Zal and Rudabeh · A8.3

The Handmaidens Visit Zal

The river encounter turns desire into an organized exchange of messages, gifts and promises. Its charm includes unequal power and a real threat.

F&R English · 92 couplets · 10 commentary entries

Parallel text ↓Commentary ↓

The chapter in five texts

Text	Chapter treatment and distinctive choices
F&R English	Ninety-two couplets give the embassy ample dialogue, keeping the gifts, secrets and threat.
Moscow	Pp 163–168 carry the river negotiations with local bracketed descriptive material.
Mohl	Pp 127–132 supply the fuller dialogue and practical approach to the palace.
Ganjoor	Sh7 has 83 couplets; its local numbers expose speaker and addressee shifts.
Khaleghi	The river embassy is represented within pp 190–198, with extensive local apparatus rather than a second continuous parallel poem.

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.

1–13+

The maidens rose and hastened to their task,

Though anxious, still they did as she had asked.

They sought a cure for what they could not mend,

Yet moved as loyal servants to the end.

In Roman brocade, splendidly arrayed,

Their curls upon their rose-bright faces laid.

The five went forth toward the river’s side,

Like springtime moving bright in fragrant pride.

The month was Farvardin, the year’s first breath,

When earth renews itself from winter’s death,

And Zal’s encampment lined the river’s flank,

While they stood watching from the farther bank.

Their talk was all of Zal as on they strayed,

His name the only music that they made.

They gathered roses scattered by the stream,

Their cheeks like blossoms in a perfumed dream.

They wandered lightly, gathering flowers in play,

Until the royal pavilion faced their way.

Then Zal, who watched them from his place on high,

Turned to his men and asked them to reply.

“Who are these maidens, bright as flowers in spring,

That seem like roses sweetly blossoming?”

One answered: “From the halls of Mehrab’s queen

These waiting-maids have come, in beauty seen.

They walk abroad at Rudabeh’s command,

The pride and glory of fair Kabul’s land.”

پرستنده برخاست از پیش اوی

بدان چاره بی‌چاره بنهاد روی

به دیبای رومی بیاراستند

سر زلف برگل بپیراستند

برفتند هر پنج تا رودبار

ز هر بوی و رنگی چو خرم بهار

مه فرودین و سر سال بود

لب رود لشکرگه زال بود

همی گل چدند از لب رودبار

رخان چون گلستان و گل در کنار

نگه کرد دستان ز تخت بلند

بپرسید کاین گل پرستان کی َند

چنین گفت گوینده با پهلوان

که از کاخ مهراب روشن روان

پرستندگان را سوی گلستان

فرستد همی ماه کابلستان

Ganjoor · m7:1-8

14–22+

At once Zal’s heart leapt up, no more at rest,

For love already burned within his breast.

With but one servant near, he left his seat,

And paced the bank where wind and water meet.

Across the stream the maidens caught his sight;

He drew himself to all his lordly height.

He called for bow and arrow to be brought,

And searched for prey as though by instinct taught.

He went on foot and marked the swimming bird

That crossed the current, scarcely seen or heard.

His Turk then strung the bow, its curve drawn tight,

And placed it in Zal’s left hand for the flight.

The bow was drawn, the arrow notched and true,

He loosed the shaft, and to the mark it flew.

The bird fell bleeding; red the river ran;

“Cross over; bring it back,” the chief began.

That good man crossed the stream by boat to where

The maidens gathered close with watchful stare.

به نزد پری چهرگان رفت زال

کمان خواست از ترک و بفراخت یال

پیاده همی رفت جویان شکار

خشیشار دید اندر آن رودبار

کمان ترک گلرخ به زه بر نهاد

به دست جهان پهلوان در نهاد

نگه کرد تا مرغ برخاست ز آب

یکی تیره بنداخت اندر شتاب

ز پروازش آورد گردان فرود

چکان خون و وشی شده آب رود

به ترک آنگهی گفت زان سو گذر

بیاور تو آن مرغ افگنده پر

به کشتی گذر کرد ترک سترگ

خرامید نزد پرستنده ترک

Ganjoor · m7:9-15

23–29+

“That warrior whom we see across the way;

Who is he? Tell us what you know today.

Who is this lion-armed, elephant-built chief?

What king commands him? Tell us now in brief.

What foe could stand against that archer’s skill?

We have not seen such mastery of will.

No rider have we seen so fit and fair,

So masterful with arrows through the air.”

The boy pressed teeth to lip: “Speak not this way

Of such a Shah; take care in what you say.

