Zal and Rudabeh · A8.9

Rudabeh’s Mother Is Not Pleased

Discovery puts a dependent messenger in danger before it brings mother and daughter into painful confidence. Sindokht’s later diplomacy begins in fear, not perfect composure.

F&R English · 67 couplets · 7 commentary entries

Parallel text ↓Commentary ↓

The chapter in five texts

Text	Chapter treatment and distinctive choices
F&R English	Sixty-seven couplets retain the interrogation and confession, with a fuller secrecy instruction and more explicit language about the first meeting.
Moscow	Pp 183–187 retain the discovery and response, including several local bracketed additions.
Mohl	Pp 142–145 support the fuller household scene and the warning to silence at its close.
Ganjoor	Sh12 has 62 couplets; it states the meeting and covenant without English 48’s exact “nothing more.”
Khaleghi	The discovery and maternal response fall within pp 211–215, where additional readings remain separately recorded.

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.

1–12+

A honey-tongued woman served as go-between,

And carried lovers’ words both heard and seen.

Zal summoned her and spoke of Sahm’s reply,

Then said: “Go now to Rudabeh, and try;

‘Fair lady, when the road seems closed to you,

Another path may open into view.

The messenger has come with hopeful news;’

Though Sahm delayed, he did not now refuse.”

They spoke at length; each sage was fully heard,

And Sahm agreed to honor his pledged word.

He gave his father’s letter to her care;

She ran with joy like wind through morning air.

Rudabeh, hearing, scattered gold like rain,

And seated her with honor in her train.

She gave the woman robes for news she bore,

A fitting gift from Rudabeh’s royal store.

Then brought a headband wrought with subtle art,

Its warp and weft concealed in every part.

With gold and rubies woven into light,

The gems so rich they hid the metal’s sight.

A rich and noble ring she gave to bear,

Like Jupiter it shone in heaven’s air.

She sent the gifts to Zal without delay,

With greetings and a message on their way.

میان سپهدار و آن سرو بن

زنی بود گوینده شیرین سخن

پیام آوریدی سوی پهلوان

هم از پهلوان سوی سرو روان

سپهدار دستان مر او را بخواند

سخن هر چه بشنید با او براند

بدو گفت نزدیک رودابه رو

بگویش که ای نیک دل ماه نو

سخن چون ز تنگی به سختی رسید

فراخیش را زود بینی کلید

فرستاده باز آمد از پیش سام

ابا شادمانی و فرخ پیام

بسی گفت و بشنید و زد داستان

سرانجام او گشت همداستان

سبک پاسخ نامه زن را سپرد

زن از پیش او بازگشت و ببرد

به نزدیک رودابه آمد چو باد

بدین شادمانی ورا مژده داد

پری روی بر زن درم برفشاند

به کرسی زر پیکرش برنشاند

یکی شاره سربند پیش آورید

شده تار و پود اندرو ناپدید

همه پیکرش سرخ یاقوت و زر

شده زر همه ناپدید از گهر

یکی جفت پر مایه انگشتری

فروزنده چون بر فلک مشتری

فرستاد نزدیک دستان سام

بسی داد با آن درود و پیام

Ganjoor · m12:1-14

13–23+

But Sindokht saw the woman pass within,

And spoke at once, her voice both sharp and thin:

“From where do you come? Speak and hide no part.

You cross these halls too often for my heart.

Time after time before my eyes you go,

Then enter her chamber, yet no greeting show.

My heart suspects you; speak without delay:

Are you the bowstring, or the bow? Now say.”

Her face grew pale with fear at Sindokht’s sound,

She bent before her and she kissed the ground.

“I earn my living, moving place to place,

I sell fine goods among your noble race.

Rudabeh wished for jewels and robes of state;

I brought her wares befitting one so great.”

Sindokht replied: “Then show me what you sold,

And ease my doubt; bring forth the gems and gold.”

“They rest with her,” the trembling woman said,

“I go to fetch more pieces, as was pled.”

“Then show the payment,” Sindokht sharply cried,

“Let me see coin, and prove you have not lied.”

