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SH AH N AMA OF FIRDA U S I

D ON E I N T O E N G LI S H B Y

A R TH U R GEO RGE WAR N E R ,


M A . .

AND

E DM O N D WA R N E R ,
BA .

Th e home s tha t a re t he dwell ings of t o day -

Will s ink nea th s ho wer and s u ns hin e t o de ca y ,


But m
s to r a nd r ain s hall ne v er mar w ha t I
ilt —

H ave bu th e pala ce f my
o poet ry .

F IR D A U S f

VO L I .

LO N D O N
PA U L TRE N CH TRtiBN E R
, , co .

R
D YD EN H O U S E; G ERR A R D S T REET ,
w .

1 905
H IS SIS T E R

C A RO LI N E W A RN E R
W O RK IS BY H ER

S U RVIVING B R O T H ER .
PR E F A C E

TH E i nt e re s t with w h ic h I u s ed t o loo k fo rw ard t o


t h e p u blic ati o n o f thi s wo rk t h e pr e p ar at i o n o f which
,

affo rd e d us i nnu me rabl e h appy ho u rs h as b e e n ,

s a dd e ne d fo r m e o f l at e by t he d e ath o f my e ld e r
br o th e r and s e ni o r p art ne r in t h e u nd e rt aki ng I t .

w as b e g u n s o m e tw e n ty y e ar s ago wh e n h e w as t he

I nc u m b e nt o f S t M ary s T o thill Fie ld s W e s t m ins t e r


.
, , ,

and h ad b u t s c anty l e i s u r e I t w as c o nti nu e d and


.

c arri e d far t o w ard c o m pl e ti o n in mo r e fav o u r abl e


c irc u m s t an c e s aft e r h is pre s e n ta ti o n by t h e Gr o c e r s
'

C o m p any t o t h e livi ng o f S t M ary le Bo w Ch e ap s id e


.
, ,

in 1 887 .

Fr o m ea rly d ays my br o the r w as d e vo t e d t o t h e


s t u dy of O ri e n t al l angu ag e s H is pr o ficie ncy in
.

H e br e w w o n h im at O xfo rd t h e P u s e y and E ll e rt o n
S ch o l ars hip in 1 8 6 2 and t h e K e nnic o tt in 1 8 6 3 .

H e w as al s o a g o o d Ar abic and S yri ac s ch o l ar .

D u ring his twe nty o ne l ab o ri ou s y e ar s fir s t as C u r at e


-

and th e n I nc u m b e n t at We s t m i ns t e r h e ne v e r I
-

thi nk fo r e w e nt fo r l o ng his fav o u rit e br anch o f s t u dy


, ,

and I m a
y add th at w e w e r e e ng ag e d in r e vi s i ng a
pas s age in o u r j o i nt tr ans l atio n al m o s t t o within an
h o u r o f his s u dd e n d e ath fro m a wh o lly u ns u s pect e d
h e art affe cti o n in April 1 9 0 3
-
.

H e is I think fo ndly r e m e m b e r e d by m any


, , S u ch .
v iii '

P R E PA CE

m e mo ri e s are in t h e na u e o f
t r thi ngs b u t fl e e ti ng ; b u t
t h e writt e n w o rd r e m ai ns and I am fai n t o h o p e th at
,

by t h e p u blic atio n o f thi s w o rk I m ay b e r ai s i ng t o


him an in c o ns pic u ou s p e rh ap s b u t l as t ing m o nu m e nt .

To t h e v as t m aj o rity o f E ngli s h r e ad e r s t h e S hah


na m a s e e m s h ardly t o b e k no w n e v e n by nam e —a

fact n o t t o b e w o nd e r e d at c o ns id e ri ng h o w fe w
,

r e fe r e n c e s are m ad e t o it in c urr e nt lit e r atu r e and ,

th at thi s is act u ally t h e fir s t att e m pt t o giv e t h e


s u bj e ct m att e r o f t h e gr e at P e r s i an E pic at l arg e in
-

Engli s h I t h as th e r e fo r e s e e m e d d e s ir abl e th at t h e

tr ans l ati o n s h o u ld b e acc o m p ani e d by e xpl anat o ry


m att e r in t h e fo r m s o f I ntr o d u cti o n N o t e and , ,

Argu m e nt To pr e p ar e th e s e h as fall e n t o m y lo t
.
,

and I am a cc o rdi ngly r e s p o ns ibl e fo r t h e m any fau lt s

o f c o m m i s s i o n and o mi s s i o n th at will b e o nly t o o


o bvi o u s t o t h e e y e s o f s ch o l ar s and e xp e rt s in thi s

br anch o f t h e s u bj e ct I am al s o r e s p o ns ibl e with


.

my br o th e r fo r t h e tr ans l ati o n ge ne r ally and fo r it s


,

fi nal fo r m thr o u gh o u t H is s h ar e h ad h e liv e d


.
, ,

wo uld h av e b e e n l arg e r and m o r e i m p o rt ant th an m i ne ,

b u t h is u nti m e ly d e ath will t e nd t o e q u ali s e o u r


l ab ou rs On r e vi e wi ng o u r w o rk as a who l e I ve ntu r e
.
,

t o h o p e th at t h e Engli s h r e ad e r will g ai n fr o m it

a v e ry fairly c o rr e ct id e a o f t h e s u bj e ct matt e r o f
-

Firdau s i s gr e at e s t achi e v e m e nt and will at l e as t l e ar n


fr o m t h e Intr o d u cti o n and I ntr o d u ct o ry N o t e s wh e r e


t o t u r nfo r m o r e s ch o l arly and au th o rit ativ e i nfo r m a

ti on o n t h e s u bj e ct .

I t ak e thi s o pp o rt u nity o f th anking t h e D e l e g at e s


o f t h e Cl ar e nd o n P r e s s fo r th e ir ki nd p e r m i s s i o n t o
,
PR E PA CE ix
m ake ch ill u s tr ativ e e xtr act s as I ne e d e d fr o m
su

tho s e v o l u m e s o f t h e S acr e d B o o k s o f t h e Eas t S e ri es


which c o nt ai n t h e tr ans lati o ns o f t h e Zandav as t a and
P ahl avi T e xts by t h e l at e Pr o fe s s o r Darm e s t e t e r and
t h e l at e Dr E W W e s t r e s p e ctiv e ly
. . . Th e s e t rans la
.

tio ns with th e ir i ntr o d u cti o ns and no t e s are m o s t


, ,

val u abl e t o t h e s tu d e nt o f t h e S h ah nam a I h ave .

als o t o th ank my s i s t e r C ar o li ne W ar ne r
,
and m
y ,

ne ph e w G e o rg e R e ds t o n W ar ne r fo r o cc as i o nal h e lp
, , .

I h o p e t o p u bli s h o u r tr an s l ati o n a v o l u m e at a
ti me as cir c u ms t anc e s p e rmit
, .

E DM O N D WA R N E R .

E LT H AM , Fe bru a ry 1 90 5 .
C O N TE N TS

I N TR O DU C TI O N

I . : PE O PLE
LA N D A ND

I I : PO ET A N D POEM
.

I I I : TE XT A N D TR A N S LA T IO N
.

LIS T OF REV IO U S
P TR A N S L TO R S A

A N C I E NT PER SI A N C A LE N DA R
G E N E A LO G I O A L TA B LE S
A BBRE V I A T IO N S
N O T E O N PR O N U N O I A TI O N

TH E SHAHNAM A

TH E PRE LU DE

I nv o c tia on

D ic r
s Pr i f Wi d m
ou se in a se o s o

O f t h M ki ng f t h W rl d
e a o e o

Of th N t r efM n a u e o a

Of t h N t r ef th S n a u e o e u

Of t h N t r ef th M n a u e o e oo

I n Pr i f t h Pr ph t
a se o d h i C m p ni n
e o e an s o a o s

O n t h C m pil ti n f t h S h ah nam
e o a o o e a

O f t h p t D k ik i
e oe a

H W t h pr
O nt B kw b g n
e es e oo as e u

I n Pr i f A b u M n ur S n f M h mm d
a se o a s , o o u a a

I n Pr i f S ltan M h mud
a se o u a
C O N TE N TS

TH E BE G I NN I N G OF TH E H I S TO RY : TH E

PI S H DADI A N DY N A S TY
GA I UM A RT

S E CT . PA G E

I . Th e re atnes s
G of G aiumart and the Env y of

A h r i man
2 . H o w S iy amak w as s a n t h e Div l i by
3 . h g
H o w H u s an and G aiu mart e n t o w t fight the B a l ck
Div

HU S N
HA G

I . The A cc i es s on o f H us b ang and h is ci ili i ng A r t


v s s

2 . H o w t h e Fe as t of S ada w as f o u nde d
'

TA

H M IIR A S

I . Tah m uras c
as e nds t he Thr o ne , in ven s t ne w A rt s,

su bd ues the D i vs , a nd di es

J A M S H ID

I . Th e G re atne s and F ll o f J ams hid


s a

2 . Th e S to ry o f Zahh ak and h is Fath e r

3 . H o w I bli s t u rne d C o k o

4 . H o w t h e Fo r tu ne s o f J amebi d w nt t o Wrack e

ZA H H AK
I . The E v il C t
msus o of Z ahh ak and t he De v ic e of I rmail ’

and K ar ma l

i
2 . H o w Zah h ak s aw F aridun in a Dre am

3 . Th e B ir th of F aridun

4 th r b t
H o w Faridiin q u e s one d h is M o e a o u h is O
. ti rigi n
5 Th e S o
. t ry
o f Zah ha w
k and K a a t h e S m ith
6 H ow
. a d n F ri u w t
e n t o Ba e ttl w i h
t Zahh ak

7 . H w F ri d n
o w th S i t r
a u fJ m h d
sa e s e s o a s l

8 . Th S t ry f F r i dun nd t h M i ni t r f Z
e o o a a e s e o ah h a k
9 . H w F ri d n b nd Z hh ak
o a u ou a

FA R ID U N
I . H ow F u
arid n as e nde d c the Th r o ne

2 . H o w Faridxm

s en tJ andal to Yaman
C O N TE N TS xiii
FA R I DON
'

(continued)
3 . H o w t he K i ng of Yaman answ e e d r J anda l
4 . H o w t h e S o ns of F r i dun w nt
a e to th e K i ng
Yaman .

5 H r r r
o w S a v p o v e d t h e S o ns o f Fa idu n
.
by S orce ry
ri u
6 H O W Fa d n m ade
. Tr i l a o f h is S o ns

7 H o w Far i dun di v i de d t h e W rl d among h is S o n


. o s

8 H o w S al m gre w nv i o us o f Iraj
. e

9 H o w S al m and Tur s e nt a M e ag e t Faridun


. ss o

10 H o w Far i dunmade A ns w
. e r t o hi S o ns s

I I H o w Iraj we nt t o h i Br th rs
. s o e

12 H w Iraj w a s l ai n by h is Bro th e rs
. o s

I 3 H w Fa idim r e c e i e d Ti di ng o f t h e M u rde r
. o r
'
v s

14 . H ow a Dau ght r w e as Bo w t o Iraj


I5 . Th e Bi rth f M inu hih o c r

16 . H w S al m nd T
o h d Ti di ng
a f M in h ih
ur a s o uc r

H w F ri dun r c i d h i S n M g ’
17 . o a e e ve s o s es s a e

18 . H w F ridun m d A n w r t hi S n
o a a e s e o s o s

19 . H w F ridun
o ant M inu h ih t fi ght Tu
se nd c r o r a

S lm a

20 . H w M inu h ih
o tt ck d th H t f Tur
c r a a e e os o

21 . H w Ti mw a l i n by M inu h ih
o s s a c r

22 . H w M inu h ih wr t t
o c nn nc rh i Vict ry to e o a ou e s o o

F ri duna

H w K ar n t k t h C tl f t h A l an
i

23. o a oo e as e o e s

24 . H w Kak w i t h
o Gr nd n ,
f Z hhak e tt ck d a so o a ,
a a e

t h Ir ani n
e a s .

2 5. H w S l m fl d nd w
o a l i n by M inu hih
e a as s a c r

26 . H w th H d f S l m w
o e ea nt t F r i dun
o a as s e o a

2 7. Th D th f F r i dun
e ea o a

M IN IJ CH I R R
'

I . H o w M inuch ih r c
as e nde d t he Th r o ne and made an

O ra ti n o

2. Th e B i r th f Z ilo z

3 . H o w S i m h ad a Dream t chi ng
ou t he Cas e of h is
S on

4 . H o w M inuch ihr t k
oo Kn o w e d l g e of the Cas e of

8 am and Z en
x iv C O N TE N TS
M I N fI C H I H R (continu ed)
S EC T
Z ail we nt b ck t
.

H ow a o Zéb u lis t an
H o w S am g i ngd m t Zél
av e t he K o o

Ho w Z l
'

a
. i it
d M ih rab f K ab l
v s e o u

Ho w R uda b t k C n l w ith h
a oo D m l ou se er a se s

Ho w R uda b D m l w nt t

as aZi lse s e o se e t

Ho w t h D m l r t r n d t Budab
e a se s e u e o a

Ho w Z il w nt t R uda
e e b o a

Ho w Za l c n lt d t h A rchi m g
o su e in t h M tt r
e a es e a e of

Budab a

Ho w z al wr t t S im t o e x pl i n t h C
o z o e a e as e

HO W S am c n lt d t h A
o hm g
su e in t h M tt r e rc a es e a e of

z zs
H o w S indu kh t h rdea of t h e Cas e of B da a u b
H ow M ih rab w as m ade a war e o f h is Dau ght er s

Case
H ow M inuc hih r h rd
ea of t he Cas e of Z ail and

b
Buda a
18 . Ho w S am c ame t o M inuch ih r
1 9. H o w S am we nt to fight w ith M ih rab
20 . H w Zél we nt o n a M i i o n t o M inu h ih
o ss c r

21 . H o w M ih rab w as wr th with S ind kh t o u

22 . H o w S i m c o m for te d S ind k h t u

23 . H w Z ail came t o M inuch ih w ith S é m s L e tte r


o r

24 . H ow the A rc h mage s qu e s ti o ne d Z él
H O W z al ans we re d t he A rch mage s
H ow Z élds i pl y a ed h is A cc mpli h m nt b f r
o s e e o e

M inuch ih r
27 . M inuchih r s A ’
ns we r t o S am s ’
L e tte r
H o w Zél c ame t o S am

29 . Th e S t ry
o o f t he B i rth of Ru s t am

30 . H o w S am c am e to s ee Ru stam
31 . H ow R u s tam s e l w th e Whit E l ph nt e e a

32 . H o w R us ta m w nt t e o M n t S ip nd
ou a

33 H ow Ru s a t m wr t o e a L tt r nn n ci ng
e e a ou his Vict ry o

t o Zit l

34 Th e L e tt e r o f Zzil t o S am
'

3 5 M inuc hih r s

l tC
as ou ns e s l t o his S o n
C O N T E N TS

“ H o w N au da r s u cce e de d t o t h Th rone e

9
5 H o w Pa h ang h ard f t h e D ath f M inu h ih
s e o e o c r

9 H o w A fras iy ab cam to t h e L and f Irane o

P H w Barman and Ku b ad f o ght t o ge th r and


o u e ho w
b l in

K u ad w as s a

m H w A f ra iy ab f ght w ith N nd r t h
o s c nd Ti m
ou a a e se o e

uH w N d f ght with A f ra iy ab t h thi rd Ti m


s o au ar ou s e e

s H w N d r w
o t k n by A fra iy ab
au a as a e s

o
p H w Wi f nd hi S n th t h d b n l i n
o sa ou s o a a ee s a

o H W S h m a a n d Kh
O a w an i n
s d d Z ib l i t an
s a az ar va e a u s

IO. H w Z al c m t h lp M ih rab
o a e o e

I I. H w N d wo l i n by A fra iy ab
au ar as S a s

1 2. H w Z il h d Ti di ng
o e f t h D th f N
a d s o e ea o au ar

I 3 H w I gh i
. o w l i n by hi Br th r
r ras as s a s o e

ZA v
1 . Zav is e e l ct d S h ah
e

GA RS H A S P
I . cc
H O W Garsh as p s u e e de d t o t h e Th r n o e and i
d e d,
and h o w A fr iy b i
as a nv ade d I an r
2. Ho w R t m c ght R kh h
us a au a s

3 . Ho w Zé l l d t h H t ag i n t A f ra iy ab
e e os a s s

4 . Ho w R t m br ght K i K bad fr m M
us a ou a u o o un t A lb r u z

I N DE X
E R R A TA

Pa gli 5 nd l w h r
e 7, ne 2 a e se e e, for T ta ri ’
and Trait ana r e ad Trit a
'

d T it an

an ra a.

P g 9 li n
a e 6 nd l w h r
,
e 1 a e se e e, for Az arb i j an r ea d Az arb aij an .

P g
a r f r nc n m b r
e 10 ,
e e e e u e 2, after R ins er t P .

P g 3 b tt m f N ES H N S EH

a e 1 , o o , or

r ea d .

Pag e 1 7 , dele te lin es 8—10 fr m t h th r i d w m y


,
a nd r ead

o e o e s e, e a add

th t a Pe e t h e G tr r t g i n d t mp r ry p
ea i n f D rb
a e e o a os s e s s o o a and

in A . D . 1 72 2 , b u t it w n t fi n ll y nn x d by R
as i till o a a e e uss a A D
. .

181 33
rfr c
Pag e 1 9 , e e e n e nu mb e 3 dele te r , iii .

Page 3 1 dele te lines 1 3 —


, 1 6 a n d r ead , th t thi a s m ini t r s e is re f rr
e ed to
on b o th o ccas i o ns .

Pa g e 34 , fi ve lin fr es o m b o tto m , dele te ‘


Whil e I s at l ki ng
oo on

a nd

r ea d Whil I e o e rlo o k e d

fr o m far .

Pag e li n
3 7, f A udi d
e 2 2, or r r ea

P g
a e 39 f r nc n mb r d l t i nd
. re e e e u e I, e e e . a v ii .
, a nd r e ad Th e t o o
s pirit l c nc pti n f t h D ity in i
ua o

e o o e e . and t he re f r e n c
e es to
vii

A l i in .

Pag e 4 3 , no e t f f kk 2,d f kka or



a a

rea a

Pag e 62 , a e ft r r f r nc n mb r 7 i t DZA i
e e e e u e ns er , . 20 9 .

P g 68, li n 9 nd dd i d ntic l w ith a nd add



a e e , e ,
a or e a , to f
re er ence

n u mbe r I , N IN , 1 5 .

Pa g e 69 , b o tto m for , 10 8 read

Pa g e 71 , l i ne 1 9 , a te r f O x us in s er t C as pi an .

r f r nc
e e e e nu mb e r 6 , e nd , a dd no e s t .

Pag e 8 8, li ne s 1 2 and 2 6, f or Fr ri
a va dn r ead Farwardin .

P g li n Din r ea d Dai

a e 89 , e 4 , for .

P g
a e 90 fo r 3 e ne a o ns r ead 1 e ne
, g r ti g r tio n
a .

P g
a e 9 2 , r ead t hu s A e ma e de s e ndan f l c t o r re l at iv e = KA I KA O S
S iy aw u s h
Pag li n
e 10 b gi nning f Th r d I
6, e 1 1 , e , or e

ea n.

Pag 3 li n
e 1 1 8 d d f ll t p t nd
, e 1 ,
a u s e a e .

P g
a e 8 li n 4 f 1 1 m nt i n f t h h l y
, e d , or ou a o e o

r ea

M o un t in
a of t he
H ly

o .

Pg
a e 1 20d l t li n I nd r d,
H w S iy am k w
e e e e a ea , o a as s la in by the Div ’

6 li n g ld d g d
.

P g
a e 12 6 f , e 1 ,
or

o r ea oo .

P g 3 li n g ll ry p t ’
a e 1 ft 0 , e 1 1 , a er a e u
E RR A TA
Pa g e 1 30 , li ne 2 3 , for h av e

r ea d fi nd ,

a nd add to f
re erenc e 4 , WPI
' ‘
.

i . 14 2 .

Pag e 1 3 1, li n 5 f Th y d th y
e 1 , or e r ea e .

Pag e 1 3 2,li n dd f ll t p t nd
e 1 1 ,
a u s o a e .

P g 3 8 li my d

a e 1 ,9 dl t th
ne 2 ,d ny e e e en an r ea a .

P g 5 li n fr m b tt m f d d w n trick

a e 1 4 2, es d wn t i k n
o o o , or o s r c e re a o -
s en .

4 li r m b tt m f A pik an ’
ne s f o d A pik a o o , or s r ea S n.

g 4 3 li n 7 f
,

Pa e 1 , e d ,
or 1 r ea

li 5 f ne 1 d 3 , or 2 r ea .

li 3 f 3 d ne 1 ,
or r ea

li 3 3 f 4 ne d , or
‘ '
r ea

Pag e 1 7 5 li , 3 f H
ne 1 d B ,
or e rea e .

Pag e 22 7 li , d l t S l i by t h H
ne 2 1 ,
d f nd r
e e ed l i by

a n e an o
'
a ea s a n .

Pag e 2 3 9 li , f m d
ne 2 1 , d m k or a e r ea a e.

P g
a e 2 9 3 , a dd to e nd o
f no t e 3 0 9 3 4 6 , , .

P g lin f tt l 7 ro m b o o m aft er

add

a e 3 0 7, e as s o ,

P g 3 5 li n S afim r ead Zal


’ ’
a e 2 , e 1 1 fo r , .

P g li f tt K h 3 ro m b o o m for no w o w read Kn how



a e 34 2, ne , ow .

P g
a e 35 id r f r c
1 , s d e e e e n e , rea

P g 3 54 li n G hd h m h da h a m

a e f ,
d G
e 21 ,
or uz a a r ea az .

P g
a e 3 55 li n 4 fr m b tt m d l t c m m
, e o o o e e e o a at e nd .

P g
a e 3 66 l i n d l t
,
n t e 1 2, e e e o .

P g
a e 38 lin 4 fr m b tt m f pl nt
1 ,
e o o o , or a s

r ea d pl ans .

I N TR O D U C T I O N

CH A PTE R I

LA N D A N D PE O PLE

IR A N t h e chi e f s c e ne o f Firdau s i s S hah nam a is


,

b o u nd e d o n t h e no rth by t h e S te pp e s t h e C as pi an ,

S e a and t h e Kur and R i o n riv e r s o n t h e s o u th by


, ,

t h e I ndi an O c e an o n t h e e as t by t h e v all e y o f t h e
,

I nd u s and o n t h e w e s t by th at o f t h e Tigri s and


,

E u phr at e s and by t h e P e r s i an Gu lf
,
At pr es e n t it .

i ncl u d e s P e r s i a A fgh ani s tan B al u chi s tan and s mall


, , ,

p o rti o ns o f R u s s i a and T u rk e y .

I t is a l o fty and for t h e m o s t p art a r ai nl e s s t abl e


l and tr ave r s e d by nu m e r ou s m o u nt ai n r ang e s divid e d -

fr o m e ach o th e r b y fl at pl ai ns and falli ng aw ay t o w ard


t h e c e ntr e which is a d e s e rt whit e with s alt s c u rf
,

or du n with p o wd e ry d u s t Th e m o u nt ai ns are
.

high e s t r o u nd t h e e dg e s o f t h e t abl e l and and i nt e rc e pt


m o s t o f t h e r ai nfall S o m e m o i s t u r e h o w e v e r fi nd s
.
, ,

it s w ay e ve n i nt o t h e r ainl e s s r e gi o n wh e r e it g ath e r s,

d u ring wi nt e r o n t h e h igh e r h ill s in t h e fo r m o f s no w .

This s no w w at e r is c ar e fu lly h u s b and e d and di s trib u t e d


-

by m e ans o f u nd e rgro u nd w at e r c o u r s e s Th e int e ri o r


-
.

is h o w e v e r drying u p and city vill ag e and c u ltiv at e d


, , , , ,

fi e ld are b e i ng gr ad u ally o ve rwh e l m e d in d u s t and


s hifti ng s and s .

P os s ibly as l at e as e arly his t o ric al ti m e s v e ry


4 I N T R O D UC TIO N
diffe r e nt c o nditi o ns pr e v ail e d Th e l o w e r pl ains and .

d e pr e s s i o ns o nc e fo r m e d a s e ri es o f l ak e s th at
s u gg e s t e d t h e app e ar an c e o f an in l an d s e a and s u ch ,

n am e s as i s l an d p o rt lighth o u s e & c are s aid t o s till , , ,


.
,

s u rviv e in pl ac e s as a r e lic and i ndic ati o n o f t h e o ld

s t at e o f thi ng s whil e a c o ns id e r abl e b o dy o f w at e r


1
,

is s till t o b e fo u nd in t h e e as t e r n h alf o f t h e c e ntr al


de pr e s s i o n o n t h e fr o nti e r b e tw e e n P ers i a and Afgh ani s
t an Thi s r e gi o n is no w k no wn as S is ta n b u t in anci e nt
.
,

ti m e s w as c all e d Drangiana o r t h e l ak e c o u ntry a -

n am e which s u rviv e d mu ch l at e r in it s fo r m e r c apit al


Z ar ang and as Zirih is s till u s e d in c o nne cti on with
,

it s l ak e .

Fr o m April till l at e in t h e au t u m n t h e s ky s av e ,

fo r an o cc as i on al th u nd e rs t o r m am o ng t h e m o u n t ai ns ,

is an u n cl o u d e d az u r e in wi nt e r a g o o d d e al o f s no w ,

fall s and in s pring t h e th u nd e r s t o r m s are h e avy and


,

fr e qu e n t Th e air is as a r u l e r e m ark ably h e althy


.
, , ,

b u t o n t h e b o rd e r s o f t h e d e s e r t s t h e i nh abit ant s
h av e s o m e ti m e s t o live s hu t u p fo r w e e k s t o g e th e r t o
2
av o id t h e p e s til e n ti al bl as t s .

Th e favo u r e d r e gi o ns are th os e th at fr on t w e s t and


no rth r e s p e ctiv e ly Th e y are s pl e n didly w o o d e d and .

e xtr e m e ly fe rtil e all t h e o rdinary fl o w e r s and fr u it s


,

o f E u r o p e do w e ll whil e in t h e di s trict b e tw e e n t h e ,

Alb u r z M o u nt ai ns and t h e C as pi an and k no wn as ,

Ma z and aran t h e cli m at e is s e m itr o pic al an d t h e


,

v e ge t ati o n m os t l u xu ri ant H e r e ric e t h e s u g ar c ane .


,
-

t h e vi ne t h e o r ang e and t h e o liv e fl o u ris h


,
3
In th e ,
.

fe w w at e r e d v all e ys of t h e l o ng s ou th e rn c o as t t h e
cli m at e is tr o pic al in ch ar act e r Th e t am aris k and .

m i mo s a are l arg e ly r e pr e s e nt e d and h e r e and th e r e ,

are gr o v e s o f d at e p al m s -
.

1
Eg . .
,
ne a r Ka b in s , on t he road b tw e een Tih ri n and H amad an, and at

Ba rchi n ,
'

a v ill ga e ne a r Ma ib ud t o t h e no rth of Ya z d . G H P, i . 1 3;
KA , ii .
4 73 .

2
M HP , ii .
3 67 .
3
DH A ,
v. 9 .
I N TR O D UC T IO N 5

Th e im m e di at e ighb ou rh o o d o f t h e s alt d e s e rt s is
ne -

t h e h au n t o f t h e wild as s o r o nag e r and o f t h e ant e l o p e ,

t h e s l o p e o f t h e m o u n t ain r ang e s o f t h e wild s h e e p o r -

arg ali an d th e ir s u m m it o f t h e wild g o at o r ib e x


, Th e .

t r act s artifici ally r e cl ai m e d and w at e r e d are t h e


fav o u rit e h o m e o f t h e s andgr o u s e and t h e highl and s ,

o f t h e e agl e t h e v u lt u r e t h e falc o n t h e r av e n t h e
and t h e nighti ng al e —t h e b u lbu l o f t h e p o e t s
, , , ,

c re w , .

Th e ac o r ns o f t h e w e s t e r n s l o p e s attr ac t t h e wild
s wi ne which in t u r n t e m pt t h e li o n fr o m t h e r e e d b e ds
,
-

o f t h e Tigri s and t h e c o v e r o f it s trib u t ari e s S win e


1
.
,

t o o ab o u nd in Maz an d ara n and affo rd fo o d fo r t h e


,

tig e r which fl o u ris h e s th e r e t h e d e ns e u nd e rgr o wth ,

and v e g e t ati o n o f th at r e gi o n affo rdi ng it as go o d


s h e lt e r as an I n di an j u ngl e H e r e t o o are fou nd
2
.
, ,

d e e r b u ffal o s w an w at e rfo wl w o o dc o ck and ph e as ant


, , , , ,
.

S p e aki ng o f t h e c o u ntry m o r e g e ne r ally w e m ay add


t o thi s li s t l e o p ard s W ildc at s w o lv e s b e ar s hy aenas , , , , ,

fo x e s s nak e s s c o rpi o ns v ip e r s li z ard s t he p artri dge


, , , , , ,

and t h e l ark Th e chi e f d o m e s tic ani m al s are t h e o x


.
,

t h e s h e e p e s p e ci ally t h e fat t ail e d v ari e ty th e h o r s e


,
-

, ,

t h e c am e l and t h e m u l e
,
.

Iran is a l and o f s h arp c o ntr as t s o f i nt e ns e h e at and ,

c old o f s u dd e n and ab no r m al ch ang e s o f t e m p e r atu r e


, ,

o f de ad l e v e l and s t e e p as c e n t o f s pl e ndid fe r t ility h ard ,

by life l e s s d e s o l ati o n o f irrig ati o n and d u s t Its


, .

n at u r al ch ar act e ri s tic s fi nd e xpr e s s i o n in t h e anci e n t


c o s m o go ny o f it s p e o pl e We are t o ld th at U rmu z d .

the G o o d Pri n cipl e — cr e at e d e arth as a l o v e ly pl ain


b ath e d in a m ild p e rpe t u al r adi anc e fanne d by s o ft ,

t e m p e r at e air s b o u nt e o u s ly pr o vid e d with fr e s h s w e e t


,

w at e r s and cl ad in a s m o o th and h ar m l e s s v e g e t ati o n


, .

H e r e t h e Fir s t M an and t h e Fir s t O x dw e lt i n p e ac e


and h appi ne s s Ahri m an—t h e Evil Pri ncipl e —br o k e
.

i nt o thi s fair s c e ne and all w as ch ang e d Gl o o m .

m i ng e d wi t h light t h e s e as o ns di ffe r e nc e b e g an t h e

, ,

1
E P, ii .
30 .
2
1 d 34
. .
6 I N TR O D UC T IO N
s e as t u rne d s alt t h e s tr e ams dwi ndl e d t h e v e g e t ati on
, ,

gre w r o u gh and th o r ny dr o ught c am e and d u s t and ,


d e s e rt ; m ou nt ai n r ang e s S pr ang u p fr o m t he pl ain


-

and t h e m an and e x w e r e s trick e n with di s e as e and


di e d ; b u t fr o m t h e b o dy o f t h e fo r m e r s prang t h e
fir s t h u m an p air fr o m wh o m all t h e e arth w as o v e r
s pr e ad , and fr o m t h e b o dy o f t h e l att e r all o th e r
h ar m l e s s u s e fu l and b e au tifu l ani m al s whil e A hri m an
, , ,

in o pp o s iti on t o th e s e cr e at e d all no i s o m e and hid e o u s


i ns e ct s r e ptil e s and cr e atu r e s s h arp o f fang o r cl aw
, , .

Le t u s n o w t u r n fr o m t h e l and t o t h e p e o pl e Fo r .

us th e r e is no o cc as i o n t o dis cu s s qu e s ti o ns o f rac e
fr o m any v e ry m o d e r n s t andp o int Fo r u s it is r at h e r .

wh at e thnic al vi e ws o bt aine d in anci e nt I ra n and


m o u ld e d it s tr aditi o ns A s t o th e s e th e r e is h appily
.

littl e r o o m fo r d o u bt D ari u s H y s t aspis t h e fo u nd e r


m
,

o f t h e P e r s i an e m pir e am
,

s t o f it s hi s t o ric

S hah s h av i ng d e cid e d t h e m att e r fo r u s


,
On t he .

r o ck o f Bihis t un h e r e c o rd e d h is gr e at achi e v e m e nts


in a trili ng u al in s cripti o n t h e l ang u ag e s e m pl o y e d ,

b e i ng anci e nt P e r s i an B abyl o ni an and S cythi an Th e


, , .

o bvi o u s e xpl anat i o n o f h is pr o c e e ding is th at h e ,

r e c o g nis e d in t h e p o p u l ati o n o f h is v as t e m pire thr e e


dis ti nct r ac e s o f manki nd and r e g ardi ng l ang u ag e as , ,

di s t i nctiv e o f r ac e u s e d it t o e m ph as i s e th at gr e at
,

p o litic al fact I n t h u s dis ti ng u i s hi ng h e fo ll o w e d a


.

tr u e phil o l o gic al ins ti nct and his dis tincti ons s till ,

l arg e ly o bt ai n at t h e pr e s e nt day E ach o f his thr e e .

l ang u ag e s r e pr e s e nt s a gr e at divi s i on o f h u m an s p e e ch .

H is vi e w as w e s h all s ee agr e e s with t h e tr aditi o ns


, ,

and l e g e nd s o f his r ac e an d if s o m e m o d e r n S hah w e r e


,

t o r e s t o r e t h e e m pir e o f D ari u s an d wi s h e d t o i m it at e ,

t h e e x am pl e o f h is gr e at pr e d e c e s s o r h e w o u ld s till h av e ,

t o ch o o s e l ang u ag e s typic al o f t h e s am e thr e e divi s i o ns .

I n wh at fo ll o w s th e r e fo r e l ang u ag e is m ad e t h e b as i s
, ,

o f cl as s ific ati o n and t h e divi s i o n s th u s cl as s ifi e d are


,

c o mm only c all e d t h e I nd o Eu r o p e an t h e S e m itic and -

, ,
8 I N TR O D UC TIO N
w as pe rv e r s e ly r e gard e d as t h e r ai n s t e al e r Th e g o o d -

s pirit s h as t e ne d t o t h e r e s c u e t h e light ning —


.

fl as h cl o v e ,

t h e cl o u d and t h e d e m o ns dr o pp e d th e ir b o o ty
, Th e .

s e rp e nt fi e nd h ad t o b e c o m b at e d fo r o th e r r e as o ns t o o
-

fo r h is b it e br o u ght fe v e r di s e as e and d e ath Acc o rd , ,


.

ingly t h e divi n e phy s ici an app e ar e d s id e by s id e with


t h e divi ne h e r o Trita with Trait ana an d b e c am e as
, , ,

w e s h all s e e l at e r o n m e rg e d i n t o a s i ngl e p e r s o nality,

in Ira ni an l e g e nd S acrific e s w e r e o ffe r e d and t h e


.
,

dri nk O ffe ri ng o f t h e j u ic e o f t h e S o m a o r H o m a pl ant


-

w as p o u r e d fo rth Th e pl an t is u s u ally id e ntifi e d as


.

b e i ng t h e A s clepi as a cida o r S ar cos t emm a o i m in ale ‘ .

Th e A ry ans al s o w o r s hipp e d t h e s pirit s o f th e ir


an c e s t o r s and w e r e b e li e v e r s in wh at is c all e d s m
, y
p ath e tic m agi c Th e y th o u ght th at i nj u ry d o ne t o
.

anythi ng in t h e r e m o t e s t w a c o nne ct e d with th e ir


y
o wn p e r s o ns w o u ld affe c t th e m s e lv e s i nj u ri o u s ly Even .

t h e kn o wl e dg e o f th e ir nam e m igh t b e t u rne d t o th e ir


h u rt and w e s h all fi nd i ns t anc e s in t h e p o e m o f childr e n
,

b e i ng br o u ght u p u nnam e d t o av o id th at c o nti ng e ncy .

At a p e ri o d which c anno t b e pu t at l e s s th an fo u r
th o u s and y e ar s ago t h e Ary ans t he m s e lve s div id e d and ,

whil e a p o rti o n d e s c e nd e d t o t h e I ndu s and b e c am e t h e


d o m i nant r ac e in I ndi a t h e r e s t r e m ai ne d and gr ad u ally ,

t o o k p o s s e s s i o n o f all th at w as h abit abl e in t h e v as t


r e gi o n th at c o ns e q u e ntly b e c am e k no w n as t h e l and o f
t h e Ary ans o r I ran Th e A r ans th u s b e c am e s e p ar at e d
.

i nt o t w o br anch e s — an Eas t e r n and a We s t e r n With .

t h e fo r m e r w e are b u t littl e c o n c e r ne d ; t h e l e g e nd ary


s t o ry o f t h e l at t e r is t h e th e m e o f t h e S h a h nam a .

O f th e s e W e s t e r n Ary ans t h e t wo m o s t fam o u s


p e o pl e s h av e e ve r b e e n t h e M e d e s and P e r s i ans .

1
Th pl n t gr w in t h r gi n
e a b t S m k nd nd B lkh in t h
o s e e o s a ou a ar a a a e

n rth and in Ki r man i n t h


o th Th h t w r p nd d in a e s ou . e s ee s e e ou e

m ortar nd w t r b i ng dd d gr ni h li q i d w a pr d c d which
l

, a a e e a e a ee s u s o u e ,

ha i ng b n tr i n d w mix d w ith milk nd b arl y w ild ric nd


v ee s a e as e a e or e a

a ll w d t f rm nt Th pr d ct w i nt xic ti ng S G H P i 3 6
o e o e e . e o u as o a . ee ,
.

DH A , iv 5 3
. .
I N T RO D UC TIO N 9

Th e M e d e s wh o s e m o d e r n r e pr e s e nt ative s if any
, , ,

s e e m t o b e t h e Kurd s app e ar in anci e nt ti m e s t o h av e ,

b e e n a l o o s e c onfe d e rati o n O f ki ndre d trib e s br o k e n u p


i nt o nu m e r ou s s e ttl e m e nt s e ach u nd e r it s l o c al h e ad ,

m an o r chi e f 1
Th e y s e e m t o h ave h ad no s u pr e m e
.

p o litic al h e ad o r ki ng t o u nit e t h e r ac e u nd e r o ne
c e ntr al au th o rity Th e ir c o m mo n b o nd if any w as a .
, ,

r e ligi o u s o ne u nd e r th e ir pri e s t s t h e M agi Acc o rdi ng , .

t o th e ir o w n tr aditi o ns t h e o rigi nal s e at o f t h e r ac e w as


Iran v ej i e
-

, Irani an s e e d and thi s has b e e n w e ll


. .
, ,

id e ntifi e d with t h e di s trict o f K ar ab agh t h e anci e n t ,



Arra n t h e Hpi a ma o f t h e Gr e e k s b e tw e e n t h e Kur
, ,

and t h e Ar as wh e r e t h e Anti C au c as u s fo r m s t h e tr u e
,
-

no rth w e s t e r n s c arp o f t h e t abl e l and o f Ira n 2


-
In .

hi s t o ric al ti m e s h o w e v e r w e firs t fi nd t h e M e d e s in
, ,

q of
" p p ss ess
iq t o giv e it

A t rfi iat e ne
F '

i ts anci e n t titl e Th e P e r si ans o cc u pi e d


, .

fro m ti m e i m m e m o ri al t h e c o u ntry o n t h e e as t e r n
s h o r e s o f t h e P e r s i an G u lf n o w r e pr es e nt e d by t h e ,

m o d e rn pr o vinc e s o f Fars is t an and Laris t an and w e r e ,

r u l e d by k ings o f t h e h ou s e o f A ch ae m g p g s Th e s e ,

t w o p e o pl e s cl o s e ly c o nne ct e d as t e y w e r e by l ang u ag e
,

and r ac e b e c am e in t h e d ay s o f D ariu s H y s t as pis


,

d o m i nant in Ira n and t o thi s do m i nati o n t h e M e d e s ,

app e ar t o h av e c o ntrib u t e d t h e r e ligi o u s t h e P e r s i ans ,

t h e p o litic al e l e m e nt B e tw e e n t he M ode s and t h e


,
.

Pe r s i ans lay in anci e nt ti m e s as w e l e ar n fr o m A s s yri an


o th e r ki ndr e d p e o pl e s —t h e
,

and B abyl o ni an r e c o rd s ,

ki ngd o m o f El am with it s c apit al at S u s a s o m e tw e nty


m
, ,

t h e m o d e r n S hu s t e r and t h e ki ngd o m
l

fi v e m il e s ,

o f E lli i in t h e ne ighb o u rh o o d o f th e m o d e r n H am ada n


p ,
.

Th e Ira ni ans as a wh o l e w e r e b o u nd e d o n t h e w e s t by
S e m itic and o n t h e no rth by Tura ni an p e o pl e s O n th e .

e as t th e y w e r e c o n t e r m ino u s with t h e Ary an s o f I ndi a ,

and u lti m at e ly th e y c am e i nt o c o n t act with t h e W e s t e r n

1
Th e king s of th e M o de s

of J er . x x v. 2 5 .

2
DZA , i 3 . and no t e s ; KA , i .
4 5 .
10 IN TR O D UC TIO N
I nd o E u r o p eans
'

w e ll no t ably with t h e Gr e e k s and


as ,

R o m ans A s t h e c o s m o go ny and r e ligio n o f t h e


.

Irani ans w e r e l arg e ly d e riv e d fr o m th e ir phy s ic al s o ,

w as th e ir tr aditi o n fr o m th e ir e t h nic al e nvir o nm e nt ,


.

We are c on c e rne d with all thr e e b u t e s p eci ally with


t h e l as t —th e ir tr aditi o n
,

Th e r e m aind e r o f t h e pr e s e n t.

ch apt e r will th e re fo r e b e d e v o t e d t o a bri e f and ,

n e c e s s arily dry s u m m ary o f th e ir hi s t o ric al r e l ati o ns


,

with t h e S e m it e s as r e pr e s e nt e d by t h e As s yri ans in


e arly and t h e Ar ab s in l at e r ti m e s with o th e r I nd o ,

E u r o p e an r ac e s r e pr e s e nt e d by t h e Gr e e k s and R o m ans
in t h e w e s t and by t h e Hi nd u s in t h e e as t and with ,

t h e Tura ni ans as r e pr e s e nt e d by t h e Kimm e rians ,

S cy t hians
w w
W fr an ia ns a n d the S em i tes —I n t h e nu me r o u s .

c ont e m p o r ary r e c o rd s o f t h e A s s yri ans w e fi nd m any


r e fe r e nc e s t o t h e Irani ans The wh o l e o f t h e w e s t e rn .

fr o nti e r o f Iran fr o m t h e M e d e s in t h e no rth t o t h e


,

P e r s i ans in t h e s o u th s e e m s t o h av e b e e n s u bj e ct e d at
,

o ne p o i nt o r ano th e r t o al m o s t c o ns t ant aggr e s s i o n ,

at fir s t by m e r e r aid s b u t l at e r o n by at t e m pt s at

p e rm ane nt c o nqu e s t at t he h and s o f t h e gr e at w arri o r


m o narch s o f N ine v e h —S h al m ane s e r I I ( B C 8 58 8 2
,

. . .

S am as R i mm o n I I ( B C 8 2 3 R i mm o n nirari III
. .
-

8 10 Tiglat h Pile s ar III .


(B C . .
74 5
S arg on ( B C . .
72 2 S e nnach e rib ( B C . .
70 5
E s arh add o n I . A s s u rb anip al ( B C
(B C . 68 1 and . .

66 8 Th e att e m pt s at p e r m ane n t c o nqu e s t


d at e fro m t h e r e ign o f S arg o n Th e l o ng r e ign o f .

A s s u rb anip al falls i nt o t w o p e ri o d s a fo r m e r o f gr e at ,

e xt e ns i o n and c o n q u es t and a l att e r wh e n t h e tid e ,

b e gan t o t u rn and t h e A s s yri an e m pir e o v e r s tr aine d ,

and e xh au s t e d s h o w e d s igns o f d e c ay,


Fi nally in t h e .
,

r e ig n o f E s arh add o n I I Nine v e h fe ll ( B C o ve r .


,
. .

1
R PN S , iv 3 8 —
51
2
R, i 1 1 -
22 3
DH A ii 326

. . . . . .
,

iii ix

6
4
Id 3 5
5
R P, 3 20 E PN S vi 83 10 1

10 3—
- -
. . . . . . . .

7
R P iii , . 1 24 .
8
Id ., ix .
3 9 64 .
I N TRO D UC T IO N 1 1

wh el me d by c o nfe d e r acy which incl u d e d t h e M e d e s


a .

Pr o b ably no e m pir e w as e v e r l e s s l am e nt e d by t h e
w o rld at l arge for w e h ave t h e A s s y ri ans o wn w o rd
,

fo r it th at th e ir w arfar e w as att e n d e d with e v e ry


circ u m s tanc e o f cru e lty and h o rr o r Th ey h o ld i nd e e d .

a b ad re e m i ne nc e in th at r e s p e ct o v e r all t h e o th e r
p
-

nati o ns o f an tiq u ity .

With t h e fall o f Ni ne ve h s e ri o u s S e m itic aggr e s s i on


c e as e d s o far as t h e Irani ans w e r e c o nc e r ne d t ill aft e r
, ,

t h e Chri s ti an e ra h ad b e g u n Ar abi a w as at t h at e p o ch
.

e xtr e m e ly pr os p e r o u s and c arri e d o n a v as t c ar av an


,

t r affic in n ativ e pr o d u c e and i m p o rt s fr o m I ndi a with


t h e w e s t and no rth Wh e n h o w e v e r R o m e h ad
.
, ,

b e c o me r e c ogni s e d as t h e c e ntr e o f t h e w o rld h e r ,

m e rch ant s s o o n hi t u p o n a l e s s circ u it o u s and c o ns o


qu e ntly ch e ap e r r ou t e Th e y s t art e d a dir e ct tr affic
.

b e tw e e n I ndi a and t he R e d S e a wh e r e by m e rch andis e , ,

i ns t e ad o f b e i ng l and e d in S o u th e rn Ar abi a and th e nc e


c o nv e y e d no rthw ard s by l and w as dis ch arg e d at ,

Ars ino e Cle o pat ris ( S u e z ) and o th e r Egypti an p o rt s


A s a r e s u lt S o u th e r n Ar abi a—t h e m o s t fe r t il e and
.
, ,

p o pu l o u s r e gi o n o f t h e p e ni ns u l a—w as r u i ne d and in
,

ti m e b o th th e r e and al o ng t h e li ne s o f t h e o ld c ar av an
,

r o u t e s o nly m as s i v e r e m ains o f citi e s c anal s d am s an d


, , , ,

aq u e d u ct s w e r e l e ft t o wit ne s s t o a l o s t pr o s p e rity A .

v as t p o p u l ati o n w as thr o w n o u t o f e m pl o y m e n t and t h e ,

A r ab s b e g an t o e m igr at e no rthw ard as e arly it w o u ld ,

s ee m ,
as t h e fir s t c e n t u ry A D Th e A z dit e s in thi s
w ay fo u nde d t h e citi e s o f Hir a and A nb ar o n t h e
E u phr at e s and w e r e l o rd s o f D am as c u s t ill t h e d ay s
,

o f t h e Kh al ifa U m ar O th e r trib e s fr o m t h e s o u th

.

s e ttl e d in t h e m o u n t ai ns o f Aj a and S al m a t o the ,

no rth o f N aj d and Al H aj a z Th e s e N o rth e r n Ar ab s


.

w e r e divid e d in th e ir all e gi anc e b e tw e e n t h e R o m an


and s as a ni an e m pir e s ; and th e ir q u arr e l s am o ng
t h e m s e l v e s th e ir r e s tl e s s ne s s and i nc o ns t ancy m ad e
, ,

th e m th o rns in t h e s id e s o f b o th and le d t o m any ,


12 I N TR O D UC TIO N
diffic u lti e s Th e d e fe at o f J u li an by S ap o r II is s aid
. .

t o h av e b e e n l arg e ly du e t o t h e d e fe cti o n o f t h e Ar ab
alli e s o f t h e fo r m e r whil e o n t h e o th e r h an d t h e
,

w e s t e r n fr o nti e r o f Ira n w as alw ay s li abl e t o b e e v e r


ru n by th e m as far n o rth as and i n cl u di ng A z arb i a
j n .

Th e h av o c c au s e d w as o ft e n gr e at and t h e r e t ali ati o n , ,

o n o cc as i o ns fe r o ci o u s
, .

With t h e ri s e o f M u h am m ad t h e Ar ab s b e c am e
a gr e at r e ligi o u s and p o litic al p o w e r Aft e r h is .

d e ath in A D 6 3 2 h e w as s u cc e e d e d in t u rn by Ab u
B akr anm arf I n t he c o u rs e o f t h e t e n y e ar s o f t h e
.

'

l att e r s r u l e Ira n w as c o nqu e r e d by h is ge ne r al s aft e r


t h e thr e e gr e at b attl e s o f Kadis iy y a and J alula in A D . .

6 3 7 and N ahav and A D 64 1


,
A dy nas t y o f high o ffici al s
, . . .

o f t h e S a s a ni an e m pir e s till h e ld o u t and m ain t ai ne d

t e an ci e t faith in t e f t ne s e s o f Ma z and ara n b u t


h n h as s
1
,

Ira n as a wh o l e w as b o th fr o m a r e ligio u s and a


p o litic al p o i nt o f vi e w s u b m e rg e d Th e r e ligi o u s .

c o nqu e s t pr o v e d t o b e p e r m ane nt b u t aft e r a ti m e ,

nati o n al fe e li ng b e g an t o re as s e rt it s e lf ag ai ns t t h e -

p o li t ic al as t h e fo ll o wing bri e f s u mm ary o f e v e nt s


,

m ay s e rv e t o s h o w U m ar app o i nt e d a c o mm itt e e

.

o f five t o s e l e ct t h e ne xt Kh al ifa aft e r his d e ath .

Aft e r l o ng d e b at e th e y ch o s e Uth m a n b u t s u b s e q u e ntly ’

r e p e nti ng o f th e ir ch o ic e thr e e o f t h e fi v e br o u ght


ab o u t h is as s as s i n ati o n aft e r a r e ig n o f tw e lv e y e ar s ,

an d no m i n at e d A li as Kh ali fa (A D

Uth m an . .

w as o f t h e Um ayy ad fam ily and it s h e ad M u awiy a


, ,

th e n g o v e rno r o f S yri a t o o k u p ar m s t o av e nge h im


,
.

N e ith e r h ad any dir e ct cl ai m t o t h e Khilafat b u t ,

A li w as t h e s o n o f M u h am m ad s u ncl e Abu Talib and


’ ’

h ad m arri e d t h e pr o ph e t s d au ght e r Fati m a k no w n as


t h e m aid e n M u h am m ad h ad s aid o f him :


. A li “ ’

is fo r m e and I am fo r h im ; h e s t and s t o m e in t h e
,

s ame r ank as A ar o n did t o M o s e s ; I am t h e t o wn


i n which all k no wl e dg e is s h u t u and h e is t h e g at e
p ,
.

1
N SEH, 1 39 .
I N TR O D U C TI O N 1 3

of it 1 A li c ame t o b e r e g ard e d as as s o ci at e d in a v e ry
” ’

s p e ci al w a w ith t h e pr o ph e t and w as k no w n as h is
y ,

e x e c u t o r o r m and at ary and al s o as t h e L i o n o f Go d o r , ,

s i m ply as t h e Li o n M u awiy a o n t h e o th e r h and w as ’


. , ,

t h e s o n o f o ne o f M u h amm ad s bitt e r e s t o pp o ne nt s

and h ad no thi ng b u t h is o w n abiliti e s t o r e c o m m e nd

h im I n t h e h e at o f t h e c o nt e s t which e ns u e d s o m e o f
.


Ali s fo ll o w e r s in th e ir z e al fo r h im w e nt t o o far Th e y

.

no t o nly cl ai m e d t h e Khilafat fo r h im by divi ne righ t ,

b u t act u ally de ni e d th at Abu B akr U m ar and Uth m a n


’ ’

, ,

h ad any titl e t o b e r e g ard e d as l e giti m at e Kh alifas at


all . This s h o ck e d and dr e w a g o o d m any o f t h e
fai t hfu l i nt o M u aw iy a s c am p and t h e t w o p arti e s
’ ’

b e c ame kno w n as S hi it e s (p arti s ans ) and S u nnit e s ’

e m e Miflia m a d

( o rth o d ox
) I n t h e .e v n t a n e x t r e iii an
”M

s e ct k no w n as Kh arij it e s ( di s s e nt e r s which r
) a o s e at ,

th at ti m e d e ni e d t h e right s o f b o th c andid at es
,

adv o c at e d t h e b e s t o w al o f t h e Khilafat o n th e bes t


and c am e t o t h e c o n cl u s i o n th at t h e tr u e c o u r s e o u t

o f t h e difli c u lt w o u ld b e o r e m o v e b o th l

y t A i w as .

acc o rdi ngly as s as s i nat e d b u t M u awiy a e s c ap e d and


b e c am e Khalifa with ou t fu rthe r di s p u t e 2 Th e wr o ngs .

o f A li h o w e v e r as m any th o u ght th e m h ad t ak e n h o ld

, , ,

o n t h e p o p u l ar m i nd e s p e ci ally in ira n and w e r e

i nt e ns ifi e d wh e n h is s o n H u s ai n —t h e gr and s o n o f
, ,

M u h amm ad hi ms e lf—w as s l ain by M u awiya s s o n and ’ ’

s u cc e s s o r Yiz id A D 6 8 1 Th e U m ay y ads wh o s e chi e f


, . . .
,

s u pp o rt lay in S yri a h ad ne c e s s arily t o r u l e fr o m ,

D am as c u s and thi s t e nd e d t o s l ack e n th e ir h o ld o v e r


,

th e ir E as t e rn p os s e s s i o ns T aki ng adv ant ag e o f thi s .

fact and e xpl o iting t h e fe e li ng ab o u t A li t o th e ir o wn


,

adv ant ag e t h e d e s c e nd an t s o f Abba s o ne o f M u h am


, ,

m ad s u ncl e s gr adu ally un d e r m in e d t h e p os iti o n o f


t h e r e ig ni ng h ou s e till at l e ngth in t h e y e ar A D 7 50
, ,

with t h e as s i s t anc e o f t h e P e rs i ans th e y s u ppl ant e d ,

t h e U m ay y ads e v e rywh e r e e xc e pt in S p ain Th e .

1
'

OH S , 33 1 2
. N E S H , 80 .
14 I N T RO D U C TIO N
tri u m ph o f t h e Abba s id s w as a h alf tri u mph fo r

P e rs i an nati o nality and t he fact w as r e c o g ni s e d by t h e


,

ab and o nm e n t o f D am as c u s as t h e s e at o f e m pir e and a ,

r e tu r n t o t h e o ld s t at e o f thi ngs th at h ad pre v ail e d


u nd e r t h e S a s a ni ans by t h e b u ildi ng o f B aghdad and

t h e tr ans fe r e nc e t o it o f t h e s e at o f g o v e rn m e n t .

A no th e r tri u m ph w as w on wh e n aft e r t h e d e ath o f ,

H arunu r R as h id h is s o n Ma m u n wh o s e m o th e r w as

-

, ,

a P e r s i an s l av e o v e rc ame with P e r s i an h e lp his br o th e r


,

A m in wh o w as s u pp o rt e d by S yri a Ma m u n w as t he
,
.

l as t gr e at Abbas id Kh alifa (A D 8 1 3 —8 3

D e cline s o o n
. .

fo ll o w e d I n A D 8 6 1 t h e Kh alifa M u t awak k il w as
. . .

m u rde r e d by h is o wn s o n and t h e Abba s id s b e c am e


th e nc e fo rth i ns ig nific ant h avi ng littl e p o w e r o u t s id e


,

t h e w all s o f B aghdad and d e p e nd e nt chi e fly o n t h e


fo rb e ar anc e o f th e ir m ay o rs o f t h e p al ac e if t h e e xpr e s ,

s i on m a b e appli e d t o E as t e r n hi s t o ry w h o pr e fe rr e d
y ,

t o v e il th e ir o w n s u pr e m acy b e hi nd t h e r e v e r e nc e s till
i ns pir e d by t h e K halifas in th e ir r e ligi o u s as p e ct as
C o mm and e r s o f t h e F aithfu l I n t h e t e nth c e nt u ry thi s
.

o ff ic e w as h e ld by t h e Dilam ids w h o cl ai me d d e s c e nt ,

fro m t h e an ci e nt P e r s i an ki ng s and w e r e fe rv e n t S h i it e s ’

Th e y r u l e d o v e r W e s t e rn and S ou th e rn Ira n p o s i ng ,

t h e whil e as t h e Kh ali fas m o s t o b e di e nt s l av e s



In .

t h e no rth and e as t t h e S am anide s w h o cl ai m e d t o ,

b e d e s c e nd e d fr o m t h e fam o u s Ira ni an h e r o B ahra m


Chu bina b u t w e r e in r e ality o f T u rk m an d e s c e nt w e r e
, ,

s u pr e m e. Th e p o litic al s u pr e m acy o f t h e Ar ab s in
Iran w as at an e nd .

The I r an i a n s a n d t h e G r e e ks a n d R o m a ns — Th e
hi s t o ric s trife b e tw e e n P e r s i an and Gr e e k is s o fam ili ar
t o u s th at it is hard t o r e ali s e th at t h e o nly po rt io n o f
i

it in Ira ni an l e g e nd th at in any w ay c o i ncid e s with


au th e ntic h is t o ry is th at which d e al s with t h e i nv as i o n

o f t h e E as t by Al e x and e r t h e Gr e at ; and e v e n thi s is

m o s tly b as e d no t o n native b u t Gr e e k tr aditi o n s o m o di ,

fi e d by Irani an p atri o ti s m as t o gl o s s o v e r o r e xpl ain


1 6 I N TR O D UC TIO N
wh e n a Brah man dynas ty r e pl ac e d t h e B u ddhi s t I t .

w as pr o b ably no t m u ch b e fo r e t h e e l e v e nth c e nt u ry
o f t he Chris ti an e ra th at M u h am m ad ani s m fi nally
u m i
tri ph e d n th o s e r e gi o ns ‘
To t h e Z o r o as tri an
.
,

h o w e v e r no l e s s th an t o t h e M u h amm ad an B u ddhis m
, ,

and Br ah m ani s m w e r e alik e id o l atry and thi s vi e w h as ,

l e ft as w e s h all s e e it s m ark o n Irani an l e ge nd Th e


, , .

fi e rc e w ar s c arri e d o n agai ns t t h e id o l at e rs o f I ndi a by


t h e M u h am m ad ans o f E as t e r n Ira n at t h e e nd o f t h e
t e nth and t h e b e ginning o f t h e e l e ve nth c e nt u ry h av e
al s o le ft t h e ir m ark .

The I r an i a n s a n d Tar an i a n s — S av ag e b arb aro u s


'

.
, ,

and u nc o u th t h e nati o ns o f t h e N o rth h av e al way s


,

b e e n n o t o ri o u s fo r t h e dis g u s t and t e rr o r with which


th e y h av e i ns pir e d t h e high e r civili s ati o ns o f t h e S o u th .

Th e T urani ans w e r e littl e b e tte r th an t h e A s s yri ans in


th e ir tr e atm e nt o f v anqu i s h e d fo e s and d e cid e dly w o rs e ,

in as p e ct I n t h e m o s t anci e nt ti m e s o f which w e h av e
.

an r e c o rd t h e gr e at highw ay fo r th e s e nati o ns s o u th
y ,

w ard l ay b etw e e n t h e C as pi an and Eu xi ne S e as Th e y .

h ad th e r e fo r e t o cr o s s t h e b arri e r o f t h e C au c as u s which ,

is s aid t o b e o nly p as s abl e s av e by e xp e rt Alpi ne ,

cli m b e rs in thr e e pl ac e s o ne at e ach e nd and o ne ne ar


, ,

t h e c e n tr e O f th e s e t h e m o s t pr actic abl e fo r l arge


.

b o di e s o f m e n lay al o ng t h e fl at s h o r e s o f t h e C as pi an .

Th e C au c as u s s t o p s s h o rt o f th at s e a and o nly o ne s p u r ,

of t he r ang e r u nning in a no rth e as t e rly dir e ctio n -

ne arly appr o ach e s it B e tw e e n thi s s p u r and t h e s e a


.
,

wh e r e t h e p as s age is narr o w e s t s t and s t h e t o w n o f ,

D arb and H e r e acc o rdi ng t o t h e l e ge nd S ik and ar i e


.
, , ,
. .

Al e x and e r t h e Gr e at b u ilt a m ighty b arri e r t o r e s tr ain


,

t h e in c u r s i o ns o f G o g and M ag o g i e o f t h e Tura ni ans , . . .

S u ch a w all e xt e ndi ng acr os s t h e P as s o f D arb an d w as


actu ally b u ilt fo r th a t p u rp o s e by t h e gr e at S a is anian
'

S hah N us h irw an t h e c o nt e m p o r ary o f t h e E m p e r o r


,

J u s tini an and th o s e t w o r u l e r s agr e e d t o s h are t h e


,

1
EH I , ii
.
4 1 5, a
re .
I N TR O D UC TIO N 1 7

e xp ens e o f pr e v e nting b arb ari s m fr o m p e ne tr ati ng s o u th


oft e h C au c as u s 1
Tw o c e nt u ri e s l at e r wh e n t h e K h az ar s
.
, ,

a T u rki s h r ac e fr o m wh at is no w S o u th e r n R u s s i a ,

c apt u r e d Tiflis and wr o u ght gr e at h avo c t h e Abbas id ,


Kh alifa M ans ur e r e ct e d de fe ns iv e w o rk s and s e cu r e d


t h e wh o l e r e gi o n u p t o t h e gr e at m o u nt ai n b arri e r 2 -
.

C o m ing d o w n t o l at e r ti m e s and r e g ardi ng t h e m att e r ,

fr o m t h e o th e r s id e w e m ay m e nti o n th at o ne o f P e t e r ,

t h e Gr e at s fir s t act s aft e r his acc e s s i o n t o t h e thr o ne


w as t o m ak e s u r e o f D arb and .

Th e fir s t hi s t o ric al i nv as i o n by a Turani an r ac e is
th at o f t h e Kim me rians o f H o m e r and H e r o d o t u s t h e ,

G o m e r o f t h e Bibl e and t h e G imirra o f t h e A s s yri an


i ns cripti o ns w h o app e ar t o h ave dw e lt in e arly ti me s
,

o n t h e D ni e s t e r and t h e S e a o f A z o f wh e n c e th e y w e r e ,

driv e n by t h e pr e s s u r e o f ki ndr e d r ac e s wh o m t h e
A s s yri ans c all e d M and a Tr av e r s ing t h e P as s o f Dar .

b and th e y s e ttl e d fo r a ti m e no rth o f t h e Ar as wh e r e ,

u nd o u bt e dly th e y m u s t h av e c o m e i n t o c o nt act with

t h e M e de s B e i ng s till pr e s s e d u p o n fr o m t h e no rth
.
,

th e y m ad e an u ns u cc e s s fu l att e m pt t o i nv ad e A s s yri a
in R C 67 7 and th e n t u r ne d w e s tw ard i nt o A s i a Mi no r ?
.
,

I n t h e w ak e o f t h e Kimm e rian i nv as i o n c am e t h e
c au s e o f it —t h e S ac ae o r S cy thi ans w h o s e e m t o h av e ,

fo rc e d t h e li ne o f t h e Ar as t o h av e o v e rr u n t h e t e rri ,

t o ry o f t h e M e d e s and t h e kingd o m o f E llipi and t o ,

h av e e s t abli s h e d as th e ir c apit al t h e fam o u s ci t y o f


E kb at ana t h e m o de r n H am ada n in wh at h as alw ay s
, ,

b e e n kno w n in anci e nt hi s t o ry as M e di a M ag na I t .

s e e m s t o h av e b e e n thi s d o m i nati o n o f t h e S ac ae at

E k b at ana th at h as b e e n r e c o rd e d fo r u s in hi s t o ry as
t h e E m pir e o f t h e M e d e s Th e c o nfu s i o n app e ar s t o .

G DF
1
8 7— 89 In R S M 3 5
,
v. thi arr ng m nt i ai d t ha
. . 2, s a e e s s o ve

b g n in t h r ig n f Y dagi d I I and t h y ng r Th d i
e u e e s o az r . e ou e eo os u s .

Th r d r w ill fi nd
e ea pict r f D rb and (D rb nt ) and it w ll in
e a u e o a e e s a

KA , i 76
. .

2
N S EH, 1 3 8.
3
S HC, 1 24 .
i s

I N TR O D U C TI ON
h av e ari s e n fro m t h e S i mil arity b e tw ee n t h e A s s yri an
w o rd s fo r M e d e s and no m ad s r e s p e ctiv e ly t h e fo r m e r ,

b ei ng M ada and t h e l att e r M and a c ou pl e d with t h e fact ,

th at t h e M ada and M and a b o th fo r me d p art o f t h e


c o nfe d e r ati on which u nd e r t h e l e ad e r s hip o f Kas t arit
, ,

t h e Ky ax are s o f t h e Gr e e k s o v e r t hr e w Nin e v e h 1 Th e
e m pir e o f t h e M and a at E k b at an a—t h e s o c all e d M e di an
.
,

E m pir e —c o n ti nu e d till t h e m iddl e o f t h e s ixth c e nt u ry


I t s h ar e d t h e d o m i ni o n o v e r W e s t e r n A s i a with
B abyl on and Lydi a and w as no d o u bt t h e c au s e o f t h e
,

e l ab o r at e d e fe ns iv e w o rk s with which N e b u ch ad ne zz ar ,

m i ndfu l o f t h e fat e o f Ni n e v e h s o u ght t o m ak e h is ,

c apit al i m pr e g nabl e : it h e ld t h e o v e rl o rd s hip o f


W e s t e rn Iran I n t h e y e ar R C 550 h o w e v e r Cyru s
. .
, , ,

ki ng o f El am r e b e ll e d ag ains t his o ve rl o rd I s t u v e gu o f
, ,

Ek b at ana t h e A s t y age s o f t h e Gr e e k s and o v e rthr e w


, ,

h im in t h e fo ll o wing y e ar 2
Cyru s th e n s u bj u g at e d t h e
.

P e r s i ans e nt e r e d B abyl o n in R C 54 4 c o nqu e r e d A s i a


,
.
,

Mino r and all t h e t abl e l and o f Ira n u nit e d it s trib e s fo r ,

t h e fir s t ti m e in hi s t o ry u nd and

b e c am e kno w n t o He
is s aid t o h av e e xt e nd e d h is c o n qu e s t s t o t h e J ax art e s ,

o n t h e b o rd e r s o f which b e e r e ct e d fo rtr e s s e s t o h o ld

t e n o m ad t rib e s in ch e ck and t h e Gr e e k hi s t o ri ans


h 3
, ,

with t h e e xc e pti o n o f Xe no ph o n r e pr e s e nt h im as ,

p e ri s hi ng I n a w ar with t h e S cythi an/s , Th e l e g e nd o f


'

Cyr u s and Tog y ris t h e qum Th M as s age t ae t o ld


, ,

by H e r o d o tu s is w e ll k no w n
,
4
Cyr u s s e c ond s u cc e s s o r .

D ari u s H y s t as pis t h e fal s e S m e rdis b e i ng l e ft o u t o f


,

t h e q u e s ti o n al s o c arri e d t h e w ar i nt o t h e e ne my s

c o u ntry and adv anc e d b e yo nd t h e D anu b e in R C 5 1 3


,
.
,

th o u gh no t v e ry s u cc e s s fu lly t o av e ng e as H e r o d o tu s , ,

t e ll s u s t h e S cy t hi an i nv as i o ns which pr e c e d e d t h e fall
,
5

o f t h e A s s yri an E m pir e .

I n th e c e nt u ry aft e r t h e d e ath o f Al e x and e r t h e

1 S H O , 4 84 , 52 0 .
2
I d 4 99
. .
3
DH A , v. 2 2 ; v i. 1 0 3 .
I NT R O D UC TIO N 19

Gr e at t he P arthi ans r e i nfo rc e d by ano th e r Tu rani an


,

trib e k no w n as t h e Dah ae r e b e ll e d ag ains t t h e ,

S e l e u cid s (B O 2 and b e c am e t h e d o m i nan t r ac e in


.

Iran till a s ucc e s s fu l r e v o lt ( A


,

S a s a ni an dynas ty o n t h e thi o n o
p l ac e d t h e n ativ e

D u ri ng th e ir l o ng
w
'

.
_

d o mi nati on t h e P arthi ans in th e ir t u r n s u ffe r e d fr o m


t h e i nc u r s i o ns o f kin dr e d r ac e s fr o m t h e N o rth in ,

m u ch t h e s am e w ay as t h e E ngli s h s e ttl e r s in Brit ai n


s uf fe r e d fr o m t h e D ane s Th e s e c o n d c e n tu ry b e fo r e
.

t h e Chri s ti an e ra w as m ark e d by gr e at activity o n t h e


p art o f t h e Tura ni ans and t h e w h o l e b o r de r o f Ira n
,

fro m t h e Hind u Ku s h t o t h e C as pi an w as o v e rr u n
by t h e m . Tw o P arthi an m o narch s in s u cc e s s i o n
Ph raat e s I I and A rt ab anu s II — w e r e d e fe at e d and
. .

s l ain and t h e P ar t hi an E m pir e w as o nly s av e d fr o m


,

o v e rthr o w by Mithrid at e s II F o il e d by him t h e .

Tura ni ans t u r ne d t o t h e E as t and p e r m ane ntly s e ttl e d


in E as t e r n Ira n in t h e r e gi o n which h as e v e r s i nc e
,

b e e n c all e d aft e r o ne o f t h e ir p e o pl e s S ac ae s t an o r ,

S is ta n t h e s t e ad o r h o m e o f t h e S ac ae ( 0 R C
,
. .

A no th e r Turani an p e o pl e k no wn as t h e Ala ns o r Alani , ,

who fir s t app e ar it is s aid 1


in Chi ne s e annal s w e r e o n
, , ,

t h e V o lg a in t h e fir s t c e nt u ry o f t h e Chri s ti an e ra .

Pr e s s e d u p o n by t h e H u ns w h o h ad d e fe at e d th e m in a ,

gr e at b attl e th e y o v e rr an M e di a and Ar m e ni a s o m e o f
t h e mfi nding th e ir w ay i nt o t h e C au c as u s wh e r e th e ir
, ,

d e s c e nd an t s it is s aid s till e xi s t
,
?
Th e nc e in A D 1 3 3
,
.
,

at t h e i nvit ati o n o f Ph aras m ane s king o f I b e ri a th e y , ,

i nv ad e d A z arb ij an and Ar m e ni a r av ag e d t h e c o u ntry , ,

and h ad t o b e b o u ght o ff by V o lo ge s e s II t h e P arthi an .


,

m o narch o f t h e ti m e .

Th e H u ns w h o h ad b e e n in s tr u m e nt al in pr e cipit ating
,

t h e Alani o n Ira n w e r e th e m s e lv e s I n flight b e fo r e o t h e r


,

h o r de s A l arg e c o ntinge n t o f th e m s e i ze d and s e ttl e d


.

u p o n t h e o as i s o f S am ark and o r S u h d H e r im
g e .
,

pr o v e d by l o ng s e ttl e m e nt b o th in as p e ct and m anne r s 3 ,

G DE , iii .
31 —
5 3 6
1 , and no e . t 3
Id . iii , 3 12 .
20 I N T R O D UC T IO N
th e y b e c am e k no w n as t heWhite H u ns ; o r to th e
Irani ans w h o c arri e d
, on m any w ar s with th e m ,
as the
H ait alians .

L as tly in t h e m iddl e o f t h e s ixth c e nt u ry o f t h e


,

Chri s ti an e ra t h e nam e o f t h e T u rk s b e gins t o app e ar


in hi s t o ry . S pre adi ng fr o m M o u n t Alt ai o r t h e G o ld e n ,

M o u nt ai n in C e ntral A s i a th e y e xt e nd e d th e m s e l v e s
, ,

o v e r t h e n o rth e r n h alf o f t h e c o n tine nt s u bj u g ati ng ,

am o ng o th e r nat i o ns t h e H ait a lians Th e e m pir e o f .

t h e T u rk s o nly l as t e d ab o u t t w o c e n t u ri e s 1
but the ,

trib e s and nati o ns o f which it w as c o m p o s e d w e r e


s pr e ad o v e r t h e no rth o f A s i a fr o m China t o t h e O x u s

and t h e D anu b e and u nd e r t h e n am e o f T u rk m ans


,

h av e pr o v e d a p e r mane nt m e nac e t o t h e no rth e r n


fr o nti e r s o f Ira n .

Th e Abba s id s s o o n l e ar ne d t o av ail th e ms e lv e s o f t h e

s e rvic e s o f T u rk m an chi e fs in t h e ad m i ni s tr a ti o n o f

th e ir e m pir e I t w as th u s th at t h e S a m anid s firs t


.

r o s e t o p o w e r u nd e r t h e Kh al ifa Ma m u n o nly as , ,

w e h av e s e e n t o m ak e th e m s e lv e s i nd e p e nd e n t u nd e r
,
.

h is d e g e ne r at e s u cc e s s o r s Ab o u t t h e ye ar A D 9 6 1
. . .

a di s p u t e d s u cc e s s i o n o cc u rr e d am o n g t h e S a m a nid s .

Th e rightfu l h e ir in t h e dir e ct li ne w as a b oy o nly


e ight y e ar s o ld and fo r th at r e as o n as t h e t i m e s w e r e
, ,

tr ou bl o u s a p arty am o ng t h e no bl e s d e cl ar e d in fav o u r
,

o f his u n cl e his fath e r s br o th e r Th e m att e r w as



.
,

r e fe rr e d fo r s e ttl e m e nt t o t h e s a m a nid g o v e r no r o f
Kh u ras an—a m an o f T u rk m an d e s c e nt nam e d A lpt igi n ’

—b u t b e fo r e h is d e ci s i o n arriv e d t h e dis p u t e h ad b e e n
s e ttl e d and M an s ur h ad s u cc e e d e d t o t h e thr o n e .

A lpt igin h ad giv e n h is d e ci s i o n in fav o u r o f t h e u n cl e ,

and b e i ng fe arfu l o f M an s ur s v e ng e an c e h e with


dr e w fr o m Khu ras a n and c arve d hi m s e lf o u t a s m all


pri ncip ality at Gh azni H e di e d in A D 9 69 and a ft e r
. . .
,

t wo s h o rt r e i gns t h e tr o o p s e l e ct e d S u b u k t igin t o b e
'

th e ir chi e f H e w as a Tu rk m an h ad b e e n b r o u ght u p
.
,

1
G DF, ,
v. 1 75
I N TR O DUC TIO N 2 1

in t h e h o use h old b s equ e ntly act e d


of A lpt igin h ad , su

as h is g e ne r al and w as a m an o f gr e at ability and


,

c o u r ag e H e s p e e dily e nl arge d h is d o m i ni o ns and


.

b e g an th o s e r aid s i nt o I ndi a which b e c am e s o fr e qu e nt


in t h e d ay s o f his m o r e fam o u s s o n I n t h e m e anti me .

t h e S a m a nid r u l e r M ans ur h ad di e d and his s o n t h e , ,

A m ir N u h II w as driv e n fr o m his c apit al at B u khara


by a T u rk m an i nv as i o n i ns tig at e d by t w o o f h is o w n
no bl e s w h o s u b s e q u e nt ly h o w e v e r w e r e c o m p e ll e d t o
, , ,

fl e e fo r th e ir liv e s Th e y app e al e d fo r aid t o t h e


Dilam ids —t h e ri v al s o f t h e S a m a nid s — and o bt ain e d
.

it O n thi s t h e Am ir N u h I I hi m s e lf app e al e d fo r
. .

h e lp t o S u b u k t igin w h o m arch e d t o h is as s i s t anc e, .

A gr e at b attl e w as fo u ght at H arat and S u b u k t igin ,

g aine d a d e cis ive vict o ry Th e A m ir in h is gr ati .

t u d e b e s t o w e d o n h im t h e titl e o f N as iru d Din



-

o r D e fe n d e r of the F aith and o n h is e ld e s t s o n ,

M ah m ud wh o h ad gr e atly di s ti ngu is h e d hi ms e lf th at
, ,

o f S aifu d D au l a o r S w o rd o f t h e S t at e as w e ll as

-

, ,

t h e g o v e r no r s hip o f Kh u ra s a n This h app e ne d in A D . . .

9 94 .Thr e e y e ar s l at e r S u b u k t igin d i e d H e l e ft thr e e .

s o ns M ah m ud I s m a il and N as r and app o i nt e d I s m a il


’ ’

, , , ,
i

t o s u c c e e d h im M ah m ud s e e m s t o h av e b e h av e d w e ll

.
,

b u t aft e r v ai n att e m pt s at c o ncili ati o n and c o m pr o m i s e


h e w as c o m p e ll e d t o as s e rt hi ms e lf ag ai ns t h is br o th e r ,

w h o w as S p e e dil y o v e rthr o wn and e nd e d his d ay s in


int e rnm e nt as a s t at e pri s o ne r Th e o th e r br o th e r
-
.
,

N as r s u pp o rte d M ah m ud
,
S h o rtly aft e rw ard s t h e .

S a m anid dynas ty flick e r e d o u t aft e r t h e d e ath o f t h e


A mir N u h I I and in A D 9 9 9 M ah m ud fo r m ally
.
,
. .

as s u m e d t h e s o v e r e ig nty an e v e nt which is d u ly ,

no t e d o n his c o ins by t h e pr e fix o f A m ir t o h is o wn
titl e s and t h e o m i s s i o n o f t h e name o f t h e S a m a nid
,

o v e rl o rd which pr e vi o u s ly h ad b e e n r e t ai ne d by t h e

r u l e r s o f Gh az ni 1
M ah m u d w as th e n tw e n ty e ight
.
-

y e ar s o ld H is c are e r as a gr e at c onqu e r o r and


.

1
E HI , ii .
4 79 .
I N TR O D UC T IO N
r e ligi ou s fanatic is w e ll k no w n H is d om inati o n e x .

te nd e d fr om t h e P u nj ab t o t h e Tigri s and fr o m ,

B u khara t o t h e I ndi an O c e an H e h as h o w e v e r.
, ,

ano th e r cl ai m u p o n o u r m e m o ri e s H is nam e w as .

t o b e c o m e fo r e v e r as s o ci at e d with th at o f t h e p o e t
o f t h e S ha h nam a w h o h ad d e s p air e d in th o s e tr o u bl o u s
ti me s o f o bt aining any ad e q u at e r oy al p atr o nag e fo r
h is l o ng fo r m e d d e s ign o f m o u ldi ng i nt o s o ng t h e e pic
hi s t o ry o f h is l an d and p e o pl e I t w as a m o m e nt o f .

high h o p e s fo r m any fo r t h e y ou ng and am biti ou s


,

pri nc e fo r t h e am biti o u s b u t no l o ng e r y o u thfu l p o e t


, ,

and fo r all w h o e ith e r by birth o r ad o pti o n h ad t h e

w e lfar e o f Ira n at h e ar t Th e Ar ab y o k e h ad b e e n
.

s h ak e n o ff P e r s i an w as r e vivi ng in t h e lit e r at u r e o ld
, ,

Ira ni an nam e s w e r e b e i ng r e s u m e d and th e r e s e e me d ,

t h e fair e s t pr o s p e ct s fo r t h e e s t abli s h m e n t o f a third


P e rs i an e m pir e with M ah m ud fo r it s firs t S hah I t .

is tr u e th at r e ligi o u s diffe r e nc e s r e m aine d H alf Iran .

w as S h i it e and t h e o th e r h lf S u nnit e l
b u t s av e fo r

a ,

th at it s e e m e d a s tr o k e o f fair fo rt u ne th at m ad e t h e
gr e at ki ng and t h e gr e at p o e t c o nt e m p o r ari e s .

1
Th e T rkm n l m nt w tr ngl y S nnit
u a e e e as s o u e. Pe ri s a did no t
b e c o me th r ghl y S hi it till t h ixt nth c nt ry
o ou

e e s ee e u . N S EK , 10 1.
24 I N TR O D UC T IO N
it pr e s e rv e s s o m e e xtr act s and is it s e lf t h e b as is o f ,

mo s t o f t h e bi o gr aphic al no tic e s o f t h e po e t i ncl u ding ,

th at in t h e E ncc Opwdia Britannica Th e o th e r which .


,

d at e s ab o u t A D 1 4 8 6 is in D au l at S hah s L ive s o f
. .
,

t h e Po e t s and is pr e fe rr e d by t h e writ e r o f t h e articl e


,


Fe rdo u cy in t h e Biogr aphie U nivers elle B o th are .

u s e d by M o hl in t h e pr e fac e t o h is e diti o n o f t h e t e xt

and tr ans l ati o n o f t h e S h a h nam a and b o th are fu ll o f ,

m ythic al d e t ail s .

Le t u s fir s t c o nfi ne o u r s e lv e s t o t h e s t at e me nt s in
t h e p o e t s u nd o u bt e d writi ngs and t o l e giti m at e de du c

ti o ns th e re fr o m H e c all s hi ms e lf Abu l Ka s i m and


.

w e g ath e r th at h e w as b o r n ab ou t A D 9 4 1
, We . . .

arriv e at thi s in t h e fo ll o wing w ay I n t h e wh o l e .

S h ah nam a th e r e is o nly o ne d e fi nit e d at e — th at o n


which h e fi ni s h e d t h e p o e m Thi s m ixing u p t h e .
,

M u h amm ad an e ra with t h e Z o r o as tri an c al e nd ar h e ,

t e ll s u s h e did o n t h e day o f Ard in t h e m o nth o f '

S apandarm ad o f t h e y e ar 4 0 0 o f t h e H lj ra Thi s par .

t ic u lar y e ar fo r t h e M u h am m ad an y e ar s are l u nar and


,

v ary acc o rdi ngly b e g an o n A u gu s t 2 s t h A D 1 0 0 9 and


, ,
. .
,

e nd e d o n t h e 1 4 th day o f th at m o nth in t h e y e ar

fo ll o wing The r e fo r e Firdau s i fi ni s h e d t h e S h ah nam a


.

o n F e br u ary 2 st h A D 1 0 10 H e giv e s his o ne d at e


,
. . .

in t h e c o ncl u di ng line s o f t h e po e m wh e r e h e als o ,

s ay s :

Wh e n o ne and s e v e n ty y e ars h ad p as s e d me by
Th e h e av e ns bw
o ed down bfr e o e m y po e t ry .
l

Thi s w e m ay fairly int e rpr e t as m e ani ng th at h e


fi ni s h e d h is w o rk wh e n h e w as s e ve nty o ne y e ar s o ld -

i e ab o u t s ixty nin e as w e r e ck o n s i nc e thir ty fo u r


. .
-

, ,
-

M u h ammad an y e ar s go t o abo u t thirty thr ee o f o u r s -


.

Th e p oe t w as a M u h amm ad an o f t h e S hi it e s e ct

.

Thi s is cl e ar fr om his r e fe r e nc e t o Ali in his Pre ’

2
lu de .

1
C , 20 9 5 .
2
In thi s vo u m e l 7.
IN TR O D U C TIO N 2 5

M o r e o v e r h e w as no t a
, s trict M u h amm ad an
t h e m att e r o f wi ne dri nking : -

Th e tim lici wi n i n w
e t o qu afi de
'

o us e s o ,

F m ky c nt br th fr m t h m nt i n b r
or us s e s ea e o e ou a -
ow,

Th i nd t h and
e a r re so u rth tr il th e ea av a e ,

A nd bl t i h wh h rt dr i nk gl dd n t h
es s e os e ea a e e ,

H th t h t h w i n
e nd m n y b r
a a d nd w t e a o e ,
ea a s ee s,

A nd n b h d cah p t m k h im m t e ea a s ee o a e ea s .

Th h n t I Wh h th th m w ll i h
es e av e o . o a e e s e .

O h pity n th t i in p rty 1 o e a s ove 1

An d a ang i
Br i ng tu lip ti nt e d w i ne 0 hi mi H as

-

Fro m j ar th at ne e r ne d r pl ni hi ng
s v e e e s .

Why s ee k I w h m d f t ixty th r o a ea a s -
ee

Th e w rl d gr c nd b r nc I
o

s a e a o se va e 2

He s o on a ft e r h as a fit of r e p e nt anc e
O ld man wh o e y e r amou nt t o s ixty three s a s -

S h all w i ne b e s till t h e b rde n o f thy lay ? u

With o u t a warni ng lif may e nd w ith th e e e

Thi nk o f re p ntanc e th n s ee k wi s dom s w ay e e ,



.

M ay Go d ap pro v e thi s s l av e M ay h e attai n .

I n wi s do m r ich s and in i ngi ng gai n 3 e s .

He wned o r Occ u pi e d l and ; at l e as t t he fo ll owing


'

p as s ag e s s u gge s t th at c o ncl u s i o n
A clh th ri n nd t h m n b c r d
ou d a se a e oo

s o s u e ,

Fr m th t d rk cl d h w r f milk i p r d
o a a ou a s o e o s ou e ,

N r i r pl i n
o ve pl nd n I py a or u a ca s ,

Th r n pl m l t g in t th ky

e av e s u es are os a a s e s ,

In n onc i ng tr m g ppl f ll
e u e as s ea e o
-
a es a

Wh t i high ha n p p
s in it ll ? e av e

s u r os e a

N fi O w d lt d m t b rl y gr i n
re -
oo sa e ea or a e -
a
A l ft m n ght till h r t c m g in
re e e, au a ves o e a a

A m i d thi gl m thi d y f t s nd f r oo ,
s a o ax a ea ,

Wh n rth with n w i l ik n i ry ph r
e ea s o s e a vo s e e,

A ll m i n fl i in rth r w will nd ’

e a a rs ov e o e

U nl my h nd i gr p d by m g d f ri nd
e ss a s as e so e oo e .

1
V , 1 63 0 .
2
C , 14 57 .
3
Id . 14 60 .

4
Id .
, 14 87 . R ead n i g l t li n with P
as e .
26 IN TR O D UC TIO N
A nd g i
a an

Th eh il thi y r lik d th n m h th c m
a s ea e ea o e a o e

Th gh d th it l f w r b tt r th n t h h il ;
ou ea se e e e e a e a

A nd h l fty f xt ndi ng d m ’
n ea v e s o ar e e o e

H th c d my f l h p nd w h t t f il
a au s e ue S ee a ea o a .
1

In so me
v e r s e s c o m pl aining o f t h e advanc e o f o ld age
, ,

h e all u d e s t o a c al amity th at b e fe ll him wh e n h e w as


fifty e ight o r it m ay b e th at an e s c ap e fr o m dr o w ni ng
-

, ,

w hich h e s e e m s t o h av e h ad ab o u t th at ti m e h ad a ,

s o b e ring e ffe ct u p o n him Thi s accid e nt will b e re .

fe rr e d t o in ano th e r c onne cti on l at e r o n H e s ay s .

S i nc e I t k
ight
oo u
p t h e cu
p of fi ft y e -

Th bi r nd gr
e n ghte c nt mpl t
a av e , au e ls e , I o e a e.

A h 1 f m y w d lik p ch w horn I w thirty s or -


e S ee e as ,

Th l ci d y m k c nt d r t !
ose us ou s a s, us -
s e e ,
os e a e 2

At the a e of s
g ixty -

fiv e he lo s t his s on :

At s ixty -
fi ve t is il l t o

cat ch at lf
pe .

Oh
'

le t me read that l e ss on to my lf se

A nd mu s e u po n t h e pass n i g of my s on .

My t rn it
u w as t o go y e t he h th g
a one .

S ev en y r ea s and thi rty o er



the y th h
ou ad s pe d

Wh e n h e d i ta t
s s e d of the wo rl d and fl e d .

He h rri u ed o f
f a o ne l . I ty
s a ed to see

Th e tc
ou o me of my lb ra ou s 3 .


I n t he y e ar fo ll o wing h is s o n s d e ath he s p e aks of

hi m s e lf as b e ing mu ch br o k e n
Whil e th re e s core y e ars and fi v e we re pas s i ng by ,

L ik e S pr i ng w i nds o e r t h e de se rt po v e rty
-

,

A nd t il W r
o e e in m e next y r lik e ea o ne b e mu s e d

I le an
ed u p n a taff
o s ,
my h nd r f a s e u se d

1
C , 20 89 .
2
V , 680 .
IN TR O D UC TIO N 27

The re i n
ch k gr w m n lik p l my b rd
,
my ee s e oo -
e a e, ea

L t it bl ck h
os nd c mph r lik
s pp r d a ue a a o -
e a ea e ,

M in pright t t r b nt g c m n
e u s a u e e as a e a e o

A nd l l t h l tr f min
a y w gn e us e o e e es as o e .
1

H e ne v e r p e ak s o f hi ms e lf as h aving any pr o fe s s i on
s

or o fli c ial p o s i t i o n b u t if w e m a h az ard a c o nj e ct u r e it is
y ,

th at h e o r his s o n o r b o th w e r e e d u c at e d fo r t h e offic e o f
Scribe H e p u t s t h e fo ll o wi ng gl o rific ati o n o f th at pro
.

fe s s io n i nt o t h e m ou th o f Buz u rj m ih r t h e famo u s chi e f ,

m i ni s t e r o f t h e s till m o r e famo u s S hah N us h irw an 2

T e ach to thy s on t he b u i ne s o f t h e s cribe s s

Th t h a e may b ethi n as lif e to th e e an d e,

A nd th w l d t h thy t il b r fr it
,
as ou ou es av e o s ea u ,

G r dg n t i n tr ct r t h im f thi
u e o t s u o s o , or s ar
"
Will bri ng y th b f r t h th r n nd m k a ou e o e e o e a a e

Th nd r i ng f rt n f
e u rit
es e v o u e s

av o u e.

O f ll pr f i n t i th m t t m d ’
a o e ss o s s e os es ee e

E x lti ng an th f l wly bi rth


eve ose o o .

A r dy cr ib w h i
ea m n fr d
s e o s a a o e e

I b nd t it n in t h r y l pr nc

s ou o S e e e o a es e e

A n d if h b m n f dilig nc
,
e e a a o e e,

Will h nc nt d t r r fr m t h S h ah
av e u ou e e as u e o e ,

Whil if nd w d with fl ncy nd tyl


e e o e ue a s e

H w ill be t di t i mpr hi m lf e s u ou s o ove se ,

U h i nd
se r t b m r c nci
s e e av o u s o e o e o se

A nd p t h i m tt r m r u ttr cti ly s a e o e a a ve .

Th crib h th n d t b m n f w i d m
e s e a ee o e a a o s o
,

O f m ch nd r nc u nd g d m m ry
e u a e a oo e o ,

A m n f t ct cc t m d t C urt w y
a o a , a us o e o o -
a s,

A h ly m n w h
o t ng i m t f il a os e o ue s u e or e v ,

A m n f k n wl dg p ti nc tr thf l n
a o o e e, a e e, u u e s s,

A m n right tr ty pi
a nd w ll f rd us o us a e -
av o u e .

I f th end w d h c m th t t h S h a
us o h e e o e o e

H c nn t ch
e a b t it b f r t h th r n
o o o se u S e o e e o e 3 .

H o w e v e r thi s m ay b e fr o m t h e ti m e wh e n h e b e ,

c ame h is o w n m as t e r h e app e ar s t o h av e d e v o t e d him


1
V,

1 2 74 .

2
p t l pr nt thi S hah b ing highl y i ndig n nt wh
Th e oe a so re e se s s as . e a en

a w lth y c rdw i n r in r t rn f
ea o l b l r ic nt ra t e , e u o r v a ua e se v es , ve u es o as k

as a f r th t h i n m y b m d crib C 778
-

av o u

a s so a e a e a s e. , 1 .

3
C , 1 676.
28 I N TR O D UC TIO N

p R e fe rri ng t he c o mpl e ti o n
'

se lf to t ry
oe . to of t he
S h ah nam a h e sa s y
My lif fr m y th t ld h th n it c r
e o ou o e a ru s ou s e
'

In h ri ng th r nd m i n wn di c r
ea o e a e o s ou s e 1 .

We h ave alr e ady w o rd like h ad an a ll u s i o n t o h is s -

s p e e ch wh e n h e w as thirty and w e kno w th at b e tw e e n ,

t h e ag e s o f thirty fi v e and s ixty nine h e w as o c cu pi e d - -

on t he S h a h nam a H e t e ll s u s in a p as s ag e th at will
.

b e q u o t e d l at e r o n th at h e s p e nt thirty fi v e y e ar s o n -

th at p o e m t e ab o u t thirty fo u r ye ars as w e r e ck o n
, . .
-
.

Th e pr o s e m at e ri al s fo r thi s h e i nfo r m s u s alr e ady , ,

2
h ad b e e n e m b o di e d in b o o k fo r m and t h e id e a o f -

t u r ni ng the m i nt o v e rs e h ad s u gge s t e d it s e lf t o t h e
p o e t Dak ik i a yo u ng m an o f brilli ant p art s b u t o f
,

vici o u s h abits w h o w as m u rd e r e d by t h e h and o f o ne


,


o f h is o w n s l av e s Dak ik i h ad o nly j u s t b e gu n his .

gr e at t as k wh e n h e w as c u t o ff b u t Fird au s i ad mit s ,

h is pri o rity

A lth gh h nly r hy m d t h ri t m it
ou e o e e ve es e

O n th e nd c pl t f ll f f t nd fi ght
o u sa ou e s u o e as a

H w e my pi n r nd h
as ln o ee a e a o e

I n th t h t t h S h ah
a p n t h
e seth r n e s u o e o e .

Fr m n bl h n r nd m l m nt
o o es o ou a e o u e

H dh a h i tr bl w
e hi w n ill b nt
s ou e as s o e .

T i ng t h pr i f t h king w h i
o S e a s es o e s as s

A nd cr wn t h pr i nco with hi l gi e es s eu o e s .1

Dak ik i see ms
h av e di e d ab o u t A D 9 7 6 fo r to . .
,

F irdau s i t o o k u p t h e w o rk and it e m pl oy e d h im fo r
t h e ne xt thirty fo u r y e ar s as w e r e ck o n At fir s t h e
-
.

fo u nd hi m s e lf h amp e r e d thr o u gh l ack o f t h e n e c e s s ary


m at e ri al s Wh at th o s e w e r e will b e e xpl aine d l at e r
.

o n in t h e pr e s e n t ch apt e r H e m ad e c o u n tl e s s in .
~

u irie s an d b e g an t o d e s p air fe ari ng th at lik e Dak ik i


q ,

h e s h o u ld no t live t o c o m pl e t e his u nd e rt ak i ng He .

1
C ,
20 96 .
2
S ee P rl e u de , 8 .

4
V , 1 555 .
I N TR O D UC TI O N 29

al s o fe re
su f d fr o m l ack o f p atr onage and e nc o u r age me nt. .

Th e ti m e s w e r e tr o u bl o u s and m e n s m i nd s w e r e o th e r

o cc u pi e d At l e ngth b o th t h e ne e dful m at e ri al s
.

and t h e p atr o n w e r e v o u ch s afe d h im Th e fo r m e r .

w e r e o bt aine d fo r him by a fri e nd and fe llo w t o w ns -

1
m an . Th e l att e r h e fo u nd s o m e wh at l at e r in t h e
p e r s on o f Abu M ans ur b in M u h amm ad pr o b ably a ,

l o c al m agnat e w h o w ar m ly e nc o u r age d h im and


,

tr e at e d h im with th e gr e at e s t kind ne s s and g e ne r o s ity .

This w e m ay v e nt u r e t o as s u m e w as o ne o f t h e
,
.

h appi e s t e p o ch s in t h e p o e t s life H e w as in t h e ’

fir s t fl u s h o f a gr e at and e nd u ri ng e nth u s i as m ; t h e
m e ans o f gr atifying it w e r e in h is p o s s e s s io n ; h e h e ld
t h e fi e ld and his m at e ri al fu t u r e s e e m e d as s u r e d : his
,

no bl e rich and g e n e r o u s p atr on w o u ld s e e t o th at


Al as ! th at p atr o n di e d—mu rd e r e d like Dak ik i b u t by
.
, ,

wh o m and in wh at circ u ms t anc e s w e k no w no t Th e .

po e t w as o ve rwh e l m e d fo r a ti m e b u t h e p e r s e v e r e d ,

and k e pt in m i nd h is p at r o n s c ou ns e l th at t h e B o o k o f

King s ( S hah nam a) w h e n c o m pl e t e d s h o u ld b e d e di


2
c at e d t o ki ng s I n c ou r s e o f ti m e t h e p o e t fo und
.

o th e r p atr o ns no t ably o ne Ah m ad ib n M u h amm ad


,

o f Ch a lands h an t o wh o m in A D 9 9 9 h e d e dic at e d a
,
. .

c o m pl e t e S h ah nam a Fird au s i w as s t ayi ng w ith


.

Ah m ad wh e n h e h ad t h e e s c ap e fr o m dr o wni ng alr e ady


r e fe rr e d t o and h e s e e m s t o h av e b e e n r e s c u e d
,

e it h e r by Ah m ad hi m s e lf o r by Ah m ad s s o n

Thi s .

3
p as s ag e is no t in o u r pri nt e d t e xt s Th e p o e t h o w .
,

e ve r ,
h ad ne v e r fo rgo tt e n t h e advic e o f h is fo r m e r
p atr o n t h e b e l o ve d Abu M ans ur and in t h i s s am e y e ar
, ,

his o pp o rt u nity c am e Th e l as t ki ng o f t h e S a m a nid


.

dynas ty di e d and M ah m ud b e c am e s u pr e m e in E as t e r n
Iran H e nc e fo rth it w as t o M ah mud th at t he p o e t
.

l o o k e d fo r p atr o nage and h e app e ar s t o h av e l e ft


,

1
P rl e u de , 10 .
2
Id . 1 1 .

3
N IN , 23, 24 .
30 I N TR O D UC T IO N
no t
s o ne t r ne d t o g ai n I t
un u I f ad ul ati o n c o u ld .

h av e achi e ve d his e nd h e o u ght t o h ave s u cc e e d e d .

Th e r e ad e r will fi nd a s p e ci m e n in t h e pr e s e nt
1
v o l u me. E l se wh e r e in ano th e r e l ab o r at e p ane gyric
he

G od bl t h S h ah t h prid f cr wn nd thr
e ss e ,
e e o o a o ne

A nd ig n t ri ng bl
S h im wh etr r i gr -

, ess ose e asu es oan

With h i m nifi n wh t whil t h f m


s u ce ce a e e a e

O f m j ty i h ight n d by hi n m
a es s e e e s a e.

O

e r all world o n c arpe t h ath b e e n pl ac e d
t he e

H is t k e n n v ermore to b e e fface d
o e
'

A nd it on c hi n nd t
are a us o a a s ea

F F l n f A h m d m n r pl t
or az ,
so o a ,
a a e e e

With j tic p r d nc r d nd g dly f r ;


us e, u e e, e e, a o ea

N S h ah b f r h d
o ch m i ni t r e o e a su a s e .

I n h i h nd i t h p c
s a f ll t h tt s s e ea e o a e s a e

F h i g d nd chi f f ll t h g r t
or e s oo a e o a e ea ,

Fr nk p k n with cl n h nd nd i ngl h rt ;
a -
s o e , ea a s a S e ea

T r G d nd h i
o se ve r ign i hi p rt
o a s s ov e e s s a .

With thi wi pright mi ni t r f fr i nd


s se u s e or e

My f xt ndi ng l b r r ch d it nd
ar e -
e a ou ea e s e .

I f r m d thi a t ry f t h d y f y r
e s s o o e a s o o e,

S l ct d fr m t h b k f m n f l r
e e e o e oo o e o o e,

Th t it in mi n ld g m ight yi l d m fr it
a e o a e e e u ,

Gi m
ve cr wn di nar nd high r p t
e a o s a e u e,

B t u w n b
sa nt w ldl d th r w
o n n ou eo u s or or e e as o e

Wh dd d t t h l tr f t h th r n
o a e o e us e o e o e.

I w it d fa p tr n p ti ntly
e or a a o a e

O n wh e m nifi n r q i r d n k y
os e u ce ce e u e o e .

Wh e n I ight nd wh n in tr th
w as fi fty -
e ,
a e u

I till f lt y ng th gh I h d l t m y y th
s e ou ou a os ou ,

A pr cl m ti n r ch d m i n
o a t l t
a o ea e e c ars a as

Wh r t c r g d nd ll my tr bl p d
e ea a e a e a a ou es aS S

.

It n ra Y m n f n m w h l ng t fi nd e e o a e o o o

S m tr c
o f F ri dun till l ft b hi nd
e a e o a s e e

S br ight l d F ridun li g in
ee -
s ou e a a ve a a

With rth nd ti m f b nd l
ea H h th ta
a e or o s av e s . e a

en

1
Pe rl u de , 5 12 .
3: IN T RO D UC TIO N
l e anings fo r h e ch ange d t h e o ffici al l ang u ag e fo r s t at e
,

d o c u me nt s fr o m Ar abic t o Pe r s i an Aft e r h is fall his .

s u cc e s s o r Ah m ad H as an M aim andf r e t u r ne d t o t h e o ld
, ,


arr ang e m e nt At t h e ti me wh e n t h e p o e t wr o t e t h e
.

ab o v e p as s ag e Abu l Abba s F az l m u s t h av e b e e n at
’ ’

t h e h e ight o f h is p o w e r s ay ab o u t A D 1 0 0 6 We are ,
. . .

t o ld o n t h e au th o rity o f Al U t b i th at h e w as o ne o f ’

t h e m o s t c e l e br at e d o f b o o k s t u d e nt s and Al U t b i

-

, ,

2
w h o w as M ah m ud s s e cr e t ary o u ght t o h av e k no w n

.
,

I t is v e ry h ard t o r e s i s t t h e i nfe r e nc e th at Abu l



Abba s F az l h ad giv e n t h e p o e t e nc o u r age m e nt and ,

t h at t h e l att e r l oo k e d t o h im t o s e c u r e a fitti ng re

c e t io n by M ah m ud o f t h e p o e m wh e n fi ni s h e d Th e
p .

p o e t s id e a s e e m s t o h av e b e e n th at t h e S h ah nama

w as t o b e r e g ard e d as M ah m ud s m e m o ri al whil e t h e

pr o fit s o f h is gr e at w o rk w e r e t o b e d e vo t e d t o s o me
s p e ci al o bj e ct which w as t o b e r e g ard e d as h is o w n

m e m o ri al
O f all t h e thi ngs th at arn o r monar ch prai e

e u s s ,

Th e thi ng s o f chi e f e t pr fit in h is day s s o ,

Thi s w ill b e s t r t o k e e p h i me mory r ife


se ve s

A nd li v e as p art and par c l o f his lif e e ,

A nd I h pi ng t li t till I
am o o ve oo

R c i h i g l d th t w h n I c m t di
e e ve s o a e o e o e

I t m y l
oo my m n m n t w ith thi ng
a e av e o u e s

Dr wn f r m t h tr
a ry f t h ki ng f ki ng
o e eas u o e o s ?

p o e t pu t h is faith in Abu l Abba s Faz l h e w as


’ ’

If t h e
de e m e d t o di s app o i nt me nt I n t h e m e anti m e w e h av e .

a l am e n t ati o n o v e r h o p e s d e fe rr e d r o y al ne gl e ct wh ich ,

m ay h av e b e e n i n t e nt i o nal o r m e r e ly u nwitting and ,

activ e o pp o s iti o n

S i ti me t e n th o u s and c o u pl e ts th e re w ill b e
x s

We ll o de re d—b ani s h e rs o f m i s e ry
r .

F o th ric e a th o u s and c o pl e ts o ne may l oo k


r u

I n v ai n as y e t in any Pe rs i an b o o k ,

A nd if th o u can ll s t ach f a lty trai n ce e e u s

I n s o o th fi e h ndre d s carc ly will re mai n


v u e .

1
N IN , 2 5, no e t .
2
KU R , 3 96 .
3
V , 1 73 0 .
I N T R O D UC T IO N 33

Th t a o ne —b
ki ng nd f ch w rth
a o u n e ou s t a o su o

A nd l tr mid t h m n rch
us e f th rth e o a s o e ea

S h l d di r g rd th
ou hi t ri i d
s e a e se s o es s ue

T l nd r r
o s a nd m i n ill f r t n t
e e s a e o u e oo .

Th y h m lig n d my w rk my m rk ti ng
e av e a e o ,
a e

I p il d th r gh l ck f f
s s o e r with t h ki ng
ou a o avou e ,

B t wh n t h r y l w rr i r h ll r d
u e e o a a o S a ea

M y pl nt hi t ri
e as aw ith ll g d h d s o es a oo ee

I h ll b gl dd n d by h i tr
s a e r hra e e s e as u es e e,

A nd m y n f m n ill pp r ch h im n r
a o oe a

s a oa ea .

M y b k m y th n r c ll m t h i m i nd
oo a e e a e o s

A nd I t h f r it g f my l b r fi nd
e u a e o a ou s .

B h i t h cr wn nd th r n whil ti m
e s e o h ll a o e e e S a r u n,

A nd m y h i d ti n y ut hi n t h
a s n es o s e e su .
1

At ano th e r ti me h e is plu ng e d in d e s p air


Th e de a de light f t h t h
r r ign w y s o e al ,
e s ov e e s a ,

Wh t b t th y ? S n thy r l w il l p
a oo e wy oo u e as s a a .

Bl t i t h pi
es s m ndic nt nd wi
e ou s e a a s e,

Wh r ft f l t h w rl d r gh pl ntri
os e e a s o ee e o

s ou e as a es,

F wh n h p
or th h w ill l
e b hi nd
e as s e e e av e e

A g dn m oo nd g d c ncl i n fi nd
a e a a oo o us o .

H i p r ti n i in H
s o n nd in G d
o sight e ave a o

s s

H w ill h
e h n r S ch i n t my pli ght
av e o ou . u s o

Wh m in wr tch d c
o a c l mit e e as e , a a ous ,

With l l th t I p a nt H ll w rd th
a oss ess s e e a us

B y nd r c ll
e o N h p in He a n I o o e e av e se e,

M y h nd i a i d b th w rld h r i n d m 1
s vo ,
o o s ave u e e
2

I n m o m e nt s di s app o int m e nt t o o and at p e ri o d s


o f , ,

pr o b ably y e ar s ap art t h e p o e t giv e s v e nt t o h is fe e lings


,

n o t o nly in r e s p e ct t o his o w n ti m e s b u t e v e n t o
M ah m ud hi ms e lf Th e e xpr e s s i o n o f th e m is pu t int o
.

t h e m o u th s o f s o m e o f h is ch ar act e r s b u t t h e prO ph e ,

ci e s are o f t h e s o u nd typ e m ad e aft e r t he e v e nt and


e vid e ntly t h e p o e t s o wn h andiw o rk z

A ti me c o m ng w h e n t he wor l d will h a e
13 i v

A ki ng th at is de o i d o f u nde r tandi ng v s ,

A ki ng wh o s gl m y s pi r it w ill wo rk w e
e oo o

The worl d w ill dar k e n ne ath h is ty rann y


1
C , 1 99 3 ,
2
Id . 1 58 7 .
34 I N TR O D UC T IO N
A nd g d will n r b f nd m ng hi tr a r
oo

e e e ou a o s e su e s

He w ill b r g th ri ng fr h h t
e e ve a e es os s

T w in h i cr wn n w f m b t in t h
o s nd o e a e u e e

Thi m n rch nd hi h t w il l p w y
s o a a s os s as s a a ,

A nd th r w ill b ch ng f dyn ty
e e e a a e o as .
1

A nd g i
a a n

Th e warr i or will de pi s e t he h u sb andman s ,

H igh bi rth and dig nity w ill b ar no fr u it e

Th e n me n w ill ob e ach o th er none will k no w r ,

A bl e s i ng f ro m a c u rs and s e cre t de ali ng


s e,

Prev ail o e r O p e n whil e th e h e arts o f me n



,

Will t u r n t o fli nt s i r w ill b e fo e t o s o n ,
e

A nd s o n w ill s ch e me gai n t s i re ; a wo r thl e ss s l av e ’


s

Will b e t he S h ah high bir th and maj e s ty ,

Will co unt fo r no thi ng no one w ill b e l oy al .

