Character · The Shahnameh · Volume III

Shirinشیرین

shee-REEN

Khosrow Parviz's beloved queen, who poisons herself at his tomb after Shiruyeh's advances.

In the poem: First at E6.48, Gurdiyeh Displays Her Grace and Skill; last at E8.6, The Deaths of Shirin and Shiruyeh
Named: 30 times, in 9 sections
Main stories: E8 Shiruyeh’s Coup and the End of the Great Reign (14); E7 The Story of Khosrow Parviz and Shirin (13); E6 Khosrow Parviz (3)
Spouses: Khosrow Parviz
Plates: Vol III: VIII

Genealogical plate: The House of Khosrow Parviz — Volume III, Plate VIII: The House of Khosrow Parviz. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Shirin most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Shirin. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.

E6.48

Gurdiyeh Displays Her Grace and Skill

Asked to show how she fought the Khan’s men, Gurdiyeh arms in mail and Roman helm and rides a display of spear-work in the garden before twelve hundred women. Shirin warns that she may be nursing vengeance for Bahram. Khosrow laughs and sets her over the women of his bower.

E6.48.9
Before them Shirin walked, bright as the dawn,A silver cypress moving on the lawn.
E6.48.17
Then Shirin said, “Why arm her so, O king?Her brother’s death may give her wrath its wing.
E6.48.20
The Shah laughed, answering Shirin with a smile:“Expect her friendship, free of hate or guile.”

Shirin named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E7.1

The Prelude

The poet turns to the story of Khosrow and Shirin. He claims sixty thousand couplets for his work, complains that the king, misled by slanderers, gave the old tales no heed, hopes the chief minister will read them, and closes with a dehqan’s saying on experience.

E7.1.1
Now I resume the histories of old,Of Shirin’s love and Khosrow’s reign retold.

Shirin named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E7.2

Khosrow’s Love for Shirin

Shirin, Khosrow’s love since before his accession, has been neglected through the war with Bahram. As he rides out with a vast hunting train she dresses in her finest, climbs to the roof, and reproaches him in Pahlavi. He weeps, sends her to his bower, and marries her.

E7.2.2
Shirin was then his mate, his living light,Dear as the pupils shining in his sight.
E7.2.30
When Shirin heard, “The mighty Shah is near,Before his army, coming toward us here,”
E7.2.40
Where is that love, that flood of tears you bore,Which seeing Shirin healed in days before?

Shirin named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E7.3

The Nobles Question Khosrow over Shirin

The city curses the marriage and the nobles stay away three days. The Mobad tells the Shah to his face that Shirin stains the royal line. Khosrow has a bowl of blood carried in, then scoured and filled with wine, and the objection collapses into blessings.

E7.3.2
They heard, “Shirin is in the royal bower;The old affair has gained its former power.”
E7.3.18
If Shirin only left the royal sight,Your face would fill the courts and world with light.
E7.3.40
Khosrow replied, “Shirin, within this town,Was like that bowl when foulness weighed it down.

Shirin named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E7.4

Shirin’s Crime and Shiruyeh’s Fall

Shirin poisons Maryam unseen and a year later receives her chambers. At sixteen Shiruyeh neglects his lessons for savage toys, and his tutor takes fright. By the twenty-third year of the reign the Shah shuts Shiruyeh and more than three thousand of his followers in a comfortable prison.

E7.4.3
Because of her, Shirin grew sick with pain,Her cheeks were pale with envy’s inward stain.
E7.4.5
No person knew the trick Shirin had played,For in her heart alone the plot was laid.
E7.4.6
A year had passed since Maryam died; his fairGold chambers then he gave to Shirin’s care.

Shirin named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E7.10

Shiruyeh Is Released

Khosrow’s planted letter makes Caesar distrust Guraz and withdraw. Suspected himself, Zad Farrokh turns the army, and the chiefs resolve to crown the imprisoned Shiruyeh. Tukhar storms the prison and brings him out, and that night the watchmen cry Qobad’s name while Khosrow sleeps beside Shirin.

E7.10.139
Khosrow lay sleeping, Shirin by his side;She heard the watchmen’s cry and shook inside.
E7.10.149
Then Shirin said, “The destined hour is here;Our foes have mastered all our guile, I fear.

Shirin named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E8.2

Khosrow Parviz Answers Shiruyeh

Khosrow answers every charge: his flight from Hormizd, his vengeance on Bandvi and Gostaham, the comfort of his sons’ prison, the sealed horoscope, his treasuries, the frontier armies, his gifts to Caesar, the worthlessness of the Cross. Then he blesses the world, names the dead kings, and says farewell.

E8.2.34
I sealed it, then to Shirin gave the same,To keep the secret of your star and name.
E8.2.52
I read it, pondering each warning deep,Then gave the letter to Shirin to keep.
E8.2.53
In Shirin’s keeping lie the letter sealed,And horoscope that once your fate revealed.

Shirin named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E8.6

The Deaths of Shirin and Shiruyeh

Fifty-three days after the murder Shiruyeh summons Shirin as a sorceress, then offers her marriage. Before the nobles she defends her name, unveils, and is cleared; she secures her wealth, gives it all away, and drinks poison beside Khosrow in his tomb. Shiruyeh is poisoned in his eighth month.

E8.6.1
Now Khosrow’s tale is told; hear what befellShiruyeh and Shirin, whose end I tell.
E8.6.3
Shiruyeh dispatched a messenger to sayTo Shirin, “Wicked sorceress, come away.
E8.6.7
Shirin grew furious at his foul abuse;Such vile and senseless words had no excuse.