that know no shame.

You hastened toward the wish within your heart;

Now all you sought is yours in every part.”

Rudabeh bowed, then spoke before them all:

“O queenly woman, praised in every hall,

The dust beneath your feet shall be my bed;

By your command my every path is led.

May Ahriman’s evil eye stay far away;

May feast and joy within your spirit stay.”

چو بشنید سیندخت ازو گشت باز

بر دختر آمد سراینده راز

همی مژده دادش به دیدار زال

که دیدی چنان چون بباید همال

زن و مرد را از بلندی منش

سزد گر فرازد سر از سرزنش

سوی کام دل تیز بشتافتی

کنون هر چه جستی همه یافتی

بدو گفت رودابه ای شاه زن

سزای ستایش به هر انجمن

من از خاک پای تو بالین کنم

به فرمانت آرایش دین کنم

ز تو چشم آهرمنان دور باد

دل و جان تو خانهٔ سور باد

Ganjoor · m22:25-31

Textual evidence

Sindokht tells Rudabeh that she has attained her chosen equal; the daughter answers with praise and promises obedience.

G m22 25 ↗ G m22 26 ↗ G m22 27 ↗ G m22 28 ↗ G m22 29 ↗ G m22 30 ↗ G m22 31 ↗ Moscow p 227 ↗ Moscow p 228 ↗ Moscow p 229 ↗ Moscow p 230 ↗ Mohl p 170 ↗ Mohl p 171 ↗ Mohl p 172 ↗ Khaleghi p 255 ↗ Khaleghi p 256 ↗ Khaleghi p 257 ↗ Khaleghi p 258 ↗

Interpretation

The English retains both the daughter’s determined choice and the mother’s successful action. Gratitude need not cancel the earlier resistance, nor does the happy outcome prove that the mother’s first violence was right.

Return to parallel text

34–40The palace becomes an argument in materials

—

Source-only passage; no separate English couplet.

یک ایوان همه جامهٔ رود و می

بیاورده از پارس و اهواز و ری

Ganjoor m22:39 · textiles and festive equipment from Pars, Ahvaz and Ray; no separate English list

34–40

Then Sindokht turned to set the palace fair,

And decked it out beyond what words declare:

She made the halls a Paradise so rare,

With wine, musk, ambergris throughout the air.

Gold-woven carpets stretched from wall to wall,

With emerald threads that shone throughout the hall.

Bright pearls were worked like drops of water clear,

Their liquid brilliance gleaming, sphere on sphere.

A golden throne she set with royal care,

In craftsmen’s style of Chin, both rich and fair.

Its figures glittered, filled with precious stone,

With jeweled carvings through the patterns shown.

Its ruby feet burned crimson in the light;

Kayanian splendor crowned the throne in sight.

چو بشنید سیندخت گفتار اوی

به آرایش کاخ بنهاد روی

بیاراست ایوانها چون بهشت

گلاب و می و مشک و عنبر سرشت

بساطی بیفگند پیکر به زر

زبر جد برو بافته سر به سر

دگر پیکرش در خوشاب بود

که هر دانه‌ای قطره‌ای آب بود

یک ایوان همه تخت زرین نهاد

به آیین و آرایش چین نهاد

همه پیکرش گوهر آگنده بود

میان گهر نقشها کنده بود

ز یاقوت مر تخت را پایه بود

که تخت کیان بود و پرمایه بود

Ganjoor · m22:32-38

Textual evidence

Halls, perfumes, gold-work, pearls and ruby-footed thrones make the welcome visible. Ganjoor’s separate regional supply list at 39 has no distinct English inventory and is displayed as source-only.

G m22 32 ↗ G m22 33 ↗ G m22 34 ↗ G m22 35 ↗ G m22 36 ↗ G m22 37 ↗ G m22 38 ↗ G m22 39 ↗ Moscow p 227 ↗ Moscow p 228 ↗ Moscow p 229 ↗ Moscow p 230 ↗ Mohl p 170 ↗ Mohl p 171 ↗ Mohl p 172 ↗ Khaleghi p 255 ↗ Khaleghi p 256 ↗ Khaleghi p 257 ↗ Khaleghi p 258 ↗

Interpretation

The English keeps the opulence’s ceremonial purpose. The craftsmen’s style of Chin is a cultural association of luxury workmanship, not an attribution to an identified surviving workshop.

Return to parallel text

41–49Private adornment leads into a public approach

41–49

She dressed Rudabeh, Paradise her face,

And worked a hundred spells of beauty’s grace,

And seated her within a gold-wrought room,

Where every ornament enhanced her bloom.

No stranger crossed the chamber’s guarded gate;

None entered while Rudabeh sat to wait.

All Kabulistan shone in rich array,

With scent and color, treasure on display.

The elephants wore Roman brocade bright;

Crowned minstrels rode upon them in delight.

They dressed the roads for Zal’s approaching ride,

And summoned servants in from every side.

With musk and ambergris the servants came;

They scattered treasure as they praised his name.

They spread rich furs and silks upon the ground,

While emeralds and gold were cast around.

They wet the dust with rosewater and wine;

The roadway flowed with fragrance rich and fine.

بیاراست رودابه را چون نگار

پر از جامه و رنگ و بوی بهار

همه کابلستان شد آراسته

پر از رنگ و بوی و پر از خواسته

همه پشت پیلان بیاراستند

ز کابل پرستندگان خواستند

نشستند بر پیل رامشگران

نهاده به سر بر زر افسران

پذیره شدن را بیاراستند

نثارش همه مشک و زر خواستند

Ganjoor · m22:40-44

Textual evidence

Rudabeh is adorned, Kabul decorated and minstrels mounted on elephants. Mohl p 172 additionally carries a guarded-chamber detail and the extended road preparation corresponding to the fuller English ending.

G m22 40 ↗ G m22 41 ↗ G m22 42 ↗ G m22 43 ↗ G m22 44 ↗ Moscow p 227 ↗ Moscow p 228 ↗ Moscow p 229 ↗ Moscow p 230 ↗ Mohl p 170 ↗ Mohl p 171 ↗ Mohl p 172 ↗ Khaleghi p 255 ↗ Khaleghi p 256 ↗ Khaleghi p 257 ↗ Khaleghi p 258 ↗

Interpretation

The preparation does not make Rudabeh a passive object retroactively: the bride now being ceremonially presented is the woman whose refusal of other suitors began the process. The public welcome completes what the first secret meeting could not achieve.

Return to parallel text

Chapter source record

English original ↗ Ganjoor m22 ↗ Moscow p 227 ↗ Moscow p 228 ↗ Moscow p 229 ↗ Moscow p 230 ↗ Mohl p 170 ↗ Mohl p 171 ↗ Mohl p 172 ↗ Khaleghi p 255 ↗ Khaleghi p 256 ↗ Khaleghi p 257 ↗ Khaleghi p 258 ↗