“She pays tomorrow,” came the quick reply,

“Please wait; I will bring silver; do not pry.”

زن از حجره آنگه به ایوان رسید

نگه کرد سیندخت او را بدید

زن از بیم برگشت چون سندروس

بترسید و روی زمین داد بوس

پر اندیشه شد جان سیندخت ازوی

به آواز گفت از کجایی بگوی

زمان تا زمان پیش من بگذری

به حجره درآیی به من ننگری

دل روشنم بر تو شد بدگمان

بگویی مرا تا زهی گر کمان

بدو گفت زن من یکی چاره‌جوی

همی نان فراز آرم از چند روی

بدین حجره رودابه پیرایه خواست

بدو دادم اکنون همینست راست

بیاوردمش افسر پرنگار

یکی حلقه پرگوهر شاهوار

بدو گفت سیندخت بنمایی‌ام

دل بسته ز اندیشه بگشایی‌ام

سپردم به رودابه گفت این دو چیز

فزون خواست اکنون بیارمش نیز

بها گفت بگذار بر چشم من

یکی آب بر زن برین خشم من

درم گفت فردا دهد ماه روی

بها تا نیابم تو از من مجوی

Ganjoor · m12:15-26

24–30+

Sindokht saw through the falsehood at a glance,

Her anger surged; the lie had lost its chance.

She searched her sleeves with force from side to side,

To learn what crooked secret she might hide.

And there she found the costly clothes concealed,

With Rudabeh’s own handiwork revealed.

Her anger flared; she seized her by the hair,

And threw her face-down on the earth laid bare.

In fury she dragged the woman on the ground,

With scorn for every secret she had found.

Then to her chamber, burning, she withdrew,

Her heart in turmoil, mind in sorrow too.

She shut herself within and sat alone,

Distraught, with reason from its moorings thrown.

همی کژ دانست گفتار او

بیاراست دل را به پیکار او

بیامد بجستش بر و آستی

همی جست ازو کژی و کاستی

به خشم اندرون شد ازان زن غمی

به خواری کشیدش بروی زمی

چو آن جامه‌های گرانمایه دید

هم از دست رودابه پیرایه دید

در کاخ بر خویشتن بر ببست

از اندیشگان شد به کردار مست

Ganjoor · m12:27-31

31–39+

She sent for Rudabeh; the summons made,

She struck her face in anguish, sore dismayed.

Her two narcissi washed each roseate cheek,

With tears that shone before she rose to speak:

“O child, bright moon, born for the royal height,

Why choose the pit and cast the throne from sight?

What lesson have I failed to teach or show?

What courtly rule have I not made you know?

Why have you wronged me thus? Speak now and say

Who sent this woman, what has passed this way.

For whom are these rich gifts, the ring, the dress?

What hidden bond drives you to such excess?

The Tazi crown has passed into our hand,

And brought us good and ill throughout the land.

Will you cast your name to winds and let it fly,

And watch its hard-won honor scatter by?

May I not live to see so black a stain!

Better no daughter than such lasting pain.”

بفرمود تا دخترش رفت پیش

همی دست برزد به رخسار خویش

دو گل را به دو نرگس خوابدار

همی شست تا شد گلان آبدار

به رودابه گفت ای سرافراز ماه

گزین کردی از ناز برگاه چاه

چه ماند از نکو داشتی در جهان

که ننمودمت آشکار و نهان

ستمگر چرا گشتی ای ماه‌روی

همه رازها پیش مادر بگوی

که این زن ز پیش که آید همی

به پیشت ز بهر چه آید همی

سخن بر چه سانست و آن مرد کیست

که زیبای سربند و انگشتریست

ز گنج بزرگ افسر تازیان

به ما ماند بسیار سود و زیان

بدین نام بد دادخواهی به باد

چو من زاده‌ام دخت هرگز مباد

Ganjoor · m12:32-40

40–49+

Rudabeh dropped her gaze toward the ground,

And stood in shame, and could not make a sound.

Love’s water from her lowered eyes was shed,

Her two narcissi seemed adorned with red.