He rules in Nimruz, sprung from Sahm’s own race,

A chief whom kings acknowledge in his place.

They call him Dastan; none can match his name;

No age will see one more of equal fame.”

پرستنده پرسید کای پهلوان

سخن گوی و بگشای شیرین زبان

که این شیر بازو گو پیلتن

چه مردست و شاه کدام انجمن

که بگشاد زین گونه تیر از کمان

چه سنجد به پیش اندرش بدگمان

ندیدیم زیبنده تر زین سوار

به تیر و کمان بر چنین کامگار

پری روی دندان به لب برنهاد

مکن گفت ازین گونه از شاه یاد

شه نیمروزست فرزند سام

که دستانش خوانند شاهان به نام

به گِردِ جهان گر بگردد سوار

ازین سان نبیند یکی نامدار

Ganjoor · m7:16-22

30–39+

The maidens laughed and answered, “Say no more;

A wonder waits within the palace door.

Within Kabul there shines a brighter light,

A form that dims the very sun from sight.

Her stature like a saj-tree, slender, white,

A musk-crowned moon, a form of pure delight.

Her nose is shaped like silver pen made fine,

A perfect stroke along the facial line.

Two dark narcissus eyes beneath brows bent,

With sleepy magic through their glances sent.

Her mouth is narrow as a heart in pain,

Her curls fall ring on ring like anklet chain.

Her cheeks are tulip-red, her eyes half-sleep,

And musk-black hair falls fragrant, dark, and deep.

Her lips so narrow breath can scarcely flow;

No moonlike her can all the heavens show.

From Kabul we have come to Zabul’s king,

To make her ruby lips to Sahm’s son cling.

For she and Zal are equals, both in worth;

Such union fits the order of the earth.”

پرستنده با کودک ماه روی

بخندید و گفتش که چندین مگوی

که ماهیست مهراب را در سرای

به یک سر ز شاه تو برتر بپای

به بالای ساج است و همرنگ عاج

یکی ایزدی بر سر از مشک تاج

دو نرگس دژم و دو ابرو به خم

ستون دو ابرو چو سیمین قلم

دهانش به تنگی دل مستمند

سر زلف چون حلقهٔ پای‌بند

دو جادوش پر خواب و پرآب روی

پر از لاله رخسار و پر مشک موی

نفس را مگر بر لبش راه نیست

چنو در جهان نیز یک ماه نیست

پرستندگان هر یکی آشکار

همی کرد وصف رخ آن نگار

بدین چاره تا آن لب لعل فام

کند آشنا با لب پور سام

Ganjoor · m7:23-31

40–46+

The youth flushed red and answered with delight:

“The sun may wed the moon when stars stand right.

When fate intends a union, hearts are bound;

When fate divides, no joining can be found.

Division shows; the joining stays unseen;

Such is the world’s enduring, timeless scene.

A warrior who keeps himself from mate

May live concealed and free from household fate.

He may refuse a wife for fear instead

That from his seed a daughter may be bred.

The male hawk said, when on the egg to brood,

His mate spread out her wings in watchful mood:

‘If from this egg a living offspring grows,

From father’s seed as much as mother’s flows.’”

چنین گفت با بندگان خوب چهر

که با ماه خوبست رخشنده مهر

ولیکن به گفتن مگر روی نیست

بود کاب را ره بدین جوی نیست

دلاور که پرهیز جوید ز جفت

بماند به آسانی اندر نهفت

بدان تاش دختر نباشد ز بن

نباید شنیدنش ننگ سخن

چنین گفت مر جفت را باز نر

چو بر خایه بنشست و گسترد پر

کزین خایه گر مایه بیرون کنم

ز پشت پدر خایه بیرون کنم

Ganjoor · m7:32-37

47–56+

The servant came back smiling from the place,

His silver teeth shone brightly in his face.

Then Zal looked on, and wondered at his glee:

“What did they tell you by the garden tree?”

The youth told all; Zal’s spirit leapt with fire,

Renewed by hope and sharpened with desire.

“Return,” he said, “and bid them linger where

The roses breathe their scent upon the air.

To gather flowers, jewels, they may stay;

Let them remain and do not haste away.

Do not return yet to the palace hall;

Wait till my secret message gives the call.”

He gathered gold and gems of richest kind,

With brocades rare as merchants seldom find.

Five splendid seven-hued brocades he chose,

And sent them by a trusted man, kept close.

The messenger approached the maidens sweet,

And brought the hidden treasures to their feet.

He gave the gold and jewels in Zal’s name,

And warm words from the world-champion came.

