Destiny spins strange webs in the shadow of time. Sam Nariman, the paramount paladin of Iran, possessed within his inner chambers a moon-faced consort of surpassing grace. When her child was brought forth into the world, the babe possessed a radiant countenance and a silver body, yet his hair from head to crown shone as pure white as driven snow. For seven full days, none among the women dared reveal this marvel to the fierce realm-defender, fearing his wrath. At last, a brave nurse step forward like a lioness, pronouncing blessings upon the hero and declaring that a flawless son had been born to his line, save for the snow-white hair decreed by Fate.
When Sam looked upon the babe's shining silver locks, anguish and acute shame seized his soul. Raising his voice to the heavens, he wept before the Almighty, agonizing over what ancient sin had brought such disgrace upon his house, dreading that men would deem the child a demon's spawn. Driven by pride and fear of public shame, Sam commanded his men to bear the innocent infant far away and abandon him upon the desolate crags of Mount Alborz, beneath the towering nest of the mythical Simorgh. Left upon the bare granite, with only the dark earth for a cradle and the burning sun for a mother, the child wailed in hunger.
When the Simorgh soared into the upper skies to hunt for her brood, the lamentations of the infant echoed through the abysses. Divine mercy touched the great heart of the mythical bird. Swooping down, she gently grasped the child in her talons and carried him to her celestial nest on the high peak. There, her fledglings marvelled at his radiant beauty and embraced him as a brother. Fed upon the tenderest choice of prey, the child grew through long years into a noble youth—broad-chested as a lion, tall as a cypress, and bearing the majestic demeanor of kings.
As rumor of this miraculous youth raised by the bird of god spread across the earth, Sam was haunted in his sleep by a vision of an Indian rider bringing tidings of his living child. His wise astrologers and mobads scolded him bitterly for discarding his own blood. In a second terrifying dream, a celestial herald reproached Sam for his arrogance and hard-heartedness, reminding him that the Creator had nurtured the child whom he had cast away. Overcome with deep remorse, Sam led his champions to the foot of Alborz, only to find the Simorgh's nest built atop impossible, sheer cliffs that touched the stars. Falling upon his face, Sam wept and begged God for forgiveness and aid.
The wise Simorgh saw the sorrowful champion below and told Zal that the time had come to claim his rightful royal inheritance. Though Zal wept to leave the cozy sanctuary of the crags, the Simorgh bestowed upon him a glowing plume, instructing him to burn it whenever hardship or peril assailed him, promising to swoop down like a storm cloud to his side. The bird lifted Zal upon her back and descended smoothly to the plain. Seeing his magnificently built son—with the chest of a lion and eyes like dark onyx—Sam bowed before the Simorgh in gratitude, asked his son for forgiveness, and clad him in royal silks. To the thunderous sound of war horns, drums, and golden bells, the army marched back, celebrating the return of the glorious white-haired prince.
#1
کنون پرشگفتی یکی داستان
✦
بپیوندم از گفتهٔ باستان
“Now I shall weave a story full of wonder, drawn from the lore of ancient times.”
#2
نگه کن که مر سام را روزگار
✦
چه بازی نمود ای پسر گوش دار
“Behold what games Destiny played with Sam; give ear, O son, to this mystery.”
#3
نبود ایچ فرزند مر سام را
✦
دلش بود جویندهٔ کام را
“Sam possessed no child to carry his line, though his heart yearned constantly for his desire.”
#4
نگاری بُد اندر شبستان اوی
✦
ز گلبرگ رخ داشت و ز مشک موی
“There was a fair maiden in his royal bower, with cheeks like rose-petals and hair like musk.”
#5
از آن ماهش امید فرزند بود
✦
که خورشید‌چهر و برومند بود
“From that moon-like beauty he hoped for a child, for she was sun-faced and fruitful.”
#6
ز سام نریمان هم او بار داشت
✦
ز بار گران تنش آزار داشت
“She conceived a child by Sam the Hero, and her body felt the heavy strain of her burden.”
#7
ز مادر جدا شد بر آن چند روز
✦
نگاری چو خورشید گیتی‌فروز
“When her days were fulfilled, she gave birth to a babe bright as the world-illuminating sun.”
#8
به چهره چنان بود تابنده شید
✦
ولیکن همه موی بودش سپید
“In visage he was radiant as the sun, yet all the hair upon his head was white as snow.”