Th e re will b e tyranny o f s o u l and to ngue


A m ongr l rac e —Irani an T u rk man A rab
e , ,

Will c ome t o b e and talk in gibb e r i h s


?


The s e p as s age s in Pr o fe s s o r N Olde k e s o pini o n
,

cl e arly r e fe r t o M ah m ud and t o t h e circ u m s t anc e s o f


t h e p o e t s o wn ti m e

Th e l att e r o cc u r s ne arly at t h e
.

e nd o f t h e p o e m and is
pu t int o t h e m o u th o f t h e
,

c o mm and e r o f t h e P e rs i an h o s t j u s t b e fo r e t h e fat al
b attl e o f Kadis iy y a A D 6 3 7 ,
. . .


At l e ngth t h e gr e at w o rk is fi ni s h e d b u t t he p o e t s ,

mo o d is s till o ne o f d e s p o nd e nc e
Wh e n fi v e ixty y r h d p d m by
and s ea s a as s e e

I i w d my w k with m r
v e e n xi ty or o e a e ,

B t u m y y rn i n g t
as chi it gr w ea o a e ve e

M y f rt n t r r c d d fr m my i w’
o u e s s a e e e o v e .

G r t m n nd l
ea néd P r i n h d f
e a m e ar e s a s a or e

M y w r k ll c pi d
o t gr t it
a ly o e ou a u ou s

Whil I t l ki ng n nd th h d t i d
e sa oo o ,
a ou a s sa

Th t I w t ili ng f my d ily br d
a as o or a ea .

N ght b t th i r pr i h d I f my p r t
au u e a ses a or a

A nd w hil th y pr i d I h d b r k n h r t
,
e e a se , a a o e ea .

Th m th e f th i r ld m n y b g w r ti d
ou s o e o o e -
a s e e e ,

1
C , 1 2 94 .
2
Id . 2 0 64 .
3
N IN , 26 .
I N TR O D UC TIO N 35

Wh e re at mi ne arde nt h rt w
ea as mo r tifi e d.

A li D il am and

b u Da l f th
a ese t wo
He lp b r m i n nd rt ki ng th r
ed me to ea e u e a o

Th rd nt l my f ll w t wn m n th y
e se a e s ou s , e o o s e , e

W r ki nd nd p d my w rk in
e e ry w y
a s e o eve a .

H iy a n f K t ib

so P i nh o u , a e rs a e,

W l d n t t k f r m m nd withh l d my f
ou o a e o e a o e e,

B t f rni h d g l d nd il r cl th
u u s nd m t
e o a s ve ,
o es a ea

Fr m h im I g t i ncit m nt wi ng nd f t
o o e e ,
s a ee .

T x ti n r t nd br nch I k n w n t I
a a o ,
oo a a ,
o o ,

L 11 n my q ilt t
0 o Wh n n ty u a c ase . e se v e

A nd n y r f my lif h d p
o e d m by
ea s o e a as s e e

Th h en b w d d wn b f r m y
e av e
p tr y
s o e o e o e oe .

F fior nd thi r ty y
ve a r I b r m ch p i n ea s o e u a

H r in thi W y i d I nn in h p
e e f g in
s a s e o e o a ,

B t ll t h fi
u a nd thi r ty y r th p t
e ve a ea s us as

N ght h lp d m n g my tr il t th bl t
au e e e ave av a o e as ,
A nd my h p t h gn f rm r
o es oo ave o e o r e ve o e

N w th t m i n g h th l m t r ch d f r c r
o a e a e a a os ea e ou s o e .

Fo r r lu s ty b M ah mud t he ki ng
eve e ,

H is h ar t s till gl ad h is h e ad s till fl ou r i s hi ng
e , .

H im b th in p blic and in pr i at e I
o u v

H av e p rai se d s o th at my wo rds w ill ne v r die e .

O f prai se s fro m t h e great I h ad my s tore ,

The prai s e s th at I gi e t o h im a e m ore v r .

Fo r e v r m ay h e li
e thi s prudent ki ng ve, ,

A nd s e e h is u nde r taki ngs p ro s pe ri ng .

I h av e b qu e ath e d a h is m mo ri al
e s e

Thi b k s oo ,
s ix ti m es t en th o u s and li n es in all 1 .

Th e r e th e r r e fe r e nc e s b y t h e p o e t t o h is w o rk
are o

and his h o p e s c o nc e r ni ng it b u t it is b e li e v e d th at t h e ,

m o s t i m p o rt ant p as s ag e s h av e no w b e e n s e t fo rth If

th e n w e h ad no o th e r s o u rc e s o f i nfo r m atio n th an
th e s e wh at s h o u ld w e g ath e r fr o m th e m ? Th at t h e
o e t m t h e pri m e o f life s u cc e e d e d t o t h e w o rk and
p
m at e ri al s o f Dak ik i and l ab o u r e d at his t as k fo r m any
,

y e ar s u nde r v ari ou s p atr o ns b u t no t r e c e iving s u ch


r e c o gniti o n as in h is o w n o pi ni on h is d e s e rt s me rit e d ;
1
C 2 0 9 5 Th e re di ng f t h nam
, . f th a p t fri nd s o e es o e oe

s e s are

t k n from N i ami q otati o n of thi pa sage B CM 79


a e z

s u s s .
, .
36 IN TR O D UC TIO N

th at h e th ou ght h e s aw h is o pp o rtu nity in t h e acc e s s i o n


o f M ah mud and did his b e s t t o av ail hi m s e lf o f it ;

th at h e r e c e ive d s o m e e nc o u r ag e me nt if no t fr o m t h e
S u ltan hi ms e lf at l e as t fr o m Abu l Abb as F az l t h e
’ ’

chi e f m ini s t e r and achi e v e d his t as k e arly in A D


, . .

1 0 1 0 ; th at fo r s o m e y e ar s b e fo r e th at d at e th e r e h ad

b e e n o pp o s iti o n t o h im at C o u rt his w o rk vilifi e d ,

and his ch ar act e r m i s r e pr e s e nt e d ; th at th e s e i n trigu e s

u lti m at e ly pr e v ail e d and th at h e ne v e r r e c e iv e d t h e


,

r e w ard fo r h is l abo u r s th at a p e rh aps s o m e wh at t o o


fe rvid t e m p e r am e nt h ad le d him t o h o p e fo r o r e xp e ct ;
th at fo r y e ar s aft e r t h e c o m pl e ti o n o f t h e p o e m h e
s till h o p e d o n w as ne arly e ighty wh e n h e fi nally
,

d e s p air e d b u t t o t h e l as t c o nti nu e d t o pr ais e M ah m ud


, .

N o w if we s e e k t o l o o k fu rth e r i nt o t he c au s e s o f
Firdau s i s di s app o in t m e nt w e h av e at h and a pl au s ibl e

and e v e n pr o b abl e expl anati o n b u t o ne for which w e ,

h av e at pr e s e nt at all e v e nt s no dir e ct e vid e nc e J u s t


, , .

ab o u t t h e ti m e wh e n t h e S h a h nam a w as c o mpl e t e d
M ah m ud s chi e f m i ni s t e r Abu l Abba s F az l fe ll i nt o
’ ’ ’

, ,

di s gr ac e H e h ad o nc e b e e n in t h e s e rvic e o f t h e
.

S a m a nid s b u t wh e n M ah m ud b e c am e go v e r no r o f
,

Kh u ras an in A D 9 9 4 his fath e r S u b u k t agin appli e d


. .
, , ,

t o t h e S a m anid pri nc e N u h b in M ans ur fo r t h e


, ,


s e rvic e s o f Abu l Abbas o n b e h alf o f his s o n A c

.

e b e c ame t h e s t e w ard o f M ah m ud s h o u s e

c o rdin l h
gy
h o ld at N is hapur and aft e r M ah m ud s acc e s s i on
, ,

chi e f m inis t e r H e is s aid t o h av e mad e u s e o f h is


.

p o s iti o n t o e nrich hi m s e lf and h is ad m i ni s tr ati o n is ,

s t at e d t o h av e b e e n s o o ppr e s s iv e th at Kh u ra s a n w as

d e vas t at e d and d e p o p u l at e d b u t thi s o f c o u r s e ne e d ,

no t b e t ak e n t o o lit e r ally Th e S u lta n h o w e v e r.


, ,

b e c am e c o nc e r ne d with r e g ard t o t h e di m inu ti o n o f


t h e l e vi e s and t h e falling o ff in t h e r e v e nu e and ,

r e mo ns tr at e d with Abu l Abba s w h o thr e at e ne d t o ’ ’

r e s ig n . I n A D 1 0 1 1 aft e r l o ng n e g o ti ati o ns t h e
. .
, ,

S u lta n e nr ag e d at h is c o nd u ct i m p o s e d a fi ne o f
, ,
INT RO D UC TIO N 37

d inar s p o n h im and as h e s till d e fe rr e d


u , ,

p aym e nt h ad h im i m pri s one d and pu t t o t h e t o rtu r e


,
.

H is e ne m i e s av ail e d th e m s e lv e s o f h is di s gr ac e and


o f t h e S u lta n s di s pl e as u r e and ab s e nc e o n o ne o f h is

nu m e r o u s c am p aigns t o h av e t h e fall e n mi ni s t e r d o ne
,

t o d e ath in A D 1 0 1 . .

Th e s u gge s ti o n th e n is th at t h e p o e t l o s t h is ch anc e
o win g t o t h e tr o u bl e s in which t h e m i ni s t e r b e c ame

i nv o lv e d j u s t ab o u t t h e ti m e wh e n t h e S h ah nam a
w o u ld b e r e ady fo r pr e s e nt ati o n t o M ahm ud ; and
wh e n w e pictu r e t o o u r s e lv e s t h e r e m o r s e l e s s i ntrig u e s
o f an O ri e nt al c o u rt intrig u e s s ticking at no atr o city
and s hri nking fr o m no m e anne s s —w e c an w e ll i m agine
-

th at if t h e u nfo rtu nat e m i ni s t e r r e ally h ad t ak e n an



i nt e r e s t in t h e p o e t s w o rk the r e w ou ld no t b e w anti ng ,

th o s e wh o w o u ld o nly b e t o o willi ng o u t o f m e r e s pit e


t o s tr ik e at t h e p atr o n thr o u gh t h e p o e t .

H o w e ve r thi s m ay be t h e l att e r in dignant at t h e , ,

tr e at me nt h e h ad u nd e rg o ne o r s marti ng u nd e r t h e ,

s e ns e o f u nme rit e d ne gl e ct s e t ab o u t writi ng a S atir e

acc o rd ing t o Ni z a m i —
,

o n S u lta n M ah m ud o f which ,
i ,

A rudi o nly t h e fo ll o wi ng fi v e c o u pl e t s s u rviv e d in h is


,

d ay s Th e y ru n as fo llo w s
.

Yon p a e r t r h ath grown o ld th e y fl u ng at me ,



,

l t ward t he Proph e t and A li


I n ov e o ’
.

Th t l i f I h ll p k f it i mpli
a ove , s a s ea o ,
es

Fi c r M h mud f m t p tr ni
ve s o e a s or e o a o se.

Th l gi rl br t i b t w rthl thi ng
e s av e -

s a s u a o e ss

A lth gh it f th r c m t b ki ng
ou s a e a e o e a .

H d t h S h ah t rn f g dn h wn

a e er e a u or oo ess s o

H w ld h
e ou t d m p n t h th r n
av e s ea e e u o e o e.

B c h i ki ndr d i
e au s e fm n t t
s e s o ea es a e

H c nn t b r t h r b t t h gr t
e a o ea o ea a ou e ea .

2
In th e xt ant v e r s i on o f t h e S atir e th at w e fo ll o w
e ,

which c o ns i s t s o f 1 0 2 c ou pl e t s t h e ab o v e c ou pl e ts ,

1
K U R, 3 9 6 . Cf . to o E H I , ii .
4 86 ; iv . 14 8 .

2
C , 63 .
38 I N TR O D UC TIO N
app e ar no t in thi s o rd e r but
p ar at e ly as t h e 1 1 t h
se ,

2 th 8 rd 2 nd and 7 6 t h r e s p e ctiv e ly with me


7 , 3 7 , , s o ,

di ffe r e nc e s o f r e ading H e r e th e y r e ad r ath e r di s c on


.

n e c t e dl b ut h av e an appr o pri at e c ont e xt in t h


y , e

e xt an t v e r s i o n o f t h e S atir e We l e ar n fr o m th e m
.

th at o ne o f t h e ch arg e s br o u ght ag ains t t h e p o e t w as


th at h e w as a h e r etic o f t h e s e ct o f t h e S hi ite s and ’

thi s m ay h av e w e igh e d with t h e o rth o d o x M ah m ud .

Th e p o e t fo r h is p art d e v e l o p s t h e o ld t au nt o f t h e
s l av e w h o b e c am e a S hah If no w w e t u r n t o t h e
.

e xt ant v e r s i o n o f t h e S atir e and acc e pt it as g e nu i ne


,

in s pit e o f wh at Ni z am i s ay s w e ge t additi o n al and ,

i nt e r e s ting info r m ati o n Th e p o e t s p e ak s o f hi m se lf


.

as Fird au s i o f Tus . Tus w as fo r m e rly a city o f much

i m p o rt anc e in Kh u ra s an and it s ru in s are s till t o b e


,

s e e n s o m e s e v e n t e e n m il es N N W o f M as h ad He
. . . .

t e ll s u s th at h e Sp e nt thirty y e ar s o v e r t h e S h ah nam a ,

th at it w as pr e s e nt e d t o M ah m ud w h o h ad pr o mi s e d ,

a w o rthy b u t g av e him a v e ry i nad e qu at e r e w ard

littl e m o r e th an o ne — s e v e nth o f wh at h e e xp e ct e d

and th at h e p u blicly g av e aw ay t h e wh o l e o f it t o a

s tr e e t s h e rb e t s e ll e r in p ay m e nt fo r a dri nk
-
He al s o .

i nfo r ms u s th at M ah m ud thr e at e ne d t o h av e h im
tr am pl e d t o d e ath by e l e ph ant s and h e e nd s by ,

c u r s ing t h e S u ltan .

We no w p ass o n t o wh at Ni z ami h as to t e ll u s
m o r e th an a h u ndr e d y e ar s aft e r t h e d e ath o f t h e
p oe t.

Ab u l Ka s i m Fird au s i w as o ne o f t h e l and e d pro


rie t ors o f Tus H e w as a nativ e o f a vill ag e c all e d
p .

B az h which fo r m e d p art o f o ne o f t h e q u ar t e r s dis


, ,

tric t s o r s u b u rb s o f t h e city
,
H e w as a m an o f .

i mp o rt anc e and o f i nd e p e nd e nt m e ans which w e r e ,

d e riv e d fr o m t h e i nc o m e o f his l and H e h ad; o ne


,
.

d au ght e r and t h e s o l e o bj e ct o f his l ab o u r s o n t h e


,

S h ah nam a w as t o o bt ain t h e fund s n e c es s ary t o pro


vid e h er with a d o wry Wh e n h e h ad c o m pl e t e d t h e
.
I N TR O D UC TIO N
is in ti al s t h e p o e t s h andiwo rk t h e r e ad e r pro ’
e ssen

b ably will agr e e with t h e pr u d e nt chi e f o f T ab aris t an


in h is o pi ni o n th at t h e s oo ne r it w as s u ppr e s s e d
t h e b e tt e r .

S A TI RE O N S U LTA N M A H M uD .

hh h
H o S a M a mud w h o as as v h t ict t o r ro d

Th e mes ! cli if
man th f
ou t f
e ar es n o t e ar G o d,

Fo r th
e re w e r e m an y hh
S a s e re th
ou h ads r t bi th
ch
Wh o all we re c row néd monar s o f th e e ar th
th i t
A nd all o f e m pre e m ne n o e r t e e

h -

I n tr r h t th r n cr wn nd dignity
e as u e , os ,
o e, o ,
a .

Th y did n t th t w n t g d nd right
e o ac a as o oo a ,

W nt n t b t t wi ndl nd t pit
e o a ou o s e a o s e,

D lt with th i r
ea bj ct j tly nd w r n ght e su e s us a e e au

I f n t G d w r hi pp r
o o Th y nly ght ’
s o s e s . e o so u

Fr m ti m
o n h n r d n m nd th t g i n
e a o ou e a e a us o a

A n h n r d nd b t ll g d f lk di d i n
o ou e e u a oo o s a

S h ah th t b nd in filthy l c ch i n
s a are ou u re s

a .

Wh t th gh t h ki ng h i p f t h w rl d i thi n
a ou e s o e o s e,

D t k w h t b t th
os as whi rli ng w rd f mi n a oo ese o s o e

Th h t n t n my h rt in it fi rc m d
ou as o se e ea s e e oo ,

Th r ck t n t f my w rd drip w ith bl d
ou e

s o o s o a -
oo

B t t m t m f ithl
u er h r tic ’
s I m e a e s s, e e a

A li n nd th o c ll t m
,
a m ou a es e a ra

Y n rib l d h th gr wn l d m n fl ng t m ”
o a a o o ,
e u a e

In l t w rd th Pr ph t nd A li ’ ”
ov e o a e o e a .

B t i th
u t ll m thi n il r y t
s ere , e e s, o e v e e

Th n h wh h r t g i n t A li i t ?
a e os e ea a a s

s se

Th t w I r till R rr cti n m rn
e se o s e ve esu e o -
o

E n if t h S h ah h l d h my b dy t n

e e s ou av e o or

A su nd r I w ill le th t w ki ng th gh
. ov e ese o s ou

Th S h ah w rd b b my h d b l w

e s s o e a ov e , ea e o .

I r t h Pr ph t l
s e ve th d t re r o e

s s av e s , e us eve e

U p n H i m n d t ry
o f t N f rs a a a

s
1
oo . o ea

H I f r ll thy th r t Th h lt b bray ea s ou s a e ed
'

av e o a

By l ph nte e nd h thy b dy m d
a s a av e o a e

A r i r N il f mi n nlight n d m i nd

ve e, or e e e e

Pl c f t h l f th tw l h ll fi nd a
u
a e or e ove o es e o so s s

1 ’
A li .
UC TION I N TR O D

Withi n my h rt Wh t S i d t h i n pi r d L rd ea a a e s e o

O f bi ddi ng nd f rbi ddi ng —H


.

w n w rd

a n o e av e s o o

I m t h C ity f t h D ctri n h
a e o e o e, e

Th t i t h g t w y t it i A li
a s e a e a o s

.

1 witn th t H i h rt i in th t w d
es s a s ea s a or I

A th gh th n m y t y Hi ic I h rd ’
s ou as e a s sa ,
s vo e ea .
,

I f th h t m i nd nd w it nd r d t h nd
ou as a a e e o a

By Pr ph t nd A li tak
o e p thy t nd
a

e u s a .

I f ill r lt t th mi n i t h br ch
e su o ee e s e ea

Th i it nd I pr cti wh t I pr ch
us s ,
a a se a ea .

Th h I d n fr m bi rt h th will I di
us av e o e o ,
us e

Th d t p n t h L i n
e us u f t mI
o e o

s 1 oo a .

Wh t th r y n m k n di ff r nc
a o e s sa ca a e o e e e

T m
o I n
e r p k b t in thi n eve s ea u s se se ,

A nd if t h S h ah d pt n th r tr i n
e a o a o e s a

H i wi d m w igh th n t n b rl y gr i n
s s o e e o o e a e -
a .

Wh n G d h ll t t h Pr ph t nd A li
e o s a se e o e a

O n r y l th r n I if my p try
o a o es ,
oe

C m fr m my l
a e o t th m h ll in t h o veki o e ,
s a e S es

H ave fi c r lik M h mud t p tr ni


ve s o e
-
e a o a o se .

Whil r th r m i n th it will h it l rd
e ea e a e av e s o s,

A nd l l th t w r t h c r wn h ll h r th
a a ea w rd e o s a ea es e o s

Fi rd i I f Tu y r f ri nd di cl i m
au s -
o s ou e ,
s a

M h mud
a p t r n
as I wr t in at h n m
o . o e e a e

O f t h Pr ph t nd A li f th i r
e o e k I
a

or e sa e

H av e p i r c d e m n y g
e m f f n
so t y a e s o a as .

S l ng o o th r w n Fi rd i h r
as e e as o au s e e

Th f rt n
e o f thi w rl d f
u e o r w r s o o ou s as s e e ,

Y t n thi t l
e o f mi n th
s w ld t n t l k
a e o e ou ou s o oo

M i l d by n w h
s e ilifi d my b k
o e o v e oo ,

B t m y ll th
u a a th t ilifi d my tr i n o se a v e s a

E x p ct re l i ng h n h lp in i n
e vo v e av e

s e va .

Th t r i f t h
ese s o ign f ld
es o e s ov e re s o o

H d I in mi n
a w n ch rmi ng l ng e o g t ld a a ua e o ,

A nd wh n my y r h d l m t r ch d f r c r
e ea s a a os ea e ou s o e

M y h p w r c tt r d t t h wi nd I h
o es e e s a e e o e . e re

H r in thi W y i d I nn t h t il
e e s l ng
a s e e o so o

B c
e au s e I h p d f tr r th r gh my ng
o e or e as u e ou so

O f ixty th
s nd n b l c ou sa pl t p n t o e ou e s s e

O n w rlik t pic
a nd th i r rg m n t
e o s, a e a u e

Th l e ci mit r rtill ry
as s o , s a ,
a e ,

Th b ttl
e a t h f l chi n br ndi h d high
e ax e ,
-
e a o a s e ,


1 A li .
I N TR OD U C TI O N .

Th e c as qu e , ch rg r rm t rt he ma il ,
t he a e

s a a u e,
Th w il d rn
e th c n tr m nd h r
e e ss , e o ea ,
s ea a s o e,

W lf dr g n l ph nt nd cr c dil
o ,
a o ,
e e a ,
a o o e,

P rd li n nd A frit t h c nning wil


a , o , a

,
e u e

O f Gh ul t h r ry f di wh cri
,
e so ce o vs os e es

R ch d h
ea n th h r
e f m d f nt rpri
e ave , e e o es a e or e e se

U p n t h d y f b ttl ( th
o e I i ng)
a o a e e se s ,

Th h re c mb ti ng nd gl ryi ng
e oe s o a a o ,

M nt
e f n m n r nk
oo o n m bc r o ea a or a e o s u e

B t
u ch S l m A fra iy ab nd Tur
su as a s a ,

S h ah F idun nd K i K b ad nd f ll
ar a a u a e

Z hh ak t h ty r nt nd t h i nfi d l
a e a a e e ,

G ars h a p nd S am wh m N ri man t h b l d
s a o a e o

B g t—
e w rl d p l adi n f mighty m l d
o o -
a s o ou

H u h ng nd T h m u
s a t h Di th t b
a nd a ras e v a ou ,

With M inu h ih J m hid th t S h ah r n wn d


c r, . a s a e o e ,

K au nd K i K h r
s a w ith c r wn p na u s au o u o

H i h ad nd R t m nd th t f m
s e ,
a n us a ,
a a a o us o e

O f br n f r m G ud r
az e nd hi d lighto ,
1
a z a s e

H i ighty
s e n th L i n f t h fight so s, os e o s o e

A nd h r m n f t h pl i n— gr t S h ah L h a p
o se e o e a ea u r s ,

Z i t h c ptai n f th h t G h t a p
ar r e a o e os ,
us s ,

J amap w h h n m ng t h h t n high
s o s o e a o e os o

M r br ightly th n t h
o e n d t h in t h ky a e su o e S ,

Dara n f Dar ab B h m n t h gr t
so o a a e ea

S ik nd r—chi f f ll th t r l d t h
, ,

a a tat e o a a u e e s e

With l t S h ah A d hi S h apur h i n
a oo r s r, s so ,

B h ram nd N u hi w an t h
a a i rt n s r e v uous o e .

S ch i t h f m
u s nd x lt d th r ng
e a ous a e a e o

Th t I h m d t h bj ct f my ng
a av e a e e su e o so ,

A ll d d f g b t my p try
ea or a es u oe

H th c
a d th i r n m t li
a us e g in f I e a es o ve a a ,
or

H r i d th d d J
av e a se did nd m d es e ea ,
as es u s ,
a a e

Th i r n m li
e n nd ll
a nd I h
es l id ve , o e a a ,
a av e a

A r it d p n my lf f th
se v u e u o se or ee,

0 ki ng t k p thy n m in m m ry o ee a e e o .

Th h m e th at t h dw lli ng f t d y
o es are e e s o o -
a

Will i nk n th h w r nd n hi n t d c y
s

ea s o e a su s e o e a ,

B t t rm nd r i n h ll n
u s o r m wh t I
a a s a ev e ar a

H b ilt—t h p l c f my p try
av e u e a a e o oe .

Thi t ry h ll b r d by ry n
s s o s a e ea e ve o e

P d f w i d m whil t h ag
o ss e ss e o n; s o e e e s ru

1
A s fandiy ar .
IN TR O D U C T IO N 4 3

Bu t . th t w a as no t thy p ro m i sed re c ompe ns e ,


N or did I h
reward in s ch a s ns e
o pe u e .

l rer ( my c urse u pon his h e ad l)


A s ande
E xtracte d e v il o u t o f wh at I sai d
F r goo d des troy e d my cre dit w ith t h e ki ng
o ,

A nd m ad my gl owi ng c o al a fr igi d thi ng


e

I f t hm
.

n a j dge o f h o nes t way e u s,

A nd h ad t b e s t ow d a th o ght u po n my l ay s
s e u
,

Th o u wou l d t h av e s ai d that I h pai d my


s av e du e s
Th e talent th t w gi me t o u s e
a as ve n

I n f ll
u M y w rd h o
. s av e made t h e w o r d t o r ow l g
L ik P r di
e a a se B f r c l
e o e m e n o ne ou d sow
.

Th e s e e d o f wo rds b f lk
U nnu m e re d o bt
n o do u .

l g th
F un c tl ltit
e m in o u n e s s mu b t
u de s a o u ,

Bu t ,th gh th y
ou e y
we re s o man , u p t o no w
N o o ne ah th ti th
e v e r me n o ne d t
e m , I ro w .

Fo r thi ty y xc i g t il b
r e ars e ee d n o I ore
P i li i l
A nd m ade t h e e rs ans ve in Pe rs an o re .

l cl g
U n e s s t h e w o rldlo rd had o s e fi s t e d rown -

I h ld h
s ou h d t p n t h th r n
av e a a sea u o e o e

H w ld h
e ou pl c d m th r b t c mm n n
av e a e e e e, u o o se se

H th n r b n t h m n rch xc ll nc ’
a e ve ee e o a s e e e e.

H d h hi m lf b n r y l by d c nt
a e se ee o a es e

H w ld h
e ou h d d r y l p r c d nt av e ee e o a e e e ,

F o r,h d hi i r b n S h ah h w l d
a s s n w e ee ,
e ou e re o

H av e s et cr wn f g l d p n my br w
a o o o u o o ,

O h d h i moth r b n l dy I
r a s e ee a a

H d t d n g l d nd il r c i n k n
a s oo I high ; o a S ve o ee -

B t i nc h i ki ndr d
u s e fm n t t s e are o ea es a e

H c nn t b r t h r b t t h g
e a o t
ea o ea a ou e re a .

Th b nty f thi S h ah f high d gr


e ou o s o e ee

H th lt r d ni n ti m
a a e ni n te f r ti m thr ! e es e o ou es ee 1

Th tr e il f thi B k f K i ng I b r
av a o s oo o s o e

For thi rty y r th t fr m h i tr ry t r ea s a o s e as u



s s o e

Th S h ah m ight r c m p n m
e t m fr e o e se e, se e ee

Fr m w rldly n d nd gi m high d gr

o o ee s a ve e e ee

A m n g my p r H p d h i tr ry d r ’
o ee s . e o e s e as u s oo

A nd g h rb t ll r f n t m r s 2

av e a s e e -
se e e e, o o e,

1
hl w h h
Mo ,
lightly diff r t t xt t an l t
o as a s i n tmi q e en e , r s a es r e e o ns ue

ri
en w hich h dmit t b p r c j ct r
e a T it m r f r c
s o e u e on e u e .
o us se e s a e e en e

t th
o m e at xp ct d d t h m t c i d b y t h p t
oun e e e an e a ou n re e ve e oe .

I2
th n igi l e f kk
or ll r
na F kk m t h
a. b a a

-
se e . a -

a see s o av e een

b l yw t fl r d with i i t f b r
'

lS m
i

ar e -
a er av o u e Of t h ra s ns , o r e e so e sor o ee . . e

Gr k ¢ 0 ( L ti p
ee 0 6 Ka r wi n ) a n os ca, s ou e .
4 4 TR O D U C TI O N IN

O n w h m I p nt it in t h p blic w y
o s e e u a

A fit r cipi nt f ch r y l p y 1
e e o su o a a

A ki ng d i d f h n r n f right
evo o o ou ,
se se o ,

A nd f ith thi i i n t w rth mit


a as s s, s o o a e.

Th l girl b r t i b t w rthl thi ng


e s ave -

s a s u a o e ss

A lth gh it m y b f th r d by
ou ki ng a e a e e a .

T r i
o tha se il th t g d fr m th m m y fl w
e v e a oo o e a o

I b t t l th r d nd wh n w w ’
s u o os e o u r ea s e e e se

O p tr i p r in p ch t gr w
u a v e o ur ou o o .

I f th h lt pl nt tr f n
ou s a fr it a a ee o au s e o us u

I n P r di it lf nd dr nch th r t
a a se se a e e oo ,

Wh n m i t r i r q i r d fr m H
e o s u e n w n rills e u e ,
o e av e

s o

O f p r t h n y th
u es ld n t r otill e ,
e o a u e s

Will h w it lf t l t ; th wilt pr c r
s o se a as ou o u e

Fr it n l
u n o th n t h fr it b f r
ess au s e o u s a e u e o e .

I f by p r f m r t ll thy t p
e u b nt
e s

s a s s e s are e

Thy cl thi ng w ill c tch m w h t f t h c nt


o a so e a o e s e ,

A nd if th i it t ch rc l J ck
ou v s es a a oa a

Th wilt g t n ght f r m h im th t i n t bl ck
ou e au o a s o a .

Th t m i cr nt h l d d ill i n tr ng c
a s ea s s ou o s o s a e a se

H p n thi ng t h n fr m n wh
o e o bi rth i b e o o e ose s as e ,

F or n n n f rbi h
o ff t h gl m f night
e ca u s o e oo o ,

A nd w hi ng w ill n t m k
as n E thi p whit o a e a o e.

T l k f g d f r m n ill t ck t r i
o oo or oo o a s o o se

I b t t th r w t h d t in n
s u o wn y
o e us o

e s o e es .

Th w ldl d if n h n r d n m h b r
e or or ,
a o ou e a e e o e

W ld h
ou t m d right d r thi b nch f l r
av e e s e e e ea s ra o o e

A nd li t n d t s e ch ri t l e th o su va ou s a e s as e se

O f nci nt w y
a nd r y l
e g a s a o a u sa e s ,

W ld n t h
ou m t m y w i h with di d i n
o av e e s es s a

O l t t h l b r f my lif b
r e e in
a ou o e e va .

I h p rp
av e a in th l fty rhy m
u ose ese o es

Th S h ah p r ch nc w ill b
e d i d b ti m
e a e e a v se e es,

Will r c gni wh t w rd
e o will p y h d
se a o s are , a ee

T thi h i h ry ld d i r r d

o s s oa o a v se s e e,

D t n
o th r p t wr ng h nc f rth
o o o e oe s o e e o

B t h l d h i r p t ti n
u o m thi ng w rth
s e u a o so e o ,

For m n w ill q t till R


e ti n m n uo e e ~ u rre c o ~
or

Th i nj r d p t r c m p n f c rn

e u e oe s e o e se o s o .

A ppli nt t t h C urt f G d m t high


su a a e o o o os

I h ll th r w d t p n m y h d nd cry
s a o us u o ea a

L rd co Thy f ith f l r nt h rt t dw ll
,
au s e a u se va

s ea o e

I n light nd b rn thi mi cr nt l in H ll ’ ”

,
a u s s ea s so u e .
IN TR O D U C T I O N 4 5
_

B e fo r e r e s u ming o u r s u m m ary o f N iz ami s acc o u nt


we s h o u ld m e nti o n th at l at e r o n t h e i nd o m it abl e p o e t
wr o t e h is s e c o nd gr e at p o e m Y ii s u f and Zu lik ha ,
“ ’

Thi s w o rk is s till e xt ant in MS and a pri nt e d e diti o n ,

is u nd e r s t o o d t o b e in pr e p ar ati o n H e t e ll s u s in his .

I ntr o d u cti o n th at h e wr o t e it at t h e s u gge s ti o n o f


a high o ffici al o f t h e Dilam ids with a vi e w o f d e di

c ati ng it t o t h e r u li ng Dilam id pri nc e The p o e t .

s e e m s t o h av e q u itt e d Tab aris t a n wh e r e a pr o l o ng e d ,

s t ay m ight h av e b e e n no t with o u t ri s k b o th t o hi m s e lf

and t o his fri e ndly e nt e rt ai ne r and t o h av e j o u r ne y e d


,

fu rth e r t o t h e w e s t wh e r e b e y o nd t h e r e ach o f
,

M ah mud s wr ath ( if M ah m ud r e ally c o nc e rne d h im


s e lf ab o u t t h e m att e r at all) h e wr o t e t h e ab o v e

m e ntio ne d w o rk .
1
Ulti m at e ly h e r e t u rne d t o his
nat iv e city o f T ri s and w e m ay c o ncl ud e thi s acc o u nt
,

o f t h e c al am ity o f an au th o r by s u mm ari s i ng t h e r e s t

o f wh at Ni z a m i h as t o t e ll u s H e no d o u bt giv e s u s
.
,

as h e pr o fe s s e s t o do t h e r e c e ive d tr aditi o n o f t h e
,

ti m e
. S u lta n M ah m ud i nd u c e d by t h e r e pr e s e nt a
,

ti o ns o f h is chi e f m ini s t e r ( H as an M aim andi ? ) u lti


,

m at e ly r e p e nt e d o f h is tr e at me nt o f t he p o e t He .

a cc o r di ngly g av e dir e cti o ns th at s ixty th o u s an d d inar s

w o rth o f i ndigo s h o u ld b e c arri e d t o Fird au s i at Tus


with a s u it abl e ap o l o gy Thi s w as d o ne and t h e.

i ndigo arrive d s afe ly b u t as t h e c ar av an th at b o r e


,

it e nt e r e d by o ne g at e t h e p o e t s c o rp s e w as b e i ng

b o rne o u t t o b u ri al by ano th e r o u t s id e which w as a ,

g ard e n b e l o ngi ng t o him and th e r e h e w as i nt e rr e d


, ,

b e c au s e in t h e o r t h o d o x vi e w o f a l o c al pr e ach e r h e
w as a h e r e tic and th e r e fo r e m u s t no t b e s u ffe r e d t o
,

lie in t h e M u s u l m an C e me t e ry H e l e ft a d au ght e r
—a high s pirit e d l ady—wh o r e fus e d t o acc e pt t he
.

S u lta n s gift and t h e m o ne y w as th e r e fo r e s p e nt in


r e p airi ng t h e h os t e lry o f Chah a o n t h e r o ad b e tw e e n ,

M arv and N is hapur Th e p o e t s e e ms t o h av e di e d


.

1
N IN , 2 7.
IN TR O D U C TI O N
A D 1 0 20 —1 0 2 I at t h e age o f a ou b t e igh ty Ni z a mi

. . .
,

vi s it e d his tomb ,
A D . . I I 1 6 1 I I 7 .

I t h as no t see me d
ry t o t h e pre s e nt writ e r c
ne e s s a
t o e nt e r mo r e fu lly i nt o t h e i nt e r e s ti ng s u bj e ct o f t h e
po e t s bi o gr aphy Th e r e ad e r will fi nd am pl e r d e t ail s

.

in Pr o fe s s o r N olde k e s i nv al u abl e I r ani s ch e N a


ti o nal

and in Pr o fe s s o r Br o w ne s m o s t u s e fu l tr ans l ati o n

e pos ,

o f Ni z a mi b o th o f which w o rk s are o bt ainabl e in a


,

c o nv e ni e nt fo r m I t is no t w o rth whil e t o r e pr o d u c e
h e r e t h e acc ou n t s o f l at e r bi o gr aph e r s —th o s e me n
.

t io ne d at t h e b e gi nni ng o f t h e pr e s e nt ch apt e r—and


o f o th e r writ e r s S o m e o f th e ir ane cd o t e s will h o w
.
,

e ve r ,b e i ns e rt e d in appr o pri at e pl ac e s in t h e c o u r s e -

o f t hi s tr ans l ati o n A w o rd o f w ar ni ng s h o u ld b e
'

add e d Th e pr e s e nt writ e r h as c o nfi ne d hi m s e lf,


.

e xc e pt wh e r e o th e rwi s e s t at e d t o t h e fig u r e s giv e n , ,

in t h e t w o t e xt s fr o m which

as t o t h e p o e t s age & c ,
.
,

our tr ans l ati o n o f t h e S h ahnam a h as b e e n m ad e .

Th e y s e e m t o b e g e ne r ally c o ns i s t e nt b u t o th e r M S S , ,

giv e o th e r figu r e s and if th e ir r e ading s are ad opt e d


,

o th e r c o ncl u s i o ns nat u r ally fo ll o w .

Th e pr e s e nt writ e r as far as h e is c o nc e rne d w ou ld


, ,

gl adly t e r mi nat e t h e hi s t o ry o f t h e writi ng and re


c e t io n o f t h e S ha
p h n am a at t h e p o i nt wh e r e t h e p o e t

hi ms e lf l e ft it in c o ncl u ding th at w o rk ; at all e ve nt s -


p ains h as b e e n t ak e n t o di s ti ng u i s h Firdau s i s o w n ao
c o u nt fr om th at giv e n by o th e r s I t only re m ai ns t o

add t h at l at e in life wh e n writi ng Yu s u f and z ulikh a


h e affe ct e d t o c o nd e mn h is gr e at e s t achi e v e m e nt as
a p ack o f idl e t al e s O ld age di s app o i nt m e nt and
.
, ,

o th e r circ u ms t anc e s m ay w e ll h av e c o ntribu t e d t o


w arp his j u dg me nt b u t w e c anno t d o u bt th at in his
,

h e art o f h e art s h e w as as c o ns ci o u s o f wh at c o n
s tit u t e d h is b e s t titl e t o fam e as wh e n he p e nn e d t h e

c oncl u di ng w o r ds o f t h e S h ahnam a
I h all li v o n t h e s e d o f wor ds h a e I
s e ,
e v

Fl ng b road c as t and he nc e f or th I s h all no t die


u -

,
.
4 8 I N TR O D U C I ON T
m o tiv e h e we av e s r ou nd it on ly so mu ch of the
s u bj e ct m att e r at h is di S o s al as he c an e m pl o y with
p
-

t o l e r abl e c o ns i s t e ncy H is w e b is cl o s e ly w ove n and


.
,

t h e w o rk m ans hip s o e xq u i s it e th at c o m p ar ativ e ly fe w


i ndic ati o ns are l e ft t o b e tr ay t he natu r e o f t h e raw
m at e ri al .

Fird au s i o n t he o the r h and t ak e s u s i nto h is c on


, ,

fi de nc e fr o m t h e fir s t I n dir e ct vi o l ati o n o f t h e
.

H o r ati an pr e c e p t h e b e gins fr o m L e d a s e gg and


.

e arli e r and t h e
, p e ri o d o f h is acti o n e xt e nd s o ve r
th o u s and s o f y e ar s H e u s e s all t h e e pic m at e ri al
.
,

g o o d b ad and i ndiffe r e nt o n which h e c an lay h and s


, , .

H is w e b 1 3 o p e n w o rk and it s d e s ig n u ns y m m e tri c al
-
.

H e m ak e s no s e cr e t o f h is m e th o d b u t t e ll s u s wh at ,

h is m at e ri al s are and h o w h e o bt aine d th e m He .

s h o w s u s in f act h is l o o m in acti o n and c all s o u r ,

att e nti o n t o t h e bright m any c o l o u r e d thr e ad s o f


,
-

m yth r o m an c e and hi s t o ry which are b e ing w o v e n


, ,

th e r e i n .

I t will b e r e adily u nd e r s t oo d th at t h e m e th o d o f
t h e E as t e r n p o e t l e ad s t o in c o ns i s t e nci e s and diffic u lti e s ,

chr o no l o gic al and o th e rwi s e fo r which t h e r e ad e r ,

s h o u ld b e pr e p ar e d H e will fi nd for in s t anc e in t h e


.
, ,

m ythic al p o rti o ns o f t he p o e m at l e as t t h e chi e f ,

h e r o e s living o n thr o u gh s u cc e s s iv e ag e s ; d e s crib e d


as o ld and e t fighti ng with all t h e vig o u r o f e arly
y
m anh o o d ; dr o ppi ng o u t o f s ight and app ar e n tly
fo rg o tt e n o nly t o r e app e ar in th e ir pris ti ne vig o u r
l at e r o n Th e e xpl anati on is two fo ld I n t h e firs t
. .

pl ac e s e v e r al o f t h e ch ar act e r s o f t h e p o e m w e r e
o rigi nally divin e or s e m i divine b e i ng s and th o u gh
-

i ntr o d u c e d t o u s as h u m an h av e in s o m e c as e s no t

wh o lly l o s t th e ir s u p e rh u m an attribu t es A nd in t h e .

s e c o nd pl ac e t h e p o p u l ar m yth o l o gy w as no t and w as ,

n o t d e s ig ne d t o b e c o ns i s t e n t ,
I t t o ld l e g e nd s o f t h e
.

s am e h e r o as s igning th e m t o di f
,
fe r e nt r e igns age s , ,

and l o c aliti e s A We s t e r n p oe t w o u ld h av e t ak e n
.
IN TR O D U C TI ON 4 9

th e m all and fo rc e d as m u ch as s u it e d h im i nt o t h e
m ou ld o f a bri e f actio n ; t h e Eas t e rn p o e t t ak e s th e m
at fu ll l e ngth and i ns e rt s th e m wh e r e h e fi nd s th e m
, ,

wh o lly r e g ardl e s s o f t h e fact th at by s o d o i ng h e


e x t e nd s life far b e y o n d t h e s p an o f m o rt al s .

Th e p o e m is divid e d i n t o r e igns O f th e s e th e r e .

are fo rty ni ne and th e y with o ne dyn as ty


-

,
w h ich is ,

r e ck o ne d as a s i ngl e r e ig n m ak e u p t h e fifty h e ad s ,

u nd e r which t h e s u bj e ct m att e r o f t h e p o e m is dis-

p os e d Th e r e ig ns are th o s e o f t he m ythic o r hi s t o ric


.

S hah s o r ki ng s o f P e r s i a w h o are divid e d int o fo u r ,

dynas ti e s : I The Pis hdadian o f t e n S hah s and l as ting


.
, ,

24 4 1 y e ar s I I Th e K aianian o f t e n S hah s and l as t


. .
, ,

ing 7 3 2 y e ar s I II Th e A s hk anian which is r e ck o ne d


. .
,

as o ne r e ign l as ti ng 2 0 0 y e ar s
,
I V Th e S a s ani an o f . .
,

tw e nty ni ne S hahs and l as ting 5 0 1 y e ars Th e s p ac e


-

, .

o f ti m e c o v e r e d is t h e r e fo r e 3 8 7 4 y e ar s .

Th e p o e m m ay al s o b e divid e d i nt o t wo p e ri o d s
a m ythic and a h is t o ric Thi s di s ti ncti o n is b as e d no t
.

s o m u ch o n t h e n at u r e o f t h e s u bj e ct m att e r as o n t h e -

nam es o f t h e chi e f ch ar act e r s At a c e rt ai n p o int in .

t h e p o e m th e nam e s c e as e t o b e m ythic and b e c o me


hi s t o ric Th e Mythic P e ri o d e xt e nd s fr o m t h e b e
.

ginni ng o f t h e narr ativ e d o w n t o t h e r e igns o f t h e l as t


t w o S hah s o f t h e K aia nian dyn as ty Th e s e and t h e .

r e m aind e r o f t h e p o e m fo r m t he Hi s t o ric P e ri o d Th e .

S hah s in q u e s ti o n are Dara s o n o f Darab b e tt e r kn o wn , ,

as D ari u s C o do m anu s and S ik and ar — Al e x an d e r t h e ,

Gr e at .

Th e chi e f ch ar act e r s o f t h e p o e m are


I Th e p e r s o nifi e d p o w e r s o f go o d and e v il
. Th e .

r e ligio n o f t h e an ci e n t P e r s i ans fr o m which th e y b e c am e ,

c o nve rt e d t o M u h amm adanis m w as th at kno w n as Fire ,

w o r s hip D u ali s m o r Z o r o as tri ani s m Th e s e m ay b e


, , .

t ak e n t o r e pr e s e nt r o u ghly thr e e as p e ct s o f it s gr o wth


and d e v e l o p me nt I t w as c all e d F ir e w o r s hip fr o m it s
.
-

chi e f vi s ibl e o bj e ct o f ad or ati o n— a ve ry anci e nt c u lt ;


D
50 IN TR O D U C TI ON
D u ali s m fr o m it s chi e f t e ne t — t h e b e li e f th at t h e
u n iv e r s e owe d it s e xi s ti ng fo r m t o t h e o pp o s i n g
cr e ati o ns and c e as e l e s s c o nflict s o f t w o s u p e rnat u r al
b e i ng s a g o o d and an e vil U rm u z d and A hri m an ; and
,
1
,

Z o r o as tri ani s m fr o m it s l e g e nd ary pr o ph e t w h o m ay ,

b e t ak e n t o typify it s pri e s tly o r c e r e m o ni al e l e m e nt .

U rm u z d and Ahri m an p e rv ad e t h e wh o l e p oe m and ,

all th at h app e n s for g o o d o r ill is attrib u t e d e ith e r

dir e ctly o r i ndir e ctly t o t h e o ne o r t h e o th e r Th e y .

are as s u m e d t o b e c o ns t ant ly e ng ag e d in s trife with

e ach o th e r and e s p e ci ally o n t h e b attl e fi e ld o f t h e


,

w o rld wh e r e t h e s tr uggl e is c arri e d o n chi e fly by m e ans


,

o f t h e fo rc e s pri ncip aliti e s and p o we rs which th e y


, ,

h av e c all e d i nt o b e i ng o r wh o s e acti o ns th e y ins pir e


,
.

I f t h e p o e t h ad c o nfi ne d hi m s e lf t o t h e u s e o f t h e
nam e s U rm u z d an d A hri m an this ant ag o ni s m w o u ld
h av e b e e n m u ch m o r e m ark e d H e w as pr o b ably .

pl ac e d h o w e v e r in a v e ry di ffi c u lt p o s itio n no t o nly as
, , ,

a M u h amm ad an hi m s e lf b u t al s o as a p o e t e ag e r fo r

r e c o gniti o n at t h e h and s o f a fanatic ally M u h amm ad an


S u lta n Th e r e s u lt is a c o m pr o m i s e
. H e s e ld om .

u s e s t h e w o rd U rm u z d b u t in it s pl ac e s u ch t e r m s ,

as M ak e r o f t h e w o rld Wo rld l o rd t h e All m ighty ,


-

,
-

t h e right e o u s J u dg e o r s i m ply G o d b u t h ardly e v e r ,

t h e M u h am m ad an All ah O n t h e o th e r h and h e .

e m pl o y s t h e e xpr e s s i o n A hri m an with gr e at fr e q u e ncy ,

o ft e n s u b s tit u ti ng fo r it h o w e v e r t h e w o rd Div which


, , ,

m ay b e r e nd e r e d Fi e nd and o cc as i o nally t h e nam e o f ,

t h e M u h amm ad an e vil pri ncipl e I bl is Pr actic ally his .

c o nc e pti o n o f t h e go o d pri ncipl e is M u h am m ad an in


all b u t t h e n am e whil e h is e vil prin cipl e is n o l o n
,
ge r
t h e fo r m id abl e Z o r o as tri an A hri m an b u t appr o xi m at e s ,

1 Thr ie e s a t e nde n cy
g m d r Z r tri a mo n
d m ch l r o e n o o as ans an so e s o a s

to m dif y
o or e ven d ny t h d li m b t t d thi i t d p i
e e ua Zr s ,
u o o s s o e r ve o o

as t rianis m o f i t m t ch r ct ri tic f t r
s os nd it
a a b t titl t b e s ea u e , a s es e o e

c o ns id re ed o n f t h gr t
e o ligi f t h w rl d
e ea S DF K H P ii
re o ns o e o . ee , .

1 8 7 ; H E P, 3 0 3 3 0 5 -
.
IN T R O D U C TI O N 5:

r ath e r t o t h e M u h am m ad an I bl i s o r t o t h e D e vil o f ’

t h e Bibl e Thi s b e i ng pr e mi s e d h o we ve r it is pro


. , ,

p o s e d t o r e t ain t h e e xpr e s s i o ns U rmu z d and Ahri m an


in t h e I ntr o d u cti o n as b e i ng o n t h e wh o l e t h e m o s t
,

s u it abl e and c o nv e ni e n t and o f c o u r s e in t h e p o e m


,

it s e lf wh e r e ve r th e y o cc u r .

I I Th e S hah s and o th e r ki ng s o r h e r o e s
. The s e .
,

s o far as th e y are hi s t o ric al m ay b e l e ft t o s p e ak fo r ,

th e ms e lv e s b u t th o s e th at are mythic al ne e d a w o rd
,

o f e xpl an ati o n Th e d u ali s tic c o nc e pti o n o f t h e


.

u niv e r s e whil e it t e nd e d t o e x alt U rm u z d and A hri m an


, ,

did s o at t h e e xp e ns e o f t h e o th e r d e iti e s o ft h e anci e nt


nat u r e w o r s hip w h o gr ad u ally b e c am e gr o u p e d in in
-

fe rio r c ap aciti e s acc o rdi ng t o t h e p o p u l ar c o nc e pti o n s


,

o f th e m r o u nd o ne o r o th e r o f t h e t w o gr e at pri n cipl e s
, ,

t h e b e ne fi c e nt r o u nd U rm u z d and t h e m ale fi c e nt
ro u nd Ahri m an In t h e c o u r s e o f ti m e m any o f th e m
.

c am e t o b e r e g ard e d as anci e nt e arthly r u l e r s and


h e r o e s and as s u ch the y are r e pr e s e nt e d in t h e p o e m
, ,

t h e g o o d fo r t h e m o s t p art as Ira ni an and t h e


e vil as th o s e o f o th e r r ac e s All t h e chi e f m ythic al .

ch ar act e r s w e r e o nc e th e m s e lv e s go d s or d e m ig o d s o r ,

w e r e cr e dit e d with s u ch anc e s t o rs in tr aditi o n .

Dir e ct s u p e rnat u r al ag e ncy is h o w e v e r i n fr e qu e nt , ,

in t h e S h ah nam a O n o ne s id e w e h av e U rmu z d w h o
.
,

s o m e ti m e s i n t e rv e ne s by his m e s s e ng e r and ag e n t t h e

ange l S u rii s h and o n t h e o th e r Ahri m an w h o act s by


'

, ,

m e ans o f his i ns tr u me nt s t h e d iv s o r his adh e r e nt s ,

t h e w arl o ck s and witch e s W e h av e ins t anc e s o f whit e


.

m agic as we ll as o f bl ack Th e fab u l o u s S imu rgh t o o .

a bird s o m e wh at r e s e m bli ng t h e ro c o f t h e Ar abi an “

Night s b u t e nd o w e d with wi s d o m and artic u l at e s p e e ch


—pl ays an i m p o rt ant p art Dre ams e s p e ci ally th o s e in
,

.
,

which t h e d e ad app e ar are r e g ard e d as v e ridic al and, ,

t h e e v il e y e is m u ch dr e ad e d Pre s e nti m e nt s are h e ld .


t o b e au th e ntic and u s e is m ad e o f am u l e t s e lixir s
, , ,

and divi ni ng c u p s Th e m o s t p o t e nt age nt thr ou gh o u t


-

.
52 IN TRO D U C TI ON
is

d e s ti ny which is r e pr e s e nt e d as G o d s p u rp o s e with
,

r e s p e c t t o m an as r e v e al e d in t h e h e av e ns by t h e
as p e ct s o f t h e s t ar s and pl ane t s Th e r e is no m o r e .

i m pr e s s iv e pict u r e in t h e p o e m th an th at which t h e
p o e t giv e s u s o f t h e r e m o rs e l e s s pr o c e s s o f t h e s k y ,

wh o s e r e v o l u ti o ns gr adu ally gri nd d o w n t h e s tr o ng e s t ,

an d fill t h e v u lg ar with am az e at wh at th e y t e r m t h e

t u r ns o f fo rt u ne To t h e s ag e and r e ad e r o f t h e s t ar s
.
,

h o w e v e r t h e f u t u r e is s pr e ad o u t lik e a b o o k and
, ,

t h e as tr o l o g e r with h is pl ani s ph e r e s as tr o l ab e s c alc u l a


, , ,

ti o ns o f nati viti e s and pr e dicti o ns g e ne r ally pl ay s a


, ,

c o ns id e r abl e p art in t h e p o e m D e s ti ny as re pre .


,

s e n t e d t o u s by t h e p o e t is m ad e u o f t w o di s ti nct
p
e l e m e nt s which h e d o e s no t att e m pt t o r e c o ncil e —t h e
,

M u h amm ad an and t h e Z o r o as tri an Th e fo r m e r m ay .

b e s u mm e d u p fo r t h e r e ad e r in t w o t e xt s fr o m t h e
Bibl e I am t h e L o rd and th e r e is no ne e l s e

,
I .

fo r m t h e light and cr e at e d ar k ne s s ; I m ak e p e ac e
, ,

an d cr e at e e vil ; I am t h e L o rd th at d o e th all the s e,


thi ng s ; and S h all w e r e c e ive g o o d at t h e h and o f
1 “


G o d and s h all w e n o t r e c e iv e e vil ?
,
2

Th e Z o r o as tri an c o nc e pti o n is e n tir e ly diffe r e nt .

U rm u z d and A hri m an are as di s tinct as light fr o m


d arkne s s and a h ard and fas t li ne is dr aw n b e tw e e n
,

g o o d and e vil wh e th e r phy s ic al o r m o r al


, Light .
,

i mm o rt ality h e alth and all th at is go o d in t h e w o rld s


, ,

o f m i nd and m att e r pr o c e e d fr o m U rm u z d ; d ark n e s s ,

d e ath dis e as e and all th at is e vil fr o m A hri m an


, , .

U rm u z d cr e at e d m an and fas hi o ne d t h e tw e lv e h o u s e s
o f t h e h e av e ns th at th e y m ight p o u r d o wn th e ir
ki ndly i nfl u e n c e u p o n h im ; A hri m an br o k e i nt o t h e
cr e ati o n o f U rmu z d and cr e at e d t h e pl ane t s t o ru n
c o u nt e r t o t h e s t ar s and cr o s s th e ir p u rp o s e s D e s ti ny .
,

th e r e fo r e fr o m thi s p o int o f vi e w b e ing t h e r e s u lt ant


, ,

o f t w o o pp o s i ng fo rc e s is an e xtr e m e ly l o gic al de du c
,

t i o n w e ll b o r ne o u t by t h e e v e nt s o f hi s t o ry and t h e
1
Isa ih
a x lv 7. .
2
J ob ii . 10 .

IN TRO D U C TI O N 53

in cid e nt s o f l ife t o an E as t e r n e y e b u t c o rr e s p o nd s ,

r ath e r t o wh at w e s h o u ld c all fo rt u ne th an t o ab s o l u t e
fat e Th e Z o r o as tri an vi e w which is th at o f t h e p o e t s
.
,

au th o riti e s pr e d o m in at e s o v e r t h e M u h am m ad an which
, ,

is th at o f h is r e ligi o n Th e pr actic al r e s u lt is th at in
.

t h e p o e m t h e s k y is l o o k e d u p o n as t h e
arbit e r o f h u m an affair s and o ft e n as acti ng ,

an d c aprici ou s ly with t h e r u thl e s s ne s s o f a c e l e s ti al

J u gg e r nau t . Y e t t h e p o e t and h is ch ar act e r s ne v e r


fail t o app e al t o d e s tiny pr o p e r o n o cc as i o ns wh e n it
s u it s th e m s o t o do h e t o j u s tify t h e w ay s o f G o d t o
,

m an and th e y t o m ak e e xc u s e fo r e v il d o ne o r t h e
,


d o ing o f it . I t w as s o d e cr e e d

pl e ad s t h e e vil
,

d o e r ; A nd s o w as t h e p e nalty r e pli e s t h e av e ng e r

, .

At o th e r tim e s ag ain t h e po e t s e e m s t o h o ld th at all is


h o p e le s s c o nfu s i o n and th at w e c anno t t e ll h e ad fr o m
,

t ail o r t o p fr o m b o t t o m .

Th e l e adi ng m o tiv e o f t h e S hah nam a s o far as it ,

c an b e s aid t o h av e o ne is A hri m an s e nv y o f m an

—t h e cr e ati o n o f U rmu z d Th e fir s t att e m pt o f t h e


,

e vil pri ncipl e t o d e s tr o y m anki nd o n c e fo r all in t h e ,

p e r s o n o f the ir gr e at pr o g e nit o r h avi ng fail e d h is ne x t


, ,

is t o s e d u c e th e m fr o m th e ir all e gi anc e t o th e ir Cr e at o r ,

and in thi s h e is l arg e ly s u cc e s s fu l ; r ac e b e c o me s


o pp o s e d t o r ac e t h e faithfu l fo ll o w e r s o f U rm u z d are
,

p e r s e c u t e d by t h e p e rv e rt s o f A hri m an and r e c u rri ng ,

act s of pr o v o c atio n o r r e v e ng e fo r m a s e ri e s o f
s u b s idi ary mo tiv e s which s e rv e t o k e e p aliv e t h e
anci e nt fe u d . Th e s e are m o s t pr o mi ne nt in t h e
e arli e r p o rti o n o f t h e Mythic p e r io d t o w ard s t h e e nd o f ,

which a ne w m o tiv e is i ntr o d u c e d by t h e adv e nt o f


t h e gr e at pr o ph e t o f U rm u z d— Z ardu h s h t o r Z o r o as t e r .

S id e by s id e with thi s o u tw ard vi s ibl e s tr u ggl e th e r e


is t h e i nw ard i nvi s ibl e o ne g o i ng o n in t h e m i nd o f
t h e i ndivid u al . Thi s is m o r e i ns i s t e d o n in t h e
Hi s t o ric p e rio d wh e r e t h e m o r al as p e ct s o f t h e s tr u ggl e
are di s c ou r s e d o n at l arg e and t h e d e adly s ins are
,
54 IN TR O D U C TI ON
p e rs o nifi e d in acc o rd anc e t o Z o ro as tri an th e o l o gy as
d iv s o r fi e nd s in t h e s e rvic e o f Ahri man wh o s trive t o ,

e t t h e m as t e ry o v e r t h e s o u l o f m an
g .

Th e hi s t o ric al r e l ati o ns o f t h e Irani ans with o th e r


I nd o Eu r o p e an p e o pl e s wi t h t h e S e m it e s and with
-

t h e T tira nians as s k e tch e d bri e fly in t h e pr e vi o u s ch apt e r


, ,

are i ndic at e d in t h e p o e m by t h e m ythic al l e g e nd s o f

Z ah h ak an d o f t h e thr e e s o ns o f F ar idun and th e ir


d e s c e nd ant s Z ah h ak r e pr e s e n t s t h e id o l atro u s e l e m e nt
.

in t h e p o e m and th e r e fo r e t h e S e m it e s in p artic u l ar
, ,

w h o w e r e t h e m o s t id o l atr o u s r ac e with wh o m t h e
Irani ans c ame i nt o c ont act Th e A s s yri ans w e r e .

no t o ri ou s ly id o l atr o u s and s o w e r e t h e Ar ab s u p t o
,

t h e d ay s o f M u h am m ad I n t h e p o e m all id o l
.

w o r s hipp e r s wh e th e r o f S e m i t ic r ac e o r no t are
, ,

r e g ard e d as d e s c e nd ant s o f Zahh ak Th e e ld e s t s o n


o f Faridim —S al m— r e pr e s e n t s
.

t h e w e s t e r n divi s i o n

o f t h e I nd o E u r o p e an r ac e t h e s e c o nd s o n T li r t h e
'
-

Taranian and t h e y o u ng e s t s o n Ir aj t h e W e s t e r n
,

Ary an o r Irani an Th e l e g e ndary acc o u nt s in t h e


.

p o e m o f Z ah h ak s c o nqu e s t o f Ira n o f his o v e rthr o w


by Faridim o f t h e p artiti o n o f t h e w o rld by t h e l att e r


b e tw e e n his thr e e s o ns o f t h e m u rd e r o f Ir aj by h is
,

t wo e ld e r br o th e r s and o f t h e gr e at fe u d which th u s
,

o rigi nat e d r e ally s e t fo rth t h e his t o ric al r e l ati o ns o f


,

thr e e o f t h e gr e at r ac e s o f m anki n d as s e e n fr o m t h e ,

p o int o f vi e w o f t h e d e s c e nd ant s o f Ir aj thr o u gh t h e .

h az e o f m yth an d l e g e nd A s t o t h e c o m par ativ e .

i m p o rt anc e o f th e s e r e l ati o ns t o t he Irani ans nativ e ,

tr aditi o n h as no h e s it ati o n in as s ig nin g t h e firs t pl ac e


t o t h e r e pr e s e nt ativ e s o f TM t h e s e c o nd t o th o s e o f ,

Z ah h ak and t h e third t o th o s e o f S al m ; and acc o rd


,

ingly in t h e p o e m t h e s tr u ggl e s o f t h e Ira ni ans with


t h e Tin a nians o cc u py m o r e s p ac e th an th os e with all

'

o th e r r ac e s c o m bi ne d Y e t t h e bitt e r e s t fe u d is with
.

Z ah h ak I n o th e r c as e s it is a fam ily q u arr e l b u t


Zahh ak is o f ano th e r s t o ck —a m an fo r b id
. ,

H o we v e r . ,
56 IN T R O D U C TI O N
and who f r m o s t fo r h avi ng fo ll o w e d h is advic e h as
su f e s ,

h ardly a w o rd t o s ay ag ains t h im and h e o nly giv e s u p ,

t h e l e ad e r s hip o f t h e h o s t with d e ath I t is a w e ll p aid .

c o m pli m e nt by t h e p o e t t o t h e T u rk m an r ac e I t w as .

no d o u bt his o w n c o ntrib u ti o n t o w ard a g o o d u nd e r


s t andi ng and h appily h e c o u ld n o t f o r e s e e t h e h o rr o r s
,

which t h e e l e v e nth and s u b s e qu e nt c e nt u ri e s h e ld in


s t o r e fo r Ira n at t h e h and s o f t h e n ati o ns o f t h e N o rth .

Fo r t h e pr e s e rv ati o n o f t h e s u bj e ct m att e r o f t h e -

S h ahnam a w e are chi e fly i n d e bt e d t o t w o o f t h e


cl as s e s i nt o which Fird au s i t e ll s u s anci e n t Irani an
s o ci e ty w as divid e d — t h e pri e s tly cl as s and t h e agri

c u ltu r al cl as s —in o th e r w o rd s t h e M agi and t he


Dihk ans . Th e M ag i w e r e t h e pri e s t s o f t h e tr u e
M e d e s o r M ada am ong wh o m th e y fo r m e d a c as t e o r
,

trib e O rigi nally fi re pri e s t s as th e ir o w n nam e fo r



-

.
,


th e m s e lv e s A t hrav ans lit e r ally fi re m e n , s hows
1 “
-

th e y b e c ame cl o s e ly as s o ci at e d with e v e n if th e y did ,

no t o rigin at e t h e D u ali s m and Z o r o as tri anis m o f


,

l at e r ti m e s A ntiqu ity which lib e r ally cr e dit e d th e m


.
,

with all t h e attrib u t e s o f anci e nt pri e s th o o d k ne w



,

2
th e m as t h e M agi t h e gr e at o r m ighty and l at e r ,

ag e s are i nd e bt e d t o th e m fo r t h e p o t e nt w o rd s


m agic and m agici an I n th e ir hi s t o ric al s e at

in Atr o p at e ne o r in t h e mo d e r n fo r m o f t h e w o rd
A z arb ij an ( wh i ch h as b e e n v ari ou s ly e xpl aine d t o m e an
t h e l and o f t h e s e e d o f t h e d e s c e nt o f o r th at g u ard s
, ,

t h e fi re ) and s till m o r e in th e ir l e g e nd ary h o m e in


,

Kar ab agh th e y dw e lt in t he ne ighb o u rh o o d o f s c e ne s


,

o f nat u r al m arv e l E arthq u ak e s are fr e qu e nt th e r e


m u d—
.
,

v o lc ano e s h o t s pri ngs and naphth a w e ll s ab ou nd


, ,
.

Fl am e s i s s u ing fr o m cl e ft s in t h e r o ck s h av e b e e n
abl az e fr o m ti m e i m m e m o ri al an d in au t u m n t h e e x ,

h al ati o ns fro m t h e s o il fo r m a ph o s ph o r e s c e nc e th at at
night w r ap s wh o l e di s trict s in s h e e t s o f h ar m l e s s fl am e .

E v e n in p art s o f t h e C as pi an t h e v ap o u r s b u bbl e u p ,

1
DZA , i li.
, rs t e d.
2
S k t Ety m Dict
ea ,
. .
, av .
I N TR OD U C I O N T 57

m ay b e ig nit e d and
will go o n b u rni ng o v e r s e v e r al ,

S q uar e y ard s o f w at e r till a g u s t o f win d e xti ng u i s h e s


th e m The s c e ne fr o m all acc o u nt s is at ti m e s s u ffi
.

c ie nt l
y i m pr e s s iv e e v e n t o t h e m o d e r n e e
y a n d w e ,

c an e as ily i m agi ne wh at fi re in it s p u r e s t fo r m and

high e s t e xpr e s s io n— cl e ar s mo k e l e s s l am b e n t fl am e s
, , ,

b u rni ng o n u nfe d app ar e ntly and s e lf s u s t ai ni ng -

c e nt u ry aft e r c e nt u ry— mu s t h av e b e e n t o t h e u n
r ati o nali s tic g az e o f pri m itiv e antiqu ity In the .

pr e s e n c e o f th o s e fl am e s all o th e r fir e s m u s t h av e
seeme d b ut br o k e n light s E l s e wh e r e th e y w e r e

.

h ard t o kindl e ne e d e d c o ns t ant c ar e and w e r e


, ,

di m m e d by s m o k e and v ap o u rs b u t h e r e th e y b u r ne d ,

as in t h e B u r ni ng B u s h I t w as no w o nd e r th at t h e
.


pl ac e c am e t o b e lo o k e d u p o n as H o ly Gr o u nd and “
,

th at a C u lt o f Fir e gr e w u p th e r e in t h e dim and


di s t ant p as t We c an w e ll i m agine t o o h o w fam ou s
.

t h e pri e s th o o d o f s u c h a C u lt w o u ld b e c o m e am id
s u ch s u rr o u ndi ng s Th e pri es t o f anci e n t ti m e s w as
.

t h e m an o f l e tt e r s t h e s ag e t h e l e e ch t h e as tr o
, , ,

l o g e r and t h e man o f o cc u lt l o r e and gramm ary e ,

and thi s pri e s th o o d dw e lt in a r e gi o n w hich is no t

e v e n no w r o bb e d o f all it s anci e nt gl am ou r by t h e
fact th at it is t h e sc e ne o f t h e gr e at e s t p e tr o l e u m
i nd u s try in t h e w o rld H e r e Pr o m e th e u s s t o l e t h e
.

fi re fr o m h e av e n and p aid t h e p e n alty in s o m e


C au c as i an g o rg e Al o ng it fr o m no rth t o s ou th
.

lay a gr e at highw ay o f t h e nati o ns acr o s s it fr o m ,

e as t t o w e s t ran o ne o f t h e r e at tr ad e r o u t e s a n d
g ,

t h e rich e s o f I ndi a w e r e b o rne fr o m Kab u l t o B alkh ,

1
fr o m B alkh d o w n t h e O x u s t o t h e C as pi an and th e nc e ,

thr o u gh t h e l and o f M e d e a and o f t h e Go ld e n Fl e e c e


t o t h e E u xi ne and t h e w e s t I t is o f c o u r s e i m p o s s ibl e
.

t o affir m th at s o wid e s pr e ad a c u lt as Fir e w o r s hip -

h ad it s o rigin in o ne p artic u l ar l o c ality b u t w e s h all ,

1
Th O x
e usin an ci nt ti m e fl w d i nt t h C pi n in t d f i nt
es o e o e as a s ea o o

t h A ral S a a at p
e e s nt
re s e .
58 IN TR O D U C TI O N
be sa et ti ng th at h e r e w as a mo s t i m p o rt ant
f in s a

c e ntr e o f it and in cl ai m ing fo r it s pri e s t s a pro


,

p ort io nat e s t at u s and s an ctity l


W e h a v e alr e ady .

s e e n th at Ira n is a l and o f s h arp c o n tr as t s o f phy s ic al

g o o d and e vil Th e r e t h e kindly r e tic e nc e s and c o n


.

c e alme nt s o f nat u r e t h e bl u e h az e o f dis t an c e and


,

t h e m e lting o f l ine i nt o li ne are ab s e nt th e r e is no , ,

ne u tr al t e rrit o ry no c o mm o n m e e ti ng gr o u nd ; all is
,
-

cl e ar s h arp w e ll d e fi ne d and r e c o gni s abl e b e yo nd t h e


, ,

p o s s ibility o f m is t ak e and at a gl anc e as g o o d o r e vil .

I n t h e r e gi o ns s ou th o f t h e C au c as u s th e s e c ontras t s
are a cc e n t u at e d and th e r e it w o u ld s e e m gr e w u p
, , ,

D u ali s m s u gg e s t e d and j u s tifi e d by it s s u rr o u ndings .

Th e d o ctrines o f t h e M agi which it is b e yo nd ,

o u r s c o p e t o e nt e r i nt o e xc e pt i n cid e n t ally and by

w ay o f ill u s tr ati o n app e ar in e arly ti m e s t o h av e ,

b e e n r e s trict e d if no t t o t h e M agi th e ms e lve s at all


, ,

e v e nt s t o t h e M e d es wh o s e pri e s t s th e y w e r e I t w as .

no t u ntil ne arly t h e e nd o f t h e s ixth c e nt u ry b e fo r e

t h e Chri s ti an e ra and aft e r t h e s u icid e o f C am by s es ,

t h e s o n o f Cyr u s t h e Gr e at th at t h e M agi fir s t b e c am e ,

s u pr e m e in t h e v as t e m pir e which t h e l att e r h ad


fo u nd e d fo r no w w e h av e e vid e nc e th at ne ith e r h e
,

nor h is s o n w as t h e e nth u s i as tic pr o s e lyti s e r o f Z o r o


as t rianis m th at th e y w e r e b o th fo r m e rly s u pp o s e d t o
,

b e b u t at m o s t t o l e r ate d it al o ng with t h e o th e r
,

2
faith s o f th e ir w o rld wid e e m pir e Aft e r t h e d e ath-
.

o f C am by s e s h o w e v e r t h e M agi r o s e t o p o we r in t h e

p e r s o n o f t h e M agu s G au m at a—t h e fal s e S m e rdis o f


, ,

t h e Gr e e k s —w h o s e i z e d t h e v ac ant thr o ne and b e g an ,

as w e l e ar n fr o m t h e i ns cripti o ns o f D ari u s H y s t as pis ,

his s l ay e r and s u cc e s s o r t o o v e rthr o w t h e t e m pl e s o f ,

1
cc nt f t h t r l ph n m n f th
Fo r an a ou ogi n KAe na u a e o e a o e s e re o s see ,

i 4 4 nd M r in Th R gi n f t h E t rn l Fir h i wh r m ny
.
,
a a v , e e o o e e a e, c . x .
,
e e a

int r ti ng p g
e es c ll ct d Th ph n m n
as s a m t triki ng
e s are o e e . e e o e a are os s

t t h n rth f K r b gh t B k
o e o t h p n in l
o f A p h r n nd t h
a a a a a u, e e su a o s e o a e

i l nd f S i t i (H ly I l nd) l y i ng ff it
s a o v a o o s a o .

2
S H O, 4 9 7
IN T R O D U C TI O N 59

the go d s ic o no cl as t z e al A s D ari u s fu rth e r


in h is .
1

i nfo r m s u s th at h e r e s t o r e d th e s e t e m pl e s and al s o ,

at t h e s am e ti m e d e s crib e s hi m s e lf as a w o r s hipp e r
2
o f U rm u z d w e m ay as s u m e th at it w as in t h e c o ur s e
,

o f h is r e ig n th at Z o r o as tri ani s m b e c am e t h e s t at e
r e ligio n o f t h e P e r s i an e m pir e H e al s o app e ar s ab o u t .

RC 5 0 5 t o h av e ad o pt e d t h e Z o r o as tri an c al e n d ar i n
.

t h e pl ac e o f t h e o ld P e r s i an o ne th at h e h ad u s e d u p
till th e n and thi s fact go e s t o s u pp o rt t h e as s u m pti o n
,

3
m ad e ab o v e The M agO ph o nia o r s l au ght e r o f t h e
.

4
M agi m e ntio ne d by H e r o d o t u s which h as s o m e ti m e s ,

b e e n add u c e d as a pr o o f th at th e y c o u ld no t h av e
b e e n s u pr e m e in P e rs ia s o e arly as t h e ti me s o f D ari u s
5
H y s t as pis is no t r e ally o pp o s e d t o thi s vi e w
, I t is .

pr e tty e vid e nt that t h e M ago ph o nia w as no t aim e d


ag ai n s t t h e M agi in g e ne r al b u t w as m e r e ly an annu al ,

c e l e br ati o n o f t h e o v e r t hr o w o f o ne p artic u l ar M ag u s
t h e i m p o s t o r and u s u rp e r G au m at a— and his p e r s o nal
6
fo ll o w e r s Wh e th e r t h e M agi in s pit e o f t h e high
.
,

p o s iti o n the y h ad g aine d e v e r s u cc e e d e d in m aki ng th e ir ,

d o ctri ne s p o pu l ar with t h e m as s e s o f t h e fir s t P e r s i an
e m pir e m a w e ll b e d o u bt e d O ne at l e as t o f t h e
y .

s u c c e s s o r s o f D ari u s — Art ax e rx e s I I 4 4
0 — 3 6 1 ) .

s e e m s t o h av e r e l ap s e d i nt o s o m e thi ng v e ry lik e id o l
7
atry and with t h e c o nq u e s t o f P e r s i a by Al e x and e r
,

t h e G re at t h e p o w e r o f t h e M agi w ane d fo r a ti m e .

R ightly o r wr o ngly Z o r o as tri an tr aditi o n c o u pl e s


Al e x ande r with Z ahh ak and Afras iyab as o n e o f t h e
thr ee arch e ne m i e s o f t h e faith 8
With t h e i ntro .

R P ii 8 9 —
1
92, v . Id WPT xli .
2
.
3
, v. v.

H r d iii 79
4
e o . . R S M 63 6 n t
.
5
, ,
o e.
6
DH A , v. 1 ii 53
94 .
7
DZA ,
. .

I d i xl iii
3
Thi n ti n
. . m t h b n firm l y fi x d in t h
v . s o o see s o av e ee e e

m i d f t h f ithf l
n s o W t ld th t in t h y r
e a 5 Z u . e are o a e ea A D . . 1 1 1 o ro as

t i n r i d nt in P r i wr t
r a s est r ligi ni t in I ndi
e l tt r in e s a o e o co -
e o s s a a e e

which th y t t d th t n r i nc t h r l f K i m h d th y
e s a e

a e ve s e e u e o a o ars a e
su ff r d m r th n wh t th y w r th n nd rg i ng I n th th y
e e o e a a e e e e u e o . s oo , e

d cl r d th t th y w r m r
e a e ppr d th n th ir r c h d r b n
a e e e o e O esse a e a e a e ve ee

at th h nd f t h tyr nt Z h k A fr i b T nd A l x nd r
e a s o e a s o a ,
as a , ur a e a e .

DFKH P i 56 , . .
60 I N TR O D U C TI O N

d u cti o n o f Gre e k id e as Gr e e k s ci e nc e and Gr e e k ,

p o lyth e i s m th e r e c an b e no d o u bt th at t h e b u lk o f
,

t h e p o p u l ati o n r e l ap s e d i nt o id o l atry if i nd e e d it ,

h ad e v e r e m e rg e d D u ri ng t h e ne xt fi v e c e nt u ri e s
.

t h e M agi m u s t h av e h ad m u ch ado t o k e e p aliv e t h e .

d o ctrine s rit u al and s acr e d tr aditi o ns o f th e ir faith


, , .

Th e s e d u cti o ns o f Gr e e k civili s ati o n w e r e fo ll o w e d by


t h e br u t aliti e s o f P arthi an b arb ari s m and an m o difi
y ,

c atio n o f th e s e w as d u ri ng t h e fir s t c e nt u ri e s at all
,

e v e n t s o f P arthi an r u l e in t h e dir e cti o n o f Gr e e k


,

c u lt u r e Th e P arthi an m onarch s d e s crib e th e m s e lve s


.

as philh e ll e nic o n th e ir c o i ns Th e M agi h o w e v e r .


, ,

w e r e w e ll e q u ipp e d for t h e s tr u ggl e Th e y h ad a .

gr e at r e p u t ati o n Th e y h e ld a fai t h in m any r e s p e ct s


.

m u ch in adv anc e o f th e ir ti m e s and o ne t o o th at ,

fo u nd it s j u s tific ati o n in t h e s tr ang e nat u r al ph e no


m e na and s h arp c o n tr as t s o f phy s ic al g o o d an d e vil
th at ch ar act e ri s e Ira n Th e y h ad k e pt aliv e t o o at .
,

a ti me wh e n anci e n t P e r s i an w as p as s ing i nt o r apid

ph o ne tic d e c ay t h e anci e n t l ang u ag e o f th e ir r ac e


,

t h e M e di an— with it s i nfl e cti o ns and arch ai s m s as ,

will app e ar l at e r o n L as tly th e y w e r e a pri e s th o o d


. ,

pr acti s i ng t h e p e c u li ar c u s t o m o f Kh v ait iik das o r


m
-

n e xt o f k in m arri ag e which t h o u h ant


g , ,

t o t h e s e nti m e nt s o f m anki nd at l arg e m u s t c e rt ai nly ,

h av e t e nde d t o pr e s e rv e th e ir fai t h fr o m t h e d ang e r ou s


e xt e r nal and fo r e ig n i nfl u e nc e s which an indis c rim i

n at e pr actic e o f m arri ag e w o u ld h av e e nt ail e d Th at .

t he M agi pr acti s e d Kh v ait ii k das in t h e d ay s o f t h e



-

1
P arthi an m o narchy w e m ay l e arn fr o m C at u ll u s .

Th e thr e e prin cip al s e at s o f t h e M agi s e e m t o h av e


b e e n at S h iz Rai and B alkh S hiz t h e P e r s i an G az n
, , . , ,

1
N as c at ur M a g us ex G lli m e at ris q u e ne ando f
c o n u g io , e t
j dis c at Pe r ics u m h aru s pic iu m .

N am M a g us ex ma e tr et gn t
g ignat u r a o O po rt e t ,

r
s i ve a e s t Pe s a r r u m im ia re llig io
P .

Ca r me n, lxxxix .
,
e d. 0 . H . We i s e .

F o r Kh v ait ak das -
see WPT , ii .
3 89 . C f GH P i
.
, . 89 .
IN TR OD U C TI O N 61

is to be l o o k e d fo r at T akht i S u l ai m an ne ar t h e - -

s o u th e r n fr o nti e r o f A z arb ij an I t c o nt aine d t h e .

fam o u s fi re t e m pl e o f A z arakh s h which app e ar s t o b e


c o ntr acti o n o f Az ar i —
-

,
'

a Z ardu h s h t o r t h e fi re o f
m
-

Z ardu h s h t w h o is E appbééata
'
'

,
e i ns tit u t e d it To .

thi s t e m pl e it w as t h e c u s t o m o f t h e S hah s o f P e r s i a
in pre M u h amm ad an t im e s t o m ak e pi lgri m ag e s
-

1
afo o t. R ai which w as n e ar Tihran s e e m s t o h av e
, ,

b e e n t h e c e ntre o f a pri e s tly pri ncip ality o f gr e at


an tiq u ity wh o s e pri e s t pri nc e w as kno w n as t h e
,

Z ardu h s h t I t w as fi nally d e s tr o y e d by t h e M u h am
.

2
m adans . B alkh w as t h e s c e ne o f Z ardu hs h t o r
Z o r o as t e r s m o s t s u cc e s s fu l m i s s i o nary e ffo rt which

le d t o t h e c onv e r s i o n o f S hah G u s h t asp H e re t o o .


“ , ,

t h e pr o ph e t is s aid t o hav e B e e n s l am wh e n t h e city

w as t ak e n by t h e Taranian ki ng Ar a s
'

I nt e r nal
— -i v

e v1 de n c e s e e m s t o s ho w th at Fu dau s i u s e d tr adif fdhs


e m anating fr o m e ach o f t h e ab o v e c e n tr e s m the
S h ah nam a .

Of t he rly lit e r atu r e o f t h e M agi w e c an o nly


ea

as s u m e th at t h e th e o g o n i e s o r s acr e d hy m ns which
3
th e y ch ant e d in t h e d ay s o f H e r o d o tu s w e r e s u ch
as w e fi nd in th e ir e xt ant s cript u r e s j u s t as w e fi nd ,

t h e p e c u li ar rit e s and c e r e m o ni e s which h e d e s crib e s ,

as b e i ng pr acti s e d by t h e m } s t ill in o p e r ati o n at a

m u ch l at e r d at e Th e tr aditi o n with r e g ard t o t h e


.

lit e r at u r e is as fo ll o w s : Th e o rigi nal s criptu r e s w e r e


r e v e al e d t o Z o r o as t e r by U rm u z d Z o r o as t e r pr e ach e d .

th e m t o S hah G u s h t as p wh os e c apit al w as at B alkh , .

G u s h t as p o rd e r e d t h e o rigi nal t o b e d e p o s it e d in t h e
tr e as u ry o f S h apigan and c o pi e s t o b e m ad e and dis
s e m i nat e d o ne o f w hich w as l aid u p in t h e fo rtr e s s
,

o f d o c u m e nt s Wh e n t h e e vil d e s ti ne d vill ain “


.

Al e x and e r i nv ad e d Iran t h e c o py in t h e fo rtr e s s


o f d o c u m e nt s w as b u r nt ; th at in t h e tr e as u ry o f

1
DZA , i xlix . , 1 s t e d.
2
Id . xl iii v .

3
He rd i 3
o . . 1 2. 1

Id . 14 0 .
62 IN TR O D U C TI O N
S h apigan

fe ll i nt o Al e x and e r s h and s and w as tr ans
l at e d by h is c o mmand int o G re e k l
King Valk as h ‘
r .

o rd e r e d a c o ll e cti o n t o b e m ad e o f t h e s cript u r e s ,

which in h is d ays e xi s t e d in Iran in a s c att e r e d s t at e '

o wi ng t o t h e di s r u pti o n c au s e d by t h e M ac e d o ni an
2
c o nq u e s t A rds h ir t h e s o n o f Pap ak w h o o v e rthr e w
.
, ,

t h e P arthi ans and r e s t o r e d t h e Ira ni an m o narchy al s o ,

m ad e a c o ll e cti o n o f t h e s cript u r e s H e e m pl o y e d .

fo r th at p u rp o s e t h e high pri e s t T au s ar w h o r e pr o -
,

du c e d a s i m ilit u d e o f t h e o riginal as it h ad e xi s t e d
3
in t h e tr e as u ry o f S h apigan S h apii r t h e s o n o f

.
,

A rds h ir m ad e a c o ll e cti o n o f writi ng s o f a no n re


,
-

ligio u s ch ar act e r d e al ing with m e dici ne as tr o no my , ,

and o th e r s ci e ntific s u bj e ct s th at h ad b e e n s c atte r e d

am o ng t h e Hi nd u s and R am ans and o rd e r e d th e m t o ,

b e in c o rp o r at e d with wh at h ad alr e ady b e e n br o u ght


4
t o ge th e r which w as d one ,
S h apar t h e s on o f .
,

H u rm u z d i ns titu t e d a trib u nal fo r t h e d e t e r minati o n


,

o f all p o i nt s o f di s p u t e d d o ctrine Th e s e p o int s .

w e r e s e ttl e d by o rd e al and th e nc e fo rth t h e S hah ,

5
pr o cl ai m e d and ins i s t e d o n u nifo r m ity .

With re g ard t o thi s acc o u n t l e g e nd pl ac e s t h e birth


pl ac e and h o m e o f Z o r o as t e r in Ira n v ej 6
H e re o n -
.

t he M o u nt ai n o f t h e H o ly Q u e s ti o ns h e m e t U rm u z d
fac e t o fac e and r e c e ive d fr o m h im in a s e ri e s o f dia
,

l o g ne s t h e t e ne t s o f t h e faith H e r e t o o t h e pr o ph e t .

w as as s ail e d by t h e d e m o n B aiti s e n t by A hri m an and ,

s u b s e q u e ntly t e m pt e d by t h e l att e r in p e r s o n B o th .

w e r e h o w e v e r w o r s t e d and Z o r o as t e r b e g an h is mi s s i o n
, , ,

H is gr e at s u cc e s s s e e m s t o h av e b e e n at
7
ary c ar e e r .

B alkh o ne o f t h e chi e f c e ntr e s o f Ary an civili s ati o n


,
.

Thi s w e m ay i nt e rpr e t as m e aning th at Z o r o as tri ani s m


s pr e ad fr o m W e s t t o E as t al o n g t h e li ne o f t h e gr e at

tr ad e r ou t e Th e e xt ant p o rti o ns o f t h e Z o r o as tri an


-
.

1 ‘

WPT , iv . xxxi .
2
1d 4. 13.
3
Id xxxi . .

4
Id 4 . 14 .
5
Id .
1

DZA i 3 , .
, t
no e s .

7
WPT , i . 1 4 1.
64 I N TR O D U C I O N T
i nc o rr e ctly kno wn as Z e nd I t s e e m s al mo s t c e rtai n .

1
th at r e ally it s h o u ld b e k no w n as M e di an Z e nd .
,

ti e .M e di an as pr e s e rv e d in it s s criptu r e s and anci e n t


, ,

P e r s i an as pr e s e rv e d in t h e i ns cripti o ns o f t h e
,

Ach ae me nid s are t w o s i s te r l angu ag e s c o ll at e r ally re -

m t 6 S ahs crit H o w and wh e n Z e nd b e c ame e x


,
" "
.

ti nct wh e th e r it s till s u rvive s in a m o difi e d fo r m in


,

s o m e m o d e rn di al e ct s u ch as t h e K ard d o e s no t s e e m t o ,

h av e b e e n y e t d e t e r mi ne d ; b u t t h e e xi s t en c e o f t h e
Z andav as t a indic at e s th at it r e m ai ne d k no w n t o and
u s e d by t h e M agi in it s infl e c t io nal fo r m l o ng aft e r

it s s i s t e r l angu ag e t h e P e r s i an h ad l o s t m o s t o f it s
-

i nfl e cti o ns and h ad b e c o m e gre atly s i mplifi e d Z e nd .

m ay th u s b e r e g ard e d as b e i ng d u ri ng t h e fi v e c e n
t u rie s and a h alf which e l ap s e d b e tw e e n t h e d e ath
o f D ari u s C o do m anu s and t h e acc e s s i o n o f A rds h ir

Pap akan t h e s acr e d l ang u age o f t h e M agi— o ne k no w n


o nly t o th e m s e lv e s and h o ldi ng with th e m v e ry m u ch

t h e s am e p os itio n as S ans crit did am o ng t h e Br ah m ans


o f I ndi a D u ring this p e ri o d anci e nt P e r s i an w as
.

2
it s e lf b e i ng c o nv e rt e d i nt o m iddl e P e r s i an o r P ahl av i .

P ahl av i it s h o u ld b e e x pl ai ne d is t he s am e w o rd as
, ,

P arthi an and in thi s c o nne ctio n m e ans no t t h e lan


,

g u ag e s p o k e n by t h e P arthi ans th e m s e l v e s b u t th at ,

u sed u nd e r th e ir r u l e by th e ir P e r s i an o r Irani an
1
La c mp ri o a s o n, sa ys the l t Pr f
a e o esso rD m t ar es eter in t h e w o rk
in which h e s e e ms to h av e e xpr
bj e ctes s e d h is cl r t i w
ea es v e s on th e su ,

de s t e xte s av e s t é e ns av e c c e q u e le s anci e ns no u s di s e nt d e s cro y anc es


e t d e s prati q u e s de s M ag e s prou v e q u e l A v e s t a no u s prés e nt e la c ro y

an e c g
t mp d H é d t d A i t t d Th é p mp
de s M a es du e s

ro o e,

r s o e ,
e o o e

d

t p rt l nci n
au re at n ni m a t dr p M g l
, es a e s s on u a es en e n e ar a es es

pretr d l M édi I l it d la p l té m ig g xt rn d
es e a e. su e , ar s o na e e e e es

cl iq j i nt tém ig g int in eq d li r
as s ues o nd t d l
au o na e r s ue es v es z e s e e a

tr diti n n ti q l A t t l
a o a d M g ve
q l , d t l ue

ve s a e s

ce u v re es a es , ue e z en es a

l g
an u e d l M édi ie t q l r it l dr it d r mpl c r
a e a nc en ne , e ue

o n au a e o e e a e

l n m i mpr pr d l g d p l t rm d l g médiq ? ’
e o o e e an u e z en e ar s e e e an u e ue

DEI i , .

WPT xi
2
1 .

Th it li P f D m t t

e a c s are ro e s s or ar es e er s.
IN T R O D U C TI O N
1
su bj e ct s To . p e o pl e at l arg e in S a s a ni an ti me s
the
t h e l ang u ag e in which t h e ins cripti o ns o f D ari u s
H y s t as pis and h is s u cc e s s o r s h ad b e e n writt e n ,

and th at o f t h e Z o r o as tri an s cript u r e s c o mpil e d by


T au s ar and o th e r s w e r e alik e u ni nt e lligibl e I t ac
, .

c o rdin l b e c am e t h e c u s t o m in m a ki n g c o pi e s t o
gy
app e nd a P ahl av i v e r s i o n p ar aphr as e o r c o m m e n t o n , ,

t h e o riginal t e xt Th e s cript ur e s th e m s e l v e s w e r e
.

kno w n as t h e A v as t a and all c o mm e n t s th e r e o n , ,

wh e th e r in t h e o rigi nal l ang u age o r in P ahl av i w e r e ,

k no wn as t h e Z e nd o r Z and Th e chi e f Z an d w as .

o f c ou r s e t h e P ahl av i v e r s i o n o f t h e A v as t a and t h e ,

t w o c o m bi ne d b e c am e k no wn as t h e A v as t a and Z and ,

2
or m o r e c o m m only as t he Z andav as t a Lik e t h e .

Bibl e it pr e s e r v e d in a lit e r ary fo r m all th at s u rviv e d


in t h e tr aditi o ns o f a r ac e and th e s e w e r e gr ou p e d ,

r ou nd and t o ld in c o nne cti o n with a line o r line s o f


d e m ig o d s o r h e r o e s wh o s e name s s h o w th at th e y ,

w e r e o rigi nally th o s e o f t h e b e ne fi ce nt and m ale fi c e nt


i mp e r s o nati o ns o f t h e anci e nt natu r e w o r s hip o f t h e -

Ary an p e o pl e b e fo r e it br o k e u p i nt o it s I ndi an and


,

Irani an divi s i o ns Th e nam e s r e fe rr e d t o are c o m m o n


.

in a s o m e wh at alt e r e d fo r m b o th t o t h e Z andav as t a
and t o t h e anci e nt S ans crit hy m ns o f I n di a— t h e
V e d as 3
. We m ay r e g ard t h e tr aditi o ns o f t h e Zan
dav as t a as e s s e n ti ally M agi an ; th e y w e r e d e s ti ne d ,

h o w e v e r t o u nd e rg o a r e m ark abl e d e v e l o p me nt and


,

e xp ans i o n in o th e r h and s .

Th e tri u m ph o f Z o r o as tri ani s m t h e tr ans l ati o n o f ,

t he Z andav as t a i nt o P ahl av i vie i nt o t h e v e rn ac u l ar , .


,

and t h e c o ns e q u e n t diffu s i o n o f t h e tr aditi o ns o f t h e

M agi thr o u gh o u t Iran o cc u rr e d at an e p o ch wh e n fi v e


and a h alf c e nt u ri e s o f ali e n r u l e ( B C 33 I —A D 2 2 6) . . . .

1
i xii P r i n f ll ti m
WPT , . . e s a s o a e s se e m a lw a s y to h av e kn wn th ir
o e

o wn l g g P r i DE I i 3 8
an ua e as a s .
, . .

2
DZA i xxxi n t
,
.
, o e 2.
3
S f
ee i n t nc DH A ch pt r
or s a e , v. a e s 5 and 1 0 .
66 IN TR OD U CTI ON
h ad blit e rat e d all b u t t h e v ag u e s t r e m ini s ce n c e s o f
o

t h e fir s t P e r s i an e m pir e and t h e h o u s e o f Ach ae m e ne s


m m
.

Th e c o ns e qu e n c e w as th at t h e m y t hi
t h e Z andav as t a c am e t o b e re ard e d in S a s ani an ti me s
as h
t e s hi t o ric S hah s o f t h e ra mi an r
a ;
g e Th F
e s e and

what was recorded b f t he m i fi fhe Zandav as t a fo rm e d


" f
i m “

w
' t l

a c o nv e ni e nt e pic fr am e w o rk wh e r e o n t o h ang l e g e nd s

o f A s s yri an o ppr e s s i o n Ar ab r ai ds Tura ni an i nv as i o ns


, , ,

w ar s with t h e W e s t t h e d e e d s o f nati o nal o r l o c al


,

h e r o e s and all t h e mi s c e ll ane o u s pr o d u cts o f p o p u l ar


,

tr aditi on and i m aginati on Th e d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e .

l e g e nd s o f t h e Zandav as t a acc o rdingly w e nt o n ap ac e ,

and t h e chi e f ag e n t s in t h e pr o c e s s w e r e t h e Dih k a ns .

Thi s w as t h e nam e giv e n t o t he r u r al l and o wne r s o f


Iran Fird au s i hi ms e lf s e e m s t o h av e b e e n t h e s o n
.

o f a Dihk a . n All t h e w o rld o v e r t h e r u r al po pu la


ti o ns are t h e d e p o s it o ri e s o f nati onal tr aditi o n A .

no t abl e i ns t anc e o cc u rr e d o nly s o l o ng ago as t h e l as t


c e nt u ry wh e n Dr Eli as L onnr o t aft e r y e ar s o f w and e r
.
,

ing am o ng t h e r e m o t e s t di s trict s o f Fi nl an d dw e lling ,

with t h e p e as antry and t aking d o w n fr o m th e ir lip s


all th at th e y k ne w o f th e ir p o p u l ar s o ngs u lti m at e ly ,

s u cc e e d e d in c o ll e cti ng ne arly tw e nty thr e e th o u s and -

v e r s e s which arr ang e d by h im and divid e d i nt o fifty


,

r u ne s no w fo r m t h e nati o nal Firmis h e pic k now n as


,

t h e K al e w al a .
1
M u ch t h e s am e pr o c e s s w e nt o n in
Iran at an e arli e r d at e Tr aditi ons b as e d o n t h e Z and a
.

v as t a w e r e r e cit e d in t h e h all s o f t h e chi e fs at vill ag e


fe s tival s and at s tr e e t c o r ne r s —a c u s t o m s till o bt ai ning
,

in P e r s i a— till in ti m e t h e w o rd Di b ka n c ame t o h av e
a w e ll n e o n a m
r e c o g i s e d s c d ry e i g th at o f pro
an n —
fe s s ion al s t o ry t e ll e r r u s tic b ard o r w and e ri ng m ins tr e l
-

, ,
.

I n t h e c ou r s e o f t h e s a s a ni an dy nas ty th e s e tr aditi o ns
w e r e c o ll e ct e d and pu t i nt o writi ng Th e r e s u lt w as .

v ari ou s ly k no w n as t h e Ba s tan Kh u d ai and S hah , ,

Na m a with t h e r e s p e ctive m e aning s o f His t o ry o f


,

1
Ency . Br it . ix . 2 1 9.
IN TR O D U C TI O N 67

t he P as t , of t he L o rds
King s In , and of t he .

Bais ingh ar Khan s Pr e fac e alr e ady r e fe rr e d t o th e r e


is an acc o u nt o f t h e Ba s ta n na m a which m ay th u s -

b e s u m m aris e d S hah N as h irw an c o ll e c t e d t h e tr adi


.

ti o ns and d e po s it e d t h e M S S in h is libr ary . .

Yaz dagird t h e l as t o f t h e s a s a ni ans e m pl o y e d t h e


, ,

Di b ka n Danis h war t o c at al o g u e and s u ppl e m e nt th e s e


hi s t o ri e s and arr ang e th e m in chr o no l o gic al o rd e r fr o m
t h e r e ig n o f G aii i m art t o th at o f Khu s r au P arw iz

At t h e ti me o f t h e M u h am m ad an c o nqu e s t o f P e r s i a
th e y w e r e s e n t t o Um ar t h e c o m m and e r o f t h e faith

fu l w h o h ad th e m tr ans l at e d and o nly p arti ally


,

appr o v e d o f th e ir c o n t e n t s I n t h e g e ne r al divi s i o n .

o f t h e P e r s i an s p o il t h e b o o k s fe ll i nt o t h e h and s o f

t h e Aby s s i ni ans w h o pr e s e nt e d th e m t o Ki ng J as h a
, ,

w h o h ad th e m tr ans l at e d and highly c o m m e nd e d


th e m Th e y b e c am e w e ll k no w n in h is d o m i ni o ns
.


and in Hind wh e nc e th e y w e r e br o u ght by Y a k iib
,

L ai s w h o c o mm and e d Ab li M ans ar s o n o f Abd u r


, ,

R azz ak t o tr ans crib e i nt o P e r s i an wh at Danis hw ar


,

t h e Di b kan h ad t o ld in P ahl avi and c o m pl e t e t h e ,

his t o ry fro m t h e ti m e o f Kh u s r au P arw iz t o t h e e nd


o f t he r e ig n o f Yaz dagird A b ii M ans ar i ns tr u ct e d .

an o ffic e r o f his fath e r s S u ii d s o n o f M ans ar Al m a


’ ’

m ari in c o nj u nctio n with fo u r o th e r s —Taj s on o f


, ,

, ,

Khu ra s ani o f H arat Y az dandad s o n o f S h apar o f , ,

S i s ta n Mahw i s o n o f Kh u r s h id o f N is hapiir and


, , ,

S hadan s o n o f B ar z in o f T ri s — t o
1
,
u nd e rt ak e the
t as k Wh e n t h e h o u s e o f t h e s a m anid s c am e i nt o
.

p o w e r th e y t o o k t h e gr e at e s t i nt e r e s t in t h e w o rk
th u s tr ans l at e d and e ntr u s t e d it t o t h e p o e t Dak ik i
,

t o pu t i nt o v e r s e Wh e n h e h ad writt e n o ne o r t w o
.

th o u s and c o u pl e ts h e w as m u rd e r e d by his s l av e and ,

thu s t h e m att e r r e mai ne d till t h e d ays o f M ah m ii d '

w h o e nc o u r ag e d Fird au s i t o c o m pl e t e t h e w o rk .

1
C h S lai man n f N fi in —a mi tak o mi print C f
as u so o r s e r s . .
68 I N TR O D U C TI O N

A s Kha n s p re fac e d at e s fr o m t h e fir s t
Bais ingh ar

qu art e r o f t h e fift e e nth c e nt u ry and c o nt ai ns m u ch ,

th at is o bvi o u s ly r o m antic it is ne e dfu l t o r e c e iv e t h e ,

ab o v e acc o u nt with all c au ti o n E v e n wh e n w e h av e .

r ej e ct e d t h e s t o ry o f Ki ng J as h a and t h e Abys s i ni an s
w e are s till c o n fr o nt e d by a chr o no l o gic al impo s s i
Y a k iib t h e s o n o f L ai s t h e c o pp e r s m ith di e d

b ilit y .
, ,

in A D 8 7 8 A b ii M ans ar w h o h ad t h e w o rk o f

. . .
,

t h e Dihk a n Da nis h w ar tr ans l at e d w as a br o th e r o f ,

M u h am m ad s o n o f Abd u r R azz ak and thi s M u h am


,

-

m ad w as princ e o f Tas in t h e m iddl e o f t h e t e n th


1
c e nt u ry in t h e d ay s wh e n Fird au s i w as gr o wing
,

u
p . Y a k a b and Abu

M an s ar w e r e th e r e f o r e n o t
c o nt e m p o r ari e s Y a k i i b h ad w o rk e d in h is fath e r s
.
’ ' ’

s ho p as a y o u th h e th e n b e c am e a r o bb e r chi e f
,
-

and fi nally fou ght his w ay t o wh at w as pr actic ally


t h e l o rd s hip o f Ira n A s a nativ e o f S is tan t h e .
,

h o m e o f a r ac e wh o s e w arlik e pr o cliviti e s w e r e
s y m b o li s e d in t h e l e g e nd ary e xpl o it s and ch ar act e r

o f t h e n ati o nal h e r o o f Ira n R u s t am o r as t h e f o u n d e r , ,

o f a n e w dy nas ty for p o litic al r e as o n s h e m ay h av e


,

t ak e n an i nt e r e s t in t h e o ld tr aditi o ns ; b u t h e c o u ld
no t h av e c o m m i s s i o ne d A b a M ans ar t o do t h e w o rk

fo r h im and it will b e s afe r t o di s m i s s t h e n o ti o n


,

th at h e int e r e s t e d hi m s e lf in t h e c o m pil ati o n o f t h e


Di b kan Danis h w ar as highly pr o bl e m atic al O n t h e .

t h e s t at e m e nt in Bais ingh ar Kh a

o th e r h an d ,
n s pre

fac e th at Abu M ans ar did h ave a S h ahnam a c o m pil e d


is c o nfir m e d by t h e l e ar ne d A b ii B aiha n M u h amm ad b in


Ah m ad A lb irii ni ( A D 9 7 3 —1 0 4 8 ) in his Chr o no l o gy

. .

2
o f An ci e nt N ati o ns Ag ain w e m ay b e s o m e wh at .

s c e ptic al as t o wh e th e r a Di b kan n am e d Da nis hw ar

e v e r e xi s t e d b u t w e m ay c o nc e d e th at t h e anci e n t
,

tr aditi o ns w e r e c o ll e ct e d and e dit e d by s o m e l e arne d


( d a n is h w a r ) D ihk an and i nd e e d by m any s u ch .

1
N T, xxi v.

g tr by Dr ch
2
En . a ns . . E Sa. au , 1 1 9 .
I N TR O D U C TI O N 69

Th e name s of th e fi ve m e n e m pl o y e d by A b ii ’

M ans ar are all P e r s i an ,


and t h e m e n th e m s e lv e s w e r e

in all pr o b ability M agi fo r no ne b u t th e y w o u ld b e ,

lik e ly t o kno w P ahl av i in t h e t e nth c e nt u ry O ne o f .

t h e fi v e S hada n s o n o f B ar z in is m e nti o ne d by Fir


, ,

dau s i as h is au th o rity fo r t h e s t o ry o f t h e i ntr o d u cti o n



i nt o P e rs i a o f Bidp ai s F abl e s in t h e r e ign o f N as h ir
l
wan . Dak ik i t h e p o e t w h o w as fir s t e ntr u s t e d with
,

t h e t as k o f v e r s i fyi ng t h e S h a h nam a w as a fi re ,

w o r s hipp e r as fo u r li ne s o f his b e ar witne s s :


,

O f all thi w rl d g d nd ill


of s o

s oo a

F r thi ng D k ik i ch th till
ou s a oose s

G i rl r by lip t h nd f ly

s u s, e so u o xe
,

Th bl d
e d w i n t h F ith f Fi r
oo -
re e, e a o e .

Fird au s i t e ll s u s in his Pr e l u d e 1 0 th at wh e n o n , ,

Dak ik i s m u rd e r h e d e t e r m i ne d t o c arry o n t h e w o rk
'

hi m s e lf h e h ad gr e at di ffic u lty in o bt ai ni ng t h e ne e dfu l


m at e ri al s fo r t h e p u rp o s e and w as fo r a wh il e no n ,

pl u s s e d by w ant o f th e m H is s t at e m e nt s e e m s t o .

r e qu ir e s o m e e xpl anati o n fo r in additi o n t o t h e c on , ,

s ide rab le P ahl av i lit e r at u r e th e n e xt ant t h e c o ll e cti o ns ,

m ad e by l e ar ne d Dihk ans h ad b e e n tr ans l at e d int o


Ar abic and w e r e o bt ai nabl e in nu m e r o u s hi s t o ri e s in
,

th at l angu ag e A lb irii ni t e ll s u s th at t h e p o e t A b a
.

A li M u h am m ad b in Ah m ad A lb alk h i in his S h ah nam a


’ ’

r e fe r s t o t h e au th o r s o f fi v e s u ch s e p ar at e hi s t o ri e s as
2
h is au th o riti e s I f h o w e v e r w e acc e pt N Olde k e s

.
, ,

vi e w th at Firdau s i in s pit e o f his app ar e n t as s e rti o ns


,

t o t h e c o ntr ary kn e w no P ahl av i w as as g o o d as


, ,

ig no r ant o f Ar abic and u s e d o nly au th o riti e s writt e n


,

3
in t h e P e r s i an o f his o w n day w e c an u nd e r s t and h is ,

difli cu lt y ab o u t h is m at e ri al s H e c o u ld m ak e no .

pr o gr e s s till h e h ad o bt ai ne d a c o py o f A b ii M ans ar s ’

S hah nam a p e rh ap s t h e id e ntic al c o py u s e d by Dak ik i


, .