ازیشان چو برگشت خندان غلام

بپرسید از او نامور پور سام

که با تو چه گفت آن که خندان شدی

گشاده لب و سیم دندان شدی

بگفت آنچه بشنید با پهلوان

ز شادی دل پهلوان شد جوان

چنین گفت با ریدک ماه روی

که رو مر پرستندگان را بگوی

که از گلستان یک زمان مگذرید

مگر با گل از باغ گوهر برید

درم خواست و دینار و گوهر ز گنج

گرانمایه دیبای زربفت پنج

بفرمود کاین نزد ایشان برید

کسی را مگوئید و پنهان برید

نباید شدن شان سوی کاخ باز

بدان تا پیامی فرستم براز

برفتند زی ماه رخسار پنج

ابا گرم گفتار و دینار و گنج

بدیشان سپردند زر و گهر

پیام جهان پهلوان زال زر

Ganjoor · m7:38-47

57–65+

One maiden spoke: “A secret shared by two

Is safe; but tell a third and it breaks through.

When four have heard, then five will hear it plain;

And what was whispered soon becomes refrain.

So tell your master, if truth he would speak,

Let him come forth and find out what he seeks.”

“The male lion is caught within the snare,

And all we hoped for has fallen to our share.

The wishes they have both desired and planned

Now ripen, guided onward by our hand.”

The black-eyed treasurer recrossed the stream,

The trusted agent in this secret scheme.

He told his master all that he had heard;

Zal listened closely to his every word.

Then Zal himself went swiftly to the flowers,

To meet the maidens in the garden bowers.

They came before him, bowed upon the ground,

Their flower-bright faces gathered all around.

پرستنده با ماه دیدار گفت

که هرگز نماند سخن در نهفت

مگر آنکه باشد میان دو تن

سه تن نانهانست و چار انجمن

بگوی ای خردمند پاکیزه رای

سخن گر به رازست با ما سرای

پرستنده گفتند یک با دگر

که آمد به دام اندرون شیر نر

کنون کار رودابه و کام زال

به جای آمد و این بود نیک فال

بیامد سیه چشم گنجور شاه

که بود اندر آن کار دستور شاه

سخن هر چه بشنید از آن دلنواز

همی گفت پیش سپهبد به راز

سپهبد خرامید تا گلستان

بر امید خورشید کابلستان

پری روی گلرخ بتان طراز

برفتند و بردند پیشش نماز

Ganjoor · m7:48-56

66–75+

He asked of Rudabeh’s stature and her face,

Her form, her bearing, every outward grace.

Her speech, her judgment, wisdom, heart, and mind;

What in her nature he would truly find.

“Tell me each thing,” he said, “one after one;

Let crooked speech or falsehood enter none.

If all you tell is truthful in my sight,

Your honor shall be guarded as is right.

But if I sense deception in your breath,

Beneath elephants’ feet you shall meet death.”

Their faces paled; they kissed the earth in fear;

The youngest, bold of speech, then answered clear:

“Among the great no man from mother came

To match great Sahm in stature and in fame;

In purity of heart, in wisdom, sight,

In judgment and in knowledge of the right.

And after Sahm no rider can compare

With your great height and lion arms laid bare.

No man can rival your commanding air,

Or match the lion strength your shoulders bear.

سپهبد بپرسید ازیشان سخن

ز بالا و دیدار آن سرو بن

ز گفتار و دیدار و رای و خرد

بدان تا به خوی وی اندر خورد

بگویید با من یکایک سخن

به کژی نگر نفگنید ایچ بن

اگر راستی‌تان بود گفت‌وگوی

به نزدیک من تان بود آبروی

وگر هیچ کژی گمانی برم

به زیر پی پیلتان بسپرم

رخ لاله رخ گشت چون سندروس

به پیش سپهبد زمین داد بوس

چنین گفت کز مادر اندر جهان

نزاید کس اندر میان مهان

به دیدار سام و به بالای او

به پاکی دل و دانش و رای او

دگر چون تو ای پهلوان دلیر

بدین برز بالا و بازوی شیر

Ganjoor · m7:57-65

76–83+

And Rudabeh, no equal can be found,

A silver cypress, scent and color crowned.

From head to foot, all rose and jasmine bright,

Canopus crowns the cypress in her height.

It seems perfume itself drips from her face;

Her hair is ambergris in scented grace.

From silver dome to earth her kamand falls,

A snare of hair hung down the garden walls.

Her hair is musk and ambergris entwined;

Her jeweled body leaves all wealth behind.

