New NaqqaliZal and Rudabeh · A8.4
The Handmaidens Return
The maidens return with gifts and a changed opinion. Rudabeh enjoys the reversal before turning their success into a plan for the night.
The chapter in five texts
| Text | Chapter treatment and distinctive choices |
|---|---|
| F&R English | Forty-four couplets sharpen waiting, teasing and preparation, with a more explicit invitation commissioned by Rudabeh. |
| Moscow | Pp 168–171 retain the return and decorated chamber; portions of the sequence are bracketed. |
| Mohl | Pp 132–133 give the fuller transition from the returning report to the night preparation. |
| Ganjoor | Sh8 has 36 couplets, including a maid’s counsel where the English assigns Rudabeh a message. |
| Khaleghi | The return and preparation can be consulted within pp 197–200; exact speech assignments require the local text, not just a shared plot. |
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.
1–8+
The maidens left, and Zal endured the night
As though a year withheld all morning light.
Meanwhile they reached the palace gate; they bore
The river-roses gathered on the shore.
Each bore two sprays, and as they slipped inside,
The porter saw them pass, and loudly cried:
“A fine hour this to wander far outside!
I marvel at your roaming, wild and wide.”
The maidens, pressed and startled by his voice,
Prepared their answer; silence was no choice.
“This day is like all others, why this care?
No lurking evil haunts the garden air.
It is the spring, we gather blooms for play,
Hyacinths and roses we picked today.
Why then rebuke us with such bitter blame
For gathering spring blossoms; is that shame?”
رسیدند خوبان به درگاه کاخ
به دست اندرون هر یک از گل دو شاخ
نگه کرد دربان برآراست جنگ
زبان کرد گستاخ و دل کرد تنگ
که بی‌گه ز درگاه بیرون شوید
شگفت آیدم تا شما چون شوید
بتان پاسخش را بیاراستند
به تنگی دل از جای برخاستند
که امروز روزی دگر گونه نیست
به راه گلان دیو واژونه نیست
بهار آمد ازگلستان گل چنیم
ز روی زمین شاخ سنبل چنیم
Ganjoor · m8:1-6
9–18+
He answered: “This is not the time to roam;
Take heed, for danger gathers close to home.
Zal, son of Sahm, is camped in Kabul’s land,
His tents and warriors spread on every hand.
At dawn your lord rides forth to meet the heir,
And friendship now has grown between the pair.
If he should find you wandering this way,
You would be seized and punished where you stray.”
They passed within and sought their mistress out,
And told their secrets, joy beyond all doubt.
“No sun so bright has ever met our sight;
His cheeks are ruddy, ivory tresses white!”
Rudabeh’s heart leapt high with sudden flame,
And longing rose when anyone said his name.
They laid his gifts before her, gold and bright,
The jewels that shimmered softly in the light.
She questioned them: “Tell all; conceal no part:
What did you find in Zal, that lion-heart?
Is he indeed as worthy as men say?
Or is his fame but smoke that drifts away?”
نگهبان در گفت کامروز کار
نباید گرفتن بدان هم شمار
که زال سپهبد به کابل نبود
سراپردهٔ شاه زابل نبود
نبینید کز کاخ کابل خدای
به زین اندر آرد بشبگیر پای
اگرتان ببیند چنین گل بدست
کند بر زمین‌تان هم آنگاه پست
شدند اندر ایوان بتان طراز
نشستند و با ماه گفتند راز
نهادند دینار و گوهر به پیش
بپرسید رودابه از کم و بیش
که چون بودتان کار با پور سام
به دیدن به است ار به آواز و نام
پری چهره هر پنج بشتافتند
چو با ماه جای سخن یافتند
Ganjoor · m8:7-14
19–28+
Encouraged now, the maidens spoke as one:
“No finer horseman lives beneath the sun.
A cypress in his stature, straight and tall,
With royal grace that crowns and conquers all.
What form, what color, what commanding air!
What slender waist, what shoulders broad and square!