#9
پسر چون ز مادر بر آن گونه زاد
✦
نکردند یک هفته بر سام یاد
“When the son was born in such a manner, for a whole week none dared mention him to Sam.”
#10
شبستان آن نامور پهلوان
✦
همه پیش آن خرد کودک نوان
“The entire harem of that famous champion wept in sorrow before that little child.”
#11
کسی سام یل را نیارست گفت
✦
که فرزند پیر آمد از خوب‌جفت
“None dared tell the valiant Sam that an old-haired child was born of his fair bride.”
#12
یکی دایه بودش به کردار شیر
✦
بر پهلوان اندر آمد دلیر
“He had a nurse with the courage of a lion; she boldly came before the champion,”
#13
که بر سام یل روز فرخنده باد
✦
دل بدسگالان او کنده باد
“Saying: 'May this day be auspicious for valiant Sam, and may the heart of his ill-wishers be torn out!”
#14
پس پردهٔ تو در ای نامجوی
✦
یکی پور پاک آمد از ماه‌روی
“Behind your curtain, O seeker of renown, a pure son has been born to a moon-faced mother.”
#15
تنش نقرهٔ سیم و رخ چون بهشت
✦
بر او بر نبینی یک اندام زشت
“His body is pure silver and his face like paradise; you will not see a single ugly limb upon him.”
#16
از آهو همان کش سپید است موی
✦
چنین بود بخش تو ای نامجوی
“His only flaw is that his hair is white; such was your lot, O seeker of fame!'”
#17
فرود آمد از تخت سام سوار
✦
به پرده درآمد سوی نو بهار
“Sam the horseman descended from his throne and entered the inner bower to see the newborn.”
#18
چو فرزند را دید مویش سپید
✦
ببود از جهان سر به سر ناامید
“When he saw his child with white hair, he became entirely hopeless of the world.”
#19
سوی آسمان سر برآورد راست
✦
ز دادآور آنگاه فریاد خواست
“He turned his face straight toward the heavens and raised his cry unto the Just God:”
#20
که ای برتر از کژی و کاستی
✦
بهی زان فزاید که تو خواستی
“'O You who are above all defect and flaw! Goodness increases only through Your divine will.”
#21
اگر من گناهی گران کرده‌ام
✦
و گر کیش آهرمن آورده‌ام
“If I have committed a heavy sin, or if I have inclined toward the faith of Ahriman,”
#22
به پوزش مگر کردگار جهان
✦
به من بر ببخشاید اندر نهان
“May the Creator of the world secretly forgive me upon my sincere repentance.”
#23
بپیچد همی تیره جانم ز شرم
✦
بجوشد همی در دلم خون گرم
“My dark soul twists in shame, and warm blood boils in my heart.”
#24
چو آیند و پرسند گردن‌کشان
✦
چه گویم از این بچهٔ بدنشان؟
“When proud nobles come and ask, what shall I say of this ill-omened child?”
#25
چه گویم که این بچهٔ دیو چیست؟
✦
پلنگ و دو رنگ است و گر نه پری‌ست
“What shall I say this demon-child is? Is it a leopard, a two-toned beast, or a fairy birth?'”
#26
از این ننگ بگذارم ایران زمین
✦
نخواهم بر این بوم و بر آفرین
“'For this disgrace I shall leave the land of Iran; I want no praise upon this territory!'”
#27
بفرمود پس تاش برداشتند
✦
از آن بوم و بر دور بگذاشتند
“He commanded then that they lift the babe and leave him far away from that land.”
#28
به جایی که سیمرغ را خانه بود
✦
بدان خانه این خرد بیگانه بود
“To the place where the Simorgh made her home, this helpless babe was brought as a stranger.”
#29
نهادند بر کوه و گشتند باز
✦
برآمد بر این روزگاری دراز
“They laid him upon the mountain and turned back, and a long time passed over this.”
#30
چنان پهلوان زادهٔ بی‌گناه
✦
ندانست رنگ سپید از سیاه
“That innocent, high-born child knew not the difference between white and black.”
#31
پدر مهر و پیوند بفگند خوار
✦
جفا کرد بر کودک شیرخوار
“His father cast away all love and kinship, showing cruelty toward his suckling child.”