Her curls, a blackened jowshan, loop and trail,

A musk-dark armor falling like a veil.

Ten fingers, silver pens in shape and line,

With ghaliya traced in many a dark design.

No idol-maker in all Chin could trace

Her equal; Moon and Pleiades praise her grace.”

سه دیگر چو رودابهٔ ماه روی

یکی سرو سیمست با رنگ و بوی

ز سر تا به پایش گلست وسمن

به سرو سهی بر سهیل یمن

از آن گنبد سیم سر بر زمین

فرو هشته بر گل کمند از کمین

به مشک و به عنبر سرش بافته

به یاقوت و زمرد تنش تافته

سر زلف و جعدش چو مشکین زره

فگندست گویی گره بر گره

ده انگشت برسان سیمین قلم

برو کرده از غالیه صدرقم

بت آرای چون او نبیند بچین

برو ماه و پروین کنند آفرین

همی می‌ چکد گویی از روی تو

عبیرست گویی مگر بوی تو

Ganjoor · m7:67-73, m7:66

84–92+

Zal, stirred by this, replied in softened tone:

“Tell me what path might make her heart my own.

I love her wholly, heart and soul combined,

And long to see the face that fills my mind.”

They answered: “We will hurry back, and raise

Our voices for you, speaking all your praise.

We shall praise your wisdom, speech, and noble face,

Your radiant spirit and your Pahlevan grace.

With skillful speech we shall engage her ear,

Yet twist no word nor bring one falsehood near.

Her musk-dark head we shall draw to the bait,

And bring her lips to you, Sahm’s son, who wait.

Then come yourself, your kamand in your hand,

Beneath her lofty palace wall to stand.

Cast its loop round the battlement, and dare;

The lion shall rejoice; the lamb his share.

Then see her face and judge what pleases you;

May joy increase from what we say and do.”

سپهبد پرستنده را گفت گرم

سخنهای شیرین به آوای نرم

که اکنون چه چارست با من بگوی

یکی راه جستن به نزدیک اوی

که ما را دل و جان پر از مهر اوست

همه آرزو دیدن چهر اوست

پرستنده گفتا چو فرمان دهی

گذاریم تا کاخ سرو سهی

ز فرخنده رای جهان پهلوان

ز گفتار و دیدار روشن روان

فریبیم و گوییم هر گونه‌ای

میان اندرون نیست واژونه‌ای

سر مشک بویش به دام آوریم

لبش زی لب پور سام آوریم

خرامد مگر پهلوان با کمند

به نزدیک دیوار کاخ بلند

کند حلقه در گردن کنگره

شود شیر شاد از شکار بره

برفتند خوبان و برگشت زال

دلش گشت با کام و شادی همال

Ganjoor · m7:74-83

Narrative and poetic form

The English makes the encounter legible and lively. Its strongest defense is narrative: the embassy solves a real access problem. The notes also preserve the threat, the fate/channel difference and the reassigned fragrance.

Couplet commentary

Quoted text · evidence · interpretation

1–13Spring supplies both setting and cover

1–13

The maidens rose and hastened to their task,

Though anxious, still they did as she had asked.

They sought a cure for what they could not mend,

Yet moved as loyal servants to the end.

In Roman brocade, splendidly arrayed,

Their curls upon their rose-bright faces laid.

The five went forth toward the river’s side,

Like springtime moving bright in fragrant pride.

The month was Farvardin, the year’s first breath,

When earth renews itself from winter’s death,

And Zal’s encampment lined the river’s flank,

While they stood watching from the farther bank.

Their talk was all of Zal as on they strayed,

His name the only music that they made.

They gathered roses scattered by the stream,

Their cheeks like blossoms in a perfumed dream.

They wandered lightly, gathering flowers in play,

Until the royal pavilion faced their way.

Then Zal, who watched them from his place on high,

Turned to his men and asked them to reply.

“Who are these maidens, bright as flowers in spring,

That seem like roses sweetly blossoming?”

One answered: “From the halls of Mehrab’s queen

These waiting-maids have come, in beauty seen.

They walk abroad at Rudabeh’s command,

The pride and glory of fair Kabul’s land.”