His eyes are like narcissi wet with dew,
His lips like coral, cheeks like roses new.
His arms are lion-strong in bone and might,
Mobad at heart, with royal farr alight.
His white hair is a fault, but no disgrace;
It lends him wonder, adding to his grace.
His silver curls lie like a jowshan, pale,
On arghavan-red bloom beneath their veil.
Indeed, he seems as though he should be so;
Were he not thus, how could affection grow?
We told him he should see you; hope took fire,
And all his heart was kindled with desire.
Now think what means may bring him safely near,
And tell us what to say when next we hear.”
که مردیست بر سان سرو سهی
همش زیب و هم فر شاهنشهی
همش رنگ و بوی و همش قد و شاخ
سواری میان لاغر و بر فراخ
دو چشمش چو دو نرگس قیرگون
لبانش چو بسد رخانش چو خون
کف و ساعدش چو کف شیر نر
هیون ران و موبد دل و شاه فر
سراسر سپید ست مویش به رنگ
از آهو همین است و این نیست ننگ
سر جعد آن پهلوان جهان
چو سیمین زره بر گل ارغوان
که گویی همی خود چنان بایدی
وگر نیستی مهر نفزایدی
به دیدار تو داده‌ایمش نوید
ز ما بازگشتست دل پر امید
کنون چارهٔ کار مهمان بساز
بفرمای تا بر چه گردیم باز
Ganjoor · m8:15-23
29–35+
She smiled and flushed, then spoke in playful guise:
“But yesterday you judged him otherwise!
That he was old, bird-reared, a withered thing!
Now suddenly he soars like a lord and king?
You praised my face to him in honeyed voice,
Then claimed a price for helping in my choice.”
Yet still she smiled, her cheeks grew warm and bright,
Like pomegranates touched by soft moonlight.
Then to one maid she spoke in lowered tone:
“At night go forth and seek him on your own.
Give him this message: ‘All your hopes are true;
Prepare yourself: your Moon now waits for you.
Now let us shape the means with quiet art,
For Heaven gave this love into your heart.’”
چنین گفت با بندگان سرو بن
که دیگر شدستی به رای و سخن
همان زال کو مرغ پرورده بود
چنان پیر سر بود و پژمرده بود
به دیدار شد چون گل ارغوان
سهی قد و زیبا رخ و پهلوان
رخ من به پیشش بیاراستی
به گفتار و زان پس بها خواستی
همی گفت و لب را پر از خنده داشت
رخان هم چو گلنار آگنده داشت
پرستنده با بانوی ماه‌روی
چنین گفت کاکنون ره چاره جوی
که یزدان هر آنچت هوا بود داد
سرانجام این کار فرخنده باد
Ganjoor · m8:24-30
36–44+
Rudabeh made all ready, yet seemed still,
While none among her kin suspected ill.
She raised a pavilion fresh as spring in bloom,
With noble portraits gracing every room.
Her servants draped it richly, fold on fold,
With brocade fine from Chin and threads of gold.
They ranged the golden trays with measured art,
And scattered precious jewels through every part.
They mixed the wine with musk and amber rare,
And cast bright gems like stardust through the air.
Here narcissus and violets were strewn,
With roses blooming soft as breath of June;
There lilies stood with jasmine intertwined,
A garden shaped to captivate the mind.
Gold cups with turquoise shone in ordered rows,
And clear rosewater breathed the scent of rose.
From the sun-faced maiden’s chamber perfume spun,
And climbed the air until it reached the sun.
یکی خانه بودش چو خرم بهار
ز چهر بزرگان برو بر نگار
به دیبای چینی بیاراستند
طبق‌های زرین بپیراستند
عقیق و زبرجد برو ریختند
می و مشک و عنبر برآمیختند
همه زر و پیروزه بد جامشان
به روشن گلاب اندر آشامشان
بنفشه گل و نرگس و ارغوان
سمن شاخ و سنبل به دیگر کران
از آن خانهٔ دخت خورشید روی
برآمد همی تا به خورشید بوی
Ganjoor · m8:31-36
Narrative and poetic form
The changed opinion of the maidens is an essential success of the English. Its message commission is best described as narrative redistribution, with the source’s actual speaker kept visible.