#32
یکی داستان زد بر این نرّه شیر
✦
کجا بچه را کرده بد شیر سیر
“A proverb was spoken concerning a male lion that had nursed a cub to fullness:”
#33
که گر من تو را خون دل دادمی
✦
سپاس ایچ بر سرت ننهادمی
“'Even if I fed you with my heart's blood, I would place no obligation upon your head,”
#34
که تو خود مرا دیده و هم دلی
✦
دلم بگسلد گر ز من بگسلی
“For you are my eyes and my very soul; my heart would break if you were severed from me.'”
#35
چو سیمرغ را بچه شد گرْسنه
✦
به پرواز بر شد دمان از بنه
“When the Simorgh's chicks grew hungry, she flew up swiftly from her nest.”
#36
یکی شیرخواره خروشنده دید
✦
زمین را چو دریای جوشنده دید
“She beheld a crying suckling babe; she saw the earth churning like a boiling sea beneath him.”
#37
ز خاراش گهواره و دایه خاک
✦
تن از جامه دور و لب از شیر پاک
“Hard rock was his cradle and the dust his nurse; his body lacked clothes and his lips lacked milk.”
#38
به گرد اندرش تیره خاک نژند
✦
به سر برش خورشید گشته بلند
“Dark and dreary dust surrounded him, while the sun beat fiercely above his head.”
#39
پلنگش بدی کاشکی مام و باب
✦
مگر سایه‌ای یافتی ز آفتاب
“Would that a leopard had been his father and mother, so he might at least find shade from the burning sun!”
#40
فرود آمد از ابر سیمرغ و چنگ
✦
بزد برگرفتش از آن گرم سنگ
“The Simorgh swooped down from the clouds and gripped him in her talons, lifting him from the burning stone.”
#41
ببردش دمان تا به البرز کوه
✦
که بودش بدانجا کنام و گروه
“She carried him swiftly to Mount Alborz, where her nest and nestlings dwelt.”
#42
سوی بچگان برد تا بشکرند
✦
بدان نالهٔ زار او ننگرند
“She brought him to her fledglings to prey upon, paying no heed to his bitter wailing.”
#43
ببخشود یزدان نیکی‌دهش
✦
کجا بودنی داشت اندر بوش
“Yet the good-bestowing Lord showed mercy, for destiny had decreed his survival.”
#44
نگه کرد سیمرغ با بچّگان
✦
بر آن خرد خون از دو دیده چکان
“The Simorgh and her young looked upon that little child, whose eyes were dripping tears of blood.”
#45
شگفتی بر او بر فگندند مهر
✦
بماندند خیره بدان خوب چهر
“A wondrous love took hold of them, and they remained spellbound by his beautiful face.”
#46
شکاری که نازک‌تر آن برگزید
✦
که بی‌شیر مهمان همی خون مزید
“It selected the tenderest prey for him, so that the milkless guest sucked blood instead of milk.”
#47
بدین گونه تا روزگاری دراز
✦
برآورد داننده بگشاد راز
“In this manner a long age passed, until God, Who knoweth all secrets, revealed the hidden truth.”
#48
چو آن کودک خرد پر مایه گشت
✦
بر آن کوه بر روزگاری گذشت
“When that small child grew noble and strong, and much time elapsed upon that mountain peak,”
#49
یکی مرد شد چون یکی زاد سرو
✦
برش کوه سیمین میانش چو غرو
“He grew into a youth like a tall cypress tree, his chest like a silver mountain and his waist slender as a reed.”
#50
نشانش پراگنده شد در جهان
✦
بد و نیک هرگز نماند نهان
“News of him spread across the world, for good and evil can never remain concealed forever.”
#51
به سام نریمان رسید آگهی
✦
از آن نیک پی پور با فرّهی
“Tidings reached Sam, son of Nariman, regarding that fortunate and gloriously endowed son.”
#52
شبی از شبان داغ دل خفته بود
✦
ز کار زمانه برآشفته بود
“One night among nights, he lay heart-sore in sleep, distressed by the turns of Fortune.”
#53
چنان دید در خواب کز هندوان
✦
یکی مرد بر تازی اسپ دوان
“He saw in a dream that from the lands of India a rider came galloping upon a swift Arabian steed,”
#54
ورا مژده دادی به فرزند او
✦
بر آن برز شاخ برومند او
“Bringing him glad tidings of his abandoned child, that fruitful branch of his tall tree.”