پرستنده برخاست از پیش اوی

بدان چاره بی‌چاره بنهاد روی

به دیبای رومی بیاراستند

سر زلف برگل بپیراستند

برفتند هر پنج تا رودبار

ز هر بوی و رنگی چو خرم بهار

مه فرودین و سر سال بود

لب رود لشکرگه زال بود

همی گل چدند از لب رودبار

رخان چون گلستان و گل در کنار

نگه کرد دستان ز تخت بلند

بپرسید کاین گل پرستان کی َند

چنین گفت گوینده با پهلوان

که از کاخ مهراب روشن روان

پرستندگان را سوی گلستان

فرستد همی ماه کابلستان

Ganjoor · m7:1-8

Textual evidence

The five women dress in Roman brocade, go to the river in Farvardin, gather flowers and are identified as Rudabeh’s attendants.

Interpretation

The English keeps the named Persian month rather than making the whole scene an unspecified European spring. Flower-gathering is both a credible outing and the chosen cover for the embassy.

Return to parallel text

14–22An archer creates a reason to cross

14–22

At once Zal’s heart leapt up, no more at rest,

For love already burned within his breast.

With but one servant near, he left his seat,

And paced the bank where wind and water meet.

Across the stream the maidens caught his sight;

He drew himself to all his lordly height.

He called for bow and arrow to be brought,

And searched for prey as though by instinct taught.

He went on foot and marked the swimming bird

That crossed the current, scarcely seen or heard.

His Turk then strung the bow, its curve drawn tight,

And placed it in Zal’s left hand for the flight.

The bow was drawn, the arrow notched and true,

He loosed the shaft, and to the mark it flew.

The bird fell bleeding; red the river ran;

“Cross over; bring it back,” the chief began.

That good man crossed the stream by boat to where

The maidens gathered close with watchful stare.

به نزد پری چهرگان رفت زال

کمان خواست از ترک و بفراخت یال

پیاده همی رفت جویان شکار

خشیشار دید اندر آن رودبار

کمان ترک گلرخ به زه بر نهاد

به دست جهان پهلوان در نهاد

نگه کرد تا مرغ برخاست ز آب

یکی تیره بنداخت اندر شتاب

ز پروازش آورد گردان فرود

چکان خون و وشی شده آب رود

به ترک آنگهی گفت زان سو گذر

بیاور تو آن مرغ افگنده پر

به کشتی گذر کرد ترک سترگ

خرامید نزد پرستنده ترک

Ganjoor · m7:9-15

Textual evidence

Zal approaches with a bow, shoots a waterbird and sends the Turk across by boat. Ganjoor specifies the bird rising from the water before the shot; English first depicts it swimming.

Interpretation

The display brings a messenger into reach of the women. The slight change in the bird’s depicted motion does not change the stratagem, but its source wording is worth preserving rather than calling every detail identical.

Return to parallel text

23–29The servant speaks the prince’s rank

23–29

“That warrior whom we see across the way;

Who is he? Tell us what you know today.

Who is this lion-armed, elephant-built chief?

What king commands him? Tell us now in brief.

What foe could stand against that archer’s skill?

We have not seen such mastery of will.

No rider have we seen so fit and fair,

So masterful with arrows through the air.”

The boy pressed teeth to lip: “Speak not this way

Of such a Shah; take care in what you say.

He rules in Nimruz, sprung from Sahm’s own race,

A chief whom kings acknowledge in his place.

They call him Dastan; none can match his name;

No age will see one more of equal fame.”

پرستنده پرسید کای پهلوان

سخن گوی و بگشای شیرین زبان

که این شیر بازو گو پیلتن

چه مردست و شاه کدام انجمن

که بگشاد زین گونه تیر از کمان

چه سنجد به پیش اندرش بدگمان

ندیدیم زیبنده تر زین سوار

به تیر و کمان بر چنین کامگار

پری روی دندان به لب برنهاد

مکن گفت ازین گونه از شاه یاد

شه نیمروزست فرزند سام

که دستانش خوانند شاهان به نام

به گِردِ جهان گر بگردد سوار

ازین سان نبیند یکی نامدار

Ganjoor · m7:16-22

Textual evidence

The women ask who the archer is; the youth names Dastan, son of Sahm and lord of Nimruz.

Interpretation

The dialogue operates through performed ignorance and proud correction. The English’s “king” and “Shah” here carry provincial and honorific force; they do not transfer Manuchehr’s supreme office to Zal.

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30–39Portrait and purpose change grammatical voiceSpeaker redistribution

30–39

The maidens laughed and answered, “Say no more;

A wonder waits within the palace door.

Within Kabul there shines a brighter light,

A form that dims the very sun from sight.

Her stature like a saj-tree, slender, white,

A musk-crowned moon, a form of pure delight.

Her nose is shaped like silver pen made fine,

A perfect stroke along the facial line.

Two dark narcissus eyes beneath brows bent,

With sleepy magic through their glances sent.

