Long after the tragic murder of the pure-hearted Iraj, King Fereydun dwelled in bitter sorrow. Seeking comfort, he looked into the inner chambers of his lost son and discovered Mah-Afarid, a maiden of radiant beauty whom Iraj had loved deeply. By the decree of Fate, she carried Iraj's child. Upon realizing that a remnant of his son lived, Fereydun's heart flared with renewed hope that Iraj's blood might yet be avenged.
When her time came, Mah-Afarid gave birth to a daughter so strikingly wondrous that she seemed the very image of Iraj reborn. She was nurtured in splendor and royal luxury until she grew into a maiden of graceful beauty. Fereydun betrothed her to Pashang, and from their union was born a son destined for the throne and crown. The child was immediately brought before the ancient king. The mobad presented the infant, bidding Fereydun rejoice at the sight of Iraj's descendant.
As Fereydun embraced the infant, his laughter returned after years of grief. The king, whose eyes had grown dark and blind from weeping endlessly for Iraj, turned his face to the heavens and prayed. By Divine grace, the light returned to his eyes, and his sight was restored. Looking upon the boy's glowing visage, Fereydun proclaimed: 'From pure stock a noble branch has bloomed; his face shines like clear wine from a priceless goblet, and his name shall be Manuchehr.'
Fereydun raised the prince with unmatched devotion—his feet never touched bare earth, for pure musk was strewn before his path and silken banners shaded his head. Year after year, Fereydun personally instructed Manuchehr in every royal art, chivalrous skill, and military strategy. When the prince reached manhood, the army and nobles hailed him with united passion. Fereydun unlocked his ancient treasuries, bestowing upon Manuchehr his golden throne, heavy mace, turquoise crown, purebred Arabian steeds with golden bridles, Indian blades, Roman mail, Chachi bows, and Chinese shields.
Summoning the great warlords of the realm—including Qaran son of Kaveh, Shiruy, and Avagan—Fereydun placed Manuchehr upon the throne. The realm erupted in joyous celebration as jewels were showered upon the new king. Justice returned to the earth, distinguishing sheep from wolf, and the Iranian host assembled, eager to march under Manuchehr's banner and avenge the fallen Iraj.
#1
برآمد برین نیز یک چندگاه
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شبستان ایرج نگه کرد شاه
“A period of time passed thus, until the King looked into the chambers of Iraj.”
#2
یکی خوب و چهره پرستنده دید
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کجا نام او بود ماه‌آفرید
“He saw a beautiful, fair-faced maiden whose name was Mah-Afarid.”
#3
که ایرج برو مهر بسیار داشت
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قضا را کنیزک ازو بار داشت
“Iraj had held great love for her; by destiny, the maiden was pregnant with his child.”
#4
پری چهره را بچه بود در نهان
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از آن شاد شد شهریار جهان
“The fairy-faced maiden carried a child in secret; at this, the king of the world rejoiced.”
#5
از آن خوب‌رخ شد دلش پرامید
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به کین پسر داد دل را نوید
“His heart grew hopeful because of that fair face, promising vengeance for his slain son.”
#6
چو هنگامهٔ زادن آمد پدید
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یکی دختر آمد ز ماه آفرید
“When the time of childbirth arrived, a daughter was born to Mah-Afarid.”
#7
جهانی گرفتند پروردنش
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برآمد به ناز و بزرگی تنش
“The world undertook her upbringing; she grew up in elegance and nobility.”
#8
مر آن ماه‌رخ را ز سر تا به پای
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تو گفتی مگر ایرجستی به جای
“From head to foot, that moon-faced maiden was so like Iraj that you would say she was Iraj himself.”
#9
چو بر جست و آمدش هنگام شوی
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چو پروین شدش روی و چون مشک موی
“When she grew up and reached the age of marriage, her face shone like the Pleiades and her hair was like musk.”
#10
نیا نامزد کرد شویش پشنگ
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بدو داد و چندی برآمد درنگ
“Her grandfather betrothed her to Pashang, gave her to him, and some time passed.”
#11
یکی پور زاد آن هنرمند ماه
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چگونه سزاوار تخت و کلاه
“That accomplished moon-like lady gave birth to a son, one worthy of throne and crown.”
#12
چو از مادر مهربان شد جدا
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سبک تاختندش به نزد نیا
“As soon as he was separated from his loving mother, they swiftly took him to his great-grandfather.”
#13
بدو گفت موبد که ای تاجور
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یکی شادکن دل به ایرج نگر
“The Mobad said to him: 'O crowned king, gladden your heart and look upon Iraj!'”