Couplet commentary
Quoted text · evidence · interpretation1–8Flowers provide an imperfect alibi
1–8
The maidens left, and Zal endured the night
As though a year withheld all morning light.
Meanwhile they reached the palace gate; they bore
The river-roses gathered on the shore.
Each bore two sprays, and as they slipped inside,
The porter saw them pass, and loudly cried:
“A fine hour this to wander far outside!
I marvel at your roaming, wild and wide.”
The maidens, pressed and startled by his voice,
Prepared their answer; silence was no choice.
“This day is like all others, why this care?
No lurking evil haunts the garden air.
It is the spring, we gather blooms for play,
Hyacinths and roses we picked today.
Why then rebuke us with such bitter blame
For gathering spring blossoms; is that shame?”
رسیدند خوبان به درگاه کاخ
به دست اندرون هر یک از گل دو شاخ
نگه کرد دربان برآراست جنگ
زبان کرد گستاخ و دل کرد تنگ
که بی‌گه ز درگاه بیرون شوید
شگفت آیدم تا شما چون شوید
بتان پاسخش را بیاراستند
به تنگی دل از جای برخاستند
که امروز روزی دگر گونه نیست
به راه گلان دیو واژونه نیست
بهار آمد ازگلستان گل چنیم
ز روی زمین شاخ سنبل چنیم
Ganjoor · m8:1-6
Textual evidence
The women arrive carrying sprays and are challenged by the porter; their answer invokes ordinary spring gathering. English begins with Zal experiencing the wait as a year.
G m8 1 ↗ G m8 2 ↗ G m8 3 ↗ G m8 4 ↗ G m8 5 ↗ G m8 6 ↗ Moscow p 168 ↗ Moscow p 169 ↗ Moscow p 170 ↗ Moscow p 171 ↗ Mohl p 132 ↗ Mohl p 133 ↗ Khaleghi p 197 ↗ Khaleghi p 198 ↗ Khaleghi p 199 ↗ Khaleghi p 200 ↗
Interpretation
The opening prolongation of subjective time belongs to the English’s handling of separation. It is not a literal extra year in the chronology. The women’s flowers remain material evidence of their cover story.
9–18The porter recognizes a changed political situation
9–18
He answered: “This is not the time to roam;
Take heed, for danger gathers close to home.
Zal, son of Sahm, is camped in Kabul’s land,
His tents and warriors spread on every hand.
At dawn your lord rides forth to meet the heir,
And friendship now has grown between the pair.
If he should find you wandering this way,
You would be seized and punished where you stray.”
They passed within and sought their mistress out,
And told their secrets, joy beyond all doubt.
“No sun so bright has ever met our sight;
His cheeks are ruddy, ivory tresses white!”
Rudabeh’s heart leapt high with sudden flame,
And longing rose when anyone said his name.
They laid his gifts before her, gold and bright,
The jewels that shimmered softly in the light.
She questioned them: “Tell all; conceal no part:
What did you find in Zal, that lion-heart?
Is he indeed as worthy as men say?
Or is his fame but smoke that drifts away?”
نگهبان در گفت کامروز کار
نباید گرفتن بدان هم شمار
که زال سپهبد به کابل نبود
سراپردهٔ شاه زابل نبود
نبینید کز کاخ کابل خدای
به زین اندر آرد بشبگیر پای
اگرتان ببیند چنین گل بدست
کند بر زمین‌تان هم آنگاه پست
شدند اندر ایوان بتان طراز
نشستند و با ماه گفتند راز
نهادند دینار و گوهر به پیش
بپرسید رودابه از کم و بیش
که چون بودتان کار با پور سام
به دیدن به است ار به آواز و نام
پری چهره هر پنج بشتافتند
چو با ماه جای سخن یافتند
Ganjoor · m8:7-14
Textual evidence
The porter warns that Zal’s presence makes this day different. Inside, the women display gifts and Rudabeh asks whether appearance matches report.