Her mouth is narrow as a heart in pain,

Her curls fall ring on ring like anklet chain.

Her cheeks are tulip-red, her eyes half-sleep,

And musk-black hair falls fragrant, dark, and deep.

Her lips so narrow breath can scarcely flow;

No moonlike her can all the heavens show.

From Kabul we have come to Zabul’s king,

To make her ruby lips to Sahm’s son cling.

For she and Zal are equals, both in worth;

Such union fits the order of the earth.”

پرستنده با کودک ماه روی

بخندید و گفتش که چندین مگوی

که ماهیست مهراب را در سرای

به یک سر ز شاه تو برتر بپای

به بالای ساج است و همرنگ عاج

یکی ایزدی بر سر از مشک تاج

دو نرگس دژم و دو ابرو به خم

ستون دو ابرو چو سیمین قلم

دهانش به تنگی دل مستمند

سر زلف چون حلقهٔ پای‌بند

دو جادوش پر خواب و پرآب روی

پر از لاله رخسار و پر مشک موی

نفس را مگر بر لبش راه نیست

چنو در جهان نیز یک ماه نیست

پرستندگان هر یکی آشکار

همی کرد وصف رخ آن نگار

بدین چاره تا آن لب لعل فام

کند آشنا با لب پور سام

Ganjoor · m7:23-31

Textual evidence

The portrait includes the silver-pen support between the brows, a narrow mouth and ringed hair. Ganjoor’s narrator then explains that the descriptions aim to join the lovers’ lips; English 38–39 puts that purpose into the women’s speech.

Interpretation

The nose is a defensible identification of the facial support between the brows. More consequential is the change of voice: a narrator’s explanation becomes an avowed embassy. The aim remains the same, but the English makes the women more openly declarative.

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40–46Compatibility, avoidance and the hawk’s eggLocal philosophical reshaping

40–46

The youth flushed red and answered with delight:

“The sun may wed the moon when stars stand right.

When fate intends a union, hearts are bound;

When fate divides, no joining can be found.

Division shows; the joining stays unseen;

Such is the world’s enduring, timeless scene.

A warrior who keeps himself from mate

May live concealed and free from household fate.

He may refuse a wife for fear instead

That from his seed a daughter may be bred.

The male hawk said, when on the egg to brood,

His mate spread out her wings in watchful mood:

‘If from this egg a living offspring grows,

From father’s seed as much as mother’s flows.’”

چنین گفت با بندگان خوب چهر

که با ماه خوبست رخشنده مهر

ولیکن به گفتن مگر روی نیست

بود کاب را ره بدین جوی نیست

دلاور که پرهیز جوید ز جفت

بماند به آسانی اندر نهفت

بدان تاش دختر نباشد ز بن

نباید شنیدنش ننگ سخن

چنین گفت مر جفت را باز نر

چو بر خایه بنشست و گسترد پر

کزین خایه گر مایه بیرون کنم

ز پشت پدر خایه بیرون کنم

Ganjoor · m7:32-37

Textual evidence

The youth accepts sun and moon as a fitting pair, questions the practicability of mere talk, and voices the avoidance-of-marriage and hawk-egg sayings. Ganjoor 33 speaks of water not having a path down this channel.

Interpretation

English 41–42 turns the obstacle into a more general proposition about fate, separation and hidden joining. The subsequent reproductive fable is transmitted material, however strange to modern readers; it should not be certified as biology or assigned to the narrator as settled doctrine.

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47–56Flowers give way to treasure

47–56

The servant came back smiling from the place,

His silver teeth shone brightly in his face.

Then Zal looked on, and wondered at his glee:

“What did they tell you by the garden tree?”

The youth told all; Zal’s spirit leapt with fire,

Renewed by hope and sharpened with desire.

“Return,” he said, “and bid them linger where

The roses breathe their scent upon the air.

To gather flowers, jewels, they may stay;

Let them remain and do not haste away.

Do not return yet to the palace hall;

Wait till my secret message gives the call.”

He gathered gold and gems of richest kind,

With brocades rare as merchants seldom find.

Five splendid seven-hued brocades he chose,

And sent them by a trusted man, kept close.

The messenger approached the maidens sweet,

And brought the hidden treasures to their feet.

He gave the gold and jewels in Zal’s name,

And warm words from the world-champion came.