At last she spoke, her voice both soft and clear:

“O mother wise, whose counsel I revere,

Love crushes down my soul; I cannot rest,

Its hold has driven peace out of my breast.

Had you, my mother, never given me birth,

No good or evil from me touched the earth.

The chief of Zabul now resides nearby,

And love has set my spirit all awry.

The world has narrowed till I cannot hide;

I weep in open view and deep inside.

One hair of his is worth the world entire;

No treasure equals that which I desire.

He came; we saw each other, nothing more;

No flame between us rose or burned us sore.

We pledged ourselves; joined hands confirmed the vow,

No fear or passing time could break it now.

زمین دید رودابه و پشت پای

فرو ماند از خشم مادر به جای

فرو ریخت از دیدگان آب مهر

به خون دو نرگس بیاراست چهر

به مادر چنین گفت کای پر خرد

همی مهر جان مرا بشکرد

مرا مام فرخ نزادی ز بن

نرفتی ز من نیک یا بد سخن

سپهدار دستان به کابل بماند

چنین مهر اویم بر آتش نشاند

چنان تنگ شد بر دلم بر جهان

که گریان شدم آشکار و نهان

نخواهم بدن زنده بی‌روی او

جهانم نیرزد به یک موی او

بدان کو مرا دید و بامن نشست

به پیمان گرفتیم دستش بدست

Ganjoor · m12:41-48

50–60+

A messenger was sent to Sahm away,

And bore his answer back to Zal that day.

Then for a time he writhed beneath his grief;

Then heard the sages, and their words brought relief.

He gave the messenger rich gifts to bear;

She brought his full reply into my care.

Through this same woman, whose hair you tore,

Whom you struck down and dragged across the floor,

She brought the letter back again to me;

These garments were my answer, as you see.”

Sindokht stood frozen, wonder-struck and gray,

Half hope, half dread at war in her dismay.

Yet Zal himself seemed worthy in her eyes;

Her fear lay in the anger that would rise.

At last she said: “This is no trivial thing.

Zal is the mightiest warrior of the king;

A peerless chief, with every virtue known,

Save one dark stain: the blood that is our own.

The Shah will hear, and anger will arise,

And Kabul’s dust will darken all the skies.

He will not suffer those of Zahhak’s seed

To mount the saddle or to rule or lead.”

فرستاده شد نزد سام بزرگ

فرستاد پاسخ به زال سترگ

زمانی بپیچید و دستور بود

سخنهای بایسته گفت و شنود

فرستاده را داد بسیار چیز

شنیدم همه پاسخ سام نیز

به دست همین زن که کندیش موی

زدی بر زمین و کشیدی به روی

فرستاده آرندهٔ نامه بود

مرا پاسخ نامه این جامه بود

فروماند سیندخت زان گفت‌گوی

پسند آمدش زال را جفت اوی

چنین داد پاسخ که این خرد نیست

چو دستان ز پرمایگان گرد نیست

بزرگست پور جهان پهلوان

همش نام و هم رای روشن روان

هنرها همه هست و آهو یکی

که گردد هنر پیش او اندکی

شود شاه گیتی بدین خشمناک

ز کابل برآرد به خورشید خاک

نخواهد که از تخم ما بر زمین

کسی پای خوار اندر آرد به زین

Ganjoor · m12:49-59

61–67+

She released the woman, soothed her after all,

And comforted the one she caused to fall.

She acted as if she had never known

The woman standing frightened and alone.

Then Sindokht spoke, her voice no longer hard:

“You are discerning; keep yourself on guard.

Be wise, keep silent; let no word be said,

Nor let this secret pass beyond your head.

Let not your lips disclose what you have heard;

Bury the matter deep, without a word.”

She saw her daughter would not be denied,

Nor heed advice, nor set her will aside.

Then Sindokht wept and lay in bitter pain,

As though her skin were splitting from the strain.

