New NaqqaliZad Farrokhزادفرخ
A courtier who controls access to the king and, with Tukhar, frees Shiruyeh to rise against Khosrow Parviz.
- In the poem
- First at E6.11, Bahram Chubin Claims the Throne; last at E8.5, The Death of Khosrow Parviz
- Named
- 21 times, in 6 sections
- Main stories
- E7 The Story of Khosrow Parviz and Shirin (18); E8 Shiruyeh’s Coup and the End of the Great Reign (2); E6 Khosrow Parviz (1)
In the poem’s own words
Bahram Chubin Claims the Throne
Bahram puts the question of the throne to Iran’s chiefs. Some hail him, some urge him to seek Khosrow’s pardon; when one proposes waiting for a royal heir, Bahram swears to behead any woman of the royal line. A written pact is signed and sealed, and he is crowned.
- E6.11.44Before he moved, Zad Farrokh rose upright,And spoke with justice clear before their sight:
Khosrow’s Injustice and the Chiefs’ Revolt
The just Shah becomes a tyrant. Farrokhzad strips the people, who flee the country cursing him. Guraz, holding the Roman frontier, is the first to turn; Zad Farrokh controls all access to the throne. The two conspire, and Guraz writes to Caesar to come and take Iran.
- E7.9.11Another favorite rose within the court,Zad Farrokh, who controlled the king’s resort.
- E7.9.12None reached the king within his hall of stateUnless Zad Farrokh pleaded at the gate.
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.
- E7.10.59The king refused to look upon their face,But sent forth Zad Farrokh to state his case.
- E7.10.71Then Zad Farrokh returned with flying speed,And told the Shah their answer as agreed.
- E7.10.77Then Zad Farrokh conveyed the royal threat;Old griefs awoke, and anger fed regret.
Shiruyeh Sends Khosrow to Tisfoon
Hungry in the garden, Khosrow has a servant cut jeweled studs from his belt to buy food; a jeweler knows the workmanship and the search finds him. Zad Farrokh talks him into yielding, the old prophecy comes clear to him, and after thirty-eight years he is carried to Tisfoon.
- E7.11.27The three men hurried to Zad Farrokh’s gate,And brought the gold and gems to learn their fate.
- E7.11.40They went to Zad Farrokh and said in shame:“We are but slaves; he bears the royal name.
- E7.11.43Then Zad Farrokh brought soldiers from the court,And went alone to make his own report.
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.
- E8.2.163I reckoned his reward upon that day;Zad Farrokh too can witness what I say.
The Death of Khosrow Parviz
The conspirators frighten Shiruyeh into consent, and Zad Farrokh hires a nameless wretch for a bag of gold. Khosrow calls for water, musk and clean robes, prays over the barsom, confesses his faults, and covers his head; the man stabs him. Fifteen imprisoned brothers are killed the same day.
- E8.5.18Zad Farrokh said, “Go, if your strength is true;Speak now no more of what you mean to do.
Where the name appears
More in the Glossary and the index of characters.