G m8 10 ↗ G m8 11 ↗ G m8 12 ↗ G m8 13 ↗ G m8 14 ↗ G m8 7 ↗ G m8 8 ↗ G m8 9 ↗ Moscow p 168 ↗ Moscow p 169 ↗ Moscow p 170 ↗ Moscow p 171 ↗ Mohl p 132 ↗ Mohl p 133 ↗ Khaleghi p 197 ↗ Khaleghi p 198 ↗ Khaleghi p 199 ↗ Khaleghi p 200 ↗
Interpretation
The warning confirms that secrecy is difficult because household conduct is now exposed to a visiting court. The English’s additional delighted portrait makes the return vivid; it does not constitute a second independent meeting with Zal.
19–28The once-rejected white hair becomes fitting
19–28
Encouraged now, the maidens spoke as one:
“No finer horseman lives beneath the sun.
A cypress in his stature, straight and tall,
With royal grace that crowns and conquers all.
What form, what color, what commanding air!
What slender waist, what shoulders broad and square!
His eyes are like narcissi wet with dew,
His lips like coral, cheeks like roses new.
His arms are lion-strong in bone and might,
Mobad at heart, with royal farr alight.
His white hair is a fault, but no disgrace;
It lends him wonder, adding to his grace.
His silver curls lie like a jowshan, pale,
On arghavan-red bloom beneath their veil.
Indeed, he seems as though he should be so;
Were he not thus, how could affection grow?
We told him he should see you; hope took fire,
And all his heart was kindled with desire.
Now think what means may bring him safely near,
And tell us what to say when next we hear.”
که مردیست بر سان سرو سهی
همش زیب و هم فر شاهنشهی
همش رنگ و بوی و همش قد و شاخ
سواری میان لاغر و بر فراخ
دو چشمش چو دو نرگس قیرگون
لبانش چو بسد رخانش چو خون
کف و ساعدش چو کف شیر نر
هیون ران و موبد دل و شاه فر
سراسر سپید ست مویش به رنگ
از آهو همین است و این نیست ننگ
سر جعد آن پهلوان جهان
چو سیمین زره بر گل ارغوان
که گویی همی خود چنان بایدی
وگر نیستی مهر نفزایدی
به دیدار تو داده‌ایمش نوید
ز ما بازگشتست دل پر امید
کنون چارهٔ کار مهمان بساز
بفرمای تا بر چه گردیم باز
Ganjoor · m8:15-23
Textual evidence
The returned report praises the warrior’s body, mind and royal farr. White hair is called a fault without disgrace, then something that seems necessary to his appeal.
G m8 15 ↗ G m8 16 ↗ G m8 17 ↗ G m8 18 ↗ G m8 19 ↗ G m8 20 ↗ G m8 21 ↗ G m8 22 ↗ G m8 23 ↗ Moscow p 168 ↗ Moscow p 169 ↗ Moscow p 170 ↗ Moscow p 171 ↗ Mohl p 132 ↗ Mohl p 133 ↗ Khaleghi p 197 ↗ Khaleghi p 198 ↗ Khaleghi p 199 ↗ Khaleghi p 200 ↗
Interpretation
The English preserves the source’s progressive correction of prejudice. The hair does not change; the judgment does. Silver armor on arghavan-red bloom answers the earlier dark-armored curls of the princess.
29–35Rudabeh’s teasing; a change of speakerSpeaker and action reshaped
29–35
She smiled and flushed, then spoke in playful guise:
“But yesterday you judged him otherwise!
That he was old, bird-reared, a withered thing!
Now suddenly he soars like a lord and king?
You praised my face to him in honeyed voice,
Then claimed a price for helping in my choice.”
Yet still she smiled, her cheeks grew warm and bright,
Like pomegranates touched by soft moonlight.