رها کرد زن را و بنواختش

چنان کرد پیدا که نشناختش

چنان دید رودابه را در نهان

کجا نشنود پند کس در جهان

بیامد ز تیمار گریان بخفت

همی پوست بر تنش گفتی بکفت

Ganjoor · m12:60-62

Narrative and poetic form

The English’s chief success is the change in Sindokht’s understanding. She first punishes concealment, then sees that the real danger is the royal judgment of her own family. The messenger’s vulnerability remains part of that achievement.

Couplet commentary

Quoted text · evidence · interpretation

1–12The lovers communicate through gifts

1–12

A honey-tongued woman served as go-between,

And carried lovers’ words both heard and seen.

Zal summoned her and spoke of Sahm’s reply,

Then said: “Go now to Rudabeh, and try;

‘Fair lady, when the road seems closed to you,

Another path may open into view.

The messenger has come with hopeful news;’

Though Sahm delayed, he did not now refuse.”

They spoke at length; each sage was fully heard,

And Sahm agreed to honor his pledged word.

He gave his father’s letter to her care;

She ran with joy like wind through morning air.

Rudabeh, hearing, scattered gold like rain,

And seated her with honor in her train.

She gave the woman robes for news she bore,

A fitting gift from Rudabeh’s royal store.

Then brought a headband wrought with subtle art,

Its warp and weft concealed in every part.

With gold and rubies woven into light,

The gems so rich they hid the metal’s sight.

A rich and noble ring she gave to bear,

Like Jupiter it shone in heaven’s air.

She sent the gifts to Zal without delay,

With greetings and a message on their way.

میان سپهدار و آن سرو بن

زنی بود گوینده شیرین سخن

پیام آوریدی سوی پهلوان

هم از پهلوان سوی سرو روان

سپهدار دستان مر او را بخواند

سخن هر چه بشنید با او براند

بدو گفت نزدیک رودابه رو

بگویش که ای نیک دل ماه نو

سخن چون ز تنگی به سختی رسید

فراخیش را زود بینی کلید

فرستاده باز آمد از پیش سام

ابا شادمانی و فرخ پیام

بسی گفت و بشنید و زد داستان

سرانجام او گشت همداستان

سبک پاسخ نامه زن را سپرد

زن از پیش او بازگشت و ببرد

به نزدیک رودابه آمد چو باد

بدین شادمانی ورا مژده داد

پری روی بر زن درم برفشاند

به کرسی زر پیکرش برنشاند

یکی شاره سربند پیش آورید

شده تار و پود اندرو ناپدید

همه پیکرش سرخ یاقوت و زر

شده زر همه ناپدید از گهر

یکی جفت پر مایه انگشتری

فروزنده چون بر فلک مشتری

فرستاد نزدیک دستان سام

بسی داد با آن درود و پیام

Ganjoor · m12:1-14

Textual evidence

The woman carries Zal’s hopeful news and Sahm’s answer; Rudabeh rewards her and sends a jeweled headband and ring to Zal. Ganjoor gives one pair of rings where English 11 has a single ring.

Interpretation

The exchange gives the messenger material objects that can betray the secret. A small number difference does not alter that mechanism. English 5 can be heard as retrospective explanation of Sahm’s deliberation, not a new council convened by the woman.

Return to parallel text

13–23An interrogation probes the cover story

13–23

But Sindokht saw the woman pass within,

And spoke at once, her voice both sharp and thin:

“From where do you come? Speak and hide no part.

You cross these halls too often for my heart.

Time after time before my eyes you go,

Then enter her chamber, yet no greeting show.

My heart suspects you; speak without delay:

Are you the bowstring, or the bow? Now say.”

Her face grew pale with fear at Sindokht’s sound,

She bent before her and she kissed the ground.

“I earn my living, moving place to place,

I sell fine goods among your noble race.

Rudabeh wished for jewels and robes of state;

I brought her wares befitting one so great.”

Sindokht replied: “Then show me what you sold,

And ease my doubt; bring forth the gems and gold.”

“They rest with her,” the trembling woman said,

“I go to fetch more pieces, as was pled.”

“Then show the payment,” Sindokht sharply cried,

“Let me see coin, and prove you have not lied.”

“She pays tomorrow,” came the quick reply,

“Please wait; I will bring silver; do not pry.”