#55
چو بیدار شد موبدان را بخواند
✦
از این در سخن چند گونه براند
“When Sam awoke, he summoned the Mobads and spoke with them at length regarding this vision.”
#56
چه گویید گفت اندر این داستان؟
✦
خردتان بر این هست هم‌داستان؟
“He asked, "What say ye regarding this story? Does your wisdom agree with this revelation?"”
#57
هر آنکس که بودند پیر و جوان
✦
زبان برگشادند بر پهلوان
“All who were gathered, old and young alike, opened their mouths to reproach the hero:”
#58
که بر سنگ و بر خاک شیر و پلنگ
✦
چه ماهی به دریا درون با نهنگ
“"Lo! Be it lion or leopard on rock and earth, or fish and sea-monster in the deep water,”
#59
همه بچه را پروراننده‌اند
✦
ستایش به یزدان رساننده‌اند
“All nourish their own young and offer praise unto the Lord for their offspring.”
#60
تو پیمان نیکی دهش بشکنی
✦
چنان بی‌گنه بچه را بفگنی
“Yet thou didst break the covenant of the Benevolent Creator, abandoning such an innocent child!"”
#61
به یزدان کنون سوی پوزش گرای
✦
که اوی است بر نیکویی رهنمای
“"Turn now to God in earnest repentance, for He alone is the guide unto all goodness."”
#62
چو شب تیره شد رای خواب آمدش
✦
از اندیشهٔ دل شتاب آمدش
“When dark night fell, he sought sleep again, driven by the anxious longing of his heart.”
#63
چنان دید در خواب کز کوه هَند
✦
درفشی برافراشتندی بلند
“He saw in a dream that upon the mountain of India, a grand banner was raised high;”
#64
جوانی پدید آمدی خوب‌روی
✦
سپاهی گران از پس پشت اوی
“A handsome youth appeared, followed by a formidable and mighty army.”
#65
به دست چپش بر یکی موبدی
✦
سوی راستش نامور بخردی
“On his left stood a learned Mobad, and on his right a renowned wise counselor.”
#66
یکی پیش سام آمدی زان دو مرد
✦
زبان بر گشادی به گفتار سرد
“One of those two men stepped forward to Sam and opened his mouth in harsh reproach:”
#67
که ای مرد بی‌باک ناپاک رای
✦
دل و دیده شسته ز شرم خدای
“"O reckless man of wicked mind, who hast washed thy heart and eyes clean of the fear of God!”
#68
تو را دایه گر مرغ شاید همی
✦
پس این پهلوانی چه باید همی
“If a wild bird must serve as nurse for thy child, of what use is all thy knightly prowess?”
#69
گر آهو است بر مرد موی سپید
✦
تو را ریش و سر گشت چون خنگ بید
“If white hair be a fault in a man, look at thine own head and beard, now pale as a willow branch!”
#70
پس از آفریننده بیزار شو
✦
که در تنتْ هر روز رنگی‌ست نو
“Turn thy back then upon the Creator, since every day He bestows a new state and shade upon thy body!”
#71
پسر گر به نزدیک تو بود خوار
✦
کنون هست پروردهٔ کردگار
“Though thy son was vile in thy sight, he is now nurtured by the Almighty Lord Himself;”
#72
کز او مهربان‌تر ورا دایه نیست
✦
تو را خود به مهر اندرون مایه نیست
“For he could find no nurse more loving than Him, while thou thyself art void of all tender affection."”
#73
به خواب اندرون بر خروشید سام
✦
چو شیر ژیان کاندر آید به دام
“Sam roared out in his sleep, like a raging lion caught in a snare.”
#74
چو بیدار شد بخردان را بخواند
✦
سران سپه را همه برنشاند
“When he awoke, he summoned the wise men and bade all the captains of his host mount their steeds.”
#75
بیامد دمان سوی آن کوهسار
✦
که افگندگان را کند خواستار
“He sped swiftly toward that mountain range, eager to seek out his discarded son.”
#76
سر اندر ثریا یکی کوه دید
✦
که گفتی ستاره بخواهد کشید
“He beheld a mountain whose peak reached into the Pleiades, as though it would pluck down the very stars.”
#77
نشیمی از او برکشیده بلند
✦
که ناید ز کیوان بر او بر گزند
“Upon it was built a high nest, so elevated that Saturn itself could work it no harm.”