Then to one maid she spoke in lowered tone:
“At night go forth and seek him on your own.
Give him this message: ‘All your hopes are true;
Prepare yourself: your Moon now waits for you.
Now let us shape the means with quiet art,
For Heaven gave this love into your heart.’”
چنین گفت با بندگان سرو بن
که دیگر شدستی به رای و سخن
همان زال کو مرغ پرورده بود
چنان پیر سر بود و پژمرده بود
به دیدار شد چون گل ارغوان
سهی قد و زیبا رخ و پهلوان
رخ من به پیشش بیاراستی
به گفتار و زان پس بها خواستی
همی گفت و لب را پر از خنده داشت
رخان هم چو گلنار آگنده داشت
پرستنده با بانوی ماه‌روی
چنین گفت کاکنون ره چاره جوی
که یزدان هر آنچت هوا بود داد
سرانجام این کار فرخنده باد
Ganjoor · m8:24-30
Textual evidence
Rudabeh laughs at the attendants’ reversal. Ganjoor 29–30 then makes a maid tell her mistress to seek a means, since God has granted her wish. English 33–35 makes Rudabeh commission a message to Zal.
G m8 24 ↗ G m8 25 ↗ G m8 26 ↗ G m8 27 ↗ G m8 28 ↗ G m8 29 ↗ G m8 30 ↗ Moscow p 168 ↗ Moscow p 169 ↗ Moscow p 170 ↗ Moscow p 171 ↗ Mohl p 132 ↗ Mohl p 133 ↗ Khaleghi p 197 ↗ Khaleghi p 198 ↗ Khaleghi p 199 ↗ Khaleghi p 200 ↗
Interpretation
The practical move is consistent with the next chapter’s summons, but the grammatical agency has changed. The note distinguishes a defensible narrative bridge from a word-for-word version of the maid’s actual counsel.
36–44A room made into spring
36–44
Rudabeh made all ready, yet seemed still,
While none among her kin suspected ill.
She raised a pavilion fresh as spring in bloom,
With noble portraits gracing every room.
Her servants draped it richly, fold on fold,
With brocade fine from Chin and threads of gold.
They ranged the golden trays with measured art,
And scattered precious jewels through every part.
They mixed the wine with musk and amber rare,
And cast bright gems like stardust through the air.
Here narcissus and violets were strewn,
With roses blooming soft as breath of June;
There lilies stood with jasmine intertwined,
A garden shaped to captivate the mind.
Gold cups with turquoise shone in ordered rows,
And clear rosewater breathed the scent of rose.
From the sun-faced maiden’s chamber perfume spun,
And climbed the air until it reached the sun.
یکی خانه بودش چو خرم بهار
ز چهر بزرگان برو بر نگار
به دیبای چینی بیاراستند
طبق‌های زرین بپیراستند
عقیق و زبرجد برو ریختند
می و مشک و عنبر برآمیختند
همه زر و پیروزه بد جامشان
به روشن گلاب اندر آشامشان
بنفشه گل و نرگس و ارغوان
سمن شاخ و سنبل به دیگر کران
از آن خانهٔ دخت خورشید روی
برآمد همی تا به خورشید بوی
Ganjoor · m8:31-36
Textual evidence
The room’s portraits, Chinese brocade, golden trays, jewels, wine, perfumes and flowers correspond to the source preparation.
G m8 31 ↗ G m8 32 ↗ G m8 33 ↗ G m8 34 ↗ G m8 35 ↗ G m8 36 ↗ Moscow p 168 ↗ Moscow p 169 ↗ Moscow p 170 ↗ Moscow p 171 ↗ Mohl p 132 ↗ Mohl p 133 ↗ Khaleghi p 197 ↗ Khaleghi p 198 ↗ Khaleghi p 199 ↗ Khaleghi p 200 ↗
Interpretation
“Breath of June” supplies an English seasonal simile; it does not supersede the earlier explicit Farvardin date. The closing upward flight of scent matches the sun-faced heroine and gives the furnishing list a single imaginative destination.