زن از حجره آنگه به ایوان رسید

نگه کرد سیندخت او را بدید

زن از بیم برگشت چون سندروس

بترسید و روی زمین داد بوس

پر اندیشه شد جان سیندخت ازوی

به آواز گفت از کجایی بگوی

زمان تا زمان پیش من بگذری

به حجره درآیی به من ننگری

دل روشنم بر تو شد بدگمان

بگویی مرا تا زهی گر کمان

بدو گفت زن من یکی چاره‌جوی

همی نان فراز آرم از چند روی

بدین حجره رودابه پیرایه خواست

بدو دادم اکنون همینست راست

بیاوردمش افسر پرنگار

یکی حلقه پرگوهر شاهوار

بدو گفت سیندخت بنمایی‌ام

دل بسته ز اندیشه بگشایی‌ام

سپردم به رودابه گفت این دو چیز

فزون خواست اکنون بیارمش نیز

بها گفت بگذار بر چشم من

یکی آب بر زن برین خشم من

درم گفت فردا دهد ماه روی

بها تا نیابم تو از من مجوی

Ganjoor · m12:15-26

Textual evidence

Sindokht notices the repeated visits and demands origin, business, merchandise and payment. The trader’s cover becomes untenable as the questions tighten.

Interpretation

The English rearranges the fear response and sharpens the back-and-forth into short exchanges. Bow and bowstring ask which role the woman plays in the intrigue, rather than identifying an actual weapon carried in the palace.

Return to parallel text

24–30Violence falls first on the intermediary

24–30

Sindokht saw through the falsehood at a glance,

Her anger surged; the lie had lost its chance.

She searched her sleeves with force from side to side,

To learn what crooked secret she might hide.

And there she found the costly clothes concealed,

With Rudabeh’s own handiwork revealed.

Her anger flared; she seized her by the hair,

And threw her face-down on the earth laid bare.

In fury she dragged the woman on the ground,

With scorn for every secret she had found.

Then to her chamber, burning, she withdrew,

Her heart in turmoil, mind in sorrow too.

She shut herself within and sat alone,

Distraught, with reason from its moorings thrown.

همی کژ دانست گفتار او

بیاراست دل را به پیکار او

بیامد بجستش بر و آستی

همی جست ازو کژی و کاستی

به خشم اندرون شد ازان زن غمی

به خواری کشیدش بروی زمی

چو آن جامه‌های گرانمایه دید

هم از دست رودابه پیرایه دید

در کاخ بر خویشتن بر ببست

از اندیشگان شد به کردار مست

Ganjoor · m12:27-31

Textual evidence

The search, discovery of Rudabeh’s gifts and dragging across the ground are explicit in the source.

G m12 27 ↗ G m12 28 ↗ G m12 29 ↗ G m12 30 ↗ G m12 31 ↗ Moscow p 183 ↗ Moscow p 184 ↗ Moscow p 185 ↗ Moscow p 186 ↗ Moscow p 187 ↗ Mohl p 142 ↗ Mohl p 143 ↗ Mohl p 144 ↗ Mohl p 145 ↗ Khaleghi p 211 ↗ Khaleghi p 212 ↗ Khaleghi p 213 ↗ Khaleghi p 214 ↗ Khaleghi p 215 ↗

Interpretation

The English does not invent Sindokht’s harshness. Her later plea for innocent citizens is more compelling if this earlier violence is also recorded. Neither role licenses an account in which she is consistently merciful or merely a cruel mother.

Return to parallel text

31–39Honor and a mother’s accusation

31–39

She sent for Rudabeh; the summons made,

She struck her face in anguish, sore dismayed.

Her two narcissi washed each roseate cheek,

With tears that shone before she rose to speak:

“O child, bright moon, born for the royal height,

Why choose the pit and cast the throne from sight?

What lesson have I failed to teach or show?

What courtly rule have I not made you know?

Why have you wronged me thus? Speak now and say

Who sent this woman, what has passed this way.

For whom are these rich gifts, the ring, the dress?

What hidden bond drives you to such excess?

The Tazi crown has passed into our hand,

And brought us good and ill throughout the land.