#14
جهان‌بخش را لب پر از خنده شد
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تو گفتی مگر ایرجش زنده شد
“The lip of the world-bestower opened with laughter; you would say Iraj had come alive again.”
#15
نهاد آن گرانمایه را برکنار
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نیایش همی کرد با کردگار
“He took that precious child in his arms and prayed to the Creator.”
#16
همی گفت کاین روز فرخنده باد
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دل بدسگالان ما کنده باد
“He kept saying: 'May this day be auspicious, and may the heart of our ill-wishers be torn out!'”
#17
همان کز جهان آفرین کرد یاد
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ببخشود و دیده بدو باز داد
“As he remembered the Creator of the world, God showed mercy and restored his sight to him.”
#18
فریدون چو روشن جهان را بدید
✦
به چهر نوآمد سبک بنگرید
“When Fereydun saw the bright world once more, he quickly looked upon the newcomer's face.”
#19
چنین گفت کز پاک مام و پدر
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یکی شاخ شایسته آمد به بر
“He said: 'From a pure mother and father, a worthy branch has come to fruition.'”
#20
می روشن آمد ز پرمایه جام
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مر آن چهر دارد منوچهر نام
“'A clear wine has come from a precious goblet; since he bears such a face, his name shall be Manuchehr.'”
#21
چنان پروریدش که باد هوا
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برو بر گذشتی نبودی روا
“He nurtured him so gently that even the morning breeze was not permitted to blow harshly upon him.”
#22
پرستنده‌ای کش به بر داشتی
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زمین را به پی هیچ نگذاشتی
“The nurse who held him in her arms never allowed his feet to touch the ground.”
#23
به پای اندرش مشک سارا بدی
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روان بر سرش چتر دیبا بدی
“Pure musk was scattered beneath his feet, and a parasol of brocade was held over his head.”
#24
چنین تا برآمد برو سالیان
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نیامدش ز اختر زمانی زیان
“Thus years passed over him, and no harm came to him from the stars.”
#25
هنرها که آید شهان را به کار
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بیاموختش نامور شهریار
“The renowned monarch taught him all the arts that are useful unto kings.”
#26
چو چشم و دل پادشا باز شد
✦
سپه نیز با او هم آواز شد
“When the eyes and heart of the king opened with joy, the army also raised their voices in accord with him.”
#27
نیا تخت زرین و گرز گران
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بدو داد و پیروزه تاج سران
“The grandfather gave him the golden throne, the heavy mace, and the turquoise crown of lords.”
#28
سراپردهٔ دیبهٔ هفت‌رنگ
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بدو اندرون خیمه‌های پلنگ
“He gave him seven-colored brocade pavilion, within which were tents of leopard skin.”
#29
چه اسپان تازی به زرین ستام
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چه شمشیر هندی به زرین نیام
“Arabian horses with golden bridles, and Indian swords with golden scabbards,”
#30
چه از جوشن و ترگ و رومی زره
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گشادند مر بندها را گره
“And coats of mail, helmets, and Roman armor—they untied the knots of all these storehouses.”
#31
کمانهای چاچی وتیر خدنگ
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سپرهای چینی و ژوپین جنگ
“Bows of Chach and arrows of poplar wood, shields of China and javelins of battle.”
#32
برین گونه آراسته گنجها
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که بودش به گرد آمده رنجها
“In this manner they adorned treasures that had been gathered with great toil.”
#33
سراسر سزای منوچهر دید
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دل خویش را زو پر از مهر دید
“He saw that all was worthy of Manuchehr, and his heart was filled with love for him.”
#34
کلید در گنج آراسته
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به گنجور او داد با خواسته
“He gave the key to the door of the decorated treasury, filled with wealth, to his treasurer.”
#35
همه پهلوانان لشکرش را
✦
همه نامداران کشورش را
“All the warlords of his army and all the famous nobles of his realm,”
#36
بفرمود تا پیش او آمدند
✦
همه با دلی کینه‌جو آمدند
“He commanded to come before him, all arriving with hearts seeking vengeance.”
#37
به شاهی برو آفرین خواندند
✦
زبرجد به تاجش برافشاندند
“They offered praises to him for his kingship and scattered emeralds upon his crown.”
#38
چو جشنی بد این روزگار بزرگ
✦
شده در جهان میش پیدا ز گرگ
“It was like a feast in that great time; in the world, the sheep became distinct from the wolf.”
#39
سپهدار چون قارن کاوگان
✦
سپهکش چو شیروی و چون آوگان
“Commanders such as Qaran son of Kaveh, warlords like Shiruy and Avagan,”
#40
چو شد ساخته کار لشکر همه
✦
برآمد سر شهریار از رمه
“When the army's organization was complete, the king raised his head above all the flock.”