Th e p o e t in fact s e e ms t o s p e ak o f his P ahl av i


1
C 1 74 6
, . E ng tr n p 10 8
2
N T x iii . a s , . .
3
, x .
70 IN TR O D U C TI ON
au th o riti e s as w e m ight s p e ak o f t h e H e br e w S cript u r e s ,

m e aning t h e Old T e s t am e nt th o u gh w e m ay kno w ,

the m o nly in t h e Engli s h v e r s i o n H is chi e f au th o rity .

w as d o u btl e s s t h e S h a hnam a o f A b a M ansu r which as ,

w e h av e s e e n h ad b e e n t rans e rn P e r s i an

dir e ctly fr o m P ahl av i o riginal s H e al s o u s e d as it .


,

w o u ld s e e m tr ansl ati o ns int o m o d e rn P e r s i an o f


,

Ar abic hi s t o ri e s th e m s e lve s tr ans l at e d fr o m P ahl av i


o rigi nal s C e rt ai n p as s age s in t h e S h ah nam a wh e r e
.
,

I bli s is s u b s tit u t e d fo r Ahri m an as t h e nam e o f t h e


e vil pri n cipl e m ay b e attrib u t e d with c o nfid e nc e t o
,
1
s u ch s e c o nd ary au th o riti e s P ahl av i o riginal s and .

Ar abic v e r s i o ns h av e alik e di s app e ar e d and t h e S hah ,

n a m a o f Fird au s i which al o ne s u rviv e s o f all t h e m any


,

S h ah nam as th at o nc e e xi s t e d h as no w b e c o m e t h e ,

pri ncip al s t o r e h ou s e o f Irani an l e g e nd and t h e l e adi ng ,

au th o rity o n t h e s u bj e ct Th e S h ah nam a o f F irdau s i .

th e n is a tr u e e pic no t a gre at p o e t s i nv e nti o n and , ,

t h e pr o o f is t o b e fo u n d in t h e natu r e o f h is s u bj e ct
m att e r and in h is o wn w o rd s H e e xpr e s s ly di s cl ai m s .

all o rigi nality t e lling u s th at t h e t al e h ad all b e e n t o ld


,

b e fo r e and th at all t h e fr u it th at h ad fall e n in t h e


,

g ard e n o f knowl e dg e h ad b e e n alr e ady g arne r e d H is .

s h ar e w as t o m o u ld i n t o s o ng t h e e p o s o f h is nativ e

l and s c o r ning no t al e h o we v e r l o wly and p u tti ng t h e


, , ,

2
b e s t and p u r e s t i nt e rpr e t ati o n o n all th at h e fo u nd .

1
With a fe w ex c pti
e o ns which will c o me up fo r no tic e in du e c r ou se .

2
p
Th e Zandav as t a it i Bi bl in r i O f t h as we oss e ss s a e u ns . e tw nty e

on N ek B k as f w hich it i
s or id t h c i t d ly t w
oo s o s sa o av e o ns s e on o are

ext t in th ir tir ty nd th t w
an e pr ci l y th which t h
en e , a ese o are e se ose e

M gi w a ld k w b t—t h l w f c r m i l b r c nd t h
ou no es e a o e e on a O se v an es , a e

h ymn nd lit i m t fr q ntl y d i p blic w r hip I n ddi


s a an e s os e ue u se n u o s . a

ti w h fr g m t f m t f t h th r nd c rt i n mm ri
on e av e a en s o os o e o e s, a e a su a e s,

p r phr
a a nd c m m t n th m i P hl i w hich n bl
as e s , a o t en s o e n a av e a e us o

f rm f ir n ti n f t h g n r l c nt nt f t h Z nd t
o a a o o o e e e a o e s o e a av as a as a

wh l Tho et h Di k
. d A ct
us f t h F ith c nt i
e m m ry
n ar or s o e a o a ns a s u a

of ni n t n f t h tw t y n N k whil t h B nd hi h
e ee o e O rigi n l
en -
o e as s, e e u a s or a

C r ti n pr r f
ea o th cc nt f t h cr ti n it w t l d
ese ve s or u s e a ou o e ea o as as o

in t h l t Dam dad N k C r t r pr d c d ”
e os as or ea u e s o u e .
72 IN TRO D U C TI O N
Th e po s itio n o f t h e M e d e s o n t h e Ar as e xpl ai ns
h o w t h e i n c u r s i o ns i nt o A z arb ij an o f t h e A s s yri ans
in e arly and o f t h e Ar ab s in l at e r ti me s c am e t o b e
, ,

e m b o di e d in t h e s t o ry h o w w e c o m e t o h av e t h e,

w ar s with t h e Taranians br o u ght s o pr o m i ne ntly


b e fo r e u s why t h e arch e ne my Afra s iyab is r e c o rd e d
,
-

t o h av e b e e n t ak e n pri s o n e r in l ak e U ru m iah and ,

why t h e writ e r o f t h e Ar m e ni an hi s t o ry wh o p as s e s
u n d e r t h e nam e o f M o s e s o f Ch o re ne c o u pl e s t h e t wo

gr e at e ne mi e s o f t h e M e d e s in h is acc o u n t o f P e r s i an
fabl e Q u id au t e m tibi s u nt v o lu pt at i v il e s ac v anae
” 1
de By ras pe A s t y age fab u lae ? By ras p o r Biwaras p
is t h e P ahl av i t e r m fo r Z ahh ak A s t y age s w as t h e .

gr e at Taranian ki ng o f E k b at ana and s o m e ti m e o v e r


l o rd o f Cyr u s Th e v as t s p ac e s and r e gi o ns o f t h e
.

O x u s h av e alw ay s b e e n a di ffic u lty t o t h e s t u d e nt o f


t h e S ha h nam a b u t s u b s titu t e t h e c o m p ar ativ e ly narr o w
,

ar e a b e tw e e n t h e C as pi an and t h e Eu xi ne and m u ch
?
is e xpl ai ne d
Th u s far F irdau s i fo ll o w s t h e o ld Ira ni an c o s mo g ony .

I n t h e c as e o f t h e h e av e ns h e r ej e ct s it ; and it s fo u r
h e av e ns o f t h e S t ar s o f t h e M o o n o f t h e S u n and o f
t h e E ndl e s s Light s b e c o m e n ine in t h e p o e m—th o s e
, , ,

o f t h e s e v e n pl ane t s o f t h e ang e l s and o f t h e thr o ne


, ,

of G od . Th e s e h e av e ns w e r e s u pp o s e d t o b e cry s t al
li ne s ph e r e s with i nd e p e nd e nt m o ti o ns and fitti ng o ne
ins id e ano th e r lik e Chine s e b o x e s Th e s e v e n pl ane t s .

ar e t h e S u n M o o n M e rc u ry M ar s V e nu s J u pit e r and
, , , , , ,

S at u r n .

Fird au s i t o o k h is i mag e ry chi e fly fro m t h e anci e nt


c o s m og o ny o r fr o m t h e natu r al fe at u r e s o f h is nativ e
,

l and A S hah s d o m ini o n e xt e nd s fr o m t h e M oo n t o


.

t h e Fi s h o r all t h e S e v e n Cli m e s o b e y him


,
Ar m i e s .

s tr e tch fr o m m o u nt ai n t o m o u nt ain o r fr o m s e a t o s e a ,
.

Th e

Th e w arri o r s h e ad s t o u ch t h e S u n o r S at u rn .

1
M osis Cho re m n s is , e d. Whi s t o n , 77
.

2
DZA , i
In o d . tr . l .
IN TRO D U C TI O N 73

warri o r s th e m s e lv e s are o r are like m o u nt ains li o ns , , , ,

e l e ph ant s l e o p ard s and cr o c o dil e s th e y l e v e l t h e hill s


, , ,

with th e ir b attl e cri e s and pi e rc e w ith th e ir s p e ar s


-

t h e h e ar t s o f fl int s Th e ir p al ac e s and c as tl e s b ar t h e
.

e agl e s flight ri s e ab o v e t h e cl o u d s o r h o ld c o nv e r s e

with t h e s t ar s Tr o o p s thr o ng like l o c u s t s and ant s


.
,

and e v e n gnat s c an fi nd no r o o m t o p as s th e m In .

b attl e t h e fi e ld o r e v e n t h e wh o l e w o rld is a s e a o r
s tr e am o f g o r e A tig e r b e s trid e s an e l e ph ant and
.

br andi s h e s a cr o c o dil e which b e ing in t e rpr e t e d m e ans ,

th at a c av ali e r w ave s his s w o rd S w o rd s t o o are o r .


,

are lik e di am o n d s ; whil e s p e ar s t u r n t h e e arth t o a


,

r e e d b e d O ne h o r s e is s o k e e n o f s ight th at it c an s e e
-
.


an ant s fo o t o n bl ack cl o th at night t w o l e ag u e s aw ay .

R apid m o tio n is c o m p ar e d t o fire o r t o it s s pirit


A z argas h as p w h o is o ft e n an e q u iv al e nt fo r t h e
,

light ning t o wi nd s mo k e o r d u s t t h e l as t b e i ng t h e
, , , ,

c o mm o ne s t fig u re in t h e p o e m Th e r e ad e r lik e t h e .
,

p o e t will find it u biqu it o u s and will no t fail t o no tic e in


, ,

t h e acc o u nt s o f m arch e s b attl e fi e ld s and s i ngl e c o m b at s , , .

& c th at th e s k y s u n m o o n & c are s aid t o gr o w like


, , , .
,

i ndig o o r e b o ny o r t o b e c o m e v e il e d or t o t u rn d ark
,

at no o nd ay & c Th e all u s i o n is t o t h e d u s t
,
. To s ay .

th at t h e air d ark e ne d is o ft e n m e r e ly ano th e r w ay o f


s aying th at t h e d u s t r o s e ; and b o th and ki n dr e d e x ,

pr e s s i o ns are in c o ns t ant u s e t o i ndic at e th at h o s t s


,

o r in divid u al s h av e s e t fo rth o n s o m e e xpe diti o n ,

are appr o achi ng o r e ng agi ng in b attl e & c O pp o s e d


t o t h e d u s t —t h e e ne m y is w at e r — t h e fri e n d
.
,

Wh e r e , .


l and and w at e r are my tr e as u r e is s ays o ne o f t h e ,

S hah s in t h e p o e m and t h e p o e t c o m p ar e s t h e j o y ,


o f h avi ng o ne s w o rk appr o v e d by t h e wi s e t o th at o f

s e e i ng pl e n t y o f w at e r in o ne s o wn c anal

C o ns e .

qu e ntly it is no t t h e blu e b u t t h e cl o u dy s k y th at
d e light s t h e Pe r s i an e y e and S pri ng with it s cl o u d s
,
, ,

and th u nd e r s h o w e r s fl o w e r s and v e rd u r e is t h e
-

, , ,

fav o u rit e s e as o n Th e h and o f M ah mad . s ays t h e



,
74 I N TR O D U C TI O N

p oe t , is
lik e a cl o u d in s p ring Pe rp e tu al s pring
.

is t h e P e r s i an s no ti o n o f a p e rfec t cli m at e

A king .

ad o r ns h is r o s e g ard e n lik e s pr ing 1 6 h e s u mm o ns


, .

all h is gr e at m e n ab o u t h im and h o ld s a c o u rt .

Th e P e r s i an y e ar b e g an with t h e s pri ng and t h e ,

b e g inni ng o f t h e N e w Y e ar was a s e as o n o f rej o ici ng .

Th e c h e ck in j o y o r h e alth is lik e t h e r o s e t u lip , ,

p o m e gr anat e o r J u d as tr e e bl o s s o ms in fe ar o r p as s i o n
,
-

lik e tho s e o f j as m i ne o r fe nu gre e k o r as c o l ou rl e s s,

as s and ar ach t he tr ans p ar e n t gu m o f t h e Ca llitris


,

Q uadr im lois o f w hich p o u nc e is m ad e


f

, I n p as s i o n .
,

t o o o r fe ar t h e b o dy s h ak e s lik e a will o w tr e e t h e
,
-

h e art and l1v e r b e c o m e fu ll o f bl o o d t h e v e i ns thr o b ,

and t h e bl o o d it s e lf b o il s Th e narci s s u s b e d e w s t h e
.

r o s e wh e n b e au ty w e e p s S t at u r e is lik e t h e cypr e ss
.
,

which is al s o t h e tr e e o f t h e bu ri al gr o u nd t h e tr ee -

o f p o s th u m o u s fam e o r lik e t h e
,
t e ak I n o ld age .

t h e s tr aight s t e mm e d cypr e s s s t o o p s
-
A yo u th o f .
.

pr o m i s e is a s apli ng b e ari ng it s fir s t fr u it s To .

t ak e any i m p o rt ant s t e p is t o pl an t a tr e e it m ay
b e o f r e v e ng e o r o f s o m e pr u d e nt ac t o f p o licy ,

and t h e fr u it o f t h e tr e e will acc o rdi ng t o circ u m

s t an c e s t u r n o u t t o b e e ith e r g e m s o r c o l o cyn th Th e .

p o e t is fo nd o f m o r ali s i ng o n life it s tr ans i e n t natu r e


,

and vici s s it u d e s H is fav o u rit e fig u r e fo r t h e fo r m e r is


.

t h e w ay s id e c ar av ans e r ai o r inn wh e r e as pilgri m s o r


tr av e ll e r s w e s oj o u rn fo r a bri e f s p ac e and th e n ,

d e p arti ng yi e ld o u r r o o m t o o th e r s ; fo r t h e l att e r h e
app e al s t o t h e c o nfig u r ati o n o f h is nativ e l an d — t he
a pp ar e ntly e ndl e s s al t e rnati o n o f as c e nt and d e s c e n t

with which all w h o h av e s oj o u r ne d in th o s e p art s are


w e ll acq u ai nt e d —o r by a h o lde r flight de s c rib e s h o w f

a m an is r ai s e d t o S at u r n o r t h e Pl e i ad e s o nly t o b e

fl u ng int o t h e ditch o r t o t h e Fi s h— t h e myth o l o gic al


o ne r e fe rr e d t o ab o v e .

L ik e o th e r p o e t s Fird au s i s uffe r e d fr o m t h e c o n
s tr ai nt o f rhy m e Wh e n fo r i ns t anc e we find B alkh
. ,
IN TRO D U C TI ON 75


at t he e nd o f o ne h e m i s tich of a
c ou pl e t t alkh is ,

pre tty c e rt ain t o b e at t h e e nd o f t h e o th e r and as ,


t alkh m e ans bitt e r t h e s e ns e o f s u ch p as s age s is

a t t o b e s tr ai ne d
p S.i m il arly t h e ch ang e s are r u ng with

gr e at fr e qu e ncy o n t h e w o rd s nil ( indig o o r t h e Nil e ) ,

m il ( a m il e) and,
p il ( an e l e ph an t ) as v ers e

e nding s . Th e fir s t o f th e s e thr e e w o rd s is o ne o f t h e

tr ans l at o r s th o r ns in t h e fl e s h t h e p o e t u s ing it in ,

s o m any diffe r e nt c o nne cti ons th at it is i m p o s s ibl e t o

fi nd a fo r m u l a o f e xpl anati o n th at will c o v e r th e m all .

R e lie f fr o m an Englis h p o i n t o f vi e w is s om e tim e s o b


t aine d by s u b s tit u ti ng with M o hl ,
bl u e s e a fo r R ive r
,


Nil e b u t t h e b e s t antido t e as Firdau s i w ou ld s ay fo r
, , ,

t h e b ane o f t h e w o rd is B u tl e r s c o u pl e t

Fo rrhy m t h e ru dde r is o f e r es
e v s ,

With which lik e s hip s th e y te r th e i r c o rs e


, ,
s e u s .

In o th e r w o rd s t h e p o e t u s e s nil fo r t h e s o u nd mo r e
,

o ft e n th an fo r t h e s e ns e and tr ans l at o r and r e ad e r


,

alik e m u s t t ak e t h e c o ns e qu e nc e ; b u t th e y ar e at all

e v e nt s e x o n e r at e d fr o m s e e ki ng in s u ch p as s ag e s fo r

s o m e r e c o ndit e m e ani ng w hich F irdau s i hi m s e lf n e v e r

i nt e nd e d t o c o nve y .
CHAPT E R I II

TE XT AND TR A N S LA TI O N

U P to b e gi nning o f l as t c e ntu ry t he S h ahnam a


t he
e xi s t e d in M S o nly S in c e th e n fi v e m o r e o r l e s s
. .

c o m pl e t e e diti o ns h ave app e ar e d in prin t


i I n 1 8 0 8 Dr L u m s d e n u nd e rto o k t o s u p e ri nt e nd
.

an e diti o n o f t h e p o e m o ne v o l u m e o f which w as ,

p u bli s h e d at C alc u tt a in 1 8 1 1 b u t t h e p u blic ati o n ,

w e nt no fu rth e r This e diti o n will b e r e fe rr e d t o


.

as L .

ii I n 1 8 2 9 T u r ne r M ac an w h o m u s t alw ay s
.
,

h o ld t h e pl ac e o f h o no u r am o ng t h e e dit o r s o f t he
p o e m aft e r d e v o t e d l ab o u r in c o ll ati o n o f M S S
,
.
,

p u bli s h e d at C alc u tt a in fo u r vo l u m e s t h e fir s t and


o nly c o m pl e t e e diti o n t h e e arli e r po rti o n o f t h e t e xt
,

b e i ng b as e d o n th at o f L Thi s e ditio n will b e r e fe rr e d .

t o as C .

iii I n 1 8 3 8 J u l e s M o hl p u bli s h e d t h e fir s t vo l u m e
.

o f his m o s t s u m pt u o u s e diti o n at t h e e xp e ns e o f t h e

Fr e nch g o v e r nm e nt S ix v o l u m e s h av e app e ar e d ;
.

b u t t h e w o rk w as ne v e r fi ni s h e d o win g t o t h e d e ath o f
t h e e dit o r Thi s e diti on is b as e d o n an i nd e p e nd e nt
.

c oll atio n o f M S S and i ncl u d e s a Fr e nch pro s e t rans la


1
tio n as w e ll as t h e P e r s i an t e xt Thi s e di t i o n will b e .

r e fe rr e d t o as P .

iv I n 1 8 5 0 a c o m pl e t e lith o gr aph e d e diti on in o ne


.

v o l u m e fo li o e dit e d by M u hamm ad M ahdi a nativ e o f


, ,

1
h l d b dd d th t t h Fr nch tr n l ti h b n c mpl t d
It s ou e a e a e e a s a on as ee o e e

by M B b i r d M y n rd fr m t h t xt f C nd t h wh l t n l
. ar e e e a o e e o , a e o e ra s a

ti n h b n p b li h d p r t l y by t h l t M d m M hl
o as ee u s e se a a e e a e a a e o .

76
IN TR O D U C TI ON 77

I s p ahan w as p u bli s h e d at Tihran Th e t e xt is a re


,
,

pr int o f th at o f C with o cc as io nal v ariat io ns s o m e o f


, ,
~

which are o f v al u e Thi s e diti o n will b e r e fe rr e d t o


.

as T .

v I n 1 8 77 J A V u lle rs p u bli s h e d t h e fir s t v o l u m e
. . .

o f h is e diti o n and t w o o th e r
, v o l u m e s h av e s i nc e
app e ar e d Th e p u blic ati o n o f t h e third v o l u m e
.

w as i nt e rr u pt e d by t h e l am e nt e d d e ath o f t h e e dit o r ,

b u t h as s in c e b e e n c o m pl e t e d fr o m t h e m at e ri al s
l e ft by h im by S amu e l Li nd au e r Ev e n thu s t h e .

e diti o n c o n t ai ns o nly ab o u t t h e fir s t h alf o f t h e e ntir e

p o e m Thi s e diti o n is b as e d o n t h e c o ll ati o n o f t h e


.

t e x t s o f C and P with o cc as i o nal r e adi ngs fr o m L


,

and T and o th e r s o u rc e s
,
Thi s e diti o n will b e r e fe rr e d
.

t o as V .

Th e o nly c o m pl e t e Eu r o p e an tr ans l ati o n s o f t h e


S h ah nam a hith e rt o p u bli s h e d are t h e Fr e nch o ne
ab o v e m e nti o ne d and an I t ali an o ne in v e r s e by
S igno r Pi zz i Tr ans l ati o ns and s u mm ari e s of p o rti o ns
.

o f t h e p o e m h av e app e ar e d in E ngli s h and G e r m an .

Th e i nd u lg e nc e b o th o f t h e P e r s i an s ch o l ar and o f
t h e E ngli s h r e ad e r is as k e d o n b e h alf o f thi s t h e fir s t
Engli s h tr ans l ati o n o f t h e p o e m as a wh o l e in vi e w
o f t h e m ag nit u d e and diffic u lty o f t h e u n d e rt aki ng .

O u r pri m e o bj e ct h as b e e n t o pr o d u c e a cl e ar and
i nt e lligibl e r e nd e ring and with thi s e nd in v i e w w e
,

h av e fo u nd it ne e dfu l t o di s p e ns e with c e rt ai n re
du ndanc e s in t h e o rigi nal All th e s e pr o b ably m ay b e
gr o u p e d u nd e r t h e fo ll o wi ng h e ad s —v ari an t c o rr u pt
.

, ,

and s p u ri o u s p as s ag e s ; r e p e titi o ns t au t o l o gi e s and , ,

pl atitu d e s ; and idi o m atic and gr ammatic al c o ns tr u e


ti o ns th at pr o v e d i ntr act abl e Th o s e wh o are ao.

u aint e d with t h o rig inal will r e adily n d r t n d


q e u e s a

wh at th e s e e m is s io ns am ou nt t o ; th o s e u nacqu ai nt e d
with it m ay e as ily fi nd o u t by c o m p ari ng o u r ve r s i o n
with th at o f M M o hl B o th will w e think ad m it
. .
, ,

th at w e h av e l e ft t h e fabl e ab s ol u t e ly i nt act th at ,
78 IN TR O D U C TI ON
we h ave s cr u pu l ou s ly avo id e d c u tti ng t o t h e q u ick “

and h av e d on e no thing t o fo rfe it o u r cl ai m t o c all


thi s t h e firs t c o mpl e t e Engli s h tr ans l ati o n o f t h e
S h ah nam a .

O ur v e r s i o n is m e tric al p artly rhy me d and p artly


,

u nrhy m e d Th e rhy m e d p o rti on c ons i s t s o f pr e l u d e s


.
,

ap o l o gu e s s ayi ng s o f wi s e m e n s o ng s
, t e r m i nal c ou p
, ,

l e t s p as s ag e s in which t h e p o e t S p e ak s in h is o wn
,

p e r s o n and s o me o th e r s th at s e e m e d t o l e nd th e m
,

s e lv e s t o s u ch tr e at m e n t Th e s e fo r m a v e ry s m all
.

p art o f t h e wh o l e and are g e ne r ally li ne for line with


,

t h e o rigi nal th ou gh c o u pl e t s o r h e m i s tich s m ay b e


,

s o m e ti m e s i nv e rt e d fo r c o nv e ni e n c e in r e nd e ri ng We .

h av e ch ang e d t h e m e tr e o cc as i o nally p artly fo r t h e


s ak e o f v ari e ty p artly t o s u it t h e ch ar act e r o f di f
,
fe r e nt
p as s ag e s and p artly fo r o u r o wn r e fr e s h m e nt and
,

am u s e me n t Th e r e ad e r s h ou ld
. h o we v e r cl e arly
, ,

u nd e r s t and t h at a ch ang e o f m e tr e s i m pli e s no c o r

r e s p o nding ch ang e ih t h e o riginal o f which t h e m e tr e ,

is t h e s am e thr o u gh ou t .

Th e u nrhy m e d p o rti o n which fo r m s t h e b u lk o f,

t h e tr ans l ati o n and d o e s no t as pir e t o t h e dig nity o f


,

b e ing c all e d bl ank v e r s e is m o r e c o nd e ns e d th an t h e


,

rhy me d th o u gh t h e pr o p o rti on o f Engli s h t o P e r s i an


,

is c o ns t antly v aryi ng ; s o m e ti m e s a wh o l e c o u pl e t in
t h e o rigi nal is b e s t e xpr e ss e d by a s i ngl e lin e in t h e
tr ans l ati o n ; s o m e ti m e s a li ne and a h alf t w o line s o r ,

m o r e in t h e tr ans l ati o n go t o t h e c o u pl e t in t h e
o rigi nal .Th e av e r ag e m ay b e r o u ghly s t at e d as thr e e
Engli s h line s t o t w o P e r s i an c o u pl e t s Th e r e s u lt o f.

th e s e vari o u s e c o no mics is th at o u r tr ans l ati o n is s o m e


tw e nty fi v e pe r c e nt s h ort e r th an o th e rwi s e it w ou ld
-
.

h ave b e e n .

We h ave foll o w e d t h e t e xt o f V as far as it g o e s ,

s il e ntly in c o rp o r atin g w ith it all t h e ch ang e s and


additi o ns m ad e by t h e e dit o r hi m s e lf in his no t e s
and in h is App arat u s Critic u s at t h e e nd o f his fir s t
80 I N TR O D U C TI O N

c o u r s e thi s in vo lve s a c e rt ai n am o u nt o f i nt e rpr e t a


ti o n and diffe r e n c e s o f O pi ni o n in s o m e c as e s le git ig
,

m at e ly m ay e xi s t as t o w h o o r wh at t h e p e r s o n o r
thi ng r e fe rr e d t o m ay b e O n t h e o th e r h and w e .
,

o ft e n fi nd a n o u n wh e r e in E ngli s h w e s h o u ld u s e a

pr o no u n and w e h av e c o ns t antly m ad e t h e s u b s t it u
,

ti o n in p as s ag e s wh e r e no d ou bt c an ari s e in t h e
r e ad e r s m i nd Ag ai n t h e c o u pl e t fo r m in which t h e

.
-

p o e m is wri tt e n h as a t e nd e ncy t o br e ak it u p i nt o
a s u cc e s s i o n o f s h o rt s e n t e nc e s and thi s ad de d t o t h e , ,

ab o v e m e nti o ne d u s e o f t h e no u n wh e r e w e s h o u ld
-

nat u r ally u s e t h e pr o nou n and t o t he p au city o f c o n


me e ti ng p articl e s fr e q u e ntly m ak e s t h e tr ans i t i o n fr o m
,

s e nt e n c e t o s e nt e nc e s o m e wh at abr u pt and t h e li ne

o f th o u ght diffic u lt t o fo ll o w O ft e n w e h av e c arri e d .

o n s e nt e n c e s by t h e additi o n o f c o nne cti ng p articl e s

which are no t in t h e o riginal .

4 W. e d e s ir e t o m a k e s o m e e xpl anati o ns wi t h

r e g ard t o c e rt ai n i m p o rt ant w o rd s in t h e o rigi nal .

i an d Z a mz am By th e s e t e r.m s is k no w n a

c e rt ai n pr actic e o f Z o r o as tri ans which m ay b e p ar a



phr as e d in E ngli s h as t aki ng pr aye r i nw ardly .

B e fo r e e ating w as hin g & c it is c u s t o m ary t o m u tt e r


, . .
,

t h e b e gi nni ng o f s o m e s acr e d fo r m u l a t o c arry thr o u gh ,

t h e o p e r ati o n in c o m pl e t e s il e nc e and th e n t o u tt e r ,

t h e r e s t o f t h e fo r m u l a al ou d
1
We h av e e m pl o y e d .

s u ch e xpr e s s i o ns as m u tt e ri ng o r m u tt e r e d pr ay e r
t o d e s crib e t h e pr actic e I t is s o m e ti m e s u s e d as
.

a pr e t e xt fo r o bt ai ning a fe w m o m e nt s

privat e c on
v e r s ati o n .

Bars a m Thi s w as fo r m e rly a b u ndl e o f twig s b u t


. ,

no w o f m e t al wir e s v aryi ng in nu m b e r acc o rdi ng t o

circ u m s t anc e s h e ld in t h e h and d u ri ng t h e p e rfo r m


,

?
an c e o f c e rt ai n r e ligi o u s rit e s o f t h e Z o r o as tri ans
Th e pr actic e is cl e arly r e fe rr e d t o in E z e ki e l viii 1 6 .
,

1 7 . We tr ans l at e Bars am by t h e s acr e d twigs ” “


.

1
WPT, ii . 1 34 .
2
H E P, 39 7 , & c .
IN T R O D U C TI O N 81

Dakhma Fir daus i d o e s no t u s e thi s w o rd in it s


pro p e r s e ns e —th at in whi ch it is s till u s e d by t h e
.

P ar s is at t h e pr e s e nt day — b u t in th at o f m au s o l e u m ,

1
ch ar ne l or ch arne l ho us e and w e h av e s o tr ans l at e d it
,
-

, .

Dihkan : Th e ge ne r al s e ns e o f thi s w o rd is th at o f
.

c o u ntrym an as di s ti ngu i s h e d fro m t o wns m an O wi ng .


,

h o w e v e r t o t h e fact th at t h e r u r al clas s in Ira n as


,

e l s e wh e r e w e r e t h e chi e f r e p o s it o ri e s o f t h e tr aditi o ns

and fo lkl or e o f th e ir nativ e l and which w e r e h and e d ,

d o wn o r ally and r e cit e d at l o c al g ath e ri ngs by t h e s e


b e s t q u alifi e d fo r t h e t as k t h e w o rd c am e t o h ave t h e ,

s e c o nd ary m e an i ng o f h ard o r m ins tr e l and w e h av e ,

r e nd e r e d it acc o rdi ng t o it s fir s t o r s e co nd ary m e aning


as t h e s e ns e o f t h e p as s ag e r e q u ir e d .

Di nar and Diram O f th es e t h e dinar w as a g o ld.

and t h e dir am a s ilve r c o in Th e Attic dr ach m a w as .

m ad e t h e b as i s o f h is m o ne t ary s ys t e m by Al e x and e r
t h e Gr e at and P e r s i a p o s s es s e d no n ativ e go ld c o inag e
,

till m o r e th an fi v e c e ntu ri e s l at e r I t th e n o bt ai ne d .

o ne by a ccid e nt By t h e t e r m s o f pe ac e b e tw e e n
.

A rdaw an ( A rt ab anu s ) t h e l as t P arthi an m o narch and , ,

t h e Em p e r o r M acrinu s aft e r t h e gr e at b attl e o f Ni s ibi s ,

in A D 2 1 7 t h e l att e r agr e e d t o pay t o t h e fo r m e r


. .
,

an i nd e m nity o f m o r e th an a m illi o n and a h alf o f

o u r m o ne y Th e s u m s e e m s t o h av e b e e n chi e fly
.

p aid in au re i C o ns e qu e ntly wh e n A rds h ir Pap akan


.

( Art ax e rx e s ) b e c am e t h e fir s t S hah o f t h e ne w nativ e


P e r si an ( s asani an) dyn as ty in A D 2 2 6 h e fo u nd t h e . .

c o u ntry fl oo d e d with t wo di s tinct c oin ag e s with no


r e c o gni s e d r e l ati o n b e twe e n the m e xc e pt t h e r o u gh
and r e ady o ne o f c o m m e rc e H e s e e m s t o h av e .

l e ft matt e r s t o s e ttl e th e mse lv e s and in h is o w n ,

c oi nag e fo ll o w e d t h e type o f t h e au r e u s fo r h is go ld
c o ins and th at o f t h e dr ach ma fo r h is s ilve r 2
Th e

1 A f ll c
u ac o un t of t h e Dak hm a in t h e pr p r e e s e ns e o f t he w rd wil l
o

be f o u nd in DFK H P, i . 1 92 —
213 .

2
R S M , 69 .
82 IN TRO D U C TI O N

e xpr e s s i o n dinar s and dir am s is one fre qu e ntl y

.
.

m e t with in t h e p o e m and as it is r ath e r an in ,

c o nv e ni e nt o ne m e tric ally w e h av e s u b s titu t e d t h e


” ”
o ld e r fo r m dr ach m fo r dir am

.

pa We r e t ain this w o rd as in th e o riginal


. .

Wh e n s p e lt with a c apit al it is t o b e r e g arde d as e qu iv a


l e n t t o A hri m an or I bl is e xc e pt in t h e c oll o c ati ons ,
” ”

Bl ack Div and Whit e Div Wh e n s p e lt with

.

a s m all l e tt e r it m a m e an e ith e r a d e m on o r a
y
me m b e r o f s o me s av ag e o r o u tl andi s h trib e 1
.


F a rr Th e . farr w as r e g ard e d as t h e s p e ci al

divi ne e nd o w me nt o f t h e Irani an r ac e — t h e favo u r e d


p e o pl e o f U rmu z d— and as an o bj e ct o f e nvy o r am bi
ti o n t o t h e ne ighb o u ri ng p e o pl e s I t w as r e g ard e d in .

t h e Z andav as t a as s o m e thi ng m at e ri al th at c ou ld b e ,

s o u ght s e i z e d and c arri e d o f


,
f and e v e n in t h e S h ah nama
, ,

w e fi nd a fe w o cc as i o ns wh e n it as s u me s a vi s ibl e
fo r m E ach o f t h e thr e e prim itiv e c as t e s i nt o which
.

t h e Ira ni ans w e r e divid e d h ad it s o w n s p e ci al



farr “
,

whil e t h e S hah u nit e d all thr e e in his o wn pe r s o n and ,


t h e p o s s e s s i o n o f t h e thr e e fo ld farr c o ns titu t e d “

h is titl e t o t h e thr o ne Th e r e is an i ns t an c e in t h e
.

pr e s e n t v o l u m e wh e r e aft e r t h e d e ath o f a S hah hi s


t w o s ons are b o th p as s e d o v e r in t h e s u cc e s s i o n as no t

b e ing p o s s e s s e d o f t h e farr Fir d au s i it s h o u ld b e

. ,

no t e d giv e s hi m s e lf gr e at l atit u d e in t h e u s e o f this


,

and m any o th e r e xpr e s s i o ns b u t wh e r e v e r t h e w o rd ,

app e ar s t o b e u s e d in it s c orr e ct s e ns e w e r e nd e r it

by Gr ac e o r Gl o ry
“ “
.

Fars ang Th e far s ang is a m e asu r e o f l e ngth and


.
,

w e h av e alw ay s tr ans l at e d it as l e agu e alth o u gh it “


,

is ab o u t thr e e qu art e r s o f a m il e l o ng e r th an o u r
-

Engli s h l e ag u e .

Khil at Th e w o rd pr o pe rly m e ans a r o b e b e s t o w e d


by a r u l e r fr o m h is o w n w ardr o b e o n s o me o ne as a
s ig n o f s p e ci al favo u r A s it w as acc o mp ani e d by .

C f t h C hin
1
xpr i n f r ign d il
. e es e e ess o o e ev s .
84 I N TRO D U C I ON T
h o w e v e r o u r fairy and fay are t h e ne ar e s t E ngl is h
,

e q u iv al e nt s and w e h av e s o r e nd e r e d t h e w o rd
, .

We tr ans l at e t h is w o rd by c am p e n

S ar apa rda .
-


cl o s u r e Th e s arap ard a w as a s cr e e n o f c anv as o r
.

o th e r m at e ri al e n circl ing an e nc am p m e n t .

5 S o me o f t h e chi e f ch ar act e r s in t h e p o e m are


.

kno w n in t h e o riginal by s e v e r al titl e s Zal t h e .


,

fath e r o f R u s t am is al s o c all e d Zal i Z ar D as tan i ,


~ -

,
-

Z and D as tan i S am o r s i m ply D as tan ; R u s t am him


,
- -

s e lf is fr e q u e n tly r e fe rr e d t o as t h e s o n o f z a l t he

E l e ph ant b o di e d t h e M atchl e s s & c


-

and th e r e are
, , .
,

o th e r i ns t anc e s o f d u plic at e n ame s To fo ll o w t h e .

o rigi nal in thi s r e s pe ct w o u ld i n v olve t h e Engli s h


r e ad e r in h o p e l e s s c onfu s io n and w e h av e th e r e fo r e ,

in s u ch c as e s s e l e ct e d o ne nam e fo r a ch ar act e r and


k e pt t o it o r if w e e m pl o y a d u plic at e w e o nly do it
,

in s u ch a c o nt e xt th at no d ou bt is p o s s ibl e as t o t h e
id e n tity o f t h e p e r s o n r e fe rr e d t o .

Ag ain t h e p o e t u s e s t h e w o rd S hah in a v e ry wid e


,

c o nne cti o n b u t w e e m pl o y it o nly wh e n o ne o f t h e fo rty


,

nine r u l e r s o f Ira n o r t h e S u lta n M ah m ud is r e fe rr e d


to . Wh e r e t h e w o rd is appli e d t o o th e r s th an t h e
ab o v e w e tr ans l at e it by ki ng or m o narch &c we , .

h av e c arri e d o u t t h e s am e principl e in o th e r c as e s
wh e r e it s e e me d t o u s th at o b s c u rity might ari s e .

Th e ab o v e are m e r e ly giv e n as i ns t anc e s .

6 With r e g ard t o t h e s p e lling o f pr o p e r nam e s w e


.

h av e fo ll o w e d t h e o riginal with a fe w e xc e pti o ns We .

h av e k e pt C ae s ar i ns t e ad o f K ai s ar R u m an i ns t e ad o f ,

R u m i I ndi an ins t e ad o f Hindi and th e r e m ay b e a


, ,

l
fe w m o r e i ns t an c e s .

Fo r Khaka n w e i nv ari ably s u b s titu t e t h e s h o rt e r


fo r m Khan as t h e e xpr e s s i o n t h e Khakan o f Ch in
,

is i nc o nv e ni e nt m e tric ally .

1 tr lit r ti n f pr p r n m t h b t r l
In the ans e a o o e e a es e es u e s e e ms to b e
to r t i n t h th r ghl y f mili r in th ir f mili r f rm
e a e o ou a a e a a o s. Fo r t h e
E ngli h r d r C r i d i b tt r th n K i r i d more

s ea e e sa
a sa s e e a a sa sa ,
o r,

c rr ctly Q i r i d
o e ,
a sa sa .

TN TR O D U C TI ON 85

In th e P e r s ian t h e l e tt e r k in t h e w o rd Kab u l fo r
'

i ns tan c e is a diffe r e nt l e tt e r fr o m th at b e ginni ng t h e


.

nam e o f t h e h e r o Kar an whi c h in acc o rd t o pr e s e nt


,

usa e g s h ou ld b e S p e lt Q ar an S i m il arly t h e z in t he
,
.
. a

Word zabu l is a diffe r e nt l e tt e r fr o m th at in A z argas h as p ,

b u t w e th o u ght th at o n t h e wh o l e it w as b e tt e r no t t o
m ak e s u ch di s t incti o ns .

7 I n c as e s in which it s e e m e d t o u s th at am bigu ity


.

m ight ari s e w e h av e s p e lt w o rd s u s e d m e t aph o ric ally


with a c apit al l e tt e r .

8 Th o s e w h o d e s ir e t o c o m p ar e o ur tr ans l atio n
.

with t h e o riginal will fi nd o n t h e p age s o f t h e fo r m e r


r e fe r e nc e s t o t h e c o rre s p o ndi ng p ag e s o f t h e l att e r .

Fo r ins t anc e V 2 3 3 ag ai ns t a line in dic at e s t h e


,
.


b e ginning o f th at p age in Vu lle rs e ditio n o f t h e
t e xt .

9 A no t e o n pr o nu nci ati o n will b e fo u nd im


.

m e di at e ly pr e c e ding t h e tr ans l ati o n in e ach v o lu me .

1 0 Th e h e ading s o f t h e r e igns p art s and s e cti o ns


.
, ,

are r e pri nt e d at t h e e nd o f t h e vo l u m e t o s e rv e as a

T able o f C onte nt s .

1 1 A lis t o f s o me pr e vi ous tr ans l ati o ns t h e o ld


.
,

Pe r s i an c al e nd ar s o m e ge ne al o gic al t abl e s and a no t e


, ,

o n abbr e vi ati o ns are app e nd e d .

1 2 Finally w e h av e t o ask o u r r e ad e rs no t t o
.

j u dg e and in all pr o b ability c o nd e m n thi s w o rk o n t h e


, ,

s tr e ngth o f it s fir s t fe w p ag e s Th e Pr e l u de and t h e.

initi al re ign s are m o s t di ffi c u lt t o m ak e anything


o f in a tr ans l ati o n Thi s is no t wh o lly o u r o wn
.

fau lt Th e p o e t hi ms e lf as r e ad e rs o f t h e o rigin al
.
,

will b ear witne s s l ab o u r s h e avily e m b arr as s e d p e rh ap s


, ,

by t h e ch ar act e r o f his s u bj e ct m att e r Th e p o e m -


.

,

s ay s Pr o fe s s o r N Olde k e d o e s no t o bt ai n r e al l ife till


,

1
t h e r e ign o f J am s h id I n s pit e o f t h e h e r o ic t al e o f
.

Kaw a t he s m ith and t h e p ath e tic m i s adve nt u r e o f


,

Ir aj and mu ch e l s e th at is b o th c u ri ou s and in t e r e s t
,

1 N IN , 3 7

.
86 IN TR O D U C TI O N
ing we s h o u ld b e i ncline d t o pu t t h e b e gi nni ng o f
,

the r e al life l at e r s till At all e ve n ts t h e r e ad er



.

will fi nd t h e p o e m gr o wing in int e r e s t r e ign by


r e ign till p o e t and p o e m app e ar at th e ir b e s t in
t h e ch arm i ng t al e which fill s fo r u s t h e r e ig n o f
Minuch ihr .
TH E C A LENDA R

TH E o ld P e r s i an ye ar w as s o l ar and b e g an at t h e
v e rnal e q u i no x I t c o ns i s t e d o f 3 6 5 d ay s divid e d
.

i nt o 1 2 m o nth s o f 3 0 d ays e ach t h e fi v e e xtr a d ays ,

b e ing add e d aft e r t h e c o mpl e ti o n o f t h e tw e lfth m o nth


t o fill u p t h e ti m e t ill t h e s u n s h o u ld re e nt e r Ari e s -

and S pri ng and t h e n e w y e ar b e gi n o n t h e z l s t o f

M arch Each day o f t h e m o nth h ad it s Sp e ci al g e ni u s


.

p r idi ng v i t ft r w h m it w n me d th u s

e s o e r a e o as a , ,

Day U rmu z d
1 . Day 16 . M ih r .

n B a m an h . 17 . r h
S u as .

u A rdib ih is h t . 18 .

b S h ariv ar
-
. 19 . F r rdi n
a va .

p S apanda rmad . 20 . B h r am
a .

u
p Kh u rda d . 21 . Ram .

I) w M u rdad
.
,
Bad .

o
c Dai pa A dar . 23 . Dai pa Din .

9 A dar. . 24 .

Io A a n
. b . A rd .

1 1 K u rs d
. h hi . 26 . A sh t ad .

12 M ah . . 27 . A s man .

1 3 . Tir . 28 . Z amiy ad .

14 G as h
. . 29 . M ah ras pand .

1 5 Dai pa M
. ih r .

30 . A nairan .

Of the s e thirty g e nn tw e lv e w e r e ch o s e n to giv e


th e ir nam e s t o t h e mo nth s as w e ll thu s ,

M arch 21 to A pril 1 9 .

PRI N G A pril 20 M ay 19 .

M ay 20 J n 8
u e 1 .

J n 9
u e 1 J ly 8
u 1 .

S U MM ER J uly 9 1 A g t 7
u us 1 .

A g t
u us 18 S pt mb r
e e e 16 .
AN TR O D U C TI ON 89 i

t br 7
S ep em e 1 to Oct b r 6 o e 1 .

A U TUMN O ct b r 7
o e 1 N mb r
o ve e 15 .

N ov e mb r 6 e 1 D c mb r
e e e 1 5 .

D c emb r 6
e e 1

WI NT E R J n ary 5
a u 1 F br ry
e ua 13 .

Sapandarmad Febr ry 4 M rch 5


ua 1 a 1 .

Thu s t h e day S apan darm ad o f t h e m o nth Kh u rdad


w o u ld b e e qu ival e nt t o M ay 2 4 t h and t h e day Khu rdad
,

o f t h e m o nth S a anda rm ad t o F e br u ary 1 9 t h


p .

Ti m e w as re cko ne d by d ays and night s no t by night s ,

and d ay s as amo ng t h e J e w s and M u h amm ad ans .

Th e tw e nty fo u r h o firs o f t h e day and night w e r e


-

divid e d i nto e ight w atch e s o f thr e e h o u r s e ach .


90 IN TR O D U C TI ON

G ENE AL O GI CAL TAB LE O F THE PI S H DADI A N S

G AI UM A RT

H US HA N O

M ardas .

1 g e ne ra 3 g e ne ra

Pas hang .

R us t
am .
1
92 I N TR O D U CTI O N

TH E K I NG S A ND HE R O E S or T URAN
( S H AH N AM A BunDA HI S H C OM BIN ED )
‘ '

A ND .

PA S H A N G .

A f e ma l e de
s c e ndant o r

r l ti
e a ve : KA I KAU S

Pas ang
lh Jah n
l Farangis S iy aw us h
hi
.

( S da )

A daug e r ht K kha
u ra n.
Taz h av .

Th e rac e be co me s e x ct
ti ng .
ABB R EVI AT I O N S

C —M acan s ed i ti on o f th e S h ah nama

L—L u ms den s
.
.

do

.

P —
. .

M oh l s ’

T —Tih ran
.

A pl i n nd lit r l tr n l ti n f th A r bi n N ight
a a e a a s a o o e a a s

E n t rt i nm nt n w ntitl d t h B k f
e a Th nd e s, o e e e oo o a o u sa

N ight nd N ight & By R ich rd F B r t n


s a a ,
c . a . u o .

Th C h h ar M qal ( F r Di c r
e a ) f N idh ami—i a a

ou s ou se s

o

A r di i S m q ndi Tr n l t d i nt E ngli h by
'

11 - -
a ar a . a s a e o s

Ed ward G . B rown e, MA . .
,
M E . .

J . Darme s t e t e r, E t u des I ran i e nne s .

H 1 s t ory i By D b h i F mj i K r k C S I
of t h e Pars s . os a a ra a a a, . . .

Th H i t ry f A nti q ity Fr m t h G r m n f Pr f
e s o r
o u . o e e a o o e s so

M D nck r ax By t h l t E ly n A bb tt M A
u e . e a e ve o ,
. .

P f D m t t
ro e s s or Tr n f t h Z nd t in t h ar es e e r s

a s . o e a av as a e

S cr d B k a f th E t
e R f r nc t P rt oo nd s o e as . e e e e o a s
1
a

p g a es .

E ast rn P r i en A cc nt f t h J rn y f t h P r i n
e s a, a ou o e ou e s o e e s a

B nd ry C m mi i n 8 7 —
ou —
7 7a o ss o , 1 0 1 2 .

Th H i t r y f I ndi
e t l d by it w n H i t ri n By
s o o a as o s o s o a s .

S i H M E lli t K C B
r . . o ,
. . .

Th H i t ry f t h
e D cli n nd F ll
s o f th R m n o e e e a a o e o a

E mpi r By E dw rd G ibb n E q e With N t by


. a o ,
s . o es

D n M il m n nd M G i t
ea E dit d w ith dditi n l a a . u z o . e ,
a o a

N t by Willi m S mith LLD


o es, a , . .

H i t ir d P r
s o pa l C mt d G bi n
e es e s es r e o e e o e au .

1
The se c o nd ed iti on of Par t I . is re f rre d e to un ess l o th rwi e se

e c ifi e d.
94 TR O D U C TI O N IN

H EP . E y n t h S cr d L ng ag Wr iti ng nd R ligi n
ss a s o e a e a u e, s, a e o

f th P r i
o By M rti n H g Ph D Edit d nd
e a s s . a au , . . e a

nl rg d by E W W t Ph D
e a e . . es ,
. .

HHR . H i t ric l R
s o rch By A H L H r n E ngli h
a e sea es . . . . ee e . s

Tr n l ti n a s a o .

Th I ndi n E mpi r
e By W W H nt r a e . . . u e ,

LLD . .

A i By A H K n
s a . . . ea e,

KU R . Kit b i Y mi n i
a f A l U tb i
-
T r n l t d by t h R
-
a o . a s a e e ev .

J m R yn ld B A
a es e o s, . .

H i t ry f P r i
s o By S i J h n M lc l m G C B
o e s a. r o a o ,
. . .

Th L if e f M h mm d By Willi m M i r E q
e o u a a . a u ,
s .

R evL H M il l T r n f t h Z nd
. . t a in t h S c r d
. s

a s . o e a av as e a e

B k f th E t
oo R f r n c t P rt nd p g
s o e as . e e e e o a a a es .

D I r ni ch N ti n l p
as a n Th d r N Old ks e a o a e os vo eo o e e.

N S EH . S k tch
e f r m E t rn H i t ry By Th d r N ld k
es o as e s o . eo o o e e .

E ngli h T r n l ti n s a s a o .

G chicht d Pr r nd A r b r
es Z it d S ni d n
e er e se u a e z ur e er asa e .

A d A r bi ch n C h r nik d T b r i U b
us er t t nda s e o es a a e rs e z u

mit A u s fuhrl ich e n E rlau t e ru nge n u nd E rganz un e n


g
V e rse h n v on Th . N Olde k e .

Th e H i t ry f th S r c n By S i m n O ckl y F rth
s o o e a a e s. o e . ou

Editi n o .

R EG M . Th Fi e Gr t M n rchi f th A nci nt E t rn
ve ea o a es o e e as e

W rl d By G rg R wli n n M A
o . eo e a so , . .

Th K r n t r n l t d fr m t h A r bic
e o a By J M R d a s a e o e a . . . o

w ll S c nd Editi n
e . e o o .

R c rd
e o f th P t Fi r t S ri
s o e as . s e es .

D S c nd S r i O. e o e es .

Th S e n th G r t Ori ntal M n rchy By G rg


eve ea e o a . eo e

R w li n n M A
a so , . .

H igh r C ritici m nd t h V rdict



SHO . Th e

f th M ne s a e e o e o u

m nt By t h R
e A H S yc s. e e v. . . a e.

WPT . D E W W t Tr n
r. . f t h P hl i T xt in t h
. es

s a s o . e a av e s e

B k f th E t
oo R f r nc t P r t
s o nd p g e as . e e e e o a s a a es .
TH E S H A H N A M A O F F I R DA us !

wh Fi rd i w in xil Th m nti n f K nuj pp r


en au s as e e . e e o o ah a ea s

t b o fl tt ri ng nticip ti n f
e a a nt n th p
e t p rt a a o o e ve s o e oe

s a .
1

Th t r ty m i ni t r w n d bt A bu l A bb a F l
e

us s e

as o ou
’ ’
s az .

Th g rd n ef Ir m w r a i d t h b n b ilt b y S h dd d
e s o a e e sa o av e ee u a a ,

so n f A d th t h might n ticip t
o , n r th t h j y pr m i d
a e a a e o ea e o s o se

him in P r di by t h pr ph t H ad A ft r t il xt nding r
a a se e o e . e o e e o ve

c nt ri t h w rk w c m pl t d b t S h dd d w n t h
e u es e o as o e e ,
u as a a as o e

p i n t f n t ri n g i n t p
o O e i n h nd ll h i b t w r l i n
e o os se s s o , e a a s es e e s a

by ic f r m h n
a vo e o e av e .
2

N i d Din a S b k t igin (
as ru

-
p c. u u see

c mm nd r—
.
,

N M h mud y ng t br th r ct d
as r, a i chi f

s ou es o e , a e as o a e h -
e ,

and g rn d t h pr i nc f N i h apur Af t r m y r f
o ve e e ov e O s . e so e ea s o

su cc f l dm i ni t r ti n h w r c ll d t c rt nd r d hi
ess u a s a o e as e a e o ou a se ve s

b r th r in
o eri c p citi H w va p t r n f l rni ng nd
ou s a a es . e as a a o o ea a

di d y ng
e ou .
3

Th p r i n c

f Tu
e pp r t h b n A r lan J a ib ne
e o s a ea s o ave ee s z ,
o

f S lt an M h mud m t f m gnrl ’
o u a s os a ou s e e a s .

I n t he N ame O f God t he M e rcefu l, the Pitefu l

IN th e b o th wi s d o m and m i nd
nam e o f t h e L o rd of ,

To no thi ng s u bli m e r c an th ou ght b e appli e d ,

Th e L o rd o f wh at e v e r is nam e d o r as s igne d
A pl ac e t h e S u s t aine r o f all and t h e Gu id e
, ,

Th e L o rd o f S at u r n and t h e t u r ni ng s k y ,

Wh o c au s e t h V e nu s S u n and M o o n t o S hine , , ,

Wh o is ab o v e c o n c e pti on nam e o r S ign , , ,

Th e Arti s t o f t h e h e av e n s j e w e lry !

H im th o u c ans t s e e no t th ou gh thy s ight th ou s tr ai n ,

Fo r th o u ght it s e lf will s tr u ggl e t o att ain


To O ne ab o v e all n am e and pl ac e in v ai n ,

S i nc e m in d and wi s d o m fail t o p e ne tr at e
B e y ond o u r e l e m e nt s b u t o p e r at e ,

O n m att e r s th at t h e s e ns e s r e nd e r pl ain .

1
K annu j s e e ms to h av e b e e n t ak e n in A . D . 10 19 . EHI, 11. 4 57 .

2
BA N , iv . 1 1 3 .
11
K U R , 4 84 .
TH E PR E L UDE
N o ne th e n c an pr ai s e G o d as H e is O b s e rv e .


Thy d u ty : t is t o gird thy s e lf t o s e rv e .

H e w e igh e th m in d and wis d o m ; s h o u ld H e he


E nc o m p as s e d by a th o u ght th at H e h at h w e igh e d
C an H e b e prai s e d by s u ch m achi ne ry
A s thi s with m ind or s o u l o r r e as o n s aid ?

C o nfe s s H is b e i ng b u t affirm no m o r e ,

Ad o r e H im and all o th e r w ays igno r e ,

O b s e rvi ng H is c o mm and s Thy s o u rc e o f m ight


.

I S k no wl e dg e ; th u s o ld h e art s gr o w y o u ng ag ai n ,

Bu t thing s ab o ve t h e V e il s u rp as s in h e ight
All w o rd s : G o d s e s s e nc e is b ey o nd o u r k e n

.

D is course in Prais e of Wis dom


S p e ak ,
g ! t h e pr ai s e o f wi s d o m and r ej o ic e
sa e

Th e h e art s O f th o s e th at h e ark e n t o thy v o ic e ,

A S G o d s b e s t gift t o th e e e xt o l t h e w o rth

Of wi s d o m which will c o m fo rt th e e and g u id e


, ,

A nd l e ad th e e by t h e h and in h e av e n and e arth .

B o th j o y and gri e f and g ain and l o s s b e tid e


, ,

Th e r e fr o m and wh e n it is e clip s e d t h e s ane


,

Kno w no t o f h appi ne s s o ne m o m e nt m o r e .

Thu s s aith t h e wis e and virtu o u s m an o f l o r e


L e s t s ag e s s e arch his w o rd s fo r fr u it in v ain
Wh at m an s o e ve r s pu rne t h wi s d o m s r e d e ’

Will by s o d o i ng m ak e h is o wn h e art bl e e d
Th e pr u d e n t s p e ak o f h im as o ne p o s s e s s e d ,

A nd h e is no t o f u s h is k in pr o t e s t .

I n b o th w o rld s wi s d o m re c o m m e nde t h th e e
Wh e n gyv e s are o n t h e ankl e s o f t h e m ad ;
I t is t h e mi nd s e y e ; if th o u d os t no t s e e

The r e with thy j o u rne y thr ou gh thi s w o rld is s ad .


TH E S H A H N A M A OF PI RDA U S I
I t w as t h e fir s t c re at e d thing and s till ,

Pre s ide t h o e r t h e m i nd and fac u lty



Of p r ais e pr ai s e o ffe r e d by t o ngu e e ar and e y e , , ,

All c au s e s it m ay b e o f g o o d o r ill .

To pr ai s e b o th m i nd and wi s d o m w h o w o u ld d ar e ?
A nd if I v e ntu r e w h o w o u ld h e ar m e thr o u gh ?
,

S in c e th e n 0 m an o f wi s d o m ! th o u c ans t do
,
1

N 0 g o o d by w o rd s h e r e o n pr o c e e d d e cl ar e
, ,

Cr e ati o n s pr o c e s s G o d cr e at e d th e e

.

To k no w app e ar anc e and r e ality .

Le t wi s d o m b e thy m i ni s t e r t o fe nd
Thy m i nd fr o m all th at s e lf r e s p e ct s h o u ld S h u n
-

L e arn by t h e w o rd s o f s ag e s h o w t o w e nd
Thy w ay r o am e arth c o nv e r s e with e very o ne ;
, ,

A nd wh e n th o u h e ar es t any m an o f l o r e
Di s c o u r s e S l e e p no t incr e as e thy wi s d o m s s t o r e ;
, ,

Bu t m ark whil e g azi ng at t h e b o u gh s o f s p e e ch


, ,

H o w m u ch t h e r o o t s th e r e o f are o u t o f r e ach .

Of t he M aking f
O t he Wor ld

Th e firs t thing ne e dfu l for th e e is t o k no w


Th e s u m o f pri m al e l e m e nt s which H e ,

Wh o m ak e th all things m ad e fr o m nau ght t o S ho w


,

Th e gr e at ne s s o f H is o wn s u pr e m acy .

Th o s e e l e m e nt s are fo u rfo ld ; at th e ir birth


N o ti m e e l ap s e d and l ab ou r h ad no s h ar e ;
Fire s h one ab o v e and in t h e m id s t w e r e air
,

A nd w at e r ; u nd e r ne ath w as d u s ky e arth .

Fir e w as t h e fir s t it s virt u e t o u nfo ld ;


Ab ou t it m o i s tu r e c e as e d and dry ne s s c am e
10 4 TH E S H A H N A M A OF PI RDA US f

Ack no wl e dgi ng no e nd as wr o ng o r right


A nd no t r e qu ir e d t o o ffe r r e v e r e nc e
To H im wh o h avi ng wi s d o m j u s tic e m ight
, , , ,

H ath no t withh e ld o ne S ingl e e xc e ll e nc e .

§4
Of the N atu re of M an

A farth e r s t e p —m an c o m e th i nt o s ight ;
L o cks h ad b e e n mad e ; h e w as t h e k e y o f e ach .

With h e ad e r e ct and c y pre s s lik e in h e ight ,

S u b m i s s t o wi s d o m and e nd o w e d with S p e e ch ,

P o s s e s s e d o f kno wl e dg e wi s d o m r e as o ning
, , ,

H e r u l e th o th e r cr e at u r e s as th e ir ki ng .

O b s e rv e awhil e with wi s d o m fo r thy gu id e


D o th m an i m ply o ne nat u re o ne al o ne ?

,

Th o u k no w s t it m ay b e b u t t h e fe e bl e s id e

Of m o rt al m an wh e r e i n no tr ac e is s h o wn
,

O f au ght b e y o nd and y e t t wo w o rld s agr e e


,

A m ighty p a rt n e r s hip —t o fu r ni s h th e e .

By natu r e firs t in o rd e r l as t art th o u ;


, ,

H o ld no t thy s e lf th e n lightly I h av e k no w n .

S hr e wd m e n s p e ak o th e rwi s e b u t w h o s h all tr o w
,

Th e s e cr e t s th at p e rt ain t o G o d al o ne
L o o k t o t h e e nd ac t e v e r rightfu lly
,

A nd t o il s i n c e s l o th and k no wl e dge ne e r agr e e


Bu t if th ou w o u ld s t e s c ap e c al am ity ,

I n b o th w o rld s fr o m t h e ne t o f b al e b e fr e e d
A nd in G o d s s ight a right e o u s m an i nd e e d

Th e n t o y o n s wiftly tu r ni ng d o m e thy g az e
Dir e ct th at c au s e o f ang u i s h and r e li e f
, ,

A d o m e no t fr e tt e d by t h e l ap s e o f day s
A nd u naffe ct e d by o u r j oy o r gri e f ;
TH E P RE L UD E 10 5

It t y th no t t o r e s t b u t t u rne th s till
s a e ,

N o t p e ris hi ng lik e u s b u t u nd e c ay e d
Th e r e bo th t h e t e r m and pr o c e s s are di s pl ay e d ,

Th e r e are r e v e al e d t o th e e b o th g o o d and ill .

Of t he N a tu re f
O the S u n

O f r u by is y o u az u r e d o m e no t m ad e ,

O f air and w at e r d u s t and s m o k e ; t is all



,

With l am p and t o rch in m any a s p o t arr ay e d


Lik e g ard e ns fo r t h e N e w Ye ar s fe s tival ’
.

Withi n t he d om e a gl add e ni ng G e m b e h o ld
R e v o lving ; th e nc e t h e ligh t o f day is s pr e ad ,

A nd e v e ry m o rn i ng lik e a S hi e ld o f g o ld
I t r ai s e th fr o m t h e E as t it s S hi ni ng h e ad ;
Th e e arth is cl ad in r o b e s o f s pr e adi ng light ,

Th e s u n d e cline th and th e r e c o m e th nigh t ;


Day ne e r o e rt ak e t h night no r nigh t t h e day
’ ’

, ,

M o s t r e g u l ar in all th e ir m o v e m e nt s th e y .

0 th o u my S u n ! h as t th ou for m e no ray 7

Of the N a t ure O f t he M o o n

Th o u gh night b e d ark th e r e is a light as s u r e d :


S e e th at th o u u s e it no t u nw o rthily .

Tw o d ays and night s it s fe at u r e s are o b s c u r e d ,

W o r n s o o thly by r e v o lving ; pr e s e n tly


"
l is s e e n ag ai n b u t p allid thin and b ack e d
‘ ‘

, , ,

Lik e o ne w h o by t h e p ang s o f l o v e is r ack e d .


10 6 TH E S H A H N A M A O F PI RDA 0 5 1

Th e n if t h e g az e r far aw ay s e cu r e
A gli m p s e th e r e o f t is qu ickly l o s t t o S igh t ;
,

Bu t o n t h e fo ll o wi ng e v e it s e e m e th m o r e
A nd yi e ld e th u nt o th e e a l arg e r light .

I n fo u rt e e n d ay s it w ax e th fu ll and bright ,

I n fo u rt e en w ane t h till it s c o u r s e is ru n ,

Di m ini s hing as night s u c c e e de t h night


A nd dr awi ng n e ar e r t o t h e bl az i ng s u n .

S u ch w as t h e natu r e g i ve n by G o d s d e cr e e ’

A nd will b e whil e t h e m o on it s e lf s h all b e


, .

§ 7

The Prais e f
o rophet
t he P and his Compa nions

Th e F aith and kno wl e dg e tru s ty g u id e s are th e y ,

A nd t is for th e e t o s e e k S alv ati o n s w ay ;


’ ’

I f th o u w ou ld s t h av e thy h e art no t s ad no t s e e ,

Thy s pirit wr e tch e d thr o u gh e t e rnity ,

To t ak e t h e Pr o ph e t s t e achi ng b e thy p art


Th e r e w as h aw ay t h e d arkne s s o f thy h e art .

Wh at w as it th at H e s aid t h e i ns pir ed L o rd , ,

O f biddi ng and fo rbidding—H e av e n s o wn w o rd ?



I am t h e City o f t h e D o ctri ne h e ,

Th at is t h e g at e w ay t o it is A li ’
.

I wit ne s s th at H is h e art is in th at w o rd
A S th o u gh as t h o u m ay s t s ay H is v o ic e I h e ard
, ,
.

R e g ard th e n e ach c o m p ani o n and A li ’

A S th o s e th at g av e t h e F aith s t ability ;
Th e s e are t h e m o o ns t h e Pr o ph e t is t h e s u n ;
,

With th e m in u ni o n is t h e w ay to ru n .

S l av e o f t h e Pr o ph e t s S l av e s with pr ai s e I gr e e t

Th e d u s t u p o n h is m and at ary s fe e t

,

Wh at o th e r s s ay t o m e is no c onc e r n ,

This is m y w ay fr o m thi s I ne v e r tu r n
,
.
10 8 TH E S H A H N A M A OF P I RDA 0 5 1

On the Co mp ilation f
o t he S hahnama

A ll h av e go ne s w e e pi ng in t h e g arth o f l o r e
A nd wh at I t e ll h ath all b e e n t old b e fo r e ,

Bu t th o u gh u p o n a fr u it tr e e I O bt ai n
-

N O pl ac e and p u rp o s e no t t o cli m b s till h e


, ,

Th at s h e lt e re t h b e ne ath a l o fty tre e


Will fr o m it s S h ad o w s o m e pr o t e ctio n g ai n ;
A fo o ting o n t h e b o u gh s t o o I m ay fi nd
Of y o nd e r s h ady cypr e s s aft e r all
Fo r h avi ng l e ft thi s hi s to ry b e hi n d
Of fam o u s ki ngs as m y m e m o ri al .

D e e m n o t th e s e l e g e nd s lyi ng fant as y ,

A S if t h e w o rld w e r e alw ay s in o ne s t ay ,

Fo r m o s t acc o rd wi t h s e ns e o r anyw ay
,

C o n t ain a m o r al.

I n t h e d ay s g o ne by
Th e r e w as an E pic Cycl e s pr e ad br o adc as t
A m o ng t h e l e ar ne d arc h m age s and at l as t
,

A c e rt ain p al adi n o f r u s tic birth


, ,

A m an o f c ou r ag e wi s d o m r ank and w o rth


, , , ,

A n antiqu ary o ne w h o r ans acke d e arth


,

Fo r any l e g e nd s o f th e ag e s p as t ,

I nt e nt o n l e ar ni ng wh at m igh t y e t b e k no w n ,

C all e d h o ar arch m age s o u t o f e ve ry cli m e ,

To as k ab o u t t h e annal s o f t h e thr o ne ,

Th e fam e d s u cc e s s fu l h e r o e s o f o ld ti m e ,

Wh at m e n w e r e d o i ng in th o s e d ay s t h at w e
I nh e rit s u ch a w o rld o f m i s e ry ,

A nd h o w e ach day b e ne ath au s pici o u s S ki e s


Th e y c arri e d o u t s o m e d ari ng e nt e rpri s e .

Th e arch m age s t o ld th e ir l e g e nd ary s t o r e ,

H O W thi s w o rld far e d and wh at ki ng s u nd e rt o o k ,


TH E PR EL UD E
A nd lis t e ne d t o t h e m e n o f l o r e
as he
H e l aid t h e b as i s o f t h e fam ou s b o o k ,

Which no w r e m aine th his m e mo ri al ,

A mid t h e pl au dits b o th o f gr e at and s m all .

§ 9
Of the poe t B a k ik i

N ow ,
wh e n th e r e ad e r s o f t h e b o o k h ad br o u gh t
Th e s t o ri e s i nt o v o gu e all h e arts w e r e c au ght
, ,

At l e as t am o ng t h e m e n o f p art s and th o ught .

A b rilli ant you th w e ll S kill e d in p o e try


Ar o s e o f ard e nt m i nd and e l o qu e nt
,

I will r e t e ll th e s e t al e s in v e r s e s aid h e
, ,

A nd e v e ry o n e r ej o ic e d at h is i nt e nt
Bu t vici o u s h abit s w e r e his fri e nd s th o u gh w e ,

S h ou ld h o ld all vic e s fe e s th at w e S h o u ld dr e ad ,

A nd d e ath appr o aching u ne xp e ct e dly


, ,

I m p o s e d it s gl o o m y h e l m e t o n h is h e ad .

H e g av e h is life t o vic e and e arth ne e r g av e


H im tr u e e nj o y m e nt fo r a S ingl e day
Whil e fo rt u ne qu ickly t u rne d it s fac e aw ay
H e p e ri s h e d by t h e h and o f h is o w n s l av e .

D e p arti ng thu s h e l e ft th os e t al e s o f yo r e
Unt o ld ; th e ir w ak e ne d fo rt u ne S l e pt o nc e m o re .

0 G o d I fo rgiv e h is fau lt s and in Thy gr ac e


,

A s s ign him at t h e l as t an h o no u r e d pl ac e .

H ow the pres ent B ook was begun

Mine ard e nt h e art t u rne d wh e n Dak ik i fe ll , ,

S p o n t ane o u s ly t o w ard t h e Ira ni an thr o ne ;


I f I c an ge t t h e b o o k I will r e t e ll ,

I s aid t h e t al e s in l ang u ag e o f m i ne o wn

, .
TH E S H A H N A M A OF PI R DA U S I
I as ke d p e rs o ns m o r e than I c an s ay
of ,

Fo r I w as fe arfu l a s ti me p as s e d aw ay
Th at life w o u ld no t s u ffic e b u t th at I t o o
,

S h o u ld l e av e t h e w o rk fo r o th e r h and s t o do .

Th e r e w as b e s id e s a d e arth o f p atr o nage


Fo r s u ch a w o rk ; th e r e w as no p u rch as e r .

I t w as a ti m e o f w ar a s tr ait e ne d age
,

Fo r th o s e wh o h ad p e titi o ns t o pr e fe r .

M u ch ti me e l ap s e d I s till c o nc e al e d fr o m all
.

My s e cr e t p u rp o s e fo r I c ou ld no t s e e
,

O ne w h o w as w o rthy t o p art ak e with m e


Thi s e nt e rpri s e Wh at in thi s w o rld c an b e
.

M o r e e xc e ll e nt th an no bl e w o rd s ? M e n c all
D o w n bl e s s ing s o n th e m m e n b o th gr e at and s m all
, .

G o o d w o rd s h ad G o d v ou ch s afe d no t t o pr o vid e ,

H o w h ad t h e Pr o ph e t e v e r b e e n o u r g u id e
I h ad a d e ar fri e n d in t h e city th o u ,

H ad s t s aid : Th e y tw ai n h av e b u t o ne s kin O ne day



.

H e s aid : I lik e thy s ch e m e ; p u r s u e thy w ay ;


Thy fe e t are in t h e right dir e cti o n no w .

I u n d e rt ak e fo r m y p ar t t o pr o c u r e
Thi s anci e nt P e rs i an b o o k ; b u t b e no t S l ack .

O f y o u th and e l o qu e n c e th o u h as t a s t o r e ,

Thy s p e e ch p o s s e s s e th t o o t h e anci e nt s m ack .

Th e s t o ri e s o f o u r ki ng s afr e s h r e l at e ,

A nd r ais e thy r e p u t ati o n with t h e gr e at .

H e br o u ght t h e v o l u m e t o m e and ano n


Th e d arkne s s o f m y gl o o m y s o u l w as ge ne .

I n Pr ais e f
o A bu M ans ur, S o n of M u hammad
Wh e n I
.
bt aine d t h e v ol u m e a gr and e e
O

O f no bl e li ne ag e and c o ns pic u o u s w o rth ,

S till in h is y o u th a p al adi n by birth


, ,
TH E S H A H N A M A OF PI RDA U S I

The Prais e f S ultan M ahmud


o

N e e r s inc e t h e m aki ng o f t h e w o rld w as d o ne


, ,

H ath s u ch a ki ng b e e n s e e n by h u m an e y e ;
Th e cr o w n ab o v e h is thr o ne is lik e t h e s u n ,

A nd m ak e th e arth as bright as iv o ry .

H o w c ans t th o u s ay : I t is t h e s u n i nd e e d
Fr o m h im by far m o r e gl o ri o u s r ays pr o c e e d .

Abu l Ka s i m ! thi s all vict o ri o u s o ne



-

H ath s e t his thr o ne y e t high e r th an t h e s u n !


H is are t h e r ay s which ill u s tr at e t h e S k y ,

H is is t h e Gr ac e which O p e ne th afar
Y o n m i ne s o f g o ld .

Aw o k e my s l u mb e ring s t ar .

I d e as p o u r e d thr ou gh m y br ai n t u m u lt u o u s ly .

M e th ou ght : Th e ti m e fo r s p e aki ng in g o o d s o o th

H ath c o m e t h e o u tw o r n age regaine t h y o u th


, .

By th o u ght s o f this gr e at m o narch o cc u pi e d


I fe ll as l e e p o ne night with lip s all pr ai s e ,

Whil e my fr e e h e art alth o u gh my lip s w e r e ti e d


, ,

S h o ne in t h e d ark . Th e n I b e h e ld in s l e e p
A daz z h ng l u s tr e ris i ng fr o m t h e d e e p
A nd m aki ng by t h e bright ne s s o f it s r ay s
Th e gl o o m o f e art h like glitt e ri ng g e m s Th e w as t e .

Gr e w lik e br o c ad e b e ne ath th at r adi ant ligh t ,

A nd in t h e m id s t a t u rqu o i s e thr o ne w as pl ac e d .

Up o n t h e thr o ne th e r e s at a m o o n lik e ki ng -

With o n h is h e ad a cr o wn fo r c o v e ring .

H is ar m y s tr e tch e d t w o m il e s To l e ft th e r e w e r e
.

S e v e n hu ndr e d e l e ph ant s in all th e ir m ight .

B e fo r e h im s too d a tr u s ty m i nis t e r
To gu id e h im t o t h e F aith and t o do right .
TH E PRE L UDE 1 1 3

By th at S hah s Grac e by all th o s e tr o o p s ou t s pr e ad


A nd m ighty el e ph ant s my h e ad w as d az e d ,

A n d as u p o n h is r o y al fac e I g az e d
To th at ill u s tri ou s c o mp any I s aid
I S thi s t h e s k y and m o o n o r thr o ne and cr o w n
,

A re th e s e h is s oldi e r s o r t h e s t ar s c o m e d o w n ?
O ne ans w e r e d : Tis t h e ki ng o f Rum and I nd

King fr o m Kannuj e e n t o t h e riv e r S ind


Whil e in Tura n and in Ira n m e n gi v e


A s s l av e s o b e di e nc e t o h is will and live
The r e by With j u s tic e d e ck e d h e e arth and no w
.
,

Th at d o ne h ath s e t t h e cr o wn u p on h is br o w
, .

M ah m ud t h e w o rldlo rd t h e gr e at S hah d o th
, ,

bring
T o g e th e r S h e e p and w o lf fo r w at e ri ng .

Th e m o narch s fr o m K as h m ir d o w n t o t h e s e a
O f Ch in are i ns t an t in h is e u l o gy ,

A nd childr e n y e t withi n th e ir c o t s pr o cl ai m
With lip s u nw e ane d as th e ir fir s t w o rd h is nam e
Do th o u t o o t e ll h is pr ai s e fo r th o u c ans t s p e ak
, ,

A nd thr o u gh h im e v e rl as t i ng gl o ry s e e k .

All do his biddi ng and k e e p fe alty .

Wh e n I aw ak e ne d t o my fe e t I s pr ang ,

Oh wh at a whil e th at night h is pr ai s e I s ang !


N o dr ach m s h ad I b u t p o u r e d my s o u l an d cri e d ,

To m i ne o wn h e art : My dre am is j u s tifi e d



Fo r his r e no w n is p at e nt far and wid e .

Th e n pr ai s e t o him w h o pr ais e th t h e Mo s t High


Fo r s l e e pl e s s fo rt u ne cr o w n and S ig ne t rin g
, ,
-
.

H is gl o ry m ak e th e arth lik e g arth s in S pri ng


With fl o w e r p ai nt e d s o il and cl ou dy S k y
-

A s k y wh e n c e in th e ir s e as on S h o w e r s c o m e
A nd m ak e t h e w o rld a g ard e n o f I r am .

Wh at g oo d is in Iran h is j u s tic e giv e th ,

H is n am e al o ne is h e ard wh e r e any liv e t h .


TH E S H A H N A M A
' ‘

OF PI R DA U S I

A b o u nt e o u s H e av e n at b anqu e t s th o u wilt fi nd ,

A s h arp cl aw e d Dr ag o n in t h e fr ay m e anwhil e ;
-

H e is an e e l ph ant h ath G abri e l s m i nd


,

H and s lik e a wi nt e r cl o u d h e art lik e t h e Nil e


-

, .

Wh e n h e is wr o th o pp o s i ng fo rt u ne s m ight
,

I s as d inar s are w o rthl e s s in h is s ight ;


, ,

To b o as t o f cr o wn and h o ard is no t h is p art ,

A nd w ar and tr av ail d ark e n no t his h e art .

All th o s e w h o are am o ng h is fo s t e rlings ,

Fr e e b o rn o r o th e rwi s e b u t no bl e s till, ,

D e v o t e d li e g e s o f t h e ki ng o f king s ,

With l o i ns girt r e ady t o p e rfo r m his wil l ,

H av e e ach a pr o vi nc e u nd e r th e ir c o ntr ol ,

E ach h ath his nam e i ns crib e d o n e v e ry r o ll .

Th e fo r e m o s t is h is br o th e r w h o in y e ars ,

I s y o u ng e r b u t in c ou r ag e h ath no p e e r s ;
,

Th e y w h o are c o u rti e r s o f h is Gr ac e acqu ir e


J o y in t h e s h ad o w o f t h e ag e s ki ng

For h e w h o h ath N as iru d Di n fo r s ir e


’ ’
-

H at h r o u nd h is thr o ne t h e Pl e i ad s in a ring ,

A nd is t h e l o rd o f pr o w e s s r e d e and m ight , ,

I n wh o m t h e n o bl e s o ne and all d e light


, , .

N e xt is t h e prin c e o f Tus a v ali ant l o rd ,

Wh o m o ck e th li o ns in t h e b attl e tid e -

A nd lav is h e t h wh at fo rt u ne m ay acc o rd
To h im d e s iri ng h o no u r nau ght b e s id e
, , .

H e l e ad e th m e n t o G o d ; his pr ay e r is s till
Th at t h e S hah s h e ad m ay b e pr e s e rve d fr o m ill

.

M ay e arth ne e r s e e th at r o y al h e ad go d o wn

,

A n d m ay t h e S hah r ej o ic e fo r e v e r thu s ,

P o s s e s s i ng h e alth o f b o dy thr o ne and cr o wn , , ,

Unp ai ne d u ntr o u bl e d and vict o ri o u s


, , .

N o w t o t h e o p e ning o f my w o rk o nc e m o r e
To t e ll t h e t al e s o f fam ou s ki ng s o f yo r e .
A R GU M E N T
p t t ll t h hi t ry f t h fir t t n S h ah f Iran d crib
The oe e s e s o o e s e s o ,
es es

t h pr g r
e f t h w rl d f r m b r b i m t
o ess c lt r nd t h
o e o o a ar s o u u e, a e

i n nti n f t h rt nd ci nc
ve o n d fi n lly h w t h
o Gr c e a s a s e es, a a o e a e

d p r t d f r m t h Pi h dadi n Dy n ty th r gh t h
e a e o nw rthi n e s a as ou e u o ess

a nd d g n r cy f it r p
e nt ti e e a o s e re s e a ve s .

NO E T
Th e wo rd
Pis h dadi an, t he nam e v e n t o t he S a s o f t he rs gi hh fi t
i
Iran an D nas , me ans y ty th
o s e o f t h e o ld law o r o r gina d s e ns a i l ip
tion Z o ro as r an s m w as u
. ti i
u o n an b ilt
o de r o u nda o n o f p l f ti
t
n a u r e wo r s , to
w
-
hip hich it b
e ars s o m e s u re a o n as t he N e w ch l ti
T t
e s am e n t
b e ars t o t h e O ld O ne o f t he o ds o f t h e e de r a . g l f ith
h i bc
A u ra, t h e A s u ra o f I n d a— e am e t h e s u r e me de ,
A u ra p ity h
i p ti
M az da, o f t h e ne w d s e ns a o n, and t h e U rmuz d o f t h e S h ah nama .

A cc i gly
ord n fi t hh
G aium art , t he p xp ly
rs S a in t he oe m, is e re s s
cg i fi t hipp
re o n s e d in t he Zandavas t a, as t he rs wo rs e r o f U rm uz d

c nd S h ah i n tit t t h w r hip f fi —
.

H fi h ng t hs a ,
e se o , s u es e o s o re a

ch r ct ri tic f t r f Z r t ri ni m U m d in t h Z nd
a a e s ea u e o o o as a s . r uz e a a

v ast m k c n nt with Yim t h f rth S h ah nd t ri t


a a es a ove a a, e ou ,
a es o

p r d him t nd r t k t h p r t f la i r ft rw rd t k n
e sua e o u e a e e a o ve a e a s a e

b y Z r t r b t Yi m th r gh m d ty d cli n
o o as e ,
u a ou o es e es .

Z r t ri ni m th r f r in
o oa s n itdbfr Zr tr
a s e e o e a se se ex s e e o e o o as e ,

w ith w h d nt t h Z nd t
os e nd ; h nc th r i l
a ve e a av as a e s e e e e s ess

an c hr ni m th n m ight b
a o pp d in t h ll i n ft n m d
s a e su ose e a us o s, o e a e

in t h rli r p r t f t h p m t fi w r hip t h Z nd t
e ea e a s o e oe ,
o re -
o s ,
e a av as a,

and imil r m tt r Z r t r w t h fir t r cipi nt f t h


s a a e s . o o as e as e s e e o e

compl t r l ti n
e e e ve a o .

DZA , ii . 20 0 .
'

G A I IJ M A R T

HE RE IG N E D FO R TH I RTY Y E A RS

T A R GU M E N

G ium t t h fi r t S h ah nd t h fi r t r l r f t h w r l d i nc r
a ar ,
e s a e s u e o e o ,
u s

th n y
e f A hr i m n w h
e v ond h t f di t tt ck him a o se s a os o vs o a a

c mm nd d by t h B l ck Di —t h n f A hrim n S iy am k
, ,

o a e e a v e so o a . a ,

f G i m t with n rmy nc nt r t h B l ck Di

th n
e so o a ii ar ,
a a e ou e s e a v

a nd i l in b t i
s s a n g d by hi ,
n H u h ng w h
u cc d t
s av e e s so s a ,
o su ee s o

t h th r n
e n th d th f hi g r ndf th r
o e o e ea o s a a e .

NO E T
Th e p t
cc nt f G ium t mit m ch Z r tri n
oe in his a ou o a ar o s u o o as a

l r I n t h B n d hi h U m d i r pr nt d fir t cr ti ng
o e e u a s r uz s e ese e as s ea

t w b i ng —t h r pr
.

o e n t ti
s f m nki n d end f th e ni m l e se a ve s o a ,
a o e a a s

a nd pl n t r p cti ly Th w r G ium t nd t h Pri m l


a s, es e ve . e se e e a ar a e e va

O x F
. th r th nd y r th y li d h ppily nd nm l t d
or ee ou s a ea s e ve a a u o es e

in t h w rl d f U m d A t t h xpi r ti n f thi p ri d
e o o r uz . e e a o o s e o

A hr i m n il d t h c r ti n f U m d nd l w b th t h O
a as s a e e ea o o r uz
,
a s e o e x

a nd G ium t ; b t t h l tt r
a r i d t h f rm r by thi r ty y r
ar u e a e su v ve e o e ea s,

which b c m t h d r ti n f t h r ig n f t h fir t S hah in t h
e a e e u a o o e e o e s e

p m Th O in dyi ng g
oe . e rigi n t t h pl nt nd ni m l
x ave o o e a s a a a s,

a n d G ium t t t h fir t h m n c
a ar pl — M a hy nd M a hy oi
o e s u a ou e s a1 a s

in t rn p r d c d fi p ing m ng which w S iy am k w h
'

wh o u o u e o s r a o as a , o

i r pr
s nt d
e th
e se n f G ium t in t h S h ahnam
e as In t h
e so o a ar e a . e

p m t t h tt ck n G ium t i m d i ndir ctly by m ns


oe , oo , e a a o a ar s a e e ea

o f t h B l ck Di n t di r ctly by A h ri m n
e a in t h B nd hi h
v, o e a as e u a s .

Th r d r m y b r mi n d d th t t h B nd hi h i
e ea e a P hl i
e e e a e u a s s a a av

ve r i n f t h l t b k f t h Z nd t k n wn t h Damdad
s o o e os oo o e a av as a o as e

or r c pr d c d
a es o u e .

L m n DZA i l iii 1
e. a . , . v .
TH E S H A H N A M A
'

O F FI R DA U S f

It will b e n tic e d that G a


o iu mart is t t dt h s a e o av e made h is hm o e

u p on a t i n M nt i n
mou n a . ou a s wr l k d p n
e e oo e u o as s a cr d pl c
e a es

in ld tio b i ng n r r h n U m d r l t h Z nd
m e s as e ea e e av e . r uz e ve a s e a a

v ast t Z r t r n t h m nt i n f t h h ly Q ti n I n
a o o o as e o e ou a o e o ues o s .

t h di i i n f m n ki nd i n t c t
e v s o in t h r ig n f J m hid t h
o a o as es e e o a s e

m nt i n
ou p ci lly t p r t f t h p ri t
a s are s e Th m th r
a se a a or e es s. e o e

o f F idfi n with h
ar i nf n t n t k r f g with h ly h rmit
er a so a es e u e a o e

wh dw ll
o n M nt A l b r
e s nd th r
o t K i K b ad t h
ou u z , a e e oo a u ,
e

f nd r f t h K iani n Dyn ty r c i t h n w f hi l cti n


ou e o e a a as , e e ve s e e s o s e e o

t t h th r n
o e o e.

§ 1

The Greatnes s f Gaiu ma rt t he E nvy f A hr iman


o and o
f

Wh at s aith t h e r u s tic bard ? Wh o fir s t d e s igne d


To g ai n t h e cr o wn o f p o w e r am o ng m ankind
Wh o pl ac e d t h e di ad e m u p o n h is br o w
Th e r e c o rd o f th o s e d ay s h ath p e ri s h e d no w
U nle s s o ne h avi ng b o rne in m e m o ry
,

T al e s t o ld by s ir e t o s o n d e cl ar e t o th e e ,

Wh o w as t h e fir s t t o u s e t h e r o y al s tyl e
A nd s t o o d t h e h e ad o f all t h e m ighty fi le .

H e w h o c o m pil e d t h e anci e n t l e g e nd ary ,

A nd t al e s o f p al adi ns s aith G aium art ,

I nv e n t e d cr o w n and thr o ne and w as a S hah ,


.

Thi s o rd e r Gr ac e and l u s tr e c am e t o e arth


,

Wh e n S ol w as d o m inant in Ari e s
A nd s h o ne s o brightly th at t h e w o rld gr e w y o u ng .

I t s l o rd w as G aium art w h o dw e l t at fir s t ,

Up o n a m o u nt ain ; th e nc e his thr o ne and fo rtu ne


R o s e H e and all h is tr o o p w o r e l e o p ard s kin s
.
-

A nd u nd e r him t h e arts o f life b e g an ,

Fo r fo o d and dr e s s w e r e in th e ir infan cy .

1
I nt r o d. p . 62 .
TH E S H A H N A M A OF PI RDA U s f

H o w S iy dmdk was S lain by the H and f the D iv


o

N e ws ofth at fo u l d iv s act s r e ach e d S iy am ak


Wh o li s t e ne d e ag e rly ; h is h e art s e e th e d u p
With r ag e H e g ath e r e d tr o o p s arr ay e d hi m s e lf
.
,

I n l e o p ard s ki n fo r m ail w as y e t u nw o r n
-

, ,

A nd w e n t t o fight Wh e n h o s t m e t h o s t h e c am e
.

I n fr o nt u nar m e d t o gr appl e with t h e s o n


O f A hri m an Th at h o rribl e Bl ack Div
.

Clu tch e d at b e nt d o w n t h at pri nc e o f l o fty s t at u r e


,

A n d r e n t him o p e n Th u s di e d S iy arnak
.

By th at fo u l h and and l e ft t h e ar m y c h ie fl e s s .

Wh e n G aium art h e ard thi s t h e w o rld t u rne d bl ack


To him h e l e ft h is thr o ne h e w ail e d al o u d
, ,

A n d t o r e h is fac e and b o dy with h is n ai ls


H is ch e e k s w e r e s mirch e d with bl o o d h is h e ar t w as ,

_ br o k e n ,

A nd life gr e w s o m br e All t h e s o ldi e r s w e pt


.
,

C o ns u m e d u p o n t h e fl am e s o f w o e and w ail e d ,

A s cl ad in t u rq u o i s e c o l o u r e d g arb th e y s t o o d
-

B e fo r e t h e p o rt al o f t h e S hah All ch e e k s .

W e re wi ne re d fo r all e y e s s h e d t e ar s of bl o o d
-

,
.

Bird s ti m id b e as t s and fi e rc e fl o ck e d t o t h e m o u nt ai n
, ,

With d o l e fu l cri e s in angu i s h and d u s t r o s e ,

B e fo r e t h e c o u rt g at e o f t h e m ighty S hah
-

Wh e n o ne y e ar h ad p as s e d th u s t h e bl e s t S u rus h
Was s e nt by G o d h e gr e e t e d G aifi m art
A nd s aid : L am e nt no m o r e c o ntr o l thy s e lf , ,

Do as I bid c o ll e ct thy tr o o p s and t u r n


,

Thy fo e m e n i nt o d u s t r e li e v e e arth s s u rfac e


,

O f th at vil e div and thi ne o w n h e art o f v e ng e anc e .


G A I UM A R T

Th efam ou s S hah l o o k e d u p and c u r s e d his fo e s ,

Th e n c alli ng by t h e high e s t o f all nam e s


,

Up o n h is G o d h e wip e d h is t e ar s aw ay
,

A nd pr o s e c u t e d ve ng e anc e night and day .

H o w H ds hang and Gaiz imart went t o Fight t he Blac k D iv

Th e bles s éd S iy am ak h ad l e ft a s o n ,

H is gr and s ir e s m ini s t e r a pri nc e by nam e


H ds h ang —a nam e i m plyi ng s e ns e and wi s d o m .

I t w as t h e l o s t r e s t o r e d and fo ndly ch e ri s h e d ,

A nd th e r e fo r e b e i ng s e t o n w ar t h e S hah
S e n t fo r t h e pri nc e and fr ank ly t o ld h im all
I m e an t o g ath e r tr o o p s and r ai s e t h e w ar cry -

Bu t th o u b e i ng y o u ng s h alt l e ad fo r I am s p e nt .

H e r ai s e d a h o s t o f fairi e s li o ns p ard s
, , ,

A nd r av e ne r s as w o lv e s and fe arl e s s t ig e r s
, ,

Bu t t o o k t h e r e ar h is gr and s on le d t h e h o s t
,
.

Th e Bl ack Div th o u gh in t e rr o r r ai s e d t h e d u s t
To h e av e n b u t his cl aw s w e r e h angi ng s l ack
,

Fr ay e d by t h e r o ari ng b e as t s Hu s h ang s aw t hi s
.

A nd p u t t i ng fo rth h is h and s lik e li o n s p aw s


M ad e e arth t o o narr o w fo r t h e l u s ty div ,

Th e n fl ay e d h im l o ppi ng o ff h is m o ns tr ou s h e ad
, ,

A nd tr am pl e d h im in s c o r n th u s fl ay e d and s h e nt .

Th e d ay s o f G ai u m art h ad r e ach e d th e ir cl o s e
Wh e n h e achi e ve d thi s v e ng e anc e o n his fo e s ;
H e p as s e d aw ay t h e w o rl d w as fo r his h e ir
, ,

Bu t s e e w h o h ath h ad gl o ry t o c o m p ar e
With h is H e o w ne d thi s tricky w o rld and m ad e
Th e p ath o f g ai n his p ath and y e t h e s t ay e d
,

N o t t o e nj o y fo r lik e a s t o ry d o ne
,

I s thi s w o rld : g o o d and ill abid e with no ne .


H US H A N G

HE RE I G N E D FO RTY Y E A RS

A R G U M EN T
H fi s hang cc d su ee s his gr ndf th r G i m t S hah H i
a a e a li
'
ar as . e s

a gr t c lt r h r
ea u u e -
e o, a nd i n nt th r t f W rki n g in m t l
ve s e a s o o e a s,

i rrig ti n gric lt r
a o ,
a u u e, & H intr d c
c . th f d m tic
e o u es e use o o es

a ni m l nd di c
a s a r s o ve s fi Hrei n tit t it w r hip nd f nd
. e s u es s o s , a ou s

th fe t fS d
e as o a a .

NO E T
H fi s hang— t h e H ao s hy an gh a of t he Z andav as t a —is acc o rdi ng t o
,

t he o ld r e au th oriti e s, t he fir t S h ah
s of t he Pis hdadi an d yn ty as ,

an d gr nd n n t t h n f S iy am k S iy am k nd hi
t he a so , o e so ,
o a . a a s

wi f N hak pr d c d p ir n m d F ak nd F ak in w h
e as o u e a a a e rav a rav a ,
o

pr d c d in th ir t rn fift n p ir O f th
o u e ni ne p ir p u ee a s. e se , e a s ro

ce ed d n t h b ck f t h
e o S k thr gh t h
e c n —t h
a o e ox ars ao ou e o ea e

ch in f r i r l k
a o nd g lfve rr ndi ng t h c nt r l
s, a es, s e as , a u s su ou e e a

clim in t h ld c m g ny—t t h th r i clim nd t y d


e e o os o o o e o e s x es a s a e

th r whil t h th r i p ir f wh m H h ng nd hi wif
e e, e e o e s x a s, o o

11 s a a s e

Gu h k w r
z na r m i n d t p pl t h c n t r l cli m withi n
e e o e, e a e o eo e e e a e

which I ran i it t d s s ua e .
1

§ 1

Th e A c ces s io n o f H fls hang and his ci vilis ing A rts

Hu s h ang a j u s t and pr u d e nt s o v e r e ig n
, ,

A s s u m e d h is gr ands ir e s cr o w n Fo r fo rty ye ar s ’
.

H e av e n t u rne d ab o v e him H e w as j u s t and wi s e . .

1 WPT , i .
58 .
12 4 TH E S H A H N A M A OF PI RDA vs i

Th at night h e m ad e a mighty bl az e h e s to o d ,

Ar ou nd it with h is m e n and h e ld t h e fe as t
C all e d S ad a ; th at bright fe s tiv al r e m ai ne th
A s h is m e m o ri al and m ay e arth s e e
,

M o r e r o yal b e ne fact o r s lik e t o h im .

By Gr ac e and ki ngly p o w e r d o m e s tic ating


O x as s and s h e e p h e t u rne d th e m t o go o d u s e
, , .

P air th e m h e s aid u s e th e m for t o il e nj o y



, ,

,

The ir pr o d u c e and pro vid e the r e with y o u r t ax e s


, .

H e s l e w t h e fu rry ro v e r s fo r th e ir s kins ,

S u ch as t h e s qu irr e l e r m i ne fo x and s abl e


, , , ,

S o s l e e k o f h air ; t h e r o v e r s cl o th e d t h e t alk e r s .

H e gav e s p e nt fr e e ly an
,
d e nj o y e d t h e fr u it
, ,

Th e n p as s i ng t o o k nau ght with h im b u t r e p u t e .

I n life no littl e s h ar e o f t o il h ad h e
I n m u s i ng s p as t all c o u nt and gram m ary e ,

A nd wh e n a b e tt e r life w as h is e l s e wh e r e
H e l e ft t h e thr o ne o f gr e at ne s s t o h is h e ir .

Th e ti m e th at fo rt u ne g av e h im did n o t l as t
Fo r l o ng H 11 s h ang t h e wi s e an d pr u d e n t p as s e d

.
, , ,

To th e e t o o thi s w o rld will no t giv e it s l o v e ,

N o r will it fr o m it s fac e t h e v e il r e m o v e .
III

TA H M U R A S

TA H M L

JRA S , TH E BI N DE R OF TH E
RE IG N E D T H IRTY Y E A RS

A R GU M EN T
Tahm liras , t he f th r w rk s on of
'

H li s h ang, c nti n
o ue s his a e

s o as a

c lt r h r in t h d m tic ti n f nim l t h i n nti n f


u u e -
e o, e o es a o o a a s, e ve o o

w i n g & c nq r nd n l
e av ,
A h ri m n nd d f t t h
c .
,
o ue s a e s av e s a ,
a e ea s e

di wh
vs , li h p r n c nditi n th t th y h ll t ch
ose ve s e s a es o o o a e s a ea

h im t h t f writi ng e ar o .

NO E T
A cc rdi ng o hi h T hm i —t h T khm U r p
to t he B u nda s a l ras e a a u a

t —w
,

o f t h Z nd e t h g r t g r n d n f H i h ng nd t h
a av as a as e ea a so o l s a , a e

br th r f J m hi d w h h w r i r pr nt d hi n in
o e o a s ,
o, o e ve , s e e se e as s so

th p m
e Th l g nd f t h b i ndi ng f A h ri m n by T h m u
oe . e e e o e o a a ras

i
s r l ti m m n ti n d in t h Z nd t wh r h i
se ve a es e o e e a av as a, e e e s re

p r nt d
e se pr yi ng th t h m y c nq r ll d m n nd
e as a a e a o ue a e o s a

m n e ll ,
r c r r nd f i ri
a nd ri d
so A h ri m n t rn d i n t
e e s a a es, a e a ,
u e o

th h p f h r ll r nd t h r th f thir ty y r Fr m
e s a e o a o se , a a ou e ea or ea s .
1
o

th r r c w l rn th t A hri m n whil k pt ch r g r
,

o e s ou es e ea a a ,
e e as a a e

by T hmd p r d d t h l tt r wif t r l h h b nd
a ras , e s ua e e a e

s e o e ve a er us a

s

se cr t nd cti ng n t h i nf rm ti n th g i n d thr w ff
e s, a a o e o a o us a e e o

T hm i
a n d w ll w d h im whil
l ras ah w ri di ng d wn M nt
s a o e e e as o ou

A lb r Yim ( J m h id) h ri ng f hi b r th r m i f rt n

u z . a s ,
ea o s o e s s o u e, suc

cee d d in dr ggi ng t h c r p
e f r m t h n t r il f t h fi nd nd
a e o se o e e a s o e e ,
a

th r t r d t h c lt r f t h w rld which h d p ri h d wi th
us es o e e u u e o e o a e s e

Tah m ii ras 2
'
.

DZA ,
1 1 . 2 52 , 292 .
3
Id . 2 52 , no e . t WPT . iii . 60 , and no e t .
1 26 PIR DA m i
TH E S H A H N A M A OF

Th r d r will n t t h r pp r nc
e ea e f t h B l ck D i in thi
o e e ea ea a e o e a v s

r ig n ft r hi pp r ntly c mpl t d tr cti n by H d h ng Th


e a e s a a e o e e es u o s a . e

expl n ti n f c r i th t t h im f t h p t i t f ll w
a a o o ou se s a e a o e oe s o o o

hi th iti n t t m k c n i t nt t ri
s au or e s, o H i h r d lo a e o s s e s o es. e s e e ea

ing W th n th r l g nd
i a t h B l ck Di r pp r
o e e e ,
so e a v ea ea s .
l

Tahm aras c
as ends t he T hrone , invents ne w A rts , s u bdu es

t he D ie s , and dies

Hu s h ang p o s s e s s e d a wi s e and no bl e s o n
Hight Tah m uras—t h e Bi nd e r o f t h e Div
Wh o t o o k t h e thr o ne and girt h is l o ins t o ru l e ,

Th e n c all e d t h e arch m age s and in gr aci o us w o rd s


S aid : Thr o ne and p al ac e cr o w n and m ac e and c ap

,

A re m i n e t o day and wh e n m y r e d e h ath p u rg e d


-

Th e w o rld a m o u n t ain t o p s h all b e m y fo o t s t o o l -


.

I will r e s tr ai n t h e Div will r e ig n s u pr e m e ,

A nd u s e t h e u s e fu l fo r t h e c o mm o n g o ld .

H e s h e ar e d t h e fl o ck s and m e n b e g an t o s pi n ; ,

H e th u s i nv e nt e d cl o th e s and dr ap e ri e s .

H e ch o s e t h e s wift e s t qu adru p e d s and m ad e th e m


To fe e d o n b arl e y gr as s and h ay ; h e no t e d , ,

Th e s hy e s t o f t h e b e as t s o f pr e y and ch o s e ,

Th e j aok al an d t h e ch e e t ah l u rin g th e m ,

Fr o m hill and pl ain and t au ght th e m t o o b e y h im .

A m o ng t h e w e ll —
,

ar m e d bird s h e ch os e t h e h awk

A nd no bl e falc o n and b e g an t o t am e th e m ,

Whil e m e n l o o k e d o n am az e d H is o rd e r s w e r e
To r e ar t he bird s and s p e ak t o th e m with ki nd ne s s .

H e br ou ght t h e c o ck s and h e ns t o cr o w at dr u m b e at 2
,

A nd t u r ne d all hidd e n pr o p e rti e s t o u s e .

H e s aid : Addr e s s y o u r pr ay e r s and pr ais e t o H im


Wh o m ad e t h e w o rld and u s t o r u l e t h e b e as t s : ,

Pr ai s e b e t o H im fo r H e dir e ct e d u s ,
.

S1
I ntr d p 4 8
ee o . . .

Th dr m b at n
2
e ut ide palac e in t h E as t t dawn
e e ou s s e a .
1 28 TH E S H A H N A M A OF PI RDA vs i
E xpl ore d h e in a r e ig n o f thirty
ye ars ,

Y e t p as s e d aw ay H is ti m e o f life w as s p e n t
A nd all h is t o il s b e c am e his m o nu m e nt .

0 w o rld ! c ar e s s no t th o s e wh o m th o u wilt s o o n
C u t o ff for s u ch c ar e s s ing is no b o o n ;
,

Th ou rais e s t o ne t o v e ry h e av e n o n high ,

Th e n b idde s t h im in s o rry d u s t t o lie .


J A M S H ID

HE RE IG N E D S E VE N H U N D RE D Y E A RS

A R GU M E N T
J ams h id su cc e e ds his f th r T
a e ah mi i ra s
'

as S a hh and b e c o me s t he
gr t t ea e s t fm f t h c lt r h r
and H c n ti n
mo s a ou s o e u u e -

e oe s . e o ues

t h w rk f h i p r d c r m k dditi n f hi nd
'

e o o swn e e esso s, a es a o s o s o ,
a

i nt r d c t h l x ri nd r fin m n t f lif H di i d m n
o u es e u u es a e e e s o e . e v es a

ki nd i n t f r c t cl o H tr ou l r t h w rl d nd
as es or as s e s . e av e s o ve e o ,
a

i t h fir t t c r
s e th in hip
s H o pir t t h d mi ni n
os s e sea s s. e as es o e o o

o f th i bt i n it nd li in r cl r c mm ni n with G d
e a r, o a s ,
a ve s eve ose o u o o .

A h ri m n i r nd r d p w rl
a f ill di
s e nd d th c e e o e e ss or ,
s e as e a ea e as e ,

a n d t h w rl d p ethr gh t h G l d n A g A t l ngth p il d
o as s e s ou e o e e. e ,
s o e

b y cc J m hid c m t think hi m lf G d nd rd r th t
su ess, a s o es o se o ,
a o e s a

di i n h n r
v e h ll b p i d t him lf l n Th G r c f G d
o ou s s a e a o se a o e . e a e o o

a b nd n him A hri m n i nch i n d n d i ncit Z hhak w h h


a o s . a s u a e a es a ,
o as

b c m hi in t r m nt t m k w n J m hi d n d t h l tt r
e o e s s u e , o a e ar o a s ,
a e a e

i
s s l in a .

NO E T
J am s hi d ,
as b r th r n t t h n
we h av e a lr e ad y s e e n, is t h e o e ,
o e so ,

o f T hm in t h
a l d r f rm f t h l g nd With t h r ig n
'
i i ras e o e o o e e e s . e e

o f J m hid t h V d
a Z nd
s t nd S h ah n am m t n c mm n
e e as , a a v as a, a a ee o o o

g r n d I n t h V d M n nd Y m
ou . th t wi n n
e e as a u a a a ar e e so s o

Vi t t h b right
v as v a , hi ni ng n i t h n M n i t h
e or s o e, . e . e su . a u s e

pr g nit r nd l wgi r f t h A ry n r c nd Y m i g d
o e o a a ve o e a a e a a a s a o .
1

I n t h Z nd t e Yi m i t h a n f V i ngh t i t h I rani n
av as a a s e so o va a ,
s e a

N h h
oa c n n t with G d nd i ff r d by H im t h p t
,
as a ove a o , a s o e e e os

a ft rw rd cc pt d b y Z r t r I n t h l g nd f t h b ildi ng
e a s a e e o o as e . e e e o e u

1 DH A , iv 3 1 . .
1 30 PI R DA U S I
TH E S H A H N A M A OF

o f hi V s n d rgr nd p l c
ar, o r u in n ticip ti n f t h Fl d w e ou a a e, a a o o e oo , e

h t h rigi n f Fi d i cc n t f t h r chit ct r l chi


av e e o o r au s

s a ou o e a e u a a eve

m nt e f J m hi ds o Th n Y im i d withi n him lf H w h ll
a s :

e a sa se :

o s a

I m n g t m k th t V r which A h r M
a a e o d h a c mm nd d e a a a u a az a as o a e

m t m k ? A nd A h r M d i d nt Yi m 0 f ir
’ ‘
e o a e u a az a sa u o a: a

Yi m n a,f V i n gh t !
so Cr h t h o r th with t mp f va a us e ea a s a o

th y h l nd th n k n d it with thy h nd
ee ,
a t h p tt r d e ea

a s , as e o e oe s

wh n k n di ng t h p tt r cl y
e ea A n d Yi m m d V r e o e

s a . a a e a a a,

l ng
o ri di ng gr nd n
as a ry i d f t h q r -
Th r ou ,
o e ve s e o e s ua e . e e

h e est b li h d dw lli ng pl c c n i ti ng f h
a s e with b lc ny e -
a es, o s s o a ouse a a o ,

a c r ty rd nd g ll ry I n t h l rg t p r t f t h pl c h
ou a ,
a a a e . e a es a o e a e e

m d ni n t r t
a e i in t h m i ddl p r t th r
e s in t h
ee m ll t s, s x e e a ,
ee e s a es .
”1

i d cr i b d t h b right Y i m th g d h ph r d “
H e s es e as e a, e oo s e e

b r l d
e r th
u e n K h
ove ( Cli m ) f t h r th re s e ve ar s v ar e s es o e ea ,
o ve

th D é e
( d m n ) nd m n
a v as H w h t k fr m t h D é
e o s a e . e o oo o e a v as

b th rich nd w lf r b th f t n
o es n d fl ck
a b th w l nd e a e, o a ess a o s, o ea a

G l ry o I n wh . r ig n b th li m nt ( f d nd dri nk ) w r os e e o a e s oo a e e

n eve r f ili ng f f di ng c r t r fl ck nd m n w r n dyi ng


a or ee ea u es, o s a e e e u ,

w t r nd pl n t w r ndryi n g ; in wh
a e s a r ig n th r w
a s e e u ose e e e as

n ith r c l d wi n d n
e e h t wi nd n ith r ld g n
o d th n or o ,
e e o a e or ea ,
or

e n y m d
v by t h D é in t h ti m b f r hi li b f r h
a e e a v as , e es e o e s e, e o e e

b g n t h d light in w rd f f l h d nd n t r th B t
e a o av e e o s o a se oo a u u . u

wh n h b g n t h
e e d light in w rd
e f f l h d nd n t r th
a o av e e o s o a se oo a u u ,

t h Gl r y w
e n t
o fl w y fr m him in t h h p f bi rd
as see o ee a a o e s a e o a .