Will you cast your name to winds and let it fly,

And watch its hard-won honor scatter by?

May I not live to see so black a stain!

Better no daughter than such lasting pain.”

بفرمود تا دخترش رفت پیش

همی دست برزد به رخسار خویش

دو گل را به دو نرگس خوابدار

همی شست تا شد گلان آبدار

به رودابه گفت ای سرافراز ماه

گزین کردی از ناز برگاه چاه

چه ماند از نکو داشتی در جهان

که ننمودمت آشکار و نهان

ستمگر چرا گشتی ای ماه‌روی

همه رازها پیش مادر بگوی

که این زن ز پیش که آید همی

به پیشت ز بهر چه آید همی

سخن بر چه سانست و آن مرد کیست

که زیبای سربند و انگشتریست

ز گنج بزرگ افسر تازیان

به ما ماند بسیار سود و زیان

بدین نام بد دادخواهی به باد

چو من زاده‌ام دخت هرگز مباد

Ganjoor · m12:32-40

Textual evidence

Sindokht weeps, asks what has been withheld from her daughter, invokes inherited Tazi treasure and fears a ruined name.

Interpretation

The flowers are bodily descriptions: narcissus eyes wash rose cheeks. The English’s language of lessons and courtly rule interprets the source’s question about nurture and care. Her wish against daughterhood is distressed speech, not the commentator’s judgment of Rudabeh.

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40–49A confession makes the vow explicitLocal explicitness; cross-reference to A8.5

40–49

Rudabeh dropped her gaze toward the ground,

And stood in shame, and could not make a sound.

Love’s water from her lowered eyes was shed,

Her two narcissi seemed adorned with red.

At last she spoke, her voice both soft and clear:

“O mother wise, whose counsel I revere,

Love crushes down my soul; I cannot rest,

Its hold has driven peace out of my breast.

Had you, my mother, never given me birth,

No good or evil from me touched the earth.

The chief of Zabul now resides nearby,

And love has set my spirit all awry.

The world has narrowed till I cannot hide;

I weep in open view and deep inside.

One hair of his is worth the world entire;

No treasure equals that which I desire.

He came; we saw each other, nothing more;

No flame between us rose or burned us sore.

We pledged ourselves; joined hands confirmed the vow,

No fear or passing time could break it now.

زمین دید رودابه و پشت پای

فرو ماند از خشم مادر به جای

فرو ریخت از دیدگان آب مهر

به خون دو نرگس بیاراست چهر

به مادر چنین گفت کای پر خرد

همی مهر جان مرا بشکرد

مرا مام فرخ نزادی ز بن

نرفتی ز من نیک یا بد سخن

سپهدار دستان به کابل بماند

چنین مهر اویم بر آتش نشاند

چنان تنگ شد بر دلم بر جهان

که گریان شدم آشکار و نهان

نخواهم بدن زنده بی‌روی او

جهانم نیرزد به یک موی او

بدان کو مرا دید و بامن نشست

به پیمان گرفتیم دستش بدست

Ganjoor · m12:41-48

Textual evidence

Rudabeh describes consuming love and says that she met Zal and joined hands in a covenant. English 48 explicitly adds “nothing more”; Ganjoor’s local couplet reports meeting, sitting and the pledge without that exact denial.

Interpretation

The denial is consistent with the explicit limit at the earlier meeting, but support for an interpretation is not identity of wording. Mohl p 144’s fuller confession also should be read alongside the first meeting rather than used to infer a new consummation.

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50–60The obstacle is their own descent

50–60

A messenger was sent to Sahm away,

And bore his answer back to Zal that day.

Then for a time he writhed beneath his grief;

Then heard the sages, and their words brought relief.

He gave the messenger rich gifts to bear;

She brought his full reply into my care.

Through this same woman, whose hair you tore,

Whom you struck down and dragged across the floor,

She brought the letter back again to me;

These garments were my answer, as you see.”

Sindokht stood frozen, wonder-struck and gray,

Half hope, half dread at war in her dismay.

Yet Zal himself seemed worthy in her eyes;

Her fear lay in the anger that would rise.