#78
فرو برده از شیز و صندل عمود
✦
یک اندر دگر ساخته چوب عود
“Its pillars were driven deep, made of ebony and sandalwood, interwoven with precious aloe-wood.”
#79
بدان سنگ خارا نگه کرد سام
✦
بدان هیبت مرغ و هول کنام
“Sam gazed up at that hard granite rock, awestruck by the majestic terror of the Bird and its dread nest.”
#80
یکی کاخ بد تارک اندر سماک
✦
نه از دست رنج و نه از آب و خاک
“It was like a palace whose crown reached the star Simak, built not by human labor, nor of earth and water.”
#81
ره بر شدن جست و کی بود راه
✦
دد و دام را بر چنان جایگاه
“He sought a path to ascend, but where was a way? Even wild beasts could not reach such a high lair.”
#82
ابر آفریننده کرد آفرین
✦
بمالید رخسارگان بر زمین
“He offered praises to the Creator of all and rubbed his cheeks upon the earth in humble prayer.”
#83
همی گفت کای برتر از جایگاه
✦
ز روشن روان و ز خورشید و ماه
“He prayed, saying: 'O Thou who art higher than any place, beyond the radiant soul, the sun, and the moon!'”
#84
گر این کودک از پاک پشت من است
✦
نه از تخم بد گوهر آهرمن است
“'If this child is indeed of my own pure lineage, and not born of the evil race of Ahriman,'”
#85
از این بر شدن بنده را دست گیر
✦
مر این پر گنه را تو اندر پذیر
“'Take Thy servant by the hand in this ascent, and forgive this sinful one.'”
#86
چنین گفت سیمرغ با پور سام
✦
که ای دیده رنج نشیم و کنام
“Thus spoke the Simurgh to the son of Sam: 'O child who hast endured the hardship of nest and lair!'”
#87
پدر سام یل پهلوان جهان
✦
سرافرازتر کس میان مهان
“'Thy father is Sam the mighty, champion of the world, the most exalted among all the great ones.'”
#88
بدین کوه فرزند جوی آمدست
✦
تو را نزد او آب روی آمدست
“'He hath come to this mountain seeking his child; high honor and nobility now await thee in his presence.'”
#89
روا باشد اکنون که بردارمت
✦
بی‌آزار نزدیک او آرمت
“'It is fitting now that I carry thee up and bear thee unharmed to his side.'”
#90
به سیمرغ بنگر که دستان چه گفت
✦
که سیر آمدستی همانا ز جفت
“Behold what Dastan said to the Simurgh: 'Hast thou indeed grown weary of thy companion?'”
#91
نشیم تو رخشنده گاه من است
✦
دو پرّ تو فرّ کلاه من است
“'Thy nest is my radiant throne, and thy two wings are the glory of my royal crown.'”
#92
چنین داد پاسخ که گر تاج و گاه
✦
ببینی و رسم کیانی کلاه
“The Simurgh answered, 'If thou shouldst behold the crown and throne, and the royal customs of the royal hat,'”
#93
مگر کاین نشیمت نیاید به کار
✦
یکی آزمایش کن از روزگار
“'Perchance this nest will no longer suit thy desires; go forth and make a trial of the world!'”
#94
ابا خویشتن بر یکی پرّ من
✦
خجسته بود سایهٔ فرّ من
“'Take one of my feathers with thee; blessed is the shadow of my royal glory.'”
#95
گرت هیچ سختی به روی آورند
✦
ور از نیک و بد گفت و گوی آورند
“'If ever hardship befalleth thee, or if men speak of good and evil concerning thee,'”
#96
بر آتش برافگن یکی پرّ من
✦
ببینی هم اندر زمان فرّ من
“'Cast a feather of mine upon the fire, and straightway thou shalt behold my glory!'”
#97
که در زیر پرت بپرورده‌ام
✦
ابا بچّگانت برآورده‌ام
“'For I have nurtured thee beneath my wings and raised thee alongside my own fledglings.'”
#98
همان گه بیایم چو ابر سیاه
✦
بی‌آزارت آرم بدین جایگاه
“'In that hour I shall come like a dark cloud and bring thee safely back to this very place.'”