W h n h Gl ry h d di pp r d th n t h g r t Y i m
e ls o th a sa ea e ,
e e ea a e

g d h ph rd t r mbl d nd w in rr w b f r hi f ; h
oo s e e ,
e e a as so o e o e s oe s e

w asc n f nd d nd l i d him d wn n t h gr nd E l w h r hi
o ou e ,
a a o o e ou .
”2
se e e s

b i n g wn
e n d r i m n ti n d t h
sa t n t b i ng r f rr d di r ctly
as u e s e o e ,
e ac o e e e e e

t Z h h ak b t t S pit y
o a h wh w d Yi m in t w i n
u o u ra, e o sa e a a .
”3

S pit y w br th r f Yi m
u ra H i n t m nti n d in t h
as a o e o as

. e s o e o e e

S h ah nam ; b t t h nm ity b tw
a n b r th r u ch r ct ri tic f e e e ee o e s, so a a e s o

E t r n lif
as e cr p p g i n nd g i n in t h p m Th t h
e, o s u a a a a a e oe . us e

tw br th r f F id m n y nd t ry t m rd r h im nd t h
o o e s o ar i
'
e v a o u e ,
a e

i nci d nt r c r with m r di t r r lt in t h c
e e u s f F idim o e s as ous esu s e as e o ar

s

o w n s o ns .

i i i n i n t c t l pp r in t h Z nd t wh r
Th e d v s o o as es a so a ea s e a av as a, e e

b th t h thr nd t h f r c t
o e m n ti n d nd t h fi r t
ee a e ou as es are e o e ,
a e s

thr th r t t d t h b n i n tit t d by Z r t r w h
e e are e e s a e o av e ee s u e o o as e , o

pl c d hi thr
a e rthly n t t h h d f th m I n t h p m
s ee ea so s a e ea o e .
4
e oe

th y t h i n tit ti n f hi gr t pr d c r J m h id
e are e s u o o s ea e e es so a s .

J m hid i c nt r cti n f Yi m nd K h h ét ( ki ng )
a s s a o a o o a a s a a .
5

1
DZ A , i . 1 8 .
2
Id . ii . 2 93 .

4
Id . 20 1 , a nd s e e M ZA , iii . 2 65 .
TH E S H A H N A M A PI R DA U S i
'

OF

He fir s t wr o u ght ar m s and o p e d for w arri o rs


Th e d o o r o f fam e. H is Gr ac e m ad e ir o n yi e ld ;
H e fas hi o ne d it t o h e l m e ts h au b e rk s br e as tpl at e s
, , ,

A nd c o ats o f ar m o u r b o th fo r m an and h o r s e .

H is ard e nt m i n d achi e v e d t he w o rk and m ad e


Go o d s t o r e in fifty y e ar s A no th e r fifty
.

H e s p e nt o n r ai m e n t fit fo r fight o r fe as t ;
A nd m ad e o f s p u n an d fl o s s s ilk h air and c o tt o n , ,

Fine fabric s cl o th o f h air and rich br o c ad e


,
.
.

H e t au ght t o s pi n and w e av e and wh e n t h e s t u ffs


,

W e r e m ad e h e s h o w e d m e n h o w t o fu ll and s e w th e m
Th e n t o t h e j o y o f all h e fo u nd e d c as t e s
Fo r e v e ry cr aft it t o o k h im fifty y e ar s .

Di s ting u i s hing o ne c as t e as s ac e rd o t al
To b e e m pl oy e d in s acr e d o ffi c e s ,

H e s e p ar at e d it fr o m o th e r fo lk
A nd m ad e it s pl ac e o f s e rvic e o n t h e m o u nt ai ns
Th at G o d m ight b e ad o r e d in qu i e t u d e .

Arr aye d fo r b attl e o n t h e o th e r h and


W e r e th o s e w h o fo r m e d t h e m ilit ary c as t e ;
The y w e r e t h e li o n m e n i nu r e d t o w ar
-

Th e Light s o f ar m i e s an d o f pr o vi nc e s
Wh o s e o ffic e w as t o g u ard t h e r o y al thr o ne
A nd v i ndic at e t h e nati o n s n am e fo r v al o u r

.

Th e third c as t e w as t h e agric u lt u r al ,

A ll i nd e p e n d e nt till e r s o f t h e s o il ,

Th e s o w e r s and t h e r e ap e r s m e n wh o m no ne
-

Upbr aid e th wh e n th e y e at Th ou gh cl o th e d in r ag s
.
,

Th e w e ar e r s are n o t s l av e s and s o u nd s o f chidi ng


,

R e ach no t th e ir e ar s Th e y are fr e e m e n and l ab o u r


.

Up o n t h e s o il s afe fr o m di s p u t e and c o n t e s t .

Wh at s aid t h e no bl e m an and e l o qu e nt ?
Tis idl e ne s s th at m ak e th fr e e m e n s l av e s

.

Th e fo u rth c as t e w as t h e art iz ans Th e y liv e .

By d o i ng h andiwo rk—a t u rb u l e nt cr e w ,
yA M S H ID

Wh o b e ing alw ay s b u s i e d with th e ir cr aft


A regiv e n m u ch t o th o ught J ams h id th u s s p e nt .

A no th e r fifty y e ars and did m u ch go o d ,

Fo r e ach m an l e ar n t his pl ac e and o th e r s t o o



.

H e b ad e t h e fou l d ivs t e m p e r e arth with w at e r


A nd t au gh t th e m h o w t o fas hi o n m o u ld s fo r brick s .

Th e y l aid fo u nd atio ns fir s t with s t o ne s and li m e ,

Th e n r ai s e d th e r e o n by r u l e s o f art s u ch s tr u ct u r e s
A s h o t b ath s l o fty h all s and s anct u ari e s
, ,
.

'

H e s e arc h e d am o ng t h e r o ck s fo r s t o ne s wh o s e l u s tr e
Attr act e d him and c am e o n m any a j e w e l ,

A s r u bi e s am b e r s il v e r g o ld
, ,
J a m s h id
, .

Unl o cke d th e 1 r d o o r s and br o u ght th e m fo rth by


s p e ll s
.

H e i nt r o d u c e d t h e s c e n t s th at m e n e nj o y
A s c am ph o r g e nu i ne m u s k gu m B e nj am i n
, , ,

S w e e t al o e am b e rgri s and bright r o s e w at e r


, ,
.

N e xt l e e chcr aft and t h e h e aling o f t h e s ick ,

Th e m e ans o f h e alth t h e c o u r s e o f m al adi e s


,

W e re s e cr e t s o p ene d by J am s h id : t h e w o rld
H ath s e e n no o th e r s u ch di s c o v e r e r .

H e cr o s s e d t h e s e a in s hip s Fo r fifty y e ar s .

H is wi s d o m br o u ght t o light t h e pr o p e rti e s


O f thi ng s. Th e s e w o rk s achi e v e d J am s hid am biti o ne d ,

R ank l o ftie r s till and by h is r o y al Gra c e


,

M ad e h im a thr o ne with wh at a w e al t h o f ge ms
,

I nl aid ! which wh e n h e will e d t h e d ivs t o o k u p


A nd b ar e fr o m e arth t o h e av e n Th e re t h e S hah .
,

Wh o s e w o rd w as law s at s u nlik e in m id air


, .

Th e w o rld as s e m bl e d r ou n d his thr o ne in w o nd e r


At his r e s pl e nd e nt fo rtu ne whil e o n him ,

Th e p e o pl e s c att e r e d j e w e l s and b es t o w e d ,

Up o n t h e day t h e nam e o f N e w Y e ar s Day ’

Th e fir s t o f Farw ardin and o f t h e y e ar ,

Wh e n li m b s r e p o s e fr o m l ab o u r he arts fr o m s trife , .
TH E S H A H N A M A

1 34 O F PI R DA 0 5 1

Th e bl e Chi e ft ai ns h e ld a fe s tival
no ,

C all e d fo r t h e g o bl e t wi ne and m ins tr e l s y


, , ,

A nd e v e r s i nc e th at ti m e th at gl o ri o u s day
R e m aine th t h e m e m o ri al o f th at S hah .

Th u s thi ng s c o nti nu e d fo r thr e e c e ntu ri e s ,

A nd all t h e whil e m e n n e v e r l o o k e d o n d e ath ;


Th e y w o tt e d no t o f trav ail o r o f ill ,

A nd d iv s li k e s l av e s w e r e gir t t o do th e m s e rvic e ;
M e n h e ark e ne d t o J am s h id with b o th th e ir e ar s ,

S we e t v o ic e s fill e d t h e w o rld with m e l o dy ,

A nd th u s till m any y e ar s h ad c o m e and g o n e


Th e r oy al Gr ac e s h o ne brightly fr o m t h e S hah
H is e nd s h ad b e e n at t ai ne d t h e w o rld r e po s e d
, ,

A nd s till ne w r e v e l ati o ns c am e fr o m G o d ,

M e n s aw b u t g o o d ne s s in th e ir ki ng t h e e arth ,

S erv e d h im h e r e ig ne d— a m o narch with t h e Gr ac e


, .

On e day c o nt e m pl ati ng t h e thr o ne o f p o w e r


H e d e e m e d th at h e w as p e e rl e s s H e kne w G o d
.
,

Bu t ac t e d fr o w ar dly and t u r ne d as id e
I n h is i ngr atit u d e . H e s u m m o ne d all
Th e chi e fs and wh at a w e al t h o f w o rd s h e u s e d
,

The w o rld is m i n e I fo u nd it s pr o p e rti e s


, ,

Th e r o y al thr o ne h ath s e e n n o ki ng like m e ,

Fo r I h av e d e ck e d t h e w o rld wi t h e xc e ll e nc e
A nd fas hi o ne d e arth acc o r di ng t o m y will .

Fr o m m e d e riv e y ou r pr o v and e as e and s l e e p


, , ,

Y o u r r ai m e nt and y o u r pl e as u r e Mine are gr e atne s s


.

A nd di ad e m and s o v e r e ig nty Wh o s aith


.

Th at th e r e is any gr e at ki ng s av e m y s e lf
L e e ch cr aft h ath c u r ed t h e w o rld di s e as e and d e ath
,

A re s t ay e d . Th o u gh ki ng s are m any w h o b u t I
S av e d m e n fr o m d e ath ? Ye o w e m e s e nse and life
Th e y w h o ad o r e m e no t are Ahri m ans .

S o n o w th at y e p e rc e iv e wh at I h av e d o ne

All h ail m e as t h e M ak e r o f t h e w o rld .
1 36 TH E S H A H N A M A OF P I R DA U S I ‘

E ng ag e d in p e ri nt e nd e nc e no t in w ar
su .

O ne day I bli s appr o ach e d h im as a fri e nd


A nd le d his wit s as tr ay Th e y o u th g av e e ar
.

With pl e as u r e and all u ns u s p e ctingly


Gave t o I bl is h e ar t r e as on and p u r e s ou l
, , ,

A nd h e ap e d t h e d u s t o n h is o wn h e ad I bl is .

E x u lt e d s e e i ng th at t h e y o u th w as s nar e d
A nd g u ll e d t h e s i m pl e t o n with s p e ci o u s w o rd s ,

Thu s s ayi ng : I c o u ld t e ll th e e m any things


K no w n t o m y s e lf al o ne .

Th e y o u th m ad e ans w e r
T e ll m e at o nc e my w o rthy m onit o r I
,

I blis r e pli e d Fir s t pr o m i s e th e n m y s t o ry



,
.

Th e g u il e l e s s y o u th s w o r e as I bl is dict at e d
Thy s e cr e t s h all b e k e pt thy biddi ng d o ne ,
.

Th e n s aid I blis Gr e at pri nc e ! s h all any r u l e


H e r e b u t thy s e lf ? Wh at pro fi t e t h a s ir e
With s u ch a s o n N o w h e ark e n t o m y r e d e
Th e life ti m e o f thi s anci e n t p o t e nt at e
C o nti nu e th th o u art s h e lv e d S e i z e o n h is c o u rt
,
.

A nd g o o d s. H is pl ac e will s u it th e e th ou s h alt b e ,

Ki ng o f t h e w o rld if th o u d u r s t do m y biddi ng .

Z ah h ak l o o k e d gr av e t o s h e d his s ir e s bl o o d gri e v e d

He id : N o t
sa s o, s u gg e s t so me o th e r c o u r s e
Thi s c anno t b e .

Th e n th o u I bli s r ej o i ne d , ,

Art p e rj u r e d and wilt s till b e d e s pic abl e ,

Thy fath e r h o no u r e d .

Thu s h e s nar e d t h e Ar ab ,

Wh o as k e d Wh at m u s t I do ? I will o b e y

.

I blis r e pli e d L e ave m e t o s ch e m e Thy h e ad



.

S h all t o u ch t h e s u n I o nly as k thy s il e n c e ;


.

N 0 h e lp ne e d I m y s e lf am c o m p e t e nt
, ,

Bu t ke e p t h e s w o rd o f s p e e ch withi n t h e s c abb ard .


3 A M S HI D
N o w in t h e p al ac e w as a j c ou nd g arth ,

A nd t hith e r u s e d M arda s t o go at d aw n
To b ath e h im e re h e pr ay e d with ou t a s l av e ,

To light him o n h is w ay Th e wick e d Div


, ,

I nt e nt o n ill dug in t h e g ard e n p ath


,
-

A d e e p pit m as k e d and m ad e it g o o d with b o u gh s


,
.

E re d awn t h e Ar ab chi e ft ai n hi e d h im thith e r


A nd as h e r e ach e d t h e pit his fo rt u ne s fe ll ;
, ,

Th at g o o d m an t u m bl e d br o k e h is b ack and di e d
, ,
.

H e ne e r h ad br e ath e d a c o ld br e ath o n h is s o n

Bu t ch e ri s h e d h im and l avi s h e d tr e as u r e o n h im ,

Y e t th at ab and o ne d y o u th r e s p e ct e d no t
H is fath e r b u t c o ns pir e d t o s h e d h is bl o o d
, .

I h e ard a s ag e o n c e s ay : Th o u gh fi e rc e in s trife

N o s o n will d ar e t o t ak e h is fath e r s life ;


I f s u ch a cri m e s h o u ld s e e m t o b e i m pli e d
S e e k fo r t h e r e as o n o n t h e m o t h e r s s id e

.

Vil e and u nj u s t Zah h ak th u s s e i z e d t h e thr o ne ,

A s s u m e d t h e Ar ab s cr o w n and g o v e r ne d t h e m

Fo r g o o d o r ill .

I bl is e nc o u ra e d thu s
B e g an ag ai n and s aid : S i nc e io u h as t t u rne d

g
To m e and gaine d t h y h e art s d e s ir e c o m e pl e dg e m e
'

, ,

Thy w o rd o n c e m o r e t o do as I r e qu ir e ;
A nd th e n thy r e al m s h all s pr e ad thr o u gh o u t t h e w o rl d ,

Bird s b e as t s and fi s h e s s h all b e all thi ne o w n


, ,
.

Wh e n thi s w as s aid h e s e t ab o u t t o u s e ,

M o s t m arv e ll o u s ! ano th e r kind o f r u s e .

g3
H ow I blis t u rned Co ok

Th e n as a y o u th w e ll s p o ke n cl e an and cl e ve r, , ,

I bl is w e nt t o Z ahh ak with faw ni ng w o rd s ,


TH E S H A H N A M A

1 38 O F PI R DA 0 5 1

Le t m e he s aid wh o am
, ,

a no e t d c o ok ,


Fi nd fav o u r with t h e ki ng .

By app e tit e
S e d u c e d Zah h ak r e c e iv e d and w e lc o m e d him
, ,

S o th at t h e m o narch s faithfu l m i ni s t e r

G av e t o I bl is t h e r o y al k itch e n s k e y ’
.

F o o d s th e n w e r e fe w m e n did no t kill t o e at
,

Bu t liv e d o n v e g e t al s o f all e arth s pr o d u c e ;


S o e v il d o i ng A hri m an d e s ig ne d
-

To s l au ght e r ani m al s fo r fo o d and s e rv e d ,

B o th bird and b e as t H e fe d t h e king o n bl o o d


.

T 0 m ak e h im li o n fi e rc e and lik e a s l av e
-

O b e y e d him .F irS t b e fe d his l o r d o n y e lk


To m ak e h im s t r o ng ; h e like d t h e fl av o u r m u ch
A nd pr ai s e d I b lis w h o s aid :
,
I ll u s tri o u s m o narch “

For e v e r liv e ! To m o rr o w I w ill s e rv e th e e


-


S o as t o pl e as e th e e w e ll .

All night h e m u s e d
Wh at s tr ang e r e p as t t o pr o ffe r o n t h e m o rr o w ,

A nd wh e n t h e az u r e v au l t br o u ght b ack ag ai n
Th e g o ld e n G e m h e h o p e fu lly pr e s e n t e d
A m e al o f p artridg e s and s ilve r ph e as ants .

Th e Ar ab m o narch at e and h is s m all wit s


W e r e l o s t in ad m ir ati o n O n t h e third day .

I bl is s e rv e d l am b and fo wl and o n t h e fo u rth ,

A chi ne o f v e al with s affr o n and r o s e wat e r ,

M u s k and o ld wi ne Z ahh ak w h e n h e h ad t as t e d
.
,

I n w o n d e r at h is c o o k s ability ,

S aid : “
W o rthy fri e nd as k th o u m y r e c o m p e ns e .

H e ans w e r e d : Li v e O ki ng ! in w e alth and p o w e r



,
.

My h e art is thine thy fav o u r m y s o u l s fo o d ;


Y e t w o u ld I as k o ne b o o n ab o v e m y s t ati o n
Tis l e av e t o ki s s and lay m y fac e and e y e s


Up o n t h y s h o u ld e r s .

O ff his gu ard Z ah h ak
R e pli e d : I gr ant it ; it m ay do th e e gr ac e

.
PI RDA U S I
'

TH E S H A H N A M A

OF

A nd h av ing s e i z e d t h e thr o ne o f S hah J am s h id


S lipp e d o n t h e w o rld as tw e r e a fi nge r ri ng

-
.

Th u s fe ll J am s h id Pr e s s e d by t h e w o rld s ne w l o r d
.

H e fl e d s u rr e nd e rin g cr o w n thr o ne and tr e as u r e


, , ,

H o s t p o w e r and di ad e m Th e w o rld t u rne d bl ack


, .

To h im h e di s app e ar e d and yi e ld e d all


, .

H e w as in hidi ng fo r a c e nt u ry ,

Bu t in t h e h u ndr e dth y e ar t h e i m pi o u s S hah


App e ar e d o ne day b e s id e t h e s e a o f Chin .

Z ah h ak cl u tch e d him fo r t hwith g av e h im s m all r e s pit e


, ,

A nd s awi ng h im as u nd e r fr e e d t h e w o rld
Fr o m h im and fr o m t h e fe ar th at h e i ns pir e d .

L o ng w as h e hidd e n fr o m t h e Dr ag o n s br e ath’

Bu t th e r e w as n o e s c api ng in t h e e nd ,

Fo r fo rt u ne whirl e d h im lik e a y e ll o w s tr aw
A nd b o th h is thr o ne and gr e at ne s s p as s e d aw ay .

Wh at b e tt e r S hah w as e v e r o n t h e thr o ne ,

A nd y e t wh at pr o fit c ou ld h e c all h is o w n
Fr o m all h is t o il s ? H is s e v e n c e n t u ri e s
Bro u ght h im gr e at bl e s s i ng s and c al am iti e s .

Wh at n e e d h as t th o u th e n fo r a l e ngth o f y e ar s ?
Th e w o rld w ill k e e p it s s e cr e t s th o u gh fo r fo o d
'

I t giv e th e e s w e e t s and h o ne yc o m b and r u d e


,

U nge ntl e v o ic e s b ani s h fr o m thine e ar s .

Wilt th o u th e n s ay : I t s l o v e is s p e nt o n m e

,

I n e v e ry l o o k affe cti o n is e xpr e s s e d


Wilt th o u c o nfid e th e r e i n c ar e s s i ngly
A nd t e ll it all t h e s e cr e t s o f thy br e as t ?
"
I will pl ay with th e e a pr e tty g am e i nd e e d

A no n and c au s e thy wr e tch e d h e art t o bl e e d


,
.

My h e ar t is w e ary o f thi s W ay s id e I nn
O G o d ! r e l e as e m e s o o n fr o m t o il th e r e i n .
ZA H H A K

HE RE IG N E D A TH O U S A N D Y E A RS

GU M EN T AR

With t h cc i n f Z hhak il b c m t i m ph nt ry
e a ess o o a ev e o es r u a e ve

wh r H pr cti
e e . nd nc r g bl ck r t i d l t ry nd
e a ses a e ou a es a a s, o a ,
a

h m n rific H h w rni ng d m c nc rni ng hi d ti n d


u a s ac e . e as a a re a o e s es e

c nq r r F ri dun wh m h t ri in i n t c pt r A t l ngth
o ue o a , o e s ve s va o a u e . e

t h p pl dri
e n t
eo x p r ti n by Z hhak r lt t F ri dun t
e, ve o e as e a o a ,
e vo o a a

t h i n tig ti n f K aw t h m ith F id m nd Z hhak m t '

e s a o o a e s . ar i a a ee ,

a nd t h l tt r i t k n pr i
e n r a e s a e so e .

NO E T
Zahh ak , as w e h av e a lr e ad y s e e n,
1
w as o rigi nally an e il S pi rit v of

t h e I n do -
Irani an
t r w r hip I n t h Z nd t h till cc na u e -
o s . e a av as a e s o a

i n lly
s o pp r in hi ch r ct r f w t r t l r Z r th t r
a a ea s s a a e o a e -
s ea e .

a a us a

as k d A rd i S r A nahit (A n iti t h g d g ni
e v ii

af th a

a s, e oo e us o e

wt r)
a e O A r d i S ur A n ahit ! With wh t m nn r f crific
s : v a a a a e o sa e

s h ll I w r hip th ?
a oS th t M d ( U m d) may m k
s ee o a az a r uz a e

th ee n d wn ( t
ru th r th ) o th t h m y n t m k th o n e ea ,
so a e a o a e ee ru

u p i n t t h h o n b t he n; n d th t t h
e av e S rp nt m y s, a ove e su a a e e e a

n t i j
2
th

o n ur e ec .

M r g o er lly h w r h i r pr nt d
e ne a fi nd cr t d
,
o e ve ,
e s e e se e as a e , ea e

b y A h ri m n t t h Irani n r c
a nd c rry f
o f t h light
ve x f e a a e, a a o e o

s ove r ig nty whil in t h S hah nam h l


e t gr t xt nt hi e e a e o se s o a ea e e s

su p rn t r l ch r ct r nd i
e a u a lr dy h b n p i nt d t
a a e ,
a s , as a ea as ee o e ou ,
3

t h p r t g ni t
e f th
o a S mitic r c
o in th i r d li ng with t h
s o e e a e e ea s e

1
In tr d p o . .
7 .
9
DZA , ii .
74 .
3
In tr o d. p .
54 .
PI RDA U S f
'

14 2 TH E S H A H N A M A OF

p pl f Iran H i cc rdi ngly r pr nt d


eo e o . n ti f e s a o e ese e as a a ve o

A r bi t h
a i n d d I ran nd t h h d hi c pit l t cit y
a, o av e va e ,
a o av e a s a a a a

which i p rh p b t i d n tifi d with B byl n W r d in t h


s e a s es e e a o . e ea e

Z nd a t T h
av as
( i A n iti
a :) did A i D h“
ak ( Z h h a
ok ) t h er . e. a s z a a a , e

thr m th d ff r p
ee -

ou crific in t h l nd f B w ri with
e ,
o e u a sa e e a o a ,
a

h ndr d m l h r
u e th nd x n nd t n th nd l mb
a e o ses, a ou s a o e ,
a e ou sa a s .

H b gg d f h
e e b n yi ng G r n t m thi b n 0 g d
e o er a oo ,
sa :

a e s oo ,
oo ,

m t b n fi nt A r d i S ir A nahit ! th t I m y m k
os e e ce ll t h v i a a a a a e a e

n K ( C l im ) f t h r th m pty f m n A rd i S ur ’
s e ve h ars v are s es o e ea e o e . v a

A n ahit did n t g r n t him th t b n


a T h
o did Th ét n a a oo . o er ra ao a

( F ri dun ) t h h i r f t h
a li n t A t hw y cl n fl p c rific
,
e e o e va a a a ,
o er u a sa e

y i n g G r n t m thi O g d m t b n fi nt A rd i S ir
sa : a e s, oo ,
os e e ce v i a

A n ahit ! th t I m y a rc m A i D hak t h thr m th d t h


a a ove o e z a a, e ee -
ou e ,
e

thr h d d t h i y d th t d m n b l f l t t h w rl d
ee -
ea e ,
e s x -
e e a e o ,
a e u o e o

th t A ngr M iny (A hri m n) cr t d g i n t t h m t ri l w rl d


a a a u a ea e a a s e a e a o ,

t d t r y t h w rl d f t h g
o es o d p ri ncipl e nd th t I m y d li
o r o e oo e a a a e ve

hi t w wi
s S on gh ah ( S h h ina ) n d E n ak (A n w a )
ve s, av a av a r z a re av r a z ,

wh o th f ir t f b dy m ng t w m n nd t h m t
are e a es o o a o s o e ,
a e os

w nd r f l cr t r in t h w rl d
o e u ea u es e o .
’ 1

Z hh ak p l c i c ll d in t h Z nd
a

s t K i int
a a e which m y s a e e a av as a v r a, a

m n in t h A
ea t l ng g e t rk Th r i l g nd t h t
v as s a ua e

a s o .

e e s a e e a

th p l c w
e in t h f rm f th t bi rd
a a e as e o o a .
2

W l rn f r m t h D ink d th t t h l g nd f Z hh ak w
e ea o e ar a e e e o a as

c nt i n d in t h Kit dad nd S adh N k f t h Z nd t


o a e e

ra a ar as s o e a av as a .

Th l tt r N k c n t i n d i nf rm ti n A b t t h miti ng by “
e a e as o a e o a o ou e s

F édun f
r th k f killi ng D h ak ; t h t riki ng f hi cl b
,
or e sa e o a e s o s u

u p n t h n p f t h n ck t h h r t nd n t h k ll ; nd
o e a e o e e ,
e ea ,
a e ve e s u a

D h ak n t dyi ng f r m th t b ti ng
a

s o Th n miti g him wi th o a ea . e s n a

s w rd nd t h f rm ti n f n xi
o ,
a c r t r f m ny kind
e o a o o o ou s ea u es o a s,

f r m t h b dy f D hak t t h fir t c nd nd thi rd bl w
o e o o a ,
a e s ,
se o , a o .

Th xcl m ti n f t h cr t r A ih m d t F d n th
e e a a o o Th e ea o i ar az o re

ii
'

us : ou

s h l d t n t t him w h i D h ak b c
ou s o cu if th h l d t t o s a ,
e ause ou s ou s cu

h im D h ak w l d b m ki ng thi
,
a r th f ll f rp nt t d
ou e a s ea u o se e s, oa s,

s c rpi n li rd t r t i
o o s, nd fr g z a with t h m d f b i ndi ng
s, o o ses, a o s e o e o

him with wf l f tt r in t h m t g ri a u p ni h m n t f n
e e s, e os e vo u s u s e o co

fi n m nt e Thi t th t wh n A i D h ak w b nd t h r p r t
e . s, oo, a e z -
a as ou ,
e e o

o f th m p r c d d th
e sa thr gh ll t h r gi n which
e o ee e us ou a e e o s, are

s e ven th t d w n t i k n i
,
A —
a i D h ak b t h w h o m t hi m
s r c e s z a ,
u e o s o e

i F éd n t h A pik an t h
s r ii
'
x lt d nd m ighty
e n d th
s ,
e e a e a a o se

which il d n t m nti n A n d m nd t h ir t
are ev o o e o z ,
or e a e v uou s

m i d n with i m p r t nity n
a e n c t d w lth Thi t o u ,
or e ve ov e e ea . s, oo ,

th t wh n i nf rm ti n c m t him f w m n pr p rty th t
a e o a o a e o o o e or o e ,
a

1 DZA , ii . 60 6 2 — and no e s . t 2
Id . 2 5 3 and no e . t
TH E S H A H N A M A PI RDA w t

14 4 OF

of t he gr t f t
ci nt Irani n h r G h a p I n t h
ea ea s of t he an e a e o ars s .
l
e

S h ah nam h i r pr nt d h m n b i ng —t h f ct t m
a e s e e se e as a u a e e a o u

o f Z hh ak Th t w a g d ill t t i n f.t h r l ti n hip e o are a oo us ra o o e e a o s

th t xi t b tw n I ndi n nd I rani n myt h l gy b tw n t h


'

a e s s e ee a a a o o ,
e ee e

V d nd t h Z nd t nd f t h g n i f t h l g nd f
e as a e a av as a, a o e e es s o e e e s o

t h e S hahnam a .

S o me re ade r r s i n o f t h e l g e nd o f
s m ay lik e to see t he ve o e

Z ahh ak a gi n in t he A rm ni an H i t ry att rib t e d t M s


s ve e s o u o ose

o f C h re ne which th gh s ub q e n t t o hi ti me i p r b ab ly
o ,
ou se u s s o

c e nt ri e ant e rio r t t he S h ahnama and s h w that t h le g e nd


u s o ,
o s e

wa k n wn in all it
s e n ti al f e at r s l ng be f r e F i da
o i s ess u e o o r us

s

day s I t r n th in Whi t o n L ati n r i n o f t he o rigi nal ’


. u s us s s ve s o

Q ui d au e m t tibi s un t v o lu pt at i v il es ac v anae de B y ras pe


A s t y age 2
fab u lae a u t c u r no bi i n pt
s e os a t q in l ue s u s o s , ac rat io nis

exp r t P r r m rm n
e es e sa u se o es, lbrm
a o e im po nis ex plic andi, ne m e p
d p ri m
e j b n f t m l o e us e e ac o a e fico, Dae m o niis qu e e i m inis t rant ib u s
,

ut qu e e rro r e m fals it at e m fru s t rari no n po t u e rit , ac su pr e

h u me ro rum o s c u lat io ne , u nde Drac o nu m o rt u s u , f it ac de in de


fl agit ii fre q ue nt ia h mi n o es pe r ve n t ri s usu m pe rdidit ; ut q u e
R h o dane s 3
qu id m p t a
e os e c at e nis eu m ae ne s i c o ns t rinx e rit , a tq ue

in m o n t e m,
qu i v o c at u r De m b av e ndu s , ab du x e rit is q u i
s clr e e a mac hinab at u r , do m o u m fo ris qu e i s nei sus pici o ne r ir e ud e

s o le b at , in B y r as pis h ume ri c ap t
s u re
po ne n s , ac ma le fi c a ar t s es

in au r e m inc u lc an s , n u de in fab u lis rrant


pu e ru m S at anae ,
na ,

mi nis t ru m ci f i u sse, e
'

j li s qu e v o lu nt at i o b s e c u ndas s e ; ut u e e
q am ti
s u b inde , q i pu as ra e miu m ab eo po s t u lans , h u m e ro s e j us o sc u

lare t ur C ae t e rum q u o d na an , D a o ne s u
. i ip m rr t r c p ll l u a s se , s ve su

B y ras pe m in Drac o ne n pro r s u s m u t at u m u s s e , it a hbt f i re s se a e .

Qu ipp e c u m im mane m h o m in u m nu m e ru m Dae m o niis ill i mm l r e o a e

c oepi t in dig n b n d m lt it d
sse , b t nd m b li n t f it a u a u u o a eo a e a a e a a u ,

i q s igit r c mm ni mni m c n n p l
ue u d m nt m
o pr
u o u o se su u su s , a o e su a
m m e t m n f git
o ra uIbi m ri a p m t
co mc t ru .
,
cu ae s re e re u r, s u a e u a e va

d it q a
e s e ru nfi i q i,
m p uti nt di
re li q t in
co s ,
u cu e rs e c u e ra
,
es a uo

ii l ci
s id
o nt A t By
s re s p h t m di p r m c g n
e ru .d ras e s , co or e s e sa o e s
,
a

in pin nt
0 im p t m f cit ( i ) m g mim q
a es t t lit d t im nt m
e u a s c a ue a u e r e u

sed i it t nd m m l t it d
v c By p a in f g m e nt h t u u o, ras es se u a co u ,

q m
ue m p h n m pr p e co m m nt m p re m nt
e t q in
su o cu o e e re e ru ,
a ue

m g m a lph i f
h a m nj su nt ur s o ve a co e c e ru .
”4

F t h m yth l gic l cc nt f A bti n t h f th r f F id m


'
or e o o a a ou o ,
e a e o ar i ,

s ee th i n t r d ct ry n t t t h n xt r ig n H i l g nd p
e o u o o e o e e e . s e e u

1
S ee i tr d ct
n o u or y t
no e t o t h e ne xt r ign e .

2
See I ntr d p o 72 .
3
L F idfi n
e. ar

. . .

4
M os is Ch oren ens is , e d. Whi s ton , 77 80 .
ZA H H AK

p i n t wh r it i t k n p in t h S hahnam m y b bri fly

t o t he o e e s a e u e a a e e

su mm ri d f ll w H w t h h d f f mily f P r i n
a se as o o s . e as e ea o a a o e s a

l nd w n r
a o th n wh dw lt in t h A lb r r ng t t h
e s or a es o e e u z a e o e

s ou th f t h C pi n nd cl i m d t b d c nd d fr m J m hid
o e as a a a e o e es e e o a s .

H eb g n t h w f i nd p nd nc g i n t Z hhak b t ft r
e a e ar o e e e e a a s a ,
u a e

so m cc w f rc d t t k r f g with t h r m n n t f
e su ess as o e o a e e u e e e a o

hi s dh r n t a t th ce r t f t h kin g f Ghil an w h r c i d
e s a e ou o e o ,
o e e ve

h im ki n dl y b t f ri g t h ng
,
nc f Z hh ak
u ,
b q ntly
ea n e ve ea e o a ,
su se ue

f rni h d him with hip n d pr i i n nd di mi d him t


u s e s s a ov s o s, a s sse o

s eek hi f r t n l wh r A ft r m nth
s o u y g
e n th e se e e . e a o

s vo a e o e

C pi n A b t in rri d t t h c r t f t h ki ng f t h S cythi n
as a a ve a e ou o e o e a s,

Wh d ght r F an k f ll in l with him I nci d nt im il r


ose au e ar a e o ve . e s s a

t th in t h t ry f Zal nd R dab in t h pr nt l m '

o ose e s o o a ii a e e se vo u e

f ll w d I n t h nd A bti n m rri d F an k b y wh m h h d
o o e . e e a e ar a , o e a

tw n o nd li
so d h ppil y nd in high f
s, a r wi th hi f th r
ve a a av o u s a e

in l w -
H
a c l d n t r t h w r I n dr m ft r dr m h
. e _
ou o es ,
o e ve . ea a e ea e

w asi ncit d t r m t h w f i nd p nd nc g i n t Z hh ak
e o esu e e ar o e e e e a a s a ,

a nd t l ngth in pit
a f th
e pp iti n f hi f th r i l w t
,
s e o e o os o o s a e -
h -
a ,
se

sa il with wif f m ily nd dh r nt nd ft r ri e, a d nt r ,


a a e e s, a a e va ous a ve u es

l nd d n r A m l in M a nd ran wh r h m d h i h m in
a e ea u z a a ,
e e e a e s o e

th err ndi ng f r t H r h g th r d b n d f f ll w r
su ou o es s. e e e a e e a a o o o e s

a nd r m d h i g rill w r f r
esu e g i n t Z h hak in t h mi d t
s ue a a a e a a s a ,
e s

f which F i d n w b rn t h bi t h b i ng h r l d d b y m ny
'

o ar ii as o ,
e r e e a e a

pr digi o A t thi p i n t t h S hahnam t k


es .
p th t ry s o e a a es u e s o .
1

§ 1

The E vil Cu s toms o f Z ahhak and the D evi c e


I r mci i l K ar mail
’ ’
of and

Z ahh ak thr o ne a th o u s and ye ar s


s at o n th e
O b e y e d by all t h e w o rld Thr o u gh th at l o ng ti m e .

Th e c u s t o m s o f t h e wi s e w e r e o u t o f v o g u e ,

l
Th e l u s t s o f m ad m e n flo u ri s h e d e v e rywh e r e ,

All virt u e w as d e s pi s e d bl ack art e s t e e m e d , ,

R ight l o s t t o s ight dis as t e r m anife s t ; ,

Whil e d ivs acc o m pli s h e d th e ir fe ll p u rp o s e s


A nd n o m an s p ak e o f g o o d u nl e s s by s t e alth l .

Th ab e i
1 mm ri d f m G H P i 1 7
e ov 1 1 &s su a se ro , . 1, 2 , c .

K
PI RDA us i
'

TH E S H A H N A M A OF

Tw o s s e s of
i t r J ams h id th e ir s e x s cr o w n
,

W e r e br o u ght o u t tr e m bling lik e a will o w l e af -


.

O f th o s e t w o l adi e s vi s ag e d lik e t h e m o o n
Th e n am e s w e r e S h ah rinaz an d A rnaw az .

M e n b o r e th e m t o t h e p al ac e o f Z ah h a k
A nd g av e th e m o v e r t o t h e dr ag o n ki ng ,

Wh o e d u c at e d th e m in e vil w ay s
A nd t au ght th e m s o rc e ry and ne cr o m ancy .

Th e o nly t e aching th at h e k ne w w as b ad
To m as s acr e t o pill ag e and t o b u r n
, , .

E ach night t w o y o u th s o f high o r l o wly birth


W e r e t ak e n t o t h e p al ac e by t h e c o o k ,

Wh o h aving s l au ght e re d th e m t o o k o u t th e ir br ains


To fe e d t h e s nak e s and e as e t h e m o narch s ang u i s h

.

N o w in t h e r e al m w e r e t w o g o o d hig h b o r n P e r s i ans
-

Th e pi ou s I rm ail and K ar ma il
’ ’

Th e pr e s ci e n t . T alki ng o f t h e l awl e s s S hah ,

Of h is r e t ai ne r s and th o s e hid e o u s m e al s ,

O ne s aid : By c o o k e ry w e m ight appr o ach


Th e S hah and by o u r wit s d e vi s e a s ch e m e
,

To r e s c u e o n e fr o m e ach p air d o o me d t o d e ath .

Th e y w e n t and l e ar ne d th at ar t Th e cl e v e r tw ai n
.

B e c am e t h e m onarch s c o o k s and j o y e d in s e cr e t

.

Th e ti m e fo r s h e ddi ng bl o o d and t aki ng life


C am e ,and s o m e m u rd e r o u s m i ni o ns o f t h e S hah
Dr agg e d t o t h e c o o k s with vi o l e nc e t w o y ou th s .

A nd fl u ng th e m pr o ne . Th e liv e r s o f t h e c o o k s
A c h e d t h e ir e y e s fill e d with bl o o d th e ir h e art s with wr ath
, , ,

A nd e ach gl anc e d at t h e o th e r as h e th ou ght


O f s u ch an o u tr ag e by t h e S hah Th e y s l e w
.

O ne o f t h e y o u th s and th o u ght it b e s t t o m i ngl e


H is pr e ci o u s br ai ns with s h e e p s and s p ar e t h e o th e r

To W h o m th e y s aid : “
M ak e s hift t o hid e t h ys e lf ,

Appr o ach no t any dw e lling pl ac e o f man


-

Thi ne are t h e was t e s and h e ights .


TH E S H A H N A M A OF PI RDA U S I
Dragg e d h im b e fo r e t h e cro wd in s h am e and an u s g i h
1 T o w ard M o u nt Dam aw and .

tyr ant writh e d Th e


Th o u w o u ld s t h av e s aid : H is live r S plit with fright .

H e y e ll e d Th e p al ac e o f t h e h u ndr e d c o l u m n s
.

S h o o k and t h e s u n fac e d l adi e s l e ft th e ir c o u ch es


,
-

Whil e A rnaw az s aid t o him : S hah ! wh at w as it ?


C o nfi de in m e ; th o u w as t as l e e p in p e ac e
At h o m e Wh at s aw s t th o u S ay wh at c am e t o t he e ?

Th e w o rld is at thy will b e as t div and m an , , ,

W atch o e r the e and t h e s e v e n cli m e s are thine


All twixt t h e m o o n and F is h



1
Wh at m ad e th e e s t art .


O m as t e r o f t h e w o rld ! O h ! ans w e r m e .

Th e chi e f r e pli e d : I m ay no t t e ll o r e l s e ,

Y e will d e s p air m y life .

Th e n A rnaw az
Be pl e as e d t o t e ll u s w e p e rch an c e m ay fi nd

A c u r e no ill is irr e m e di abl e
,
.

H e t o ld t h e m e v e ry whit th e n s aid t h e F air ,

N e gl e ct it no t b u t s e e k a r e m e dy .

Thy thr o ne s s e at is t h e S igne t o f t h e age



,

Thy fam ou s fo rtu ne b righ t e ne t h t h e w o rld ,

B e ne ath thy fi nge r ri ng th o u h as t t h e e arth


-

With all it s fairi e s d ivs b e as t s fo wl s and m e n


, , , ,
.

C all b o th t h e arch m age s and as tr o l o g e r s


Th e wi s e s t o f e ach r e al m— f
—and t e ll th e m all .

S e e if t h e h and th at t h re at e ne t h thy life


I s th at o f fairy div o r m an, ,
Thi s k no w n .

Act vigo r o u s ly ; q u ail n o t b e fo r e thy fo e s .

Th e l ady s c ou ns e l pl e as e d t h e S hah

.

Night th e n
Was d ark as r av e n s pl u m e s b u t wh e n at l e ngth

Th e L am p s h o w e d o e r t h e hill s and th o u h ad s t s aid


, ,

S tr e w e d y e ll o w g e ms u p o n t h e az u r e v au lt

,

1
S e e In tr o d. p .
71 .
'

ZA H H A K

Zahh ak bro u ght archim ag e s s hr e wd o f h e art


A nd t o ld t o th e m t h e dr e am th at pi e rc e d his liv e r .

H e s aid : E xp o u nd thi s dr e am with o u t d e l ay ,

A nd m ak e m y s ou l a p athw ay t o w ard t h e light .

H e as k e d th e m pri v ily ab o u t t h e fu t u r e ,

D e m andi ng : Wh at will b e my l att e r e nd ,

A nd wh o s u cc e e d me ? T e ll o r hid e y o u r h e ad s

I n s h am e .

Th e y t alke d t o g e th e r s ad at h e art ,

With p arch e d lip s and with s all o w c ou nt e nanc e s :


Th e y s aid : If w e t e ll tr u ly wh at is fat e d
We s h all b e t o rt u r e d h aply l o s e o u r li v e s ;
,

A nd if w e do no t ac t s tr aig h tfo rw ardly



A S w e ll w as h h and s o f life .

N o n e d ar e d t o s p e ak :
Th e ir fo rt u ne w as in j e o p ardy thr e e d ays .

Up o n t h e fo u rth th e S hah w as wr o th e xcl ai m ing : ,

F o r e t e ll t h e fu t u r e o r b e h u ng alive .

Th e y dr o o p e d th e ir h e ad s th e ir h e art s w e r e r e nt
, ,

th e ir e y e s
W e pt t e ar s o f bl o o d A mo ng th e m w as a m an
.
,

Wi s e h o ne s t pr e s ci e nt by nam e Zir ak
, , ,

Th e chi e f o i all t h e b and o f archi m ag e s .

C o nc e r ne d b u t fe arl e s s h e addr e s s e d Zah h ak


I nd u lge no v ap ou ri ng fo r n o ne is b o r n
E xc e pt t o die .Th e r e h ave b e e n ki ng s e re th e e
Fit fo r t h e thr o ne o f p o w e r B o th grie fs and j o ys
.

En o u gh th e y r e ck o ne d u p y e t th e ir ti m e c am e .

I f th o u w e rt s t andi ng th e r e an ir o n w all

Yo n h e av e n w o u ld gri nd th e e th ou w o u ld s t no t e nd u r e
, .

O ne will h e r e aft e r t ak e thy thr o ne and fli ng


Thy fo rtu ne t o t h e gr o u nd H is nam e is F ar idu n
.
,

A nd h e will b e a r o y al h e av e n t o e arth .

A s y e t h e is no t b o rn thy ti m e o f w o e
,

H at h no t arrive d b u t wh e n h is h o no u r e d m o th e r
,

H ath b o rne h im h e will b e a fr u itfu l tr e e .


1 50 TH E S H A H N A M A O F PI R DA U S I

At m an s e s t at e his h e ad will r e ach t h e m o o n


A nd h e will s e e k thy b e lt cr o w n thr o ne and c as q u e, , ,


.

I n s t atu r e a t all cypr e s s h e will s h o u ld e r ,

A m ac e o f s t e e l will s m it e thy h e ad th e r e with


,

A nd dr ag th e e fr o m t h e p al ac e t o t h e s tr e e t

I n b o nd s .

Why bi nd m e s aid t h e i m pi ou s ki ng , ,


I n v e ng e anc e ?
Th e n Zir ak : W e rt th ou b u t wi s e “

Bu t all m ak e pr e t e xt s for inj u ri o u s act s .

Thy h and will s l ay h is fath e r and th at wr ong


Will fill t h e s o n s br ains with r e v e nge fu l th ou ght s

B e s id e s t h e nu r s e o f thi s y ou ng ath e ling


.

Th e c o w Birm ay a hight —
, will p e ri s h t o o
By thy h and s o in v e ng e anc e h e will br andi s h
A n o x h e ad m ac e
-
.

Z ah h ak h e ard anxi o u s ly ,

A nd s w o o ne d u p o n h is thr o ne Th e no bl e arc h m age .

T u r ne d h im and fl e d aw ay in dr e ad o f ill .

Th e S hah r e c o v e r e d and r e s u m e d h is s e at .

H e dilig e n tly s o u ght thr o u gh o u t t h e w o rld


Fo r tr ac e s fai n t o r cl e ar o f F ar idu n ;
N o fo o d no s l u m b e r o r r e p o s e t o o k h e
, , ,

H is d aylight t u r ne d t o l api s l az u li .

53
The Bir th f
o F ar idan

Y e ar s p as s e d aw ay c al amity appr o ach e d


,

Th e dr ag o n ki ng t h e bl e s s ed Faridi m
-

,

Was b o r n t h e fas hi o n o f t h e w o rld w as ch ang e d


,
.

O f cypr e s s h e ight h e s h o ne fo rth with t h e Gr ac e


O f ki ng s o f ki ng s which e r s t J am s h id p o s s e s s e d ,
P I RDA us r
’ ’

TH E S H A H N A M A OF

A nd sp ak e th u s t o t h e gu ardi an o f h e r child

A pr u d en t th o u ght—a th ou ght ins pir e d by G o d .

H ath ris e n in my h e art Wh at w e m u s t do


.

I s thi s —th e r e is n o r e m e dy my s o n
A nd m y d e ar life are o ne —I m u s t ab and o n
,

Thi s l and o f s o rc e r e r s d e p art u nm ark e d


,

T o Hi ndu s ta n and b e ar h im t o Alb u r z .

Th e n lik e a ro e o r o ne wh o rid e th p o s t
S h e t o o k t h e y o u ng child t o th at l o fty m o u nt ai n
Wh e r e dw e lt a d e v o t e e d e ad t o t h e w o rld ,

To wh o m s h e s aid : I am O h o ly o ne !

,

A w o e fu l w o m an fr o m Ira n Kno w th o u .

Th at thi s my n o bl e s o n will b e h e r e aft e r


Th e l e ad e r o f h is p e o pl e will di s cr o w n
,

Z ahh ak and tr e ad h is girdl e in t h e d u s t .

T ak e th o u thi s child and fath e r h im with c ar e .

Th e g o o d m an t o o k h e r child and ne v e r br e ath e d


O ne c o ld br e ath o n h im .

Wh e n t h e r u m o u r r e ach e d
Zah h ak ab o u t t h e c o w and fi e ld h e w e nt
Lik e s o m e m ad e l e ph ant and s l e w Birmay a
, ,

With all t h e o th e r c at tl e th at h e s aw
Withi n t h e fi e ld and h arri e d all t h e l and
,
.

H e w e nt ne xt t o t h e h o m e o f Faridim

S e arc h e d it b u t all in v ai n fo r no ne w as fo u nd
, , ,

A nd b u rne d t h e l o fty p al ac e t o t h e gr o u nd .

§ 4

H o w F aridan ques tio ned his M o ther a bou t his Or igin

N ow F aridun wh e n twic e e ight y e ars h ad p as s e d


, ,

S o u ght o u t h is m o th e r o n t h e pl ain and s aid


Di s cl o s e thy s e cr e t s ay wh o is my fath e r
, ,
ZA H H AK

Wh at is my li ne age wh o m s h all I d e cl ar e
,

My s e lf in pu blic ? Le t m e h av e t h e tr u th .

S h e s aid : “
I will t e ll all m y no bl e b o y ,
.

\Vit hin Ira n e r e whil e liv e d o ne Abt in ,

O f r o y al r ac e di s c e rni ng m i nd wi s e br av e
, , , ,

A nd i no ffe ns iv e s pr u ng fr o m Tah m uras ;


,

Abtin k ne w all t h e p e digr e e Thy s ir e .

A nd m y d e ar s p o u s e w as h e my d ays w e r e d ark
Wh e n w e w e r e p art e d N o w Z ah h ak t h e w arl o ck
.

S tr e tch e d fr o m Ira n h is h and ag ai ns t thy life ,

Bu t I c o nc e al e d th e e O h wh at w o e fu l d ay s
I p as s e d whil e th at br av e y o u th —thy fath e r — fo rfe it e d
.

H is o w n S w e e t life fo r th e e ! N o w o n Z ah hak
Th e w arl o ck s s h o u ld e r s gr e w t w o s nak e s which

s u ck e d

Th e life br e ath o f I ra n and thy S ir e s br ai ns



-

We r e t ak e n fr o m his h e ad t o fe e d th e m I .

I n c o u r s e o f ti m e c am e o n an o p e n p as t u r e ,

A s y e t u nkno w n t o fam e and th e r e b e h e ld


,

A c o w lik e j c ou nd s pri ng w e ll s h ap e d and c o l o u r e d


,

Fro m h e ad t o fo o t : b e fo r e h e r s at h e r h e rd
Up o n his h e e l s as o ne b e fo r e a ki ng .

I pu t th e e in his ch arg e Fo r l o ng h e nu r s e d th e e
.

Up o n his br e as t t he c o w o f p e ac o ck h u e s
,
-

S u pplying th ee with m ilk th at m ad e th e e thri v e


Lik e s o m e b o ld cr o c o dil e u ntil t h e ti di ngs
,

O f c o w and m e ad o w r e ach e d t h e S hah and th e n ,

I b ar e th e e fr o m t h e p as t u r e in all h as t e
A n d fl e d Ira n and h o m e and fam ily .

H e c am e and s l e w t h e no bl e t e nd e r nu r s e ,

Th at c ou ld no t s p e ak t o th e e th e n s e nt t h e d u s t ,

Up fr o m o u r h o m e and t u r ne d it t o di t ch .

Th e pri nc e e nr ag e d th e r e at m u s e d o n r e v e ng e
, , ,

A nd s aid with achi ng h e art and k nitt e d br o w s :



Th e li o n gr o w e th br av e by v e nt u ri ng ,
TH E S H A H N A M A PI RDA U 5 1

OF

A nd s i nc e the
rc e r e r h ath d o ne h is p art
so

Mi ne is t o t ak e m y s ci m it ar and lay
H is p al ac e in t h e d u s t ; s u ch is G o d s w fl l

S h e s aid : Thi s is no t w e ll ; th o u c ans t no t s t an d


Al o ne again s t t h e w o rld H e b at h t h e cr o wn
.

A n d thr o ne and tr o o p s at his c o m m and w h o c o m e


, ,

Fr o m all t h e r e al m t o b at tl e wh e n h e will e th ,

A h u ndr e d th o u s an d s tr o ng Vi e w no t t h e w o rld .

Wi t h b oyi s h e y e s ; t h e l aws o f bl o o d r e ve ng e -

D e m an d it no t Dru nk with t h e wi ne o f y ou th
.

M e n thi nk th e m s e lv e s t h e o nly o ne s o n e arth


A nd v ap ou r b u t b e thy d ay s m irth and j o y
, .

Do th o u m y s o n ! b e ar thi s advic e in m i nd
, ,

Gi v e all w o rd s s av e thy m o th e r s t o t h e wi nd ’
.

$ 5

Th e S t ory f
o Z ahhak and d a the S mit h

Z ah h ak h ad F ar idun u p o n his lip s


B o th day and night his l o fty s t at u r e b e nt
,

B e ne ath t h e t e rr o r s o f h is h e art u nt il
O ne day wh e n S itti ng o n t h e iv o ry thr o ne
,

A nd w e ari ng o n h is h e ad t h e t u rqu o i s e cr o w n ,

H e c all e d t h e no t abl e s fr o m e v e ry pr o vi nc e
To fi rm t h e b as e s o f h is s o v e re ig n ty ,

A n d s aid t o th e m : Go o d wi s e ill u s tri o u s m e n !



, ,

I h av e as s ag e s w o t an e ne m y
, ,

C o nc eal e d and I thr o u gh fe ar o f ill t o c o m e


,

D e s pi s e no t s u ch th o u gh w e ak I th e r e fo r e ne e d .

A l arge r h o s t— me n d iv s and fairi e s t o o


, ,

A nd as k y o u r aid for r u m o u r s tr o u bl e m e ;
,

S o sig n m e n o w a s cr o ll t o t hi s e ffe ct
O u r m o n arc h s o w e th nau ght b u t s e e d s o f g o o d ,


H e e v e r s p e ak eth tr u th and wr o ng e th no ne .
'

1 56 TH E S H A H N A M A O F PI R DA 0 5 1

S inc e th o u d os t r u l e t h e s e v e n pr o vinc e s
Why s h o u ld t h e t o il and h ar ds hip all b e ou r s
We h av e acc o u nt s t o s e ttl e — th o u and I
A nd all will b e agh as t if th e y s h all S h o w
Th at thi s my s o n h ath p e ri s h e d in his tu rn
With all t h e r e s t t o fe e d th o s e s nak e s o f thine .

Th e m o narch lis t e ne d and w as s o r e am az e d .

Th e y s e t t h e y o u ng m an fre e and s tr o v e t o w in
Th e fath e r by fair w o rd s b u t wh e n Z ahh ak
,

B ad e h im s u b s crib e t h e s cr o ll h e r e ad it thr ou gh
A nd s h ou t e d t o t h e anci e n t s o f t h e r e al m

C onfe d e r at e s o f t h e Div with i m pi o u s h e art s !
Y e s e t y o u r fac e s h e llw ard and h av e yi e ld e d
To th at m an s biddi ng I w ill no t s u b s crib e

.
,


O r e v e r giv e t h e S hah ano th e r th ou ght .

H e s h o u t e d r o s e in fu ry r e n t t h e s cr o ll
, ,

A nd tr am pl e d it ; th e n with his no bl e s on
I n fr o n t o f h im w e n t r avi ng t o t h e s tr e e t .

Bu t all t h e c o u rti e r s bl e s s e d t h e S hah and s aid


I ll u s tri o u s ki ng o f e arth ! m ay no c o ld bl as t
Fr o m h e av e n p as s o e r th e e o n t h e day o f b attl e

Wh y w as thi s ins o l e n t Kaw a c o u nte nanc e d


A S th o u gh a fri e nd o f thi ne ? H e t o r e t h e s cr o ll ,

R e fu s ing t o o b e y th e e and is g o ne
,

B e nt o n r e v e ng e and l e agu e d as th o u w o u ld s t s ay
, ,

With Faridlin ! A v il e r d e e d th an this


We ne v e r s aw and m arve l s u ch S ho u ld be .

H e ans w e r e d q u ickly : I will t e ll y o u w o nd e r s



.

Wh e n Kaw a e nt e r e d and I h e ard h is cri e s ,

A m o u n t o f ir o n s e e m e d t o ri s e b e twixt u s
A nd wh e n h e b e at h is h e ad a s tr ange s e ns ati o n
C o nvu l s e d m e H o w t will e nd I c anno t t e ll ;
.

Th e s e cr e t s o f t h e s k y are kno wn t o no ne .

Wh e n Kaw a l e ft t h e pr e s e nc e o f t h e S hah ,

A cr o wd as s e mbl ed in t h e m ark e t pl ac e -
.
Z A H H fiK

1 57

A nd s till h e s h o u t e d cryi ng ou t fo r aid


,

A nd u rgi ng all t o s t and u p o n th e ir right s .

H e t o o k a l e ath e r n apr o n s u ch as s m ith s ,

W e ar t o pr o t e ct th e ir l e g s whil e at t h e fo rg e ,

S tu ck it u p o n a s p e ar s p o i n t and fo rthwith

Thr ou gh o u t t h e m ark e t d u s t b e g an t o ri s e .

H e p as s e d al o ng with s p e ar in h and e xcl ai m i ng


Y e m e n o f n am e ! Ye w o r s hipp e r s o f G o d
Wh o e e r w o u ld s c ap e t h e fe tt e r s o f Z ahh ak
’ ’

Le t h im r e s o rt with me t o Faridi i n ’

A nd s h ad o w in h is Gr ac e C o m e y e t o h im
Th e r u l e r h e r e is A hri m an—G o d s fo e
.

’ ”
.

S o th at p o o r l e at h e r w o rthl e s s as it w as
, ,

Di s crim i nat e d fri e nd s and e ne m i e s .

H e t o o k t h e l e ad and m any v ali an t m e n


,

R e s o rt e d t o him ; h e r e b e ll e d and w e nt
To F ar idu n . Wh e n h e arri ve d s h ou t s r o s e .

H e e nt e r e d t h e ne w pri nc e s c o u rt w h o m ark e d

Th e apr o n o n t h e s p e ar and h ail e d t h e o m e n .

H e d e ck e d t h e apr o n with br o c ad e o f R um
O fj e w e ll e d p att e r ns o n a g o ld e n gr o u n d
Pl ac e d o n t h e s p e arp o i nt a fu ll m o o n —
,

a toke n

o o —
P o rt e nding gl ri u s ly and h avi ng dr ap e d it
With ye ll o w re d and vi o l e t h e nam e d it
, , ,

Th e Kaw ian fl ag . Th e nc e fo rth wh e n any S hah


Acc ed ed t d th e thr o ne and d o nne d t h e cr o w n
, ,

H e h u ng t h e w o rthl e s s apr o n o f t h e s m ith


With s till m o r e j e w e l s s u m pt u o u s br o c ad e
, ,

A nd p ai nt e d s ilk o f Ch in I t th u s fe ll o u t
.

Th at Kaw a s s t and ard gr e w t o b e a s u n


Am id t h e gl o o m o f night and ch e e r e d all h e art s :


,

Ti m e p as s e d and s till t h e w o rld mai nt ai ne d it s s e cre t .

Wh e n F aridun s aw m att e r s th u s and all m e n ,

S u b m i s s t o vil e Z ah h ak h e c am e t o F aranak
,

With gird e d l o ins cr o wne d with a r o y al c as qu e


, ,
TH E S H A H N A M A OF PI R DA U S I
A nd sa id : I go t o b attl e b u t do th o u

,

D e v o t e thy s e lf t o pr ay e r The M ak e r r u l e th
.

I n w e al and w oe alik e cl as p h an d s t o H im .

With t e ar s and bl e e ding h e art s h e cri e d : O G o d !


My tr u s t h ath b e e nin Th e e T u rn fr o m my s o n.

Th e o ns l au ght s o f t h e wick e d o n h is life ,


A nd rid t h e w o rld o f th e s e i nfatu at e s .

Th e n Faridim gat r e ady with d e s p atch


A nd s e cr e cy H e h ad t w o br o th e r s b o th
.
,

O f no bl e birth and o ld e r th an hi m s e lf ,

Hight Kaianii s h and pr o s p e r o u s Pu rm ay a


H e s aid t o th e m : Live g all ant h e art s ! in j o y



, .

R e v o lvi ng h e av e n bring e th nau ght b u t g o o d ;


Th e cr o w n o f p o w e r is c o m ing b ack t o u s .

Pr o vid e me c u nni ng s m ith s and le t th e m m ak e m e



A m as s ive mac e .

Th e y s o u ght t h e s m ith s ba z ar ’

I n h as t e wh e nc e all t h e as piri ng cr aft s m e n w e n t


,

To F ar idu n wh o t aki ng c o m p as s e s
,

S h o w e d t o t h e s m ith s t h e p att e rn tr aci ng it ,

Up o n t h e gr o u nd I t h ad a b u ffal o s h e ad
.

.

Th e y t o o k t h e w o rk in h and and h avi ng wro u ght ,

A m as s iv e m ac e th e y b o r e it t o t h e h e r o .

I t s h o ne as brightly as t h e n o o nd ay s u n ,

A nd F ar idu n appr o ving o f t h e w o rk


, ,

B e s t o w e d u p o n t h e m ak e r s r ai m e nt g o ld , ,

A nd s ilv e r h o lding o u t t o th e m b e s id e
,

Bright h o p e s and pr o mi s e o f advanc e m e nt s aying ,

If I S h all lay t h e Dr ag o n in t h e du s t
I will no t l e av e t h e d u s t u p on y o u r h e ad s ,

Bu t j u s tify t h e e ntir e w o rld s inc e I ,

H av e H im in m in d wh o j u dg e th right e ou s ly .
TH E S H A H N A M A

O F PI RDA U S I

H is bro th e r s s e e i ng th at G o d s p e d h is c au s e
, ,

A nd th at h is fo rtu ne s l u m b e r e d n o t de p art e d ,

With o u t d e l ay t o c o mp as s h is d e s tr u cti o n .

Th e r e w as ab o v e th e ir h e ad s a l o fty cliff
A nd u nd e r ne ath t h e S hah s l e pt p e ac e fu lly .

H is t w o ab an d o ne d br o th e r s s e ale d t h e h e igh t
Th at night u ns e e n and s cr u pli ng at no crim e
,

S e t l o o s e a m ighty cr ag u p o n t h e br o w
To fall dir e ctly o n th e ir br o th e r s h e ad ’

A nd kill him in h is s l e e p Th e cr as hi ng cr ag .
,

Fo r G o d s o o rd e r e d r o u s e d t h e s l u m b e re r
, ,

Wh o by his m agic art arr e s t e d it


I n m id c ar e e r : it s t o pp e d d e ad F aridi m ’

W e nt o n h is w ay b u t k e pt t h e m att e r s e cr e t .

I n fr o n t m arch e d Kaw a with t h e Kaw ian s t and ard ,

S o o n t o b e c o m e t h e e ns ig n o f t h e r e al m .

Thu s Faridim adv anc e d as o ne wh o s o u ght


'

A di ad e m t o w ard t h e A rwand o r c all it


, , ,

A s Ar abs do t h e Dij la if th o u k no w e s t no t
, ,

Th e an ci e n t t o ngu e H e m arch e d ano t h e r s t ag e


.

A nd c am e u p o n t h e Dij la at B aghdad , .

O n dr awi ng ne ar h e s e nt t o gr e e t t h e g u ard
A nd s aid : D e s p atch t o thi s S id e ins t antly
Yo u r b o at s and v e s s e l s b e ar m e acro s s with all
,

Mi ne ar m y and le t no ne b e l e ft b e hind .

Th e riv e r gu ard s e n t no t h is b o at s no r c am e
-

At Faridlm s b e h e s t b u t m ad e r e ply
’ ’

Th e S hah g av e privy o rd e r s : L au nch no b o at


With o u t a p as s p o rt u nd e r m ine o w n s e al .

Th e pri nc e e nr ag e d and fe arl e s s o f t h e s tr e am


, ,

Girt lik e a king and b e nt u p o n r e ve ng e ,

Pl u ng e d with h is r o s e re d ch arg e r in t h e fl o o d
-
.

With o ne acc o rd his c om r ad e s gir t th e m s e lv e s ,

T u rne d t o w ard t h e s tr e am and o n th e ir br av e fl e e t , ,

s t e e ds

Z A HH A K

Pl u ng e d o v e r s addl e b ack Th e w arri o r s h e ad s


-
.

R e e l e d whil e th e ir s wift s t e e ds s tr u ggl e d with t h e tid e ,

A nd with th e ir ne ck s e m e rgi ng s e e m e d t o b e
Th e ph an t o m c o h o rt o f a dr e am Th e w arri o rs .

R e ach e d t h e dry l and u n dam p e d in th e ir r e ve ng e


A nd s e t th e ir fac e s t o w ard B ait ai M u k addas .

Thi s m e n c all e d wh e n th e y u s e d t h e anci e nt t o ngu e


G ang i Diz h u k h t ; t o day t is k no w n am o ng
- - -


Th e Ar ab s as The H o ly Pl ac e Th e fair .

T all p al ac e o f Zahhak w as b u ild e d th e r e .

Wh e n th e y appr o ach e d t h e city th at th e y s o u ght ,

A nd Faridim b e h e ld it a m il e o ff

H e s aw a pil e wh o s e b u ildi ng t o w e r e d o e r S at u rn

S o th at th o u w o u ld s t h ave s aid : Twill c atch t h e s t ar s ’

I t s h o ne lik e J u pit e r in h e ave n ; t h e pl ac e


App e ar e d all p e ac e and l o v e and h appine s s .

Th e h e r o r e c o gni s e d th at s e at o f p o w e r
A nd S pri nglik e b e au t y as t h e Dr ago n s dw e lli ng

A nd s aid : Th e m an wh o r e ar e d a pil e lik e th at


Fr o m du s t I fe ar m e c o t t o ne t h with t h e w o rld ,


Bu t s till t is b e tt e r t o pr e s s o n th an t arry

.

Thi s s aid h e gr as p e d his m as s iv e m ac e and g av e


H is fl e e t s t e e d r e i n and th ou h ads t s aid :
, A fl am e
S h o t u p b e fo r e t h e gu ard s .

H e e nt e r e d ridi ng
A n i ne xp e ri e n c e d b u t v ali ant y o u th ,

Wh o c all e d u p o n t h e nam e o f G o d—whil e th e y


Th at w e r e o n gu ard fl e d fr o m him in dis m ay .

7
H o w F aridun t he S is te rs J ams hid

s aw o f
Th e n F ar idun o e rt h re w t h e t ali s m an

R ai s e d h e ave n high by Z ahh ak b e c au s e h e


-

, s aw

Th at it w as not o f G o d with mas s ive mace,


PI R DA
’ ’

TH E S H A H N A M A OF US I

L aid lo w t h e s o rc e r e r s within t h e p al ac e
All fi e rc e and no t abl e d ivs —and s e t hi ms e lf
U p o n t h e e nch ant e r s thr o ne Thi s d o ne h e t o o k

.

P o s s e s s i o n o f t h e r o y al cr o wn and p al ac e ,

Bu t th ou gh h e s e arch e d h e fail e d t o fi nd Z ah h ak .

Th e n fr o m t h e w o m e n s b o w e r h e br o u ght t w o I d o l s

S u n fac e d d ark —
-

, ey e d h e h ad th e m b ath e d b e p u rg e d ,

iTh e d ark ne s s o f th e ir m i nd s by t e aching th e m


iTh e w ay o f G o d and m ad e th e m wh o lly cl e an ;
Fo r id o l w o r s hipp e r s h ad br o u ght th e m u p
-

A nd th e y w e r e d az e d in m i n d lik e dr u nk e n fo lk .

Th e n whil e t h e t e ar s fr o m the ir bright e y e s b e d e w e d


Th e ir r o s y ch e e k s th o s e s i s t e r s o f J am s h id
S aid th u s t o F ari dun : M ay s t th o u b e y o u ng
Till e arth is o ld ! Wh at s t ar w as this o f thine ,

O fav o u r e d o ne Wh at tr e e b o r e th e e as fru it ,

Wh o v e nt u re s t ins id e t h e L i o n s l air ’

S o h ardily th ou m ighty m an o f v al o u r ?
,

Wh at angu i s h and wh at b al e h av e w e e nd u r e d
All thr ou gh this dr ag o n s h o u ld e r e d A hri m an
-

O h ! wh at a m i s e r abl e w o rld fo r u s
Did thi s i nfatu at e d s o rc e r e r m ak e
Y e t s aw w e ne v e r h e r e a m an s o h ardy ,

B old and am biti o u s as t o thi nk th at h e


,


C o u ld t ak e t h e thr o ne .

H e ans w e r e d : Thr o ne and fo rt u ne


Abid e with none My s ir e w as fo rt u ne s favou rit e
.

Bu t s till Z ah h ak s e i z e d o n him in Ira n


A nd s l e w h im cr u e lly s o I h av e s e t
,

My fac e ag ai ns t Z ah h ak s thr o ne in r e ve ng e ’
.

H e s l e w t h e c o w Birm ay a t o o — m y nu r s e ,

A v e ry ge m o f b e au ty Wh at c ou ld b e
.
,

Th at vill ain g ai n by s l au ght e ri ng th at d u m b b e as t ?


,

N o w I am r e ady and I p u rp o s e w ar ;
I c am e no t fr o m iran t o bring h im p ard o n ,
1 64 TH E S H A H N A M A OF PI R DA U S f
Fr o m cli m e t o cli me h e ro v e t h fo r t h e s nak e s ,

Giv e h im no r e s t Tis ti m e fo r h is r e tu r n
.

,

Bu t pl ac e th e r e is no t .

S tricke n t o t h e h e art
Th at l o v e ly p air r e v e al e d t h e m ys t e ry
Th e e x alt e d chi e ft ai n li s t e ne d e ag e r ly .

The S to ry f
o Far idan a nd t he M inis te r of Z ak hah

Z ah h ak whil e ab s e nt l e ft in ch arg e o f all


A m an o f w e alth wh o s e rv e d h im lik e a S l av e
, ,

S o th at h is m as t e r m arv e ll e d at h is z e al ,

O e
n n am e d Ku ndrav b e c au s e h e u s e d t o li m p
,
1

B e fo r e t h e u nj u s t ki ng H e c am e in h as t e .

A n d s aw withi n t h e h all a s tr ang e r cr o wne d ,

R e p os i ng o n t h e thr o ne in p e r s o n lik e ,

A cypr e s s o v e r which t h e fu ll m o o n s hi ne th ,

O n o ne S id e S h ah rinaz t h e cypr e s s s li m -

Up o n t h e o th e r m o o n fac e d A rnaw az -

Th e city s w ar m e d with s o ldi e r s and a g u ard ,

S t o o d r e ady ar m e d b e fo r e t h e p al ac e g at e -

All u ndi s may e d no t as ki ng wh at it m e ant


, ,

Ku n drav appr o ach e d with l o wly r e v e r e n c e ,

Th e n o ffe r e d h o m ag e s ayi ng : Liv e O ki ng !,



,

Whil e ti m e S h all l as t Bl e s t b e thy s itting h e r e


.

I n Gr ac e fo r th o u de s e rv e s t s o v e r e ignty
, .

Th e s e v e n cli me s b e thi ne and b e thy h e ad


'


Ab o v e t h e r ai n cl o u d s -
.

B e i ng bid appr o ach


H e t o ld t h e S hah t h e s e cr e t s o f h is o ffic e
A nd w as c o m m and e d : S e rv e a r o y al fe as t “
,

Le t wi ne b e br ou ght c all m i ns tr e ls fit t o h e ar
, ,

1 Firdau s i

ty m l gy m t n
s e o o us ot be r li
e ed u p o n. S e e t h e int rodu c
t ry n t
o o e to thi r ig n
s e .
Z A H H AK

To ch e e r m e at t h e b anqu e t fill t h e g o bl e t

, ,

S pr e ad o u t t h e b o ard and s u mm o n w o rthy g u e s t s


,
.

Ku ndrav o b e y e d and br o u ght bright wi ne and m ins tr e l s ,

A nd no bl e gu e s t s wh o s e birth e ntitl e d th e m .

S o Faridii n q u affe d w i ne and ch o s e t h e l ays


A nd h e ld th at night a w o rthy fe s tiv al .

Ku ndrav at d aw n l e ft t h e ne w princ e in h as t e
,

A nd o n a s wift s t e e d s o u ght Z ahh ak Arriv e d .

H e t o ld t h e thi ng s th at h e h ad s e e n and h e ard


O ki ng o f chi e fs ! t h e t o k e n o f thy fall
H ath c o m e thr e e m e n o f no bl e m i e n arriv e d
,

With tr o o p s ; t h e y o u ng e s t o f t h e thr e e in h e ig ht ,

A cypr e s s and a ki ng in fac e is pl ac e d ,

B e tw e e n t h e o th e r t w o and h ath pr e c e d e nc e .

H is m ac e is lik e a m o u nt ai n cr ag and s hi ne th -

A m id t h e h o s t H e e nt e r e d thi ne ab o d e
.

O n h o r s e b ack an d t h e o th e r s r o d e with hi m
,

A no bl e p air H e w e nt and s at u p o n
.

Th e r o y al thr o ne and br o k e thy ch ar m s and s p e ll s .

A s fo r t h e d iv s and w arri o r s in thy p al ac e


H e s tr u ck th e ir h e ad s o ff as h e r o d e al o ng
A nd m i ngl e d br ai ns and bl o o d
Z ah hak r e pli e d

Tis w e ll g u e s t s s h o u ld e nj o y th e m s e lv e s
, .

Ku ndrav
R e t o rt e d : th at h ath an c x h e ad m ac e
O ne -

B e w ar e o f s u ch in c o m ing and in g o ing ;


B e s id e s h e s itt e th b o ldly o n thy c ou ch
, ,

E ras e t h fr o m t h e cr o w n and b e lt t hy nam e ,

A nd m ak e th thi ne u ngr at e fu l fo lk h is o w n :
I f s u ch a g u e s t th o u k no w e s t k no w h im s u ch .

Z ahh ak s aid : Tr o u bl e no t it b o de t h w e ll
,

Wh e n g u es ts are at th e ir e as e ” .

Ku ndrav r e pli e d
Ye a I h av e h e ard s o h e ar th ou m y r ej o ind e r
,
TH E S H A H N AM A OF P I RDA U S I
I f thi s gr e at m an b e g u e s t o f thi n
an e
y
Wh at b u s i ne s s h ath h e in thy w o me n s b o w e r ’

H e s itt e t h with t h e s i s t e r s o f J am s h id
Th e w o rldlo rd t aki ng c o u ns e l whil e thi s h and
, ,

I s t oyi ng with t h e ch e e k o f S h ah rinaz


A nd th at with A rnaw az c arne li an lip

.

At night h e d o th s till w o r s e and pillo w e t h


H is h e ad o n m u s k ! Wh at m u s k ? Th e l o ck s o f M o o ns
Wh o e ve r w e re t h e id o l s o f thy h e art .

Z ah hak w o lf s av ag e wi s h e d th at h e w e r e d e ad
,
-

, .

With fo u l ab u s e h e s t e r nly h o ar s e ly thr e at e ne d


Th at l u ckl e s s o ne N 0 m o r e s h alt th o u h ave ch arg e

O f any h o u s e o f m i ne .

Ku ndrav r e pli e d
H e nc e fo rth O ki ng ! I d e e m thy fo rtu ne s h e nt
, .

H o w s h o u ld s t th o u m ak e m e r u l e r in t h e city ,

O r giv e m e e v e n m i ns tr e l s w o rk wh e n th o u

H as t l o s t t h e thr o ne o f p o w e r ? For lik e a h air


Fr o m d o u gh h as t th o u d e p art e d fr o m t h e thr o ne
Of s o v e r e ig n ty Thi nk S ir e ! wh at th o u wilt do
.
, .

H av e thi ne o w n i nt e r e s t s no c onc e r n fo r th e e
Th e y ne e r b e fo r e we r e in s u ch j e o p ardy

.

H o w F a ridiin bou nd Z ahhak

R o u s e d by th at t alk Zah h ak r e s o lv e d t o ac t ,
A nd b ad e h is
k e e n e y e d r o ad s t e r s t o b e s addl e d
-
.

N o w as h e n e ar e d t h e city by a byw ay
With v ali ant div s and w arri o r s and s aw ,

H is p al ac e r o o fs and g at e h e v o w e d r e v e ng e
-
.

Th e tr 0 0 p s o f F ar idun r e c e iv e d t h e tidi ng s
A nd fl o ck e d t o m e e t him L e api ng fr o m th e ir s t e e d s
.

Th e y s tr u ggl e d h and t o h and Th e citi z e ns .


,
TH E S H A H N AM A OF PI R DA U S f
H is fe e t no s o o ne r r e s t e d o n t h e gr o u nd
Th an F aridun r u s h e d o n h im lik e t h e win d
A nd b e at h is h e l m in with t h e o x h e ad m ac e -
.


S trik e n o t cri e d bl e s t S u r as h w h o h u rri e d thi t h e r
, , ,

H is ti m e h ath no t y e t c o m e b u t bi nd h im v an ,
3
-

u is h e d
q
Fir m as a r o ck and b e ar h im t o s o m e g o rg e ,

Wh e r e fri e nd s and ki ns m e n will no t c o m e t o h im .

Wh e n F aridu n h e ard th at h e t arri e d no t ,

Bu t gat a l as s o m ad e o f li on s hid e

A nd b o u nd Z ah h ak ar o u nd t h e ar m s an d w ai s t
With b onds th at no h u g e e l e ph an t c o u ld s nap ,

Th e n S itti ng o n Zah h ak s o w n g o ld e n thr one


D e t e r m ine d all t h e e vil u s age s


A n d m ad e a pr o cl a m ati o n at t h e g at e :
Y e citi z e ns p o s s e s s e d o f Gr ac e and wi s d o m
Di s ar m and fo ll o w b u t o ne p ath t o fam e ,

Fo r citi z e ns and s o ldi e r s m ay no t s e e k


A c o m m o n e xc e ll e nc e ; thi s h ath h is cr aft
A nd th at h is m ac e th e ir s ph e r e s are e vid e nt
A nd if c o nfo u nd e d e arth will b e s o t o o
, , .

D e p art r ej o icing e ac h o ne t o h is w o rk
, ,

A nd live and pr o s p e r l o ng b e c au s e t h e fo u l o ne
, ,

Wh o s e act s br o u ght t e rr o r o n t he w o rld is b ou nd ,


.

M e n h e ark e ne d t o t h e gr e at r e d o u bt e d S hah .

Th e n all t h e l e adi ng w e althy citi z e ns


,

Dr e w ne ar with gl ad ne s s bri ngi ng o ffe rings


A nd h e artily acc e pt e d F ar idu n ,

Who gr aci o u s ly r e c e iv e d th e m and di s cr e e tly


G av e e ach h is r ank s du e c o u ns e ll e d t h e m at l arg e

, ,

A n d o ffe r e d u p h is pr ay e r s and th ank s t o G o d ,

Th e n s aid : Th e r e al m is m i ne y o u r fo rtu ne s s t ar

,

I s bright fo r m e al o n e did G o d s e nd fo rth


,
-

Fr o m M o u nt Albu r z by Gr ac e and fo r yo u r s ak e s
, ,

To s e t t h e w o rld fr e e fr o m t h e Dr ag o n s b ane

.
ZA H H /
f
K

Bl e s t as we by H im w h o give th g o o d
are

We o u ght t o w alk t o w ard g o o d u p o n H is p ath s .

A s ki ng I m ay no t t arry in o ne pl ac e ,

E l s e w o u ld I p as s with y o u a l e ngth o f d ay s .

Th e n o bl e s ki s s e d t h e gr o u nd A no n t h e din
.

O f dr u m s r o s e fr o m t h e g at e wh e r e o n all e y e s
W e r e fix e d t h e p e o pl e y e ll e d ag ai ns t t h e m an
, ,

Wh o s e d ay s w e r e al m os t s p e d : Bri ng fo rth t h e Dr ag o n

B ou nd in t h e l as s o s c o il s as h e d e s e rv e th

.

Th e tr o o p s withdr e w no w e althi e r th an th e y c am e ,

A nd t o o k Zahhak b o u nd s h am e fu lly and fl u ng


,

I n wr e tch e d plight u p on a c am e l s b ack


O n thi s wi s e t o S h irkhan C all this w o rld o ld 1


.

O r e v e r th o u s h alt h e ar this s t o ry t o ld .

Wh at ch ang e s nu m b e rl e s s h av e p as s e d and s till


M u s t p as s h e r e aft e r o ve r p lain and b ill
.

Th u s fo rtu ne s favou rite b o re Zahh ak t o ward


V . 61
S h irkha n and drivi ng h im am o ng t h e m o u nt ai ns
,

Was p u rp o s i ng t o c as t him h e adl o ng d o wn ,

Wh e n c am e t h e bl e s t S u ras h and whis p e r e d th u s


Th e prin c e in fri e ndly wi s e : C o nve y t h e c apti v e
Th u s t o M o u n t Dam awand with s p e e d and t ak e ,

N o e s c o rt o r b u t wh at thy s afe ty ne e d e th
, .

H e b o r e Z ah h ak as o ne th at rid e th p o s t
A nd fe tt e r e d h im u p o n M o u n t Dam aw and ;
S o wh e n ne w b o n d s w e r e add e d t o t h e o ld ,

A nd fat e h ad no t ano th e r ill in s t o r e ,

Th e gl o ry o f Z ahh ak b e c am e lik e d u s t
A nd e arth w as cl e ans e d fr o m his ab o m i nati o ns ,

H e w as r e m o v e d fr o m ki ndr e d and fr o m fri e nd s ,

A nd b o n d s al o ne w e r e l e ft h im in t h e m o u nt ai ns ,

Wh e re F aridu n ch o s e o u t a narr o w g o rg e
A ch as m which h e h ad m ark e d o f vi e wl e s s d e pth
1 I n t h e Pe r ian
s , S hirkhan with
, o ne l tt r ch ng d w l d m
e e a e , ou e an
1 70 TH E S H A H N A M A OF P I RDA US I

A nd h avi ng s tu dd e d it with h e avy nail s ,

Wh e r e on t h e br ai n m ight ch afe s e c u r e d Z ah h ak
'

, ,

B o u n d by t h e h and s u p o n a cr ag th at s o ,

H is ang u i s h m igh t e nd u r e Th u s w as h e l e ft
.

To h ang : his h e art s bl o o d trickl e d t o t h e gr o u nd



.

C o m e le t u s l e s t w e tr e ad t h e w o rld fo r ill
, ,

Be o n att ai ni ng e ve ry g o o d i n t e nt ;
N 0 go o d o r e vil will e nd u r e b u t s till
G o o d fu rnis h e t h t h e b e tt e r m o nu m e nt .

A l o fty p al ac e w e alth o f e v e ry kind


, ,

Will no t av ail ; thy m o nu m e nt o n e arth


Will b e t h e r e p u t ati o n l e ft b e hind
A n d th e r e fo r e d e e m it no t o f littl e w o rth .

N 0 ang e l w as t h e gl o ri o u s F aridu n ,

N o t m u s k and am b e rgri s h e s tr o v e t o w in
By j u s tic e and b e ne fi c e nc e t h e b o o n
O f gr e at ne s s b e a F aridun th e r e i n .

By g o dlik e tr av ail u nd e rt ak e n h e
Firs t cl e ans e d t h e w o rld fr o m it s i niqu i t y .

Th e bi ndi ng o f Z ahh ak th at l o athly o ne


,

D e vo id o f j u s tic e w as t h e chi e f d e e d d o ne
, .

H e ne xt av e nge d t h e m u rd e r o f Abtin ,

C au s e d all t h e w o rld t o r e c o g ni s e h is s w ay ,

A nd l as tly p u rg e d t h e s u rfac e o f e arth cl e an


O f m ad me n and t o o k m i s cr e ant s p o w e r aw ay

.
,

O w o rld h o w l o v e l e s s and m alig n art t h ou


To br e e d t h e q u arry and th e n h u n t it d o w n
Lo wh e r e is F aridii n t h e v ali ant no w

Wh o t o o k aw ay fr o m o ld Z ahh ak t h e cr o wn ?
Up o n thi s e arth fi v e h u ndr e d y e ar s h e r e igne d
A nd th e n d e p arti ng l e ft an e m pty thr o ne
°

B e qu e athi ng e art h t o o th e r s h e r e t ai ne d
'

O f all th at h e p o s s e s s e d r e gr e t al o ne .

S o is it with u s wh e th e r gr e at or s mall
A nd s h e e p o r s h e ph e rd t is t h e s am e with all

.
,
1 72 PI R DA U s r
TH E S H A H N A M A OF

pp r with r f r nc pp r ntly t hi m dic l p w r Th


a e as e , e e e e a a e o s e a o e s. e

pri t nd m dici n m n w r n rigi n lly I n r w rd f


es a e e -
a e e o e o a . e a or

o ff ring t h H m t w n w r b rn t Th it f wh m n
e e ao a o so s e e o o r a, o o o e

w th
as h r K a p A t hw y i r p r nt d b i n g t h
e e o e re s s a . a s e ese e as e e

se c nd t fl t h H m nd
o o r w rd f
o
'

er d i ng n e ao a, a as a e a or so o a so
—Th ét n wh
,

i b rn t h im t
s o o d b l ch r ct r hroo ra ao a, ose ou e a a e as e o

a nd phy ici n i cl rly i ndic t d H i d crib d t h m it r


s a s ea a e . e s es e as e s e

o f t h dr g n D h ake nd i l w r hipp d in hi c p city


a o a a, a s a so o s e s a a as

h lrt
ea e rt c r ick n o Th w rd S ém
av e rigi n lly n
or u e s ess . e o a, o a a

e pith t ppli d t Th it b c m ppli d t h i n K a p


e a e o r a, e a e a e o s so e re s s a as

a p t r nymic H i th d crib d S am K a p nd
a o . e s us es e as a e re s s a, a a

s p ci l pith t i b t w d n him m ti m t t h xcl i n f


e a e e s es o e o so e es o e e us o o

o th r titl — th t f N im n
e t h m nly m i nd d
es a o ar a au , e a e .

H i d crib d in t h Z nd
e s t es t h h ly K ap t h
e e a av as a as e o e re s s a, e

s am t h cl b b r r with pl it d h i r
a, e u t h m nly h
-
t d
ea e a e a ,
1
e a -
e ar e

K ap
e re s h wh w s th a t rdi t f t h m n f t r ngth e o as e s u es o e e o s e ,

n xt t
e Z r th t r f hi m nly c r g
o a a F M nly C r g
us a or s a ou a e. or a ou a e

cl avent h im u M nly C r g o fi m f f t n l . pi ng a ou a e, r o oo ,
u s ee ,

q ick t ri nd f lly w k th t cl nt K Sh t
”2
u o se, a ap u a a e, a av e u o e re s s a . or

a cc nt f hi xpl it cc r in t h Z nd t b t t h f ll t
ou s o s e o s o u e a av as a,
3
u e u es

are f nd in P hl i r i n f t h f rt n th F rg rd f t h
ou a a av ve s o o e ou ee a a o e

l t S dk N k I t pp r th t K a p gr t h w
os it

ar as . a ea s a e re s s a, ea as e as

as h r f lla icti m t t h wil f n f A hri m n


e o, e a ilv o e es o o e o a

s ev

c re ati n t h P i ik K n t h it i w h w
o s fi
t l d cl
e nt
a r a a a ,
o e are o

av e u o

K ap
e re s Th P i ik i t h
s a .P ri
”4
P ri F ry nd e a r a s e a ,
our e or ai ,
a
'

symb li i d l t ry in Z r t ri n myt h l gy K a p th r
o ses o a o o as a o o .
5
e re s s a e e

f r n gl ct d t h w r hip f fi n d b c m n i d l t r F
o e e e e e o s o re a e a e a o a e . or

thi h w c t i n t h ll wh r h r m i n d till U m d h ing


s e as as o e ,
e e e e a e r uz ,
av

h rd him c m m nd d b y Z r t r m m n d him nd h pl d d
ea o e e o o as e ,
su o e ,
a e ea e

t b r l
o e d in c n i d r ti n f t h g d w rk
e e as e chi d b y hi m o s e a o o e oo o s a e ve

whil n rth H rg d th t h l w t h
e o ea rp n t S é b
. e u e a e s e e se e r v ar ,

which w w ll wi ng h r nd w ll wi n g m n
as s nd it t
a o th o ses a s a o e ,
a s ee

wr e l ng my m it
e as w
o l rg asf r t n bl nk t ar ,
s e ar as as a e as ou ee a e s,

it y w
s e l rg
e wh l nd it h rn w
as as m cha D h ake as a ee ,
a s o as as u as a
5

in h ight eA nd I w r nni ng m ch
. h lf d y n i t b k as u as u as a a a o s ac ,

till it h d w mitt n by m t t h n ck w ith cl b m d f


s ea as s e e a e e a u a e or

my h nd n d i t w a l i n t right by m
,
a by m G nd p as s a ou e e a are 7

w as l i n t right by wh m tw l di t rict w d r d t
s a ou ,
o e ve s s ere e vo u e a

o nc Wh n I l k d m n g t h t th f G n d p d d m n
e. e oo e a o e ee o a are ,
ea e

w r ticki ng m ng hi t th nd my b rd w
e e s ai d by him o s ee a ea as s e z e ,

1
D ZA ,
ii . 2 23 .
2
Id . 295 .
3
Id .

1

Id 1 6 . . .
5
Id t .
,
no e .
6 i . s. Zah h ak .

7
S ee i ntr o du ct ry n t
o o e t o Zah h ak .
FA R I D 6111 1 73

and I d ragg e d him ou t of t he s ea ; n ne i y da s an d n ight s t he


c nfl ict w m in t i n d by in t h
o as I b c m m r
a a e us e s e a, a nd th n e e a e o e

p w rf l th n G nd p Th l f G n d p f t w l
o e u a a are . e so e o a are

s oo as a s o

i d b y m nd t h ki n w fl y d ff p t hi h d nd
se z e e, a e s as a e o u o s

ea , a

with it t h h n d n d f t f G nd p w r b nd e a nd s a ee o a are e e ou a

G nd a p w t k n id l in by m
are Gr nt m O A h
as a e ar s a e a e, u ar

m d haz n th pr m h n f I h
e av e l i n t h high
or e su e e e ave or av e s a e

w ym n w h w r
a e b ig in b dy th t wh n th y w r w lki ng
o e e so o a ,
e e e e a ,

p pl c n i d r d in thi w y th t b l w th m
eo e o s e th t r nd
e s a a e o e are e s a s a

m n nd b l w th mm
,

nd t h w t r
'

oo ,
a th n t d wn e o f e o ve s e su a a ,
a e a e o

th e r ch sea
p t th ir k n ea A nd I r ch d p t
es th i r
u o e ees .

ea e u o e

l g nd th y w r m itt n n t h l g b y m ; th y f ll nd t h
e s, a e e e s e o e e s e e e ,
a e

hill n t h r th w r h tt r d by th m K a p w n t n
s o e ea e e s a e e e .

e re s s a e o

t t ll h w t h d m n
o e rg d n t h wi nd t tt ck him h w it
o e e o s u e o e o a a ,
o

c m n in it tr ngth pr ti ng ry hr b nd t r
a e o s nd
s e ,
u oo e ve S u ,
a e e, a

r d ci ng r th t p wd r in it p th nd h w h with t d it
e u ea o o e s a ,
a o e s oo

a n d pr il d H fi n lly pl d d th t wh n in t h f l n
e va e . f e a ea e a e ,
e u e ss o

ti m Z hhak h ll c p f r m t h f tt r wh r wi th F ri dun
e, a s a es a e o e e e s e e a

b nd him t M nt D maw nd nd thr t n t h w rl d with


ou o ou a a ,
a ea e e o

d t r cti n h (K
es u ap ) l n o n c nq
,
r nd fi n lly d t r y
e e re s s a a o e ca o ue a a es o

th t il pirit U m d in c n id r ti n f t h t r g d pi rit
a ev s . r uz ,
o s e a o or e ou a e s

o f fi l ng r m i n d b d r t t t h pl di ng f K a p
re , o e a e o u a e o e ea s o e re s s a,

th gh pp r t d by th
ou f Z r
su t r hi m lf nd th r b t
o e ose o o o as e se a o e s, u

fin ll y yi l d d nd K asp w dmitt d i n t h n
a e e ,
a e re s a as a e o e av e .
1

With r g rd t t h fi n l d t r cti n f Z hh ak by K
e a ap wo e a es u o o a e re s s a e

fi nd i nf rm ti n in t h B nd hi h
o nd in t h
a B hm n Y t
o e u a s a e a a as .

C m b i ni n g t h
o cc nt gi n w l rn th t K a p bt i n d
e a ou s ve ,
e ea a e re s s a o a e

i mm r t li ty whil n r th b t th t w i ng t hi lighti ng fi
o a e o ea ,
u a o o s s re

w r hip h w w nd d by T rk n m d N iha nd f ll l p
o s e as ou e a u a e v, a e as e e

in t h ll y f Pi hi n in K ab li t an H i th r w tch d r
e va e o s u s . e s e e a e ove

by t h di i n gl y nd by t h g rdi n pirit f t h right


e v e or ,
a e ua a s s o e e ous

till t h p ch wh n t h p w r f il h ll r lly f t h l t
e e o e e o e s o ev s a a or e as

gr t t r ggl g i n t g d nd A hri m n mm n Z hh ak fr m
ea s u e a a s oo ,
a a su o a o

M nt D m a
ou w nd Z hhak will r h f r th f r d f r m t h f tt r
a a . a us o ee o e e e s

f F id m fi r t pp r ntly w ll w A hri m n hi m lf nd th n
'

o ar i ,
s a a e s a o a se ,
a e a

third f m nki nd c ttl h p nd th r cr t r f U m d


o a ,
a e, s ee ,
a o e ea u es o r uz ,

s mit t h w t r fi
e nd g t ti n nd c mmit gri
e a e in ,
re , a ve e a o ,
a o e vo us s .

Th n t h w t r t h fi
e nd e g t ti n will l m nt b f r
a e ,
e re , a ve e a o a e e o e

U m d nd p r y th t F id m m y b r i d t l y Z hhak '
r uz a a a ar l a e e v ve o s a a ,

l fi d cl r th t it will n t h t nd w t r th t it will n t
e se re e a es a o ea ,
a a e a o

fl w o Th n U m d will b id S i h nd n th r ng l t r
. e r uz u ri s a a o e a e o ou se

K a p t h s am n
e re s Th y will g t him nd c ll him thric
s a e a . e o o a a e.

1
WPT , ii .
3 69 3 82
— .
1 74 PI RDA U S I TH E S H A H N A MA OF

A t t h f r th mm n h will w k
e ou nd g f r th t nc n t r
su o s e a e a o o o e ou e

Z hh ak
a m it him n t h h d with t h f m
,
s e cl b nd l y o e ea e a ou s u ,
a s a

h im A ll . il in nd m i ry will c
ev nd t h ,
f t rn l
s , a se e as e , a e e ra o e e a

happin e s s b e gin 1
'

I n t he S hah nam a, Thrit a, A t h w y a, Th raét ao na, a nd S ama


K e re s as pa N arim anau re app e ar u n de r ch ang e d as p cte s . Thrit a
and Thraét ao na c l c i nt
oa e s e o F ar id i n whil
'
l ,
e A t hw y a bc e o me s
A bti n t h f th r f F id n S am K a p N im n plit
, e a e o ar li
'

. a e re s s a ar a au s s

u p i n t r l p r n
o s e ve liti — S am t h g r n df th r n d N r i m an
a e so a es ,
e a a e ,
a a ,

th gr t g r ndf th r f R t m G Sh a p
e ea a m r r m t
a e ,
o us a ,
ar s ,
a o e e o e

a nc t r f hi p rh p G h a p t h h r m nti n d in t h
es o o s, e a s ar s s ,
e e o e o e e

pr nt r ig n nd p ibl y G ha p t h t nth S h ah I n t h
ese e ,
a os s ars s ,
e e . e

c as e of s am n d N r i m an t h pith t nd p t r nymic f rli r


a a e e e s a a o s o ea e

ti m b c m t h n m f h r
es e o fl t r g
e e a es o e oes o a e a es
2

Th th r f F id i n S lm Ti m nd I r j — pp r in t h
,

e n ee s o s o ar l v

a , ,
a a a ea e

Z nda t S i im
av as a as Ta nd A i y r p cti ly Fi rd i
a r a, ra , a r u es e ve . au s

see m t d ri s th
o fi r t f c r wr n gly f r m t h A b i
e ve e s ,
o ou se o ,
o e . ra c

l am t
sa f tya ,
T ir m y b c nn ct d with n A ry n r t
” “
sa e .
”3
l a e o e e a a oo

m n in g w ll t g r w g r t t r ng Ir j i t h
“ “ ”
t u t ea o s e ,
o o ea or s o . a s e

m w rd A ry n n d m n n bl

sa e o as a a ea s o e.

F thor thnic l ig nific nc f t h n m


e e I nt r d p 54
a s a e o e a es , se e o . . .

H o w F aridz in as ce nded the Th ro ne


Wh e n Faridim att aine d his wis h and r e igne d ’

S u pr e m e o n e arth h e o rd e r e d cr o w n and thr o ne ,

Acc o rding t o t h e u s an c e o f o ld ti m e s
Within t h e p al ac e o f t h e ki ng o f king s ;
A nd o n t h e fir s t o f Mihr a b le s s é d day , ,

S e t o n h is h e ad t h e r o y al di ad e m .

1 WPT, i . 1 1 9, 233 —2 3 5 .

2
j ct m tt r f t h
Fo r t h e b
su b e f H E P 7 7 78 ; DZA i
-
a e o e a ove o .
, 2 ,
2 , .

M ZA iii W P T ii 3 69
3 3

22 ; 2
5 ;

. .
, . ,

2
I th l d t
n P hl i
e oth t f t h esi n c ipti t h l tt r
a nd l av a o e s r o ns e e e s r a

w r r pr t d by di ti nct ig n b t i t h l t r P hl i—th t f
esen e s s s, u n e a e a av a o

cript —t h m ign t d f b th l tt r ; it i
e e e

th em anu s s yt
e sa e S s oo or o e e s s e as o

und r t nd t h c nf
e s a i n th t r lt d p ci ll y in t h c
e o f pr p r
us o a esu e , es e a e as e o o e

n m a S DE I i 9
es. ee ,
. 1 .
TH E S H A H N A M A OF PIRDA U S I
A nd th e r e r e c e iv e d h e r g u e s t s S h e t h e n u nl o ck e d
.

Th e p o rt al o f h e r s e cr e t h o ard s br ou ght fo rth


,

Th e v ari ou s tr e as u r e s th at S h e h ad am as s e d ,

A nd p u rp o s e d t o di s trib u t e all h e r s t o r e .

I t s e e m e d t h e ti m e t o o pe t h e tr e as u ry ,

Fo r dr ach m s w e r e t rifle s s i nc e h e r s o n w as S hah .

S h e m ad e n o s ti nt o f r o b e s and r o y al j e w e l s ,

Ar abi an s t e e d s with h e ads t all s wr o u ght o f g o ld ,

H ab e rg e o ns h e l m e t s d o u bl e h e ad e d d art s
, ,
-

S w o rd s cr o w ns and b e lt s
, . I nt e n t u p o n h e r s o n
S h e pl ac e d h e r w e alth o n c am e l s and d e s p atch e d it
With pr ai s e s o n h e r t o ngu e Th e king o f e arth
.

B e h e ld acc e pt e d it and bl e s s e d his m o th e r


, , .

Th e l e ad e r s o f t h e ar m y wh e n appri s e d
S p e d t o t h e m o narch o f t h e w o rld and cr i e d
Vict o ri o u s S hah and w o r s hipp e r o f G o d ,

To wh o m b e pr ai s e ! m ay H e giv e pr ais e t o th e e .

Thu s m ay thy fo rt u ne gr o w fr o m day t o day ,

Th u s m ay t h e fo rt u ne s o f thy fo e s b e s h e nt ,

M ay h e av e n m ak e th e e s till vict o ri o u s
A nd m ay s t th o u s till b e gr aci ou s and au g u s t .

Th e wi s e c am e t o t h e S hah fr o m th e ir r e tr e at s
A nd p o u r e d b e fo r e h is thr o ne g o ld m ix e d with
ge m s ;
Th e no bl e s t o o fr o m all his pr o vi nc e s
At th at h o cktid e as s e m bl e d at h is g at e ,

Wh e r e all i nv o k e d G o d s bl e s s i ng o n t h e cr o w n ,

Th e thr o ne t h e di ad e m and S igne t ri ng


, ,
-

With h and s u p s tr e tch e d th e y pr ay e d right h e artily



M ay s u ch j o y l as t t h e S hah b e ar fru it fo r e v e r
, .

A s ti m e w e nt o n h e j o u r ne y e d r o u nd t h e w o rld ,

E x am ini ng it s s ight s and m y s t e ri e s ,

M ark e d e ach i nj u s tic e and all w as t e d l and s ,

B ou nd e vil h ands w it h b o nd s o f k indline s s


A p o licy th at w e ll b e s e e me th kings
F A RID UN 1 77

B e d e ck e d t h e w o rld lik e Paradi s e and r ai s e d ,

I ns t e ad o f gr as s t h e cypr e s s and t h e r os e t r e e -
.

H e r e ach e d Tamm is h a p as s i ng by A mu l
,
1
,

A n d b u il t a s e at th e r e in t h e famo u s ch ac e
Kus is t h e m o d e rn t itl e o f t h e pl ac e .

§ 2

H o w F aridii n s ent J andal to Yaman

N ow fifty ye ar s h ad p as s e d and by g o o d fo rt u ne
,

H e h ad thr e e no bl e s o ns fi t fo r t h e cr o w n ,

O f r o y al birth as t all as cypr e s s e s


, ,

With ch e e k s lik e s pri ng in all p o i nt s lik e th e ir fath e r


,
.

Tw o w e r e t h e s t ai nle s s s o ns o f S h ah rinaz ,

Th e y o u ng e s t fair ch e e k e d A rnaw az h ad b o rn e ;
-

A nd th o u gh th e y c o u ld o u tp ac e an e l e ph an t
Th e ir fath e r in h is l o v e h ad nam e d th e m no t .

I n ti m e t h e S hah p e rc e iv e d th e m fit t o r u l e
A nd c all e d J and al a n o bl e c o u ns e ll o r

, ,

I n e v e rything d e v o t e d t o h is l o rd ,

A n d s aid : G o r ou nd t h e w o rld s e l e ct thr e e m aid e ns


,

O f no bl e li ne ag e w o rthy o f m y s o ns ,

I n b e au ty fi t t o b e afli ne d t o m e
A nd nam e d no t by th e ir s ir e fo r fe ar o f t alk
Thr e e S i s te r s in fu ll bl o o d wi t h fairy fac e s ,

Uns t ain e d o f r oy al r ac e s o mu ch alike


, ,

I n h e ight an d l o o k s th at fo lk c an s c arc e dis c e r n


B e twixt th e m .

H aving h e ard h e u nd e rt o o k
Th e fair e m pri s e for h e w as s hr e wd and u pright
, ,

O f pl au s ibl e addr e s s and fu ll o f t act .

H e l e ft Ira n with c e rt ai n o f h is fri e nd s


To m ak e in quir i e s and r e c e iv e r e p o rt s .

1 I n M az anda an r .
TH E S H A H N A M A OF PI R DA vs f
Th e n wh e n h e h e ard o f any chi e f with d au ght e r s
H e s o u ght t o l e ar n ab o u t th e m privily ,

Y e t c o u ld no t fi nd am o ng t h e w e althy th ane s
O ne fit t o b e affi n e d t o F ar idu n .

Thi s s hr e w d and h o ly m an at l e ngth r e ach e d S arv


Th e m o narch o f Y am an— with wh o m h e fo u n d
Th e o bj e ct o f h is s e arch — th re e m aid e ns s u ch
A s F aridu n r e qu ir e d . With s t at e ly s t e p ,

A s tw e r e a ph e as ant p aci ng t o w ard a r o s e


H e c am e t o S arv and h av i ng ki s s e d t h e gr ou nd
,

E xpl ai ne d h is c o m i ng pr ai s e d t h e ki ng and s aid


,

Fo r e v e r liv e e x alt e d s o v e r e ig n
, ,

Th o u c e as e l e s s lu s t re o f t h e cr ow n and thr o ne
Th e ki ng s aid : Be thy pr ai s e in e v e ry m o u th .

Wh at is thy m e s s ag e ? Wh at are thy c o m m and s ?


Art th ou am b as s ad o r o r pri ncip al ?
J and al r e pli e d : M ay e v e ry j o y b e thi ne ,

A nd e v e r far fr o m th e e t h e h and o f ill .

I c o m e as s o m e p o o r h e ath e n t o c o nv e y
A m e s s ag e fr o m Ira n Gr e at Faridim
.

S al u t e th th e e by m e Th o u as k s t my b u s i ne s s

.

I ans w e r : Mighty Faridii n applau de t h th e e


A nd gr e at are th e y wh o m h e d e s pi s e th no t .

H e s aid : S ay t o t h e m o narch o f Y am an
S o l o ng as m u s k h ath s c e nt p e rfu m e t h e thr o ne ,

Be thy gri e fs s c att e r e d and thy w e alth am as s e d ,

A nd e v e r ki ng o f Ar ab s m ays t th o u b e
,

S afe g u ard e d by t h e s t ar s fr o m all m i s h ap .

Wh at thi ng is th e r e m o r e s w e e t th an life and childr e n ?


Ye a th ey are s w e e t e r th an all e l s e b e s id e
, ,

Fo r no ne is d e ar e r th an a child th at b o nd
,

I s as no o th e r b o nd . I f any m an
H ath thr e e e y e s I p o s s e s s th e m in my s o ns ,

But kno w th at th e y are b e tt e r s till th an e y e s


For th o s e th at l o o k o n th e m giv e th ank s Wh at s aid
.
1 80 TH E S H A HN A M A OF PI RDA 11 5 1
A nd Faridim h ath s e n t an e mb as s ag e

To s pre ad a g o o dly s nar e b e fo r e my fe e t ;


H e w o u ld d e priv e m e o f th e s e Ey e s o f m i ne ,

A nd I w ou ld fai n c o ns u lt th e r e o n with y o u .

Th e am b as s ad o r s aith th u s : Thu s s aith t h e S hah


I h av e thr e e pri n c e s w h o ad o r n m y thr o ne
A nd s e e k fo r fav o u r and affi nity
With th e e by m arri ag e wi t h thy virt u o u s d au ght e r s .

I f I S h all ans w e r Y e s and m e an it no t


, , ,

Twill b e a lie ; t o lie is no t for ki ngs ;
If I s h all acqu ie s c e in h is r e q u e s t
My h e art will b e o n fi re m y fac e all t e ar s ; ,

A nd if I s h all r e fu s e m y h e art will fe e l


H is v e nge anc e — no t a m att e r fo r a j e s t
Fr o m o ne wh o is t h e m o narch o f t h e w o rld ;
A nd tr av e ll e r s t o o h av e h e ard o f wh at Z ahh ak
H ath s u ffe r e d fr o m him N o w advi s e m e w e ll
. .

Th e v e t e r an v ali an t chi e fs th u s m ad e r e ply


We di s appr o v e o f v e e ring t o e ach gu s t .

Be F ar idu n h o w e v e r gr e at a ki ng
N o e arri nge d S l av e s are w e b u t s ay ou r s ay ,

A nd t ak e t h e c o ns e q u e nc e Tis o u r s t o h andl e

.