At last she said: “This is no trivial thing.

Zal is the mightiest warrior of the king;

A peerless chief, with every virtue known,

Save one dark stain: the blood that is our own.

The Shah will hear, and anger will arise,

And Kabul’s dust will darken all the skies.

He will not suffer those of Zahhak’s seed

To mount the saddle or to rule or lead.”

فرستاده شد نزد سام بزرگ

فرستاد پاسخ به زال سترگ

زمانی بپیچید و دستور بود

سخنهای بایسته گفت و شنود

فرستاده را داد بسیار چیز

شنیدم همه پاسخ سام نیز

به دست همین زن که کندیش موی

زدی بر زمین و کشیدی به روی

فرستاده آرندهٔ نامه بود

مرا پاسخ نامه این جامه بود

فروماند سیندخت زان گفت‌گوی

پسند آمدش زال را جفت اوی

چنین داد پاسخ که این خرد نیست

چو دستان ز پرمایگان گرد نیست

بزرگست پور جهان پهلوان

همش نام و هم رای روشن روان

هنرها همه هست و آهو یکی

که گردد هنر پیش او اندکی

شود شاه گیتی بدین خشمناک

ز کابل برآرد به خورشید خاک

نخواهد که از تخم ما بر زمین

کسی پای خوار اندر آرد به زین

Ganjoor · m12:49-59

Textual evidence

The letter history makes the beaten woman a bearer of a legitimate answer. Sindokht admires Zal, then names the one overriding danger: the Shah will not tolerate their lineage.

Interpretation

English 58 makes “the blood that is our own” unmistakable. That is a strong contextual rendering: the flaw is not a hidden new defect in Zal. Sindokht has moved from suspicion about conduct to recognition of a political danger.

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61–67Release is followed by guarded silence

61–67

She released the woman, soothed her after all,

And comforted the one she caused to fall.

She acted as if she had never known

The woman standing frightened and alone.

Then Sindokht spoke, her voice no longer hard:

“You are discerning; keep yourself on guard.

Be wise, keep silent; let no word be said,

Nor let this secret pass beyond your head.

Let not your lips disclose what you have heard;

Bury the matter deep, without a word.”

She saw her daughter would not be denied,

Nor heed advice, nor set her will aside.

Then Sindokht wept and lay in bitter pain,

As though her skin were splitting from the strain.

رها کرد زن را و بنواختش

چنان کرد پیدا که نشناختش

چنان دید رودابه را در نهان

کجا نشنود پند کس در جهان

بیامد ز تیمار گریان بخفت

همی پوست بر تنش گفتی بکفت

Ganjoor · m12:60-62

Textual evidence

Ganjoor releases and comforts the woman, then says Sindokht sees that no advice will turn Rudabeh. Mohl p 145 additionally prints the warning to keep the secret.

G m12 60 ↗ G m12 61 ↗ G m12 62 ↗ Moscow p 183 ↗ Moscow p 184 ↗ Moscow p 185 ↗ Moscow p 186 ↗ Moscow p 187 ↗ Mohl p 142 ↗ Mohl p 143 ↗ Mohl p 144 ↗ Mohl p 145 ↗ Khaleghi p 211 ↗ Khaleghi p 212 ↗ Khaleghi p 213 ↗ Khaleghi p 214 ↗ Khaleghi p 215 ↗

Interpretation

The English’s fuller instruction has printed support. Sindokht’s protective containment follows her violence; it does not retrospectively excuse the assault. The final splitting-skin image gives bodily scale to a danger she now understands.

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Chapter source record

English original ↗ Ganjoor m12 ↗ Moscow p 183 ↗ Moscow p 184 ↗ Moscow p 185 ↗ Moscow p 186 ↗ Moscow p 187 ↗ Mohl p 142 ↗ Mohl p 143 ↗ Mohl p 144 ↗ Mohl p 145 ↗ Khaleghi p 211 ↗ Khaleghi p 212 ↗ Khaleghi p 213 ↗ Khaleghi p 214 ↗ Khaleghi p 215 ↗