#99
فرامش مکن مهر دایه ز دل
✦
که در دل مرا مهر تو دلگسل
“'Forget not the love of thy foster-mother, for in my heart there is an overwhelming affection for thee.'”
#100
دلش کرد پدرام و برداشتش
✦
گرازان به ابر اندر افراشتش
“She made his heart joyful and lifted him up, soaring proudly into the clouds.”
#101
ز پروازش آورد نزد پدر
✦
رسیده به زیر برش موی سر
“Her flight brought him down to his father, his head's hair reaching down below his chest.”
#102
تنش پیلوار و به رخ چون بهار
✦
پدر چون بدیدش بنالید زار
“His body was grand as an elephant's and his face radiant like spring; when his father saw him, he wept aloud.”
#103
فرو برد سر پیش سیمرغ زود
✦
نیایش همی بآفرین برفزود
“Sam swiftly bowed his head before the Simurgh, showering endless praise and blessings upon her.”
#104
سراپای کودک همی بنگرید
✦
همی تاج و تخت کئی را سزید
“He looked upon the youth from head to foot, seeing him worthy of the royal crown and throne.”
#105
بر و بازوی شیر و خورشید روی
✦
دل پهلوان دست شمشیر جوی
“With the chest and arms of a lion, a face like the sun, a hero's heart, and hands eager for the sword.”
#106
سپیدش مژه دیدگان قیرگون
✦
چو بسد لب و رخ به مانند خون
“His eyelashes were white, his eyes pitch-black, his lips like coral, and his cheeks bloody red.”
#107
دل سام شد چون بهشت برین
✦
بر آن پاک فرزند کرد آفرین
“Sam's heart became like highest paradise, and he bestowed his blessing upon that noble child.”
#108
به من ای پسر گفت دل نرم کن
✦
گذشته مکن یاد و دل گرم کن
“He said to him: 'O my son, soften thy heart toward me; remember not the past and take heart!'”
#109
منم کم‌ترین بنده یزدان پرست
✦
از آن پس که آوردمت باز دست
“'I am the humblest servant worshipping God, now that I have regained thee in my embrace.'”
#110
پذیرفته‌ام از خدای بزرگ
✦
که دل بر تو هرگز ندارم سترگ
“'I have vowed before Almighty God never again to harden my heart against thee.'”
#111
بجویم هوای تو از نیک و بد
✦
از این پس چه خواهی تو چونان سزد
“'I shall seek thy pleasure in good and ill; henceforth whatever thou desirest shall be fitting.'”
#112
تنش را یکی پهلوانی قبای
✦
بپوشید و از کوه بگزارد پای
“He clad his body in a heroic robe and stepped down from the mountain heights.”
#113
فرود آمد از کوه و بالای خواست
✦
همان جامهٔ خسرو آرای خواست
“He came down from the mountain, calling for a tall steed and royal garments fit for a king.”
#114
سپه یک‌سره پیش سام آمدند
✦
گشاده دل و شادکام آمدند
“The entire army came forward to meet Sam, with open hearts and filled with delight.”
#115
تبیره‌زنان پیش بردند پیل
✦
برآمد یکی گرد مانند نیل
“Drummers led the war-elephants forward, as a cloud of dust rose up like the dark Nile.”
#116
خروشیدن کوس با کرّه‌نای
✦
همان زنگ زرین و هندی درای
“The thunder of war-drums mingled with the clarion's blare, amidst the ring of golden bells and Indian chimes.”
#117
سواران همه نعره برداشتند
✦
بدان خرّمی راه بگذاشتند
“The horsemen all raised up a joyous shout, and in that high triumph set forth upon their way.”
#118
چو اندر هوا شب علم برگشاد
✦
شد آن روی رومیش زنگی نژاد
“When night unfurled its dark banner across the sky, the fair, Roman face of day turned black as an Ethiopian's.”
#119
بر آن دشت هامون فرود آمدند
✦
بخفتند و یکبار دم بر زدند
“They dismounted upon the open plain, slept soundly, and rested briefly.”
#120
چو بر چرخ گردان درفشنده شید
✦
یکی خیمه زد از حریر سپید
“When the radiant sun pitched a tent of white silk across the turning heavens,”
#121
به شادی به شهر اندرون آمدند
✦
ابا پهلوانی فزون آمدند
“They entered the city in full jubilation, possessing heroical splendor far greater than before.”