Th e bridl e and t h e l anc e w e m ak e t h e e arth


A wi ne fat with o u r s w o rd s w e m ak e t h e air ,

A r e e d b e d with o u r s p e ar s I f thy thr e e childr e n


-

A re h e ld s o d e ar u nl o ck thy tr e as u ry
A nd s h u t thy lip s ; o r if th o u wilt u s e cr aft
, ,

Bu t fe ar e s t F aridu n m ak e s u ch d e m and s
,

Th at none s h all e v e r h e ar t h e like ag ain .

Th e ki ng h e ard whil e t h e C hi e ft ai ns s aid th e ir s ay ,

Bu t fe lt no l e s s u nc e rt ai n o f his w ay

.
F A R I D ( IN

§ 3

H o w the King f
o Yaman a ns we re d J andal

At l e ngth h e c all e d t h e S hah s am b as s ad o r ’

A nd s p ak e t o h im at l arg e in gr aci o u s w o rd s

I am t h e s e rvan t o f thy l o rd ; in all
That h e c o mm ande th m e will I o b ey .

Th u s s ay t o h im : E x alt e d as th o u art

,

S till thy thr e e s ons are pr e ci o u s u nt o th e e ;


An d ki ngs e s t e e mt h e ir o w n s o ns v e ry pr e ci o u s
Wh e n th e y are s u ch as o rnam e nt t h e thr o ne .

I gr an t wh at th o u h as t s aid I t o o h av e childr e n,

A nd j u dg e by th e m ; y e t if t h e m ighty S hah
W e r e t o r e q u ir e m i ne e y e s o f m e o r as k ,

Th e ki ngd o m o f Yam an and d e s e rt trib e s -

I t w e r e o f l e s s e r m o m e n t th an fo r m e
To ne v e r l o o k u p o n my childr e n m o r e ;
S till if t h e S ha h wis h this I m ay no t w alk
S av e as h e bidd e t h m e and my thr e e childre n
, ,

I f s o h e will s h all c e as e t o b e my kin ;


,

Bu t wh e n s h all I b e h o ld th o s e pri n c e ly s o ns
Wh o are t h e l u s tr e o f thy cr o w n and t hr o ne ?
Le t th os e bli t h e y o u th s c o m e hith e r and ill u m e
My gl o o my s o u l ; t o s e e t h e m will r e jo ic e
My h e art and I will c o n te m pl at e th e ir s hre wd ne s s ;
,

Th e n I will giv e t o t he m my thr e e bright Ey e s


A cc o rdi ng t o o u r c u s t o m s F urth e r mo re
.
,

Wh e n I p e rc e ive th at th e y are u prigh t m e n ,

I will j o i n h and in h and in l e ag u e with t h e m ,

A nd wh e ns o e e r t h e S hah w o u ld s e e h is s o ns

Th e y s h all r e t u r n .

J and al t h e s we e t v o ic e d s p e ak e r
,
-

O n h e aring ki s s e d t h e thr o ne with r e v e r e n c e ,


TH E S H A H N A M A O F PI RDA U S I

Th e n u tt e ri ng pr ais e s hi e d h im t o h is l o rd ,

To wh o m h e t o ld wh at h e h ad s aid and h e ard .

Th e m o narch b ad e h is s o ns att e nd h e s p ak e ,

Ab o u t t h e m i s s i o n o f J and al and s aid ,


Th e m o narch o f Y am an is ki ng o f p e o pl e s ,

S arv is a cypr e s s thr o wi ng l e ngthy s h ad o w s .

H e h ath thr e e d au ght e r s — p e arls as y e t u npi e rc e d


Wh o are h is cr o wn for h e h ath no t a s o n
,
.

B e fo r e all thr e e o f th e m S u rus h w o u l d ki s s


Th e gr o u nd I w e e n if h e m ight h av e s u ch b rid e s
, ,
.

Th e s e I d e m and e d o f th e ir s ir e fo r y o u
A nd t o o k s u ch o rd e r as b e c o m e th u s .

Y o u r d u ty no w will b e t o go t o h im ,

Bu t b e dis cr e e t in all t hi ngs s m all and gr e at .

Be c o m pl ai s an t b u t g uard e d th e r e with al ,

H e e d wh at h e s aith and ans w e r c o u rt e o u s ly .

I f h e c o ns u lt e th y o u advi s e him w e ll .

N o w h e ark e n t o m y w o rd s and y e s h all pr o s p e r :


A m o ng t h e p e o pl e s no ne c an e qu al S arv ,

Fo r h e is fl u e n t ard e nt s hr e w d an d p u r e
, , , .

All o w h im no t t o fi nd y o u o ff y o u r g u ard ,

Fo r wi s e m e n w o rk with s u btilty Th e fir s t day .

H e will as s ig n y o u chi e f s e at s at a fe as t ,

Bri ng fo rth t hr e e s u n fac e d m aid s lik e g arth s in s pri ng


-

A l l fu ll o f gr ac e o f c o l o u r and p e rf u m e
, , ,

A nd s e at th e m o n t h e thr o n e th e s e Cypr e s s e s ,

I n h e ight and in app e ar an c e s o alik e


Th at no ne c o u ld t e ll th e ir o rd e r as t o age .

N o w o f th e s e thr e e t h e y o u ng e s t will w alk fi rs t ,

Th e e ld e s t l as t t h e o th e r in t h e m id s t
,
.

Th e kin g will pl ac e t h e y o u nge s t m aid b e s id e


Th e e ld e s t y o u t h b e s id e t h e y o u ng e s t pri n c e
,

Th e e ld e s t m ai d a nd p air t h e m id in age
,
.

K no w fo r t is w o rth y o u r whil e th at h e will as k


,

H o w r ang e y e in r e s p e ct o f age th e s e d am s e l s
TH E S H A H N A M A OF PI RDA o s r
S arv as k e d t h e e ld e s t prin c e : Which is t h e y ou ng e s t

O f th e s e thr e e S t ar s which is t h e m id in age


, ,

A nd w hi ch t h e e ld e s t ? Thu s di s ti ng u i s h th e m
Th e y ans w e r e d as th e y h ad b e e n t au ght and s o ,

S e w e d u p t h e e y e lid s o f h is cr aft whil e h e ,

A nd all his w arri o r s w e r e l o s t in w o nd e r .

H e s aw th at his in v e r s i o n nau ght av ail e d



A nd ans w e r e d ,
Y e a and p air e d t h e p air s aright

,
.

Th e i ntr o d u cti o n e nd e d in b e tr o th al .

Th e thr e e pri n c e s s e s bl u s hi ng fo r th e ir fath e r


, ,

W e n t fr o m t h e pr e s e n c e o f t h e thr e e y o u ng princ e s
I n S w e e t c o nfu s i o n bl u s h e s o n th e ir ch e e k
,

A nd m any a w o rd o f t e nd e rne s s t o s p e ak .

H o w S arv pr oved the S o ns f F a r i du n by S o rcery



o

Th e n S arv as s e m bl e d b o o n c o m p ani o ns-

A nd p as s e d t h e day with m ins tr e l s wi ne and t alk


Bu t h is thr e e s o ns —
, ,

in law —t h e s o ns o f F aridun
,

Dr ank no t e xc e pt t o h im Wh e n wi ne pr e vail e d
.
,

A nd S l e e p and r e s t w e r e ne e d e d S ar v b ad e s e t ,

S o m e c o u ch e s by a fo u nt ai n o f r o s e w at e r -

A nd th e r e t h e thr e e ill u s tri o u s ath e li ng s


S l e pt in a g ard e n in a b o w e r o f r o s e s ,

Which s c att e re d bl o s s o m s o e r th e m b u t m e anwhil e


Th e s o rc e r e r king h ad th o u ght o f a d e vic e :


-

H e l e ft t h e ro y al pl e as anc e and pr e p ar e d
H is s p e ll s . H e br o u ght a fr o s t and m ighty bl as t _

To s l ay t h e pri n c e s ; o v e r hill and pl ai n


I t fr o z e s o s h arply th at t h e cr o w s gr e w nu m b .

Th e arch e nch an t e r Faridun s thr e e s o ns



-

L e apt fr o m th e ir c ou ch e s at t h e gri e v o u s c o ld ;
F A RI D UN

A nd by t he Gr ac e o f G o d and th e ir o w ns kill -

By kingly m agic and th e ir h ardih o o d ,

O pp o s e d t h e s p e ll and k e pt t h e fr o s t aw ay .

N o w wh e n t h e s u n s h o ne o e r t h e m o u nt ai n t o p s

-

S arv anxi o u s t o k no w all appr o ach e d in h as t e


, ,

H is thr e e e x alt e d s o ns in law in h o p e


.
- -

To fi nd th e ir ch e e k s lik e l api s l az u li ,

C o ng e al e d with fr o s t and th e ir e m pri s e d e fe at e d


, ,

S o th at his d au ght e r s m ight r e m ai n t o h im


A s h is m e m o ri al ; s u ch w as h is h o p e ,

Bu t s u n and m o o n w e r e adv e r s e t o his wi s h e s ,

Fo r h e b e h e ld thr e e pri nc e s lik e ne w m o o ns


Fr e s h s e at e d o n th e ir r oy al thr o ne s and k ne w
-

Th at s p e lls h ad fail e d h im and h is ti m e w as l o s t .

H e g av e an au di e n c e ; all t h e chi e fs att e nd e d .

H e o p e ne d and br o u ght fo rth his an ci e nt tr e as u r e s


Di s cl o s ing wh at h ad b e e n s e cr e t e d l o ng ,

A nd br o u ght t o o and c o mm itt e d t o th e ir l o rd s


Thr e e m aid s s u n ch e e k e d lik e g arth s o f P ar adi s e
-

( N o archi m ag e e re pl an t e d pi ne s lik e th e m ) ,

With cr o w ns and tri nk e t s igno r ant o f p ai n , ,

Unl e s s it b e a p ai n t o pl ait t h e h air


Th e y w e r e thr e e ne w M o ons and thr e e w arri o r

He th o u ght with bitt e r ne s s : fau lt is m ine



Th e ,

N o t Faridii n s and m ay I ne v e r h e ar
’ ’

O f fe m al e i s s u e fr o m thi s r o y al s t o ck ;
H e h ath a l u cky s t ar w h o h ath n o t d au ght e r s ,

Bu t h e wh o h at h th e m h ath no s t ar t o s hi ne .

Th e n t o t h e as s e m bl e d s age s : Ki ngs m ay w e ll “

We d M o o ns B e ar wit ne s s all ! t h at I h av e giv e n


.

My thr e e Ey e s t o th e s e m e n in l awfu l m arri age ,

To h o ld t h e m d e ar as th e ir o w n e ye s are d e ar ,

A nd li m n th e m lik e th e ir o w n liv e s o n th e ir
h e art s .
TH E S H A H N A M A O F PI R DA U S I

He tt e r e d thi s al o u d and th e n b e b o u nd

O n m any vig o r o u s c am e l s l u s ty b ack s


Th e b aggage o f t h e brid e s Y am an w as bright


.

Wi t h g e m s Th e dau ght e r s litt e r s m o v e d in file


.

With p ar as o l s and rich e s fi t for ki ng s .

S arv o rd e r e d e v e ry t hi ng and s aid far e w e ll .

Thu s did t h e y o u th s s e t o u t u p on th e ir w ay
To F aridli n with h e art s al e rt and gay

go
H o w F ar idii n made Tri al f his S ons
o

Wh e n tidi ng s th at t he pri nc e s h ad r e t u r ne d
R e ach e d F aridun h e w e nt t o m e e t th e m l ongi ng , ,

By t ri al o f th e ir ch ar act e rs t o e nd ,

H is b o di ng fe ar s s o ch ange d h im t o a dr ag o n
,

O ne th o u w o u ld s t s ay no li o n c o u ld e s c ap e
, ,

Which hi s s e d and b e ll o w e d with it s j aw s aflam e .

A s s o o n as h e p e rc e iv e d h is thr e e s o ns ne ar ,

Lik e s o m br e m o u nt ai ns in a cl o u d o f d u s t ,

H e t o o thr e w d u s t ab ou t and m ade it fly ,

Whil e e arth re e ch o e d with his b e ll o wi ng


-

H e r u s h e d in fu ry t o w ard h is e l de s t s o n ,

Th at pri nc e o f m any v ir t u e s w h o e xcl ai m e d


,

N o m an o f s e ns e and wi s d o m think e th go o d

To figh t w ith dr ag o n s .

Th e n h e s h o w e d his b ack
A nd fl e d . Th e fath e r t u r ne d t o w ard t h e ne xt ,

H is s e c o nd s o n wh o wh e n h e s aw t h e dr ag o n
,

S t r u ng u p h is b o w an d dr e w it s ayi ng th u s ,

Wh e n fight is t o w ar d wh at m att e r if t h e fo e
,

Be r o ari ng li o n o r br av e c av ali e r
Bu t wh e n t h e y o u ng e s t s o n c am e u p h e l o o k e d
Up o n t h e dr ag o n and cri e d o u t : Avau nt !
Th o u art a l e o p ard : w ar e t h e li o ns p ath ! ’
PI R DA
'

TH E S H A H MA M A
'

OF US I

H im name w e Tar—a li on br av e no t e v e n
A m ighty e l e ph ant c o u ld v an qu i s h him .

To d ar e is all t h e virt u e s in h is c as e ,

Fo r no fai n t h e art is m as t e r o f a thr o n e .

Th e y o u nge s t is a m an o f s l e ight and fight ,

O ne th at c an bi de his t i m e an d y e t b e pr o m pt .

H e ch o s e t h e m iddl e c o u r s e twixt d u s t and fl am e


Th e pr u d e nt m an s Br ave yo u ng and s e ns ibl e



.
, ,

H e m u s t al o ne b e pr ai s e d Be h e Ir aj .
,

A nd m ay his e nd b e all s u pr e m acy ,

B e c au s e at firs t h e w as no t ch o l e ric ,

B u t at t h e ti m e o f s tr e s s h is c o u r ag e gr e w .

I o p e n n o w m y lip s with j oy t o nam e


Th e s e Ar ab d am e s with fairy c o u nt e nance s .

H e n me d t h wife f S al m Arz 11 t h e wife



1
a e o ,

O f Tur Mah i A z ad a Kh ii ; t h e wife



- -

O f b l e s t Ir aj S ah i t o wh o m C ano p u s
, ,

Was b u t a s l av e in b e au ty Aft e rw ards .

H e br ou ght a c at al o g u e e m br aci ng all


Th e s t ar s withi n t h e circli ng s ph e r e o f h e av e n ,

Wh o s e as p e ct s r e ad e r s o f t he s t ar s h ad t ak e n ,

S pr e ad it b e fo r e h im and o b s e rv e d t h e fo rt u ne s
S al m s h o r o s c o p e

O f his ill u s tri o u s s o ns .

Was J u pit e r in S agitt ari u s .

N e xt c am e t h e h o r o s c o p e o f gl o ri o u s Tar

Th e S u n as c e nd ant in t h e Li o n s H o u s e
A pr e s ag e br av e b u t wh e n t h e S hah o b s e rv e d
Th e h o r o s c o p e o f bl e s t Ir aj h e fo u nd
Th e M o o n in C anc e r ; t h u s t h e s t ar s r e v e al e d
A d e s tiny o f s trife and w o e Th e S h ah .

Was s o r e ly tr o u bl e d with a d e e p c o ld S igh


,

P e rc e ive d th at h e av e n l o v e d no t h is bright s o u l e d s o n, -

A n d as h e m u s e d th e r e o n h e c o u ld n o t b e
Bu t fill e d with th o u ght s o f gr av e an xi e ty .

1
A r am n D i r M ah i A ad Kh u M o n f nob l n t r ; and
z ea s es e ~ -
z a ,
o o e -
a u e

Sahi S t t l y
, a e .
§ 7

H o w F ari diin divided t he World amo n


g his

Th e s e cr e t s kno w n t h e S hah di v id e d e arth


se ,

A nd m ad e thr e e r e al m s h e j o ine d R am with


We s t ,

T ara n with Chin Ar abi a wi t h Ira n


, .

H e fir s t t o o k th o u ght fo r S al m and g a v e him R um


A nd all t h e W e s t c o m m andi ng h im t o l e ad
,

A n ar m y thith e r ; s o S al m t o o k t h e thr o ne ,

A nd all t h e W e s t s al u t e d him as l o rd .

N e xt F arid un as s igne d T uran t o Tli r


.

To r u l e t h e T u rk m ans and t h e l an d o f Ch in ,

Pr o vidi ng tr oo p s Tli r le d h is ar m y fo rth


Arriv e d as s u m e d t h e s e at o f s o v e r e ignty
, ,

Girt u p his l o i ns and o p e ne d wid e h is h and s .

Th e no bl e s s h o w e r e d u p o n h im pr e ci ou s s t o ne s ,

A nd all T11 ran h ail e d h im as ki ng Ir aj


C am e l as t t h e S i r e s e l e ct e d all Iran
,

Fo r h im Thi s with Ar abi a and t h e thr o ne


.

Of m aj e s ty and cr o w n o f chi e fs h e g av e ,

Pe rc e ivi ng th at Ir aj d e s e rve d t o r u l e .

H o w all t h e pri nc e s pru de nt wi s e and s hr e w d


, , ,

All h ail e d him as t h e m as t e r o f Ir an !


-

A s m arc h lo rds th u s th e s e m e n o f no bl e birth


Acc e d e d t o th e ir thr o ne s in p e ac e and m irth .

H ow S alm gre w a io ns f Ira}


o

M u ch ti m e r o ll e d o n whil e fat e r e s e rve d it s s e cr e t s


, ,

Till wis e S hah F aridu n w as w o rn with age


A nd s tr e w e d with d u s t t h e G ard e n o f h is S pr i ng .
TH E S H A H N A M A OF PI RDA 11 3 1
Thi s is t h e c o m mo n lo t o f all m anki nd
1 M an s s tr e ngth is w e ak ne s s wh e n h e gr o w e th o ld

.

Th e n gl o o m b e g an t o g at h e r in t h e s t ate ,

Th e pri nc e s o f t h e r e al m w ax e d t u rb u l e nt .

I mm e r s e d in gr e e d S al m ch ang e d in h e art and m i nd .

H e s at in c o ncl av e fo r h e m u ch m i s lik e d
,

H is s ir e s app o rti o nm e n t which g av e Ir aj


Th e thr o ne o f go ld . I n r anc o u r and with fr o w ns


H e h u rri e d o ff a c am e l p o s t an e nv o y
-

, ,

To giv e thi s m e s s ag e t o t h e k ing o f Ch in:


Liv e e ve r gl ad and h appy ! K no w gre at ki ng ,

O f T u rk m ans and o f Ch in ! th at o u r s hr e wd h e art s


Did ill t o acqu i e s c e wh e n w e w e r e wr o ng e d :
Th o u gh w e are cypr e s s t all o u r s ou l s are b as e
-

M ark with dis c e rni ng h e art this t al e o f m ine ;


N o ne s u ch h ath r e ache d th e e fr o m t h e d ay s o f
o ld

Thr e e s o nsw e r e w e w h o gr ac e d o u r fath e r s thr o ne ’

A nd no w t h e y o u ng e s t h ath t h e chi e fe s t pl ac e 1
S i nc e I am fir s t in wi s d o m and in y e ar s
S u ch fo rt u ne d o th b e fi t m y s ig ne t ri ng -

Whil e if cro w n thr o ne and di ad e m s h o u ld p as s


, ,

Fr o m m e O ki ng ! s h o u ld th e y no t d e ck thy s e lf ?
,

S h all b o th o f u s c o nti nu e th u s aggri e v e d


By th at i nj u s tic e which o u r fath e r did
I n givi ng t o Ir aj Ira n Y am an
, ,

A nd Ar aby t h e W e s t and Rum t o m e


To th e e t h e w as t e s o f T u rk e s ta n and Ch in ?
Th e yo u ng e s t h ath Ira n I c anno t br o o k
Thi s s e ttl e m e nt ; thy fath e r mu s t b e m ad .

Th e m e s s ag e fill e d T11 r s br ai nl e s s h e ad with wi nd


’ ’

A nd s av ag e as a li o n h e r e pli e d
H e e d w e ll m y w o rd s and t e ll th e m t o thy l o rd
I t w as wh e n w e w e r e y ou th s 0 m os t j u s t ki ng !
,

Th at w e w e r e ch e at e d by o ur fath e r thu s .
TH E S H A H N A M A OF PI R DA vs r
A nd th o u gh no e xc e ll e nc e app e are d in o ne
S o th at t h e o th e r s s h o u ld b o w d o wn t o h im ,

Ye t o ne th o u b las t e ds t with a dr ag o n s br e ath


,

Ano th e r s h e ad th o u rais e ds t t o t h e cl o u d s
On o ne thi ne e y e s r e p o s e d with j o y and h e ,

N o w b at h t h e cr o w n and is b e s id e thy c o u ch ,

While w e w h o are as g o o d as h e by birth


.

A re d e e m e d u nw o rthy o f t h e r o yal thr o ne .

O u pright j u dg e and m o narch o f t h e w o rld


M ay j u s tic e s u ch as thi s b e ne v e r bl e s s e d !
I f th e n h is w o rthl e s s h e ad s h all b e di s cr o w ne d ,

E arth r e s c u e d fr o m his s w ay and th o u wilt giv e him


,

S o m e c o r ne r o f t h e w o rld wh e r e h e m ay s it
L ike u s in ang u i s h and o blivi on—w e ll
E l s e will w e brin g t h e T u rkm an c av ali e r s
A nd e ag e r w arri o r s o f Rum and Ch in
A n ar my o f t h e wi e ld e r s o f t h e m ac e
I n v e ng e anc e o n Ira n and o n Ir aj .

Th e pri e s t at thi s h ar s h m e s s ag e ki s s e d t h e gr o u nd ,

T he n t u rne d and m o u n t e d s wift as wi nd b o rn e fl am e -

Wh e n h e appr o ach e d t h e c o u rt o f F aridu n


A nd m ark e d t h e cl o u d c apt b u ildi ng s fr o m afar
-

Which s tr e tch e d fr o m r ang e t o r ange whil e at t h e gat e ,

Chi e fs s at and th o s e o f high e s t r ank b e hi nd


Th e c u rt ai n o n t h e o ne s id e p ard s and li o ns
,

Ch ai ne d o n t h e o th e r fi e rc e w ar e l e ph ant s
,
-

Whil e fr om th at no bl e b and o f w arri o r s


Th e no i s e th at r o s e w as lik e a li o n s r o ar

,

I t mu s t b e h e av e n h e th o u ght
,
and no t a c o u rt
,


Th e tr o o p s ar o u n d it are a fairy h o s t !
Th e w ary w atch m an w e n t and t o ld t h e S hah
A m an o f no bl e m i e n and high e s t at e
H ath c o m e as e nv o y t o t h e S hah .

H e b ad e
His s e rv ant s r ai s e t h e c u rt ai n and bring in
Th e en v oy wh e n dis m ou nt e d t o t h e c o u rt
, , ,

Wh o wh e n h e s aw t h e fac e o f F aridun ,

S aw h o w t h e S hah e ngr o s s e d all e y e s and h e art s ,

H is s t atu r e cypr e s s lik e his fac e a s u n


-

, ,

H is h air lik e c am ph o r and h is r o s e re d ch e e k s -

H is s m ili ng lip s his m o d e s t c ou nt e nanc e


, ,

A nd r o y al m ou th which u tt e r e d gr aci ou s w o rd s
, ,

Did r e v e re nc e and w o r e t h e gr o u nd with ki s s e s .

Th e S hah c o m m an d e d him t o ri s e and s it


Up o n t h e s e at o f h o no u r du e t o h im ,

Th e n as k e d h im firs t ab ou t t h e no bl e p air
E nj o y th e y h e alth and h appi ne s s ? and n e xt

Ab ou t hi m s e lf : Art w e ary with l o ng tr av e l



O e r hill and pl ai n ?

H e ans w e r e d : N o bl e S h ah ! “

M ay no ne b e h o ld t h e w o rld with o u t th e e ! Th os e
Of wh o m th o u s p e ak e s t are as th o u w o u ld s t wi s h ,

A nd liv e b u t by thy nam e Thy s lav e am I


.
,

Alb eit all u nw o rthy and i m p u r e .

Th e m e s s ag e th at I bri ng t o th e e is h ars h
A nd s e nt in ang e r by no fau lt o f m i ne ,

Bu t if my l o rd c o mm and e th I will t e ll
Th e m e s s ag e s e n t by t w o i m pr u d e nt y o u th s .

Th e S hah c o m m and e d h im t o s p e ak and h e ard


Th e e m b as s ag e d e liv e r e d w o rd by w o rd .

H o w F aridiin made A ns we r to his S ons

Wh e n h e h ad h e ard t h e S hah br ai n t h e d with


, s see

ange r .

0 m an ofpr u d e nc e ! th u s h e m ad e r e ply ,

Th o u ne e d e s t no e xc u s e fo r I h av e e y e s
,

A nd h av e di s c e r ne d thi s fo r m ys e lf alr e ady .

N
TH E S H A H N A M A OF PI RDA U S I
T e ll m ine u nh o ly and ab and o ne d s o ns
s p air o f A hr im an s wi t h dr e g s o f br ain
"
“ Thi
Tis w e ll th at y e r e v e al y o u r natu r e s thu s
A nd s e nd a gr e e ti ng w o rthy o f y o u r s e l v e s ;
Fo r if y o u r br ai ns are e m pty o f m y t e aching ,

A nd y e h av e n o id e a wh at wi s d o m is ,

N o t fe ari ng G o d y e c o u ld no t w e ll do o th e r
, .

My h air w as o nc e as bl ack as pitch my s t atu re


,

Was cypr e s s t all my fac e w as lik e t h e m o o n


-

, .

Th e s k y which h ath b en t d o w n thi s b ack o f m i ne


I s y e t u n fall e n and re v o lv e t h s till
S o ti m e will b e nd y o u t o o and e v e n th at
,

Which b e nd e th y o u it s e lf will no t e nd u r e .

N o w by t h e high e s t nam e o f h o ly G o d ,

By y o n bright s u n and by t h e t e e m i ng gr o u nd
, ,

By thr o ne by cr o wn by Ve nu s and t h e m o o n
, , ,

I n e v e r c as t an e vil l o o k u p o n y o u
.

I c all e d t h e s ag e s i nt o c o nfe r e nc e
,

Th e archi m ag e s and as tr o l o g e rs ;
Ab u nd ant ti m e w as S p e nt th e r e in th at s o
We m ight divid e t h e e arth with e qu ity
I h ad n o o bj e ct b u t t o d e al with fairne s s ;
Th e r e w as no knav e ry fr o m fir s t t o l as t '

My s e cr e t m o tiv e w as t h e fe ar o f G o d ,

My l o ngi ng t o fu lfil all righte o u s ne s s ;


S i nc e e arth w as giv e n t o m e fu ll o f m e n
I t w as no wi s h o f m i ne t o s c att e r th e m
I s aid : “
O n e ach o f my thr e e l u cky E y e s

Will I b e s t o w a p o pu l o u s d o m i ni o n .

If A hri m an h at h no w s e d u c e d y o u r h e arts
Fr o m m ine advic e t o d ark and c ro o k éd w ays ,

C o ns id e r if t h e O m nip o t e n t will l o o k
With appr o b ati o n o n thi s d e e d o f y o u r s .

O ne pr o v erb will I s p e ak if y e will h e ar



Th e cr o p th at y e h av e s o wn th at s h all y e r e ap .
1 96 TH E S H A H N A M A OF PI R DA U S I
H av e s h o wn th e ir r e al int e n t I f th o u wo u lds t
.

fight
M ak e r e ady o pe t h e tr e as u ry bind t h e b agg ag e ;
, ,

S e c u r e t h e c u p whil e th o u art br e aki ng fas t ,

Fo r if no t th e y will s u p o n th e e m y s o n ! ,

Th o u ne e ds t no t e arthly h e lp e rs thi ne alli e s ,

A re tr u th and inno c e n c e .

Th e go o d Ir aj
G az e d o n th at l o v i ng S hah h is gl o ri ou s s ire
, ,

A nd s aid : My l o rd ! c o ns id e r h o w ti m e p as s e th
Lik e win d ab o v e u s Why S h o u ld w is e m e n fr e t
.
'

I t with e r e th t h e ch e e k o f c e rci s bl o o m -

I t d ark e ne th t h e r adi an t S pirit s e y e s ;


I t is at fi rs t a g ai n and th e n a p ai n ,

A nd wh e n t h e p ai n is d o ne w e p as s aw ay .

S i n c e th e n o u r c o u ch is d u s t o u r p ill o w brick
, ,

Why pl ant t o d ay a tr e e wh o s e r o o t s will e v e r


Be drin ki ng bl o o d wh o s e fr u it will b e r e v e ng e
,

Th e e arth h ath s e e n and w ill s e e m any l o rd s


With s ci mit ar and thr o ne and S igne t ring -

Lik e u s ; b u t th e y w h o w o r e t h e cr o w n o f o ld
M ad e no t a h abit o f r e v e nge I t o o .
,

Th e ki ng p e r m itti ng will no t liv e in ill


,
.

I w ant n o t cr o wn an d thr o ne I will appr o ach


.

My br o th e rs in all h as t e and u natt e nd e d ,

A nd s ay : My l o rd s d e ar as m y s o u l and b o dy !
,

F o rb e ar y o u r ang e r and ab and o n s trife


S trife is u nl o v e ly in r e ligi o u s m en .

Why s e t y o u r h o p e s s o m u ch u p o n thi s w o rld ?


H o w ill it u s e d J am s hid w h o p as s e d aw ay
At l as t and l o s t t h e cr o wn an d thr o ne and girdl e
,

A nd y o u and I at l e ngth m u s t s h ar e h is lo t .

Liv e w e in j oy t o g e th e r and th u s s afe


Fr o m fo e s I will c o nv e rt th e ir v e ng e fu l h e art s
.


Wh at b e tt e r v e ng e anc e c an I t ak e th an th at ?
F A R ID UN 1 97

Th e S hah r e pli e d : Thy br e thr e n my wi s e s o n !


,

A re s e t o n figh t whil e th ou w o u ld s t hav e a fe as t .

I c anno t b u t r e c all thi s s aw t o m i n d


I t is no m arve l if t h e m o o n is bright

.

A n ans w e r s u ch as thine b e c o m e th w e ll
Thy v irt u ou s s e lf ; th o u art fo r br o th e rh o o d
A nd l o v e b u t d o th a pru d e n t m an e xp o s e
,

H is pric e l e s s life and h e ad t o dr ag o n s br e ath


S i nc e nau ght b u t bi t i ng v e no m c o m e th th e nc e
By nat u r e ? Y e t if s u ch b e thy r e s o lv e
, ,

T ake o rd e r fo r t h y go i ng and s e t fo rth .

S e l e ct a r e ti nu e am o ng t h e tr o o p s
To go with th e e and I will writ e a l e tt e r
, ,

With s o rr o w in m y h e art t o th o s e t w o m e n
, .

O h ! m ay thy s afe r e t u r n r ej o ic e m y s ight ,

Fo r wh e n I l o o k o n th e e my s ou l is bright .

How Ir aj went t o his B ro the rs

Th e gr e at S hah wr o t e a l e tt e r t o t h e l o rd
O f all t h e W e s t an d t o t h e king o f Ch in ,

Wh e r e i n h e o ffe r e d fir s t his pr ai s e t o G o d
Who is and will b e t o e t e r ni t y ,

A nd t h e n w e nt o n : Thi s l e tt e r o f go o d c o u ns e l
I s fo r t w o S u ns at th e ir m e ridi an ,

Tw o m e n o f w e igh t and c o u r ag e k i ng s o f e art h


, ,

O ne m o n arch o f t h e W e s t t h e o th e r o f Ch in
, ,

Fr o m h im w h o h ath s u r v e y e d t h e w o rld thr o u gh o u t ,

To wh o m m ys t e ri o u s thi ng s h av e b e e n di s cl o s e d ,

Wh o b randis h e t h t h e s w o rd and m as s iv e m ac e ,

Wh o add e th l u s tr e u nt o famo u s cr o wns ,

Wh o t u r ne th i nt o night t h e light o f day ,

Wh o o p e ne th t h e h o ard s o f h o p e and fe ar
-

,
1 98 TH E S H A H N A M A OF P I RDA US I

To wh o m all l ab o u r s h ave gro w n e as y o ne


"
,

I n wh o m all s ple ndo u r h ath di s pl ay e d its e lf .

I do no t as k o f y o u y o u r di ade m s ,

Yo u r h o ard e d tr e as u r e s thr o ne s o r p al ac e s
, ,

My wis h is aft e r all my w e ary t o il s


, ,

Th at my thr e e s o ns s h o u ld dw e ll in p e ac e and l o ve .

Th e br o th e r as t o wh o m y o u r h e art s are s o r e
( Th o u gh no ne h ath fe lt a chilli ng br e ath fr o m him )
D o th c o m e in h as t e b e c au s e o f y o u r ch agrin ,

A nd o f h is e ag e rne s s t o s e e y o u b o th .

H e h ath r e s ig ne d h is kin gs hip fo r y o u r s ak es


A n acti o n w o rthy o f t h e no bl e s t m e n
A nd t aking t o t h e s addl e fr o m t h e thr o ne
H ath girt h is l o ins th at h e m ay do y o u s e r v ic e .

N o w s i n c e h e is t h e y o u ng e s t o f t h e thr e e
H e h at h a righ t t o l o v e and t e nd e r ne s s .

H o ld him in h o n o u r and r e p e n t y o u r s e lv e s
,

A s I h av e fe d h is b o dy fe e d h is s ou l ,

A nd aft e r h e h ath b e e n with y o u awhil e


S e nd m y b e l o v e d o ne b ack t o m e .

Th e y s e al e d
Th e l e tt e r with t h e S i gne t o f t h e S hah .

Ir aj s e t fo rth with s u ch att e nd ant s o nly ,

B o th y o u ng and o ld as w e r e im p e r at iv e ;
,

A n d S al m and Tur wh e n h e w as dr awi ng nigh


, ,

Unwitti ng o f th e ir d ark d e s ig n le d fo rth


,

Th e tr o o p s t o m e e t h im as th e ir c u s t o m w as .

Wh e n th e y b e h e ld th e ir br o th e r s fac e o f l o v e

Th e y S h o w e d t o h im an alt e r e d c o u nt e nanc e ,

A nd b e nt o n q u arr e l g av e t h e p e ac e fu l o ne
A gr e e ting b u t no t s u ch as h e d e s ir e d .

Tw o h e ar t s w e r e fu ll o f v e ng e anc e o ne w as c al m
,

Th u s all thr e e br o th e r s s o u ght th e ir r oy al t e nts .

Th e tr o o p s s aw as th e y l o o k e d u p o n Ir aj
, ,

Th at h e w as w o rthy o f t h e thr o ne and cr o w n ,


TH E S H A H N A M A OF PI R DA 11 5 1
Th e y w e nt with him i ns id e t h e t e nt Th e t alk .

R an o n t h e why and wh e r e fo r e o f his c o m ing .

Tirr s aid t o h im : S i nc e th o u art y o u ng e s t b o rn


Why s h ou ld s t th o u t ak e t h e cr o w n o f p o we r ? M u s t
th o u
P o s s e s s t h e thr o n e o f pri n c e s and Iran
Whil e I am b o nd s l ave at t h e T u rk m an s g at e ? ’

Thi ne e ld e s t br o th e r c h afe t h in t h e W e s t
Whil e th o u art cr o w ne d and w alke s t o v e r tr e as u r e ,

Fo r th u s did o u r as piri ng s ir e app o rti o n


Th e w o rld in fav o u r o f h is y o u ng e s t s o n .

Ir aj m ad e ans w e r in a h o li e r s tr ai n
O m ighty chi e ft ai n l o ve r o f r e no w n
,

S e e k p e ac e if th o u w o u ld s t h av e thy h e art at e as e .

I do no t w an t t h e r o y al cr o w n o r t hr o ne ,

Th e s tyl e o f m o narch o r t h e Ira ni an h o s t ;


I do n o t w an t Ira n t h e W e s t o r Ch in
, , ,

Th e ki ngs hip o r t h e br o ad e xp ans e o f e arth .

Wh e n m aj e s t y pro du c e t h nau ght b u t s t ri fe


O ne n e e d s m u s t w e e p o e r s u ch s u pr e m acy

.

Alth ou gh th o u ride s t o n t h e h e av e n ab o v e ,

A brick will b e thy pill o w in t h e e nd .

Fo r m y p art th ou gh t h e m as t e r o f Iran
, ,

I am aw e ary b o th o f cr o w n and thr o ne ,

A nd yi e ld t o y ou t h e di ad e m and S igne t ,

S o h at e m e no t ; th e r e is n o fe u d b e tw e e n u s ,

N o h e art ne e d ach e thr o u gh m e I will n o t h av e


.

Th e w o rld ag ains t y o u r will and th o u gh I dw e ll


,

Far fr o m y o u r k e n I e v e r ac t as y o u ng e r :

My F aith is nau ght with o u t h u m anity .

Tli r h e ard t h e w o rd s and littl e h e e d e d th e m


Bu t angry th at Ir aj s h o u ld s p e ak and c aring


N o j o t fo r p e ac e h e r o s e u p with a cry
,

A nd t h e n adv an cing s u dd e nly and r as pi ng


,
g
Th e m as s iv e s e at o f g o ld h e s m o t e I r aj
, ,
F A R I D UN

Wh o pl e ad e d fo r h is
life : H as t th o u n o fe ar
O f G o d no r any r e v e r e nc e fo r thy s ir e ?
,

I s thi s i nd e e d thy p u rp o s e S l ay m e no t ,

Fo r in t h e e nd m y bl o o d will b e r e qu ir e d .

Be no t t h ou r e ck o ne d with t h e m u rd e r e r s ,

A nd h e nc e fo rth th o u s h alt fi nd no tr ac e o f m e .

C ans t th o u appr o v e and r e c o ncil e th e s e t w ai n


To b e a mu rd e r e r and liv e thy s e lf ?
O h ! h u rt no t e e n t h e p o o r gr ai n dr aggi ng ant

-

Fo r it h ath life and s w e e t life is a j o y


,
1
.

I will ch o o s e s o m e r e tr e at and e ar n m y br e ad
Why gird thy l o i ns t o t ak e a br o t h e r s life ? ’

Why s e t o n fi re o u r aged fath e r s h e art ? ’

W o u ld s t h av e t h e w o rld ? T h o u h as t it S h e d . no t

bl o o d
Pr o v o k e no t G o d t h e R u l e r o f t h e w o rld
,
.

Tur h e ard h im s p e ak b u t ans w e r e d no t a w o rd


H is h e art w as fu ll h is h e ad w as v ap o u ri ng, .

H e dr e w a d agg e r fro m h is b o o t h e r o b e d ,

Ir aj in bl o o d and with t h e k e e n bright bl ad e


,

E ntr e nch e d t h e r o y al br e as t Th e l o fty Cypr e s s .

F e ll t h e i m p e ri al girdl e s t e ad w as br ok e n
, ,

Th e bl o o d ran d o w n th at fac e o f c e r c i s bl o o m -

A nd th u s t h e y o u ng ill u s tri o u s m o narch di e d !


Tur with h is d agge r c u t t h e pri nc e s h e ad ’

Fr o m t h e e l e ph anti ne fo r m and all w as o v e r .

0 w o rld ! S i n c e th o u h ad s t nu r s e d him t e nde rlv


Y e t did s t no t s p ar e h is life at l as t I w is ,

N o t w h o thy s e cr e t fav o u rit e s m ay b e ,

Bu t n e e d s m u s t w e e p fo r s u ch an ac t as thi s .

1
p t p t h i w n pr t t i nt t h m th f Ir j g in t t h
Th e oe u s s o o es o e ou o a a a s e

anci t Z r tri c t m f killi g t t ight b i g t h cr


en o o as an us o o n an s a s as e n e ea

ti f A hri m n Th c l b t d high pri t f t h P r i t h l t


on o a . e e e ra e -
es o e a s s, e a e

M l Fir
oo a nt r d th
o oz lin i t h i P nd N amah w hich m y
, e e e e se es n o s a ,
!
a

b t k n b tt r d y f t h wi littl cr t r
e o e e e a DZ A i
s 7
or e se e ea u e .

, . 1 1 .

i B k . e . oo 0 1 c o u ns e l s .
TH E S H A H N A M A P I R DA U S T

OF

Th o u t o o 0 man di s tr act e d and di s tr au ght


, ,

Wh o s e h e art t he w o rld h ath s e ar e d and c au s e d t o bl e e d


If as with th e s e r e ve ng e is in thy th ou ght
, ,

T ak e w arn ing by th e s e p e r s e c u t o rs d e e d ’
.

Th e y fille d t h e h e ad w ith m u s k and am b e rgri s


A nd s e n t it t o t h e agé d w o rld divid e r -

Wi t h th e s e w o rd s L o o k u p o n thy d arli ng s h e ad
“ ’

Th e i nh e rit o r o f o u r fo r e fath e r s cr o wn

A nd giv e it cr o w n o r thr o ne as pl e as e th th e e .

The r o y al and far s h ad o wi ng Tr e e h ad fall e n


-

A nd th o s e t w o m i s cr e ant s w e n t th e ir w ay in S pl e e n ,

O ne u nt o Ram t h e o th e r u n t o Ch in
,
.

$1 1 3

H o w F arid iin rece ived Tidings f


o the M u rde r f fraj
o

Th e y e s o f F ar idu n w e r e o n t h e r o ad
e ,

B o th h o s t and cr o wn w e r e l o ngi ng fo r t h e pri nc e


Bu t wh e n t h e ti m e arriv e d fo r h is r e t u r n
H o w did t h e tidings r e ach his fath e r fir s t
H e h ad pr e p ar e d t h e pri n c e a t u rq u o i s e thr o ne
A nd add e d j e w e l s t o h is cr o w n Th e p e o pl e .

W e r e all in r e adi ne s s t o w e lc o m e h im
A nd c all e d fo r wi ne and s o ng and m i ns tr e l s y .

Th e y br o u ght o u t dr u m s and s t at e ly e l e ph ant s ,

A nd pu t u p d e c o r ati o ns e v e rywh e r e
Thr o u gh o u t h is pro vi nc e Whil e t h e S hah and tr o o p s
.

We r e b u s i e d th u s a cl o u d o f d u s t app e are d ,

A nd fr o m it s m id s t a dr o m e d ary ridd e n
By o ne in gri e f w h o u tt e r e d bit t e r cri e s ;
H e b o r e a g o ld e n c as k e t and th e r e i n
,

Th e pri n c e s h e ad e nwr app e d in p ai nt e d s ilk



.

Th e g o o d m an c am e with w o e fu l c o u nt e nan c e
To F aridu n and w ail e d al o u d Th e y r ai s e d
.

Th e go ld e n c as k e t s lid ( fo r e v e ry o ne

TH E S H A H N A M A O F PI RDA U S I

Th e tr e e s a
-
bl o o m t h e will o w s and t h e q u in c e s
, ,

S aw t o o and s tr e w e d d ark d u s t u p o n t h e thr o ne


I m p e ri al b u t u n princ e d and l u s tr e l e s s
Whil e u p t o S atu r n r o s e t h e s o ldi e r s w ail ’
.

H e cri e d Al as ! Al as ! pl u ck e d o u t his h air ,

H e p o u r e d d o w n t e ar s h e t o r e his fac e and girt


,

Ar o u nd h is l o in s a r o p e b e s mirch e d with bl o o d .

H e fir e d t h e h o u s e wh e r e in Ir aj h ad dw e lt ,

D e s tr o y e d t h e r o s e b e d s b u r nt t h e cypr e s s tr ee s
-

,
-

A nd cl o s e d u p o n c e fo r all t h e e y e o f j o y .

H e pl ac e d t h e pri nc e s h e ad u p o n his br e as t

A nd s aid with h e ad t u r ne d G o d w ard : -


R ight e o u s “

J u dg e !
L o o k do w n u p o n this m u rd e r e d i nno c e nt ,

Wh o s e s e v e r e d h e ad is h e r e b e fo r e m e no w ,

Whil e fo r e ign li o ns h av e d e v o u r e d h is b o dy .

D o Th o u s o b u r n u p th o s e t w o m i s cr e ant s h e ar t s

Th at th e y m ay ne v e r s e e a bright day m o r e .

S o pi e rc e and s e ar t h e live r s o f th e m b o th
Th at e v e n b e as t s o f pr e y s h all pity th e m .

O h gr ant m e Th o u th at j u dg e s t r igh t e ou s ly !
,

S o l o ng a r e s pit e fr o m t h e day o f d e ath


Th at I m ay s e e d e s c e nd e d fr o m Ir aj
O ne b o r n t o fam e and gird e d t o av e ng e
,
.

Le t him b e h e ad th o s e t w o i nj u ri o u s m e n
A s th e y b e h e ad e d h im w h o wr o ng e d th e m no t ,

A nd wh e n I h av e b e h e ld it le t m e go
Wh e r e e arth s h all t ak e t h e m e as u r e o f m y h e ight .

H e w e pt th u s m any d ays and bitt e rly .

H is pill o w w as t h e d u s t his b e d t h e gr o u nd
,

Until t h e h e rb ag e gr e w ab o u t his br e as t
A nd b o t h th o s e l u s tr o u s e y e s o f his w e r e di mm e d .

H e g av e no au di e nc e b u t with o u t s u rc e as e
,

Cri e d o u t with bitt e r ne s s : O g allant y o u th


N o w e ar e r o f a cr o w n h ath e v e r di e d
F A RI D UN

A th o u h as t di e d tho u fam o u s w arri o r !


s ,

Tho u wa s t b e he ad e d by vil e A hri m an ;


Th e m aw o f li o ns w as thy wi ndi ng s h e e t -
.

W ail s s o b s and cri e s r o b b e d e e n t h e b e as t s


, ,

of S ee l p ,

Whil e m e n and w o m e n g ath e r e d int o cr o wd s


I n e ve ry pr o vi nc e w e e ping and h e art br o k e n
,
-

H o w m any d ays th e y s at in th e ir di s tr e s s
A d e ath in life o f u tt e r h o p e l e s s ne s s !

H ow a D au ghter w as B orn to fra y


A whil e p as s e d and t h e S hah w e nt in t o v i e w
Iraj s b o w e r i ns p e ct e d it and m ark e d

Th e m o o n fac e d b e au ti e s w h o r e s id e d th e r e
-

H e s aw a s l av e o f l o v e ly c o u nt e nan c e ,

Wh o s e nam e w as Mah A frid Ir aj h ad l o ve d h e r


.
,

A nd fat e d e cr e e d th at s h e s h o u ld b e ar h im fr u it .

Th e S hah r ej o ic e d b e c au s e s h e w as with child ,

Which g av e him h o p e o f v e nge anc e fo r h is s o n ,

Bu t wh e n h e r ti m e w as c o m e s h e b o r e a d au ght e r ,

A nd h o p e d e fe rr e d h u ng h e avy o n t h e S hah .

H e nu r s e d t h e b ab e with j oy and t e nd e rne s s ,

A nd all t h e fo lk b e gan t o ch e ri s h h e r
A s s h e i ncr e as e d in s t at u r e and in ch ar m s .

Th ou w o u l ds t h av e s ai d t o h e r t h e t u li pch e cke d -

Th o u art Ir aj hi m s e lf fr o m h e ad t o fo o t .

Wh e n s h e w as o ld e no u gh t o w e d—a Pl e i ad
I n c o u nt e nanc e with h air as bl ack as pitch
H e r gr and s ir e ch o s e P as h ang t o b e h e r s p o u s e :
P as h ang w as br o th e r s s o n t o F arid an

D e s c e nd e d fr o m a no bl e anc e s try ,

A h e r o o f t h e s e e d o f S hah J ams h id ,

M e e t fo r t h e ki ngs hip di ad e m and thro ne


, ,

A nd in thi s w ay no littl e ti m e p as s e d o n .
I s

The B ir th f
o hf imichi hr

M ark wh at a w o nd e r y o n bl u e vau l t r e v e al e d
.

Wh e n ni ne m o n th s h ad e l ap s e d ! Th at virt u o u s d am e
Bro u ght fo rth a s o n fi t fo r t h e cr o w n and thr o ne ,

Wh o fr o m his t e nd erm o th e r s w o m b w as br o u ght ’

Witho u t d e l ay b e fo r e t h e m ighty S hah .

Th e b e ar e r s aid : 0 m as t e r o f t h e cr o w n !
Le t all thy h e art b e j oy : b e h o ld Ir aj
Th e w o rld di v id e r s lip s w e r e fu ll o f s m il e s ;

-

Th ou w o u ld s t h av e s aid : H is o wn Ir aj d o th liv e .

H e cl as p e d t h e no bl e child and pr ay e d t h e A l m ighty


O h w ou ld th at I m ight h av e m i ne e y e s agai n ,

Th at G o d w o u ld S h o w t o m e thi s i nfant s fac e ’


.

H e pr ay e d s o e arne s tly th at G o d v o u ch s afe d


To giv e h is s ight b ack Wh e n with o p e n e y e s
.

H e g az e d o n th at n e w c o m e r s fac e h e cri e d

-


Be thi s day bl e s t and o u r fo e s h e art s pl u ck e d o u t !

H e br o u ght bright wi ne and S pl e ndid c u p s and c all e d


Th at b ab e o f o p e n vi s ag e M 11 chihr
in 1

A nd s aid : Fr o m t w o p u r e p ar e nt s th e r e h ath c o m e

A pr o p e r br anch t o fru it .

H e r e ar e d t h e b ab e
S o t e nd e rly th at no t a br e ath p as s e d o e r him

.

The s l av e th at c arri e d h im u po n h e r br e as t
Tr o d no t t h e gr ou nd fo r u nd e rne ath h e r fe e t
,

Th e p u r e s t m u s k w as s tr e w n and as s h e w alk e d ,

A s u ns h ad e o f br o c ad e w as o e r h e r h e ad ’
.

Ye ar s p as s e d no ill b e fe ll h im fr o m t h e s t ar s ;
,

M e anwhil e t h e fam o u s m onarch t au ght t h e child


All th o s e acc o m plis h m e nt s th at ki ngs re qu ire .

1
Th e w rd h r tr
o e e lt
ans a e d O p i g
en v sa e is “
manac h ihr ” . Fo r t h e
tr
ue m e an ing of M infi c h ih r s ee i ntr d ct ry n t
o u o o e t o t he ne xt r ig n e .
TH E S H A H N A M A O F PI R DA 0 5 1

16

H o w S a lm and Teir had Tidings of M imichihr

Wh e n th o s e t wo m i s cr e ant s S al m and Tar h ad h e ard



Th e thr o ne o f ki ng o f king s is brigh t ag ai n

,

Th e y fe are d th e ir s t ar w o u ld s ink and s at t o g e th e r


I n anxi o u s th o u ght ; th o s e wr e tch e s day w as d ark e ne d

A nd th e y r e s o lve d t o s e n d t o as k fo rgiv e nes s .

Th e y ch o s e a m an p e r s u as iv e wi s e and m o d e s t
, , ,

To wh o m th e y m ad e a p as s i o nat e app e al ,

A nd fe arfu l o f a d o w n fall O p e ne d wid e


Th e tr e as u ry o f t he W e s t .Fr o m th at o ld h o ard
Th e y ch o s e a cr o w n o f g o ld Th e y h o u s e d t h e e l e ph an t s
. .

Wh at w ag o ns did th e y fill with m u s k and am b e rgri s ,

Br o c ad e d inars and pr e ci o u s fu r s and S ilks !


, ,

O n high ne ck e d e l e ph an t s t h e e m b as s age
-

W e nt fr o m t h e W e s t in s t at e t o ward Iran .

Th e c ou rti e r s add e d t o k e ns o f r e g ard ,

A nd wh e n th e r e w as as m u ch as h e art c o u ld wi s h
Th e e nv o y c am e pr e p ar e d t o s t art Th e king s
.

G av e h im thi s e m b as s y t o Faridti n ,

I nvo ki ng fir s t o f all t h e nam e o f G o d


M ay v ali ant Faridii n fo r e v e r live

O n wh o m G o d h ath b e s t o w e d t h e r o y al Gr ac e ,

Be his h e ad fl o u ri s hing h is p e r s o n l o v e d
, ,

H is g e ni u s high e r th an h e av e n ! I pr e s e nt
A c as e c o m m itt e d t o m e by t wo s l av e s
At thi s high p o rt al o f t h e king o f kings .

K no w th at t w o ill dis p o s e d and l awl e ss m e n


-

Who s e e y e s are w e t with s h am e b e fo r e th e ir s ire ,

R e p e nt ant s e ar e d at h e art and mu ch t o bl am e


, , ,

N o w s e e k h o w b e s t th e y m ay e xc u s e th e m s e lv e s ;
Till no w th e y h ad no h o p e o f b e i ng h e ard .
Wh at do th e y s ay Th e ir w o rd s wi s e S hah ! are th e s e :
,

Le t him th at did t h e e v il b e ar t h e br u nt ,

A nd live in p ai n o f h e art and s e lf r e pr o ach -

A S w e are d o i ng no w 0 no bl e S hah
,

Th u s w as it writt e n do w n fo r u s by fat e
A n d by d e cr e e o f fat e t h e s e qu e l c am e ;
E e n w o rld c o ns u m i ng li o ns and fi e rc e dr ag o ns

-

E s c ap e no t fro m t h e n e t o f d e s ti ny .

Ag ai n— th e fo u l Div b ad e u s pu t as id e
All t e rr o r o f t h e Wo rldlord fr o m o u r h e art s ,

H e t o o k p o s s e s s i o n o f t w o wi s e m e n s br ai ns

,
.

A nd m ightily pr e v ail e d ag ai ns t u s b o th ;
A nd n o w o u r h o p e is th at p e rch an c e t h e S hah
M ay y e t fo rgiv e u s and i m p u t e t h e wr o ng
,

To ign o r anc e in u s ne xt t o high h e av e n


,

Th at is at o nc e o u r s h e lt e r and o u r s c ath ,

A nd thirdly t o t h e Div th at in o u r m id s t
I s gird e d r u nne r like t o w o rk u s ill
-
.

N o w if t h e gr e at king s h e ad no l o ng e r h arb o u re t h

R e ve nge o n u s o u r go o d faith s h all b e e vid ent


, .

Le t h im s e nd M innc h ih r and as an e s c o rt , ,

A m ighty ar my t o his s u ppli ant s ,

With thi s i nt e nt th at w e m ay s t and as S l av e s


B e fo r e h im d u tifu lly ; th u s o u r t e ar s
M ay w as h lt h e tr e e th at s pr ing e th o f r e v e ng e ,

O u r o ffe ri ng s h all b e o u r t e ar s and gr o ans ,

A nd wh e n h e gr o w e th u p o u r h o ard s and thr o ne s .

1 7
H ow F arid zin received hi s S ons

M essage

Ch arg e d with th e s e w o rd s and d ou bti ng wh at w ou l d


,

fo ll o w
,

Th e e nv o y r e ach e d t h e p o rt al o f t h e S hah
With tr e as u r e s o f all ki nd s o n e l e phants .
TH E S H A H N A M A O F PI RDA U S I

Wh e n Faridim w as t o ld h e g av e c o mm and
'

To s pr e ad br o c ad e o f R11 m u p o n t h e thro ne

O f ki ng o f ki ng s and h av e t h e r o yal cr o wn
Pr e p ar e d th e n t o o k h is s e at as h e h ad b e e n
,

A n u pright cypr e s s n e at h a fu ll o rb e d m o o n

-

I n fitti ng s t at e with cr o w n and t o rqu e and e ar


r i ng s.

Bl e s t M inachih r s at by h im cr o w ne d t h e no bl e s ,

S t o o d r ank e d in d o u bl e fi le in r o b e s o f g o ld ,

With g o ld e n m ac e and girdl e m aki ng e arth ,

Ano th e r s u n O n o ne S id e p ard s and li o ns


.

W e r e ch ai ne d o n t h e o th e r h u g e w ar e l e ph ant s
,
-
.

Th e n fr o m t h e p al ac e i s s u e d b o ld S h apii r ’

To i ntr o d u c e S al m s e nv o y w h o o n s e e i ng

Th e p al ac e g at e alight e d and ran fo rw ard


-

A s s o o n as h e dr e w n e ar t o F aridii n
'

A nd s aw t h e di ad e m and l o fty thr o ne ,

H e b e n t u nt il h is vi s ag e t o u ch e d t h e gr o u nd .

Th e no bl e S hah t h e m o narch o f t h e w o rld


, ,

B ad e h im b e s e at e d o n a g o ld e n s e at .

H e did o b e i s anc e t o t h e S hah and s aid


O gl o ry o f t h e cr o w n and thr o ne and S igne t
Thy thr one s s t e p s m ak e t h e e arth a r o s ary

A nd thy fair fo rt u ne b righ t e ne t h t h e age .

We s e rv e t h e d u s t th at is b e ne ath thy fe e t

A nd o nly liv e s i nc e th o u wilt h av e it s o .

Th e s e pr ai s e s c au s e d t h e S hah s fac e t o r e l ax ’

Wh e r e at t h e e nvo y s p ak e o f cl e m e ncy
With gr e at cr aft and t h e S hah gav e e ar t o him
,

Whil e h e r e p e at e d th o s e t w o m u rd e r e r s w o rd s ’

E nd e av o u ri ng t o k e e p t h e tr u th c o nc e al e d
A n d m ak e e xc u s e s fo r th e ir wick e d ne s s ,

I nviting M inuch ih r t o vis it th e m


Wh e n th e y w o u ld w ait u p o n him as h is s l av e s ,

Give h im t h e cr o w n and thr o ne o f maj e s ty


TH E S H A H N A M A O F PI R DA

No o ne h ath s ought r e v e nge fo r h im as y e t


B e c au s e I s aw t h e b ack o f fo rt u ne be nt :
I t s e e m e d no t g o o d t o m e t o lay m y h and s
I n b attl e o n m i ne o w n t w o s o ns ; b u t n o w
Fr o m th at s am e Tr e e which e ne m i e s h av e fe ll e d
A fr u itfu l O ffs h o o t h ath s pr u ng u p ; fo r lik e
A n angry li on M imichih r S h all c o m e ,

With l o ins girt r e ady t o av e ng e his s ir e ,

T o g e th e r with t h e l e ad e r s o f t h e tr o o p s
S u ch chi e fs as S am t h e s o n o f N arim an ,

G ars h as p s o n o f J am s h id— and h o s t s t o r e ach


,

Fr o m hill t o hill and tr ampl e d o wn t he w o rld


,
.

N e xt fo r th e ir pl e adi ng th at t h e S hah m u s t w as h
H is h e art fr o m v e ng e an c e and fo rgiv e o u r cri m e
, ,

B e c au s e t h e s k y s o t u rn e d o e r u s th at wi s d o m

Was tr o u bl e d and affe cti o n s s e at o b s c u r e d


,

I h av e h e ard all t h e u nav aili ng pl e a ,

A n d n o w th at p ati e n c e is fo rd o ne I ans w e r :


N 0 m an th at s o w e th s e e d o f vi o l e nc e
S h all s e e go o d d ay s o r j o c u nd P aradi s e .

I f y e are p ard o ne d by All — h o ly G o d


Wh at ne e d y e fe ar ab o u t a br o th e r s bl o o d ’

Th e wi s e e s t e e m t h e s e lf e xc u s e r gu ilty
-
.

R e ve r e y e no t t h e gl o ri o u s L o rd o f all ?
Y o u r h e art s are bl ack y o u r t o ngu e s s p eak gl o z ing
,

w o rd s ;
H e will r e qu it e y o u fo r it in b o th w o rld s .

A nd thirdly s i nc e y e s e nt an iv o ry thr o ne
,

A n d t o rqu o is e cr o w n o n m ighty e l e ph ant s ,

With p u r s e s fu ll o f div e r s c o l o u r e d g e m s
-

A m I t o b alk r e v e ng e t o w as h aw ay
,

Th e bl o o d and s e ll t h e pri nc e s h e ad fo r go ld ?

N ay ! p e ri s h fir s t thr o ne di ad e m and Gr ac e !
, ,

Wo r s e th an a drag o n s o ffs pring is t h e m an


Who t ak e th m o ne y fo r a pric e l e s s h e ad .
FA R I D UN 2 1 3

S h all an
y s ay :

Th e s ir e in h is o ld a
g e

Is p u tting pric e u p on h is s o n s d e ar life ? ’

A s fo r th e s e gift s o f y o u r s— I ne e d th e m no t .

Bu t wh e r e fo r e u tt e r I s o m any w o rd s
Yo u r h o ary h e ad e d s ire will no t u ngird
-

Th e l o i ns o f h is r e v e ng e whil e life e nd u r e th

.

Thy m e s s ag e h ave I h e ard H e ar m y r e ply .


,

R e t ai n it e v e ry whit and ge t th e e g o ne .

Th e m e s s e ng e r gr e w p al e at thi s dr e ad S p e e ch
A nd at t h e b e aring o f prin c e M imi c h ihr ,

L e apt u p in fe ar and m o u nt e d ins t antly .

Th e no bl e y o u thfu l e nv o y s hr e wdly s aw
,

R e v o lvi ng h e av e n in no l o ng tim e will fu rr o w


Th e vi s ag e s o f T11 r and S al m
'
.

H e s pe d
Lik e r u s hing wind h is he ad fu ll o f t h e m e s s age
, ,

H is h e art o f b o di ng s Wh e n h e s aw t h e W e s t
.
,

With c am p e ncl o s u r e s s tr e tch e d u p on t h e pl ai n


-

H e m ad e his way t o w ard S al m s p avili o n


O f p ai nt e d S il k with o th e r t e nt s ar o u nd ,

Wh e r e s at b o th king s in c oncl ave W o rd w as p as s e d . .


Th e e nvo y h ath r e t u r ne d .

Th e ch am be rl ai n
Appr o ach e d and t o o k h im t o t h e r o y al pr e s e nc e .

Th ey h ad a s p e ci al s e at pr e p ar e d fo r h im
A nd as k e d fo r tidi ng s o f t h e ne w — m ad e S hah ,

Of cr o w n and thr o ne and o f S hah Faridii n


H is h os t h is w arri o r s and h is d o m i ni o ns
, , ,

A nd o f t h e as p e ct o f t h e t u r ni ng s k y
Wh at fav o u r s h o we t h it t o M inii ch ihr ? ’

Wh o are t h e no bl e s Wh o is m i nis t e r ?
Wh at tr e as u r e s h av e th e y ? Wh o h ath ch arge
th e r e o f ?
Th e e nv o y s aid : Th e p o rt al o f t h e Shah

B e h o ld e th th at which bright s pring s e e th no t ,


TH E S H A H N A M A P I R DA U S I
'

OF

Fo r t is t h e j o c u nd S pri ng o f P ar adis e

Whe r e gr o u n d is am b e rgri s and brick s are g o ld .

Th e r o o f ab o v e h is p al ac e is a h e ave n ,

A nd P ar adi s e is in his s m ili ng fac e .

Wh e n I appr o ach e d h is l o ft y r e s id e n c e
I t s r o o f w as t e l lin g s e cr e t s t o t h e s t ar s .

O n thi s h and th e r e w e r e li o ns and o n th at ,

W e r e e l e ph ants Th e w o rld it s e lf w as pl ac e d
.

B e ne ath his thr o ne Up o n his e l e ph ant s


.

W e r e s e at s o f g o ld and r o u nd t h e li o ns ne ck s
,

W e r e j e w e ll e d t o rqu e s Th e ty m b al — . pl ay e r s s t o o d
B e fo r e t h e e l e ph ant s whil e tr u m p e ts bl ar e d .

Tho u w o u ld s t h av e s aid : Th e pr e ci nct s s e e th e e arth



,

s h o u t e th

To h e av e n I c am e b e fo r e th at w e ll l o v e d S h ah

-
.
,

A nd s aw a l o fty t u rqu o i s e thr o ne wh e r e s at


A m o narch like a m o o n Up o n h is h e ad .

H e w o r e a s p arklin g r u by c o r o ne t .

H is h air w as whit e as c am ph o r an d h is ch e e k s ,

We r e lik e t h e p e t al s o f t h e r o s e H is h e art .

I s fu ll o f cl e m e n c y his s p e e ch is ki nd ;
,

H e is t h e h o p e and fe ar o f all t h e w o rld .

Th o u w o u ld s t h av e s aid : J am s h id do th liv e again .


A S h o o t fr o m th at t all Cypr e s s —M inuc h ih r ,

Lik e T ah mii ras t h e Bind e r o f t h e Div


, ,

S at o n t h e S hah s right h and : th o u w o u ld s t h av e s aid


H e is t h e h e art and s o u l o f th at gr e at S hah


‘ ’
.

Th e r e Ka wa s t o o d t h e s kill e d am o ng t h e s m ith s
, ,

Wi t h o ne b e fo r e h im w e ll b e s e e n in w ar
H is s o n Kar an by nam e t h e w arri o r
, , ,

Th e w atchfu l chi e f t h e c o nqu e r o r o f h o s ts ;


Th e min i s t e r —S arv m o narch o f Y am an
,

Th e tr e as u r e r—vict o ri o u s G ars h as p
,

W e r e th e r e Th e s u m within t h e tr e as u ri e s
.

App e ar e th no t N o ne e v e r s aw s u ch gr e atne s s
. .
TH E S H A H N A M A O F PI R DA U S I

\2 10 5 T o w ard t h e d e s e rt th u s advi s ing h im


,

A y o u th pr e d e s ti ne d t o b e fo rt u nat e
M ay h app e n t o e ns n ar e a m o u nt ain s h e e p -

Whil e h u nt e rs are b e fo r e and p ard s b e hi nd ;


Bu t h aving p atie nc e pr u d e n c e s e ns e and wit s
, , , ,

H e will t ak e s av ag e li o ns in h is t o ils ,

A nd n o w m y fo e s in th e s e m y cl o s ing d ays
I w o u l d ch as ti s e and wi e ld a s w o rd o f fi re .

Gr e at S hah ! s aid M imich ih r m ay fat e k e e p ill ,


Fo r any fo e th at c o m e th t o att ack th e e ;


M ay h e be tr ay hi m s e lf b o th s ou l and b o dy
Lo ! I will do n a c o at o f E li m an m ail ’

To l e av e no p art e xp o s e d and th e n in q u e s t
,

O f v e ng e anc e o n t h e b attl e fi e ld will s e nd


Th e d u s t o f y o n h os t s u n w ard N o ne o f th e m
.

H o ld I a m an : d ar e th e y c on t e nd with m e ? ”

H e o rd e r e d th at Kar an w h o l o v e d t h e fr ay
, ,

S h o u ld cr o s s t h e fr o nti e r t o t h e d e s e rt t ak ing ,

Th e c am p e n cl o s u r e and t h e i m pe ri al s t and ard


-

Th e n as tr o o p fo ll o w e d tr o o p t h e hill s and pl ain s


H e av e d lik e t h e s e a t h e day w as d ark with d u s t
, ,

A n d th o u h ad s t s aid : Th e s u n is az u r e dim

-
.

A cl am o u r r o s e e nou gh t o d e afe n e ar s
Th o u gh k ee n t h e ne ighin g o f t h e Arab s t e e d s
,

R o s e high ab o v e t h e ty m b al s din Tw o line s ’


.

O f m ighty e l e ph ant s s tr e tch e d fr o m t h e c am p


Fo r t w o m il e s s ixty c arri e d s e at s o f go ld
,

I nl aid wi t h g e m s thr e e h u ndr e d bo r e t h e b aggage


, ,

\C 106 Thr e e hu ndr e d w e r e in iro n p ano ply


Th at hid all b u t th e ir e y e s .

Th e y l e ft Tamm is h a
A nd b o r e t h e c am p e n cl o s u r e t o t h e w as t e
-
.

Kar an t h e av e ng e r w as t h e g e ne ral ,

Th e h o s t thr e e h u ndr e d th o u s and c av ali e r s .

Th e me n o f nam e m arch e d m ail e d with m as s iv e m ac e ,


F A RI D fi N

All b o ld as angry li o ns and all gird e d


Fo r ve ng e anc e fo r Ir aj t h e ir s t e e l bl u e s w o rd s -

W e r e in th e ir h and s and Kawa s s t and ard le d th e m ’


.

T h e n M inuc hih r with h im w h o l o ve d t h e fr ay 1


,

K ar an w e nt fr o m t h e fo r e s t o f Narw an
, ,

R e vi e w e d and r ang e d h is h os t o n th o s e br o ad pl ains .

H e g av e t h e ar m y s l e ft wi ng t o G ars h as p ;

Up o n t h e right w as br ave S am with K u bad ,

W h o s e t t h e b attl e in array Th e princ e .

With S arv w as in t h e c e n tr e wh e nc e h e s h o ne ,

M o o n like o r as t h e s u n o e r s o m e high hill


-

.

Le d by K ar an with ch am pi o ns s u ch as S alm
, ,

Th e ira ni an ar m y fo ught K u bad w as s c o u t


.
,

Th e h e r o e s o f t h e h o u s e o f T al im a n
We r e am b u s cad e r s and t h e h o s t w as d e ck e d
,

I n brid al tri m with li o n w arri o r s -

A nd din o f dr u m s .

M e n b o r e t h e ne w s in h as t e
To Tur and S al m Th e Ira ni ans ar m e d fo r figh t

A re m archin g t o w ar d t h e d e s e rt fr o m t h e fo r e s t ,

Th e ir liv e r s bl o o d afo am u p o n th e ir lip s



.

Th at p air o f m u rd e r e r s with a h u g e arr ay


S e t fo rth i nt e nt o n v e nge anc e and dr e w u p
Th e ir h o s t u p o n t h e pl ai n : th e y m ad e t h e Ala ns
A nd s e a th e ir b as e K u bad t h e s c o u t ad v anc e d
.
,

A nd Tur o n h e ari ng th at c am e fo rth lik e wind ,

A nd s aid t o h im : R e t u r n t o M inuc hih r


A nd s ay t o h im Th o u b as t ard j u s t m ad e S hah
Wh at th ou gh th e r e w as a d au ght e r t o Ir aj V , . 10 7
H as t th o u a right t o S igne t cr o w n and thr o ne , ,



Ye a I will t ak e thy m e s s age s aid K u bad
, , ,


I n thine o wn w o rd s and s t yl e b u t th ou wilt qu ak e ,

To thin k h e r e aft e r o f this m o ns tr o u s s p e e ch .


Twill no t b e s tr ange if e ve n s avag e b e as ts
1
Re ad n i g with C .
2
Cf . DE I , ii . 21 7 .
TH E S H A H N A M A P I R DA U S I

OF

B e w ail y o u day and night fo r fr o m Narw an


,

To Ch in are w arlik e v e ng e fu l c av ali e r s


, .

A gli m p s e o f o u r bright s w o rd s and Kaw a s s t and ard ’

Will m ak e y o u r h e art s and br ai ns b u r s t in di s m ay


Y e will no t k no w a v all e y fr o m a hill .

Tur h e ard and t u r ne d aw ay in s il e nt du dg e o n ,

Whil e bl e s t K u bad w e nt b ack t o M inuch ih r


A nd t o ld t h e i ns u lting w o rd s Th e y ou ng pri nc e l au gh e d
. .

N o ne b u t a fo o l h e s aid w o u ld t alk lik e thi s


Bu t pr ai s e t o H im —t h e L o rd o f b o th t h e w o rld s
.
, ,

Who kno we th all things s e cr e t o r r e v e al e d 1


H e k no w e th th at m y gr and s ir e w as Ir aj ,

A s bl e s s e d F ar idu n as s u re t h m e ,

Bu t wh e n I s h o w m y p e r s o n in t h e fight
My birth and pr o w e s s will appr o v e th e m s e l v e s .

N o w by t h e Gr ac e o f H im w h o r u l e th s u n
A nd m o o n I will no t l e av e Tur p o w e r t o wi nk ,

Bu t s h o w his tr u nkl e s s h e ad t o all t h e h o s t


I will av e ng e my bl e s sed s ir e u p o n h im
A nd t u r n his ki ngd o m u p s id e d o w n

.

H e c e as e d
A nd i s s u e d o rd e r s t o pr e p ar e a fe as t .

H o w M z mi chihr f

at tacke d t he H os t Tu r
'

Wh e n t he bright w o rld gr e w d ark and s c o u t s di s p e r s e d


Ab o u t t h e pl ain Kar an t h e w arri o r
,

A nd S arv t h e c o u ns e ll o r w h o l e d t h e h o s t
, ,

O bs e rv e d : Thi s will b e Ahri m an s o w n fight


“ ’

,

A day o f m arti al d e e d s and v e ng e anc e s e e ki ng
1 -

A pr o cl am ati o n i s s u e d t o t h e tr o o p s
0 m e n o f nam e and Li o ns o f t h e S hah !
1
i g w ith C
R e ad n .
TH E S H A H N A M A PI R DA U S I
'

OF

Th e tr o o p s m o v e d m ou nt ain lik e and b o th h o s ts s h o u t e d


-

A no n t h e pl ai n ran bl o o d : th o u w o u ld s t h av e s aid
Th at tu lip s s pr ang u p Mighty e l e ph ants
.

S t o o d as o n c o r al c o l u m ns i n th e g o r e
'

v . n o Th e y fo u ght till night till M inuc hihr wh o w o n


, ,

Th e l o v e o f all o bt aine d t h e vict o ry


,

V . m Ye t fo r t u ne in o ne s t ay abid e th no t ,

N o w h o ne y and no w g all m ak e u p m an s lo t

.

Th e h e art s o f Tur and S al m w e r e d e e ply m o v e d


By gri e f Th e y li s t e ne d fo r a night s u rpris e
.
-

Bu t no o ne c am e e e n wh e n nigh t t u r ne d t o day

A nd th e y th e ms e lv e s w e r e anxi o u s fo r d e l ay .

H o w Tai r was S lain by t h e H and f M imichz h r


' ‘

N o o n p as s e d With v e ng e fu l h e art s t he br o th e r s m e t
.

Fo r c o ns u lt ati o n ; m id th e ir fo o li s h s ch e m e s
Th e y s aid : Le t u s at t e m pt a night at t ack -

A nd fill t h e d e s e rt and t h e pl ain with bl o o d .

Th at n ight t h o s e m is cr e ant s dre w th e ir ar my o u t ,

B e n t o n a c am is ad e Th e Irani an s c o u ts
.

G at n e w s th e r e o f and s p e d t o M inuch ih r
,

To t e ll him s o th at h e m ight p o s t h is tr o o p s .

v , ”2 Th at s hr e wd m an h e ard and pl anne d a c o u nt e r r u s e -

H e l e ft Kar an t h e h o s t and le d hi m s e lf
A n am b u s c ad e with thirty th o u s an d w arri o r s ,

All m e n o f nam e Tur cam e at night and br o u ght


.

O ne h u ndr e d th o u s and m e n pr e p ar e d fo r fight ,

Bu t fo u n d t h e fo e arr ay e d with b anne r s flyi ng


A nd s aw th a t b attl e w as his s ol e r e s ou rc e .

A s h o u t r o s e fr o m t h e c e ntr e s o f t h e h o s t s ,

Th e h o r s e m e n m ad e t h e air a cl o u d o f d u s t
A nd s t e e l s w o rd s fl as h e d lik e light ni ng : th ou h ads t
s aid
Th e y mak e air bl az e e arth gl e am lik e di am o nd s
.

,
.

Th e cl as hin g o f t h e s t e e l w e n t thr o u gh t h e br ai n ,

Whil e fl am e and bl as t r o s e cl o u dw ard M inuchih r .

S pr ang fr o m h is am b u s h and s u rr o u nd e d Tur ,

Wh o wh e e l e d and fle d m id w aili ngs o f d e s p air


Fr o m h is o wn tr o o p s Pri nc e M inuchih r p u r su e d
.
,

H o t fo r r e v e ng e and cri e d :
,
S t ay m i s cr e ant
, ,

Wh o l o ve s t fig ht s o w e ll and c u tt e s t o ff
Th e h e ad s o f i nno c e nt s I Kno w s t no t th at all

.

D e s ir e r e v e ng e o n th e e 7
H e h u rl e d a d art
Ag ains t Tur s b ack wh o s e s w o rd fe ll fr o m his gr as p

, .

Th e n M inuch ih r lik e wi nd u ns e at e d h im ,

C as t him t o e arth s l e w h im c u t o ff h is h e ad
, , ,

A nd l e ft t h e b o dy fo r t h e b e as t s o f pr e y ;
Th e n w e nt b ack t o h is c am p t o c o nt e m pl at e
Th at s y m b o l o f a fall fr o m high e s t at e .

H ow M imi chihr w rot e t o A his Vz cfory t o F ar idu n


' ’
nno u nce

Th e n M inuchih r wr o t e t o S h ah F ar idun
Ab ou t t h e w ar—it s fo rt u ne s g o o d and ill
A nd fir s t h e s p ak e o f H im w h o m ad e t h e w o rld
Th e L o rd o f g o o d ne s s p u rity and j u s tic e
, ,

Pr ai s e t o t h e Wo rldlo rd wh o h ath s u cc o u r e d u s 1 W

M e n fi nd no o th e r h e lp e r in th e ir s tr ait s .

H e is t h e G u id e h e m ak e th h e a
, rt s r ej o ic e V . x 14

A nd ch ang e t h no t thr o u gh o u t e t e rnity .

N e xt pr ai s e s b e t o no bl e F ar idun
,

Th e l o rd o f cr o wn and m ac e p o s s e s s e d o fj u s tic e
, ,

Th e F aith and Gr ac e cr o wn and i m p e ri al thr o ne


, .

H is fo rt u ne is t h e s o u rc e o f right e o u s ne s s ,

H is thr o ne o f b e au ty and o f e xc e ll e nc e .
TH E S H A H N A M A OF P I RDA U S i
By virt u e o f t hy Gr ac e I r e ach e d Turan ,

Arr aye d t h e h o s t and fo u ght by day and night


Thric e fi e rc e ly in t w o d ay s I h e ard th at Tur
.

D e s ig ne d a night att ack and w anti ng p o w e r


-

R e li e d o n cr aft ; s o I arr ange d an am bu s h


A nd l e ft him n o t hi ng b u t t h e wi nd t o cl u tch
.
.

H e fl e d I fo ll o w e d and o e rt ak ing him


, ,

Pi e rc e d thr o u gh h is ar m o u r with a j av e li n ,

A nd t o o k h im fr o m h is s addl e like t h e wi nd .

I fl u ng him as I w o u ld a s e rp e n t d o w n
A nd fr o m h is w o rthl e ss b o dy s m o t e t h e h e ad ,

Which lo I s e nd m y gr and s ir e and fo rthwith,

Will s e t ab o u t a s tr at ag e m fo r S al m .

S i nc e Tur h ad pl ac e d withi n a g o ld e n c as k e t
H is r o y al br o th e r s h e ad in fo u l c o nt e m pt

A nd h ad no r u th o r r e v e r e nc e fo r h im G o d , ,

Wh o m ad e t h e w o rld d e liv e r e d Tur t o m e


, ,

A nd I h av e s l ain him as h e s l e w lraj ;


A nd will lay w as t e h is r e al m and dw e lli ng pl ac e -
.

Th e l e tt e r d o ne h e s e nt a c ame l e e r ,

Wh o s p e d lik e wind with ch e e ks s u ffu s e d with s h ame


A nd h o t t e ar s in h is e y e s fo r F ar idu n
H o w s h ou ld h e lik e t o b e t h e c arri e r
O f Tur s h e ad t o t h e m o narch o f Ira n ?

Th o u gh d e ad s o ns w e r e p e rve r s e th e ir fath e rs m o u r n
th e m ;
Bu t as t h e cri m e w as gr e at and u n pr o v o k e d ,

A nd as t h e av e ng e r w as b o th y ou ng and br av e ,

Th e m e s s e nge r appr o ach e d with c o nfid e nc e


A nd l aid t h e h e ad o f Tur b e fo r e t h e S hah ,

W h o pr aye d t o G o d t h e right e ou s J u dg e t o p o u r
, ,

O n M in uc h ih r h is bl e s s i ngs e v e r mo r e .
TH E S H A H N A M A
'

O F FI R DA U S I

Di s g u i s e d as e nvo y t o t h e c as t e ll an
To s h o w t o h im t h e S ig ne t ri ng o f Tur -
.

“Th e n I am in t h e c as tl e I will r ai s e
Th e s t and ard and will m ake t h e bl u e s wo rd s gl e am
, .

Appr o ach y e th e n t h e h o ld and wh e n I s h o u t ,

M ak e o ns e t and lay o n .

H e l e ft t h e h o s t
H ard by t h e h o ld whil e h e hi m s e lf ad v anc e d ,

A n d wh e n h e r e ach e d t h e c as tl e t o ld h is t al e ,

S h o w e d t o t h e c as t e ll an Tur s S igne t r i ng

-

A nd s aid : I c o m e fr o m Tur w h o b ad e m e no t ,

S t o p t o dr aw br e ath and s aid : G o t o t h e c as t e ll an


,

A nd s ay t o h im : Be w atchfu l day and night ,

S h ar e b o th in w e al and w o e g u ard w e ll t h e c as tl e
, ,

Be vigil ant and if S hah M inuch ih r


,

S h all s e nd his tr o o p s and s t and ard g ai ns t t h e h o ld


A s s is t e ach o th e r and pu t fo rth y o u r s tr e ngth ;


,


A nd m ay y e o v e rthr o w t h e e ne m y .

Th e c as t e ll an h e ar d thi s and r e c o g ni s e d
Th e s ig ne t ri ng ; th e y o p e d t h e c as tl e g at e s
- -

H e s aw t h e s e e m i ng b u t h e s aw no m o r e
,
.

M ark h e r e t h e r u s tic p o e t s m o r ali s i ng


N 0 o ne b u t H e al o ne w h o pl ac e d t h e h e art
Withi n c an s e e it s s e cr e t s Be o u r p art .

To l ab ou r at t h e d u ty o f t h e day ;
S o b e t h e g o o d and e vi l wh at th e y m ay ,

Mi ne o nly d u t y is t o s ay m y s ay .

Th e c as t e ll an re e nt e r e d with Kar an
-

Wh o l o v e d t h e fight t he gu il e l e s s with t h e gu il e ful


, .

Thi s chi e ftain th o u gh pr e p ar e d fo r s tr at ag e m s


, ,

S e al e d fri e nd s hip with a s tr ang e r and in fo lly ,

G av e b o th h is h e ad and c as tl e t o t h e wi nd s .

H e th u s addr e s s e d h is s o n—a w arri o r p ard -

My s o n wh o art s o s kilfu l and adr o it !


,

Do no t hing r as hly and in ig no ranc e ,


225

Bu t p o nd e r w e ll and m ark fr o m fir s t t o l as t
Th e h o ni e d w o rd s o f o ne th at is a s tr ang e r ,

Es p e ci ally in ti m e s o f w ar and s trife .

S e arch w e ll and liv e in dr e ad o f am b u s c ad e s ,

L o o k d e e ply wh at s o e e r t h e m att e r b e

A nd h o w a chi e ft ain s hr e wd o f i nt e ll e ct ,

By l e av ing s o m e s m all d e t ail u ne xpl o r e d ,

A nd no t c o ns id e ri ng t h e fo e me n s cr aft

M ay r e nd e r u p h is fo rtr e s s t o t h e wind s .

At br e ak o f day Kar an w h o l o v e d t h e fight


, ,

S e t u p a s t and ard lik e t h e m o o n fu ll o rb e d ; -

H e s h o u t e d and m ad e s ignal s t o S h irw i


A nd his e x alt e d chi e fs .S h irwi p e rc e ivi ng
Th e r o y al s t andard m ad e t o w ard t h e h o ld ,

S e i z e d o n t h e gat e thr e w in h is tr o o p s an d cr o w ne d
,

Th e chi e fs wi th bl o o d . H e r e w as Kar an and th e r e


S h irw i t h e s w o rd ab o v e t h e s e a b e l o w
, ,
.

By no on t h e c as tl e s fo r m and c as t e ll an s
’ ’

H ad v ani s h e d . Th o u c ou lds t s e e a cl o u d o f s mo k e ,

Bu t s hip and c as tl e w e r e i nvi s ibl e .

Fir e bl az e d win d bl e w r o s e h o rs e m e n s s h ou t s and cri e s


, ,

Fo r h e lp . At s u ns e t h o ld and pl ain w e r e l e v e l ,

A nd twic e s ix th o u s and o f t h e fo e w e r e s l ain .


A pitchy r e e k r o s e o e r a pitchy s h o r e
A nd all t h e s u rfac e o f t h e w as t e ran g o r e .

§ 24

H ow K ctkwt, the Gr andso n o f Z akhah , at t acke d

th e fram ans
'

Kar an r e t u rne d and t o ld t h e pri nc e wh o s aid ,

M ay h o r s e and m ac e and s addl e ne e r l ack th e e



.

Wh e n th o u h ads t g o ne ano th e r h o s t appr o ach e d ,

Le d by a you ng and b attl e l o ving chi e f -

,
TH E S H A H N A M A PI RDA U S I

OF

A gr and s o n o f Z ah h ak , and c all e d I h e ar


K akw i—an i nfi de l—with h au ghty h o r s e m e n
, ,

A nd m e n o f n am e a h u ndr e d th ou s and s tr o ng ,

A nd s l au ght e r e d m any o f o u r li o n w arri o r s -


.

S al m no w is b e nt o n fight s i n c e thi s ally


H th c e
a o m t o h e lp h im fr o m G ang i Diz hh u kh t -
1
-

Th e y t e ll m e th at h e is a warlik e di v ’

I n b attl e u napp all e d and s tr o ng o f h and .

I h av e no t r e ach e d h im in t h e c o m b at y e t ,

N o r t a e n hi s m e as u r e with t h e w arri o r s m ac e
’ ’

Bu t wh e n h e c o m e th n e xt t o fight with u s
I will e s s ay h im an d will try his w e ight .

Kar an r e pli e d : O pri nc e ! w h o c an c o nfr o nt th e e


I n b attl e ? I f h e w e r e a p ard h is s ki n
W o u ld bu r s t u p on h im at t h e th ou ght o f fight .

Wh o is Kak w i ? Wh at is Kak w i ? Thy fo e s


Will ne v e r pl ay t h e m an I will d e vis e
.

A s hr e wd d e vic e in thi s e m e rg e n cy
Th at no ne lik e vil e Kak wi m ay e v e r c o m e
H e nc e fo rth t o fight u s fr o m Gang i Diz hhu k h t - -

Th e n o bl e pri nc e r e pli e d : Be n o t c o n c e r ne d .

Th o u art e xh au s t e d wit h thy l at e e xpl o it ,

Thy m archi ng and r e v e ng e it is m y t u rn


To do t h e fighti ng : br e ath e awhil e gr e at chi e f ,

Th e din o f tr u m p and pip e ar o s e with o u t ,

Th e ty m b als s ou nd e d and t h e h o rs e m e n s du s t

M ad e air pitch bl ack and e arth lik e e b o ny


-

Th o u w o u ld s t h av e s aid : Th e s e Di am o nd s h ave life ,


Th e s e m ac e s and th e s e j av e lins h av e t o ngu e s !
S h o u t s r o s e ar o u nd and arr o w s fl e dge d t h e air
L ike v u lt u r e s wi ngs blo o d gr o u t e d h and t o hilt

A nd S pu rt e d fr o m t h e m u rk ; th o u w o u ld s t h av e
s aid

Th e e arth will ri s e in w av e s and wh e l m t h e s k y .

1
Zahh ak

s ol d c pit l
a a .
TH E S H A H N A M A PI RDA U S I

OF

Th o u who art gu ilty o f t h e bl ack e s t cri me ,

Wh o mu rde re ds t thy bro th e r fo r his cr o w n


H as t th o u o bt ai ne d it ? Whith e r wilt th o u fl e e ?
I bri ng th e e no w 0 ki ng a cr o w n and thr o ne
,

Th e r o y al Tr e e h ath c o m e t o b e ari ng fr u it .

Fly no t t h e thr o ne o f gr e at ne s s ! F aridun


H ath go t a ne w t hr o ne r e ady fo r thi ne u s e .

Th e tr e e which th o u h as t pl an t e d b e ar e th n o w ,

A nd thy br e as t s h all r e c e i ve t h e pr o d u c e o f it
I f th o r ns t h e tr e e w as pl an t e d by thy s e lf ;
,

I f p ai nt e d s ilk t h e w e aving w as thi ne o w n


, .

A s th u s h e s p ak e h e u rg e d his s t e e d al o ng
A nd in ano th e r m o m e nt o v e rt o o k
A nd cl av e t h e ki ng asu nd e r fr o m t h e ne ck ,

Th e n b ad e t h e h e ad b e s e t u p o n a s p e ar ,

Whil e all ad m ir e d h is m ight and w arlik e arm .

S al m s tr o o p s w e r e s c att e r e d lik e a fl o ck by s no w

A nd w and e r e d ai m l e s s ly in c o m p ani e s
A m id t h e w as t e s t h e c av e rn s and t h e hills
, , .

Th e y b ad e o ne w ary wi s e and e l o qu e nt
, ,

To go t o M inuc h ih r fo rthwith and s ay


O n th e ir b e h alf : We are thy s u bj e ct s all

A nd o nly tr e ad t h e e arth t o do thy will .

A m o ng u s th e r e are s o m e p o s s e s s e d o f h e rd s ,

A nd s o m e o f tilth and p al ac e s To fight .

W as no t o u r i nt e r es t b u t o u r ki ng s c o mm and ; ’

We c am e as s o ldi e r s no t t o s e e k r e v e ng e
,
.

We are t h e S hah s s l av e s no w and b o w o u r h e ads


To do h is will and pl e as u r e I f h e will e th


.

R e ve nge and bl o o d s h e d w e c an b u t s u b mit .

We all are g u iltl e s s and w e all c o m e in ,

S o le t him do as s e e m e th g o o d t o h im
Fo r h e is m as t e r o f o u r g u iltl e s s liv e s .

Thu s s p ak e t h e s ag e t h e chi e f in w o nd e r ans w e r e d


,

I c as t m y p as s i o ns and e x alt m y nam e .


FA R I D (TN

2 29

Wh at is G o d s is A hri m an s and e vil


no t
’ ’

Be all s u ch b ani s h e d fr o m my s ight and m ay ,

Th e d ivs b e p u ni s h e d fo r th e ir s i ns Y e all .

A re e ith e r fo e s o r fri e nds and m ine alli e s ,

Bu t inno c e n t and g u ilty b o th are s p ar e d


S i nc e G o d h ath giv e n u s vict o ry Tis t h e day

.

O f j u s tic e wr o ng h ath c e as e d t h e l e ad e r s h e ad s

, ,

A re s afe fr o m falli ng no w S e e k br o th e rh o o d .

A nd u s e it for a ch ar m pu t o ff fr o m y o u ,

Th e i m pl e m e nt s o f w ar b e wi s e and p u r e ,

I n F aith s e c u r e fr o m ill and b ani s h v e ng e anc e


, , .

N o w in y o u r dw e lli ng s wh e r e s o e e r th e y b e

I n Chin Turan o r in t h e l a
, ,
nd o f R um ,

Le t all t h e virt u e s fo r m y o u r p e d e s t al
A nd b e y o u r h o m e s th o s e o f e nlight e ne d m i nd s .

Th e gr e at chi e fs pr ai s e d th at no bl e u pright pri nc e , ,

A nd pr o cl am ati o n i s s u e d fr o m h is t e nt

Y e p al adi ns wh o s e c ou ns e l pr o s p e r e th !
S h e d no m o r e ne e dl e s s bl o o d t h e tyr ant s fo rt u ne s

A re o v e rthr o w n .

Th e n all t h e tr o o p s o f Ch in
F e ll pr o s tr at e br o u ght th e ir ar m s and g e ar o f war
,

To M inuch ih r and as th e y p as s e d him pil e d


,

A m o u nt ai n o f h o r s e ar m o u r h e l m s and br e as tpl at e s
-

, , ,

O f m ac e s and o f I n di an s ci m it ar s ,

Whil e M inuch ih r t he chi e ft ai n gr aci o u s ly


E ntr e at e d e ach o ne as h is r an k migh t b e .

H ow the H ead f S alm t o Far idnn



o was s e nt

Th e h e r o c all e d a c o u ri e r g av e t o h im ,

Th e h e ad o f S al m t h e m o narch o f t h e W e s t
, ,

A nd wr o t e t o t e ll his gr and s ir e o f t h e fight


A nd s tr at e gy fir s t givi ng G o d t h e pr ai s e
,
TH E S H A H N A M A PI R DA

OF US I

A nd th e n t h e S hah : Pr ai s e t o t h e c o nq u e ri ng W o rl d

l o rd
Fr o m wh o m are virt u e p o w e r and Gr ac e H is
, ,

I s n o w o n Faridun th at wi s e br av e S hah
, , ,

Wh o h ath r e l e as e d u s fr o m t h e b o nd s o f ill ,

A nd h ath t h e wi s d o m and t h e Gr ac e o f G o d .

We are av e nge d u p o n t h e c av ali e r s


O f C h in. We lay in am bu s h fo r th e ir liv e s .

S tr o ng in t h e S hah with o u r av e ngi ng s c i m i t ar s


We s m o t e t h e h e ad s o ff th o s e u nright e o u s m e n ,

Wh o b o th w e r e r e e ki ng with Iraj s bl o o d ; ’

We p u rge d t h e s u rfac e o f t h e e arth with s t e e l .

Lo I am c o m i ng like t h e wi nd b e hi nd
My l e tte r and will t e ll th e e all th at p as s e d
,
.

H e s e n t S h irw i t h e as piri ng v e t e r an
, ,

B ack t o t h e h o ld and s aid : Expl o r e t h e b o o ty


,

,

Act as th o u s e e s t b e s t and t ak e t h e S hah


,


Th e s p o il u p o n high cr e s t e d e l e ph ant s
-

H e b ad e t h e dru m m e r s and t h e pip e r s far e


F o rth fr o m t h e r o y al t e nt and fr o m t h at h o ld
,

I n Ch in m arch e d i nl an d b ack t o F ar idun .

A s h e appr o ach e d Tam m is h a o n h is w ay


H is gr ands ir e l o ng e d t o l o o k at h im Th e bl as t .

O f cl ari o ns as c e nd e d fr o m t h e g at e ,

Th e h o s t b e g an t o m arch ou t F ar idun .
,

Th at m an o f w ak e fu l fo rtu ne d e ck e d t h e b ack s ,

O f all t h e e l e ph ant s with t u rqu o i s e thr o ne s ,

A nd g o ld e n litt e r s with br o c ad e and g e m s .

A w o rld o f b anne r s y e ll o w r e d and bl u e


, , , ,

W av e d o ve rh e ad Th e h o s t m arch e d t o w ard S ar i
. ,

Lik e bl ack cl ou d s fr o m t h e w at e r s o f G ilan ,

With g o ld e n bridl e s and with go ld e n girdl e s ,

With s ilv e r n s tirr u p s and wi t h go ld e n bu ckl e r s ,

With tr e as u r e s e l e ph ant s and pr e ci o u s s t o r e s


, , ,

I n r e adine s s t o w e lc o m e M inuc h ihr .


TH E S H A H N A M A PI R DA U S I

232 OF

Th o u s aid s t : I am t h e A l mighty t h e j us t J u dg e

, ,

Th e H e lp o f t h e o ppr e s s e d in th e ir di s tr e s s

.

R ight h as t Th o u d o ne m e Th o u h as t h o lp e n m e
,

A nd giv e n m e b o th cr o w n and S ig ne t ring -


.

God Th o u h as t gr ant e d m e m y wh o l e d e s ir e ;
N o w t ak e m e t o t h e o th e r w o rld— a b e tt e r
Th an this—b e c au s e I w o u ld no t th at m y s ou l
S h o u ld t arry l o ng e r in thi s narr o w s ph e r e .

S h irwi t h e chi e ft ai n with t h e s p o il s appr o ach e d


Th e p al ac e o f t h e S hah w h o l avi s h e d all
,

Th e b o o ty o n t h e tr o o p s .

H e g av e dir e cti o ns ,

Tw o d ay s e re Mihr fo r M imich ih r t o s it
,

H e l m e d o n t h e thr o ne o f g o ld with h is o wn h and s ,

Cro w ne d t h e y ou ng prin c e and g ave h is l as t c o mm and s


,
.

§ 27

The D ea th o f Fa rtdzi n

This d o ne t h e gre at ki ng s day and fo rt u ne ch ange d


,

Th e l e afag e with e r e d o n t h e r o y al tr e e ;
H e q u itt e d cr o wn and thr o ne and with t he h e ad s
O f th o s e thr e e kings b e s id e h im liv e d in t e ar s
A nd in au s t e riti e s : h is pl ai nt w as thi s

My d ay s are ch ang e d and d ark e ne d by th e s e thr e e ,

Wh o w e r e my h e art s d e light and gri e f with al


Th u s s l ai n b e fo r e m e m i s e r ably in h atr e d , ,

A nd as m y fo e s w o u ld wi s h S u ch ill s b e fe ll th e m
.

Thr o u gh th e ir p e rve r s ity and e vil d e e d s ;


Th e y dis o be y e d m e and t h e w o rld fr o w ne d o n th e m .

H is h e art w as fu ll h is fac e all t e ar s till d e ath


,
.

Th o u gh Faridri n is go ne th e r e is h is name

S till l e ft thr o u gh all t h e ye ar s th at h ave p as s e d by ;


FA Ri D liN 2 33

H e w as m y s o n ! all e xc e ll e n c e and fam e


,

O ne wh o fo u n d pr o fit in adv e r s ity .

Th e n M inuc hihr pu t o ff t he r o y al cr o w n ,

H e girt a bl o o d s t ai ne d girdl e r o u nd h is l o i ns
-

A nd r e ar e d a ch ar ne l as t h e S hah s w e r e w o n t
O f r u ddy g o ld and l api s l azu li .

Th e y pl ac e d a thr o ne o f ivo ry withi n


A nd h u ng a cr o w n ab o ve it vi s it e d
,

Th e d e ad t o s ay far e w e ll as w as t h e u s e
,

A nd ritu al th e n s h u t t h e ch ar ne l d o o r
,
-

I n s u ch ill c as e th at d e ar o ne l e ft t h e w o rld !
O ne s e nnight M imic h ih r g av e u p t o gri e f ,

H is e y e s w e r e fu ll o f t e ar s h is ch e e k s w e r e p al e
, ,

A nd fo r a s e nnight city and ba z ar


We r e m o u r ni ng w ith th e ir m ou r ni ng s o v e r e ign .

0 w o rld which art all wi nd and l e v ity !


Th e m an o f wi s d o m h ath no j o y o f th e e .

Th o u fo s t e re s t e ach o ne wi t h thy c ar e s s
-

N o m at t e r if his life b e m o r e o r l e s s ,

Bu t wh e n th o u will e s t t o r e v o k e t h e tr u s t
Wh at re ck e s t th o u o f c o r al o r o f d u s t 7
M an ! wh e n t h e w o rld h ath s napp e d in tw ai n t h e c o rd
O f thi s w o rld fo r th e e b e th o u li e ge o r l o rd
, ,

Thy gri e fs and pl e as u r e s as a dr e am app e ar :


V e x no t thy h e art th e n t o c o nti nu e h e r e .

Bl e s t is t h e m an w h o wh e th e r ki ng o r thr all
, ,

Be qu e at h e t h g o o d as h is m e m o ri al !
'

M I N II C H I H R

HE RE I G N E D O N E H U N D RE D A N D T WE N TY
Y EA RS

A RG U M E N T
ft r d cribi ng t h cc i n f M inu hih t h p t pr c d t
A e es e a ess o o c r, e oe o ee s o

t ll t h t ry f Zal t h n f s am h w b i ng b rn wi th whit
e e s o o ,
e so o ,
o ,
e o e

h ir h w in c n q nc xp d by hi f th r n M nt
a ,
e as o se ue e e ose s a e o ou

A lb r h w h w
u z ,
f nd nd br ght p b y t h S i m rgh h w
o e as ou a ou u e u ,
o

in ft r y r ha e nd h i f th r b c m r c ncil d n d h w h
ea s e a s a e e a e e o e ,
a o e

r oset gr t n o Th p t l t ll f t h l
ea ess f Z al
. nd e oe a so e s o e ove s o a

R f dab i t h d ght r f M ihr ab t h


a, e i d l t r ki ng f K ab l
au e o ,
e o a ou s o u ,

t h wr th f M im hih th r t hi ltim t c n nt t t h ni n

e a o ic r e ea ,
s u a e o se o e u o ,

a nd t h bi r th f R t m with n cc
e nto f wh fir t d n us a ,
a a ou o ose s a ve

t r nd f t h d th f M in i hih t h r ig n c ncl d
u es , a o e ea o l c r, e e o u es .

NO E T
t ry which cc pi t h
The s o f M in u hih in wh
,
n m
o u es e r ig n e o c r, os e a e,

which m n ff pri ng f M n w n till t r c c nn cti n


ea s o s o a u,
”1
e ca s a e a o e o

b tw n I ndi n nd I rani n myt h l gy b t w n t h V d


e ee a a nd a o o ,
e ee e e as a

t h Z nde t i p r h p t h m t ch rm in g in t h wh l p m ;
a av as a, s e a s e os a e o e oe

a nd h r fir t t h e t r m f pic hith r t c nfi n d nd cr m p d
e s e s ea o e ,
e o o e a a e ,

b r k t i n t b r d w t r n d c ri
ea s ou ot t h h r ic r
oa a e s, a ar es us o e e o ac e

w h pl y o ch n im p rt nt p r t thr gh t t h fi t —t h myt hic


a su a o a a ou ou e rs e
—p ri d f t h p m W h
e o o lr dy n h w t h titl
e oe . e av e a ea se e o e es

b t w d n t h gr t h r K
es o e o ap b c m e p r t p r n li
ea e o e re s s a e a e se a a e e so a

ti in l t r ti m
es n d in thi
a e r ig n w h ne s,f hi m t
2
a s e e av e o e o s os

1
M anu s h c hit h ra in t h e Zandavas ta . F o r M anu see pr f t ry n t
e a o o e

to Jams hi d .

2
S ee i nt ro du ct ry n t
o o e t o Farid im
'
.

2 34
P I RD A U S I
TH E S H A H N A M A

2 36 OF

V areng n O S pit m aZ r th t r ! With th t f th r th


a, a a a a us a a ea e ou

s h lt b thy w n b dy with th t f th r th h lt c r b ck
a ru o o ,
a ea e ou s a u se a

thy n mi e If m n h ld
e b n f th t t r n g bird
es . a a o s a o e o a s o ,
or a

f th r f th t t r ng bird n n n m it
ea e o a t rn t flight
s o , o o e ca s e or u o

th t f r t n t m n Th f th r f th t bird f bird bri ng him


a o u a e a . e ea e o a o s s

h lp it bri ng n t him t h h m g f m n it m i n t i n h im in
e s u o e o a e o e ,
a a s

hi gl ry
s o .
”1

With r g rd t t h cc n t f t h m pl ym nt f n th tic
e a o e a ou o e e o e o a ae s e s

o n th cc i n f t h a
e o n bi r th f R
as o t m w fi nd n th r o e s are a o us a ,
e a o e

i n t n c f th i r mpl y m nt by U m d him lf in t h cc n t
s a e o e e o e r uz se e a ou

o f t h C r ti n in t h B nd hi h
e eaWh n A hri m n b r k i nt t h
o e u a s . e a o e o e

cr ti n f U m d nd tt ck d t h Pri m l O w r d th t
ea o o r uz a a a e e e va x ,
e ea a

U m d h d pr i
r uz l y gr nd p h li ng f r it in w t r f it
a e v ou s ou u ea u s a e or ,

th t it d th might b t h l p inf l S i m il rly w r d in


a s ea e e ess a u .
2
a e ea

G n i th t t h L rd c d d p l p t f ll p n A d m
e es s a e o au s e a ee s ee o a u o a .

Th rli t r f r nc t R t m in lit r t r pp r t b
e ea es e e e e o us a e a u e a ea s o e

n i n dir ct in t h K r n l m nti n d in t h '


’ 3
a n e H i o e e u a . e s a so e o e e

work th t p nd r t h n m
a f M f Ch
as s e s n Ag u e e a e o oses o o re e :

e

ve r i pl c t ili
o, s n q d m n d ci d l
a e ,
b q li
v a va a ue e eo e a a e c ara o, ua a

P r d R t m S i m m nt q m CXX l ph nt i i ib
e s ae e es o o az co e o ra ,
ue e e a s v r us

f i u sse p i m t d nt su D h j p rit r r b r
e r o re f r ti ra u . e u us a e o o e o

t din m
u c l b r n t q a imilit di n ri l ngi im é b nt
e ea e e a ,
u ae s u e ve o ss a su ,

q m ue ne n q S m ni n q
sa H li n e S i uef b l i t a so ,
e ue e rc u ,
ec az co a u ae s ae

co nf nt C n nt t n i m q dr t
e ru . m x m n ib a p h nd
u e e ua a a eu sa a a us re e e re

p t i
o u sse, d r bit ri m m m gn qfia p r di ll r
a u suu ,
a a ae e ac a v a, ve e e,

u ng ib ii q
u br d r l t in t b l a
s ue q ila m fig a e e, ve u a u ,
a u aru u ras ,

a li q a ue j g n ri ffi ng tqe ng ib
us in ib
e Qe s e e re a ue u u us s cr e re :

cu m p d m g ni m ri P ntici lit h til q d m n


a u a a s o us os es u as a av e s

o fi ndi
'

e t im p t m in sse f cit q in lt m ct
,
et d c mu e as e ,
u as a u o o au e e

circit r t di pr ct e bi s n q i n n p t it gl b i
a a ove as , u co se u o o u ,
o os s e as

lapidib u s inc e s s it , qu o u m c o nj e c t u aqu ae , u t aiu nt , t ant o pe r é r


diffi nde b an t u r, u t nav e s no n pau c ae de m e rs ae fu e rint , St fi u c t u u m
aqu ar u m m m u lt o s

v is , fi s s u ra alt iii s s ur
g e nt iu re liqu as nav e s

m ill p e p p l it P é h ing n f b l
as s u s t p ti ro u er . r e s a u a, au o ns , fab u larum
fb la u a .

4

M lc l m i d n tifi
a t h c tl
o nM n t S ip nd t k n by R
e tm es e as e o ou a a e us a

w ith fm t r ngh l d kn wn n cc nt f it pp r nc
'

a a ou s s o o ,
o o a ou o s a ea a e

t h W hit C tl it t d in t h pr in c f Par b t
“ ”
as e e as e, s ua e e ov e o s, a ou

nty i m il n r th w t f S hira high b ill th t i '

s e ve -
s x n es o -
es o z , o a a s

alm t p rp ndic l r n
os ry i d I t i f b l ng f rm nd
e e u a o e ve s e . s o o o o ,
a

1 D ZA ,
ii . 24 0 .
2
WPT , i . 1 8 .

3
p
BK , . 2 84 . Cf . N IN , p . 10 .

1

Whi t s o n, M as ts Chor enensi s , 9 6 .
M IN nc H rH R 237

en cl l l p c t t h t p f t h m nt in which i
os es a e ve s a e a e o o e ou a , s

c r d with d lightf l rd r nd w t r d by n m r
ove e e p ri n g u ve u e, a a e e u e ou s s s.