ازیشان چو برگشت خندان غلام

بپرسید از او نامور پور سام

که با تو چه گفت آن که خندان شدی

گشاده لب و سیم دندان شدی

بگفت آنچه بشنید با پهلوان

ز شادی دل پهلوان شد جوان

چنین گفت با ریدک ماه روی

که رو مر پرستندگان را بگوی

که از گلستان یک زمان مگذرید

مگر با گل از باغ گوهر برید

درم خواست و دینار و گوهر ز گنج

گرانمایه دیبای زربفت پنج

بفرمود کاین نزد ایشان برید

کسی را مگوئید و پنهان برید

نباید شدن شان سوی کاخ باز

بدان تا پیامی فرستم براز

برفتند زی ماه رخسار پنج

ابا گرم گفتار و دینار و گنج

بدیشان سپردند زر و گهر

پیام جهان پهلوان زال زر

Ganjoor · m7:38-47

Textual evidence

The smiling youth reports back; Zal asks the women to linger and sends five brocades, money and jewels.

Interpretation

The English’s fuller pacing gives each passage across the river a function. The transaction remains concealed, and material generosity sustains a network of service rather than replacing the heroine’s prior choice.

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57–65The limits of secrecy

57–65

One maiden spoke: “A secret shared by two

Is safe; but tell a third and it breaks through.

When four have heard, then five will hear it plain;

And what was whispered soon becomes refrain.

So tell your master, if truth he would speak,

Let him come forth and find out what he seeks.”

“The male lion is caught within the snare,

And all we hoped for has fallen to our share.

The wishes they have both desired and planned

Now ripen, guided onward by our hand.”

The black-eyed treasurer recrossed the stream,

The trusted agent in this secret scheme.

He told his master all that he had heard;

Zal listened closely to his every word.

Then Zal himself went swiftly to the flowers,

To meet the maidens in the garden bowers.

They came before him, bowed upon the ground,

Their flower-bright faces gathered all around.

پرستنده با ماه دیدار گفت

که هرگز نماند سخن در نهفت

مگر آنکه باشد میان دو تن

سه تن نانهانست و چار انجمن

بگوی ای خردمند پاکیزه رای

سخن گر به رازست با ما سرای

پرستنده گفتند یک با دگر

که آمد به دام اندرون شیر نر

کنون کار رودابه و کام زال

به جای آمد و این بود نیک فال

بیامد سیه چشم گنجور شاه

که بود اندر آن کار دستور شاه

سخن هر چه بشنید از آن دلنواز

همی گفت پیش سپهبد به راز

سپهبد خرامید تا گلستان

بر امید خورشید کابلستان

پری روی گلرخ بتان طراز

برفتند و بردند پیشش نماز

Ganjoor · m7:48-56

Textual evidence

A secret held by two becomes public as hearers multiply; the women request Zal’s presence and celebrate the lion’s capture. The treasurer reports and Zal comes himself.

Interpretation

The snared lion reverses the usual hierarchy of martial power and feminine beauty. The narrative calls the later intermediary a treasurer; the commentary does not settle without evidence whether every earlier servant designation names the same individual.

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66–75A genuine threat inside a courtship scene

66–75

He asked of Rudabeh’s stature and her face,

Her form, her bearing, every outward grace.

Her speech, her judgment, wisdom, heart, and mind;

What in her nature he would truly find.

“Tell me each thing,” he said, “one after one;

Let crooked speech or falsehood enter none.

If all you tell is truthful in my sight,

Your honor shall be guarded as is right.

But if I sense deception in your breath,

Beneath elephants’ feet you shall meet death.”

Their faces paled; they kissed the earth in fear;

The youngest, bold of speech, then answered clear:

“Among the great no man from mother came

To match great Sahm in stature and in fame;

In purity of heart, in wisdom, sight,

In judgment and in knowledge of the right.

And after Sahm no rider can compare

With your great height and lion arms laid bare.

No man can rival your commanding air,

Or match the lion strength your shoulders bear.

سپهبد بپرسید ازیشان سخن

ز بالا و دیدار آن سرو بن

ز گفتار و دیدار و رای و خرد

بدان تا به خوی وی اندر خورد

بگویید با من یکایک سخن

به کژی نگر نفگنید ایچ بن

اگر راستی‌تان بود گفت‌وگوی

به نزدیک من تان بود آبروی

وگر هیچ کژی گمانی برم

به زیر پی پیلتان بسپرم

رخ لاله رخ گشت چون سندروس

به پیش سپهبد زمین داد بوس

چنین گفت کز مادر اندر جهان

نزاید کس اندر میان مهان

به دیدار سام و به بالای او

به پاکی دل و دانش و رای او

دگر چون تو ای پهلوان دلیر

بدین برز بالا و بازوی شیر

Ganjoor · m7:57-65

Textual evidence

Zal asks about character as well as beauty and threatens death beneath elephants if the report is false. The frightened answer first praises Sahm and then Zal.