Th c nt i n rly thr mil f t h l t fi


e as e s ea i h n dr d ee es or e as ve or s x u e

y rd t h mmit i
a s ediffic lt f pp r ch th t t h
su light t s so u o a oa a e s es

opp iti n if w ll dir ct d m t r nd r it i mpr g n b l


os o e In 8 e e ,
us e e e a e 1 10

it w as in p i n f t h t rib f M m nni n f t h
ossess o o e e o u as e , o e o e

ab rigi n l t rib
o fP r ia Th ir m n f d f nc w r pr b bly
es o e s a. e ea s o e e e e e o a

still t h m in t h d y f R t m li n f l rg t n
e sa e as e a s o oos u : a e o a e s o es

r ng d in r g l r rd r r nd t h dg f t h pr cipic E ch
a e e u a o e a ou e e es o e e e . a

st n i w dg d in by m ll r wh n th t i r m d t h
o e s e e a s a e : e a s e ove ,
e

l rg
a t n
e r th r r ck i h rl d d w n nd w p
s o e, or a ry e o ,
s u e o ,
a s ee s e ve

thi ng b f r it e o e .
”1

H ow M tnu chthr made


as c ended t he Thro ne and an Oratto n

Th e y m o u r ne d fo r F ar idun fo r s e v e n d ay s ,
. 12

Up o n t h e e ighth S hah M inii ch ih r c am e fo rth ’

A n d s e t t h e r o y al c ap u p o n his h e ad ;
H e c o u nt e rch ar m e d t h e s p e ll o f s o rc e r e r s
A nd r e igne d twic e s ixty y e ar s Th e p al adi ns .

Thr o u gh ou t t h e w o rld c all e d pr ai s e s d o w n o n h im .

Wh e n h e as s u m e d t h e cr o w n h e g av e t h e w o rld
Gl ad ne w s o f j u s tic e F ai t h h u m anity , , ,

O f go o d ne s s k no wl e dg e p u rity and s aid


, , ,

I s it e nthr o ne d u p o n t h e circli ng s ph e r e ,

Di s p e ns ing l o v e and j u s tic e wr ath and s trife , .

E arth is m y thr all h e av e n m i ne ally t h e h e ad s , ,

O f ki ngs m y qu arry Mine are F aith and Gr ac e .


,

Mine t o b e s t o w g o o d fo r t u ne and t o h ar m .

I wr e ak r e v e ng e by nigh t ; t h e r agi ng fi re
Up B ar z in am I and l o rd o f s ci m it ar
o n 2
,

A nd g o ld e n b o o t I s e t u p Kaw a s s t and ard



.

A nd light t h e cl o u d s I dr aw m y s w o rd and giv e ,

N 0 qu art e r o n t h e b attl e fi e ld My h and s .

B e c o m e a b o u nt e o u s o c e an wh e n I fe as t ,

Bu t wh e n I m o u nt my s t e e d my br e ath is fi re .

1
M HP i 9 and n t
, . 1 Th nam
, f Fir t mpl
o e .
2
e e o a e -
e e.
TH E S H A H N A M A PI RDA U S I
'

2 38 OF

I cu t the pr actic e o f t h e wick e d s h o rt


A nd m ak e t h e e arth a re d br o c ad e o f bl o o d ,

I wi e ld t h e m ac e I ill u s tr at e t h e cr o w n
,

A nd light t h e ki ngd o m fr o m m ine iv o ry thr o ne ;


Ye t in d e s pit e o f all I am a s l av e
A s e rv ant o f t h e M ak e r o f t h e w o rld .

S m it e w e o u r fac e s with o u r h and s and w e e p ,

Le t all o u r c o nv e r s ati on b e o f G o d ,

O f wh o m w e h o ld t h e cr o w n t h e thr o ne and h o s t
, ,

We giv e H im pr ai s e and H e is o u r d e fe nc e .

We tr e ad t h e p ath o f Faridii n t h e bl e s t '

O u r gr and s ir e : h e w as o ld b u t w e are y o u ng
,
.

Wh o e v e r in t h e s e v e n cli m e s o f e arth
D e p art e th fr o m t h e Way ab ando ne t h
,

Th e F aith infl ic t e t h h u rt o n m e ndic ant s


, ,

O ppr e s s e th any o ne o f his o w n k in ,

U plift e t h in t h e prid e o f w e alth h is h e ad ,

O r c au s e th s o rr o w t o t h e s u ffe ri ng ,

All s u ch are infi de ls in m y r e g ard


A nd w o r s e th an e vil d o i ng A hri m an
-
.

All e v il d o e r s th at h o ld no t t h e F aith
-

A re b anne d by G o d and u s : h e r e aft e r w e


Will pu t o u r h and u p o n t h e s ci m it ar ,

A nd in o u r v e ng e an c e d e s o l at e th e ir r e al m .

All m e n o f nam e thr o u gh o u t t h e e arth i nv o k e d


Th e ir bl e s s i ng s o n h im with o ne v o ic e and s aid , .

Thy gl o ri o u s gr and s ir e O b e nignan t S hah


, .

T au ght th e e t h e c o nd u ct o f t h e thr o ne and cr o w n .

Be e v e r thi ne t h e thr o n e o f m ighty m e n ,

Th e cr o w n and archi m ag e s Gr ac e

O u r h e art s
.

O b e y thy w o rd o u r s ou l s are pl e dg e d t o th e e
, .

Th e r e at r o s e S am t h e chi e f o f p al adins
, ,

A nd s aid t o M inuc h ihr : O j u dg e m os t j u s t !


I fr o m t h e S hah s h av e g o tt e n e y e s t o s e e ,

A nd s e e t h e e j u s t : my p art is t o appl au d .
PI R DA U S I

TH E S H A H N A M A OF

N o w S am w as childl e s s and in th at r e g ard


I n ne e d o f s ol ac e O ne am o ng h is wiv e s
.

A B e au ty r o s y ch e e k e d with m u s ky h air
-

G ave him t he h o p e o f o ffs pri ng fo r th at M o o n ,

Was s u n fac e d rip e and w as with child by h im


-

, , ,

A nd gri e v o u s ly s h e s u ffe r e d with h e r b u rd e n .

Wh e n m any d ay s h ad p as s e d t h e b ab e w as b o r n
A B e au ty lik e t h e w o rld illu m i ng s u n -

A nd lik e it t o o in l o v e li ne s s o f fac e ;
Bu t all his h air w as whit e and s i n c e tw as s o

Th e y k e pt t h e thi ng fr o m S am fo r o ne wh o l e w e e k
Th e w o m e n o f th at fam o u s p al adi n
W e pt in t h e pr e s e n c e o f t h e littl e child ,

Bu t no t o n e d ar e d t o t e ll t h e h e r o S am
Th at h is fair s p ou s e h ad b o rne a h o ary b ab e .

A no n t h e i nfant s n u r s e w ith li o n s c o u r ag e

,

C am e u nab as he d b e fo r e t h e p al adi n ,

A s o ne w h o br o u ght g o o d ne w s bl e s s e d h im and ,

s aid :

M ay S am t h e h e r o s d ay s b e fo rt u nat e

A nd m ay h is fo e m e n s h e art s b e r o o t e d o u t !

G o d h ath b e s t o w e d o n th e e wh at th o u did s t as k
Th e v e ry gift wh e r e o n thy s o u l w as s e t
B e hi nd thy cu rt ain s e e k e r aft e r gl o ry !
,

Thy m o o n fac e d s p o u s e h ath b orne a s t ai nl e s s s o n


-

A p al adin a child o f li o n h e art


,
-

A b oy o f s pirit fas hi o ne d o f p u r e s ilv e r


, ,

A nd with t w o ch e e k s th at fav o u r P ar adi s e .

Th ou w ilt no t s e e a fau lty p ar t in him


E xc e pt thi s bl e m i s h — th at his h air is whit e .

S o h e av e n will e d O s e e k e r aft e r gl o ry !
,

C ont e nt th e e and b e no t m o r o s e and th ankl e s s .

Th e h o r s e m an s am d e s c e nd e d fr o m h is thr o ne ;
H e w e n t b e hi nd t h e c u rt ai n t o Y o u ng S pri ng
“ ”
,

A nd s aw a g o o dly b oy with h o ary h e ad .


M IN t c a

N o ne h ath b e h e ld o r h e ard o f s u ch h is h air


R e s e m bl e d s no w and y e t h is ch e e k s w e r e ru ddy .

S am at th at s ight d e s p air e d Gr e at w as h is fe ar
.

O f c o m i ng s h am e ; h e l e ft t h e p ath o f wi s d o m
Fo r c o u r s e s o f h is o w n l o o k e d u p t o h e av e n
,

A nd pr ay e d t o b e fo rgiv e n his o ffe n c e .

O Th o u h e s aid ab o v e all h ar m and l o s s !



, ,

Go o d e ve r c o m e th o f Thi ne o rdi nanc e .

I f I h av e s i nne d by any gri e v o u s s in ,

O r yi e ld e d t o t h e faith o f A hri m an ,

Oh ! m ay t h e Al m ighty h e ark e n t o m y pr ay e r
A nd in H is s e cr e t c ou ns e ls p ard o n m e .

My tr o u bl e d m ind is writhing fo r s h e e r s h am e ,

Th e h o t bl o o d is a ti ngl e in m y v e i ns
-

Fo r thi s br at lik e a br at o f A hri m an ,

With d ark e y e s and with h air lik e j e s s amine .

Wh e n any no bl e s c o m e t o s p e ak with m e ,

A nd s e t th e ir e y e s o n thi s ill o m e ne d c u b
-

Wh at s h all I s ay th at thi s d iv s b an tli ng is ’

A fay o r l e o p ar d with it s s p o t s ? Th e gr e at
Will l au gh at m e in p u bli c and in priv at e
Till s h am e s h all m ak e m e c u rs e and qu it Iran .

H e s p ak e in wr ath with fr o wns and r ail e d at


fo rt u ne
,

Th e n b ad e s o m e t ak e t h e child and c arry it


B e yo nd th o s e fi e ld s and fe ll s and far aw ay .

Th e r e w as a c e rt ai n m o u nt ai n nam e d Alb u r z ,

Nigh t o t h e s u n and far r e m o ve d fr o m m e n ,

Wh e r e t h e S imu rgh h ad ne s t e d fo r t h e pl ac e ,

Was u ninh abit e d Th e y l e ft t h e child


.

Up o n t h e m ou nt ain and r e tu r ne d Ti m e p as s e d .
,

Whil e fo r no fau lt t h e i nfant p al adi n ,

Unabl e t o di s ting u i s h bl ack fr o m white ,

Was o u tc as t fr o m h is fath e r s l o ve ; b u t H e

Wh o fo s t e re t h all t o o k u p t h e c as t aw ay
, .
TH E S H A H N A M A

O F F I RDA U S I

O nc e wh e n t h e li o ne s s h e r c u b h ad fe d ,

If I s h o u ld giv e th e e m y h e art s bl o o d s h e s aid


, ,

I s h o u ld no t l o o k fo r th ank s I liv e in th e e ;
.

My h e ar t w o u ld br e ak if th o u s h o u ld s t br e ak with m e .

Thr ou gh o u t t h e e xp ans e o f e arth t h e b e as t s w e fi nd


M o r e t e nd e r t o th e ir yo u ng th an are m ankind .

Th e b ab e r e m aine d wh e r e thr o wn e xp o s e d b o th day ,

A nd night H e s u ck e d h is fi nge r e nd s and w ail e d


.
-
.

N o w wh e n t h e y o u ng S imu rgh s gr e w r av e no u s
Th e m o th e r s o arin g o e r h e r n e s t b e h e ld

, ,

E arth lik e a h e avi ng s e a and w aili ng th e r e


,

A child r o ck cr adl e d with t h e d u s t fo r nu rs e


-

H is b o dy b ar e h is lip s u nw e t with m ilk


, ,

Th e d ark dr e ar s o il ab o u t h im and ab o v e
Th e no o nd ay s u n Wo u ld th at h e h ad h ad p ard s
.

Fo r dam and s ir e h e h ad at l e as t b e e n s h ad e d
,

Th e L o rd g av e l o vi ng i ns ti nct s t o th at fo wl ,

Which th o u ght no t t o d e v o u r t h e child h e r s e lf ,

Bu t s w o o p e d d o wn fr o m t h e cl o u d s and wi t h h e r
t al o ns
T o o k u p t h e i nfant fr o m t h e h e at e d r o ck s ,

Th e n b ar e h im qu ickly o ff t o M o u n t Alb u r z ,

Wh e r e w e r e h e r ne s t and y o u ng for th e m t o t e ar ,

R e g ardl e s s o f his cri e s ; b u t G o d w h o giv e th ,

All g o o d h ad r u th o n h im h is lo t w as o th e r ;
, ,

Fo r wh e n t h e fo wl and all h e r br o o d b e h e ld
Th at i nfant w h o w as w e e pi ng t e ars o f bl o o d
, ,

Th e y l avi s h e d l o v e o n him in w o ndr o u s wi s e ,

A s t oni e d at h is g o o dly fac e Th e bird .

Ch o s e fo r him all t h e t e nd e r e s t pr e y and m ad e ,

H e r littl e g u e s t s u ck bl o o d ins t e ad o f m ilk .

L o ng w as h e l o s t t o s ight b u t wh e n h e c ame
To m an s e s t at e a c ar av an p as s e d by

A nd s aw on e lik e a no bl e cypr e s s tr e e -

H is br e as t a s ilve r m ou nt h is w ai s t a r e e d
, ,
TH E S H A H N A M A PI R DA

OF us r

I ncline t o H im —t h e Au th o r o f all go o d ,

The G u id e .

xt day and in s o r e di s tr e s s
So ne

S am w e nt t o M ou nt Alb u r z and wh e n night c ame ,

S l e pt ill at e as e H e s aw a s t and ard r ai s e d


.

Ab o v e t h e I ndi an m o u nt ai ns and a yo u th ,

O f b e au t e o u s vi s ag e with a m ighty h o s t ,

Up o n h is l e ft an arch m age o n h is righ t ,

A s ag e o f no bl e as p e ct O f th e s e tw ai n .

O ne c am e t o S am and s aid in chilli ng t o ne s



A u d aci ou s m an and i m pi ou s in thine ai ms !
I s th e r e no fe ar o f G o d b e fo r e thi ne e y e s ?
I f t o thy m in d a bird is nu r s e e n o u gh
Wh at b o o t e t h it t o b e ap al adi n ?
I f whit e h air b e a b l e m i s h in a m an
Thy b e ard and h e ad h av e gro wn lik e wi ll o w l e aves -

G o d gav e th e e s u ch and s u ch thing s : why h as t th o u


By thi ne i nj u s tic e fr u s tr at e d t h e gift
Abh o r t hy M ak e r th e n fo r day by day ,

Thy b o dy ch ang e th h u e Th o u did s t d e s pis e .

Thy s o n w h o is t h e fo s t e rling o f Go d
,

Th e kindli e s t N u r s e fo r h im A s fo r thy s e lf .
,


L o v e is no t in th e e .

S am r o ar e d o u t in s l e e p
A s wh e n a m ighty li o n is e ns n ar e d ;
H e fe ar e d th at dr e am p o rt e nd e d ch as tis e m e nt
Fr o m d e s ti ny Ar o u s e d h e c all e d t o him
.
,

The m e n o f l o r e and b ad e t h e chi e fs t o h o r s e .

H e c am e in h as t e t o w ard t h e mo u nt ain p e ak -

To s e e k his c as t aw ay and th e r e b e h e ld
,

A h e ight wh 0 s e t o p was m id s t t h e Pl e i ade s


Th o u w o u lds t h av e s aid : I t will o b s tr u ct
s t ar s
.

U p o n t h e t o p w as b u ilt a l o fty ne s t ,

Wh e r e S at u rn s infl u e nc e c ou ld no t i nj u re it ;

UCH I H R
'

M IN 24 3

T all p os t s o f e bo ny and s and al w o o d -

L ac e d with lign al o e s t ay e d it u nd e rne ath


-
.

S am g az e d in w o nd e r o n th at s t o ny p e ak ,

O n th at m aj e s tic bird and w e ird ab o d e .

Th e b u ildi ng r e ach e d t o S pic a and w as r ai s e d ,

With o u t h and lab o u r with no s t o ne s and e arth


-
.

A y ou th s t o o d th e r e —t h e c o u nt e rp art o f sam
,

Who w atch e d h im as h e w alke d ab o u t t he ne s t ,

Th e n l aid h is che e k s u p o n t h e gr o u nd and g av e ,

Th anks t o t h e M ake r in th at H e h ad m ad e
,

S u ch bird u p o n t h e m o u nt ai n and h ad r ai s e d ,

I t s s t o ny s u m m it t o t h e Pl e i ad e s ,

Ac kno wle dgi ng : H e is a right e o u s J u dg e ,



All p o w e rfu l and high e r th an t h e high .

H e s o u ght t o fi nd a p ath o r any tr ack


Wh e r e by t h e wild b e as t s s c al e d t h e pr e cipic e ;
A nd w alk e d ar o u n d t h e mo u nt ain givi ng th ank s ,

Bu t s aw no way to cli m b it H e e xcl ai m e d


.

O Th o u ab o v e all pl ac e o e r s u n and m o on

A nd s hi ni ng r ai nb o w ! I pr o s tr ate m y s e lf
B e fo r e The e p ou ring o u t my s o u l in aw e
, .

I f thi s y o u th s pri ng e th fr o m m y l o i ns i nd e e d ,

N o t fr o m t h e s e e d o f e vil A hri m an ,

A s s is t thy s e r v ant t o as c e nd this h e ight


A nd s h o w m e me rcy s i nfu l as I am
, .

Thu s pr ay e d h e t o t h e J u s t i h is pr ay e r w as gr ant e d .

Wh e n t h e S imu rgh l o o k e d fro m t he h e ight an d s aw


S am with h is c o m p any s h e kne w th at th e y
,

C am e no t fo r l o ve o f h e r b u t fo r t h e y o u th ,

To wh o m s h e s aid : Th o u wh o h as t s e e n t h e u ne as e

O f nid e and ne s t I am t h e o nly nu r s e


'

Th at fo s t e r e d th e e t h e s ou rc e o f all thy w e al
, ,

A nd g av e t o th e e t he nam e D as ta n 1 Z and 1 -

B e c au s e thy s ir e d e alt with th e e tr e ach e r o u s ly


1
Le
. mu ch d fr
e au de d, in a ll i
us on to 8am 5

tr tm ntea e of h is s o n.
TH E S H A H N A M A OF P I RD A 0 5 1
C o mm and thy v ali ant g u id e t o c all th e e s o
Wh e n th ou re t u rne s t h o m e Thy s ir e is s am
.
,

Th e h e r o p al adi n o f p al adins
, ,

A n d m os t e x alt e d o f t h e m ighty m e n .

H e h ath c o m e hi t h e r s e archi ng fo r h is s o n ,

A nd with him high e s t at e h ath c o m e t o th e e .

N o w mu s t I t ak e th e e u p and b e ar th e e b ack
Uns c athe d t o h im .

H e li s t e ne d whil e s h e s p ak e ,

H is e y e s w e r e fill e d with t e ar s his h e art w as s ad ,


.

Th ou gh h e h ad s e e n no m an s till h e h ad l e ar ne d
,

O f h e r t o s p e ak in acc e nt s like h e r o w n ,

With mu ch o f wi s d o m and o f anci e nt l o r e ;


Th u s h ad h e l angu ag e wi s d o m and right r e d e
, , ,

A nd l o o k e d t o G o d fo r s u cc ou r N o w o b s e rv e .

H is ans w e r t o t h e fo wl : H as t th o u in tr u th
B e c o m e aw e ary o f m y c o m p any
Thy ne s t is u nt o m e a s hining thr o ne ,

Thy pi ni o ns are my gl o ri o u s di ad e m ,

A nd n e xt t o G o d I o w e m y th ank s t o th e e ,

Fo r th o u h as t t u rne d my h ards hip i nt o e as e .

Th e bird r e pli e d : I f o n c e th o u d o s t b e h o ld

Th e cr o w n t h e thr o n e and d o ings o f t h e c o u rt


, , ,

Thi s ne s t will s e e m t o th e e o f s m all acc o u nt .

M ak e b u t o ne tri al o f t h e w ay s o f fat e .

I do no t s e nd th e e h e nc e in e nm ity ;
I p as s th e e t o a ki ng s hip I w o u ld fai n
.

H av e k e pt th e e h e r e with m e b u t fo r thys e lf
,

To go is b e tt e r B e ar thi s pl u m e o f m ine
.

Ab ou t with the e and s o abid e b e ne ath


Th e s h ad o w o f my Gr ac e H e nc e fo rth if m e n
.

S h all h u rt o r right o r wr o ng e xcl ai m ag ai ns t th e e


, , ,

Th e n b u rn t h e fe ath e r and b e h o l d my m ight ,

Fo r I h av e ch e ri s h e d th e e b e ne ath my pl u m e s
A nd br o u ght th e e u p am o ng m y littl e o ne s .
'

A

TH E sH A H N M A O F PI R DA U S I

Bu t will fu lfil thy wi s h e s g o o d and b ad


H e nc e fo rth thy will s h all b e m y r u l e o f right .

H e cl o th e d t h e y o u ng m an lik e a p al adi n
A n d t u r n e d t o l e av e t h e m o u n t ai n h avi ng r e ach e d
Th e pl ain h e ch o s e a ch arg e r fo r his s o n ,

A s w e ll as r o y al r obe s fo r h im t o w e ar

,

A nd g av e t o h im t h e n am e o f z al i Z ar l -

Th o u g h t h e S im u rgh c all e d h im at fir s t D as ta n .

Th e n all t h e tr o o p s with gl ad ne s s in th e ir h e art s


S ou ght S am . Th e dr u m m e r s le d o n e l e ph ant s ,

A n d d u s t r o s e lik e a m o u n t o f i ndigo .

Th e r e w as a s o u nd o f dr u m s and cl ari o ns ,

O f g o ld e n g o ngs an d I ndi an b e ll s whil e all ,

Th e h o r s e m e n s h o u t e d Th u s th e y j o u r ne ye d h o m e
.

Until all j o yfu lly th e y p as s e d withi n


Th e city gr e at e r by o ne p al adi n
, .

§4
H o w M inaehihr t oo k K nowledge o f the Cas e f
o

S am and Z al

s am h ath r e tu r ne d in tri u m ph fro m Albu r z !


S u ch tidi ng s fr o m z ab u l c am e t o t h e S hah ,

Wh o j o ye d e xc e e di ngly : t h e M ak e r s nam e ’

Was o ft e n o n h is lip s H e h ad t w o s o ns
.
,

B o th w e ll b e l o v e d o ne hight N au d ar t h e o th e r
, ,

Z aras p b o th br av e and wi s e and b o th e n d o w e d


, ,

Wi t h Gr ac e and F aith b o th lik e A z argas h as p


,

Up o n t h e pl ain H e s aid : Le t fam e d N and ar


.

G o wi t h d e s p atch t o S am and l o o k u p o n
H is child th at h ath b e e n nu rt u r e d in a ne s t ,

C o ngr atu l at e h im o n t h e S hah s b e h alf ’

Up o n t h e j o y t h at h ath r e v e al e d it s e lf :
1
th ld in ll i n t h i w hit h i r
e o ,
a us o o s e a .
M IN UCH IH R 24 9

A nd bid h im c o m e in p e r s o n t o t h e S hah
To t e ll h is t al e and aft e rw ard s d e p art
,

H o m e lik e a l o yal li e ge .

N o w wh e n N au dar
R e ach e d s am t h e s o n o f N ar im an h e s aw
Th e n e w y o u ng p al adi n Th e n S am t h e h o r s e man
.

A l ight e d and N au dar and h e e m br ac e d


,
.

s am as k e d ab o u t t h e S hah and chi e fs N au dar ,

D e live r e d all th e ir gr e e ti ngs S am o n h e aring .


,

Th e m e s s ag e o f t h e gr e at king ki s s e d t h e gr o u nd , ,

A nd h as t e d as c o mm and e d t o t h e c o u rt .

Wh e n h e dr e w ne ar t h e S hah w e nt o u t t o m e e t h im .

S am s aw t h e fl ag o f M inuc h ih r di s m o u nt e d ,

A nd w e nt afo o t H e ki s s e d t h e gr o u nd and s aid


.


Fo r e v e r liv e gl ad and o f ard e nt s o u l !
Bu t M imi ch ih r b ad e th at tr u e h e art e d m an

-

Th at w o r s hipp e r o f G o d t o m o u nt agai n , .

Th e y w e nt t o w ard t h e p al ac e M inrich ih r
S at d o wn with gr e at r ej o ici ng o n t h e thr o ne ,

A nd pl ac e d t h e r o y al cr o wn u p o n h is h e ad .

O n this s id e s at Kar an o n th at s id e S am , ,

B o th gl ad and w e ll c o nt e nt Th e ch am b e rl ai n .

Appr o ach e d with s t at e ly s t e p and br o u ght in zal ,

E qu ipp e d with g o ld e n m ac e and go ld e n cr o w n .

Th e S hah m ark e d with am az e th at l o fty s t at u r e


A nd g o o dly fac e , t h e ab o d e as th o u w o u ld s t s ay

, ,


O f life and l o v e H e s aid t o S am
. S afe g u ard
h im
Fo r m y s ak e ne v e r giv e h im ne e dl e s s
,
p ai n ,

Bu t fi nd thy h appi ne s s in h im al o ne ,

Fo r h e h ath r oy al Gr ac e and li o n s cl aw s ’

Th e wi s e m an s h e art t h e pr u d e nc e o f t h e o ld

.
,

T e ach h im o u r c u s t o m s b o t h in w ar and fe as t ;
Bird ne s t and h e ight h e k no w e th ; c an he k no w
, ,

Wh at h o no u r and c0 u rt u s age s de m and 2 ..


PI RDA 0 5 1

TH E S H A H N A M A OF

Th e n S am t o ld all t h e s t o ry t o th e S hah
Ab o u t t h e l o fty m ou nt ain and S imu rgh ,

A nd h o w t h e pr e ci o u s o ne w as l o dg e d and nu rt u r e d
Wi t hin t h e ne s t till h e c o u ld fe e d hi m s e lf ;
T o ld wh e r e fo r e h e h ad c as t t h e child aw ay ,

A nd s aid th u s : “
H e av e n r e v o lve d ab o v e m y h e ad
For m any y e ar s ; t h e w o rld at l e ngth w as fill e d
With s tr ang e r e p o rt s o f z al and t h e S im u rgh .

C o mm and e d by t h e L o rd o f all t h e w o rld


I w e n t t o M o u n t Alb u r z —no e as y pl ac e
A nd s aw a m o u n t ai n p e ak am o ng t h e cl ou d s ;
-

Th o u w o u ld s t h av e s aid : I t is a d o m e o f flin t
Up o n a s e a ! Th e ne s t lik e s o m e t all p al ac e

Was th e r e w e ll fe nc e d fro m h ar m o n e v e ry s id e
, ,

With z al and with t h e y o u ng o f t h e S im u rgh


Withi n it : th ou h ad s t s aid Th e y are o ne br o o d .

H is br e ath e xh al e d t h e v e ry s c e n t o f l ev e ,

A nd e v e ry th o u ght o f h im r ej oi c e d m y h e art .

Oft ran I r ou nd t h e M ou nt b u t p at h w as no ne
A y e ar ning fo r m y l o s t s o n c am e t o m e ;
My h e art b u r ne d s o th at life w as w e ll nigh go ne -
.

I pr ay e d in s e cr e t t o t h e h o ly J u dg e
R e s o u rc e o f m e n wi t h o u t a w an t Thys e lf !
,

Thy wit ne s s d o th e xt e nd t o e ve ry pl ac e ,

A nd h e av e n t u r ne th o nly at Thy w o rd .

A s l ave am I wh o s e h e art is fu ll o f s in
,

B e fo r e t h e M as t e r o f t h e s u n and m o o n ;
My h o p e is in Thy m e rcy— th at al o ne :
I h av e no o th e r gr o u nd o f c o nfid e nc e .

Thi s s l av e o f Thi ne —t h e fo s t e r e d o f t h e fo wl
Br o u ght u p in m i s e ry and wr e tch e d ne s s ,

Wh o b at h b u t s ki ns t o w e ar i ns t e ad o f s ilk
A nd s u ck e t h raw fl e s h n o t h is m o th e r s br e as t

R e s t o r e t o m e ! Dis cl os e fo r m e a w ay
To h im and cu t thi s pr e s e nt tr ou bl e s h o rt .
PI R DA U S I

TH E S H A H N A M A
'

2 52 OF

O f I ndi an s ci m it ar s with g o ld e n s h e ath s ,

O ffu r s and go ld o f j e w e l s and br o c ad e


, ,

O f c arp e t s al s o an ab u nd ant s t o r e ,

O f R u m an s lav e b o y s in br o c ad e o f Ram
With j e w e ll e d p att e rns o n a go ld e n gr o u nd ,

O f b o wl s o f e m e r ald and t u rqu o i s e c u p s ,

O f o th e r s o f p u r e s ilve r and re d g o ld
C o nt aini ng s affr o n m u s k and c am ph o r : th e s e
, ,

Th e s e rvant s br o u ght with s u it s o f m ail and c as q u e s ,

H o rs e ar m o u r l anc e s m ac e s b o w s and arr o w s


-

, , , ,

A thr o ne o f t u rqu o i s e and a cr o wn o f g o ld ,

A r u by S ig ne t ri ng and g o ld e n girdl e
-

Ano n t h e m o narch h ad a p at e n t dr aw n
Lik e P ar adis e —all pr ai s e —inv es ti ng s am
,

With M ai o f Hi nd D anb ar Kab u li s t an


, , ,

All fr o m t h e I nd u s t o t h e s e a o f Chin ,

A nd fr o m Zzi b u l u p t o t h e s tr e am o f B u s t ,

Dr aw n s trictly in acc o rd t o pr e c e d e nt .

Th e p at e n t writt e n and t h e gift s pr e p ar e d ,

Th e y o rd e r e d o u t t h e ho r s e s fo r th at chi e f
O f p al adi ns w h o ri s i ng s p ak e and s aid
,


O ch o s e n l o rd o f j u s tic e and o f right !
Kno w th at b e tw e e n t h e M o o n and Fi s h no S hah
Like th e e e e r w o r e t h e cr o w n ; thy g o o d ne s s pr u d e nc e

, ,

Be ne fi c e nc e and r e d e r ej o ic e t h e age
,
.

I n th ine e y e s all t h e w o rld s w e alth is d e s pi s e d


M ay m e n r e m e m b e r no o ne s n am e b u t thi ne

.

H e th e n adv anc e d and ki s s e d t h e thr o ne .

Th e y b o u nd
The k e ttl e dr u m s u p o n t h e e l e ph ant s
A nd s t art e d fo r z ab u lis t an Th e t o w ns .

A nd vill ag e s t u rne d o u t t o g az e Wh e n S am .

Appr o ach e d N im ri i z tw as br u i t e d th at t h e prin c e


’ ’

Th e l u s tr e o f t h e w o rld —h ad c o m e with pr e s e nt s ,

A cr o w n o f g o ld gr ant p at e nt and g o ld girdl e


, , ,
.
'

M I N rIc H I H R

S is tan w as d e ck e d thr o u gh ou t lik e P ar adis e ;


I t s brick s w e r e g o ld and all it s s o il p u r e m u s k
'

Th e y fl u ng ab o u t d inar s m u s k drachms and s affr o n


, , , ,

A nd m ad e a h o lid ay fo r all alik e .

Th e as piri ng chi e fs fr o m all s id e s w e nt t o S am ,

A nd s aid : M ay this y o u th s s t e p s pr o v e fo rt u nat e


“ ’

Fo r t h e e blith e h e art e d fam o u s p al adi n


,
-

A nd as th e y bl e s s e d h im s h o w e r e d g e m s o e r Zit l

.

Fo r e ach m an w o rthy w as a gift pr e p ar e d ,

A r o b e o f h ono u r s u it e d t o h is s t ati o n
A s b e i ng e m i ne nt in r ank o r l o r e ,

Whil e e m u l ati on c au s e d all h o p e s t o s o ar .

§ 6

H o w S am gave the K ingdom to Z a l


Th e r e aft e r s am s e t fo rth b e fo r e his s o n


Th e v ari o u s virt u e s th at ad o r n a kin g ,

A nd h avi ng c all e d t h e fath e r s o f t h e r e al m v , 1 4 5


H ar ang u e d th e m in s e t t e r m s at l arg e and s aid ,


Ye h o ly archi m ag e s wi s e o f h e art
,

O u r m o narch in his wi s d o m o rd e r e th
Th at I s h o u ld m arch u p o n M a z and ara n
Ag i t t e Ka g s ars
a n s h r a 1
I t ak e with m e
A m ighty h o s t ; my s o n—m i ne o w n h e art s bl o o d
.

A nd p art ne r o f m y life —abid e th h e r e .

I in t h e d ay s o f y o u th and arr o g anc e


Pr o nou nc e d a m o ns tr o u s s e n t e nc e o n t h e b oy .

G o d g av e t o m e a s o n : I c as t him o u t
I n ig no r anc e no t w o ttin g o f his w o rth
, .

H im t h e S im u rgh th at no bl e bird b ar e o ff
, ,

H im t o o t h e M ak e r p as s e d no t by m s c o r n .

1
Th e name of a wild trib e, t h e V u lt u re h e ads
o
.
PI RDA U S I
' ’

54 TH E S H A H N A M A OF

Wh at I d e s pi s e d was pr e ci o u s t o t h e fo wl ,

Which r e ar e d h im till h e s e e me d a l o fty c ypre s s ,

A nd wh e n t h e ti m e for p ard o n c am e t h e L o rd
Of all t h e w o rld —G o d—g av e h im b ack t o m e .

R e g ard him as my r e pr e s e nt ativ e ,

A s m i ne o w n s e lf c o mm itt e d t o y ou r ch arg e ;
I l e av e t o y o u t o t e ach him wh at is g o o d
A nd ki ndl e e v e ry virtu e in h is br e as t .

H old h im in h o no u r giv e h im s o u nd advic e


, ,

I m p art g o o d pri ncipl e s and l o fty ai m s ,

Fo r as t h e S hah c o mm and e th I d e p ar t
With o th e r chi e fs ag ai ns t o u r e ne m i e s .

H e t u r ne d t o z al and s aid : Be p e ac e fu l j u s t

, ,

A nd lib e r al h o ld z ab ulis t an as h o m e
,

A nd all thi ng s th e r e as s u bj e ct t o thy will .

Be thi ne t o m ak e t h e h o m e m o r e b e au tifu l
A nd fri e nd s m o r e h appy Of m y tr e as u r e h o ard s
.
-

I l e av e t h e k e y with th e e thy g ai n is w e al
, ,

Thy l o s s is w o e t o m e I n fe as t and fight


.

DO wh at s o e e r thy bright s o u l h o ld e th go o d

.

z al ans w e r e d : “
C an I liv e o n h e r e I f o ne
Was e v e r b o r n de fe ctive it w as I ,

A nd I h av e c au s e t o w ail Pu t m e no t fu rth e r
.

Th an e v e r fr o m th e e no w th at p e ac e h ath c o m e .

Whil e I w as ne ath t h e t al o ns o f t h e bird ,

S u ck e d bl o o d and far e d in d u s t dw e lt in a ne s t
,

A nd h ad a fo wl fo r fri e nd I w as e s t e e m e d
,

A fo wl my s e lf ; b u t s h e th at fo s t e r e d m e
I s far aw ay S u ch is fat e s fo s t e ri ng !

.

I h av e no p o rti o n o f t h e r o s e b u t th o rns
A nd m u s t s u b m it .

s am ans w e r e d : Be at e as e “
.

Le t thy h e art r e s t ; c o mm and wh at e e r tho u wilt ’


.

Th e as tr o l o ge r s d e cl ar e a gr aci o u s p u rp o s e
C o nc e r ning th e e — th at h e r e s h all b e thy h o me
TH E S H A H N A M A OF P IRDA U S i

H ow Zcil vis it e d M ihrab of K abu l

O ne day z si fo rth o n a r o y al pr o gr e s s
s et

With chi e fs att ach e d t o h im in r e d e and F ait h


To V i e w Kab u l D u nb ar M argh M ai and I nd
, , , .

At e ve ry s t age h e s e t h im u p a thr o ne
A nd c all e d fo r wi ne and h arp and m ins tr e l s y .

H e l avi s h e d tr e as u r e and i nd u lg e d in pl e as u r e ,

A s is t h e fas hi o n in thi s W ays id e I nn


A nd r e ach e d Kab u l with gl ad ne s s i n h is h e art .

The r e w as a c e rt ain m o narch hight Mihrab ,

A w e althy and s u cc e s s fu l p o t e nt at e ,

I n s t at u r e lik e a no bl e cypr e s s tre e -

,

With ch e e k s lik e s pringtid e and with ph e as ant s
H e h ad a s ag e s h e art a ru l e r s br ain
’ ’

, ,

A w arri o r s s h ou ld e r s and arc h m age s s e ns e


’ ’
.

D e s c e nd e d fr o m Z ahh ak h e r u l e d Kabu l , ,

Bu t h avi ng no t t h e p o w e r t o fight wi t h S am
P aid ye arly tribu t e H e ari ng th at s a m s s o n
.

H ad c o m e h e l e ft Kab u l at d aw n with tr e as u r e
, ,

With s t e e d s c ap ari s o ne d s l av e b o y s d inar s ,


-

, ,

M u s k r u bi e s s pic e ry br o c ad e o f g o ld
, , , ,

S ilk s b e av e r s ki ns a r o y al j e w e ll e d cr o w n
,
-

A nd g o ld e n t o rqu e with e m e r ald o r name nt s .

H e t o o k t h e chi e fs and ar my o f Kab u l


A s e s c o rt. Tiding s r e ach e d t h e s o n o f S am
Th e s t at e ly chi e f is c o mi ng in his s t at e
“ ”
.

z al w e nt t o m e e t and gr e e t h im c ou rt e o u s ly
With e v e ry h o nou r du e I n m e rry m o o d .

Th e y c am e t o g e th e r t o t h e t u rqu o is e thr one ;


A t abl e fit fo r p al adin s w as s pr e ad
A nd all s at d o w n with gl ad ne s s t o t he fe as t .
M IN UOE I H R

Th e r e whil e c u p b e ar e r s h and e d c u p s and wi ne


,
-

Mihrab o b s e rve d t h e s o n o f s am o n wh o m ,

H e j oy e d t o g az e and wh o m h e l o ng e d t o s e rv e
,
.

z al s wit and pru d e nc e m ad e Mihrab e xcl ai m



H is m o th e r is i mm o rt al 1
Wh e n Mihrab
R o s e fr o m t h e b o ard Z eil m ark e d his m i e n and limb s
, ,

A nd s aid b e fo r e t h e chi e fs : Wh o gird e th him


M o r e gr ac e fu lly ? Wh o h ath s u ch m i e n and c arri ag e

M e n w ou ld pr o no u nc e h im m atchl e s s in t h e fight .

O ne o f t h e no bl e chi e ft ai ns s aid t o zal :


H e h ath a d au ght e r in h is h o u s e wh o s e fac e
I s fair e r th an t h e s u n lik e iv o ry ,

Fr o m h e ad t o fo o t with ch e e ks lik e P aradi s e


, ,

A nd as a t e ak in h e ight Two m u s ky ri ngl e t s


.

F all o e r h e r s ilve r n ne ck t h e e nd s o f th e m

Wo u ld s e rv e fo r ankl e ring s H e r ch e e k s are lik e


-

P o m e gr anat e bl o s s o ms s h e h ath ch e rry lip s


-

, ,

H e r s ilv e r n br e as t s b e ar t w o p o m e gr anat e gr ai ns -

H e r e y e s are twi n n arci s s i in a g ard e n ,

Th e ir l as h e s bl ackne s s r apt fr o m r ave n s plu m e s ’

H e r br o w s are like t wo b o w s m ad e at T ara z ,

Whipp e d with t h e p u r e s t m u s k If th o u w o u ld s t s e e k .

A m o o n th e r e is h e r fac e ; if th o u w o u ld s t s c e nt
,

Th e m u s k th e r e is h e r h air
,
Fr o m h e ad t o fo o t .

S h e 1 s as P ar adi s e — all m u s ic ch ar m , ,


A nd b e au ty .

Thi s r ai s e d t u mu lt in t h e h e art
Of zal and r e s t and r e as on fl e d fr o m h im ;
,

H e th o u ght Th e r e is no d o u bt th at thi s fair m aid


I s lik e t h e s u n and m o o n fo r s i nc e t h e s ir e ,

I s c o m e ly s till h o w fair t h e child m u s t b e


,

Night c am e ; z si s at in s ad and anxio u s th ou ght ,

C onc e r ne d fo r h e r wh o m h e h ad ne v e r s e e n ,

Bu t wh e n t h e s u n s r ays s tr u ck t h e m o u nt ai n t o p s

-

R
TH E S H A H N A M A O F PI R DA U S I
' ’

2 58

A nd m ad e t h e w o rld whit e cry s t al h e g av e au di e nc e ,

A nd w arri o r s with th e ir g o ld e n s c abb ard s c am e


To gr ac e t h e p o rt al o f t h e p al adi n .

A s th e s e gr e at m e n w e r e c alli ng fo r th e ir s t e e d s ,

Mihrab t h e r u l e r o f Kab u l appr o ach e d


, ,

Th e t e nt o f z sl t h e r u l e r o f zab u l
, .

Wh e n h e arriv e d t h e w o rd w as : Cl e ar t h e w ay .

Fr e s h in his b e au ty as a l ad e n fr u it tr e e -

H e c am e t o zal w h o w e lc o m e d h im with j o y
, ,

G av e h im t h e chi e fe s t r o o m an d s aid : R e qu e s t
Wh at e e r th ou wilt thr o ne S ig ne t s w o rd o r cr o w n

-

, ,
.

Mihra b r e pli e d : E x alt e d c o nqu e ring king



, ,

Wh os e w o rd is law Bu t o ne d e s ir e h av e I ,

A n d th at an e as y o ne fo r th e e t o gr an t
Th at th o u b e pl e as e d t o vi s it m e and m ak e

My s ou l bright as t h e s u n .

Z al s aid : N ot so
Thy p al ac e is no t o ne th at I m ay v i s it ,

Fo r S am w o u ld n o t appr o v e n o r w o u ld t h e S hah
, ,

O f u s fo r dri nki ng wi ne and g e tti ng dr u nk


With id o l w o r s hipp e r s S av e thi s r e qu e s t
-
.

We gr ant th e e all and j o y t o s e e thy fac e .

O n h e ari ng thi s Mihrab did r e v e r e nc e ,

Bu t in his h e art c all e d z zu an infid e l ,

Th e n s t r o d e fo rth bl e s s i ng m u ch t h e s o n o f S am ,

Wh o as h e w e nt pr ai s e d him as h e d e s e rv e d .

V . 1 52 N o w no o ne hith e rt o h ad n o tic e d h im ,

Fo r all h ad th o u ght h im an o u tl andi s h div ,

A n d s inc e h is F aith and m anne r s w e r e n o t th e ir s


R e fr aine d fr o m pr ai s ing him b u t wh e n zal s p ak e
H is ad m ir ati o n with s u ch w ar m t h t h e c o u rti e r s,

B e g an t o pr ai s e h im t o o h is m i e n his s tat u r e
, , ,

H is p o lis h e d m anne r s t act and c ou rt e s y


, ,

Whil e as fo r z si h is h e art w e nt cl e an di s tr au ght ,

H is wi s d o m fle d afar and l o v e w as l o rd .
TH E S H A H N A M A
' ’

O F PI RDA U S I

O f all t h e Warri o r -

p al adins o f e arth
N o t o ne c an tr e ad h is s t e p s th e r e is no p o rtr ait
I ns id e o u r h all s with s u ch a bridl e h and -

O r s u ch ano th e r c av ali e r o n h o r s e b ack .

H e is in h e art a li o n and in s tr e ngth


A n e l e ph ant : h is h and s are lik e t h e Nil e .

Wh e n h e is o n t h e thr o ne h e s c atte r e th go ld ,

Wh e n h e is in t h e fr ay h e s c att e r e th h e ad s .

H is ch e e k is r u ddy as t h e c e rci s bl o o m -

S hr e wd y o u ng in y e ars and fo rt u ne t o o 1 s h e
, ,

I n b attl e lik e t h e b al e fu l cr o c o dil e ,

O n h o r s e b ack lik e a dr ag o n with s h arp cl aw s .

H e l ay e th in t h e fight t h e d u s t with bl o o d
A nd b randis h e t h h is f alchi o n o f bl u e s t e e l -
.

H e h ath thi s o ne d e fe ct — h is h air is whit e ;


F au lt fi nde rs fi nd in h im no o th e r fau lt ;
-

Y e t thi s whit e h air o f his b e c o m e th h im ,

A nd th ou w o u ld s t s ay : H e fas c in at e t h h e art s

.

O n h e aring thi s R adah a bl u s h e d with ch e e k s



,

Re d as o m e
p gr a n at e bl o s s o m s whil e h e r h e art
,

B e c am e fu lfill e d with fi re fo r l o ve o f z al
S h e c o u ld no t e at o r r e s t in p e ac e ; a ch ang e
C am e in h e r di s p o s iti o n and d e m e ano u r ,

Fo r p as s i o n h ad u s u rp e d t h e pl ac e o f wi s d o m .

H o w g o o dly w e r e t h e t e ach e r s w o rd s : D e ny
’ “

All t alk o f m e n wh e n th e r e are w o m e n by ;


Th e h e art o f w o m an is t h e Di v s ab o d e

I f th o u s u gge s t e s t s h e w ill fi nd t h e r o ad .

B udab a h ad fi v e T u rk m an w aitin g m aid s -

Fiv e faithfu l s l av e s all girl s o f pru d ent m ind s ;


,

To th e m s h e s aid : I h av e a s e cr e t fo r y o u

,

S i nc e all o f y o u are in my c o nfid e nc e ,

Att e nd u p o n m e and di s p e l m y c ar e s ;
,

Kno w th e n all fi v e o f y o u and u nd e r s t and


, , ,

A nd l u ck go with y ou all y o u r y e ars th at I ,


UCH I H R

M IN 2 61

I am m l o v e and lik e a r agi ng s e a


,

Wh os e bill o w s s u rg e t o h e av e n ! Mine ard e nt h e art


I s f u ll o f l o v e fo r zal and in my s l e e p
,

I c anno t t e ar m y th o u ght s fr o m h im H is l o v e .
'

Po s s e s s e th m e h e art m i nd and wit s ; I m u s e


, , ,

Up o n his fe at u r e s day and night ; and no w


M e ans m u s t b e fo u nd t o fr e e m e fr o m my w o e .

N o ne k no w e th o f my s e cr e t b u t y o u r s e lve s ,

Fo r y e are g o o d and l o v e m e .

Th e n t h e s l ave s
Th o u ght in am az e : Th e pri nc e s s d o th ami s s !
R os e at h e r lik e s o m any A hri m ans
A nd s aid : “
O cr o w n o f l adi e s in t h e w o rld !
O d au ght e r e m i ne n t am o ng t h e m ighty ,

Ad m ir e d fr o m H indii s t an t o Chin and lik e


'

A s hi ning s igne t in t h e w o m e n s b o w e r ! ’

N o cypr e s s in t h e g ar de n e qu alle t h
Thy h e ight ; thy ch e e k s o u t s hi ne t h e Pl e i ad e s .

Thy p o rtr ait h at h b e e n s e nt o u t t o Kannuj ,

To M ai and t o t h e m o narch o f t h e W e s t
, .

H ath m o de s ty d e p art e d fr o m thi ne e y e s


:

A nd all c o ns id e r ati o n fo r thy s ir e


Th at th o u s h o u ld s t l o ng t o cl as p u p o n thy b o s o m
O ne wh o s e o w n fath e r h ath r ej e ct e d h im
O ne fo s t e r e d o n a m o u nt ain by a fo wl
A s p e ct acl e fo r all t h e fo lk ? N 0 mo th e r
E xc e pti ng h is h ath b o rne an ag ed b ab e .

S u ch o ffs pri ng is ig no bl e S tr ang e ind e e d


.

Fo r t w o s u ch c o r al lip s and m u s ky h air


To s e e k a d o t ard Why all fo lk l o v e th ee ;
,

Thy p o rtr ait is in all th e ir p al ac e s ;


Thy s t at u r e fac e and h air are s u ch t h at S ol
, ,

W o u ld c o m e fr o m his fo u rth h e av e n t o b e thy s p ou s e


Rii dab a h e ard h e r h e art fl ar e d u p lik e fi re

B e fo r e a bl as t o f air S he s hri e k e d at th e m
.
,
TH E S H A H N A M A

O F PI R DA U S I

With fr o wns th at s h u t h e r e ye s e xcl ai m i ng : Bah !


,

Ye s triv e in v ai n : it b o o t e t h n o t t o h e ar .

I f t o s o m e s t ar I l o s t m y h e art c o u ld I ,

Find any s ati s facti o n in t h e m o o n ?


Cl ay e at e r s do n o t g az e u p o n t h e r o s e
-

Alth ou gh t h e r o s e is b e tt e r th an t h e cl ay .

If vi ne g ar will c u r e a b o dy s liv e r

Th e n h o ne y will b u t m ak e t h e ang u i s h w o r s e .

I w ant n o t C aes ar o r Fagh fii r o f Ch in


O r any o f t h e pri n c e li ng s o f Iran :


z si s o n o f S am is t all e nou gh fo r m e
, ,

A nd li o n lik e in s h ou ld e r ne ck and arm ;


-

, ,

Fo r wh e th e r p e o pl e c all h im o ld o r y o u ng
To m e h e giv e th p e ac e o f s o u l and m i nd .

T alk no t o f o th e r m e n b e h is m y h e art
, ,

Bit as it is by l o v e o f o ne wh o m I
H av e n e ve r s e e n ! I t ch oo s e th by r e p o rt .

I do no t l o v e h is fac e and h air b u t h im ;



Tis fo r his m e rit s th at I s e e k h is l o v e

.

Th e s l av e s o n h e ari ng h e r di s tr ac t e d v o ic e
, ,

A nd h avi ng l e ar ne d h e r s e cr e t cri e d : ,
Thy s l av e s
A re w e and s e rv e th e e with de v o t e d h e ar t s .

C o mm and u s ! N au ght b u t go o d will c o m e o f it .

O n e s aid : “
O Cypr e s s s t e m ! le t n o ne e l s e k no w
-
.

A h u ndr e d th o u s and o f l i s fo r thy life !


M ay all Cr e ati o n s wi s d o m b e thi ne aid !

S h o u ld th e r e b e n e e d t o s t u dy gramm ary e ,

A n d s titch u p e y e s wi t h artific e and s p e ll ,


Th e n will w e fly lik e an e nch an t e r s bird ,

O r ru n al o ng lik e d e e r t o giv e th e e aid ,

S o w e m ay bri ng thi s ki ng t o th e e o u r M o o n ,


A nd lay h im at thy fe e t .

B udab a s m il e d ,

T u r ne d s affl o w e r ch e e k s t o w ard t h e s l av e and s aid


I f th o u c ans t c o m p as s thi s th o u wilt h av e pl ant e d
TH E S H A H N A M A OF PI RDA 11 5 1
Bl o o d dy e d t h e w at e r z al s aid : . Go cr o s s
a

A nd fe tch y o n crippl e d bird .

g all ant T u rkm an Th e


Cr o s s e d in a b o at The s l av e girl s qu e s ti o ne d h im
.
-

Ab o u t t h e p al adi n This li o n li m b e d -

A nd e l e ph anti ne b o di e d w arri o r
-

Wh o is h e ? O f wh at p e o pl e is h e kin g ?
Wh at fo e c o u ld c o u nt e r h im 7 We ne v e r s aw
A fi ne r c av ali e r o r b e tt e r s h o t .

Th e pr e tty s l av e b o y bit h is lip and s aid


-

S p e ak no t s o o f t h e ki ng Th e s o n o f S am .

I s m o narch o f N im rri z an d o th e r ki ng s

C all h im D as ta n Th e s k y re v olv e t h no t

.

O e r c av ali e r lik e h im no r will ti m e s e e


H is pe e r.

Th e d am s e l s l au gh e d and ans w e r e d th u s
Th e m o o n fac e d b o y :
-
S ay no t s u ch thi ng s b e c au s e

Mihrab h ath n o w a M o o n withi n h is p al ac e ,

Wh o is a wh o l e h e ad t all e r th an thy ki ng ,

A t e ak in s t at u r e ivo ry in h u e
, ,

Cr o w ne d with a cr o wn o f m u s k a thi ng divi ne ,


.

H e r e y e s ar e p e ns i v e and h e r e y e br o ws arch e d ;
Th e ir c o l u m n is a s ilv e r n r e e d H e r m o u th .

I s narr o w as t h e h e art o f o ne fo rl o r n ,

H e r tr e s s e s e nd s are c o il e d lik e ankl e ring s



-

H e r witchi ng e y e s are fu ll o f dr e am y light ,

H e r ch e e k s are t u lip lik e in h u e h e r l o ck s


-

L ik e m u s k ; h e r s o u l is br e athi ng thr o u gh h e r lip s .

A m atchl e s s M o o n is s h e We fr o m Kab u l
Appr o ach t h e m o narch o f zab u l in s t at e ,

A nd t is o u r p o licy t o i ntr o d u c e

O u r l ady s r u by lip s t o t h o s e o f Z eil


Which is b u t w e ll and s e e m ly fo r s h e is ,


O f e q u al r ank .

O n h e aring thi s t h e s l av e b oy -
M I N II OHI H R

Flu s h e d ru by lik e Th e S u n s h ou ld w e d t h e M o o n
-
.
,

H e s aid . Wh e ne e r t h e w o rld w o u ld m ake a m atch


Th e h e arts o f all c o nc e r ne d fi nd r o o m fo r l o v e ,

A nd wh e n t h e w o rld w o u ld c au s e a s e v e r anc e
I t p art e th m at e fr o m m at e with o u t a w o rd .

L o ve s b ond is hidd e n b u t it s r u pt u r e s e e n

A nd b o th are c o mm o n S till t h e b ach e l o r


.

E nj o y e t h p e ac e at h o m e and s i nc e h e h ath ,

N o d au ght e r will no t h e ar r e pr o achfu l w o rd s


, .

O n c e s aid t h e m al e h awk t o his br o o di ng m at e


I f h e n bird s o nly fr o m th e s e e ggs th o u bri ng
-

Th o u m ake s t o f t h e s ir e a s e xl e s s thing .

N o w wh e n t h e l au ghi ng s l av e b o y h ad r e t u r n e d -

zal as k e d : Wh at w as it th at t h e y s aid t o th e e

To m ak e th e e l au gh and s h o w t h y s ilv e r n t e e th ?
H e t o ld t h e p al adi n wh o s e h e art gr e w y o u ng
,

With j o y H e b ad e t h e m o o n fac e d y o u th : R e t u rn
.
-

A nd say th u s t o y o n d am s e l s : S t ay awhil e

Am o ng t h e r o s e s ; y e p e rch anc e m ay t ak e
S o m e g e m s as w e ll as bl o s s om s fr o m t h e g ard e n ,

S o go no t till y e h e ar fr o m m e

.

H e to o k
G old j e w e lry and dr ac hm s with fi v e rich pi e c e s
, , ,

O f go ld br o c ad e and b ad e h is s l av e s C o nv e y th e m

To yo nd e r girl s t e ll no ne and b e no t s e e n
,
.

Th e y t o o k t h e tr e as u r e s with an ard e nt m e s s ag e
A nd g av e th e m t o t h e dam s e l s in z al s nam e

.

Th e n s aid o ne d ams e l t o t h e m o o n fac e d p ag e -


A m att e r ne ve r c an b e ke pt c o nc e al e d
Unl e s s it b e c onfi ne d t o o nly t w o ;
Thr e e are no c as k e t fo u r are all t h e w o rld,
.

S o s ay t o him s hr e wd tr u s t y b o y : I f th ou
, ,

H as t s e cr e t thi ng s t o s ay t e ll u s in p e rs on .

Radab a s d am s e l s s aid t o o ne ano th e r


Th e Li on h ath b e e n t ak e n in t h e t o il s .
TH E S H A H N A M A
'

O F FI R DA 0 5 1

Th e wi s h e s o f Rudab a and o f zal


H av e b e e n fu lfill e d and m att e r s pr o m i s e w e ll
, .

Th e bl ack e y e d y o u th w h o br o u ght t h e m o n arch s



-

gifts
A nd act e d fo r h im w e nt and t o ld h is chi e f
,

I n s e cr e t wh at th o s e ch ar m i ng d am s e l s s aid .

z sl w e n t . Th o s e r o s y I d o l s o f T ara z
Dr e w ne ar and did o b e i s anc e H e i nqu ir e d .

Ab ou t th at Cypr e s s s t e m h e r m i e n and l o o k s
-

, ,

H e r s p e e ch h e r wi s d o m and h e r r e d e t o s e e
, , ,

I f s h e w e r e w o rthy o f h im S p e ak h e s aid .
, ,

With o u t att e m pti ng t o pr e varic at e .

I f y e s p e ak tr u th it will advant ag e y o u ,

Bu t if I thi nk th at y e i m p o s e u p o n m e
A n e l e ph ant s h all tr am pl e y o u t o d e ath .

With ch e e k s th at h ad b e c o m e like s and ar ac


Th e s l av e girl s ki s s e d t h e gr ou nd b e fo r e t h e chi e f
-

A nd o ne o f th e m — t h e y o u ng e s t o f t h e tr o o p ,

A girl o f t e nd e rne s s and r e ady s p e e ch ,

S p ak e t hu s t o z al : A m o ng t h e m ighty no ne

H at h e e r b e e n b o r n o f w o m an in thi s w o rld

Wh o c o u ld c o m p ar e with S am in l o o k s and s t at u r e ,

I n p u rity in c o u r ag e s e ns e and k no wl e dg e ;
, , ,

O r y e t wi t h th e e t h o u v ali ant c av ali e r


, ,

O f l o fty b e ari ng and o f li o n li m b s ! -

O r with R adab a in h e r l o v e li ne s s ,

A s ilv e r n Cypr e s s c o l o u r e d and p e rfu m e d


, ,

C o m p act fr o m h e ad t o fo o t o f r o s e and j as m i ne ,

Whil e o v e r it C ano p u s o f Y am an
I s s hi ni ng O ne w o u ld s ay
. H e r fac e dis t ille t h
Wine and h e r l o ck s are s c e nt s I ns idi ou s l as s o s
,

.

F all fr o m h e r h e ad th at c u p o l a o f s ilv e r
, ,

O e r ch e e k s o f r o s e s t o t h e v e ry gr o u nd

.

H e r h e ad is all a twi ne with am b e rgri s


e

A nd m u s k h e r p e r s o n all a—
-

, s hi ne with j e w e l s .
TH E S H A H N A M A PI R DA U S I

OF

Thi s day is j u s t lik e any o th e r o ne


Th e r e is n o fo u l div in t h e r o s ary .

Tis s pri ng

We g ath e r r o s e s in t h e g ard e n
.
,

A nd s pik e s o f hy aci nth u p o n t h e gr o u n d .

M o o n fac e d R adaha b ad e and s o w e w e nt


-

H e nc e aft e r r o s es o u t o f l o v e fo r h e r ;
Th e n wh e r e fo r e s p e ak t o u s in s u ch a t o ne
Fo r pl u cki ng th e m
Bu t thi s is no t t h e ti m e ,

H e s aid ,
fo r pr ank s lik e th e s e fo r b e ar in m ind

Th at Z all t h e chi e ft ain no w is at Kab u l


Th e l an d is c o ve r e d w ith h is t e nt s and tr o o p s .

Do y e no t s e e Mihrab at e arly d aw n
G o fr o m h is p al ac e g ate and m o u nt his s t e e d
-

Why e v e ry day h e g o e th t o and fro


,

N o w h e and z al h av e c o m e t o b e s u ch fri e nd s ,

A nd if h e s aw y o u c arryi ng y o u r r os e s
W o u ld h ave y o u d o w n u p on t h e gro u nd fo rth with .

Q u it no t t h e H ar am m o r e and w o u ld t o G o d
,

Th at no thing gr e at o r s m all m ay c o m e o f t hi s .

Th e y w e nt wi t hi n and t o ld t h e M o o n in priv at e
We n e e r s aw S u n like thi s with r u ddy ch e e ks


A nd h air all whit e .

Radab a s h e art i nfl am e d

I n e xp e ct ati o n o f b e h o ldi ng zal .

Th e y l aid h is j e w e l s and d inar s b e fo r e h e r ,

Whil e s he m i nu t e ly qu e s ti o ne d th e m : H o w fou nd

Th e s o n o f S am ? D o th h e d e s e rv e h is fam e ?
Th e fi v e e n c o u r ag e d ch att e r e d o n an d s aid
, ,

z si is t h e fi ne s t h o r s e man with s u ch m i e n
,

A nd Gr ac e —a l o fty cypr e s s o f a m an .

I m p e ri al Gr ac e and dig nity are his .

Wh at fr agr anc e c o l o u r s t at u r e li mb s h e h ath


, , , ,

H o w s li m a w ai s t and wh at an o p e n ch e s t !
H is e y e s are twi n n arci s s i w at e r bl u e -

,
M IN UOH I H R 2 69

H is lip s lik e c o r al and his ch e e k s lik e bl o o d .

H is h and and fo r e ar m are lik e l i o n s p aw s



.

A s hr e wd m an h e with an arch m age s h e art


,

A nd r o y al Gr ac e ! whil e as fo r h is whit e h air


I t is a bl e m i s h —b u t no c au s e fo r s h am e .

Thi s chi e f o f p al adi ns h ath d o w ny ch e e ks ,

Like c e rci s bl o o m thr ou gh s ilv e r h ab e rg e o n


-

S u ch as t o m ak e o ne cry : Be e v e r th u s ‘

N 0 ch ang e c an m ak e th e e d e ar e r th an th ou art .

We t o ld h im h e s h o u ld s e e th e e ; h e w as h o p e fu l
Wh e n w e d e p art e d N o w d e vis e a s ch e m e
.

To e nt e rt ai n h im T e ll u s wh at t o t e ll him
. .

S h e ans w e r e d : O nc e y e t o ld a di ffe r e n t t al e !

Thi s z si wh o w as t h e nu r s li ng o f a bird
, ,

Was s o whi t e h e ad e d and s o wi z e ne d ! N o w


-

H is ch e e k is lik e t h e c e rci s bl o o m and h e


-

I s t all and h and s o m e and a p al adi n


,

A nd y e h av e br agg e d ab ou t m y fac e t o him


A nd as k e d fo r p ay m e nt fo r y o u r g o s s ipi ng .

S h e s p ak e with s m il e s and bl u s h e s o n h e r ch e e k s ,

A s t we r e p o m e gr anate bl o o m s th e n b ad e o ne d am s e l :

-


Be o ff with y o u at d awn T ak e h im g o o d ne w s
.
,

H e ar wh at h e h ath t o s ay and s ay t o h im

Thy wi s h is gr ant e d b e in r e adine s s
C o m e and b e h o ld thy M o o n in all h e r ch ar m s .

Th e w aiting m aid d e p ar t e d g av e t h e m e s s ag e
-

, ,

A nd c am e b ack t o t h e Cypr e s s o f T ar az .



D e vi s e s o m e m e ans t o c o m p as s it s h e s aid , ,

Fo r G o d h ath gr ant e d th e e thy wh o l e de s ir e



,

A nd m ay th e e ndi ng b e a h appy o ne
Radab a s o o n m ad e r e ady whil e h e r k in ,

S u s p e ct e d nau ght S h e h ad h e r o w n p avili o n


.

Lik e j c ou nd s pri ng and d e ck e d with gr e at m e n s ’

p o rtr ait s .

Th e s e rv ant s dr ap e d it with br o c ad e o f Ch in ,
TH E S H A H N A M A

2 76 O F FI R DA U S I

S et g o ld e n tr ay s ab o u t as o rnam e nt s ,

Th e n m i ngl e d wi ne with m u s k and am b e rgri s


A nd s c att e r e d e m e r ald s and c ar ne li ans .

H e r e w e r e narci s s u s vi o l e t c e rci s bl o o m -

A nd r o s e th e r e lily and t h e j as m i ne —
, ,

, s pr ay .

Th e g o bl e t s w e r e c o m p act o f g o ld and t u rq u o i s e ,

Th e vi and s s at u r at e with cl e ar r o s e w at e r ; -

Th u s fr o m t h e ch am b e r o f t h e s u n fac e d o ne -

R o s e fr agr ant o d o u rs w aft i ng t o t h e s u n .


H o w Z dl w ent t o R udaba

At d u s k th e y l o ck e d t h e g at e and t o o k t h e k e y ,

A nd th e n a d am s e l w e nt t o z al and s aid

All is pr e p ar e d s o c o m e, .

Th e r e at t h e chi e f ,

All w o o e r lik e s e t o u t t o w ard t h e p al ac e


-

, .

M e anwhil e bl ack e y e d and r o s y ch e ck e d Rii dab a


- -
'

A cypr e s s o v e r which t h e fu ll m o o n s h o ne
We nt t o t h e r o o f and wh e n t h e s o n o f S am
, ,

Th e c av ali e r app e ar e d th at high b o r n m aid


,
-

Unl o ck e d h e r c o r al lip s and cri e d t o him


Th ou art w e ll c o m e 0 y o u th o f no bl e birth
,

Th e M ak e r s bl e s s ing b e o n th e e t h e arch

O f circli ng h e av e n b e u nd e r ne ath thy fe e t ,

A nd m ay m y m aid b e blith e o f h e art and gl ad ,

Fo r t o p t o t o e th o u art as s h e d e s crib e d th e e
, , .

To fo o t it th u s fr o m thy p avili o n
M u s t irk thy r o y al fe e t .

H e h e ard t h e v o ic e
A nd s aw u p on t h e w all a s u n ch e ck e d d am s e l -

Wh o s e b e au ty s e t t h e r o o f a gl e am lik e g e m s -

Wh o s e bl u s h e s s e t t h e gr ou nd a flu s h lik e r u bi e s -
.
TH E S H A N H AZ PI R DA U S I
'

2 72 MA OF

H and cl as p e d in h and t o h e r p avili o n


G o ld ar ab e s qu e d—a m e e t mg pl ac e for ki ngs
,

- -

A P ar adi s e ad o r ne d—a bl az e o f light


,

S l av e girl s att e nde d o n t h e H o u ri th e r e


-

Whil e z al in r apt as t o ni s h m e nt b e h e ld
H e r fac e h e r h air h e r l o v e li ne s s and gr ac e
, , ,

H e r br ac e l e t s t o rq u e and e arring s : h e r br o c ad e
, ,

A nd j e w e l s w e r e lik e g ard e ns in t h e s pr ing ;


H e r ch e e k s w e r e lik e twi n t u lip s in a g arth ;
H e r cri s py l o v e l o ck s twi s t e d c u rl o n c u rl
-
.

Z it l s at in r o y al gr ac e b y t h at fair M o o n ,

H is d agg e r in h is b e lt and o n his h e ad


A r u by c o r o ne t R ada ha l o o k e d
.

A nd lo c k e d with s t o l e n gl anc e s at h im s till ;


L o o k e d at th at fo rm th at ne ck th at gr ac e th at
, , ,

h e ight ,

Which u s e d t o m ak e r o ck s br am bl e s ne ath his m ac e ’

A nd at th o s e ch e e k s wh o s e l u s tr e fir e d h e r s o u l .

Th e m o r e s h e g az e d t h e m o r e h e r h e art i nfl am e d
Th e y ki s s e d and cl ung i nt o xic at e with l o v e .

Wh at li o n h u nt e th no t t h e o nag e r
Th u s s p ak e t h e chi e ft ai n t o t h e m o o n fac e d m aid -

O s ilv e r b o s o m e d Cypr e s s m u s k p e rfu m e d


-

,
-

Th e S hah will ne e r c o ns e n t and s am will wri ng


H is h and s and s t o r m b u t s till by G o d I s w e ar


,

Th at I will ne v e r br e ak m y tr o th t o th e e .

N ay I will fir s t h o ld s o u l and b o dy ch e ap
A nd w e ar a s hr o u d I will s e e k G o d and pr ay H im
.
,

With all t h e i ns t ancy o f d e vo t e e s ,

To w as h all o pp o s iti o n wr ath and v e ng e anc e


, ,

Fr o m b o th th e ir h e art s and if H e h e arke ne th


,

Th o u s h alt b e c o m e my wife b e fo r e t h e w o rld .

Radab a ans w e r e d : I t o o s w e ar by H im
Th e G o d o f F aith and right —th at no ne b u t zal
S h all b e m y l o rd ; t h e M ak e r is my wit ne s s .
M I N (IOH I H R

Th e ir l o v e w ax e d e ve r as t h e m o m e nt s s p e d ,

Fo r wi s d o m w as afar and p as s i o n ne ar
,
.

S o far e d th e y till t h e day b e g an t o br e ak


A nd dr u m c all s o u nd e d
-
zal far e w e ll e d his M o o n ,

E m br acing h e r as w arp and w o o f e m br ac e .

B o th w e pt and b o th adj u r e d t h e ri s i ng s u n
O gl o ry o f t h e w o rld ! o ne m o m e nt m o r e !

Th o u ne e ds t no t ris e s o s o o n .

Th e n fr o m al o ft
zal dro pp e d h is l as s o and d e s c e ndi ng s tr aight
We nt fr o m t h e p al ac e o f h is l o v e ly m at e .

H o w Z al cons ulte d the A rchi mages in the M atte r


f
o B udaba

Th e w arri o r s wh e n bright S o l r o s e o e r t h e hills


,

W e nt t o t h e l e v e e o f t he p al adin ,

A nd th e n di s p e r s e d whil e z al b ad e c all t h e s age s


Th e y c ame—t h e m inis t e r s arch m age s h e ro e s
.

, ,

A nd gl o ri o u s chi e ft ai ns m e n b o th wi s e and ard e nt


,

W e ll pl e as e d at b e ing s u m m o ne d zal all s m il e s


.
,

A n d y e ar ni ng o ffe r e d firs t h is pr ai s e t o G o d
, ,

Th e n r o u s e d t h e archi m ag e s t o att e nti o n


By thu s addr e s s i ng th e m : Le t all o u r h e art s
R e gard with fe ar and h o p e t h e right e o u s J u dg e ,

Wh o is t h e L o rd o f circling s u n and m o o n , V . 1 68

A nd s h o w e t h s o u l s t h e w ay o f right e o u s ne s s .

To giv e H im all t h e pr ai s e t h at w e c an gi v e
We m u s t b o w d o wn b e fo r e H im night and day .

By H im t h e j o c u nd w o rld abid e th fas t ,

By H im is j u s tic e d o ne in h e ave n and e arth .

H e bri ng e th s u m m e r s pri ng and au t u m n tid e


, ,
-

With fr u it t o fill t h e br anch e s o f t h e vine s ;


TH E S H A H N A M A

O F PI R DA U S I

Y o u th h ath fr o m H im it s ti m e c e nt and b l o o m
of s ,

A ge h ath fr o m H im it s ti m e o f s add e ne d l o o k s .

N o ne c an tr ans gr e s s H is will and o rd inan c e


With o u t H im no t an ant c an w alk t h e e arth .

H e bri ng e th i n cr e as e t o t h e w o rld by p air s ,

A nd no t by o ne th e r e is no O ne b u t G o d ,

Wh o h ath no t any p artne r m at e o r p e e r


, , ,

Bu t all H is cr e at u r e s h ath H e m ad e in p air s


Thi s w as H is s ch e m e —e arth and it s g o o d for m an ;
.

Bu t s av e fo r p airi ng w e h ad ne v e r k no wn
I t s p o s s ibiliti e s
. Ag ain w e ne v e r
,

S e e y o u th u nm at e d s t abl e in t h e F aith ,

A nd thirdly m e n th o u gh o f a m ighty s t o ck
,

U nm at e d l o s e th e ir vig o u r Wh at c an s h o w
.

M o r e g o o dly th an a chi e f o f p al adi ns ,

Wh o s e s o u l is gl add e ne d by h is pr o g e ny
H e at life s cl o s e will h av e a N e w Y e ar s Day
’ ’

I n childr e n w h o will k e e p h is m e m o ry thu s

\
This is t h e s o n o f Z e nt h e s o n o f S am .

T h u s cr o w n an d thr o ne are gr ac e d ; t h e fath e r s ti m e


B e i ng o v e r fo rt u ne r e s t e th with t h e s o n .

All th e s e apply t o m i ne o wn c as e and are ,

The r o s e s and narci s s i o f m y g ard e n .

My h e art is l o s t m y wi s d o m fl e d ! D e cl ar e
,

Th e r e m e dy fo r thi s . I h av e n o t s p o k e n
B e fo r e I s u ffe r e d b o th in br ain and wits .

Th e p al ac e o f Mihrab — I l o v e it all !
H is l an d is h e av e n t o m e fo rwhy m y h e art
R ej o ic e th in t h e d au ght e r o f S indu k h t .

Wh at s ay y e no w ? Will S am t o o b e r ej o ic e d
A nd will S hah M imich ih r if h e s h all h e ar
, ,

R e gard it m e r e ly as a yo u thfu l e rr o r ?
All— gr e at and s m all— in m arryi ng b u t o b e y
Th e l aw s o f F aith and c u s t o m N o wis e m an
.

Will b ar wh at h o no u r and r e ligi o n s ancti o n .


PI R DA U S I
'

TH E S H A H N A M A

2 76 OF

A nd firs t he prai s e d t h e M ak e r and t h e J u dg e ,


Th e S ou rc e o fj oy and m ight t h e L o rd o f V e nu s , ,

O f S O 1 and M ars o f b e i ng and no t b e ing


, .

We all o f u s are s l av e s and G o d is One .

M ay H e bl e s s S am t h e s o n o f N ar im a n
Th e l o rd o f m ac e o f s ci m it ar and h e l m
, , ,

Wh o s e bl ack s t e e d b o u nde t h in t h e d u s t o f fight ,

Wh o glu t t e t h v u ltu r e s wh e n h e m ak e th w ar ,

Who r ais e th t e m p e s t s o n t h e b attl e fi eld -

Wh o s h e dd e th g o u t s o f bl o o d fr o m m u rky cl ou d s ,

Wh o h andl e th go ld e n b e l t s and di ad e m s
A nd s e tt e th ki ngs u p o n th e ir thr o ne s o f go ld .

H is br av e ry ach ie v e t h fe at o n fe at
A nd th e y e x alt h is nam e The re liv e th no t
.
,

N o r e v e r will a c av ali e r s o br av e
, .

H is thr all am I and l o v e h im h e art and s ou l .

H e s aw h o w I w as b o r n and ill s h av e c o m e
,

S i nc e th e n u p o n m e fr o m t h e r o lli ng s k y .

My fath e r w o r e l u x u ri o u s fu rs and s ilk s ;


M e t h e S im u rgh b ar e t o a m o u n t in I nd .

F ain w as I th at t h e bird s h o u ld bri ng m e pr e y


A nd nu m b e r m e am o ng it s littl e o nes .

My s ki n w as s c o rch e d by bl as t m ine e y e s w e r e s t o pp e d
,

With d us t Th e y u s e d t o c all m e s o n o f S am
.

Th ou gh h e was o n a thro ne I in a n e s t , ,

S i nc e G o d o rd ai ne d and m ad e this w ay fo r m e .

N o ne s c ape t h H is o rd ai nm e nt t h o u gh o ne fly
A m o ng t h e cl o u d s gnaw s p e arh e ad s r e nd t h e hid e s
, ,

O f li o ns with his s h o u ti ng y e a alth ou gh ,

H is t e e th are anvil s h e is s till G o d s s l av e



.

A thing h ath h app e ne d which I c anno t t e ll


To e v e ry o ne and I am br o k e n h e art e d
,
-

H o wb e it a s ir e th o u gh fi e rc e and dr ag o n lik e
,
-

S h o u ld h e arke n t o t h e s e cr e t s o f h is child .

My t e ar s are fo r t h e d au ght e r o f Mihrab ,


’ ‘

M I N IJ OH I H R

I am as if c o ns u med in r agi ng fi re ,

Th e s t ar s are m y c o m p ani o ns in t h e night ,

My br e as t is lik e a s e a I l o s e m y wit s
,

S o th at my p e o pl e w e e p y e t th o u gh s o r e tr o u bl e d
I will no t dr aw a br e at h b u t at thy w o rd .

Wh at d o th t h e chi e f o f p al adins c o mm and 7 V . 1 72


Oh fr e e my m i nd fr o m thi s di s tre ss and gri e f
Th e archi m ag e s h av e advi s e d m e t h u
Le t no t t h e chi e ft ain k e e p h is J e w e l hidd e n
Bu t ac t with l o y alty My s ir e p e rch anc e

.

Will s e c o nd m e h e r e in th at I m ay m ak e
Th e d au ghte r o f Mihrab my l awfu l wife .

My fath e r will r e m e m b e r th at wh e n G o d
R e s t o r e d m e t o h im o u t o f M o u nt Albu r z
H e pl e dg e d his w o rd in pr e s e nc e o f h is m e n
I will no t fr u s tr at e o ne wis h o f thy h e art

.


N o w thi s it is wh e re o n m y h e art is s e t .

A h o r s e m an l e ft Kab u l at lightni ng s p e e d -

To go t o S am and t o o k a s e c o nd h o r s e ,

Fo r zal dire cte d : S h o u ld o ne r o ads t e r fo u nd e r


S t ay no t t o bre ath e b u t lightly m o u nt t h e o th e r
A n d h u rry o n t o S am .

Th e m e s s e nge r
W e nt like t h e wi nd u p o n a s t e e d o f s t e e l
, , .

Wh e n h e w as dr awing ne ar t h e Kargas ars ,

S am w h o w as h u nti ng o n a r ang e o f hill s


, ,

B e h e ld h im fro m afar and t o ld h is c o m r ad e s


Th e r e c o m e th fr o m Kab u l a m e s s e nge r
Up o n a whit e s te e d o f z ab u lis tan ,

S e nt d o u btl e ss ly by zal s o le t u s l e ar n
,


H is ne w s .

Th e m an appr o achi ng kis s e d t h e gr o u nd ,

With m any th ank s t o G o d S am w e lc o m e d h im.

A nd t oo k t h e l e tt e r whil e t h e m an di s ch arg e d
,

H is e rr and s . S am u ndid and r e ad t h e l e tt e r


'

TH E S H A H N A M A
‘ '

O F FI R DA U S I

Whil e c o m ing fr o m t he mo u nt ai ns p al e d and h alte d ,

I n w o nd e r no t e xp e cti ng o r c o mm e ndi ng

z al s c o n d u ct Ye t h e th o u ght t is nat u r al
’ “ ’
.
, ,

O ne nu rt u r e d by a bir d w ou ld h ank e r th u s .

Wh e n h e r e t u rne d h e p o nd e r e d l o ng and d e e ply ,

A nd s aid : I f I s h all s ay Thi s is no t w e ll , ,

O pp o s e m e no t i ncline t o wi s d o m s w ays
’ ’

, ,

B o th G o d and m an will bl am e m y br e ach o f faith .

I f I s ay Ye s and Thy d e s ir e is go o d
‘ ’

, ,

Do as th o u wilt wh at w ill th e ir o ffs pri ng b e



,

Thi s nu r s li ng o f t h e fo wl and th at d iv s child ? ’

H e l aid h im d o w n in gri e f b u t c ou ld no t re s t .

Th e h ard e r any s e rvan t s t as k t h e m o r e


H is h e art is h e avy and h is s u ffe ri ng s o r e ,

Th e gr e at e r p e ac e and c o m fo rt s h all h e k no w
Withi n wh e n G o d Al m ighty will e th s o .

H o w S am cons u lte d t he A rch mages in the M at ter f


o Z dl

S am wh e n h e w o k e as k e d t h e as tr o l o ge r s
H o w will thi s e nd fo r t h e s e t w o e l e m e nt s
, ,

L ike fi re and w at e r are o pp o s e d c o m pl e t e ly ?


-

S u ch s u r e ly o n t h e J u dg m e nt Day w ill b e
Th e w arfar e o f Z ahh ak and Faridii n
'

C o ns u lt t h e s t ar s v o u ch s afe m e y o u r advic e
, ,


A nd pu t y o u r pe n p o in t t o a l u cky s ign
-
.

Th e y s p e nt t h e day in s e archi ng and th e n c am e ,

To s am with s m il e s fo r o pp o s it e s c o m bine d ,

I n h is b e h alf and an as t r o l o g e r
,

S aid : “
H e r o o f t h e g o ld e n b e lt w e brin g
G o o d ne w s ab o u t t h e d au ght e r o f Mihrab
A nd zal for th e y will b e a gl o ri o u s p air
, ,

Wh o s e s o n will pr o v e a mighty El e ph ant ,


TH E S H A H N A M A O F P I R DA U S I
'

T o ward daw n th e h o rs e m e n s

s h ou ts r o se
pl ai n ,

Ros e t oo the d o f dru m s and cl ari o ns


s ou n

Ab o u t t h e e ntr an c e o f t he t e n t e ncl os u r e -

A nd S am m arch e d t o fra n by Dah is t an .

Th e m e s s e ng e r r e t u r ne d t o zal in tri u m ph
“l it h o m e ns o f s u cc e s s Wh e n h e arrive d
.

H e t o ld S a m s ans w e r z al w as w e ll c o nt e n t

.

A nd o ffe r e d pr ai s e s t o Al m ighty G o d
Fo r thi s gr e at m e rcy and h is bli s s fu l fat e .

H e l avi s h e d o n t h e p o o r dr ach m s and d inars


A n d s h o w e d e s p e ci al ki nd ne s s t o his kindr e d ,

I nv o ki ng bl e s s ings o n t h e chi e ft ain S am


Fo r h avi ng s e nt a g e ntl e ans w e r b ack .

H e c o u ld no t r e s t by day o r s l e e p by nigh t ,

H e dr ank n o wine d e s ir e d no m i ns tr e l s y ;
,

H is h e art w as alw ay s y e arni ng fo r h is brid e ;


H e c o u ld n o t t alk o f any o ne b e s id e .

I s

H ow S indu hht heard f the C as e of R udaba


o

A d am e o f h o ni e d s p e e ch w as go b e tw e e n -

A nd bo r e t h e l o v e r s gr e e t i ngs t o and fro



.

Zal c all e d thi s w o m an t o ld ab ou t h is s ir e


A n d s aid t o h e r : G o t o Radab a S ay

.

0 B e au ty kind and y o u ng ! wh e n m at t e r s c o m e

To gri e v o u s s tr ait s w e qu ickly fi nd a k e y


Fo r th e ir e nl arg e m e nt N o w t h e m e s s e ng e r
.

H ath c o m e fr o m S am r ej o ici ng with g o o d ne w s .

S am hu mm e d an d h aw e d b u t in t h e e nd c o ns e n t e d .

z al s e nt his fath e r s l e tt e r by t h e w o m an

Wh o hu rri e d with t h e go o d ne w s t o Rudab a .


M I N (IOH I H R 281

Th at fay fac e d d ams e l s h owe r e d dr ach m s u p o n h e r


-

Pl ac e d h e r u p o na g o ld e m br o ide r e d s e at
-

A nd fo r h e r ne w s g av e h e r a ch ang e o f r ai m e n t ;
Th e n br o u ght an I ndi an t u rb an w o v e n s o fi ne ly
Th at w arp and w o o f w e r e no t dis ting u i s h abl e ,

With p att e rn s wr ou ght th e r e o n in g o ld and ru bi e s ,

S o th at t h e g o ld w as hidd e n by t h e g e m s .

Thi s and a c os tly fi nge r ri ng t o m atch


,
-

A s bright as J u pit e r s h e s e n t t o zal


, ,

With m any gr e e ti ngs m any m e s s ag e s


,
.

S indu k h t o b s e rve d t h e w o m an in t h e h all


A nd cri e d : Wh e nc e art th o u ? S p e ak ! Di s s embl e
no t !
Th o u p ass e s t in and ou t fro m ti m e t o ti m e
With o u t r e g ard t o m e I mu ch s u s p e c t th e e
. .

Wilt th o u no t s ay if th o u art s tri ng o r b o w ?


With fac e lik e s and ar ac s h e ki s s e d t h e gr o u nd
A nd ans w e r e d th u s : A ne e dy w o m an I ,

Wh o h av e t o ge t my living as I c an ;
I vi s it h o u s e s o f t h e g e ntl e fo lk
Wh o p u rch as e cl o th e s o f m e and j e w e lry .

R adaha wis h e d t o b u y rich ge m s and tri nke t s ;


I br o u ght t o h e r a g o ld ad o r ne d ti ar a

A nd h o o p o f r oy al g e m s .

S indu kh t s aid : S h o w th e m “

A nd q u e nch m y wr ath .

I l e ft th e m with Rii dab a


The w o m an ans w e r e d and am fe tchi ng m o r e


“ ”
.
,


S h o w m e t h e p u rch as e m on e y s aid S indu k h t
-

, ,


A nd s e t m y h e art at r e s t .

Th e w o m an ans w e r e d
Th e m o o n fac e d l ady t o ld m e s h e w o u ld pay
-

To m o rr o w
-
. Wait u ntil I h ave t h e mo ne y .

P e rc e iving th at s h e li e d S indu kh t u s e d fo rc e ,

S e arch e d u p h e r s l e e ve s and fou nd h e r k nav e ry .


'

TH E S H A H N A M A
' '

O F FI R DA U S I

S indu kh t dis co v e ring R11 dab a s


’ ’
ring
A nd c o s tly s tu ffs w as v e ry wr o th a nd c atchi ng
,

Th e w o m an by t h e tr e s s e s fl u ng h e r d o w n
Up o n h e r fac e and in a b u r s t o f r ag e
,

H al e d h e r in s h am e fu l plight al o ng t h e gr o u nd ,

Th e n le t h e r fall and b o u nd and s pu r ne d and s m o t e h e r


, .

Th e q u e e n r e t u r ne d in d u dg e o n t o t h e p al ac e ,

O e rwh e lm e d with di s app o int m e nt p ai n and gri e f


, , ,

S hu t h e r s e lf in and w as as o ne b e m u s e d .

S h e s e nt t o c all h e r d au ght e r and t h e whil e


K e pt b u ffe ting h e r fac e and fr o m h e r e ye s
,

Th o s e w e t narcis s i— b ath e d h e r b u r ni ng ch e e k s ;
Th e n t o Radab a : O th o u no bl e M o o n !
Why ch o os e s t th o u t h e ditch and no t th e thr o ne ?
I n wh at r es p e ct c an I h av e fail e d t o t e ach th e e
Pr o pri e ty in p u blic and in privat e
My pr e tty ! wh e r e fo r e h as t th o u wr onge d m e s o ?
T e ll m o th e r all thy s e cr e t s —wh o d e s p atch e d
Thi s d am e t o th e e and why Wh at is all thi s
.

Wh o is t h e m an fo r wh o m thi s s pl e ndid t u rb an
A nd fi nge r ri ng are m e ant ? I n th at gr e at tr e as u r e
-

Th e Ar abi an cr o w n—m u ch g o o d and ill w as l e ft u s .

I t h ad a nam e . Wilt fli ng it t o t h e wind s ?


M ay m o th e r ne v e r b e ar a child lik e m ine
Budab a l o o ke d aw ay and h u ng h e r h e ad
I n o v e rwh e l m in g s h am e b e fo r e h e r m o th e r ,

A nd t e ar s o f l o v e d e s c e ndi ng gr ac e d h e r ch e e k s .

0 m o s t wi s e m o th e r ! th u s s h e m ad e r e ply ,

L o v e h u nt e th d o w n my s o u l b u t I h ad wr o u ght
,

N o g o o d o r ill h ad s t th o u no t b o rne m e firs t .

Th e chi e ft ain o f Z éb u l is at Kab u l ,

A nd l o v e o f h im s o fi re t h m e and thi ng s
,

H av e c o m e t o s u ch a p as s withi n my h e art

Th at if in o th e r s pr e s e nc e or al o ne
, ,

I w e e p and o nl y liv e t o s e e h is fac e .


PI RDA U s r

TH E S H A H N A
'

MA O F

16

H o w M ihrab w as made A ware his Daught e r s Cas e


f
o

Mihrab m u ch gr atifi e d by z srs atte nti o ns


, ,

R e t u r ni ng fo u nd S indu k h t u p o n h e r c o u ch
P al e and di s tr e s s e d ; h e as k e d h er : Wh at h ath “

h app e ne d
S p e ak ! Wh e r e fo r e are thy r o s y lip s th u s fad e d
S h e s aid : I h av e b e e n m u s ing fo r a whil e
Ab o u t th e s e g o o dly tr e as u r e s and thi s w e alth ,

Th e s e Ar ab s t e e d s c ap ari s o ne d t hi s p al ac e
,

S o no bl e and it s pl e as u r e gr o u nd s t h e fri e nd s
-

Wh o ch e e r o u r h e art s th e s e s e rvant s o f my l o rd
, ,

O u r fav o u r and o u r s t at u r e cypr e s s t all -

O u r fam e o u r k no wl e dg e and o u r p o licy


, , .

I n ti m e ou r prid e and gl o ry m u s t ab at e ;
We yi e ld th e m t o t h e fo e ; o u r t o il is wind ;
A narr o w bi e r is o u r s at l as t We pl ant .

A tr e e wh o s e antid o t e is b ane t o u s ,

We w at e r it l ab o ri o u s ly and h ang
Th e r e o n o u r cr o wn and w e alth b u t wh e n it m o u nte th
,

S u nw ard and giv e th s h ad e it s l u s ty h e ad


D e s c e nd e th t o t h e d u s t Wi t h thi s b e fo r e u s
.


I kno w no t wh e r e w e e v e r s h all fi nd r e s t .

[N
Mihrab r e pli e d : Th o u t e ll e s t an o ld t al e
I t is t h e fas hi o n o f thi s W ay s id e I n .

O ne is ab as e d ano th e r flo u ris h e t h
, ,

O ne c o m e th in ano th e r g o e th o u t
,

C ans t th ou s e e o ne wh o m h e ave n h u nt e th no t ?
Fr e t as w e will o u r Woe s r e m ai n ; w e c anno t
C o nt e nd ag ains t t h e All j u s t J udg e
-
.

S h e ans w e r e d
Th e wi s e w o u ld t ak e a v e r y di ffe r e nt vi e w
M I N IIOH I H R 2 85

O f wh at I sa id N o w c an I hid e fr o m th e e
.

A s e cr e t s u ch as thi s and th e s e grav e d o i ngs ?


A bl e s s ed wi s e arch m age o nc e t o ld h is child
Th e p ar abl e o f t h e tr e e which I ad o pt e d
I n h o p e m y l o rd w o u ld u nd e r s t and t h e m e aning .

S h e h u ng h e r h e ad and b e nt h e r cypr e s s fo r m -

H e r e y e s dr o pp e d de w u p o n he r r os y ch ee k s .

O fu ll o f wi s d o m s h e w e n t o n t o s ay
, ,

Th e s k y mu s t no t r e vo lve ab o v e u s th u s .

Kno w th at t h e s o n o f S am h ath s triv e n t o s nar e


Rii dab a and m i s l e d h e r ard e nt h e art

N o w t is fo r u s t o fi nd a r e m e dy

.

I h av e e xh o rt e d h e r with o u t av ail
H e r h e art I s ee is tr o u bl e d h e r fac e w an
, .

Th e r e at Mihrab s pr ang u p and s e i z e d h is s w o rd ,

H is ch e e k gr e w livid and h is b o dy s h o o k
With r ag e ; h is h e art w as fu ll h e gr o ane d and cri e d
,


H e r bl o o d s h all fl o w fo r thi s .

S induk h t s pr ang t o o ,

Cl as p e d him ab o u t t h e w ai s t and cri e d : N o w h e ar


,

Thy h and m aid s p e ak o ne w o rd th e n do wh at h e art


,

A nd wi s d o m c o u ns e l th e e

.

H e s h oo k h er o ff
A nd b e ll o w e d lik e a m add e ne d e l e ph ant

I s h o u ld h av e c u t h e r h e ad o ff at h e r birth .

I l e ft h e r gr and s ir e s w ay and le t h e r liv e ;


N o w s h e h ath wr o u ght o n m e thi s d e vilry .

Th e s o n w h o w alk e th no t his fath e r s p ath


I s b u t a b as t ard in a br av e m an s e y e s

.

Thu s s aid t h e l e o p ard gr o w n k e e n cl aw e d for s trife -

I gl o ry in t h e c o nflict and I w is
,

My s ir e i nh e rit e d t h e t as t e fr o m h is .

L ife m u s t b e ri s k e d wh e n h o nou r is in s ight


Why s t riv e s t th o u t o s t ay m e fr o m t h e fight ? ’

I f S am and M inii chihr s h all ge t a h andl e



TH E S H A H N A M A

O F F I R DA U S I

Ag ains t u s s m o k e will go u p fr o m Kab u l ,

S e e dti m e and h arv e s t c e as e thr o u gh o u t t h e l and .

S h e s aid : O m archlo rd ! do no t s p e ak s o wildly .

S am kno w e th all : b e no t s o gr e atly m o v e d .

H e l e ft t h e Kargas ars fo r thi s : all k n o w it



.

Mihrab r e pli e d : F air d am e ! d e c e iv e m e no t .

C ou ld o ne i m agine wind o b e yi ng d u s t
I c ar e no t I s o th o u c ans t k e e p u s s c athl e s s .

A b e tt e r s o n in law th an no bl e zal
- -

Th e r e c anno t b e as all k no w gr e at and s m all


, .

Wh o is th e r e fr o m Ahwa z t o K and ahar



Th at w is h e t h no t t o b e affi ne d t o S am ?
S h e s aid : Gr e at pri nc e ! ne e r m ay I b e e nfo rc e d

To u s e d e c e it with th e e ; thy h ar m is m i ne ;
I s h ar e thy s o rr o w s Wh at I s aid is tr u e
.

A nd it w as o n my m i nd I h ad at fir s t
.

My s e lf t h e s am e m i s givi ng which is why


,

Th o u s aw s t m e lyi ng d o wn ab s o rb e d in gri e f ;
Bu t if thi s is t o be t is n o t s o s tr ang e

A s t o o cc as i o n thi s anxi e ty .

S arv o f Y am an pl e as e d F ar idun ; pri nc e z sl


I s no t u nm i ndfu l o f th at pr e c e d e n t .

By m i ngling fi re with w at e r air with e arth,

E arth s d ark fac e is m ad e bright


’ ”
.

S h e br o u ght S a m s ans w e r

A nd s aid : R ej o ic e ! Th o u h as t thy wi s h Wh e n

.

s tr ang e r s

Affi ne with th e e thy fo e s gr o w bl ack o f fac e .

Th o u gh v e ng e fu l s till and gr e atly mo ve d Mihrab


G av e e ar th e n b ade h e r : R ou s e and bring Rudab a
,
.

S indu k h t in t e rr o r l e s t th at li o n m an
,
-

S h o u ld lay h e r d au ght e r d e ad u p o n t h e du s t ,

R e plie d : Fir s t pr o m i s e t o re s t o re h e r t o m e

U ns c ath e d and th at Kab u lis t an s h all s till


,

P os s e s s thi s R o s ary l ik e P ar adi s e .


TH E S H A H N A M A PI RDA U S I

OF

17

H o w M inuchihr heard f
o the Cas e f
o Z cil and Buddha

N e ws of th e fri e nd s hip o f Mihrab and zal


A nd o f th at no bl e ill m atch e d p air o f l o v e r s
-

R e ach e d M inii ch ihr Th e m att er w as dis c u s s e d



.

B e fo r e h im by t h e arch m age s S aid t h e S hah .

A di s m al ti me will c o m e o n u s h e r e by .

Did F aridun p u rg e thi s w o rld o f Z ahh ak


Th at at Kab u l Mihrab—h is s e e d—m ight fl o u ri s h
Thi s l o v e o f za rs mu s t no t thr o u gh o u r ne gl e ct
R e s t o r e t h e dr o o ping pl ant t o it s o ld vig o u r .

I f fr o m t h e d au ght e r o f Mihrab and z ai .


, ,

Th e s o n o f S am a s h arp S w o rd s h ou ld b e dr awn
, ,

O n o n e s id e h e will b e an ali e n ,

A nd h o w s h all antid o t e agr e e with b ane ?


Whil e if h e fav o u r e th t h e m o th e r s s id e ’

H is h e ad will b e p o s s e s s e d by e vil pr oj e ct s ,

H e will fu lfil Ira n with s trife and tr av ail


I n h o p e t o w in t h e cr o w n and tr e as u r e b ack .

Wh at is y o u r r e d e ? S triv e t o advis e m e w e ll .

Th e n all t h e archim ag e s bl e s s e d t h e S hah


Th e y h ail e d h im as t h e ki ng o f t h e P u r e Fal t h ,

A nd s aid : “
Th o u art m o r e wi s e th an w e and h as t
M o r e p o w e r t o ac t Le t wi s d o m b e thy g u id e
.
,

A nd wi s d o m s qu arry is t h e Dr ag o n s h e art
’ ’
.

Th e S hah d e s ir ou s t o c o n cl u d e t h e m att e r
, ,

S e nt for N and ar with li e ge s and gr e at m e n


, ,

A nd b ad e h im : Go t o S am t h e c av ali e r ,

A s k : Wh at h ath b e e n thy fo rt u ne in t h e w ar ?
‘ ’

A nd h avi ng s e e n him s ay : C o m e hith e r fir s t ,

A nd j ou r ne y h o m e fr o m u s

.

N au d ar s e t fo rth ,

A nd v ali ant s sm i nfo r m e d o f h is appr o ach


,

M I N tI OH I H R 2 89

W e nt with t h e p al adi ns t o w e lc o m e h im
With m ighty e l e ph ant s and k e ttl e dru m s .

Ano n th e y m e t and i nt e rch ange d th e ir gr e e ti ngs .

Th e h e r o S am r ej o ic e d t o s e e t h e pri nc e ,

Who gave his fath e r s m e s s age S am r e pli e d



.



I will o b e y and j o y t o l o o k o n him .

Fo r th at day th e y r e m ai ne d t h e g u e s t s o f S am ,

Th e s ight o f wh o m r ej o ic e d t h e c o m p any ;
Th e y s pre ad t h e b o ard th e y t o o k t h e c u p in h and
, ,

A nd fir s t th e y dr ank t h e h e alth o f M iniic hih r ,

The n o f N and ar and th e n o f S am and all


,

Th e chi e ft ains no t fo rg e tti ng any pr o vi nc e


, .

Th e liv e l o ng night w as s p e nt in r e v e lry ,

Bu t with t h e s u nri s e r o s e t h e din o f ty m b al s ;


Th e s p e e dy dr o m e d ari e s s pr e ad th e ir wing s 1

A nd t o w ard t h e p al ac e o f S hah M inii c h ih r


Th ey w e nt as bidd e n Wh e n h e h e ard th e r e o f
.

H e h ad t h e p al ac e o f t h e S hah s pr e p ar e d .

The n fr o m S ari and fr o m A m u l r o s e din ,

A s wh e n a fi e rc e s e a h e av e t h fo r t h e s p e ar m e n
,

M arch e d in th e ir m ail with h e avy d art s a h o s t ,

Th at r e ach e d fr o m r ang e t o r ang e with s hi e ld o n s hi e ld , ,

Wh o s e re d and ye ll o w bl e nt with tym b al s pip e s


, , ,

G o ngs Ar ab h o r s e s e l e ph an t s and t re as u r e s
, , ,
.

O n s u ch a fas hi o n m arch e d th at ar m am e n t
With fl ag s and k e ttl e dr u m s o n w e lc o me b e nt .

1 8

H o w 8 am ca me to M inuchihr

S am r each e d t h e c ou rt alit and w as r e c e iv e d


In au di e nc e by t h e S h ah at s ight o f wh o m
,

H e ki s s e d t h e gr o u nd and th e n appr o ach e d


,

pr e s e nc e ;
M t ph oric all y of c r e
1
e a , ou s .
TH E S H A H N A MA P I RDA
'

29 6 OF US I

Whil e M inri chih r e nc ro wne d with s p arkli ng ge ms


, ,

R o s e fr o m his iv o ry thr o ne and m ad e S am s it


B e s id e h im s h o we d t h e chi e ft ai n all o b s e rv anc e
,

A nd q u e s ti o ne d h im at l arg e and anxi o u s ly


Ab ou t t h e Kargas ars abo u t h is tr o o p s , ,

Ab ou t t h e fi e rc e d ivs o f Ma z and ara n .

Th e chi e f t o ld all and s aid : L iv e h appy eve r “


,

0 S hah I N e e r m ay fo e s m alic e t ou ch thy life


’ ’

I m arch e d u p o n th at l and o f v ali an t d ivs ,

A nd s u ch d iv s t o o lik e li o ns in t h e fight
, ,

M o r e s wift th an Ar ab h o rs e s and o u t d aring -

Th e w arri o rs o f Ira n ! Th e fi e rc e S ags ars ;

P ard s in t h e fr ay— c o nc e r ne d at m i ne appr o ach ,


,

S e nt u p t h e b attl e cry withi n th e ir citi e s


-

A n d all t u r ne d o u t t o fi gh t —
,

a m ighty h o s t ,

Fr o m m o u nt ain u nt o m o u nt ain nau ght b u t m e n .


,

S o th at t h e bright day v ani s h e d in t h e d u s t .

All e ag e r fo r t h e fr ay th e y c am e u p o n m e ,

C am e with a r e ckl e s s r u s h ! A p anic fe ll


Up o n m y tr o o p s H o w s h all I b e ar I th o u ght
.
,



Thi s ang u i s h ? and I s aw no t ; fo r t h e br u nt
H ad fall e n th e n o n m e I r o ar e d ag ai ns t th e m
.
,

I whirl e d a m ac e th a t w e igh e d t hr e e h u ndr e d m an s 1

A nd u rg e d m i ne ir o n s t ee d I c am e am o ng th e m .

A nd br aine d th e m till t h e fo e w as p anic s trick e n -

Th e gr and s o n o f t h e v ali ant w o rldlo rd S al m ,

A s tw e r e a w o lf w as fo r e m o s t o f th e m all

.
,

Th e y o u th w as nam e d K ark w i a l o ft y Cypr e s s , ,

D es c e nd e d thr o u gh h is m o th e r fr o m Z ah h ak .

Th e h e ad s o f no bl e s w e r e b u t d u s t t o h im .

H is ar m y thr o ng e d lik e l o c u s ts o r lik e ant s


A nd hid d al e pl ai n and m o u nt ai n
, ,
Wh e n t h e d u s t .

R o s e fr o m th at gr e at h os t and my tr o o p s t u rne d p al e , ,

I r e ar e d t h e m ac e wh e r e o f o ne bl o w s u ffi ce t h
1
A Pe ri
s an m e as ure of w ight va y ing g
e r re a tly in diff r nt l c liti e e o a es .
P I RDA U S I
' '

292 TH E S H A H N A M A OF

Th e w o rld fr e e d fr o m h is foe s Th e night p as s e d qu ickly


.

I n r e v e lry and pr ai s e s o f t h e chi e ft ai n .

At d aw n t h e S hah h e ld au di e nc e s am dr e w ne ar .

A nd h avi ng d o n e o b e i s anc e s ou ght t o s p e ak


Ab o u t Mihrab and z al b u t w as pr e v e nt e d
,

By M iniich ih r w h o s aid with angry l o o k s


,

D e p art with ch o s e n chi e fs b u r n H indii s t an


,

Th e p al ac e o f Mihrab and all Kab u l


,
.

Le t no t Mihrab e s c ap e ; h e is a r e m nant
L e ft o f t h e Dr ag o n s s e e d and fi lle t h e arth

With t u rm o il A s fo r h is alli e s and ki ndr e d


.
,

S m it e o ff th e ir h e ad s and p u rify t h e w o rld


,


Of all t h e kith and ki ndr e d o f Zah h ak .

S am d ar e d no t s p e ak s o wr athfu l w as t h e S hah
, ,

Bu t ki s s e d t h e thr o ne th e n g e n tly pr e s s e d h is fac e


,

Ag ai ns t t h e fam o u s s igne t and r e pli e d



My c o nd u ct s h all acqu it t h e S hah o f v e nge anc e .

Th e n with h is h o s t h e s ou ght his o w n ab o d e


O n s t e e d s th at w e nt lik e wi nd al o ng t h e r o ad .

19

H o w S am w ent t o War aga ins t M ihrab

Mihrab and z si b ad ne w s o f wh at h ad p as s e d
B e tw e e n t h e S hah and s am Kab u l w as m o v e d
, ,

A nd cri e s r o s e fr o m t h e p al ac e o f M ihrab .

N o w wh e n S indu k h t Mihrab and e e n Rii dab a


’ '

, ,

D e s p air e d o f s avi ng e ith e r life o r g o o d s ,

z enl e ft Kab u l e xcl ai mi ng as h e w e n t


,

With dr o o pi ng m i e n y e t r e s o l u t e with al

Th e Dr ag o n gri m wh o s e br e ath w o u ld bu r n t h e w o rld
M u s t t ak e m y h e ad o ff e re h e t ou ch Kabu l .

I n gr e at c o nc e r n h e h as t e d o n h is j o u rne y ,

With mu ch t o t hink ab o u t and m u ch t o s ay .


M IN UCH I H R
'

29 3

N e ws r e ach e d br av e 8 am : Th e Li o n s Wh e lp h ath “ ’

c o me .

Th e tr o o p s b e s tirr e d th e m s e lv es and go t in r e adi ne s s


Th e fl ag o f F aridi m Th e y b e at t h e t y m b als

.
'
,

A nd chi e f and h o s t w e nt ou t t o w e lc o m e z si
Wi t h e l e ph ant s wh o s e b ack s w e r e drap e d with b anne r s
O f y e ll o w re d and vi o l e t
, ,
zal o n s e e i ng .
,

H is fath e r s fac e alight e d and appr o ach e d



,

Afo o t as did t h e chi e fs o f b o th t h e h o s t s


, ,

A nd br av e z sl ki s s e d t h e gr o u nd S am s p e nt a w hil e .

I n c o nv e r s e with h is s o n w h o th e n r e m o unt e d ,

H is ch e s t nu t Ar ab lik e a hill o f g o ld, ,

While all t h e chi e fs appro ach e d him in c o n c e r n .


Thy fath e r is di s pl e as e d with th e e th e y t o ld h im ; ,


M ak e thi ne e x c u s e and b e no t o b s ti nat e .

H e s aid : I fe ar no t fo r m an s e nd is d u s t
“ ’
.
,

My s ir e if s ane will no t u ns ay h is w o rd s ,

A nd if at fir s t h e s p e ak e th angrily
Will aft e r w e e p fo r s h am e .

Th e y r e ach e d S a m s c o u rt ’

With m u ch g o o d ch e e r H e light e d and g ave au di e nc e


.

To z al w h o ki s s e d t h e gr o u nd b e fo r e h is s ir e
,

With ru ffl e d fe ath e rs o ffe ring pr ai s e whil e t e ar s


1
,

F e ll fr o m h is e y e s and w as h e d his r o s y ch e e k s .


Gl ad b e t h e p al adin s s hr e wd h e art h e s aid ’

A nd m ay his s pirit b e t h e s l av e o fj u s tic e .

Thy falchi on s c o rc h e t h ad am an t e arth w e e p e th ,

Wh e n th o u art fighti ng Wh e r e thy ch arg e r pranc e t h .

Th e l aggi ng s o ldi e rs h as t e and v e rily ,

Wh e r e h e ave n h ath fe lt t h e s t o r m bl as t o f thy m ac e -

I t dare t h no t arr ay it s h o s t Al l e arth .

I s ve rd ant with thy j u s tic e and t h e S pirit ,

O f wi s d o m is a s e e dli ng o f thy s t o ck .

All j oy in thy j u s t d e ali ng ; e arth and ti me


1
Z nis re gard d m e taph oricall y a ha lf b i d
e e Cf pp 3 0 2 3 0 4 s r . . . , .
TH E S H A H N A M A PI RDA U S I

2 94 OF

R e c e iv e it thy h and s S o do no t I ;
at .

I h av e n o s h ar e th o u gh thi ne ack no wl e dg e d kin s m an .

I am t h e d u s t fe d nu r s li ng o f a bird
-

A nd k no w no fe u d with any and no fau lt ,

To gi v e o cc as i o n t o an e ne m y
S av e thi s th at S am t h e h e r o is m y s ir e
,

A nd m ine acc o m pli s h m e n t b e ne at h s u ch birth .

O r e v e r I w as b o rn th o u did s t e xp o s e m e
Up o n t h e m o u nt ai ns h arr o wi ng my m o th e r
, ,

A nd givi ng t o t h e fl am e s a thri v ing child .

I s aw no cr adl e and no br e as t o f m ilk ,

I h ad no m e m o ry o f any kin dr e d ,

Fo r th o u dids t c as t m e o u t d e priv e m y h e art ,

Of p e ac e and t e nd e r ne s s and s triv e agains t ,

Th e M ak e r for w h o m ak e th whit e and bl ack ?


,

N o w s inc e t h e M ak e r h ath pr o vid e d fo r m e ,

A nd l o o k e d u p o n m e with a M as t e r s e y e

S kill m anh o o d and a h e r o s s w o rd are m i ne


, ,

A nd o ne fri e n d t o o hi m s e lf t h e cr o wn o f chi e fs
, ,

Th e br av e wi se pr u d e n t m o narch o f Kabu l
, , .

I s oj o u r n e d at Kab u l by thy c o mm an d
A nd m i n dfu l o f t h y c o u ns e l and thy pl e dg e .

Th o u s aid s t : I ne e r will v e x th e e b u t will bri ng


Th e tr e e th at th o u h as t pl an t e d i nt o fr u it

Ye t bri ng e s t thi s gift fr o m Ma zand ara n ,

A n d h as t e s t fr o m t h e K argas ars t o fu rth e r


Th e r u i n o f my h o m e : s u ch is thy j u s tic e !
V . 1 93 B e h o ld I s t and b e fo r e th e e and e xp o s e
,

My b o dy t o thy wrath S aw m e as u nd e r .
,

Bu t u tt e r no t a w o rd ag ai ns t Kab u l .

Do as th o u wilt ; t h e p o w e r is all thi ne o wn ,


Bu t m i s chi e f t o Kab u l is d o ne t o m e .

Th e chi e f att e nd e d t o z al s w o r ds th e n b o w e d

Tis all tru e and I



H is h e ad and ans w e r e d ,

H av e d e al t with th e e u nj u s tly fr o m t h e fir s t
TH E S H AH N A M A PI RDA U S I

2 96 OF

Whil e thy p u r e h e art and s t ai nl e s s F aith c o ns tr ain


B o th w o lf and s h e e p t o w at e r at thy ci s t e rn .

A s l av e am I wh o s e r ac e is ru n a s l av e ,

Wh o h ath att aine d t o s ixty y e ar s twic e t o ld .

My h e ad is s tr e wn with c am ph o r du s t—a cr o w n -

Th at s u n and m o o n h av e giv e n m e I girt .

My w arri o r l o ins and s l av e d I fo u ght t h e w arl o ck s


-
. .

N o ne e e r s aw h o r s e m an r e in his s t e e d fe ll chi e fs

1
, ,

O r wi e ld a m ac e lik e m e My m ighty m ac e
.

E clip s e d t h e w arri o r s o f Ma z and ara n .

Did nau ght b e s id e e x al t m e o v e r all


Th e r e w as a dr ag o n h au nti ng t h e K as h af
A n d m aki ng e arth afo am I t r e ach e d fr o m city
.

To city and fr o m hill t o hill t h e h e art s ,

O f all w e r e fill e d with p anic : m e n k e pt w atch


B o th night and day Th at dr ag o n cl e ar e d t h e sk y
.

O f flyin g fo wl and e arth o f b e as t o f pr e y .

I t s c o rch e d t h e v u ltu r e s fe ath e r s with it s bl as t


S e t e arth a bl az i ng wh e r e it s v e no m fe ll
-

Dr agg e d fr o m t h e w at e r gr u e s o m e cr o c o dil es ,

A nd s wiftly flyi ng e agl e s fr o m t h e air .

M e n and fou r — fo o t e d b e as t s c e as e d fr o m t h e l and


Th e wh o l e w o rld g av e it r o o m S o s e e i ng th at no ne
.

D ar e d t o lay h and u p on it in Go d s s tr e ngth ,


I b ani s h e d t e rr o r fr o m m y h e art girt u p ,

My l o ins in H is e x alt e d nam e and r o d e ,

Mi ne e l e ph anti ne s t e e d My s addl e b o r e
.

Mine c x h e ad m ac e u p o n m ine arm I c arri e d


-

My b o w and at m y ne ck my s hi e ld I w e nt
,
.

F o rth lik e a s av age cr o c o dil e My h and .

Was k e e n k e e n t o o t h e dr ag o n s br e ath and all


,

F ar e w e ll e d m e wh e n th e y s aw m e wi e ld my m ac e .

I c am e . Th e dr ag o n s e e m e d a l o fty m ou nt ain
A nd tr ail e d u p o n t h e gr o u nd it s h airs lik e l as s o s .

1
R ead n i g with C .

M I N tI OH I H R 2 97

Its t ong u e w as lik e a tr e e tru nk ch arr e d it s j aw s


-

We r e o p e n and w e r e lying in my p ath .

I t s e y e s w e r e like t w o ci s t e r ns fu ll o f bl o o d .

I t b e ll o w e d wh e n it s aw m e and c ame o n
I n fu ry s e e m i ng all afi re O S hah !
, ,

Withi n Th e w o rld gan s wi m b e fo re m ine e y e s


.

,

A bl ack r e e k w e nt u p t o t h e m u rky cl o u d s ,

E arth s s u rfac e s h o o k b e ne ath t h e b e ll o wi ng


Th e v e no m s e e m e d t o b e a s e a o f Ch in .

The n like a g all ant w arri o r I r o ar e d


Ag ains t th at dr ago n as a li on r o ar e th
, ,

A nd t arri e d no t b u t fitt e d t o m y b o w
,

A p o pl ar arr o w tipp e d w ith ad am an t


A nd s h o t it at t h e dr ag o n s j aw s t o pin

Th e t o ng u e ag ai ns t t h e thr o at ; t h e t o ngu e l o ll e d pinne d ;


Th e dr ag on w as as t o u nd Ag ai n I s h o t
.
,

Again I pi e rc e d t h e m ou th ; t h e cr e at u r e writh e d .

I s h o t a third s h aft right ad o w n it s j aw s ;


I t s h e art s bl o o d s p o u t e d s e e t hi ng Wh e n it cl o s e d

.

A n d pr e s s e d m e h ard I t o o k m i ne o x h e ad m ac e -

A nd in t h e s tr e ngth o f G o d t h e L o rd o f all , ,

Urg e d o n m i ne e l e ph anti ne s t e e d and s m o t e


The dr ag o n s h e ad : th o u w ou ld s t h av e s aid th at h e av e n

R aine d m ou nt ains d o wn th e r e on I s m as h e d t h e s ku ll .
,

A s it h ad b e e n a m ighty e l e ph an t s

A nd v e no m p o u r e d fo rth lik e t h e riv e r Nil e .

S o s tr u ck I th at t h e dr ag o n r o s e n o m o r e
W hil e e arth w as l e v e ll e d t o t h e hill s with brains .

K as h af w as fl o wi ng lik e a s tr e am o f g all
A nd all w as p e ac e . Th e m ou nt ai n t o p s w e r e thr o ng e d -

With fo lk w h o c all e d d o wn bl e s s i ng s o n my h e ad ,

B e c au s e th at dr ag o n w as a fe arfu l b ane .

O n thi s acc ou n t m e n c all e d m e O ne bl o w S am ‘ ’

A nd all thr e w j e w e l s o e r m e I d e p art e d



.

With all my s hi ning b o dy b ar e o f mail ;


TH E S H A H N A M A O E F I RDA US I

298

My ch arg er s ar m ou r dr o pp e d fr o m h im in pi e c e s ;

I s ick e ne d with t h e v e no m m any d ay s


,
.

The r e w as no h arv e s t in th o s e p arts fo r y e ar s


N or au ght e xc e pt t h e as he s o f bu r n t th o rns .

To t e ll m y c o nflic t with t h e divs w o uld m ak e


Th e l e tt e r t e di o u s b u t in th at and e l s e wh e r e
,

I tr am pl e d u nd e rfo o t t h e h e ad s o f chi e ft ai ns ,

A nd wh e r e s o e e r I r o d e m y wi nd fo o t ch arg e r

-

I cl e ar e d th at r e gi o n o f t h e r e ndi ng li o n ,

A nd n o w thi s m any a y e ar m y s addl e s b ack


H ath b e e n m y thr o ne my ch arg e r b e e n m i ne e arth


, .

My m as s iv e m ac e h ath br o u ght b e ne ath thy s w ay


M a zand ara n and all t h e Kargas ars ;
'

I ne e r h av e as k e d for fi e ld o r fe ll b u t s ou ght

To m ak e th e e b o t h vict o ri ou s and h appy .

My ne ck and m ac e bl o w s are no t wh at th e y w e r e
-

My br e as t and l o i ns are b e nt ; I u s e d t o thr ow


A l as s o s ixty c u bit s l o ng b u t now ,

A m b e nt by ti m e and h av e r e s ig ne d m y d u ti e s
To z enas w o rthy o f m y m ac e and girdl e
,
.

L ik e m e h e will d e s tr o y thy fo e s and m ake


My h e art gl ad with h is pr o w e s s H e h ath c o m e .

To as k t h e S hah t o gr ant h is s e cr e t l o nging ,

O ne e xc e ll e nt in G o d s s ight ap art fr o m Wh om

Th e r e is no e xc e ll e nc e We h av e no t m o v e d
.

Th e r e i n as y e t b u t w ait t h e gr e at king s will ’

Fo r s l av e s mu s t no t pr e s u m e My l o rd t h e S hah
.
,

Th e gu ardi an of t h e w o rld h ath s u r ely h e ard


,

H o w o nc e and p u blicly I pr o mi s e d z al ,

Wh e n I w as bri nging him fr o m M ou nt Al b u r z ,

N o t t o r e fu s e h im au ght and h e h ath c o m e


, ,

B e s me ar e d with bl o o d and d u s t and b o ne s in bit s , ,

With his r e q u e s t He s aid


. Tw e r e b e tt e r far ’

To h ang A mu l th an fall u p o n Kab u l



1
.

1
M infi c hih r s

c pit l
a a .
TH E S H A H N A M A P I RDA U S I

30 0 OF

Is t o t ak e th e e with thy p o ll u t e d child


A nd s l ay y o u s h am e fu lly and p u blicly .

Th e r e at p e rch anc e t h e S hah will b e app e as e d


A nd e arth gr o w p e ac e fu l Wh o withi n Kabu l
.

W o u ld d ar e t o s trive with S am or fe e l h is m ac e
S indu k h t s ank d o w n b e fo r e him and c o ns id e r e d .

Th e n h avi ng hit on an e xp e di e nt ,

Fo r s h e w as s hr e wd and s u btl e c am e b e fo r e ,

Th e s u nlike ki ng with fo ld e d ar m s and s aid


H e ar b u t o ne w o rd fr o m m e th e n do thy will
, .

I f th o u h as t w e alth t o p u rch as e life b e s t o w it ,

A nd k no w th o u th at thi s night is big with fat e .

Y e t th o u gh night s e e m e th l o ng twill p as s and


e ar t h

Be lik e a s igne t ri ng o f B ad akh s ha n


-
.

Mihrab r e pli e d : N 0 o ld wiv e s t al e s t o w arri o r s


“ ’

S ay wh at th o u k no w s t and u s e all m e ans fo r life



O r e l s e arr ay th e e in t h e r o b e o f bl o o d .

S h e s aid Th e r e is no ne e d o f th at gr e at ki ng ! ,

Bu t I m u s t go t o S am t o dr aw thi s s w o rd
A nd t o app e al t o h im in fitti ng t e r ms ,

Fo r wi s d o m is t h e c o o k wh e n s p e e ch is raw .

To l ab o u r fo r o u r liv e s is m y p art thi ne ,

To fi nd t h e pr e s e nt s and e ntr u s t t o m e
Thy h o ard e d w e alth .

H e r e is t h e k ey h e s aid , ,

O ne m u s t no t alw ay s gri e v e at s p e ndi ng tr e as u r e .

Pr e p ar e s l av e s h o r s e s thr o ne s and c as qu e s t o go
, , , .

We y e t m ay s av e o u r c o u n try fr o m t h e fl am e s

To s hi ne th o u gh fad e d no w .

S indu k h t r e pli e d
I f th o u d e s ir e s t life h o ld tr e as u r e ch e ap .

While I av e r t t h e d ang e r th o u m u s t u s e
N o h ar s h ne s s t o w ard m y chil d My gr e at e s t c ar e
.

H e r e is h e r life ; giv e m e a pl e dge fo r th at .


M I N IIOH I H R 30 1

I c ar e no t fo r mys e lf ; all my c o nc e rn

A nd tr av ail are fo r h e r .

S h e t o o k h is pl e dg e ,

Th e n b o ldly fac e d t h e d ang e r cl ad h e r s e lf ,

All in br o c ad e o f go ld with p e arl s and j e w e l s


Ab o u t h e r h e ad and fr o m t h e t r e as u ry t o o k
,

Thr e e h u ndre d th o u s and pi e c e s as a l arg e s s .

Th e y br o u ght fo rth thirty s t e e d s o f Arab s t o ck


O r P e rs i an with th e ir s ilv e r n e qu ip ag e
A nd s ixty s l av e s with g o ld e n t o rqu e s e ach b e ari ng ,

A g o ld e n g o bl e t bri m m e d with c am ph o r mu s k , ,

Go ld tu rqu o i s e s and j e w e l s o f all kind s ;


, ,

O ne h u ndr e d fe m al e c am e l s with re d h air ,

O ne h u n dr e d b agg ag e m u l e s ; a cr o w n o f j e w e l s
-

Fit fo r a ki ng with arm l e t s t o rqu e s and e arri ngs


, , ,

A thr o ne o f g o ld lik e h e av e n all inl aid ,

With dive r s s o rt s o f g e m s t h e width th e re o f


,

Was twe nty r o y al c u bit s and t h e h e ight


Th e s t at u r e o f a no bl e h o r s e m an ; l as tly
F ou r m igh ty I ndi an e l e ph ant s t o brin g
B al e s fu ll o f w e ari ng s t u ffs and c arp e ti ng
-

H o w S am co mfort e d S ind u kht

Th e tr e as u r e s h avi ng b e e n d e s p atch e d s h e m o u nt e d
I n w arri o r g u i s e s wift as a light ni ng fl as h
-

,
-

As s u m e d a R11 m an h e l m and r o d e a s t e e d

A s s wift as wind appr o ach e d S a m s c o u rt u nk no wn


A nd b ad e t h e o ffic e r s annou nc e h e r th u s
A n e nv o y fr o m Kab u l h ath c o m e t o s e e k
Th e m ighty chi e f t h e h e r o o f zab u l
, ,
TH E S H A HN A M A
' '

O F F I R DA U S I

Ch arg e d with a m e s s ag e fr o m Mihrab t o s am ,

Th e wi nne r o f t h e w o rld .

The ch am b e rl ai n
We nt t o t e ll S am w h o gr ant e d au di e nc e
, .

S indu k h t di s m o u nt e d h as t e d t o t h e chi e f
,

A nd ki s s e d t h e gr o u nd wi t h pr ai s e s o f t h e S hah
"

A nd o f t h e chi e f o f p al adi ns Th e l arg e s s .


,

Th e s l av e s t h e h o r s e s and t h e e l e ph ant s
, ,

S tr e tch e d fr o m t h e g at e t w o m il e s S h e o ffe r e d all .

To s am w h o s at th e r e d az e d like o ne b e m u s e d
, , ,

With fo ld e d ar ms and dr oo ping h e ad H e th o u ght .


C o m e fe m al e e nv oy s fr o m s o rich a c o u ntry
I f I acc e pt t h e S hah will b e di s pl e as e d
I f I d e cline t h e n z ai w ill b e ch agrine d
A nd fl ap h is wi ngs ab ou t lik e t h e S imu rgh .

H e r ai s e d h is h e ad and s aid : A s fo r t h e s e g o o d s ,

Th e s e s l av e s and e l e ph ant s c ap ari s o ne d ,

G o give th e m t o z srs tr e as u r e r as pr e s e nt s
S e nt by t h e B e au ty o f Kab u lis t an .

Th e n fairy fac e d S indu k h t e s s ay e d t o s p e ak


-

R ej o icing th at h e r o ffe ri ng s w e r e acc e pt e d


A nd all h ad e nd e d w e ll Thr e e o f h e r h and m aid s
.
,

With id o l fac e s t all as cypr e s s e s


-

A nd fair as j as m ine b e ari ng e ach a g o bl e t


,

Which bri m m e d with p e arls and r u bi e s p o u r e d th e m ,

out

In o ne pr o m i s c u ou s s h o w e r b e fo r e t h e chi e ft ai n .

Thi s d o ne and s tr ang e rs go ne s h e s aid t o S am


Thy c o u ns e l m ak e th o ld fo lk y o u ng Th o u t e ach e s t .

Th e m ighty wi s do m w h o thr o u gh th e e ill u m e


,

Th e w o rld Th ou h as t s e al e d u p t h e h and o f ill


.

A nd o p e ne d with thy m ac e t h e w ay o f Go d .

Mihrab if any w as t o bl am e and h e


, ,

,

I s w e e pi ng bl o o d Wh at h ave o u r p e o pl e d o ne
.

Th at th o u mu s t r az e Kabu l ? Th e y o nly live


39 4 TH E S H A H N A M A OF PI RDA U S I ‘

Bu t as fo r all t he
g u iltl e s s o f Kab u l
B u rn no t th e ir h e art s no r tu rn th e ir d ay s to d ark
ne s s .

Th e p al adin o n h e ar ing s aw in h e r
A w o m an o f c o u ns e l and o f ard e nt s o u l ,

With ch e e ks lik e s pring in h e ight a cypr e s s tr e e


,
-

With r e e d lik e wai s t and ph e as ant s g ai t H e s al d


-

.

My pl e dg e s h all h o ld alth o u gh it c o s t my life .

Live s afe ly and r ej o ici ng at Kab u l


With all thy ki ndr e d I as s e nt th at zal .

S h all w e d Rii dab a Th o u gh o u r r ac e is o th e r



.

Th an y o u r s y e t y e d e s e rv e t h e cr o w n and thr o ne ;
,

Th e w o rld s o w agge t h and no s h ame t o u s ;


We c anno t s trive ag ai ns t t h e A l m ighty M ak e r ,

Wh o d o th wh at e e r H e will e th in s u ch wi s e

Th at w e are e v e r crying o u t : Ah m e
O ne is e x alt e d and ano th e r h u m bl e d ,

A nd whil e o ne fare th w e ll ano th e r qu ak e t h .

Th e h e art o f o ne is fu r ni s h e d by h is i ncr e as e ,

Ano th e r s m ini s h e d by his p o v e rty


Bu t aft e r all t h e e nd o f b o th is d u s t
Th e e l e m e nt th at s l ay e th e v e ry r ac e .

I will e x e rt m ys e lf o n thy b e h alf


B e c au s e o f thine app e al and bitt e r cry ,

A nd h av e alr e ady writt e n t o t h e S hah


A l e tt e r with t h e pl aint o f o ne in p ain ,

A nd z sl h ath g o ne with it H ath g one nay r ath e r


.

H ath fl o wn ! H e s aw no s addl e wh e n h e m ou nt e d ,

A nd th e n h is r o ad s t e r s h o o fs s aw no t t h e gr o u n d
Th e S hah will s m il e and giv e a gr aci o u s ans w e r ,

Fo r thi s bird s fo s t e rli ng is o u t o f h e art ;


H e s t and e th in t h e m ire m ad e by h is t e ar s ,

A n d if h is s w e e th e art is as fo n d as h e is
Th e ir s kins will ne v e r h o ld th e m Prith e e no w .

Le t m e b e h o ld t h e Dr agon s child j u s t o nc e’

, ,
M IN UCH I H R
T 30 5

On thi ne o wn t e rms . Th e s ight may w e igh with


me
I f b o th h e r l o ok s and l o ck s c o m m e nd th e m s e lve s .

S h e ans w e r e d : If t h e p al adi n will gl add e n


H is s l av e le t h im v o u ch s afe t o vi s it h e r
,

H e r h e ad will r e ach high h e av e n I f t o K ab u l .

We bring a king like th e e w e will pr e s e nt ,

O u r liv e s as o ffe ri ng s .

S h e s aw h is s mil e s
A nd th at all h at e w as r o o t e d fr o m h is h e art
A s h e r e pli e d : Be no t c o n c e r ne d ; thi s m att e r

“f ill s h o rtly t u r n o u t t o thy wi s h



.

S indu k h t
Th e n as k ing l e av e withdr e w and w e nt aw ay ,

I n fu ll c o nt e nt h e r ch e e ks lik e g e m s fo r j o y
,
.

S h e s e nt a l u s ty c o u ri e r lik e wind
To t e ll Mihrab : Be e as y in thy m i nd ,

R ej o ic e and m ak e th e e r e ady fo r a gu e s t .


I fo ll o w qu ickly .

N e x t day wh e n t h e s u n ,

S h o t u p and h e ad s aw o k e fr o m dr o w s i ne s s ,

S al u t e d as t h e M o o n o f n o bl e d am e s ,

S indu k h t pr o c e e d e d t o t h e c o u rt o f S am ,

Did h im o b e is anc e s p ak e with him at l arg e


, ,

A nd as k e d p e r m i s s i o n t o go h o m e r ej o ici ng
To t e ll Mihrab ab ou t t h e ne w m ad e l e ag u e -

A nd ge t all r e ady t o r e c e i v e th e ir g u e s t .

S am s aid D e p art and t e ll h im e ve rything .

Th ey ch o s e ch o ic e gifts fo r h e r and fo r Mihrab


A nd fo r Budab a t o o —th at l o ve s o m e m aid
,

s am g ave S indu kh t with al all th at w as h is


Withi n Kabu l o f p al ac e s and g ard e ns ,

Of til th m ilch c attl e c arp e t s and app ar e l


, , ,

Th e n t o o k h e r h and re s w o r e h is o ath and s aid


,
-


Be h appy at Kab u l and fe ar no fo e , .
TH E S H A H N A M A P I RDA vs f
'

OF

With favo u ri ng s t ar s t h e p al e M o on s fac e ag ain ’

Gre w bright and s h e w e nt h o m e w ard with h e r tr ai n


, .

5 23

H o w Z dl me t o M imi chz hr im Le t ter


'

ca with S a s

N ow h e ark e n h o w z al far e d with M inach ihr


Th at fav ou rit e o f fo rt u ne N e w s arriv e d.

zal s o n o f S am t h e c av ali e r h ath c o m e


, , .

Th e no bl e s w e n t t o w e lc o m e h im O n r e achi ng .

Th e c o u rt h e h ad an au di e nc e and did h o m ag e ,

R e m aining with his fac e u p o n t h e gr o u nd .

Th e ki nd S hah s h e art w as w o n ; h e b ad e t o p u rg e

z al s fac e o f d u s t and s pri nkl e h im with m u s k


A nd wh e n t h e w e ll b e l o v e d appr o ach e d t h e thr o ne


,
-

I nq u ir e d : H o w did s t th ou far e m id wi nd and d u s t


O n thy h ard j o u r ne y child o f p al adins
,

zal ans w e r e d : Thr o u gh thy Gr ac e tw as m o r e


“ ’

th an w e ll
Th ou t u rne s t e ve ry tr o u bl e t o d e light .

Th e S hah th e n t o o k S a m s l e tt e r r e ad and s m il e d

.
,

Th o u h as t i ncr e as e d an an ci e nt gri e f o f m i ne ,

e t fo r thy fath e r s t ou chi ng l e t t e r


H e s aid y,

,

Which anci e n t S am h ath writt e n in h is tr o u bl e ,

Alth o u gh t h e m att e r h ath m u ch gri e v e d m y h e art ,

I am r e s o lv e d t o thi nk o f it n o m o r e ,

A nd will p e rfo r m and c arry o u t thy wi s h ,

S i n c e th at is all t o th e e ; b u t t arry h e r e
Whil e I de lib e r at e o n thi ne affair s .

Th e c o o k s br o u ght in a s e rvic e all o f g o ld


Wh e r e at t h e ki ng o f king s s at d o wn with zal ,

A nd o rd e r e d all t h e chi e ft ai ns t o p art ak e


Th e fe as t Th e e ati ng d o ne th e y s e rv e d t h e wi ne
.
,

Within ano th e r thr o ne r o o m and th at o v e r


-

,
PI RDA U S I

TH E S H A H N A M A

OF

H o w the A rch znages ques tio ned Z cil

Th e S hah c all e d zal t o pr o v e h im by h ard qu e s ti o ns .

Th e s hr e wd arch m age s and t h e m e n o f l o r e


S at in fu ll c o ncl av e and e x ami ne d h im
,

O n m any m att e rs v e il e d in m y s t e ry .

O ne as k e d th at m an o f i ns ight wit and k no wl e dg e


, ,

Wh at are t h e d o z e n cypr e s s e s e r e ct
I n all th e ir br av e ry and l o v e line s s ,

E ach o ne o f th e m with thirty b o u gh s b e d e ckt



I n P e r s i a ne v e r m o r e and ne ve r l e s s ?
Th e s e c o nd s aid : O n o bl e y o u th e xpl ai n
Wh at are th o s e t w o s t e e d s mo ving r apidly
A s cry s t al bright is thi s o ne o f t h e tw ai n
A nd th at o ne s abl e as a pitchy s e a ;
Th e y g all o p at t he ir u t m o s t s p e e d and s tr ai n
E ach o ne t o c atch t h e o th e r b u t in v ain
,

Th e third s aid th u s Wh at are t h e th irty m e n


Wh o rid e b e fo r e th e ir king in o rd e r m e e t
A nd s e e m b u t tw e n ty nin e t o th e e b u t wh e n
-

Th o u c ou nt e s t th e m th e ir nu mb e r is c o m pl e t e
Th e fo u rth in qu ir e d : Wh at is t h e m e ad o w l and

-

Wh e r e s tr e am s ab ou nd and h e rb ag e gr o w e th s t ro ng ,

To which a fi e rc e m an c o m e th in wh o s e h and
,

Th e r e is a s cy t h e a s h arp o ne and a l o ng
,

H e c u tt e th all t h e gr as s b o th gr e e n and dry ,

A nd if th o u cri e s t h e ar e th no t thy cry ?



Wh at are th o s e cypr e s s e s —a l o fty p air
L ik e r e e d s ab o ve a s e a wh o s e w at e rs h e av e ,

Ano th e r as k e d and wh at bird me s t e th th e r e


,

O n thi s at m o r ni ng and o n th at at e v e ?
,

Th e bird de p art e th and t h e l e av e s t u rn p al e ,

Th e bird arriv e t h and th e y m u s k e xh al e .


'

M I N lYC H I H R 30 9

I n all th e ir v e rd u r e b o th are ne ve r s e e n
T o g e th e r b u t o ne s e r e t h e o th e r
, ,

Th e s ixth s aid : O n a m o u nt ai n I de g cri e d


“ -

A city th at w as s tr o ngly fo rti fi e d .

Th e citi z e ns th o s e m e n e xc e e ding wi s e
, ,

Pr e fe rr e d th e r e t o a t h o rnb rak e o n t h e w as t e ;
A nd th e r e as m o narch s o r as s u bj e ct s pl ac e d
A t o wn wi t h b u ildi ngs lift e d t o t h e s ki e s .

Th e m e m o ry o f t h e city no w h ath g o ne ,

Tis no t acc ou nt e d o f by an y o ne ;

Bu t s o m e day s u dd e nly t h e e arth will qu ak e ,

Th e c o u ntry v ani s h fr o m t h e s ight o f m e n ,

R e m e m brance o f t h e city will aw ak e ,

A nd l o ng r e gr e t p os s e s s t h e citi z e n .

N o w l oo k b e hi nd t h e v e il e xpl o r e t h e w o rd s
, ,

A nd if th o u c ans t t h e s e cr e t s e nse u nfo ld ,

D e cl ar e it h e re in pre s e nc e o f t h e l o rds ,

A nd m ake t h e p u r e s t mu s k fr o m gri m y m o u ld .

2
5
H o w Zal ans we ed r t he A rch mages

zal for a whil e r e m aine d ab s o rb e d in th o u ght ,

Th e n s h o o k his pl u m ag e s pre ad h is wi ng s and


, ,

ans w e r e d

Fir s t as t o th o s e tw e lv e cypr e s s e s which r e ar


Th e ms e lv e s with thirty b o u gh s u p o n e ach tr e e
,

Th e y are t h e tw e lv e ne w m o o ns o f e v e ry y e ar ,

Lik e ne w m ad e m o narch s thr o ne d in m aj e s ty


-

,
.

Up o n t h e thirti e th day it s c ou r s e is d o ne
Fo r e ach ; th u s o u r r e v o lvi ng p e ri o d s ru n .

Th o u s p e ak e s t o f t w o charg e r s bl ack and whit e


, ,

Which lik e A z argas h as p go fl as hi ng by


Th e s e t o o are p e ri o d s and in th e ir fligh t
,

P u r s u e e ach o th e r u nr e m itti ngly .


TH E S H A H N A M A O F PI RDA U S i
Th e t wo th at p as s alo ng are night and day ,

Th e p u l s e s o f t h e s k y are r e ck o ne d s o ;
Th e y ne ve r c at ch e ach o th e r as th e y go ,

Bu t fo ll o w as a h o u nd p u r s u e th pr e y .

Ag ain th o u as k e s t o f t h e thirty m e n
,

Th at rid e b e fo re th e ir k ing in o rd e r m e e t ,

A nd s e e m t o th e e as tw e n ty n i ne b u t wh e n -

Th o u c ou nt e s t th e m t h e ir nu m b e r is c o m pl e t e .

Th e y are t h e ph as e s o f t h e m o o n ; o ne night
A ph as e fr o m ti me t o ti m e e lu de t h s ight .

Uns h e ath e w e now t h e hidd e n s e ns e e xpr e s s e d


'

By t w o t all cypr e s s e s abird and ne s t , .

Th e d ark e r li m b o f h e av e n is o p p os e d

With Ari e s t o Libr a in t h e h e ight ;


Th e nc e til l t h e r e ign o f Pi s c e s h ath b e e n cl o s e d
Th e as c e nd ant li m b is th at o f gl o o m and night .

E ach l o fty cypr e s s tr e e de no t e t h o ne -

O f th e s e t w o li m b s which c au se o u r s m il e s and t e ars ,

Th e bird which flie t h twixt t he m is t h e s u n


O cc as i o n t o t h e w o rld o f h o pe s and fe ar s 1

Ag ai n t h e city b u ilt u p o n t h e m o u nt
,

I s o u r l o ng ho m e t h e s c e ne o f o u racc o u n t , .

Thi s W ay s id e I nn is m e ant by Th o rnb rak e t o w n ,

At o nc e o u r pl e as u r e tr e as u r e p ai n and w o e , ,

I t r e ck o ne th e ach br e ath dr aw n h e r e b e l o w
A nd b o th e x alt e th u s and c as t e th d o w n .

1
'

tti ng i d m d n tr n mic l n ti n t h i d
Pu as e o m m er as o o a o o s e ea s ee s so e

wh t f ll w t h k y
a as o o r pr nt d b y t h S ig n f t h Z di c
s : e s ,
as e ese e e s o e o a ,

i di i d d i nt
s v e light r nd d rk r p rti n
o a li mb t h light r
e a a a e o o or

e e ,

S pri ng nd S mm r b i g r p
a u t d by t h S ign fr m A i t
e , e n e re s e n e e s o r es o

V irg ; nd t h d rk r A t mn nd Wi nt r by th
o a e a fr m Libr t
e ,
u u a e , ose o a o

Pi cs Th
e s. li mb lt rn t l y m r l in i d c whil
e

s

are a e a e o e or ess ev en e , e

th n i c nti lly j r y i ng fr m n li m b t t h th r Th “
e su s o nu a ou ne o o e o e o e . e

d blou l t rn ti n f light nd d rk n
e a e a o i th cc nt d f ; th t
o a a es s s us a ou e or a

o f t h light r nd d rk r
e e n a f t h y r by t h m m nt
a f e s e as o s o e ea e ov e e s o

th e sky nd th t
, f d y nd night by t h m
a a m nt f t h
o n Th a a e ov e e o e su . e

f m r r l m n d ti ny t h l tt r chi fly infl nc h i d il y lif


or e u es a

s es ,
e a e e ue es s a e .
TH E S H A H N A M A

3 12 O F F I R DA U S I

A s tw e r e t he m o o n at fu ll and th e r e th e y qu affe d

Wi ne till t h e night fe ll and t h e r e v e ll e r s h e ad s


,

B e c am e b e m u s e d Th e n at t h e p o rt al r o s e
.

S h o u t s fo r t h e s t e eds and gl o ri o u s i n th e ir c u p s
,

Th e w arri o r s gr as p e d h and s and w e nt th e ir w ay s .

N o w wh e n t h e s u ns hi ne s tr u ck t h e m o u n t ai n t o p s -

A nd wh e n t h e c hi e fs aw o k e zal r e ady girt , ,


-

A nd li o n lik e appr o ach e d t h e r o y al pr e s e n c e


-

For l e av e t o h ie h im h o m e and thu s h e s aid ,


My gr aci o u s l o rd ! I l o ng t o se e S a m s fac e ’
.

S i nc e I h av e ki s s e d t h e fo o ti ngs o f t hy thr o ne
O f iv o ry thy Gr ac e and cr o wn ill u m e

My h e art .

Th e S hah s aid : Y o u thfu l w arri o r ! “

Th o u m u s t b e s to w u p o n u s s till o ne day .

Th o u y e arne s t for t h e d au ght e r o f Mihra b


A nd n o t for S am .

b ad e t o c arry g o ng s
He
Wi t h I ndi an b e ll s and cl ari o ns t o t h e gro u nd ,

A n d all t h e w arri o r s w e nt fo rth r ej o icing


With l an c e s m ac e s and artill e ry
, ,
.

Th e y t o o k th e ir b o w s and p o pl ar s h aft s and le t


A m ark s t and fo r t h e fo e Th e y wh e e l e d and s h o w e d
.

Th e ir h o r s e m ans hip with m ac e s w o rd s h aft and l anc e , , , ,

Whil e fr o m a h e ight t h e S hah s e e n o r u ns ee n ,

By th e m o b s e rve d th e ir s kill b u t ne v e r s aw
, ,

O r h e ard o f h o r s e m ans hip lik e z al s



Th e r e s t o od .

Up on t h e gr o u nd an an ci e nt tr e e zal t o o k .

H is b o w u rge d o n h is s t e e d and r ai s e d h is nam e


, ,

By s triki ng th at t all tr e e and pi e rci ng it


F u ll in t h e c e ntr e with t h e r o y al s h aft .

Th e n c e rt ai n o f t h e j av e li n m e n t o o k b u ckl e rs
-

A nd e x e rci s e d with d o u bl e h e ad e d d art s -


.

z al b ad e h is T u rk m an s l av e bri ng s hi e ld s o f hid e ,

Dre w hi m s e lf u p and u rg e d his s t ee d al o ng ,


Th e n dr o pp e d his b o w t o o k h is o w n j ave lin
,

A nd m ad e ne w s p o rt H e s tr u ck and pi e rc e d thr e e s hi e ld s
.

A nd fl u ng th e m t o o ne s id e in high di s d ain .

Th e S hah s aid t o t h e chi e fs : Wh at m ighty m an


Will ch all e ng e h im t o pr o v e his w e ight in c o m b at ?
H e h ath k no ck e d d u s t o u t o f t wo h e ad e d d art s -

A nd arr o w s .

Th e n t h e w arri o r s d o nn e d th e ir m ail
With wr athfu l h e art s and c u r s e s o n th e ir t o ngu e s .

The y prick e d fo rth t o t h e c o m b at b e aring s p e ar s


With h e ad s o f t e mp e r e d s t e e l zal u rg e d h is s t e e d
.
,

M ade t h e d u s t fly and wh e n t h e b attl e j o ine d


, , ,

S e l e ct e d fr o m t h e r e s t a c av ali e r
Of fam e and high e s t at e at wh o m h e ch arg e d .

Th e w arri o r t u rne d and fl e d z al l e o p ard lik e


.
,
-

E m e rgi ng fr o m t h e d u s t s e i z e d o n his b e lt
,

A nd t o o k him fr o m h is s addl e with s u ch c as e


Th at b o th t h e S hah and ar m y w e r e as t o u nd ,

Th e chi e fs e xcl ai m i ng : N o ne will s e e h is p e e r .

Th e S hah s aid : “
M ay h e e ve r b e th u s ard e nt .

Th e m o th e r o f t h e m an th at dare t h him
To b attl e will w e ar m o u rni ng fo r h e r s o n .

Th e li o n es s e s b e ar no t o ne s o br av e ,

S o br av e h e m u s t b e cl as s e d with cr o c o dil e s !
A nd S am is bl e s s e d i nd e e d t o l e av e t h e w o rld
S u ch a m e m o ri al .

H e pr ai s e d t h e y o u th ,

A s did t h e fam o u s w arri o r s Th e n th e y w e nt


.
,

With gird e d l o i ns and c as qu e s u p o n th e ir h e ad s ,

T o w ard t h e p al ac e wh e r e t h e S hah pr e p ar e d
A r o b e o f h o no u r th at as t o ni s h e d all
Th e chi e ft ai ns with a pr e ci o u s cr o wn and thr o ne
,

O f g o ld with ar m l e t s t o rqu e s and g old e n girdl e s


, , , ,

R ich ro b e s s l av e s s t e e d s and o th e r things o f w o rth


, , , ,

A nd g av e t h e wh o l e t o zal wh o ki s s e d t h e e arth
, .
TH E S H A H N A M A
'

O F FI R DA U S I
'

M inwchihr s A

ns wer t o S ai nt

s Le tt e r

Th e S hah th e n wr o t e a v e ry gr aci o u s l e tt e r
To S am : R e no w ne d and v ali an t p al adin

,

I n all e m pri s e vict o ri o u s lik e a li o n ,

A nd p e e rl e s s in t h e s ight o f t u r ni ng h e av e n
Fo r fe as t fo r fight fo r c o u ns e l and fo r fav ou r !
Th at gl o ri ou s s o n o f thine —br av e zal—at w h o m
, ,

Th e li o n is agh as t in b attl e tid e -

The br av e acc o m pli s h e d w arri o r and h o r s e m an


O f l as ting fam e h ath c o m e and I o n l e arning
, , ,

Thy wi s h e s and h is l o ngi ng s grant e d him ,

All h is d e s ir e s and c o u nt u p o n his h avi ng


,

A l o ng and gl o ri o u s life S h o u ld l e o p ard hu nt e rs


.
-


H av e o th e r i s s u e th an t h e s t ro ng cl aw e d li o n ? -

E x alt e d o e r t h e r e s t and in high fav o u r


zal s e nt t o S am t o I l e ft t h e S hah
With all th at I c o u ld wi s h — a r o y al r o b e
O f h o no u r cr o w ns t o rq u e s ar m l e t s and a thr o ne
, , , ,

O f ivo ry and am c o m i ng with all s p e e d


, ,

My l o vi ng gl o ri ou s s ir e 1
,

S am gl add e ne d s o
Th at his h o ar h e ad gr e w y o u ng H e hu rri e d o ff .

A h o r s e man t o K ab u l t o t e ll Mihrab
Th e ki nd ne s s o f t h e S hah which h ad pr o d u c e d
S u ch j o y and add e d :
,
Aft e r z al s r e t u rn
“ ’

We will s e t o u t t o pay th e e o u r r e s p e ct s .

Th e m e s s e ng e r s p e d fo rth Mihrab o n h e ari ng


.

S o j o y e d t o m ak e Kab u l s S u n h is affi ne

Th at thr ou gh his j oy th e d e ad r e t u r ne d t o life


A nd ag ed h e ad s gr e w y o u ng Th e y s u mm o ne d mins t re l s
. ,

A nd o ne h ad s aid t h at all p o u r e d o u t th e ir s ou l s .
TH E S H A H N A M A
'

316 O F FI RDA U S I

Withi n th at ch ambe r ar ab e s qu e d with g o ld 1


Kab u lis t an w as dight in fe s t al t ri m ,

All c o l o u r s c e nt and w e al t h Th e y h o u s e d t h e b ack s


, , .

O f t h e e l e ph ant s wit h rich br o c ad e o f Rum


A nd s e at e d o n th e m m ins tr e l s w e ari ng cr o w ns .

All w as pr e p ar e d fo r w e lc o m ing t h e g u e s ts '

A nd all t h e s l av e s w e r e s u mm o n e d t o s tr e w m us k
A nd S pic e ry t o pu t d o wn fu r s and s i lks
, ,

To fli ng d o w n g o ld and mu s k and s pri nkl e r o u nd


,

Wine and r o s e w at e r o n t h e d u s ty gr o u nd
-

H o w Z ci l ca me t o S tim

zal s p e d lik e bird o n wi ng o r s hip at s e a


A nd all th at h e ard o f his appr o ach w e nt o u t
To w e lc o m e h im with j o y The p al ac e r ang
.

With s h o u t s : z ai h ath s u cc e e d e d and r e t u rne d .

S am m e t him j o yfu lly and h e ld him cl o s e


v , 21 7 E mbr ac e d . Wh e n zal h ad di s e ng ag e d hi ms e lf
H e ki s s e d t h e gr o u nd and t o ld h is ne w s Ano n .

S am s e at e d o n h is s pl e ndid thr o ne with zal


, ,

Blith e h e art e d and in gr e at c o nt e nt b e g an


-

To t e ll ab o u t t h e m att e r o f S indu k h t ,

A nd k e pt his c o u nt e nanc e : A w o m an nam e d


S indu kh t br o u ght m e a m e s s ag e fr o m Kabu l ,

A nd m ad e m e pr o m i s e no t t o b e h e r fo e .

I gr ant e d all th at s h e w as pl e as e d t o as k
Fir s t th at t h e fu t u r e m o narch o f zab u l
S h all h av e t h e B e au ty o f Kab u l t o wife ,

A n d ne xt th at w e will go and b e h e r g u e s t s
To h e al all s o r e s N o w s h e h ath s e n t t o s ay
.

1
Wh e re she had c
on e en e t rt in d Z il
a e r .
M IN UC H I H R

All thi ngs are r e ady s c e nte d and ad o rne d


,
.

Wh at ans w er s h all w e s e nd high b o rn Mihrab ? -

Th e n zal bl u s he d ru by re d fro m h e ad t o fo o t
-

With s u dd e n j o y and s aid : O p al adi n !


,

I f it s e e m go o d t o th e e s e n d o n t h e tr o o p s

A nd le t u s fo ll o w and di s c u s s t h e m att e r .

S am s m il e d at zal aw ar e o f h is d e s ire
, ,

Fo r h e c o u ld t alk o f no thi ng b u t R adaha ,

A nd go t no s l e e p at night s fo r thi nki ng o f h e r .

s am b ad e t o s o u nd t h e g o ng s and In di an b e ll s
A nd h av e pr e p ar e d t h e r o y al t e nt e ncl o s u r e
-

H e s e nt a c am e l e e r a v ali ant m an
, ,

To adv e rti s e t h e li o n lik e Mihrab


-


Th e chi e ft ai n is u p o n his w ay with zal
A nd e l e ph ant s and tr 0 0 p s e s c o rti ng th e m .

H e w e n t with s p e e d and to ld Mihrab wh o j o y e d ; ,


V . 21 8

H is c h e e k s gr e w r u ddy as t h e c e rcis bl o o m -

H e s o u nd e d tr u m p e t s m o u nt e d k e ttl e dr u m s
, ,

A nd fu rn i s h e d fo rth his ar m y lik e t h e e y e


Of ch anticl e e r. H u g e e l e ph ant s and m ins tr e l s
M ad e e arth a P aradis e fr o m e nd t o e nd .

Wh at wi t h t h e m any fl ag s o f p aint e d s ilk


O f div e r s c o l ou rs s ou nd o f pip e s and h arp s
, ,

Th e bl as t o f tr u m p e ts and t h e din o f g o ngs ,

O ne w o u ld h av e s aid : I t is a fe s ti val ,

Th e R e s u rr e cti o n o r t h e L as t Gr e at Day .

Th u s w e n t Mihrab till h e e nc o u nt e r e d S am ,

H e th e n di s m o u nt e d and appr o ach e d o n fo o t .

Th at p al adin o f p al adi ns e m br ac e d him


A nd as k e d if all w e r e w e ll M ihrab b e g an
.

To c o m pl im e n t b o th s am and zal th e nlik e ,

Th e ne w m o on ri s i ng o e r t h e m ou nt ain t o p s

-

H e m o u nt e d h is fl e e t s te e d and s e t a cr o w n
O f g o ld and j e w e l s o n t h e h e ad o f zal .

C o nv e rs ing o f t h e p as t th e y r e ach e d Ka bu l .
PI R DA
'

TH E S H A H N A M A
'

OF US I

Wh at with t h e cl ang o f I ndi an b e ll s t h e s o u nd s ,

O f lyr e and h arp and pip e o ne w o u ld h av e s aid


,

Th e r o o fs and d o o r s m ak e m u s ic Ti m e s are ch ang e d .

Th e h o r s e s m ane s and fo r e l o ck s ran with s affr o n


A nd m u s k . Th e n with thr e e h u ndr e d fe m al e s l av e s


With gird e d l o ins e ach with a c u p o f g o ld
,

Which bri mm e d with mu s k and g e m s S indu k h t ap ,

ro ac h e d,
p
A nd all bl e s s e d S am and s h o w e r e d fo rth t h e j e w e l s .

E ach p e r s on pr e s e nt o n th at h appy day


H ad tr e as u r e t o t h e fu ll S am s m il e d and as k e d
.



H o w l o ng wilt th o u c o nc e al Budab a th u s ?
S indu k h t r e pli e d : I f th o u w ou ld s t s e e t h e S u n
Wh at is my fe e
S am ans w e r e d : Wh at th ou wil t “

My tr e as u r e s cr o w n thr o ne c o u ntry— all are thine


, , , .

Th e y s o u ght t h e ch amb e r ar ab e s qu e d with g o ld ,

Wh e r e all w as j o cu nd S pring and s am e nt r anc e d, , ,

S tr u ck d u m b and d azz l e d vi e w e d t h e m o o n fac e d m aid


, ,
-
.

At l as t h e s aid t o z al : Th ou l u cky y o u th

.

G o d gr e atly h e lp e d th e e wh e n thi s gl o ri o u s S u n
S e t h e r affe cti o ns o n th y fac e Thy Ch o ic e .

I s ch o ic e i nd e e d
By S a m s d e s ir e Mihrab'

Appr o ach e d t o e x e cu t e t h e l e g al c o ntr act .

Th e y pl ac e d t h e h appy c o u pl e o n o ne thr one


A nd s c att e r e d e m e r ald s and c ar ne li ans .

H e r c oro ne t w as wr ou ght o f g o ld and h is


O f r oy al g e m s Mihrab pr o d u c e d and r e ad
.

Th e i nv e nt o ry o f h is d au ght e r s do wry

Tis m o r e th an e ar c an h e ar

Till o ne h ad cri e d .

s am w as c o nfou nd e d wh e n h e r e ali s e d
Th e tr e as u r e s and i nv o k e d t h e nam e o f Go d
,
.

Th e n h all and city r e v e ll e d for a w e e k ,

Th e p al ac e w as a P ar adi s e in rapt u r e s ,
29

The S tory of t he Bi th r o f R u s t am

E re l o ng t h e no bl e Cypr e s s w as in b e ari ng ,

D e light s o m e S pri ng gr e w s e r e h e r h e art w as s ad


, ,

S h e w e pt bl o o d fo r t h e b u rd e n th at s h e b o re .

G one w as h e r c e rcis bl o om h e r che e ks w e r e s affro n


-

, .

S indu k h t s aid u nt o h e r : L ife o f thy m o th e r !



Why h as t th o u gr o wn s o w an ?
Rudab a ans w e r e d
By night and day I cry fo r h e lp I lie .

S l e e pl e s s and with e r e d lik e a living c o rp s e .

My ti me h ath c o me b u t no t d e live r anc e .


U n t il th at c am e s h e l ack e d b o th r e s t and s l e e p .

O ne w ou ld h av e s aid : H e r s kin is s t u ffe d with s t o ne s



O r ir o n. N o w o ne day s h e s w o o ne d and s hri e ks ,

R os e fr om t h e h all s o f zal S indu kh t b e w ail e d


. ,

Pl u ck e d o u t h e r r av e n tr es s e s m u s k p e rfu me d -

A nd t o r e h e r fac e . Th e n o ne anno u nc e d t o zal



Th e l e av e s h av e with e r e d o n thy l o ft y Cypr e s s ,

A nd h e with t e arfu l ch e e ks and s trick e n h e art


Appr o ach e d t h e c ou ch wh e reo n R11 dab a lay ’

Th e fe m al e s l ave s w e r e t e ari ng o u t th e ir h air


U nv e il e d with t e arfu l fac e s Th e n o cc u rre d
.

A th o u ght t o z al which e as e d h im o f hi s ang u i s h


Th e pl u m e o f t h e S imu rgh 1
H e s m iling t o ld
.

S indu k h t th e n br o u ght a c e ns e r kin dl e d fi re


, ,

A nd b u r nt s o m e o f t h e pl u m e Th e air gr e w d ark
A nd th at i m p e ri ou s bird s w o o p e d d o w n—a Cl ou d
.

Wh o s e dr o p s w e r e p e arl s p e arl s s ay I r ath e r p e ac e


, , .

zal did o b e i s anc e l o ng and prai s e d h e r mu ch .

S h e th u s addr e s s e d h im : Wh e r e fo r e is this gri e f



,

Thi s m o is tu r e in t h e mighty L i o n s e y e ? ’

01

1
pp . 2 3 5. 2 4 6 .
M I N ( ICH I H R 32 1

Fr o m thi s mo o n fac e d and s ilv e r b o s o m e d Cypre s s


- -

Will c o m e a no bl e b ab e Th e m ighty li o n .

Will ki s s t h e d u s t u p o n h is fe e t N o cl o u d .

Will d ar e t o p as s ab o ve him Wh e n h e s h o u t e th .

The p ard will s plit it s s ki n and g naw it s p aw s .

The w arri o r s th at s e e his whi zz i ng m ac e ,

H is ch e s t h is ar ms and ne ck will h e ar h is v o ic e
, ,

With qu aki ng h e art s s t e e l e at e r s th o u gh th e y b e ,


-

A nd g all an t fight e r s ; fo r thi s child will pr o v e


I n c o u n s e l s and in r e d e a w e ighty S am ,

I n h e ight a cypr e s s tr e e in wr ath a li o n -

, ,

I n s tr e ngth an e l e ph an t and fi llip brick s ,

Tw o m il e s H is birth will no t b e nat u r al


.
,

S o will e th H e w h o giv e th g o o d Bring th o u .

A bl u e s t e e l d agg e r s e e k a c u nni ng m an
-

, ,

B e mu s e t h e l ady firs t with wi ne t o e as e


H e r p ai n and fe ar th e n le t h im ply his cr aft ,

A nd t ak e t h e Li o n fr o m it s l air by pi e rci ng
H e r w ai s t whil e all u nc o ns ci o u s th u s i m br u i ng ,

H e r s id e in bl o o d and th e n s titch u p t h e g as h
, .

Pu t tr o u bl e c ar e and fe ar as id e and br u i s e
, , ,

Wi t h m ilk and mu s k a h e rb th at I will s h o w th e e


A nd dry th e m in t h e s h ad e Dr e s s and ano i nt .

Rudab a s w o u nd and w atch h e r c o m e t o life



.

Ru b o e r t h e w o u nd m y pl u m e it s gr aci ou s s h ad e

Will pr o v e a bl e s s i ng Le t thi s gl add e n th e e . .

Th e n go b e fo r e t he L o rd wh o h ath b e s t o w e d
Thi s r o y al Tr e e which e v e r b lo s s o m e t h
G o o d fo rtu ne Be no t tr o u bl e d fo r thi s m att e r
.
,


B e c au s e t hy fe rtil e B o u gh will yi e ld th e e fr u it .

S h e s p ak e and pl u cking fr o m h e r wing a pl u me


,

Dro pp e d it and fl e w al o ft z al pick e d it u p .

A nd did O m ar v e l as t h e bird h ad s aid


, ,

Whil e e v e ry o ne l o o k e d o n am az e dly
With w ou nd e d s pirit and with bl o o d s h o t e y e s .

x
TH E S H A H N A M A P I R DA U S I
'

322 OF

S indu k h t w e pt t e ars o f bl o o d in t o rre nt s as king ,

H o w s h all t h e i nfan t c o m e fo rth thr o u gh t h e s id e ?


Th e r e c am e an archi m ag e o ne d e ft o f h and , ,

Wh o m ad e t h e m o o n fac e d d am e b e mu s e d wi th wine
-

Th e n pi e rc e d h e r s id e whil e s h e w as all u nc o ns ci o u s ,

A nd h aving t u rne d t h e i nfan t s h e ad aright


'

D e liv e r e d h e r u ni nj u r e d N o ne h ad s e e n .

A thi ng s o s tr ang e Th e b ab e w as l ik e a li o n.
,

A h e r o t all and fair t o l o o k u p o n .

B o th m e n and w o m e n w o nd e r e d at h im no ne ,

H ad h e ard o f s u ch an e l e ph anti ne child .

A day and night t h e m o th e r lay as l e e p ,

B e mu s e d u nc o ns ci ou s Th e y t h e whil e s e w e d u p
,
.

Th e w o u n d and e as e d t h e ang u i s h with t h e dr e s s i ng .

Wh e n s h e aw o k e and whi s p e r e d t o S indu k h t


Th e y s h o w e r e d g o ld and j e we l s o v e r h e r
A nd pr ai s e d t h e Al m ighty Th e n th e y br ou ght t h e b abe .

To h e r e xt o lli ng h im as h e av e nly
, .

Th e fir s t day th o u h ad s t c all e d h im tw e lv e m onth s old


A v e ry h e ap o f li li e s m ix e d with t u lip s .

Th e l o fty Cypr e s s s m il e d u p o n t h e b ab e ,

P e rc e iv e d in h im t h e Gr ac e o f ki ng o f ki ng s ,


A nd ,
I am m agnifi e d s h e s aid

and gri e f , ,

I s o ve r .

S o th e y nam e d t h e in fant R u s t am .

Th e y m ad e o f s ilk a h e role t t h e s i ze
O f th at u ns u ckl e d Li o n s t u fli ng it ,

With s abl e s h air and li mni ng S 0 1 and Ve nu s


Up o n t h e ch e e k s with dr ag ons o n t h e ar ms
, ,

A nd o n t h e h and s a li o n s cl aw s B e ne ath ’
.

Th e arm th e r e w as a s p e ar m ac e in o ne h and ,

A nd bridl e in t h e o th e r Th e y s e t t h e p u pp e t .

Up o n a ch e s t nu t h o r s e with gr e at att e nd anc e .

1
Th ew rd in t h P r ian may al m an
o e e s so e Je su s i dé li ré v e (Mo hl ) ,

or I b a fr it lit
e r Th re i fr it t o m
u , .
, e s u e .
'

TH E S H A H N A M A

324 O F F I R DA U S I
'

N ow th at t h e b ack s o f b o th o f u s are s tr aight e ne d


We o nly nee d t o pr ay th at w e m ay liv e .

C am e lik e a r u s hi ng wi nd t he m e s s e ng e r
To zal o f ard e n t and e x u lti ng h e art ,

T o ld h im o f S a m s d e light and g av e t h e l e tt e r

.

A s s o o n as zal h ad h e ard th o s e pl e as an t w o rd s ,

Which c au s e d t h e cl e ar brai ne d h e r o add e d j oy -

H e r ai s e d h is ne ck t o t o u ch t h e az u r e s k y .

Th u s w e nt t h e w o rld with z al and s h o w e d it s p u rp o s e .

Te n nu r s e s s u ckl e d R u s t am fo r fr o m m ilk ,

A re s tr e ngth and c o ns titu ti o n B e i ng w e ane d .

H e liv e d o n br e ad and fl e s h H e at e as m u ch .

A s fi v e and p e o pl e t u r ne d fr o m s u ch r e p as t s
, .

Wh e n R u s t am h ad att aine d t h e h e ight o f e ight 1

A nd gr o w n a no bl e Cypr e s s o r bright S t ar
A S t ar wh e r e at t h e w o rld w as all ag az e
Th o u w ou ld s t h ave s aid : Tis v ali ant S am ind e e d ’

I n s t at u r e wi s d o m c o u nt e nanc e and r e d e

, .
, ,

H ow S am ca me to s ee R us tam

S am :

h e ard : Th e s o n o f z al is lik e a li o n ,

N one e v e r s aw a child s o fi e rc e and s t alw art .

H is h e art w as s tirr e d in h im and h e r e s o lv e d ,

Hi m s e lf t o s e e t h e b o y H e l e ft in ch arg e .

Th e c apt ai n o f t h e h o s t and w e nt with e s c o rt ,

Dr aw n by h is l o ve t o w ard z ab u lis t an
,
.

Th e n e arth gr e w e b o n fo r 2 51 1 h e ard t h e ne w s
, ,

B o u nd o n t h e d r u ms and w e nt with br ave Mihrab


To w e lc o m e S am Wh e n zal h ad dr o pp e d t h e b all
.

S h o u t s o f de p art u r e r o s e o n e v e ry s id e .

1 Fird i au s do e s no t S p cif y
e t h e m e as u re . Mo hl tr l t ans a e s

h it
u


pal mes .
MIN UCH I H R 325

Th e m as s of me n tr e tch e d ou t fr o m hill t o hill


s ,

With bu ckl e r aft e r b u ckl e r re d and y e ll o w .

Th e n tru m p e t e d t h e e l e ph ant and ne igh e d


Th e Ar ab s t e e d fi v e mil e s th at din r e s ou nd e d
, .

Th e y h ad o ne m ighty e l e ph an t c ap ari s o ne d
A nd fu r ni s h e d with a go ld e n thr o ne wh e r e o n ,

Th e s o n o f z al s at with h is cypr e s s fo r m -

A nd wh at a n e ck and s h o u ld e r s I cr o wne d and girt ,

With b o w and s h aft s in h and and s hi e ld b e fo r e him


,
.

S am s aw and r ank e d h is tr o o p s u p on e ach s id e .

Mihrab and S am dis m o u nt e d and t h e e ld e r s ,

F e ll pr os tr at e c alli ng bl e s s ings d o w n o n S am
, ,

Wh o s e fac e bl o o m e d lik e a r o s e With gl add e ne d h e art


.

H e s m il e d t o s e e t h e child s o s tr o ngly b u ilt


A li o n s W h e lp u p o n an e l e ph an t

.

H e h ad th e m br o u ght j u s t as th e y w e r e s u rv e y e d ,

Th e b oy th u s cr o w ne d and thr o ne d and bl e s s e d h im , ,

s ayi ng :

Liv e l ong and h appily th o u m atchl e s s L i o n


, .

Th e n R u s t am ki s s e d S am s thr o ne and w o nd e rfu l


To t e ll ! s al u t e d h im in thi s ne w fas hi o n
Gr e at p al adi n ! r ej o ic e I am thi ne o ffs h o o t
,

Be t h o u m y r o o t Th e s l av e o f S am am I
.
,

Bu t am n o t o ne fo r b anqu e t dr e am and e ase , , ,

I w o u ld h av e s t e e d and s addl e m ail an d h e l m , ,

D e s p atch m y c o m pli m e nt s by b o lt and arr o w ,

A nd by G o d s biddi ng tr am pl e o n fo e s h e ad s
’ ’
.


My fac e is lik e t o t hi ne s o b e m y c o u r ag e
, .

H e light e d . s am t h e chi e ft ai n gr as p e d h is h and


A nd ki s s e d his h e ad and e y e s M e anwhil e t h e ty m b al s
.

A n d e l e ph ant s w e r e s till Th e n fu ll o f gl e e
.

A nd t al k th e y all b e t o o k th e m t o t h e p al ac e
A nd r e v e ll e d m e rrily o n g o ld e n s e at s ,

Thu s r e s ting fo r a m o nth with h arp and s ong .

Up o n t h e thr o ne th e r e s at vict o ri ou s S am ,
3 26 TH E S H A H N A M A OF PI RDA US I

An eagl e s fe at h e r dr o o ping fr o m h is cr o wn

F lank e d by his s o n and R u s t am m ac e in h and ,

O n wh o m t h e gr and s ir e g az e d am az e dly ,

I nv o k e d o e r h im t h e nam e o f G o d and th o u ght


With s u ch a nc ck and ar m s s u ch th e w s and s h ou ld e r s , ,

S u ch r e e d lik e w ai s t s u ch am pl e ch e s t and br e as t
-

, ,

S u ch thigh s lik e th o s e o f m ighty dr o m e d ari e s ,

S u ch li o n s h e art and li o n tig e r m ight



-

S u ch g o o dly fe at u r e s ne ck and Gr ac e h e h ath


, , ,


N o p e e r o n e arth th e n s aid t o zal :
, Alth o u gh “

Th o u qu e s ti o n b ack a h u ndr e d g e ne r ati o ns ,

N o o ne w o u ld kno w o f b ab e d e liv e r e d th u s .

H o w c o u ld th e y do t h e thi ng s u cc e s s fu lly ?
A th o u s an d ti m e s m ay th at S im u rgh b e bl e s t
To wh o m G o d s h o w e d t h e w ay N o w le t u s r e v e l .

A nd pu t t o flight with wi ne t h e s o u l o f c ar e ,

Fo r thi s w o rld i s a c ar av ans e r ai ,

O ld g u e s t s d e p art and n e w o ne s t ak e th e ir pl ac e s .

Th e y pu t t h e wi ne ab o u t and gr e w b e mu s e d ,

Th e y dr ank t h e chi e ft ai n s h e alth th e n th at o f z en


, .

Mihrab k e pt qu afling till h e t h o u ght hi m s e lf


Th e o ne m an o f t h e w o rld I do no t c ar e .

Fo r zal o r S am h e s aid , S hah cr o w n o r Gr ac e


,

, .

I R u s t am and m y s t e e d S h ab di z and s w o rd
, , ,

N o cl o u d w ill d ar e t o o v e r s h ad o w u s .

I will r e viv e t h e c u s t o m s o f Zah h ak ,

A nd m ak e t h e d u s t b e ne ath my fe e t p u r e m u s k .

A nd no w t o fi nd h im ar m s .

H e s p ak e in j e s t ,

A nd zal and S am w e r e m e rry at h is w o rd s .

S am wh e n t h e m o nth w as o e r o ne day at d awn


, ,

R e t u r ne d t o h is o wn thr o ne H e s aid t o zal .


My s o n b e j u s t and l o y al t o t h e S hah s ,

Pr e fe rri ng wi s d o m o ve r w e alth r e fr aining ,

Thy h and s fr o m e vil all thy y e ar s and s e e king ,


TH E S H A H N A M A PI RDA U S I
'

OF

S ho u ts r o s e o u t s id e h is d o o r Th e chi e f s whit e

e l e ph an t

H ath br o k e n l o o s e and fo lk are in its d ange r !


,

H e h e ard an d u rge d by h ardih o o d ran fo rth


, ,

S natch e d u p S a m s m ac e and m ad e t o w ard t h e s tr e e t



.

Th e k e e p e r s o f t h e g at e o pp os e d him s ayi ng ,


We fe ar t h e chi e ft ai n t is a d ark s o m e night
,

Th e e l e ph ant is l o o s e ! Wh o c an appr o v e
Thy g o i ng fo rth
Wr o th at t h e s p e ak e r s w o rd s ’

Th e m atchl e s s R u s t am s m o t e h im o n t h e nap e
H is h e ad r o ll e d fr o m h im R u s t am t u r ne d t o w ard
.

Th e o th e r s b u t th e y fl e d t h e p al adi n ,

Who b o ldly w e n t u p t o t h e g at e and s m as h e d


Th e ch ai ns and b o lt s with bl o w s t h at w e ll b e fi t t e d
O ne o f s u ch n o bl e n am e w e n t fo rth lik e wi nd
,

With s h o u ld e r e d m ac e e xcit e dly appr o ach e d ,

Th e m ighty b e as t and r o ar e d o u t lik e t h e s e a .

H e l o o k e d and s aw a M o u nt ai n b e ll o wi ng ,

Th e gr o u nd b e ne ath it lik e a b o ili ng po t ,

S aw h is o wn no bl e s fl e e i ng in di s m ay ,

L ik e s h e e p th at s py a w o lf r o ar e d lik e a li o n
,

A nd w e nt c o u r ag e ou s ly ag ai ns t t h e b e as t ,

Which s e e i ng h im ch arg e d at h im lik e a m o u n t ai n


A nd r e ar e d it s tr u nk t o s trik e b u t R u s t am d e alt it ,

A m ac e bl o w o n t h e h e ad ; t h e m ou nt ai n fo r m
- -

S t o o p e d ; M o u n t B1 s t 11n s h o o k t o it s c o r e and t u m bl e d
' ’

At o ne bl o w vil e and s tr e ngthl e s s Thu s it fe ll .


,

Th at b e ll o wi ng e l e ph ant whil e m atchl e s s R u s t am


,

W e nt lightly t o h is pl ac e ag ai n and s l e pt .

N o w wh e n t h e s u n as c e nd e d fr o m t h e e as t ,

Bright as t h e ch e e k s o f t h o s e w h o r avi s h h e art s ,

z al h e ard o f R u s t am s d e e d s h o w h e h ad k no ck e d

Th e d u s t o u t o f t h e r o ari ng e l e ph ant ,

H ad with a s i ngl e m ac e bl o w br o k e n it s ne ck
-

M I N U CH I H R

A nd c as t b o dy t o t h e gr o u nd H e cri e d
it s .

Wo e fo r th at m ighty e l e ph an t which u s e d ,

To b e ll o w lik e t h e d ark bl u e s e a ! H o w o ft e n
H ath th at s tr o ng b e as t ch arg e d and o e rt h ro w n ’

Ye t c o nqu e r h o w s oe er it m ight in b attl e


My s o n h ath b e s t e d it
H e s um m o ne d R u s t am ,

Ki s s e d h im u p o n his h e ad and h and s and ne ck ,

A nd s a id : O lio n s Wh e lp ! thy cl aws h av e gr o w n


A nd th o u art br av e i nd e e d Y o u t h as th o u art
Th o u h as t no p e e r in s t at u r e Gr ac e and v al o u r, ,

S o e re thy s p re adi ng fam e s h all thw art t hi ne acti o n


T ak e v e nge anc e fo r t h e bl o o d o f N ar iman .

S p e e d fo rth t o M o u n t S ipand wh e r e t h o u wilt s e e


A cl o u d c apt s tr o ngh o ld fo u r l e ag u e s s q u ar e wh e re o ve r
-

Th e eagl e h ath n o t s o ar e d Tis fu ll o f h e rb ag e



.

A nd w at e r g o ld and m o ne y m e n and b e as t s
, ,
.

B o th tr e e s and h u s b and m e n ab ou nd th e r e ; no ne
H ath s e e n a pl ac e lik e th at Th e All Pr o vid e r
.
-

H ath fu rni s h e d w o rkm e n o f all s o rt s and fru it tr e e s ,


-
.

Th e r e is b u t o ne appr o ach ; t is thr o u gh a g at e


A s high as h e av e n and N ar im a n w h o b o r e
, ,

The b all fr o m all t h e chi e fs appr o ach e d t h e s tr o ngh o ld


,

By o r de r o fS hah F aridu n and h e ld


Th e r o ad . Th e s i e g e w e nt o n b o th n ight and day
With s tr at ag e m s and s p e ll s ab o v e a y e ar ,

Un til t h e fo e hu rl e d d o w n a r o ck and e arth


P o s s e s s e d t h e p al adin no m o r e Th e h o s t .

R e tr e at e d t o t h e S hah Wh e n S am w as t o ld
.

Th e v ali ant Li o n h ath h ad fight e no u gh


‘ ’

H e w ail e d with gr o wi ng gri e f and h avi ng m o u rne d ,

A w e e k in angu i s h c all e d t h e h o s t t o g e th e r .

H e m arch e d ag ai ns t th at h o ld with tr 0 0 p s th at c o v e r e d
Th e w as t e and d e s e rt and fo r m o nth s and y e ar s
,

Be l e agu e r e d it in v ai n N o ne i s s u e d fo rth
.
TH E S H A H N A M A P IR DA U S I

OF

A nd no ne w e nt in b u t
, th ou gh t h e g at e w as s h u t
S o l o ng t h e fo e l ack e d no t a s t alk o f h ay ,

A nd S am fo r e w e nt his v e ng e an c e in d e s p air .

N o w is t h e ti me my s o n ! fo r artific e
, .

G o with a c ar av an in m e rry pin ,

S o th at t h e w atch m e n m ay no t fi nd th e e ou t ,

A nd wh e n th o u o c c u pie s t M o u nt S ipand
D e s tr o y th os e e vil do e r s ro o t and s t e m
-

, .

S i nc e th o u art y e t u nk no w n th o u m ay s t s u cc e e d .

Th e n R u s t am ans w e r e d : I w ill do thy bidding


A nd s o o n pr o vid e a ph y s io fo r t h e ach e .

S aid zal t o h im : My pr u d e nt s o n ! giv e e ar .

Do n c am e l driv e r s cl o th e s and fr o m t h e pl ai n

-

Fe tch c am e l s t o m ak e u p a c arav an .

Di s g u i s e thys e lf and c arry nau ght b u t s al t ,

Fo r th at is pr e ci o u s th e r e Th e fo lk k no w n o thi ng
.

O f gr e at e r v al u e .Th ou gh t h e c as tl e t o w e re th
Ab o v e it s g at e th e y h av e no s alt t o e at ,

S o all will ru n t o gr e e t th e e wh e n th e y s e e
L o ad s o f it c o m ing u ne xp e ct e dly .

H ow R u s tam went to M o unt S ipand

Th e n R u s t am m ad e h im r e ady fo r t h e fr ay ,

C o nc e ale d h is m ac e within a l o ad o f s alt


A nd t o o k s o m e wi s e and v ali ant m e n with al .

H e hid t h e ar m s withi n t h e c am e l s l o ad s

A nd m e rry a t t h e artific e s p e d o n
To M ou n t S ipand Wh e n h e arriv e d t h e w atch m an
.

S aw h im and h as t e ne d t o t h e c as t e ll an .

A c ar av an h e s aid with m any drive r s


, ,

H ath c o m e and if m y l o rd d o th as k th e ir bu s i ne s s
, ,

To m e it s e e m e th th at th e y c arry s alt .
TH E S H A H N A M A O F FI R DA U S I

3 32

Th e p e e rl e s s R u s t am with his l as s o m ac e , ,

A nd s w o rd d e s tr o y e d t h e g all an t fo e ; and wh e n
Th e s u n u nv e il e d it s e lf and h e ld t h e w o rld ,

Fr o m e arth t o Pl e i ad e s o f all t h e g arri s o n ,

N o t o ne r e m ai ne d aliv e th at w as n o t w o u nd e d .

The br av e Ira ni ans e n t e r e d e v e ry no o k


A nd s l au ght e r e d all th e y fo u nd Th e m atchl e s s R u s t am .

S aw in t h e cit ad e l wh e r e r o o m w as s c an t
A b u ilding o f h ard s t o ne with ir o n d o o rs ,

A nd h avi ng with his m ac e bl o w s s h att e r e d th e m -

H e e nt e r e d and b e h e ld a l o fty v au lt
F u ll o f d inars A s t o ni e d at t h e s ight
.

H e bit his lip ; th e n t o h is chi e fs h e s aid



Wh o e ve r w o u ld h av e th o u ght o f s u ch a thi ng ?
G o o d s o o th no g o ld r e m ain e th in t h e min e s ,

O r any p e arl o r j e we l in t h e s e a '

Th e y lie o u t s pr e ad withi n thi s tr e as u ry


-
.

H o w Rus tam wrote a Le tte r anno u ncing his Vic to ry to 2 6 !

Th e n R u s t am wr o t e h is s ir e a fu ll r e p o rt
O f wh at h ad p as s e d : Fir s t bl e s s i ng b e o n H im

,

Wh o is t h e L o rd o f s e rp e nt ant and s u n , , ,

O f V e nu s M ar s and S o l and h e ave n ab o v e


, , , .

M ay H e bl e s s z al t h e h e r o o f zab u l
, ,

Th e p e e rl e s s p al adi n t h e w arri o r s s h e lt e r

, ,

Th e Ira ni ans s t ay w h o s e tt e th u p o n high


Th e fl ag o f Kaw a w h o e nt h ro ne t h S hah s
, ,

Wh o t ak e th thr o ne s h im wh o s e c o m m and m e nt r e ach e th


.

To s u n and m o on .

c ame t o M o u n t S ipand I
By thy b e h e s t and wh at a m o u nt w as th e r e !
,

Tw as lik e t h e s ky Wh e n I h ad r e ach e d it s fo o t

.
'

M I N U CH I H R 333

Th e re c ame a gre e ting fr o m t h e c as t e ll an ,

A nd th ou gh I did acc o rdi ng t o his bi ddi ng


All thi ng s t u r ne d o u t as I w o u ld h av e th e m b e .

At night ti m e with my famo u s m e n o f w ar


-

I g av e s c ant r e s pit e t o t h e g arri s o n ,

Wh o h av e b e e n s l ai n o r m ai m e d o r h av e e s c ap e d
By thr o wi ng all th e ir fi gh t ing g e ar aw ay -
.

Th e r e are in s o o th fi v e h u ndr e d th o u s and l o ad s


O f s ilv e r i ng o t s a nd o f s t an d ard g o ld .

O f r ai m e n t t ap e s tri e s and m o v abl e s


, ,

N o o ne c o u ld t e ll t h e t o t al th o u gh h e c o u nt e d
For d ay s and m o nth s . Wh at w o u ld t h e p al adi n
M ay h is s t e p s pr o s p e r m ay h is m i nd b e bright
, .

Th e m e s s e ng e r c am e lik e a bl as t and g av e
Th e l e t t e r t o t h e p al adi n Th at chi e ft ain
.

R e ad and e xcl ai m e d : Pr ais e t o th o s e no bl e o ne s



.

Th o u w ou ld s t h av e s aid : Th e ne w s will m ake h im


yo u ng .

H e wr o t e a fu ll r e ply fir s t pr ai s i ng G o d
,

A nd th e n pr o c e e di ng th u s : I h av e p e r u s e d

Th at t al e o f tri u m ph and p o u re d o u t m y s ou l
I n j oy
. S u ch fight s b e c o m e th e e w e ll m y s o n ,

Wh o th o u gh a b oy h as t pl ay e d t h e m an illu me d ,

Th e s ou l o f N arim a n and bu r ne d h is fo es .

To c arry o ff t h e s p o il I h av e s e nt c am e l s
By th ou s and s H aving r e ad thi s m o u nt with s p ee d ;
.

Thi ne ab s e nc e gri e ve th m e P ack all t h e b es t


.
,

The n fi re t h e h o ld in v e ng e an c e .

R u s t am r e ad
Th e l e tt e r w e ll c ont e nt th e n ch o s e t h e ch o ic e s t
,

Am o ng t h e s igne t rings s w o rd s c as qu e s and b e lt s


-

, , , ,

A s w e ll as p e arl s and j e w e l s fit fo r ki ng s ,

A nd fig u r e d pi e c e s o f br o c ad e o f Chin ,

A nd s e n t th e m t o h is s ir e Th e c ar av an
.

S e t fo rth whil e h e s e t fi re t o M o u nt S ipand ,


334 TH E S H A H N A M A OF PI RDA vs i
Wh o s e r e e k r o s e S ky w ard th e n h e t u rne d aw ay
,

Light h e art e d and w e nt h o m e lik e r u s hing wi nd


-

W h e n zal h ad h e ard : Th e w o rld ill u m i ng chi e ft ai n-


H ath c o m e t h e fo lk pr e p ar e d t o w e lc o m e him
,

A nd d e c o r at e d all t h e s tr e e t s and q u art e r s .

Ar o s e t h e din o f br az e n cl ari o ns ,

O f cy m b al s tr u mp e t s and o f I ndi an b e ll s
, ,

A s e ag e r R u s t am far e d t o w ard z al s p al ac e

A nd c o m ing b o w e d t o e arth b e fo r e h is m o th e r ,

Wh o bl e s s e d h is fac e and ki s s e d h is ch e s t and s h o u ld e r s ,

Whil e zal t h e chi e f e m br ac e d his s on and bad e


A s c att e ri ng o f l arg e s s t o b e m ad e .

34

The Le tt er of Z al t o s am

Th e fam ou s chi e f s e nt t h e g o o d ne w s t o S am ,

With m any gift s t o him and e v e ry o ne .

Wh e nas t h e l e tt e r c am e t o S am h is ch e e k s
Bl o o m e d lik e a r o s e in h is e xc e e di ng j o y .

H e m ad e a fe as t lik e j o c u nd s pri ng b e s t o w e d ,

Up o n t h e m e s s e ng e r a r o b e and s t e e d ,

A nd t alk e d o f R u s t am m u ch H e wr o t e t o zal
.



I t is no t w o nd e rfu l th at li o ns wh e lp s
Pr o v e br av e A cl e ve r archi m ag e m ay t ak e
.

O ne e re it s u ck and bri ng it u p with m e n ,

Y e t will h e fe ar it wh e n it s t e e th h av e gr o wn ,

Fo r th o u gh it ne v e r s aw it s m o th e r s d u gs


Twill thr o w b ack t o t h e i ns ti nct s o f it s s ir e .

N o w o nd e r th e n th at R u s t am s h o u ld i nh e rit
z al s pr o w e s s and th at Li o ns s e e k h is aid

I n ti m e s o f e nt e rpri s e .

H e s e al e d t h e l e tt e r
A nd g av e it t o t h e m e s s e nge r w h o w e nt
,
TH E S H A H N A M A P I RDA U S I

3 36 OF

I cl e ans e d t h e w o rld o f it s i ni qu iti e s


A nd b u ilt m e m any a city m any a fo rtr e s s ,

Y e t th o u might s t s ay th at I h ad ne v e r s e e n
Th e w o rld s u ch am I ! and m y t al e o f y e ar s
,

I s bl ank . A tr e e wh o s e l e av e s and fr u it are bitt e r ,

S h ou ld it no t r ath e r die th an s till liv e o n


N o w aft er I h av e b o r ne s u ch p ai n and tr av ail
I l e av e t h e thr o ne o f ki ng s hip and t h e tr e as u r e
A s Faridi i n o n c e g av e t o m e

To th e e .
,

S o giv e I th e e t h e cr o wn w o r n by t h e S hah s
, .

V . 24 2 H ard are t h e e nt e rpri s e s th at c o nfr ont th e e ,

Th o u mu s t h e s o m e ti me s w o lf and s o m e ti m e s s h e e p
:

Th e o ffs pri ng o f P as h ang will b e thy b ane ,

A nd fr o m T aran will b e thy s tr ait e ni ng .

Wh e n any qu e s ti o n s h all ari s e my s o n ! ,

S e e k aid fr o m z al and S am and thi s ne w Tr e e


N o w b u rg e o nin g s pr u ng fr o m t h e r oo t o f z al
, .

H e will tr e ad d o w n T ara n and t ak e u p o n h im



To av e ng e th e e .

Whil e h e s p ak e h e w e pt N au dar .

B e w ail e d him bitt e rly and th u s t h e S hah


, ,

Fr e e fro m di s e as e u nv e x e d by any p ai ns
, ,

Cl o s e d wit h a l as t c o ld s igh his e y e s and fad e d .

S o p as s e d th at fam o u s S hah w e ll gr ac e d in all


, ,

Wh o s e t al e is l e ft as h is me mo ri al .
N A U DA R

HE RE I G N E D FO R S E V EN Y E A RS

A RG U M E N T

N au dar r l
ppr i ly nd t h p pl r lt b t S am
u es o e s s ve a e eo e evo ,
u suc

ce ed in r t ri n g rd r
s P h ng t h ki ng f T aran h w r
es o o e . as a , e o ,
o eve ,

t k t h pp r t nity f t h d th f M ina hih t nd n


a es e o o u o e ea o c r o se a

a rm y t i n d I ran n d r t h c m m nd f hi
o va n A f ra iy a
e b u e e o a o s so s .

Th Irani n
e d f t d nd N da with m ny f h i chi f
s are e ea e ,
a au ar, a o s e s,

i t k n p ri n r
s a eA fra iy ab kill N nd r n dso m t h c r wn
e . s s a a a as s u es e o

o f Iran I gh i t h b r th r f A f ra iy ab t r it r
. ly r l
r ras , e o e o s ,
a o ou s e e as e s

t h Irani n pr i n r
e t h I r ani n and r K a r n n d z i l bt i n
so e s, e a s u e a a . o a

i nd p nd nt cc
e e r t h Ta ani n nd A fra iyab p t
e su esses ove e r a s, a s u s

hi b r th r I gh i
s o t d th e r ras o ea .

NO E T
In thi r ig n t h cs e e o nne cti on b twe een t he S h ah nam a and t he
V e das t mp r ril y e re d and w e a
o a nab l t see ms t o b e s e ve ,
re u e o

tr c
a e t h e nam e f t h e pri n cipal h e r e f r th r b ack than t he
s o o s u e

Zanda a t a wh e re m t f th e m a b f t o ry f
_

v s t,
nd Th os o re o e ou . e s o

t he r ig n is ne o f di a t r f
e Ir an ; and t h anci e n t f d rigi
o s s e or e eu ,
o

nati ng in t h m rde r f I raj r c e i a n w i m pe t s thr


e u gh o ,
e ve s e u ou

th xe c ti n f I gh i a b y hi b ro th r A fra iy ab We a e
e e u o o r r s s e s . r

ac rdingly h r i n t r d c d t t h r yal li n f T aran o f which


co e e o u e o e o e o ,

w ha e h ard n thing i nc t he layi ng o f Tu by M inil hih


e v e o s e s r
'

c r,

and t it c ll t e ral b ran ch t h


o h r ic f amily f Wi a which
s o a ,
e e o o s ,

play ch an i mp r t an t p ar t in thi and f t re r ig n and


s su o s u u e s,

c rr p nds n t he Ta anian i de t t he f am ily o f S am n t he


o es o o r s o o

Irani an Th e m o t i m p r t an t p r o nalit y is th at f A f ras iy ab


.
1
s o e s o

W l arn fr m t h B nd hi h th t Wi and P h ng A f a iy ab
1
e e o e u a s a sa as a , r s

s

fath r w r br th r
e ,
WPT i 3 5 e e o e s. ,
. 1 .

337
P I RDA U S I
TH E S H A H N A M A

338 OF

t h p r t g ni t f t h T a ani n r c
e o a o nd t h s rch n my f Iran
o e r a a e, a e a -
e e o ,

thr gh t h r ig n f cc i S hah H i t h c nd in
ou e e s o su e s s ve s. e s e se o

t h t r i nity f
e il pirit which cc rdi ng t Z r t ri n b li f
o ev s s ,
a o o o o as a e e ,

w as c r t d by A hri m n t
ea e t h Iran i n r t h fi r t b i ng a o vex e a ac e , e s e

Z hh ak n d t h thi rd pp r ntly A l x n d r t h G r t
a ,
a e In t h a a e e a e e ea .
1
e

p r t f t h xt nt Z nd t k n wn
a o e th
e Z my ad Y t a a av as a o as e a as ,

which h b n t rm d n bri dg d S h ah nam


as ee A f ra iyab e e

a a e a,
”2
s ,

or F ng y n
ra h i th rras c ll d i d cri b d
a ,
m ki ng
as e s e e a e ,
s es e as a

s eve r l tt m pt t a ai t h ki ngly Gl ry Gr c which w


e s o se z e e o or a e as

t h p c li r p
e e u i n f t h S h ah nd which Z hh ak hi m lf
a os s es s o o e s, a a se

so u ght in i n A fra iyab h w r i r c rd d t h


va . b n s , o e ve ,
s e o e o av e ee

o nc cc f l n t
e su n m ight
ess u pp n th,
cc i n in o ,
as o e su ose, o e o as o

th pr nt r ig n b t in th t f K i K au wh n t h l tt r
e e se e ,
u a o a s, e e a e

w ast k n pri n r by t h ki ng f H ama an I n t h B nd hi h


a e so e e o v ar .
3
e u a s

w e fi nd i ndic ti n th t A fra iy ab w rigi n lly lik Z hhak


a o s a s as o a ,
e a ,

a w t r t li n g fi nd ; b t h c nn t b t r c d f r th r b ck
a e -

s ea e u e a o e a e u e a

th n t h Z nd t nd hi d pr d ti n
a e a c nfi n d t t li ng
av as a, a s e e a o s are o e o s ea

a w y t h ri r f Iran I t i r c g ni d in t h Z nd t
a e ve s o .
1

s e o se e a av as a

th t th r
a g d m n in ll c n t ri in th
e e are f th oo ld r e a ou es, os e o e e e

f F ri dun—T uran n d R um — w ll in th t

so n s o a f hi a as e as a o s

y ng t b r n I m W h
ou es -
o n i n t nc f thi
-
in t hrz

5
e av e a s a e o s e
—t h b r th r f A fra iy ab —w h b i ng rigi n lly
.

c as e f I gh i
o r ras e o e o s o e o a

a g d pirit
oo d m i g d i n t r lly
S pp d t f
or r th e -
o s a u a su o se o av o u e

I rani n t t h c t f hi
a s a wn c n t rym n end i h ld p os o s o ou e ,
a s e u as

a so r t f m r tyr in t h p m I n t h Z nd t t h m rd r
o a e oe . e a a v as a e u e

o f I gh i i l k d p n
r ras n f t h m ti
s f
oo ng nc e u o as o e o e o ve s or v e ea e

n A f ra i y a b whil in t h B nd hi h w r d Wh n F a iy a
/
6 “
o s ,
e e u a s e ea : e r s v

m d M anu ih
a e with t h I rani n c pti in t h m n t i n
sc ar, e a s, a ve e ou a

r ng f P d hk h a nd c tt r d r i n nd w nt m ng th m
a e o a as v r, a s a e e u a a a o e ,

A gh é d b gg d
r ra f r f G d nd h bt i n d t h b n fit
e e a av o u o o ,
a e o a e e e e

th t t h rm y nd ch mpi n f t h Irani n w r
a e a a d a o s o e a s e e s av e

by him f r m th t di t r F a iy a
o l w A gh é d f th t a s ess . r s v s e r ra or a

f lt
au Th. t ry in t h S hahnam i t l d n t f M in hih
”7
e s o e a s o o o t rc

r

b t u f N od Th m n t i n r ng i th t t
au ar . th th f e ou a -
a e s a o e s ou o

t h C pi n
e as a .

1
i xl iii
DZA , . v .
2
Id . 11 . 2 86 .

Th r ig n f K i K at will pp r
3
e e o a is a ea in V o l I I . . of thi tr n l ti s a s a on,

wh P rt I I
e re s e e a .

WPT i 8 84
4
,
. 2, .
5
ii
DZA ,
. 226 .

DZA ii
6
4 , . 11 .
7 WPT i ,
. 1 35 .
PI R DA U S I

TH E S H A H N A M A

34 0 OF

A ll matt e r s cl o s e o r o p e n M inrich ih r
.
,

B e fo r e h e cl o s e d h is e y e s s p ak e m u ch o f S am
, ,

A nd I t o o h av e a w ar m s u pp o rt e r in h im
Wh o — p al ad in and fav o u rit e —w atch e d o v e r
,

My fath e r s r e al m illu m i ng thr o ne and cr o w n


, .

N o w thi ng s h av e r e ach e d thi s p as s th at s av e t ho u


t ak e s t
Thy v e ng e fu l m ac e t h e thr o ne will b e ab oli s he d .

Wh e nas t h e l e tt e r c am e S am s igh e d At c o ckcr o w .

Th e s o u n d o f ty m b al s r o s e wi t hi n t h e c o u rt ,

A nd fr o m t h e K argas ars h e m arch e d a h o s t


'

S u ch th at t h e gr e e n s e a h ad b e e n l es t th e r e in .

Th e m ag nat e s in Ira n w e n t o u t t o m e e t
Th e appr o achi ng tr o o p s di s mo u nt e d wh e n ne ar S am
, ,

A nd s p ak e with h im at l arg e o f all t h e acti o ns


D o ne by N au dar and h o w h e w as u nj u s t
,

A nd l e ft h is fath e r s fo o t s t e p s r e ckl e s s ly

.



H e h ath m ad e e arth a d e s e rt th e y pr o t e s t e d
, ,

H is fo r t u ne th at w as w ak e fu l is as l e e p .

H e w alk e th no t in wi s d o m s w ay t h e Gr ac e

,

O f G o d h ath l e ft h im . H o w w o u ld it b e if S am
With his s hr e wd m i nd w e r e s e at e d o n t h e thr o ne
H is fo rt u ne w ou ld r e g e ne r at e t h e w o rld ,

Th e c o u ntry and it s thr o ne w o u ld b o th b e h is .

We all w o u ld s e rv e him and w o u ld pl e dg e o u r liv e s



Fo r fe alty t o h im .

Bu t s am r e pli e d
W ou ld G o d appr o v e N au d ar h ath r oy al bl o o d
A nd s itt e th b e lt e d o n t h e r o y al s e at .

C o u ld I lay h and s u p o n t h e r e al m and cr o wn


I m p o s s ibl e ! On e s h ou ld no t h e ar s u ch w o rd s .

W o u ld any chi e f d ar e s ay thi s p u blicly


I f b u t a d au ght e r o f S hah M imich ih r
S at cr o w ne d u p o n t h e g o ld e n thr o ne t h e d u s t
Wo u ld b e m y c ou ch wh e nc e I s h o u ld j oy t o g az e
NA U DA R 34 1

Up o n h e r If N au d ar h ath l e ft t h e w ay
.

Tr o d by his s ire it h ath no t b e e n fo r l o ng ,

Th e ir o n is no t s o r u s t e at e n y e t
-

A s t o b e h ard t o fu rbi s h I wil l bring


.

The Gr ac e b ack and m ak e all d e s ir e h is l o ve .

Th e d u s t o f Mimich ih r s h all b e my thr o ne ,

The pri nt o f h is s o n s h o r s e s h o e b e my cr o w n

.

We will s p e ak m u c h with h im and by ou r c ou ns e l ,

Bri ng h im g o o d fo rt u ne Y e ! r e p e nt y o u rs e lve s
.

Of wh at h ath p as s e d and t e n d e r fr e s h all e gianc e


'

Unl e ss Al m ighty G o d and S hah N au dar


S h all p ard o n y o u t he S hah s wr ath is y o u r p o rti o n
'


O n e arth and fi re y o u r dw e lli ng pl ac e h e r e aft e r
,
-
.

The chi e fs r e p e nt e d and m ade fe alty -

Afr e s h th at pr o s pe ro u s fo o t e d p al adi n
-

M ad e earth gro w y o u ng thr o u ghou t Wh e n S am h ad .

r e ach e d
Th e pr e s e nc e o f t h e S hah h e ki s s e d t h e gr o u nd .

Th e S hah d e s c e nd e d fr o m t h e thr one e m br ac e d ,

H is c apt ai n s e ati ng h im u p o n t h e thr o ne


,

Wi t h gr e e ti ng s and u nb o u nde d c o m pli m e nt s .

The y fe as t e d fo r a w e e k with h arp and wine ,

All o ffe r e d th e ir e xc u s e s t o N au dar ,

A n d b ar e th e m s e lve s as s u bj e ct s Fr o m e ach pr ovi nc e


.

C am e t ax and trib u t e o u t o f fe ar o f S am ,

Th e s wift o f wr ath N au dar s at o n t h e thr o ne


.

I n s pl e nd o u r and in u ndi s t u rb e d r e p os e ,

Till in t h e pr e s e nc e t h e chi e f p al adin


Ar o s e and as k e d p e r m i s s i o n t o de p art ,

Thr e w wid e t h e d o o r o f c o u ns e l t o t h e S hah


A nd t o ld ag ai n t h e g o o dly hi s t o ri e s
Of gl o ri o u s Faridri n and S hah Hu s h ang
'

A nd M inuc h ih r t h e l u s tr e o f t h e thr o ne
, ,

A nd h o w th e y r u l e d e arth j u s tly and g av e al ms


A nd w o u ld no t c ou nt e nan c e i niqu ity .
TH E S H A H N A M A

O F PI R DA U S I

s am b r o u ght the m o narch



w ayw ard h e art t o r e as o n
s ,

War m e d t h e chi e fs h e art s t o w ard him r e nd e ring



,

All j u s tic e and inj u s tic e at his h and s


Acc e pt abl e and h aving s aid his s ay
,

B o th t o t h e no bl e s and th e ir s o v e r e ign
W e nt with a r o b e o f h o no u r fr o m N au dar ,

With cr o w n and thr o ne and s igne t ri ng and s l av e s -

With s t e e d s wh o s e fu rn it u r e was wr o u ght o f g o ld


A nd t w o g o ld g o bl e t s all a bri m with r u b i e s
-

S o m att e r s s t ay e d awhil e b u t h e av e n ab o v e ,

R e v olv e d no t o e r N au dar in pe ac e and l o v e



.

§ 2

H o w Pas hang he ard o f the D e ath f M inuc hihr


o

N e w s o f S hah M ini i ch ih r s d e c e as e and h o w


' ’

Thing s far e d ill with N au d ar c am e t o T ara n , ,

Wh os e folk h e l d c o m mu ne with t h e m alc o nt e nt s .

P as h ang t h e T u rk m an r u l e r als o h e ard


, ,

A nd c o nt e m pl at e d w ar H e s p ak e at l arg e
.

Ab ou t h is s ir e z ads h am t alk e d big o f Tar


, ,

Th e thr o ne o f M inac hih r h is tr 0 0 p s his w arri o r s


, , ,

H is prin c e s and h is r e al m th e n s u mm o ne d all


,

Th e c apt ai ns and gr and e e s as I gh rfras , ,

Bar m a n and G ars iw az th at r agi ng L io n


, ,

Ku lb ad and g e ne r al s lik e s kilfu l VVi s a


, ,

Th e l e ad e r o f t h e h o s t H e al s o c all e d
.

H is s o n Afra s iyab wh o c am e in h as t e
, ,

To wh o m h e s aid c o nc e r ni ng S al m and T11 r


We m ay no t hid e r e v e nge b e ne ath o u r s kirt ,

Fo r all wh os e br ai ns are l e v e l in th e ir h e ads


Kno wh o w t h e Irani ans h av e e ntr e at e d u s ,

A nd alw ay s gird e d u p th e ir l o i ns fo r ill .

N o w is t h e ti m e fo r acti o n and r e v e nge ,


32
14 TH E S H A H N A M A OF PI RDA 0 s t
S am ,
N ar i ma n is g e ne r al ;
s on o f

Th e r e are b e s id e s Kis hw ad t h e br av e Kar an , ,

A n d o th e r m e n o f n am e am ong t h e fo lk .

Th ou k no w s t wh at S al m and v ali ant Tli r e ndu r e d


’ ’

Thr ou gh th at o ld w o lf and s w o rd e r M inac hihr ,

A nd y e t z ads h am m y gr and s ir e and o u r ki ng


, ,

Wh o s e h e l m e t t o u ch e d t h e circl e o f t h e m o on ,

N e e r s p ak e a w o rd o f s u ch a w ar Or r e ad

, _

Th e b o o k o f v e ng e anc e in t h e ti m e o f p e ac e .

Tis b e tt e r fo r u s t o r e s tr ain o u rs e lv e s

B e c au s e thi s m ad ne s s will confo u nd t h e r e al m .

P as h ang s aid : Th at br av e cr o c o dil e Afra s iyab , ,

I s as a li o n o n a h u nti ng day -

A n e l e ph ant o f w ar in b at t l e tid e -
.

C all him a b as t ard th at w ou ld no t av e ng e


H is gr an d s ir e s wr o ngs

D e p art fo rthwith and co u ns e l
.
'

Afra s iyab in m att e rs gr e at and s m all .

S o wh e n t h e cr um pl e s kirt e d cl o u d s are g o ne
-

Wh e n r ai ns h av e dr e nch e d t h e w as t e s wh e n hill and ,

pl ai n
Giv e p as t u r e fo r t h e s t e e d s wh e n h e rb ag e ri s e th
,

Ab o v e o u r w arri o r s ne ck s and all t h e w o rld



-

I s gr e e n with c o rn th e n c ampu po n t h e pl ai n ;
,

Mid s t r o s e and v e rd u r e b e ar a gl ad s o m e h e art ,

A nd l e ad t h e wh o l e h o s t o nw ard t o A m u l ;
Tr e ad Dah is t an b e ne ath t h e h o r s e s h o o fs ’

S p e e d and i nc ar n adi ne t h e s tr e am s with bl o o d .

Th e nc e M inach ih r d e p art e d t o t h e w ar
To t ak e r e v e ng e o n Tar th e n c e did h is p o w e r s
,

Advanc e agai ns t u s lik e a m u rky cl o u d ,

A nd by th at t o k e n it is y o u r t u r n no w
To s e nd t h e d u s t u p fr o m th e ir no bl e s h e ads

.

Th e r e fu g e o f t h e ar m y o f Ira n
Was M inachih r and h e ad o r ne d t he thro ne
,
.

Why fe ar t h e Ira ni ans no w th at h e is g o ne


Th e y are no t pinch o f d u s t I fe ar no t
w o rth a .

N au dar wh o is b u t y o u ng and raw


,
Kar an .

Will b e you r fo e and o ne m o r e w arri or,

Gars h as p M ay y e s o tr e at th e m o n t h e fi e ld
.

A s t o r ej o ic e o u r fath e r s s o u l s and b u r n

O u r fo e me n s h e ar t s
” ’
.

The pri nc e s aid : Bl o o d s h all “


ru n

Al o ng in s tr e am s e re my r e v e nge is d o ne .

3
H ow A fi as iy ab '

ca me to the Land of Tran


Wh e n h e rb ag e m ad e th e pl ai n lik e p aint e d s ilk
Th e w arri o r s o f Ti i ran girt u p th e ir l o i ns ;
'

A n ar m y m arch e d fo rth fro m T11 ran and Ch in


With m ac e m e n fr o m t h e W e s t e rn l and s —a h o s t
.

With o u t a m id dl e o r an e nd with al
Th e fo rt u ne o f N au dar w as y o u ng no l o nge r .

A s th e s e appr o ach e d J 1 h 11 n h e h e ard t h e ne w s


’ ’

A nd dr e w fo rth t o t h e pl ain t o w ard Dah is t an .

Karan wh o l o ve d t h e fr ay w as ge ne r al
, , ,

B e hind h im c am e N au dar t h e king o f king s , ,

A nd all t h e w o rld w as fill e d with br u it o f w arfar e .

Th e h o s t appr o achi ng Dah is t an c o nc e al e d


Th e s u n in d u s t Th e y pitch e d t h e c am p e ncl o s u r e
.
-

O f S hah N au d ar b e fo r e t h e h o ld Bri e f r e s pit e .

Was th e ir s b e c au s e Afra s iyab w h o th e n


, ,

Was in I rm a n s e nt thirty tho u s and w arri o r s


, ,

With S h am as as and Khaz arwan as l e ad e r s ,

T o w ard zab u l t o t ak e r e v e ng e o n zal ,

Fo r S am th e y h e ard


,
is d e ad and zal is b u s i e d
,

,


Ab ou t t h e o b s e qu i e s .

Afra s iyab
Was pl e as e d p e rc e iv e d th at fo rt u ne w as awak e
, ,

M arch e d fo rth t o Dah is t an and pitch e d agai ns t it , .


PI R DA U S I
’ '

34 6 TH E S H A H N A M A OF

Wh o k no w e th h o w t o r e ck o n u p h is h o s t ?
G o c o u nt a th o u s and o e r fo u r h u ndr e d ti m e s

.

Th o u w o u ld s t h ave s aid : Th e s and s and u pl and s


s e e th e ,

Th e wild e r ne s s is n au ght b u t ant s and l o c u s t s .

Wi t h S hah N and ar w e r e s e v e n s c o r e th o u s and m e n ,

A nd c e rt es th e y w e r e w arlik e c av ali e r s .

Afra s iyab s u rv e y e d th e m and d e s p atch e d


By night a c ame l e e r t o b e ar P as h ang
A l e tt e r Th e e xp e ct e d g o o d h ath c o m e ,

N au dar s wh o l e h o s t is as a qu arry t o u s

A nd S am is d e ad I fe ar e d no ne in Ira n
.

Bu t him . H is d e ath all o w e th o u r r e ve ng e .

z al is e ngage d u po n t h e o b s e qu i e s
A n d h ath no t fo o t o r fe ath e r fo r t h e fight .

By thi s ti m e S h amas as is in N i mri1 z ' ’

En thr o ne d and cr o w ne d Pr o m p t acti o n w e ll advi s e d


.


I s b e s t fo r u s ; o cc as i o ns will no t w ait .

Th e c amel s pr e ad it s wi ng s and w e n t ap ac e
T o ward P as h ang t h at king o f s u nlight gr ac e
, .

§ 4

H o w Bar man a nd Ku bad fo ught t oge the r a nd ho w


Kubad was s lain

Th e v an a pp e ar e d in fro nt o f Dah is t an
A s m o rn r o s e o e r t h e hill s Th e ar m i e s c am p e d

.

Tw o l e agu e s ap art in w arlik e p o m p A T u rkm an .


,

By nam e Bar m an—o ne w h o b ad e s l e e p e r s w ak e


Appr o ach e d s pie d o u t t h e wh o l e Ira ni an h o s t
,

A nd vi e w e d t h e c am p e n cl o s u r e o f N au dar
'

R e t u r ne d r e p o rt e d t o h is chi e f and s aid


, ,
.


H o w l o ng mu s t all o u r pro w e s s b e c o nc e al e d 7
TH E S H A H N A M A OF P I RDA U S i
My h e art h ath b e e n in ang u is h fr o m t h e ti m e
O f bl e s s ed M imic hihr u ntil thi s day .

N o m o r t al p as s e th i nt o h e av e n aliv e ,

M an is d e ath s qu arry ; o ne t h e s ci m it ar

D e s tro y e th mid t h e m e ll ay and t h e v u ltu r e ,

A n d li o n t e ar his c o rp s e ; ano th e r s life


I s e nde d o n his b e d B e y o n d all qu e s ti o n


.

We m u s t d e p art and if I qu it t h e w o rld


,

My t all and l u s ty br o th e r is s till s afe .

M ak e m e a r o y al ch ar ne l in y o u r l o v e ,

Give m u s k r o s e w at e r c am ph o r fo r my h e ad
,
-

, ,

My b o dy t o t h e pl ac e o f e ndl e s s s l e e p .

Thi s do liv e p e ac e fu ll y and tr u s t in G o d


, , .

Thi s s aid h e gras p e d h is s p e ar and s alli e d fo rth


,

L ike s o m e fi e rc e e l e ph ant Barm an e xcl ai m e d .

N o w h ath fat e pu t thy h e ad withi n m y r e ach .

We ll h ad s t th o u h e ld al o o f fo r ti m e it s e lf ,

Wou ld h av e thy life .

Th e s k y Ku bad r e pli e d , ,

G av e m e my s h ar e l ong s inc e and h e wh o s e h o u r ,

H ath c o m e will h av e t o die wh e r e e r h e b e ’

Th at ti m e is no t ill ti m e d at any ti m e
-
.

H e s p ak e and u rg e d h is s abl e s t e e d d e nyi ng ,

H is ard e nt h e art all r e s t Th e t w o c o nt e nd e d


.

Fr o m d aw n til l s h ado w s l e ngth e ne d I n t h e e nd .

Th e vict o ry w as Bar m a n s w h o as h e r o d e

H u rl e d at K u bad a d art which s tr u ck h is hip


A nd pi e rc e d h is b e lt Th at anci e nt li o n h e art
.
-

F e ll h e adl o ng and s o p as s e d Th e n with ch e e k s .

flushe d
With prid e and s ati s factio n c am e Barm a n
B e fo r e Afra s iyab wh o g av e h im gift s
,

U npr e c e d e nt e d as fro m king t o lie g e .

Kar an t h e b attl e l o ve r wh e n Ku bad


-

Was s l ai n dr e w o u t his ar my and at t ack e d


,
.
NA U DA R
Th e t w o h o st s s e e me d as tw e r e t w o s e as o f Ch in


Tho u w o u ld s t h av e s aid : Earth s h ak e th

.

Th e n Kar an
Th e w arri o r r u s h e d fo rth and G ars iw az ,

H u g e as an e l e ph ant c o nfro nt e d h im
, .

Th e ch arg e r s ne igh e d t h e s u n and s hining m o on


,

W e re hidd e n by t h e du s t cl o u d s o f t h e h os t
-

S w o rd s di am o nd bright and s p e ar h e ad s s t e e p e d in g o r e
S h o ne m id t h e d u s t —d u s t lik e a r ai ny cl o u d
- -

Wh e r e thr o u gh v e r m ili o n dr o pp e th fr o m t h e s u n ,

A cl ou d wh o s e m arr o w thrill e d with ty m b al din -

Whil e liqu id cri m s o n dr e nch e d t h e falchi o ns s o u l s ’


.

Wh e r e e r Kar an u rg e d o n h is s t e e d t h e s t e e l

Fl as h e d lik e A z argas h as p and t h ou h ad s t s aid


,

H is Di am o n d s h e dd e th C o r al N ay s h e d s o u l s
.
, .

Afra s iyab b e h e ld and le d his tr o o p s


Ag ains t Kar an and with i ns ati at e h e art s
,


Th e y fo u ght till night r o s e o e r t h e hill s and th e n ,

Kar an withdr e w t h e h o s t t o Dahis t an .

With h e art di s tr act e d by h is br o th e r s d e ath ’

H e c am e t o t h e p avili o n o f N au dar ,

Wh o o n b e h o ldi ng h im le t t e ar s d o w n fall
Fr o m w e ary e ye lid s th at h ad s e e n no s l e e p ,

A n d s aid : “
S i nc e S am t h e h o r s e m an di e d my s o u l
H ath no t gri e ve d thu s Live th o u fo r e v e r m o r e
.
,

A nd s u nlik e b e t h e s pirit o f K u bad .

A day o fj oy and th e n a day o f gri e f ,

S u ch is t h e w o nt and fas hi o n o f t h e w o rld !