Interpretation

The threat is explicit source narrative, not accidental English harshness. Preserving it prevents admiration for the lovers from becoming a sentimental account that erases the risks borne by their dependents.

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76–83The fragrant portrait and its shifted addresseeReassigned description

76–83

And Rudabeh, no equal can be found,

A silver cypress, scent and color crowned.

From head to foot, all rose and jasmine bright,

Canopus crowns the cypress in her height.

It seems perfume itself drips from her face;

Her hair is ambergris in scented grace.

From silver dome to earth her kamand falls,

A snare of hair hung down the garden walls.

Her hair is musk and ambergris entwined;

Her jeweled body leaves all wealth behind.

Her curls, a blackened jowshan, loop and trail,

A musk-dark armor falling like a veil.

Ten fingers, silver pens in shape and line,

With ghaliya traced in many a dark design.

No idol-maker in all Chin could trace

Her equal; Moon and Pleiades praise her grace.”

سه دیگر چو رودابهٔ ماه روی

یکی سرو سیمست با رنگ و بوی

ز سر تا به پایش گلست وسمن

به سرو سهی بر سهیل یمن

از آن گنبد سیم سر بر زمین

فرو هشته بر گل کمند از کمین

به مشک و به عنبر سرش بافته

به یاقوت و زمرد تنش تافته

سر زلف و جعدش چو مشکین زره

فگندست گویی گره بر گره

ده انگشت برسان سیمین قلم

برو کرده از غالیه صدرقم

بت آرای چون او نبیند بچین

برو ماه و پروین کنند آفرین

همی می‌ چکد گویی از روی تو

عبیرست گویی مگر بوی تو

Ganjoor · m7:67-73, m7:66

Textual evidence

Ganjoor 66 addresses Zal: “from your face,” followed by a separate introduction of Rudabeh at 67. English 78 places the dripping perfume in Rudabeh’s portrait. Canopus of Yemen, silver fingers and the black armor of curls are in the reference.

Interpretation

The celestial and armor imagery is well grounded. The fragrance line has been reassigned from praise of the prince to praise of the princess, a small but definite redistribution of descriptive attention.

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84–92A rope-plan gives desire a route

84–92

Zal, stirred by this, replied in softened tone:

“Tell me what path might make her heart my own.

I love her wholly, heart and soul combined,

And long to see the face that fills my mind.”

They answered: “We will hurry back, and raise

Our voices for you, speaking all your praise.

We shall praise your wisdom, speech, and noble face,

Your radiant spirit and your Pahlevan grace.

With skillful speech we shall engage her ear,

Yet twist no word nor bring one falsehood near.

Her musk-dark head we shall draw to the bait,

And bring her lips to you, Sahm’s son, who wait.

Then come yourself, your kamand in your hand,

Beneath her lofty palace wall to stand.

Cast its loop round the battlement, and dare;

The lion shall rejoice; the lamb his share.

Then see her face and judge what pleases you;

May joy increase from what we say and do.”

سپهبد پرستنده را گفت گرم

سخنهای شیرین به آوای نرم

که اکنون چه چارست با من بگوی

یکی راه جستن به نزدیک اوی

که ما را دل و جان پر از مهر اوست

همه آرزو دیدن چهر اوست

پرستنده گفتا چو فرمان دهی

گذاریم تا کاخ سرو سهی

ز فرخنده رای جهان پهلوان

ز گفتار و دیدار روشن روان

فریبیم و گوییم هر گونه‌ای

میان اندرون نیست واژونه‌ای

سر مشک بویش به دام آوریم

لبش زی لب پور سام آوریم

خرامد مگر پهلوان با کمند

به نزدیک دیوار کاخ بلند

کند حلقه در گردن کنگره

شود شیر شاد از شکار بره

برفتند خوبان و برگشت زال

دلش گشت با کام و شادی همال

Ganjoor · m7:74-83

Textual evidence

The women promise to praise Zal, bring the lovers together and advise a rope around the battlement. Ganjoor ends with their departure and Zal’s happiness; English gives an anticipatory wish to see and judge the beloved.

Interpretation

The closing wish carries the practical proposal forward. Lion and lamb remain figurative courtship language at this point, not proof that the later meeting includes every act its hunting imagery might suggest.

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The chapter in five texts

Parallel text

Narrative and poetic form

Couplet commentary

Chapter source record