N o fo s t e ri ng will r e s c u e u s fr o m d e ath ;
E arth s o nly cr adl e is t h e s e p u lchr e

.


I h av e r e s ig ne d t o d e at h Kar an r e pli e d
, ,

My d o u ghty b o dy e v e n fr o m my birth .


Tw as Faridii n th at pu t my h e l m e t o n

Th at I m ight tr e ad t h e e arth t o av e ng e Ir aj ,

A nd hith e rt o I h av e no t l o o s e d my girdl e ,
P I R DA U S I
'

TH E S H A H N A M A OF

3 50

N or l aid as id e t h e s w o rd o f s t e e l My br o th e r .

Th at s ag e —is d e ad I t o o s h all die in h arne s s ;


.

Bu t b e o f ch e e r Afra s iyab t o day


,
-

Was s tr ait e ne d and h e c all e d u p h is r e s e rv e s


,
.

H e s aw m e with mi ne o x h e ad m ac e and e ag e rly


-

Att ack e d m e ; e y e t o e y e I fr ont e d h im .

H e u s e d s o m e m agic and my k e e n e y e s 10 s t
Th e ir vi s i o n night c am e o n and all w as d ark
, ,

Mi ne arm w as tir e d o f s triki ng Th ou h ad s t s aid .

Th e E nd h ath c o m e Th e s k y w as o v e rc as t

.
,

A nd w e w e r e fo rc e d t o qu it t h e b attl e fi e ld
B e c au s e t h e tr o o p s w e r e s p e n t and it w as d ark .

Th e o pp o s i ng h o s t s r e p o s e d a whil e and wh e n ,

Th e m o rr o w d aw ne d b e g an t h e s trife ag ain .

H o w A fras iy ab fought with N a u dar the s econd Time

Th e Ira ni ans dr e w u p fo r b attl e r o y al ,

A nd wh at with th u nd e ri ng dr u m and bl aring tr u m p e t



Th o u w o u ld s t h av e s aid : Th e e arth is t o tt e ri ng

.

Afra s iyab wh e n h e b e h e ld arr ay e d


, ,

H is ar m y o pp o s it e Th e s u n h ath s e t
.

,

Tho u w o u ld s t h av e s aid e arth w as s o d ark w ith du s t


,
'

O f h o rs e m e n . Mid t h e w ar cri e s no ne c o u ld t e ll
-

A m o u nt ai n fr o m a pl ain h o s t gr appl e d h o s t
,

A nd bl o o d ran lik e a riv e r wh e r e Kar an


S ou ght fo r t h e fr ay and wh e r e Afra s iyab
,

T o w e r e d till N au dar appr o ach e d and ch all e ng e d hi m .

Th e y s tr o v e t o g e th e r s p e ar c o nfu s e d with s p e ar ;
,

N o s e rp e n t s e v e r writh e d t o ge t h e r s o ;
H o w c ou ld ki ng s b attl e th u s
Th e y fou ght t ill night .

A nd th e n Afra s iyab w as c o nqu e r o r ,


TH E S H A H N A M A PI R DA U S I

OF

H o w N au da r fought with A fras iy ab t he thi d Time r


The h o s t r e p o s e d t w o d ays b u t wh e n t h e s u n
,

R os e o n t h e third t h e S hah w as fo rc e d t o fight .

Th e n lik e a fo am i ng s e a Afras iyab ;


D as h e d at t h e ar m y o f N au dar t h e w ar— cry ,

R os e fr o m t h e c am p e ncl o s u r e s m id t h e din
-

O f tr u m p and I ndi an b e ll t h e ty m b al s s ou nd e d
,

B e fo r e t h e S hah s t e nt and t he w arri o r s d o nne d


Th e ir ir o n h e l me t s N o ne h ad th ou ght o f s l e e p
.

Withi n t h e c amp o f gre at Afr as iyab ;


All night th e y h ad m ad e r e ady s h arp e ni ng ,

Th e s w o rd s and d ou bl e h e ad e d d art s
-

Th e e arth .

Was fill e d by ar m ou r e d m e n with h e avy m ac e s .

Kar an w as m ar s h al o f t h e c e ntr al h o s t
Wh e r e t o t h e S hah and h e w e re t o w e r s o f s tr e ngt h .

Th e S hah s l e ft wing t h e h e r o T alim a n


Cl aime d fo r hi m s e lf and b o ld S h apii r t h e right


,
'
.

Fr o m m o rning till t h e s u n h ad l e ft t h e d o m e ,

Hill s pl ains and w as te s w e r e i ndis ti ngu i s h abl e ;


, ,

Th o u w o u ld s t h av e s aid : Th e s w o rd s h e art is
“ ’
en

large d
A nd ea rth is gr o ani ng u nd e r ne ath t h e s t e e d s .

Bu t whil e t h e j av e lins pu t t h e e arth in s h ad e


D e fe at dr e w e v e r ne ar e r t o N au d ar ,

A nd as h is fo rt u ne s s ank t h e T u rk m ans r o s e

.

Up o n t h e s id e wh e r e b o ld S hapur w as s t ati o ne d
Th e r ank s w e r e br o k e n and t h e tr o o p s dis p e rs e d ,

Bu t h e m ai n t ai ne d h is p o s t till h e w as s l ai n .

Th e Ira ni ans fo rt u ne t u r ne d aw ay it s h e ad

A nd m any ano th e r chi e ft ai n o f t h e h os t


Was kil l e d or w ou nde d o n t h e b attl e fi e ld .
NA U DA R

N ow wh e n t h e m o narch and Kar an p e rc e iv e d


Th e s t ar s av e r s e th e y fl e d b e fo r e t h e fo e
,

To Dahis t an and th e r e m ai nt ain e d th e m s e lve s


, ,

C u t o ff fr o m all o u t s id e it Night and day .

Th e y fo u ght in t h e appr o ach e s P as s e d a whil e . .

N o w s i nc e N au dar h ad r e fu g e d in t h e h o ld ,

Wh e r e h o rs e m e n c o u ld no t ac t Afra s iyab ,

M ad e r e ady and d e s p atch e d a fo rc e by n ight ,


V . 261

B e th ou ght him o f t h e chi e ft ai n Ku ruk h an ,

O f Wis a s r ac e and b ad e h im l e ad th e m fo rth


Al o n t h e d e s e rt r o u t e t o Pars fo r th e r e
f
-

Th e ranians h o m e s w e r e s it u at e and m e n

I n tr o u bl e m ak e fo r h o m e Kar an h e ard this .

A nd m o v e d with j e al o u s y and gri e v e d at h e art


, ,

We nt in as tw e r e a l e o p ard t o N au d ar

A nd s aid : B e h o ld h o w b as e Afra s iya b


I s d e ali ng with t h e m o narch o f Ira n !


H e h ath d e s p atch e d a c o u nt l e s s h o s t o f tr o o p s
Ag ains t o u r w arri o r s wo m e n S h o u ld h e ge t th e m

.

Di s as t e r will b e fall o u r m e n o f nam e


A nd w e s h all hid e o u r fac e s in di s gr ac e
S o Ku rakh an m u s t b e att ack e d fo rthwith ,

A nd by t h e l e av e o f t h e vict o ri o u s S hah
I will p u r s u e with s p e e d T h o u h as t a riv e r
.
,

Pr o v is i o ns and righ t z e al o u s w arri o r s


,
.

S t ay th o u ; b e no t c o nc e r ne d Th o u c ans t d e fe nd .

Thys e lf with c as e s o pl ay t h e li o n s p art


,


Fo r m o narch s s h o u ld b e b r ave .

N au d ar r e pli e d
N o t s o t h e h o s t h at h no ne lik e th e e t o l e ad th e m
, .


Tw as fo r o u r h o m e s th at T ris and G u s t aham
W e nt fo rth at b e at o f dr u m and th e y will r e ach ,

Th e w o m e n in g o o d ti m e s u ch is th e ir s p e e d , ,


A n d t ak e t h e ne e d ful s t e p s .

Th e mighty me n
2
TH E S H A H N A M A PI R DA U S I

3 54 OF

W e nt t o t h e s l e e pi ng ch am b e r o f t h e S hah
-

Wh e r e pr e s e ntly th e y s at and c all e d fo r wine


To p u rg e th e ir h e art s o f s o rr o w fo r a whil e .

Wh e n S hah N au dar w as w e ll b e m u s e d h e w e n t
B e hi nd h is c u rt ains m e dit ati ng v e ng e anc e ,

A nd th o s e br av e ch 1 e fs — t h e Ira ni an c av ali e r s
D e p art e d in dis o rd e r fr o m t h e c o u rt
To as s e m bl e at t h e q u art e r s o f Kar an ,

With e y e s like wint e r cl ou d s ; with m u ch d e b at e


-

Th e y all agr e e d : We m u s t s e t o u t fo r Par s


F o rthwith o r e l s e o u r wiv e s and littl e o ne s


Will all b e br o k e n h e art e d s l av e s all c apt u re d
-

With o u t a s tr u ggl e and w h o th e n will wi e ld


,

Th e s p e ar u p o n t h e pl ai n o r r e s t in pe ac e
N o w wh e n th e s e thr e e—S h idus h Kis h w ad Kar an , ,

H ad t ak e n c o u ns e l fo r t h e wh o l e e m pris e ,

A nd h alf t h e night h ad p as s e d th e y m ad e th e m r e ady ,

To s ally fo rth At d aw n with h e avy h e art s


.

Th e y r e ach e d wh at m e n in th o s e d ay s c alle d White “


C as tl e 1.

Th e r e fo u nd th e y G u z hdah am t h e c as t e ll an
T o g e th e r with h is w atchfu l w arri o r s
B e l e agu e r e d by B ar m a n w h o h e ld t h e r o ad ,

With tr o o p s and e l e ph ant s and v ali ant chi e fs ,

A nd e r s t h ad wr u ng t h e h e art o f br av e Kar an
Wh o e ag e r t o ave ng e h is br o th e r s bl o o d
,

A s s u m e d his m ail pr e p ar e d h is m e n fo r acti o n


, ,

A nd m ad e fo r Par s Th e b r av e Bar m a n w as w ar e
.

A nd lik e a li o n m e t him o n t h e w ay .

N o w wh e n Kar an s aw m id t h e d u s t o f figh t
Th at m an o f bl o o d h e gr appl e d with h is fo e ,

All li o n lik e no t giving ti m e fo r r u s e


-

, ,

Bu t cl o s e d at o nc e i nv o ki ng G o d fo r s u cc o u r
, ,

A nd pi e rc e d t h e T u rk m an s girdl e with a j av e li n

1
S ee n i tr o du ct ry n t
o o e t o t he pr i
e v ou s r ig n
e .
TH E S H A H N A M A . OF

P I RDA USi

Alth o u gh thy h e ad m ay t o u ch t h e cl o u d s it m u s t ,

H av e in t h e e nd it s pl ac e am id t h e d u s t .


Afra s iyab g av e o rd e rs S e arch h e s aid , ,

Th e c av e s t h e hill s t h e w at e r s and t h e w as t e
, , ,

Th at fi e rc e Kar an m ay no t e l u d e o u r tr o o ps .

Bu t h e aring th at Kar an h ad g o ne t o s av e
Th e w o m e n h e w as f u ri ou s Le t Bar m a n .
,

H e b ad e s p e e d fo rth and li o n lik e p u r s u e


,
-

Kar an and bri ng h im m e a pri s o ne r


,

.

Th e y t o ld t h e m o narch h o w Kar an h ad s e rv e d
Bar m a n and br o u ght h im fr o m his s t e e d t o d u s t ;
,

Wh e r e at Afra s iyab w as s o r e ly gri e v e d ,

F o o d r e s t and s l e e p w e r e bitt e rne s s t o h im


, , ,

A nd thu s h e s p ak e t o Wfs a : Le t t h e d e ath “

Of thi s thy s o n s t e e l thi ne o w n h e art fo r wh e n ,

Th e s o n o f Kaw a w arr e th l e o p ard s s hri nk


B e fo r e h is s p e ar G o with a v ali ant h o s t
.


W e ll fu rni s h e d and t ak e v e ng e anc e fo r t h e l o s t
,
1
.

H ow Wis a fou nd his S o n th at had been s lain

So Wi s a chi e f o f t h e
'

,
tr o o p s Taranian ,

D e p ar t e d with a no bl e v e ng e fu l ar my , ,

A nd s aw b e fo r e h e o v e rt o o k Kar an
H is l o v e d s o n lyi ng s l ai n h is b anne r r e n t , ,

H is k e ttl e dr u m s o e rt u rn e d h is s hr o u d o f bl o o d

Lik e t u lips and h is fac e lik e s and ar ach ;


,

Whil e w arri o r s and chi e ft ai ns o f Tura n


W e r e fl u ng in nu m b e r s with h im o n t h e r o u t e .

Th e s ight gri e v e d W is a s o th at th o u h ad s t s aid


H is h e art is r e n t by ang u i s h whil e h is e y e s ,

W e pt s c aldi ng t e ar s H e s p e d t o c atch Kar an


. .

1
Rea d n i g with P .
N A U DA R

Th u s lik e a t o rr e nt Wis a r u s h e d al o ng
A nd s h e d c al am ity thr o u gh o u t t h e w o rld
H e m arc h e t h o n in triu m ph gl o ri o u s ly ,

S u ch w as t h e ne w s th at r e ach e d Kar an wh o s e n t
.
,

H is Ar ab h o r s e m e n fo r ward t o N im ru z
A nd fo ll o w e d th e m hi m s e lf—t h e S u n o f e arth
N ow whe n fr o m Par s h e r e ach e d t h e w as t e a d u s t—
.

cl o u d ,

App e ar e d u p o n h is l e ft and fr o m t h e d u s t
,

Th e s abl e fl ag e m e rg e d whil e fro m t h e v an


,

Th e T urkm an chi e f le d o n h is h o s t B o th ar m i e s .

A r r ay e d th e ir r ank s ; t h e w arri o r s s o u ght t h e fr ay .

T h e n fr o m t h e c e ntr e Wis a s ho u t e d s ayi ng : ,

G o ne t o t h e wind s are cro w n and thr o ne o f gre at ne s s .

All fr o m Kannuj u p t o Kab u lis t an ,

G h az nin t o o and z ab u lis t an are o u r s


, ,

O u r thr o ne is gr av e n o n th e ir p al ac e s ,

Wh e re wilt th o u r e fu g e s inc e t h e S hah is t ak e n


Th e o th e r s aid : Kar an am I and c as t ,

My bl ank e t o n t h e w at e r s 1
N e ith e r fe ar
.

N o r any idl e r u m o u r s e nt m e fo rth .

I m arch e d t o fight thy s o n and h avi ng t ake n ,

R e v e nge o n h im will t ak e it no w o n th e e ,


A nd s h o w the e h o w br av e w arri o r s fight .

Th e y u rg e d
Th e ir ch arg e r s o n t h e cl ari o ns bl ar e d d u s t r o s e
, ,

To l e ft and right and m o o n and s k y w ax e d dim .

M e n gr appl e d e ag e rly and s h o w e r e d bl o o d .

Kar an and W is a m e t o nc e in t h e m e llay ,

Bu t W is a t u r ne d aw ay and fl e d t h e fi e ld
Whe r e m any a chi e f h ad fall e n y e t Kar an ,

P u r s u e d no t VVis a br o k e n by m i s fo rt u ne
.
, ,

App e ar e d b e fo r e Afra s iyab in p ain


A nd w e e pi ng fo r h is s o n th at h ad b e e n s l ai n .

1
I . e .
,
I c rt d
ou ang e r .
TH E S H A H N A M A P I R DA U S I

OF

59
H o w S hamas as and K haz ar wan i nv aded Z dbu lis tan

Th e e xp e di t i o n fr o m I r man w e nt fo rth
Ag ains t zab u l and S h am as as adv an c e d
,

T o ward S is tan in h as t e whil e Kh az arwan


With thirty th o u s and fam o u s m e n—go o d s w o rd s me n
, ,

M arch e d w arily as far as t h e H irmu nd


With gl aiv e and mac e and fo rt u ne at it s h e ight
, .

N o w zal w as at t h e b u ri al pl ac e e r e cti ng -

I n p ai n and gri e f a ch arne l fo r h is fath e r ,

Whil e br av e Mihrab wh o s e m i nd was o n t h e al e rt


, ,

Was in t h e city and d e s p atch e d an e nv o y


,

To S h am as as . Wh e n this m an r e ach e d t h e c am p
H e g av e h is m as t e r s gr e e ting s s ayi ng th u s

Fo r e v e r m ay t h e m o narch o f T ara n
C o nti nu e bright o f h e art and w e ar t h e cro w n .

Z ahh ak t h e Ar ab w as m i ne an c e s t o r ,

A nd littl e do I l o ve m in e o v e rl o rd ,

Bu t by alli anc e h av e I p u rch as e d life


B e c au s e I s aw no o th e r c o u r s e At pr e s e n t .

I dw e ll within t h e p al ac e r u li ng all ,

z ab u lis t an
. Wh e n w e n t wh e l me d with gri e f
To b u ry s am m y h e art r ej o ic e d and I ,

Will ne v e r s e e h is fac e ag ain I as k .

Th e fam o u s p al adi n fo r ti m e t o s e nd
Afra s iyab a pr u d e nt c am e l e e r ;

Twill s h o rt e n m att e rs if h e k no w my m ind .

I will d e s p atch him fitti ng gi ft s b e s id e s


Th e trib u t e and if h e s aith C o m e will s t and

, ,

B e fo r e h is thr o ne r e s ign t o h im my r e al m
, ,

A n d j o y in h im I will n o t v e x t h e paladm
.

Bu t s e nd him e v e ry ki nd o f h o ard e d w e alth .


TH E S H A H N A M A P I R DA

OF USI

Wh e n it w as day t h e s o ldi e r s g ath e r e d r o u nd


A nd m ark e d t h e arr o w s s ayi ng Th e y are z al s ! ’


No ne o th e r s h o o t e th with s u ch s h afts as th e s e .

Cri e d S h am as as : O Kh az arwan th ou Li o n ! ,

H ad s t th o u no t b e e n r e m i s s in fight no t d allie d ,

S o with Mihrab h is ar my and h is tr e as u r e


, ,


z al h ad no t tr o u bl e d th e e .

Th e n Kh az arwan
H e is b u t o ne no t A hri m an o r ir o n
, .

F e ar no t for I will gr appl e h im anon


, .

Wh e nas t h e bright s u n cr o s s e d t h e v au lt w e r e
h e ard
Dr u m s o n th e pl ai n and in t h e city s o u nd s ,

O f ty m b al s cl ari o ns g o ng s and I ndi an b e ll s


, , ,
.

zal d o nne d h is m ail ap ac e b e s tr o d e his ch arg e r ,

A s s wift as d u s t whil e all his w arri o r s m o u n t e d


,

With v e ng e fu l th o u ght s and fr o wns u p o n th e ir br o w s .

H e le d t h e ar m y fo rth u p o n t h e pl ai n ,

E q u ipp e d with e l e ph ant s and c am p e ncl o s u r e s -

Wh e r e h o s t e nc o u nt e r e d h o s t and m ad e t h e w as t e
A s tw e r e a d ark s o me m o u nt ai n with t h e d u s t

.

Th e n Kh az arw an with m ac e and b u ckl e r ru s h e d


To c o u nt e r z al and s m o t e his glitt e ri ng br e as t
,

A bl o w th at br ak e h is fam e d c u ir as s Wh e n zal .

Withdr e w t h e w arri o rs o f Kab u lis t an


R e tre at e d b u t br av e zal ar me d h im afr e s h
,
.

H is h e ad w as wr o th h is bl o o d w as u p h e br andi s h e d
, ,

H is fath e r s m ac e whil e Kh az arw an adv an c e d


To ch all e ng e fig h t a r o ari ng L i o n h e , ,

B e fo r e t h e h o s t zal h ad no s o o ne r r ai s e d
.

Th e r e e k o f fight th an Kh az arw an w as o n h im
A s q u ick as d u s t whil e zal in fu ry ch arg e d
,

H is fo e and br andi s hi ng t h e o x lik e m ac e


,
-

S m o t e Kh az arw an u p o n t h e h e ad and m ade



Th e gr o u nd as tw e r e a l e o p ard s b ack w ith bl o o d

NA U DA R 361

Th e n fl u nghim d o wn tro d o n h im p as s e d al o ng
, ,

A nd le d t h e ar m y fo rw ard t o t h e pl ai n ,

I nviti ng S h am as as t o c o me and fight ,

Bu t S h am as as c am e n o t h is bl o o d w as chill e d .

z al n e xt d e s cri e d Ku lb ad am id t h e d u s t
A nd s h o u ld e r e d h is s t e e l m ac e Th e r e o n Ku lb ad
.
,

O bs e rvi ng zal with m ac e and s ci m it ar ,

E nd e av o u r e d t o e s c ap e h is fo e man s s ight

Bu t zal t h e c av ali e r s tr u ng u p his b o w


A n d lightly ai m e d at h im a p o pl ar arr o w ,

S tr u ck full u p o n t h e girdl e o f Ku lb ad
A girdl e th at w as wr o u ght o f li nk s o f s t e e l
A nd pinne d him t o t h e p u m m e l thr o u gh t h e l o ins .

H is tr o o p s h e art s b u r ne d fo r him whil e S h am as as


D e s p aire d h is fac e p al e d wh e n th o s e chi e fs w e r e s l ai n


,

A nd h e and all h is ar my in fu ll flight


Di s p e r s e d like s h e e p u p o n a s t o r my day ,

Pr e s s e d by t h e s o ldi e rs o f z ab u lis t an
A nd by Mihrab . Th e fi e ld w as s u ch with c o rp s e s
Th at th o u h ad s t s aid Th e tr o o p s are cr amp e d fo r
room .

Th e T u rk m ans fl e d t o w ard Afra s iyab ,

Th e ir m ail u nfas t e ne d and t h e ir girdl e s s napp e d .

Wh e n S h am as as h ad r e ach e d t h e o p e n pl ai n
Kar an t h e s o n o f Kaw a c am e in s ight
, ,

R e tu rni ng fr o m p u r s u i ng VV1 s a s h o s t
’ ’

Wh o s e no bl e s t h e h ad s l ai n s o e as ily .

Th e ar m i e s m e t t o g e th e r S h am as as
,

M e t with Kar an t h e l o v e r o f t h e fr ay
, ,

Wh o k no wi ng his ant ago ni s t s and why ,

Th e y w e r e r e tr e ati ng fr o m z ab u lis t an ,

B ad e tr u m p e t s s ou nd and o ccu pi e d t h e r o ad .

Thu s h o s t e nc o u nt e r e d h o s t Th e p al adi n
.

S aid t o h is tr o o p s Y e m e n o f no bl e nam e

A nd ard e nt s o u l ! go b attl e with y o u r s p e ar s ,


TH E S H A H N A M A P I RDA U S I

OF
'

A nd m ay y e rob t h e fo e of life .

With cri e s
O f m add e ne d e l e ph ant s th e y s e i z e d th e ir s p e ars ,

Which m ad e a r e e d b e d o f t h e b attl e fi e ld
~

A nd v e il e d t h e s u n and m o o n H e lightly s l e w
.

Th o s e T u rk m an tr 0 0 p s and fl u ng th e m o n t h e tr ack ,

F e ll o n t h e w o u nd e d and t h e pri s o ne r s ,

A nd s e nt th e ir d u s t u p t o t h e s hi ni ng s u n ,

Whil e S h am as as with c e rt ai n m e n o f m ight


Fl e d and e s c ap e d t he m u rky d u s t o f fight .

H ow N au dar was s la in by A fr as iy ab

N e w s o f t h e d e ath o f th o s e fam e d w arri o r s


C ame t o t h e T u rk m an king ; his h e art w as p aine d ,

H is ch e e k s w e r e w e t with his h e art s bl o o d H e s aid



. .

N au d ar is in my pri s on y e t my fri e nd s
,

A re vil e ly s l au ght e r e d th u s ! Wh at c an I do
Bu t s h e d h is bl o o d and giv e n e w c au s e for fe u d ?
H e w as e nr ag e d an d cri e d : Wh e r e is N au dar

,

Fo r Wi s a c all e th for r e v e ng e o n h im 7
'

Bring him h e t o ld an e x e c u ti one r


,

,



Th at I m ay t e ach him w ar .

N au d ar o n h e aring
Kne w th at his ti m e w as c o m e A cl am o r ou s thr o ng
.

D e p art e d b ou nd his arm s fi rm as a r o ck


, ,

A nd h al e d h im b ar e b o th h e ad and fo o t fo rd one , ,

I n s h am e fu l plight b e fo r e t h e Cr o c o dil e .

Fu ll o f i m p ati e nc e gr e at Afra s iya b


L o o k e d o u t fo r him and s e e in g h im appr o ach
,

R e mind e d him o f th e ir anc e s tr al fe u d ,

B e g an with S al m and Tar and w as h e d aw ay


,

Fr o m h e art and e y e s t h e r e v e r e nc e du e t o king s .


TH E S H A H N A M A PI R DA U S I

OF

H o w Z al h ad Tidings f
o the Deat h o f N a ndar

This ne w s r e ach e d G u s t ah am and T ris : Th e Grac e “

O f ki ngs hip is o b s c u r e d . Th e y h av e s tru ck o ff


R e m o rs e l e s s ly with tr e nch ant s ci mit ar
Th e h e ad th at w o r e t h e cr o w n and all is o v e r
,
.

M e n t o r e th e ir fac e s and pl u ck e d o u t th e ir h air ,

A cry o f m ou rni ng w e nt u p fr o m Ira n ,

Th e gr e at pu t d u s t and e ar t h u p o n th e ir h e ad s ,

All e y e s w e pt t e ars o f bl o o d all r o b e s w e r e r e nt


, .

M e n t u r ne d th e ir fac e s to w ard zab u l ; th e ir t ong u e s


S p ak e o f t h e S hah th e ir s o u l s y e arn e d fo r t h e S hah
,
.

Th e y w e nt t o zal in m o u rni ng and in p ain ,

With bl o o d s t ai ne d ch e e k s and d u s t u p o n th e ir h e ad s
-
.

Th e y cri e d : O g o o d and v ali ant S hah N au dar !


0 gr e at j u s t m o narch w e ar e r o f t h e cr o w n
, ,

Th e gu ardi an o f Ira n t h e pr o p o f no bl e s
, ,

Th e h e ad o f ki ngs and m o narch o f t h e w o rld


Thy h e ad is s e eking fo r a cr o w n fr o m d u s t
A nd e arth is s av ou ri ng o f t h e bl o o d o f S hah s .

Th e gr as s e s o n th e s e fi e ld s and fe ll s are h angi ng


Th e ir h e ad s in s h am e b e fo r e t h e s u n whil e w e
A s k v e ng ean c e m o u r ni ng as it w e r e a fath e r
, ,

I n wh o m t h e s t o ck o f F ar id an s u r v i v e d ,

Whil e e arth w as s e rv ant t o h is h o r s e s s h o e



.

N o w h im and all th at fam o u s tr o o p h av e th e y


B e h e ad e d s h am e fu lly d e s pit e fully ;
,

Bu t w e will dr aw o u r s w o rd s o f w at e r e d s t e e l ,

Will go t o s e e k r e v e ng e and s l ay t h e fo e :
S o arm y e and r e viv e t h e anci e nt fe u d .

Th e h e av e n is s u r e ly wit h u s in o u r gri e f ;
I t s e y e s r ai n t e ar s o f bl o o d fo r v e ry r u th .
NA UDA R

Do y e t o o fill y o u r e ye s with t ears lik e th o s e


A nd s trip y ou r b o di e s o f th e ir d ai nty dr e s s ,

Fo r in r e v e ng e for ki ngs it is no t we ll
Th at e y e s s hou ld s t int th e ir t e ar s o r h e arts th e ir r ag e .

Th e m o u rnfu l m u ltit u d e w e pt bit t e rly ,

A nd b u r nt as t h o u gh u p o n a r agi ng fi re ,

Whil e zal r e nt all his r ai m e nt and s at d o wn


With l am e nt abl e ou tcrie s in t h e d u s t .

H e s aid My tr e nch ant bl ad e s h all ne e r b e h o ld


“ ’

S h e ath til l t h e R e s u rr e cti o n my whit e ch arg e r


,

S h all b e m y thr o ne a s p e ar m ine o nly tr e e


, ,

My pl ac e a s tirr u p and a d u s ky h e l m
Th e cr o w n u p o n my h e ad Th e r e is no r e s t
.

O r s l u m b e r in thi s fe u d N o s tr e am c an m atch
.

Th e riv e r o f m i ne e y e s O h ! m ay t h e s o u l
.

O f gr e at N and ar s hi ne bright am id t h e m ighty ,

A nd m ay t h e L o rd o f e arth b e s t o w o n y o u
A s o u l fo r F aith and du ty All o f u s .

A re b o r n t o die ; it is o u r lo t wh e r e t o
We yi e ld o u r ne cks .

N o w wh e n t h e c aptive s h e ard
Th e Ira ni ans are u p o n t h e m arch fo r v e ng e anc e ,

Th e y s e nd o u t c am e l e e r s o n e ve ry s id e ,

H av e g ath e r e d c o u ntl e s s tr o o p s and h av e r e no u nc e d



H o m e and d e light s th e y ne ith e r at e nor s l e pt
, ,

S u ch w as th e ir t e rr o r o f Afra s iyab .

A m e s s ag e fr o m th e m c am e t o Ighriras
0 m an o f m ighty p u rp o s e fam ou s chi e f ! ,

We are thy s l av e s in all and by thy w o rd ,

We l iv e z al as tho u kno w e s t is at h o m e
.
, ,

A nd acti ng with t h e m o n arch o f Kab u l .

M e n lik e B ar z in Kar an t h e W
,
arri o r ,

Kh arrad and th at h o s t s h att e r e r Kis h w ad


,
-

A re m e n o f m ight with h and s th at r e ach afar


A n d will no t k e e p th e ir cl u tch e s o ff Ira n .
TH E S H A H N A M A P I R DA U S I
'

op

N ow wh e n th e s e w arri o r s wh e e l ab o u t u s h e r e
A nd br andi s h th e ir s h arp l anc e s in h is s ight
Th e gr e at Afra s iy ab will b e e nr ag e d ,

His h e art will b e in fl am e d ag ai ns t his c aptiv e s ,

A nd fo r h is cr o w n s s ak e h e will bri ng t o d u s t

Th e h e ad s o f all o u r bl am e l e s s c o m p any .

I f pru d e n t I gh riras s e e fit t o fr e e u s
We will di s p e r s e pr ai s e h im b e fo r e t he gr e at
,

A nd m ak e th ank s givi ng u nt o G o d fo r h im .

Wis e I gh r1 ras r e pli e d : S u ch s kille t h no t ;




Tw e r e a fo e s ac t ; thi s h u m an A hri m an

W ou ld b e i nc e ns e d I will no t t ak e o th e r o rd e r
.

S o th at m y b r o th e r m ay no t t u rn u p o n m e
I n v e ng e anc e I f no w z al is k e e n fo r w ar
.

A nd will adv anc e t o figh t u s at S ar i


I will d e liv e r y o u t o h im m y s e lf ,

E v ac u at e A mu l fo rb e ar t o fight
,

A nd bri ng t o i nfam y my h o no u r e d h e ad .

At thi s r e ply t h e no bl e s o f Iran


B e n t t o t h e gr o u nd and fu ll o f pr ai s e fo r h im
,

D e s p atch e d a c o u ri e r fr o m S ari with s p e e d


To zal t h e s on o f S am
,
Th e m e s s ag e ran .

O u r G o d h ath piti e d u s ; wi s e I gh rl ras


I s no w o u r fri e nd Thi s is t h e p act b e tw e e n u s


.

I f o nly t wo Ira ni an w arri o r s


S h all c o me and o ffe r fight th at no bl e m an ,

Wh o w alk e th fo rt u ne s p ath will qu it A m u l ’

Fo r Rai and s o s o me o ne o f u s m ay s c ap e
,

Th e Dr ag o n s cl u tch

.

Th e c ou ri e r r e ach e d zab u l
A nd m ad e t h e gl ad ne w s k no w n t o 2 21 w h o c all e d ,

Th e no bl e s t o ld th e m all th e n s aid :
,
My fri e nds , ,

P ard s o f t h e fr ay and wi nne r s o f r e no w n


Wh o is t h e w arrio r o f princ ely h e art ,

All bl ack with c ou r ag e wh o will r ais e his ne ck ,


TH E S H A H N A M A P I RDA U S I
'

3 68 OF

Did I no t bid th e e S l ay th e s e e vil m e n ;


I t will b e fo lly t o i m pri s o n th e m ? ’

Th e w arri o r s h e ad is no t c o nc e r ne d with s t at e cr aft


H is fame is g aine d u p o n t h e b attl e fi e ld ;


N o r s h o u ld t h e s o ldi e r tr e ad t h e p ath o f wis d o m ,


Fo r wi s d o m ne v e r m ingle t h wi t h r e v e ng e .

T e ar s and c o m p as s i o n are no t wh o lly ne e dl e s s ,

v . 2 78 H e ans w e r e d . Wh e n th o u h as t t h e p o w e r t o h arm
F e ar G o d and do it no t fo r cr o w n and girdl e
,

S e e m any lik e th e e b u t are no m an s o wn


Fo r e v e r
.

H e ari ng t his Afra s iyab


Was s il e nc e d fo r t h e o ne w as fu ll o f fi re
, ,

Th e o t h e r wi s e ; and h o w s h o u ld wi s d o m fi t
D ivs h e ad s A t h is r e ply t h e chi e ft ai n r agi ng

.
,

L ik e e l e ph ant g o ne mad dr e w fo rth h is s ci m it ar


,

A nd c u t h is br o th e r d o w n ; th at m an o f wi s d o m
A nd g o o d ne s s p as s e d aw ay zal h e ard and s aid
.
,

N o w s h all t h e fo rt u ne o f Afra s iya b


Be d ark e ne d and his thr o ne l aid w as t e .

H e bl e w
Th e tr u m p e t s b o u nd t h e ty m b al s o n arr ay e d
, ,

Th e ar m y lik e t h e e y e o f c h anticl e e r
A nd w e n t t o w ard Par s in ang e r and r e v e ng e
, ,

With tr o o p s th at s tr e tch e d fr o m s e a t o s e a and d ark ,

e ne d

Th e s u n and m o o n with d u s t Afra s iyab .

O n h e ari ng z al s d e s ig n m arch e d fo rth h l S h o s t


T o w ard Khar o f Rai dr e w u p and t o o k h is s t and


, .

Th e o u tp o s t s w e r e e ng ag e d b o th day and night ;


Th o u w o u ld s t h av e s aid : Th e w o rld h ath b u t o ne h u e .

v . 2 79 B o th h o s t s l o s t m any a g all ant m an o f m ark .


Tw as th u s u ntil t w o s e nn ight s p as s e d aw ay ,

A nd h o r s e and fo o t w e r e w e ary o f t h e fr ay .
ZA V ,
TH E S ON or TA H M A S P

HE RE IG N E D FI VE YE A RS

GU M EN T AR

A ft r t h x c ti n f N d t h thr n r m i n f Whil
e e e e u o o au ar e o e e a s or a e

c nt hi n T i nd G t h m b i ng c n i d r d nw r thy
va a ,
s so s rs a us a a e o s e e u o

to cc d Z by t h d ic f z al i m d S h ah Th w
su ee . av , e a v e o ,
s a e . e ar

a g i n t A fra iyab c n tin


a s nd t h ff ri ng f b th rmi
s o ue s , a e su e s o o a e s are

a ggr t d b y dr ght nd c n q nt f mi n B th i d b c m
av a e ou a o se ue a e . o s es e o e

ea g r f p c which i cc f lly n g ti t d r in f ll nd
e or ea e, s su ess u e o a e ,
a a s a

Z avdi es.

NO E T
Zav is de s cri b ed in t he S hah nam a as t he s on of Tahm as p and

de s c e nde d fr o m t he rac e of Faridrin . I n t h e B u nda hi h s h e is


sa id t o b e t he gr ands o n o f N au dar .
1
Z av is m e n ti o ne d in t he
Zandav as t a : “
We wo rs hip t he Fr av as hi (i e. . t he i mm r t l p ri n o a

c iple ) h ly Uof th t hen f T im a p o z av a, e so o r s a .


”2

Th p i n g r f T i n d G t h m t h n f N nd r n
e as s ove o rs a us a a ,
e so s o a a ,
o

th e xpr gr nd f th ir nfi t n
e ess n t b i ng p
ou d f o e u e s s , as o e os s e s se o

t h di i n G r c
e v f r ig nty
e m t fi nd it j tific ti n in
a e o s ove e ,
see s o s us a o

wh t w l rn f th ir ch r ct r l t r n t ll
a e ea o nt in t h e a a e s a e o ,
a a e ve s e

cas e of T i w h i d cri b d rs, b i ng h t h d d r ng f l nd


o s es e as e o -
ea e , e ve e u , a

a b r b t n cc f l g n r l G t h m lm t dr p t f
av e u u su ess u e e a . us a a a os o s ou o

th ep m nd hi pl c i t k n by n th r h r f t h m
oe a s a e s a e a o e e o o e sa e

n m a G t h m th
e, n usf G h d h m —t h c t ll n
a a f th e so o az a a e as e a o e

Whi t C tl e as e .

T i i r pr nt d
rs s lw y r ntf l f t h light p t p n
e e se e as a a s e se u o e s u u o

him ; it i n d c him t pp t h cc i n f K i K h r
u es o o os e e a ess o o a us au ,

1
WPT , i . 1 36 .
2
DZA , 11. 2 2 1 .

2 A
TH E S H A H N A M A
'

O F PI R DA U S I

and s u b s e qu e n tly
k t h npr k d tt ck which r lt
to ma e e u o vo e a a e su s

in t h d th f F
e id th t S h ah b r th r
ea o arr ,
a

s o e .

I n t h t rm f t h t r ty f p c b t w n Z
e e s o n d A f ra
e siyab ea o ea e e ee av a ,

which m k t h J h n t h b nd ry b tw n Iran n d T i an w
a e e r u e ou a e ee a rr ,
e

h t h b gi nni ng f m ch g g r phic l c nf i n n t h S h ahnam


av e e e o u eo a a o us o i e a

Th A r
e w r lly m n t
as as ea ea .
1

Dr ght n d f min
ou fr q nt ph n m n n t h t bl l nd
a a e are e ue e o e a i e a e -
a

o r
f I an .

g 1

Z av is e lect ed S hah

O ne ight as zal s at s p e aki ng t o his chi e fs


n

A nd r e ti nu e ab o u t Afra s iyab ,

H e s aid : Alth ou gh o u r p al adins p o s s e s s


Uns l e e pi ng fo rt u ne and e nlight e ne d m ind s


W e ne e d a S hah o ne o f t h e r o y al r ac e , ,

S kill e d in t h e l o r e o f e ld Th e h o s t re s e m b le t h .

A s hip wh e r e t o t h e thr o ne is wi nd and s ail .

O h ! h ad b u t ri s and G u s t ah am t h e Gr ac e

.

We l ack no t tr o o p s b u t m e n h o w e v e r n o bl e , , ,

Th at h av e no t pru d e nc e m e rit no t t h e cr o w n ,

A nd thr o ne We ne e d a S hah o f p u i s s ant fo rtu ne


.
,

A m an o f Gr ac e thro u gh wh o s e w o rd s wi s d o m s hi ne th .

Th e y fo u nd no ne o f t h e s e ed o f Faridrin
Bu t Z av s o n o f Tah m as p with m o narch s m ight

, ,

A nd h e r o s w o rth t o gr ac e t h e l o fty thr o ne



.

Kar an t o o k with a g all ant c om p any


Th e j o yfu l ne w s t o Z av : I n th e e r e v iv e t h “

Th e cr o w n o f F aridrin zal and t h e tr o o p s .


Accl ai m th e e as t h e S hah O w o rthy o ne ! ,

O n an au s pici o u s day fair fo rt u ne d Z av -

C am e and acc e d e d t o t h e l o fty thr one .

Th e m ighty pr ai s e d h im s h o w e ri ng o ffe ri ngs ,

2 511 t o o did h o m ag e Fiv e y e ar s p as s e d aw ay


.

1 S e e In tr od . p .
71 .

TH E S H A H N A M A O F F I R DA U S I

A nd ea rth r e c o v e r e d c o l o u r s c e nt and b e au ty ;
, ,

I t w as as t we r e a y o u thfu l brid e arr a ye d


I n fo u nt ai ns pl e as anc e s and rivu l e t s


, , ,

Fo r fo rt u ne w o u ld b e n e ith e r d ark n o r h ard


I f m an h ad no t t h e t e m p e r o f a p ard .

zal c all e d t h e chi e fs and o ffe r e d th ank s t o


Wh o h ad c onv e rt e d s c arci t y t o pl e n ty ,

M e n s e t u p fe as ti ng pl ac e s e v e rywh e r e
-

A nd b ani s h e d fe u d and c u rs in g fr o m th e ir h e art s .

Thu s fo r fi v e y e ars m e n kne w no t wr o ng o r tr av ail ,

Ye t v e rily t h e w o rld gr e w s ick o f j u s tic e


A nd l o ng e d t o b e withi n t h e L i o n s cl aw s

.

N o w wh e n h e r e ach e d h is s ixth and e ighti e th y e arl


Th at s u n lik e r u l e r s l e af b e g an t o s e ar
-

Th e Ir ani ans fo rt u ne h alt e d and t h e day


O f Zav t h e right e ou s w o rldlo rd p as s e d aw ay


, ,
.
GA RS H A S P

H IS RE I G N WA S N IN E Y E A RS

AR G U M EN T
O n t he de a th of Zav his son G ars h as p su cc e e ds t o t he th r o ne ,

and :A frasi
y pp rt nity t r n w t h w
ab G ha p
se z e s i t he o o u o e e e ar . ar s s

him lf di nd t h Irani n b i ng h rd p r d pp l t z sl
se e s, a e a s e a esse a ea o ,

w h pr m i
o th t h i n R t m h ll c m t th ir i t nc
o se s a s so us a s a o e o e as s s a e.

Th p t th n t ll h w z al g S am m c t R t m h w t h ’
e oe e e s o av e s a e o us a ,
o e

l tt r w n hi ch rg r R kh h nd h w z al l d t h h t g i n t
a e o s a e a s ,
a o e e os a a s

A f ra iyab nd s nt R t m t f t h K i K bad f r m M nt
,
a se us a o e c a u o ou

A lb r t b S h ah in
u z cc i n t G ha p
o e su es s o o ars s .

NO E T
I n t he l t K it dad N k
s u mm a ry in t h e Dink ard of t he os ra as

m n ti n i m d
e f K
o a p w h i p l c d b t w n K i K b ad
s a e o e re s s ,
o s a e e ee a u

a nd K i Kai K a a p pp r th r t b i d n tic l with t h


rs .
1
e re s s a ea s e e o e e a e

gr t h r f wh m n cc nt h b n gi n in t h i nt r
ea e o, o o a a ou as ee ve e o

d t y n t t F id i n nd if
uc or pp r ntly w m t i d ntify
o e o ar r ,
a so a a e e us e

G ha p t h t n th S hah w it h h im
a rs s ,
w ll I n t h S h ahnam
e e ,
as e . e a,

h w r h i m r n mini mb nd Fird i pl c him


o e ve ,
e s a e e o s u ra, a au s a es

b f r K i K b ad t h fir t S h ah f t h K iani n dyn ty nd
e o e a u ,
e s o e a a as , a

m k a h im t h
es n f th pr c di ng S hah Z nd t h l t f t h
e so o e e e av a e as o e

Pi hdadi n
s H i p r n lit y h d l r dy
a s w h
. n in t h s e so a a a ea ,
as e av e s e e e

n t o b r f rr d t b c m plit p nd hi r ig n i bl nk
e a ove e e e o, e o e s u ,
a s e s a a so

far ash i c nc r n d e
'

s o e e .

Th r d r will n t R t m r f r nc t bi h p cti ng ’
e ea e o e us a s e e e e o s o s a as

c t ll n I n t h w r b tw n t h E t rn R m n E m pir nd
as e a s .
2
e a s e ee e as e o a e a

1
WPT, iv . 28 .

1
p .
3 78 .
TH E S H A H N A M A
'

O F PI R DA U S I

t he S as anians , bi s ho ps
th r ccl i tic ft n t k y an d o e e e s as s o e oo a. v e r

i m p rt n t p r t in t h d f nc f b i g d citi
o a a Th S J m
e e e e o es e e e s. us . a es,

t h Bi h p
e f Ed
s o t k l di ng p r t in
o r l cc f l
e s s a, oo a ea a s e ve a su ess u

d f nc
e e f N i i bi
es og i n t S p r I I Th f ct f t h ch rch
s s a a s a o .
1
e a o e u

milit nt th a b c m i m p r d n t h E t r n m i nd n d b y n
us e a e e s se o e as e ,
a a

a n ch r ni m n t
a o n c mm n w ith h im
s Fi rd i t r n f r t he
o u o o ,
au s a s e s

usa g f l t r tim t rli r g


es o a e Th r d r will n t t
es th o ea e a es. e ea e o e oo e

i i n f t h di i n Gr c f ki ng hip which pr p r d K i K bad


v s o o e v e a e o s e a e a u

f hi
or c i n t t h thr n I t pp r d g in i ibly in t h
s ac ess o o e o e. a ea e a a v s e

s h p f m b f r t h cc i n f A d hi Pap k an t h fir t
a e o a ra e o e e a ess o o r s r a ,
e s

S h ah f t h S a an i n dy n ty
o e Wh n it q i tt d Y i m it fl w w y
s a as . e u e a e a a

in t h h p f bird
e s a e o a .
2

H ow Gars hasp s ucc ee ded t o t he Throne and died , and

how A fras iy ab invade d I ran

Z av h ad p u i s s ant s on by nam e G ars h as p


a

Wh o s at u p on t he thr o ne and d o nne d t h e cr o wn .

H e r u l e d t h e w o rld with m aj e s ty and Gr ac e ,

Bu t tidi ng s r e ach e d t h e T u rk m ans : Zav h ath go ne



A nd l e ft an e m pty thr o ne .

Afras iyab
S e n t u p t h e w ar cry l au nch e d h is s hip s and m ad e
-

Fo r Khar o f R ai b u t n o o ne br o u gh t t o h im ,

A gr e e ting fr o m P as h ang wh o s e h e ad w as fill e d ,

With h at e h is h e art with s trife All wild with grie f


,
.

Fo r I gh ri ras o f thr o ne and cr o wn h e re e k e d no t


, ,

Wo u ld ne v e r l o o k u p on Afra s iyab
A nd le t t h e s hi ni ng s w o rd gr o w d u ll with r u s t ;
Alb e it m e s s e nge r s w e r e s e nt t o him
M o nth aft e r m o nt h b u t h e d e ni e d hi m s e lf , ,

A nd s a id : Wh at e v e r prin c e w e re o n t h e thr o ne

A fri e nd lik e Igh riras w o u ld pr o fit h im ,

Bu t th o u art o ne t o s h e d a br o th e r s bl o o d

A nd fl e e b e fo r e t h e nu r s li ng o f a fo wl .

E S M 1 55—
1
1 64 ,
S intr d ct y n t t Jam hi d
.
2
ee o u or o e o s .
TH E S H A H N A M A
'

3 76 OF PI RDA U S I

A nd h o r s e m e n s h o w e d th e ir cru pp e rs no t th e ir r e ins , ,

Wh e n I appe ar e d I h ave fo u ght ni ght and day


.

A nd all m y life h av e dr e ade d gr o wi ng old .

At l e ngth my b ack is b e n t I wi e ld no m o re ,

A falchi o n o f Kabu l ; y e t G o d b e prai s e d


Th at fr o m my r o o t a gl o ri o u s s h o o t h ath s pru ng ,

Wh o s e h e ad will r e ach t h e s k y and th o u s h alt s e e ,

I t gro w in v al o u r R u s t am b e i ng no w
,
.

A s tr aight s t e m m e d Cy pre s s w h o m t h e cr o w n o f gr e at
-

ne s s

B e c o m e th w e ll ; b u t h e m u s t h av e a ch arge r ;
Th e s e Ar ab h o r s e s will no t do fo r him .

I will s e e k o u t s o m e e l e ph anti ne s t e e d ,

Wh e r e v e r th e r e are h e rd s and s ay t o R u s t am
,

Wilt t h o u c o ns e nt c o ns e n t w ith all thy h e art


,

To gird thy l o i ns t o e x e c u t e r e v e ng e
Up o n t h e o ffs pring o f z ads h am ?
Ira n
Was gl ad o f h e art and blithe o f fac e as zal
S e nt c am e l p o s t s t o e v e ry qu art e r ar m e d
-

H is c avali e r s and s aid t o R u s t am th u s


,


Mine e l e ph anti ne s o n a wh o l e h e ad t all e r
,

Th an o th e r m e n ! a w o rk o f t o il is t o w ard
To br e ak thy s l u m b e r s q u i e t and d e ligh t s
, , .

Th o u art no t y e t o f age t o fight my s o n ! ,

Bu t wh at o f th at Thi s is no t i m e fo r fe as t ing .

Ye t with t h e s c e n t o f m ilk u p o n thy lip s ,

A nd with thy h e ar t all s e t o n s p o r t s and pl e as u r es ,

H o w s h all I s e n d th e e t o t h e b attl e fi e ld
Agains t t h e Li o ns and t h e m ighty m e n ?
N o w fo r thi ne ans w e r and m ay m aj e s ty
,

A nd g o o d ne s s b e thy m at e s .

Th e n R u s t am thu s
O no bl e princ e am biti o u s o f r e no w n !
,

2 85 G o o d s o o th th ou h as t fo rg o tt e n h o w I s h o w e d
GA RS H A S P 377

My c o u r age p u blicly Th e p al adin .

H ath s u r e ly h e ard o f t h e fi e rc e e l e ph ant ,

A nd M o u n t S ipan d and I s h al l l o s e m y fam e


,

I f no w I tr e mbl e at Afra s iyab .

This is t h e ti m e for fight and no t fo r flight .

Th e o v e rthr o w o f Li o ns t h e p u r s u it
,

O f w ar r e no w n and b attl e fas hi o n h e r o e s ;


, , ,

Bu t t is no t s o with w o m e n ; th e ir c o nc e r n

I s fo o d and s l e e p.

z al s aid : O g all an t y o u th ,

Th e chi e f o f princ e s and t h e w arri o r s s t ay


My h e art r ej o ic e th wh e n I h e ar th e e s p e ak
O f th at whit e e l e ph an t an d M o u nt S ipand ,

Fo r t ru ly s i nc e th at fi ght w as w o n with e as e
Why fe ar I fo r th e e no w ? A fra s iyab
A nd h is de s igns d e priv e m e o f m y s l e e p ,

Y e t c an I s e n d th e e t o c o nt e nd with o ne
Wh o is a g all an t king and l o ve t h b attl e ?
N o w is thy t im e fo r fe as t s and tw anging h arp s ,

Fo r qu affi ng wi ne and t al e s o f w arlike d e e d s ;


,

Tis n o t t h y ti m e for w arfar e fam e an d s trife


, ,

O r s e ndi ng u p t h e e arth s du s t t o t h e m o o n

.

H e s aid : I am no t o ne fo r e as e and r e v e l .


Tw e r e b as e t o p am p e r in l u x u ri o u s ne s s
S u ch ar m s as th e s e and th e s e l o ng h and s o f m i ne
, .

Wh at th o u gh t h e b attl e fi e ld and fight b e h ard


G o d and vict o ri o u s fo rt u ne are m i ne aid s .

I n b attl e th o u s h alt m ark m e h o w I go


Up o n m y r u ddy ch arg e r thr o u gh t h e bl o o d ,

A nd I will c arry in m y h and a cl o u d 1

Th at is o f w ate r e d h u e b u t raine t h g o r e ,

Whil e fr o m t h e s u b s t an c e o f it fl as h e t h fi re :
I t s h e ad s h all br u i s e t h e br ai ns o f e l e ph ant s ,

My qu iv e r wh e n I cl o th e my s e lf in m ail
1
I . s. , a ma c e of s e e t l .
3 78 TH E S H A H N A M A O F F I R DA U S I

S h all h o ck t h e w o rld and all t he fo r t r e s s e s


s ,

V . 2 86 Th at s h all with s t and m i ne ir o n m ac e s bl o ws ’

My br e as t and ar m s and ne ck ne e d ne v e r fe ar ,

A n arb ali s t o r c at apu l t o r w an t ,


.

A bis h o p fo r th e ir c as t e ll an Th e r o ck s .

S h all r e dd e n t o th e ir c o r e s wh e n I adv anc e


My l anc e in fight I n e e d a s t e e d hill high
.
-

C au ght by m y l as s o u p t o w e ight lik e m i ne,

I n w ar and no t i m p ati e nt o f r e s tr ai nt
, .

I n e e d a m ac e t o o lik e a m o u nt ai n cr ag -

Fo r h o s t s will c o m e agai ns t m e fr o m Triran ,

A nd wh e n th e y c o m e th o u gh I s h o u ld fight u nai de d
, ,


Th e ir bl o o d s h all r ain u p o n t h e b at t l e fi e ld .

Th e p al adi n w as m o v e d and th o u h ad s t s aid , ,


H e will p o u r o u t h is s o u l H e th u s r e pli e d .

O t ir e d o f e as e and r e v e l ! I will brin g th e e


Th e m ac e o f S am t h e c av ali e r pr e s e rv e d ,

I n m e m o ry o f h im wh e r e with th o u s l e w e s t
,

Th e e l e ph an t Liv e e v e r p al adin !
.
,

z al o rd e r e d : Bri ng t h e m ac e e mpl o y e d by s am

I n his c am p aign ag ai ns t Ma z and ara n


V . 2 87 To thi s fam e d p al adi n th at h e m ay t ak e
O u r fo e m e n s br e ath aw ay

.

Wh e n R u s t am s aw it
H e s m il e d with j oy c all e d bl e s s i ng s d o wn o n z al
, ,

A nd s aid : Th o u art t h e chi e f o f p al adins ;


Bu t n o w t o he ar m y p e r s o n m ac e and Gr ac e
, , , ,


I ne e d a s t e e d .

z al m u s e d at wh at h e s aid
A nd o ft i nv o k e d G o d s bl e s s ing o n h is h e ad

.

H o w R us tam c a u gh t R akhs h

Wh e n zal h ad g ath e r e d all his h e rd s o f h o rs e s ,

A nd m any fr o m Kabu l t h e h e rd s m e n dr o ve th e m ,
TH E S H A H N A M A
'

3 80 O F PI R DA U S I

I s in t h e fighting h u m ou r s h e will r e nd
Th e h e art s o f li o ns and t h e hid e s o f p ard s .

Th e o ld m an s s ayi ng s o p e ne d R u s t am s e y e s
’ ’

H e c as t h is r o y al l as s o and e nt angl e d
Th e pi eb ald s h e ad

Th e nlik e a fu ri ou s e l e ph an t
.

Th e dam adv anc e d as s h e w o u ld t e ar o ff Ru s t am s


Wh o r o ar e d as s av ag e li ons r o ar and s c ar e d h e r ,

Th e n with o ne b u ffe t o n t h e with e r s s e nt h e r


All tr e m bli ng t o t h e gr o u nd S h e r o s e s pr ang b ack .
, ,

Th e n t u r ne d and j o ine d t h e h e rd whil e m ighty R u s t am ,

S t o o d fi rm and dr e w t h e l as s o tigh t e r s till ,

A nd l aid his h and u p on t h e b ay c o lt s b ack


Which g av e no t ; th o u h ad s t s aid : I t is no t fe lt “
.

Th e h e r o th o u gh t : Thi s is t h e m o u n t fo r m e
“ '


N ow I c an ac t .

H e m ou nt e d wi nd s wift as ,

I he r udd y s t e e d s p e d with h im H e i nqu ir e d


'
.

Wh at 1 s thi s Dr ag o n s pric e o r wh o c an t e ll it

I f th o u art R u s t am s aid t h e h e rd

,
r e dr e s s ,

Ira n u p o n h is b ack I t s br o ad ch am p aign


.

S h all b e his pric e ; th e n th o u wilt right t h e w o rld .

Th e h e r o s lip s gr e w c o r al like with s m il e s ;



-


H e s aid : All g o o d is G o d s ’
.

B e n t o n r e v e ng e
H e s addl e d r u ddy R akh s h and giving him ,

Th e r e i n o b s e rv e d h is c o u r ag e s tr e ngth and bl o o d , , ,

A nd th at h e c o u ld b e ar rid e r ar m s and m ail , ,


.

Th e pi e b ald gr e w s o pr e ci o u s th at at night
Th e y b u rne d wild ru e t o right and l e ft o f h im

Fo r fe ar o f h ar m Th e y pr acti s e s o rc e ry
.

,

Th o u w o u ld s t h av e s aid I n fight no d e e r w as s wift e r


. .

H e w as s o ft m ou th e d fo am s c att e ri ng light in h and


-

,
-

, ,

With r o u nd e d b u tt o ck s cl e v e r and w e ll p ac e d
, ,
.

Th e g all an t rid e r and h is ne w fo u nd s t e e d -

M ad e z al s h e art j oyfu l as t h e j o cu nd s pring



'

.
G A R S H AS P 38 1

He Op e d his tr e as u ry d o o r g av e o ut d inars
-

, ,

N o r r e ck e d o f day o r m o rr o w W he n h e m o unt ed
.

H is e l e ph ant and dr o pp e d a b all t h e so u nd


M ad e by t h e c u p w as h e ard fo r m il e s ar o u nd .

3
H ow Z al led t he H os t agains t A frcis iy ab

Th e r e w as a nOis e o f dru m s and cl ari o ns ,

O f m ighty e l e ph ant s and I ndi an g o ngs ;



Tw as R e s u rr e c t i o n in z ab u lis t an
A nd e arth c all e d l o u dly t o t h e d e ad Ari s e !
A h o s t de p art e d fr o m zabu l lik e li o ns ;
'

All h and s w e re b ath e d in bl o o d I n fr o nt c am e R u s t am


. V .

A s p al adi n th e n v e t e r an w arri o r s
,
.

Th e tr o o p s s o s pr ead o e r p as s e s pl ai ns and d al e s

, ,

Th at r av e ns h ad no t r o o m t o fly whil e tym b als ,

B e at e ve rywh e r e and t u m u lt fill e d t h e w o rld


A s at th at ti m e o f r o s e s zal le d fo rth
Th e ar m y fr o m zab u l . Afra s iyab
Th e r e at ar o s e fro m b anqu e t r e s t and s l u m b e r
, , ,

A n d m arch e d t o w ard Khar o f R ai al o ng t h e m e ad o w s


Am o ng th e ir s tr e am s and r e e d s Th e Irani an h os t
.

F ar e d o e r t h e d e s e rt t o t h e s c e ne o f w ar

A nd wh e n t h e ar m i e s w e r e t w o l e ag u e s ap art
zal c all e d t h e v e t e r ans and thu s h ar ang u e d th e m
,

Y e m e n o f wi s d o m w e ll appro v e n w arri o r s !
,

We h av e arr ay e d u s h e r e an am pl e h o s t
A nd with adv ant ag e s ; y e t with no S hah
U p o n t h e thr o ne o u r pl ant s w ant r e d e o u r t o il s ,

L ack p u rp o s e and o u r tr o o p s a h e ad Wh e n Zav


, .

Was o n t h e thr o ne ne w gl o ry e ve r c am e ,

A nd no w w e ne e d a S hah o f r o y al s e e d
TH E S H A H N A M A PI RDA U S I
'

OF

gird h im th e r e A n arch im ag e h ath t o ld m e


To .

O f v ali ant Kai K u bad of r o y al s t at ur e , ,

A fu t u r e S hah o f Faridri n s o w n li ne ’

I n wh o m Gr ac e h e ight and l awfu l cl ai m s c o m bi ne


, , .

H o w R u s t am b ro ught K a i K u bad fro m M ou nt A lb ur z

Th e n gl o ri o u s zal s p ak e u nt o R u s tam s aying ,

B e s tir thy s e lf t ak e u p thy m ac e s e l e ct


, ,

Th e e s c o rt go with s p e e d t o m o u n t Albu r z
, ,

Do h o m age u nt o K ai K u ba d b u t s t ay no t ,

With h im b e b ack within t wo s e nnight s s l e e p no t


, , ,

Bu t l at e and e arly h u rry o n and t e ll h im



Th e s o ldi e r s l o ng and d e ck t h e thr o ne fo r th e e
, , .

We s e e no ne fitt e d fo r t h e r o y al cr o w n ,

O m o nar ch o u r d e fe nd e r ! b u t thy s e lf

.
,

Wh e n z al h ad s p o k e n m atchl e s s R u s t am s w e pt
-

Th e gr o u nd with his e y e l as h e s j o yfu lly ,

G o t o n t h e b ack o f R akh s h and pr o u dly r o d e ,

I n q u e s t o f K ai K u bad A T u rk m an o u tp o s t
.

H e ld t he r o ad s tr o ngly b u t h e ch arg e d t h e fo e
,

A s ch am pi o n o f t h e h o s t with h is br av e tr o o p s ,

A r m e d with t h e o x h e ad m ac e H e br andi s h e d it
-
.

A nd t o w e ri ng in h is wr ath s tr u ck o u t and r ais e d


H is b attl e cry Th e Tu rk m ans h e art s all fail e d

-
.
,

H is arm l aid many lo w Th e y s tr o v e with him


.
,

Bu t h ad t o fl e e t h e b attl e in t h e e nd .

With br o k e n h e art s and t e arfu l e y e s th e y t u r ne d ’

B ack t o Afra s iyab and t o ld h im all ,


.

H e s o rr o w e d at th e ir c as e c all e d o ne K u lri n , ,

A g all ant T u rk m an w arri o r full o f craft ,

A nd s aid t o h im Cho o s e ho r s e m e n fr o m t h e h o s t

,
3 514 TH E S H A H N A M A OF PI RDA US i

Fr o m th at bl e s t l and , and we will be thy gu id e s


A nd m ak e fri e nd s o n ”
t h e w ay .

He
h u s r e pli e d t

Th e S ha h is th e r e a h o ly m an and no bl e
, .

H is nam e is Kai K u bad s pr u ng fr o m t h e s e e d


,

O f Faridrin t h e j u s t and pr o s p e r o u s .

Dir e ct m e t o h im if ye w o t o f him .

Th e l e ad e r s aid I w o t o f Kai Ku bad .

I f th o u wilt e nt e r and d e light o u r h e art s


I will dir e c t th e e and d e s crib e t h e m an .

Th e p e e rl e s s R u s t am h e ari ng thi s di s m ou nt e d
Lik e wind and h u rri e d t o t h e w at e r s e dg e
,

To wh e r e t h e fo lk w e r e s e at e d in t h e s h ad e .

Th e y o u th sat d o w n u p o n t h e thr o ne o f g o ld
A nd t aking Ru s t am s h and withi n h is o w n

Fill e d u p and dr ai ne d a g o bl e t To t h e Fr e e !
Th e n h and e d it t o R u s t am s ayi ng th u s ,

Th o u as k e s t m e O fam o u s w arri o r !
,

Ab o u t Ku bad wh e nc e k no w e s t th o u h is nam e
,

S aid R u s t am : Fr o m t h e p al adi n I c o m e
With j o yfu l ne w s Th e chi e fs h av e d e ck e d t h e thr o ne
.

A nd c all e d o n Kai K u bad t o b e t h e S hah .

My s ir e t h e chi e f wh o m m e n c all zal s aid th u s


, ,

G o with an e s c o rt u n t o m o u nt Alb u r z ,

Fi nd v ali an t Kai K u bad and h o m ag e h im ,

Y e t t arry n o t b u t s ay :
,
Th e w arri o r s c all th e e

A nd h av e pr e p ar e d t h e thr o ne I f th o u h as t tidi ng s
.

Giv e th e m and s p e e d him t o t h e s o v e r e ign p o w e r .

Th e g all an t s tripli ng s m ili ng ans w e r e d :


, ,
I “

A m Kai Ku bad and s pr u ng fr o m Faridrin ,


I kno w m y li ne ag e fr o m s ir e t o s ir e .

Wh e n R u s t am h e ard h e b o w e d r o s e fr o m h is s e at ,

O f g o ld t o do o b e i s anc e and th u s s p ak
,

O r u l e r o f t h e r u l e r s o f t h e w o rld ,

Th e s h e lt e r o f t h e br av e and s t ay o f chi e fs !
GA R S H A S P 385

N o w le t Ira n s thr o ne w ait up on thy will



,

Gr e at e l e ph ant s b e t ak e n in thy t o il s .

Thy right s e at is t h e thr o ne o f ki ng o f ki ng s ;


M ay Gr ac e and gl o ry b e t hi n e own ! I bri ng
A gr e e ti ng fo r t h e king o f e arth fr o m zal ,

Th e chi e ft ai n and t h e v ali ant p al adi n .

If n o w t h e S hah s h all bid h is s l av e t o s p e ak



I will acqu it m e o f t h e chi e ft ai n s m e s s ag e

.

Br av e Kai K u bad r o s e fr o m h is s e at i nt e nt ,

Up o n t h e s p e ak e r s w o rd s whil e p e e rl e s s Ru s t am

Di s c harg e d h is e m b as s ag e With thr o bbi ng h e art


.

Th e y o u ng pri n c e s aid : Br ing m e a c u p o f wi ne



,

A nd dr ank t o R u s t am s he alth wh o lik e wi s e dr ai ne d


A g o bl e t t o t h e m o n arch s life and s aid :



Th o u m i n d e s t m e o f gl o ri o u s F aridrin
F r R u s t am w as r ej o ic e d at s e e i ng h im
( o ) ,

N o t fo r an i ns t ant m ay t h e w o rld l ack th e e ,


Th e thr o ne o f ki ng s hip o r t h e r o y al cr o w n
, .

Th e i ns tr u m e nt s s tr u ck u p gr e at w as t h e j o y
, ,

Th e gri e f w as s m all t h e r u ddy wi n e w e nt r o u nd


,

A n d fl u s h e d t h e y o u thfu l S hah wh o s aid t o R u s t am , v , 2

Mine ard e nt s ou l in s l e e p s aw t w o whit e h awk s .

Appr o achin g fr o m Iran and bringin g with th e m


,

A cr o w n bright as t h e s u n Th e y c am e t o m e .

With d ainty and c ar e s s ing air s and s e t it


Up o n my h e ad I w ak e ne d fu ll o f h o p e
.

B e c au s e o f th at bright cr o wn and th o s e whit e h awks ,

A n d m ad e a c o u rt h e r e s u ch as ki ng s w o u ld h o ld ,

A s th o u p e rc e iv e s t by t h e riv e r s id e
,
-
.

Lik e th o s e whit e h awk s h ath m atchl e s s R u s t am c o m e


With ne ws th at I s h all w e ar t h e w arri o r s cr o w n ’
.

Wh e n R u s t am h e ard th e r e o f h e s aid : Thy dr e am “

H a d a pr o ph e tic s o u rc e N o w.l e t u s ri se

A nd j o u r ne y t o Ira n and t o t h e chi e fs .

Th e n Kai Ku bad r o s e s wift as fi re and mo u nt e d


2 B
3 86 TH E S H A H N A M A OF PI R DA USI

H is t d whil e R u s t am girt his l o i ns lik e wind


s ee ,

A nd j o u r ne y e d pr o u dly with him Night and day .

H e tr av e ll e d till h e r e ach e d t h e T u rk m an o u tp o s t s ,

Wh e n b o ld Ku lrin w ar e o f h is c o m i ng m arch e d, ,

To m e e t and fight with h im Th e S hah th e r e at .

Was fai n t o pu t his b attl e in arr ay ,

Bu t m ighty R u s t am s aid t o h im : O S hah !


Tis no t a fight fo r th e e th e y will no t s t and

Ag ai ns t my b attl e ax and b ard e d R akh s h ;


My h e art and arm and m ac e are h e lp e nou gh ;
I as k b u t G o d s pr o t e cti o n

With a h an d .

Like min e and r u ddy R akh s h t o c arry me


Wh o will c o nfr o nt my m ac e and s ci m it ar ?
H e s p ak e s p u rr e d o n and with a s i ngl e bl o w
,

Thr e w o ne and h u rl e d ano th e r at a third


Wh o s e br ai ns ran d o w n his no s tril s Th o s e s tr o ng .

h and s
U nh o r s e d t h e fo e and d as h e d th e m t o t h e gro u nd ,

A nd in th e ir fall br ak e h e ad s and ne ck s and b ack s .

Ku lrin b e h e ld thi s div e s c ap e d fr o m b o nd s


With m ac e in h and and l as s o at h is s addl e ,

Charg e d him lik e wi nd and thr u s ti ng with h is s p e ar


Br ak e thr o u gh s o m e fas t e nings o f his m ail b u t R u s tam , ,

Wh at wh il e h is fo e w as l o s t in w o nd e r m e nt ,

S e i z e d o n t h e s p e ar and wr e nch e d it fr o m Ku lri n ,

Th e n r o ar e d lik e thu nd e r fr o m t h e m o u nt ain t o p s -

S p e ar e d h im and h avi ng r ai s e d h im fr o m h is s e at
Pu t d o w n t h e s p e ar s b u tt t o t h e gr ou nd Ku lrin

1
.

Was like a s pitt e d bird in s ight o f all .

Th e vict o r ro d e R akh s h o v e r h im and tr o d h im ,

To d e ath Th e T u rk m an h o r s e m e n t u r ne d t o fl e e
.

i mil r t ry i t l d f L mb rd ch mpi n w h with h i gr t


1
A s a s o s o o a o a a o o s ea

l nc ( nt ) pi rc d nd lift d fr m t h ddl By ntin c l i r


a e co us e e a e o e sa e a z a e av a e

nd b r h im l ft w iggli g n t h w p n p i t ( Om n

a o e a o r A Hi n o e ea o s o n . a , s

t ry f t h A t f W in t h M i ddl A g p
o o e r o ar e e es,

.
I N DEX

A h w a pl c 86 z , a e, 2

A l an ( A l ni ) p pl
s a , eo e, x m , 1 9,

BBAS I D dy n ty f 3 4
A S, as o , 1 . 1

A bbr i ti li t f 9 3
ev a o ns , s o ,
A lb r u z , mo u n t ina , x v, 4 , 71 ,
A b ti f th r f F id i n
n, a e o ar r ,
14 4 14 5 , 1 52 , 1 68, 2 3 5, 24 8, 2 50 ,

A b ri -

A li M u h a mm ad, S h ah nama A lx
e ande r , t he Gr t ( S ik
ea anda r) ,

o f, 69 14 , 4 9
A b ri Bakr Kh alifa 1 2 , , p r c t r f Z r tri ni
e se u o o o o as a s m ,

A bri D u laf fr i e nd o f Fi r dau s i , , 35 .

39 l g d ry b rri r f
e en a a e o ,
16

A b ri l ’ ’
A bb as F l b in A mad h p t rnity f 55

az , a e o ,

m i ni t rs e of Ma h
m ud, 30 3 2 ,

A li Kh lif
, 4 4 a a, 1 2 , 0 , 1 , 1 0 6, 1 0 7
36 c lt f 3 u o , 1

A bri l ’
Kas m i . Fird au s i ,
24 , 3 8, i n ti n f 3
as s as s a o o , 1

1 12 Fi d i rfr c r au s

s e e en es t o, 24 ,

A bri M ans ri r b in A b du r ’
-
R az z a k
6 7—
,

S h ah nama . o f, 70 , 99

A li D il am , fri e nd of Fird i au s ,

A b u M ans rrr b in t h am mad


, 3 5. 3 9
pt
a ro n o f dau s Fir i , 29, 1 10 A ll ha h mm , Mu a ada n na me of

A b i T ali b
r ,
u n cl e of M u h am m a d, th ity 5 e De ,
0

12 A lpt igin chi f , e ,


20

A fra iy ab r l r
s , u e of Tri ran, x v, A nin Kh lif
r 4 , a a, 1

4 22 5 5, 7 2 3 3 7, , 34 2 3 69 3
,
A m l cit y
u 4 5 , , 1 , 1 77 , 2 89 , 2 98 ,

3 62 , 3 66 s e g , 3 74 . s e a, 38 1 ,
3 82 A nae s th tic e s, e m pl o y m e nt o f ,
2 3 6.

A frit g i , en e, 4 2 32 1 s eq .

A gh ré rad, n e ( I gh rira s ) 3 3 8 pri c , A n a b r , city f , o u n de d by the


h
A mad H as an M aim a ndi, m n s i i A z dit e s , 1 1

t e r o f M ah mri d, 3 2 3 9 , 4 5 ,
A n im l a s, do me s tic ti a o n o f, 1 2 6

h
A ma d ib n M u a m m ad a on h , p tr A nt , t he p t pl
oe

s ea fo r t he ,
of Fird aus i , 29 20 1

A h 1 1 m a n,
'

t he E v il Pri cipl xii n e, ,


A phr s e o n, p in l en s u a o f,
58 note

5, 61 50 1 1 3 81 1 59 1 1 94 ,
A pt y a , V dic f rm
e o of A b ti n ,

2 87 g . v .
, 1 71 —1 74
ri dd n by T hm i a e a rr s, 1 25 A ab r ia , 1 89
A h ra M a da ( U m d)
u z r uz ,
235 an ci nt tr e ade o f, 11
3 90 [INDE X

A rabic l ang ag 3 2 , u e,

i nfr q nt in S hahnam 4 7
e ue a,

A rab th i r rai d i nt and d m i


s, e s o o A A
B D KH S H AN , e r gi o n, 30 0
nati n e r I ran 1 —4
o ov , 1 1 gh
Ba dad, cit
y, 1 4 , 6 1 0

A ra ri e r 9
s, v , h hh
Ba man, S a , 4 2
c onf d with t h e O x 7 us e us, 1 B hram C h b i
a 4 ,
u na, 1
A rchit ct r in e nti on f 9
e u e, v o ,
12 , B hran G ir S h ah 4
a i r , , 2

1 33 B i ingh
a s Kh an h i L if ar , s e of

A rd, day o f, 2 4 , 88 Fird i 3 au s ,


2

A rds h ir Pa p ka
a n, S a hh , 4 2, h i Pr f c t t h S hah nam
s e a e o e a.

62 64 -

6 7 68 -

A ri es, c
t ll ti n 8 8 3
o ns e a o , ,
10 , 335 Ba it al M uk addas , city , 1 61
A r j a p r l r f T i an 6
s ,
u e o rr ,
1 Baj , Z r tri
o o as an s y t m s e of my a

A rna w a w if f F id i
z , e o ar r n, 1 4 2, ing , 80
14 6. 1 4 7, 14 8, 1 61 s eg .
, 1 66 , Ba k t w n 58 n t
u, o , o e

177 Ba lkh ,ci t t f A ry


an en sea o an

Ar r an, d
s , 9 i trict ci i li ti n 7 v sa o ,

rl
A s an J az ib , e ne a , 1 0 0 g rl it t d n nci nt tr d
s ua e o a e a e

r f rr
e e ed to, 1 1 4 r t 57 ou e,

r t x rx
A a e e s I I S a , 59 . hh t f t h M gi nd
s ea o e a a o f
A r w and, ri r
ve (the s ), Tigri 1 60 l g nd 6 e e , 0

Am i , wl if e of S a m 1 88 , Zr t cc f l ng
o o as e r s s u

ess u e va el

A ry n m ni g
a , ea n o f, 7 at , 61
rac 7 ; r l ti n f I di n
e, e a o s o n a as r h y m w rd e -
o , 74
br nch with I rani n 5
a a s , 1 r
Ba man, Tri ranian hr
e o , x v, 34 2,

A f ndiy a Ira i n h
s a 4 55 r, n a e ro , 2, 34 6 s ec . 3 54 3 56 ,

A hk ani n dy n t y 4 9
s a ,
as ,
Bars am , mi pl t Z r tri e m e n in o oas an

A k I ndi n ki ng 5
so a, a ,
1 c r m ni l 8
e e o a , 0

A yri n th ir tt ck
ss a pn s, e a a s u o B r in fi
a z t m pl 3 7
,
re -
e e, 2

I anr , 10 B r i n I rani n h r
a z , 3 65 a e o,

A s tr l g r
o o e s, i mp rt nt o a fi gr u es Ba tan N am
s 66 6 7 a, -

in t h e S h ah nama, 52 , 2 51 ,
B h
az b rb f T i 3 8
,
su u o r s,

2 78 B d in
e ou 3 5 79 s, 1 , 1

A s t y age s , n o f t he ki g M e de s Bih i t i n trili ng l i n cripti


s r ,
ua s on

( M anda) , 1 8 7 2 1 4 4 n r ck f
o 6 o o 1

, . ,

At hw y a, Z andav as t ic f rm
o of Birmay a , c o w , 1 5 1 1 53 1 62

,

A bti n , g . v .
, 1 71 1 74 ihp
B s o , as as e an, 3 7 3 , 3 7 8 c t ll
A t ro pat ane , pr i nc ov e ( A z arb al Bis t ri n m ou , 3 2 8 , 3 79 nt i n a ,

j am) , 9 , 56 Bi w aras p ( Zah hak ) , 7 2 . 1 3 5, 1 4 4


Az arak hs h , fi re t mpl -
e e, 61 ri
B a ns , pr cri
u m a n, es h be d t o
A z arb aij an ov , pr i nc e (A tr p o a b li
Zahh ak y I b s , 1 3 9 , 1 4 6
t
a ne ) 9 56 6 1 , , , hi
B u dd s m, 1 5 rgr i l
e a de d as do a

A z arg as h as p , s pi i t r of t he light tr by Z r tri n 6


o us o o as a s, 1

n n i g , 7 3 . 2 4 8, 3 0 9 . 3 4 9 Bu nd hi h P hl i tr ti
a s 7 ,
a av ea s e, 0

A dit e s , A a
z e, 1 1 r b trib no t e , 9 1 , 9 2 , 1 1 7, 1 2 5, 1 3 1.

A z hi and A z i, de mo n, 1 4 2 . S ee 2 3 5, 2 3 6, 3 3 7 note . 3 38 ,

t o o D a a a and Zahhak h k 3 69
392 ,
I N DE X

Dink ard, Pa hl avi tr ti ea se, 70 Faranak , mo th r f F ri dune o a , 14 5,


no t e . 3 73 5 1 , I 57 , 1 75
'

i
D ram , o n ci ( dra m ) 8 1 ch , F ri
a dun, S a , x hh ii , mm 30 , 4 2,

Div, de mo n ( Daev a ) , xii , 4 2, 50 , 54 » 55, I 4 2 s eg , 1 4 9 8 8 9 .

82 , 1 30 , 20 9 1 70 , 2 78 , 2 86, 2 88, 3 2 9 , 3 3 5,

B l ck xii
a , , 82 , 1 1 7, 1 20 ,
121 , 3 4 1 , 3 4 9 3 5 1 , 3 64 , 3 70 , 3 8 2 , ,

3 8 4 , 3 85
B ndei r of t he ( Tah m uras ) , fl ag o f, 2 9 3 , 2 9 5
F rr di in Gr c Gl y 8
a , v e a e or or , 2

W hite , 82 F r ng m r f l ngth (p r
a sa , e as u e o e a a

i i i g
D v n n c u p, 5 1 ng ) 8
sa , 2

ch c i
Dra m, o n ( d ram) , 8 1 i F ud
ar f S iy aw h nd h lf
,
s on o us a a

Drago n = Zah hak , 1 58, 1 6 1 , 1 63 , br th r f K i Kh r 3 7


o e o a u s au , 0

F arw ardin , nam e of day and

F ri dun a86 as , 1 mo n 88 th , ,
1 3 3 2 63

f th K h f
o 3 5 96 e as a , 2 , 2 F ti
a m a dau ,
ght r e of Mu h amm ad

Dr g n chil d ( B udab ) 3 4 wi fe

a nd of A li,

a o s a ,
0 12

D ngi n pr i nc ( S i t an ) 4 F l hm a d. S ee A b n]

ra a a, ov e s , az ,
s on of A
Dr m eari dic l 5 s, ve a , 1

A bbas F l az

D ght d f m i n in I ran 3 7 Fird i m t ri l f lif f 3


'
ro u an a e, , 0 , au s , a e a s or e o , 2

3 71 au o t b i gr phic l r f r c
o a a e e en es

li
D u a s m , 5, 4 9 , 50 , 52 , 56 58 , o f, 2 4 s e q.

D un b a , r pl c
a e , 2 52 , 2 56 , N iz ami s

a cc oun t o f, 3 8, 4 5
D us t pr l c
e va e n e o f, in I rzi n 3
,
'

, b itt e rne s s a a ns gi t M a mud h


as a m e a o , 73 t ph r o f, 33
ti
Dy nas e s l an an , in S hahnama

,
r i , Satir e on M ah m fi d o f, 4 0

4 9 rf re e r ed t o , 3 73
tk a es u
p t h e S hah nam a on

E Dak iki

s de a th , 28

w rit es Y ti s u f

an d a ik ha
ED ES S A , S . J ame s o f 3 74 ,
,

E kb at ana, cit y ( H amadan) , 1 7 de a


4 S
th f 4 5
E l m nt t h f
e e 86 s, e ou r, 1 0 2, 2
hi pic m th
o ,

od c tr t
on as e d
E l ph t W hit i 3 7 3 77 s e e

W ith H m r
e an ,
e, x v, 2 , ’

E llipi ki ng d m f 9
o e s, 4 7
7 d l ti n h
o o 1
, , ,
hi of M a mud
E xi
s a u a o ,
u 6
ne , s e a , 1

m t ph r f chil dr n 78
30 1 12
Ey
,
es,

80
e a

81 ,
o

1
or e ,
1 ,
Fir e , an ci t c lt
en u of t he A y
r ans ,
1 1 94
7 , 4 9 , 56
,

pri t gi
.

es s S ee M a .

r gi n
e 56 o o f,

H us h ang s d ic ’
s o ve ry o f, 1 23

F A G H F IJ R , dy nas

tic titl f t h e o e his i n tit ti n
s u o of f t
e as of

pri c
n e s of C n hi d M i h in an sc , ( S ada ) ,
1 23

2 62 Fi h
s , my th l gic l
o o a , 7 1 , 72 , 14 8,
F kk a ki d f dri nk
a a n o , 4 3 n ot e 2 52

Fl h m t i nt r d cti n f
,

F mi n
a d dr ght e an ou , in I an,

r es -
ea s , o u o o ,

3 70 , 3 7 1 ttrib t
a u e d t A hrim n 3 8 o a ,
1
I N DE X 393

F rt hill
o s, des i cr pti
o n o f, 2 3 6, 3 2 9
,
H
F ng y
ra ras an (A f as ya r i
b) , 3 38
fr i
F ras iy av ( A as y ab ) , 3 3 8 H a iy

,
s on of Ku t ib a , p tr
a on o f

Fr a v as hi i mm rt l pri ncipl o a e, 3 69 Fird


i 3 5 39 au s , ,

H it ali n p pl
,

a a s, eo e , 20

H ama an c ntry 3 3 8 v ar , ou ,

G ki g f 3 3 8 n o ,

G A I uM A R T, S a h h xii H rat cit y 7 3 9


a
1 1 7 121, , ,
,

b ttl f
-

, ,

a e o ,
21
1 23

tr Ha n R hi d Kh lif

ru 4
u r as a a, 1
Gandare p, m o ns e , 1 4 3 , 1 72 1 73
-

H a hi m i d c nd nt fH a hi m
-

G g
an i Diz h u k h t , y, 1 6 1 , 2 2 6 cit s , a es e a o s ,

gr t gr ndf th r f
- -

G ars has p ( Ke re s as pa ) , 1 74 th e ea a a e o

G ars has p, I an an e o , 4 2 , 1 4 4 , r i
'

hr M h mm d 5 u a a ,
2

H au z 203
7, 2 1 2 , 2 1 4
20 2 39 ,

wk ticati n
,

G ars has p, S a , hh x v, 1 74 , 3 73 qse


Ha ,
do me s o o f, 1 2 6

chie f f m ix c
.

G ars iw az br th r o e of A as fr i y ab, H er oes , , o ed de s e nt ,


,

34 21 34 9 55
G a u mat a, Ma g us ( t he fl a se
i t 63 3
H ndus an, 1 ,
2 1 ,
261

S me rdis ) , 58, 59 H i r cit y a, ,


1 1

G az h daham , t h e a s e an c t ll of
t f dy n ty
s ea o as ofA l M u nz ir,
hit tl
W e Cas e , 3 54 , 3 69 55
G l gic l t bl 9 —
e ne a o 9 a a es, 0 2
H irmu nd, ve 3 58 , 3 59 ri r ,

Gh ni cityaz 3 57 20
H o ma o r S o ma, 8 1 4 3 ,

Ghul rc r 4 so
,

e
,

ess ,
,

2
H o m e , h is e p r m e od c o n ic th
Gil ( Gilan) 3
,

2 1 us e d tr t F irdau s i s , 4 7 with ’

r cp
,

Gil an r gi 3 e o n, 2 0 H o o s o e s , 1 52
F i
,

o f t h e s o ns o f ar dun 1 8 8
G imirra S ee Kim me rians .
,

Gl r
o y t h e d v ne S ee a e ii Gr c o f 2 51 1, 2 5 1 , 2 78

t
.
,

G o be e e n, o ldtw
o man as , w 2 80 of Ru s am , 2 78 , 30 7
ri i r i
-

s e q. H ou , m a d o f Pa ad s e , 2 72

G o g and M a o gg 16 H u ns , 1 0 1 9 ,

h g hh
, ,

Glo de n ee e , Fl c l and o f t h e , 5 7 H us an , S a , x 1 1 4 , 2 , 1 2 2 , 1 2 6,

34 1

G m r S Kim m i
o e . ee e r ans

Gr c Gl ry th di i
a e or o , e v ne , 82 , 1 1 6,
I
I 3O 4 3S , 20 8, 2 3 7, 3 3 8 , 34 0 ,
B I
I L S , t he M u h ammadan De v il ,

xii 3 6 q , 1 se .

v s i i bl pp r nc e a ea a e s o f, 82 , 1 30 cc i n l b tit ti n f f
o as o a su s u o o or

Ahri m 5 7 an , 0 , 0

Gr k ee s, 10 , 14 I d i Kurdi f

- -
t f 43 , e as o ,
1

G riff n o , 235 Igh i br th r f A fra i yab


r ras , o e o s ,

Gudarz ,
I an

r i an h r e o, 4 2
5 5 3 3 7, 3 4 3 s e a , 3 4 7
x v, , ,

G u s htas p, S a , 4 2 , 6 1 hh 3 63 s e a , 3 74
Gu s t aham , s o n o f N anda r, 351 , gr
I ma e y , o f S hahnama , 72
3 53 , 3 64 , 3 69, 3 7o rp
I ndo E u o e an a e , it s d v s o ns
-
rc i ii ,

G u s t ah am, s o n o f G az hdaham , 7
3 69 I ndus , 7 1 , 2 52
3 94 I N DE X

In tro du cti o n, t o S hahnama, v iii J u li an E mp e ror 1 2



, , ,

3 95 J u pite r pl ane t 72 1 6 1, , , ,
1 88 , 2 8 1

I

raj y , oun g t es s on of F i dun


ar ,
J u s ti ni an E mpe ror 1 6 , ,

X iiia 54 1 1 74 ,
1 95
-
20 51 21 7)
3 35 34 9 ,

na m n o f, i g 1 88 K
da u g ht r e o f, xiii 20 5, 20 6 K A B LL, city 2 56, 2 62 ,

,
57 , 2 34
ram garde n
, ,

I , s o f, 1 0 0 , 1 1 3 2 68, 2 77, 2 82 , 2 83 , 2 86, 2 94 ,

I ran 1 89, 3 64
52 53 2 98, 3 78
x v, 1 1 3, 1 1
, , ,
30 0 , 30 2
and p as s im Kab u lis t an, c o un try 1 5, 2 52 , 2 63 ,

b o u ndari e s ch r ct r
,

and a a e

is t ic s , 3 s eq .
i d l try i o a n, 1 6, 2 58
gr l icc ti a du a de s a o n o f, 3 th B ty e e au of ( Kudaba ) 3 0 2
dr ght ndf m in
,

ou a a e i n, Kadi iy y b ttl
s a, a e o f, 1 2, 14 3
a l nd f c ntr ta o o as s , 5, 58 , 60 R ht a d
a rt n, ese 2 87
Ar b c n t f
,

q a o ues o , 12 Kaianian, dy nas t y 4 9 3 73 , ,

I

u inians , t h e , 9 pas S im -
Kaianii s h, b ro

th r f F i du
e o ar n,
th ir hi t ric l r l ti n with
e s o a e a o s
58 s e q
1

S mit ; Gr k
.

th e e es, 10 ee s i
K a d, dy nas y o f, 55 t
and R o m ans , 1 4 ; A y ans r Kai Kaus , S a , 4 2 3 3 8, 3 7 3 hh
i
,

o f I nd a, 1 5 Tuni nians , 1 6 h r
K ai K u s au , S a , 4 2 , 3 69 hh
th ir tr diti n l r l ti n
e a o a e a o s Kai K u b ad, S a , x v , 4 2 , 3 73 hh
w ith ditt
,

5 4 5 5 66 o, , ,
382 s e q.

I an j r gi gr
'
r 9 6 ve e o n, 2 K ak w i, a nds o n o f Zab b ak , x m
-

, ,

I rma 1 Z hhak c k xii


,

1 4 5
, a s oo , ,
1 2 2 5 s eq
I r ma r gi n 3 4 5 3 58
.

n, e o , , K h ar city 86
anda 2

I mail b r th r f S ltan M h
, ,

K r b gh di trict 9

56
s , o e o u a a a a s
, , ,

mud, 21 K ar n I rani n h r
a
'
a e o, x m 20 7,
p han cit y —
, ,

Is a , ,
351 21 1 ,
2 14 2 26 , 24 9, 3 3 7, 34 4
I s t u v eg u . S ee A s t y age s s e q”

Kargas ars , trib e, 2 53 , 2 77, 2 79 ,

2 8 6, 2 90 2 94 2 98,
3 1 9 34 0
J K annfi j , city
,

,
,

99 , 1 1 5, 2 6 1 , 3 57
, .

J A LIi LA , b ttl
a e o f, 12 K ark w i ,
de s c e ndan o f Z ah ha k t ,

J amas p ,
chi f e m i ni t r s e of h
S ah 2 90 s eq .

G u s h tas p, 4 2 Karma , Z ah h ak

il c k ’
s oo , x 1 1, 1 4 5
ihp
J ame s , S , b s o o f Ede s s a, 3 74 . K ars hipta , my thic l bird a ,
235

J ams d, S a hi h h xii
4 2 , 1 2 9 s eq , , . K h f ri r 3 5
as a ,
ve , 2 , 2 96 s e q .

i g
me an n o f name 1 3 0 , dr g n f i d a o o , .

l
J anda , e nv o y o f Faridfi n, 11 1 1, Kas t arit S ee K y ax e re s

.

1 77 8 3 1 K i ds S ee K ai K aus
.

J as h a ki ng 67 , , , 68 Kawa, t h e s m ,
x 11 1 55 ith , s eq .
,

Jes us 4 2 ,

J e we l s dis co v e ,
i
y o f, 1 33 ,
flag o f,
3 , 1 57 , 1 60 , 14 21 1,

J ilnfm, ri r ve ( t he O x us ) , 5, 3 75
21 2 1 7 , 2 1 8, 2 3 7. 3 3 2

as bo u ndary be tw een f an r Ke re s as pa, I an an e o , 1 7 1 r i hr s eq ,

and T aran , 7 1 , 3 70 , 3 7 1 2 3 4 , 2 3 5: 3 7 3
396 I N DE X

M e d an, i l nga u age ( Z e nd ), 64 N as iru d Din ,



-
titl e of S u b uk t ig in ,

s e q. 21 , 1 14

Me rc ry pl an t 7u , e , 2 N as r, bro th e r o f S u ltan M ah mud ,

M ihrab ki ng i , , x v, x v, 2 34 , 2 56 21

se
q .
,
2 75 s eq .
, 2 84 s eq .
, 2 99 Na t r w r hip
u e -
o s , of t he A ryan s ,

8694 3 58 . 3 59 . 3 6 1 7, S I
M il as , rh y me o d, 75 -
wr N anda , S a r hh x v, 24 8, 2 88 , 2 89 ,

h h xiii
,

M inuc h ih r, S a , s eq .
, 4 2,
3 2 6, 3 3 7 s ee ,3 69
2 0 6. 20 9 s e a. 2 3 4 s ec . 3 3 7. N il , as rh y me w r -
o d, 7 5

3 3 9 8 6 9 4 3 4 8 . 3 63 N e, il 1 14
Mo hl , his e d o n and t iti ran l ati on
s N imni z S i tan
s in, ‘ 2 52 ,
i b u lis ta
Za
of t he S hahnama, 7 6, 7 7
M oo l a F irii z , 2 0 1

N i n h f ll f
eve a o 10
ic r
, ,

M o o n, Firda u s i s d

s ou s e on ki ng f th t tt ck s o a a a ed I ran
tr
,

t h e na u e o f . 0 5 10
o ne o f t he s e v e n pl ane s , t 72 N is hapii r, city , 3 6, 4 5
M o s e s , o f C h o re ne , 7 2 1 4 4 , , 236 N is b is s i ig e es o f, 3 74

wi Kh if
,

M u a ya al a, 1 2 , 1 3 mdi th r

N iz aim i i A

,
- -
au o 22
i
, ,

M ub d, 8 3 h is a cc ou n t f Fird o au s i 38
h r ph t
,

M u a mmad t h e P o e , ,
1 2, 13, s e q. , 4 5, 4 6
4 0 , 4 1, 106 N oa h t h e I an an, r i 1 29
h
,

Mu a mm ad, s on of A bdur ’
N uh b in M ans u S am an d r i pri nc e,
k
,

R az 68, 9 9
36
z a ,

M u h a mmad Las h k ri f ia , r en d of N u h II S zimanid pri c n e 21


Fi d
.
, ,

r au s i, 99 N ris hirw an, S a 1 6, hh 2 7, 4 2


h mm h i iti
,

Mu a ad Ma d , his ed on h as Bas t an nama -


c mpil
o e d, 67
of t h e S h ah nama , 76
M u mas e nni, tri b 3 7 e, 2

M u nz ir dy nas , ty f A l o , 55
M u t aw ak k il ,
Kh lif a a, 1 4
OC EAN U S H o me ric and O ri ntal e
, ,

71
0 x , t he fi r t, 5 s , 1 1 7

N A H A VA N D , b a ttl f O x us ( J ihun) , an ci nt tr
e ade

N ame s , in s y m p th tic m gic


e o , 1 2

8,
r teou 57 ,

” 7,
a e a ,
c nfo us ed with A r as , 71
1 79
Na a,phth w ll
e s o f, 56
ri
N a man I an r i ,

an hr e o, 4 2, 1 74 ,

N arim anau , e pith t e of K e re s as pa, PA DA S H K v A R , mo u n t i n r ng


a -
a e,

3 38
r
N a w an , fr to es o f, 2 1 7, 218 Pa hl av an 8 3

1 Pro pe rl y s pe ak ing Zéb u lis t an is t h e name of t h e h il l y c o u ntry ab o u t t h e u ppe r


t
w a e rs o f t h e H e l mu nd , w h il e N imruz and t
S i s an are s y no nymous nam s for t h e e

y d t
lo w l i ng l an s in o w h ic h it s w a
-
t d e rs e s ce n d b u t Fir d au s i d oe s no t s e e m to mak e
d t t
,

any s uch is inc io n .


I N DE X 397

Pa hl avi, m e an i ng o f, 64 , 83 R us t am,
'
I an an r i '

hr
e o, x iv , x v,

Firdau s i s

u s e o f t he w rd o , 69 4 2. 56. 68. 1 74 . 2 3 4 . 2 3 6. 2 3 7 .
Pa ri 83, 3 20 3 6 9 ” 3 73 . 3 7 6 3 3 9 °

Pai r c
s, oun try , 3 5 1 , 353 s eq .
, 3 5 7, his b irth pr ph i o e s e d, 2 78

3 68 , 3 7 l 3 0 7. 3 2 1
Pa t r hi ans , p pl eo e, 1 0 ,
1 9 , 60 , 6 1 , C ae s a r e an b irth o f, 2 3 6, 32 1
64 s e q.

Pas h ng f th r
a , a e M inuc h ih r,
of 20 5 o rigi n of name , 322
Pas h ng f th r
a ,
a e ofA as y ab , fr i x v,

3 3 6, 3 3 7. 3 4 2 s e e . 3 74 . 3 75
P tr
a Fo ns , o f irdau s i, 2 9 S
P rf m
e i n nti
u es , ve o n o f, 1 33 S A QA E S cy thi ans , 1 7, 1 9
P ri d m y thic hi t ric
,

e o s, a nd s o , of S ac ae s t an . S ee S s it an
S hahnam a, 4 9 5 3 , Sa crific he, u m a n, a nd S e rp nte
Pe r i an
s 8, 9
s, w r hip 4 3 o s 1
t l ci nt c lt
,

Pe ro e u m , in an e u a nd Sa d f t f xii 3
a, e as o 12 1 24
i try 56 q
, , ,

mo de rn ndu s , se .
Sa gitt ri c n t ll ti
a us, o s e a o n, 1 88
Pil as r y me wo rd 7 5
, h -

, S ags ar an d S ags ars d i trict


s a nd
ir T ura i h r ch r ct
, ,

P an, n an e o, a a er tri b e , 2 79 , 2 90 , 3 2 3 , 33 9
o f. 55 hi wif
Sa , e o f I raj ,
'
1 88
c c
Pis e s o ns e a o n, 3 1 0
, t ll ti S aifu d Dau a,

-
l titl e of S u an lt
Pis hdadian, dy nas y 4 9 1 1 6, 3 73 t , , M a mud, 2 1 h
l t cr t
P ane s , hri
e a e d by A man, 52 l
S a m e de s s o n o f l t F ridu
a n, x m
li
, ,

P e ade s , 2 4 5, 2 6 7, 3 3 2 4 54 .
2. 1 74 1 83 s ee 3 3 5.
rl
. .

P e u de , t o S hahnama 9 9 ,
34 2 . 3 4 4 3 62
r th
.

P o me e u s 57 , nam n i g o f, 1 8 7
br th r
Pu rmay a, o F e of aridii n , Sa lt , R u s t am

s cr a av an o f, 3 30
1 58 s eq .
s e q.

de s e rt , 3
S am, I an
'

r i an hr e o, x m, x iv, 4 2,
R
9 5, 1 74 , 20 7, 2 1 2, 231, 2 34

R A I, city , 3 6 3 , 3 66 s e q .
s ee . 33 7. 3 3 9 s ee . 3 4 5 . 3 4 6.
K h ar o f, 3 68 , 3 74 , 3 8 1 3 58. 3 7 5
Ra kh h R u s t am s s e e d,
s

t x v, O ne o bl w , 2 9 7, 2 9 9

l K h f
,

3 73 . 3 78 s een 3 86 s a y s drago n of t he as a ,

R0 0 , my t h ic al b ird, 5 1 , 2 3 5 2 96 s e
q .

R o m ans , t h e , 1 0 , 1 4 ma c e o f, 2 3 5, 2 90 , 2 9 7, 3 2 8,
b
B uda a, t h e m o e o f R u s th r t am , 3 78
x iv , 14 5, 2 34 , 2 80 s e q. , 2 99 S ama K e re s as pa N arimanau ,

s eq .
'
I an r i an hr e o, 1 71 s e q.

cri b d 57 59 q
de s e , 2 ,
2 se . S am anide s , dy nas y , 1 4 t
R ue, wil d pr r ti fr m , as a ese va ve o S ama and, rk y , 7, 1 9 cit
h rm 3 8 a ,
0 S apandarm ad, m o n th a nd day ,
R i m t h E t rn R m n E mpi r
i ,
e as e o a e, 24 ,
8 8 , 89
1 5 , 1 8 3 , 1 89 , 2 2 9 Sa pr o II . S ee S auhpr , son of

bro cade o f, 1 57, 2 52 , 3 1 6, and U rm u z d


p as s im Sa rpr a a da, 84
39 8 I N DE X

Sa ri city
, ,
2 30 ,
2 89 , 3 63 , 3 66, S hapfi r, s o n of U rmu z d, S a u hpr
3 67 II .
(S a pr o S a , 62 , 6 3hh ,

Sa r v, ki ng of Y a man x 11, xiii 3 74



, ,

1 78 1 86 , 21 1 ,
21 4 ,
21 8, 2 86 S hidas p, m i ni t r s e of Tah m nras ,
i
S as an an, e m i e , 1 1 pr 1 27

dy nas y , 4 9 t r i hr
S hidns h, I an an e o , 2 1 1 , 3 54
i
S as an ans , 3 74 Shi it Fir i

e, dau s a, 2 4
Sa e,tir Firdau s i s

on Su ltan Shi it’
h
e s , M u ammadan s e ,
13 ct
h
M a mud, 4 0 Shir cit
az , y, 2 3 6
S t rn pl n t 7 S hirw i, r i hr

a u 4 5
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2, 2 ,
2 9 5, 311 I an an e o, 20 7, 21 5,
S c ipt r
r Z r tri n
u es, o o as a . S ee Zan
dav as t a .
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S h iz s e a o f t h e M a , 60 gi
Se rp nte ,
on Zahh ak

s s h ld r
ou e s, ik r
S anda ( A e ande t h e lx r Gr t) ea ,

1 39 S a . 4 2. 4 9hh
w r hip and h
o s u m an s a crific e, lg ir
e e ndary b arr e o f, 1 6

I4 3 p t rnity f 55
a e o ,

S h ab diz , M ab s s ihr t d3 6 ’
ee ,
2 S i m rgh m y thic l b ird
u , a , 51 , 2 3 5,

S hahnama, o na rigi l c mpil ti o a on 2 4 2 . 2 53 . 2 76. 30 2 . 3 2 6


o f, 66 ne s t f d cribo es e d, 2 4 4

m o re th
an o ne , 2 9 , 66, 67, 6 9 e ffi c c y f f th r
a o ea e s o f, 24 6,
D ak ik i s b e g nn n o f, 2 8

i i g 3 20
Firdau s i s v , 2 3 s eq , 1 0 8

, iii S indu k h t , wif e of M ihrab , x iv ,
s eq. 2 59 , 2 8 1 s e q ,
2 99 seq .

s c e ne o f, 3 S ipand, m o u n t in
a , x iv , 2 3 6, 3 29
da t w h n fi ni h d 4
e e s e ,
2 3 77
l ngth m tr l ng g
e , e e, a ua e, S ipanj ab , r gi o n
e , 3 75
nd th m
a f 4 7 e e o , S it
s an ,
1
4, 1 1 9, 1 20 , 1 59 , 1 68, 1 73 ,
a n m li f 4 8
o a es o ,
1 82

di i i n d chi f ch r
v s o s an e a .
o rigi n o f na me , 19

ac t e rs o f, 4 9 S iy amak , s on of G aium art , x 11,

chi n ry
ma e o f, 5 1 1 1 7, 1 1 9 s eq .

l di ng m ti ea f 53 o ves o , S iy aw u s h , s o n o f K ai Kaus , 55
c m g ny f 7 os o o o ,
1 S o ma S e e H o ma
.

i m g ry f 7 a e o , 2 S os hy ans , t h e o o as an M e s Z r tri
diti n ef 76 o s o , ih 3s a ,
1 1

tr l ti n f 8 7ans a o s o , S pic tr a, s a , 24 5, 2 71

S hah r ina wif zf F idfi n


, 4 e o ar , 1 2, S pity u ra, bro th e r of Y i ma (J am
14 6. 1 64 s ea . 1 77 s hid) , 1 30
S hamas as , T urani an hr e o, x v, S rov b ar, my a se e n , 1 72 thic l rp t
3 4 5 . 3 4 6. 3 58 s e g S u b u k t igin t h e a e o f S u an , f th r lt
S h apigan, tr
e as u y o f, 6 1 , 6 2 r h
M a m ud 2 0 , 2 1 ,

hpr
S au ,
I an r i an h ro e , 2 10 , 21 1, S u gh d d s , , 1 9 i trict
S u n, Firdau s i s d s ou s e o n t h e

ic r
hpr
S au, s on of A rds hir, S h apnr tr
na u e o f t h e , 1 0 5
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S a , 4 2 , 63 o ne o f t h e s e v e n pl ane s , t 72

1 t
S e e no e , p 3 9 6 . .
4 00 I N DE X

Y i ma ( Y ama J am hi d) , s , 7, 1 29, Z and, c omme n t , 65


3 0 . 3 74
1 Zandav as t a, 64 .
s e q. , 70 not e , 1 2 9 ,

Y iis u f and Zul ik ha, Firdau s i s ,



14 4 1 1 71 9 1 72 , 1 74 1 2 34 : 3 3 7i
4 5. 4 6
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Z aras p, son of M inuc hihr, 24 8
Z
Z r th t
a a us ra ( Zardu hs ht , Zr o o

Z A B U L z ab ,
u lis t au, c o un try , 1
24 8, t r) as e , 2 3 5, 2 3 6

2 52 . 2 54 . 2 64 . 2 82 . 3 2 4 . 3 4 5. Zardu h s h t ( o o as e ) , 53 , 6 1 Zr tr
3 57 . 3 58 . 3 6 1 . 3 64 . 3 66. 3 67 titl
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3 7 r. 3 7 5. 3 8 1 61
Z rt ds ha m ,
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ki g
n o f Tfi ran 3 4 2 s e q , ,
. Zarir Yranian e o 4 2
, hr ,

3 76 hh Zav , S a , x v , 3 69 s e q .

Zahh ak , S a h h xii , Z l g g
4 2 , 54 , 72 , , e nd, an u a e 64 ,

1 3 5 s e q , 1 73 s e q . Zir k n rchi m g 4 9 5
2 7 5, 2 78. .. a , a a a e, 1 , 1 0

2 88, 2 92 , l h
3 0 3 , 3 2 6, lk 4 ’

l , s e a or a e,

33 8 3 58 .
Z r t r ( Z d h h t ) 53 6 6 o o as e ar u s , , 1 , 2

hi m in i t r ( K nd
s ) s eZ tri n c l nd r 59 u ra v , x il , o ro as a a e a ,

64 q1 se . c m g ny 5 os o o ,

hi c pit l 6 a c c pti n f d ti y 5 n

s a , 1 1 on e o o es ,
2

Z il t h f th r
z , ef R t m xiii
a e pr p g nd 58 q
o us a ,
o a a a, se .

q 95 se 4 5, 35 9 » 337 1cript r 6 q .
2 33 -
5 .
s u es , 1 se .

3 4 5 3 4 6 3 58 . e 3 64 }
. Z r tri ni m 4 9 se . s et . o o as a s ,

37 q 380 3 8 3 84 3 8 7
se .
, c nc pti n f 5 5 5
1, 2, ,
o e o s o , , 1 , 2

z aLi ( z en 84
-
z ar 4 8 , rigi n l t f 56 q 6
, 2 o a s ea o , se .
, 2

Z my ad Y t 33 8
a ,
as ,
cript r f 6 q s u es o , 1 se .

S t p ee no e , .
3 96 .

EN D O F VOL I . .

Prin t d b B ALLA T
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in ur r Lo n on

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