THE SCENE: The romance between the Persian Zal and the Arab Rudabeh seemed doomed to fail in light of their peoples’ mutual enmity. So when they overcome all odds and finally get married, their wedding is a suitably extravagant affair.
THE TEXT: Rudabeh’s father Mehrab had the drums sounded and trumpets blown, and drew up his army so that it glittered like a rooster’s eye. The elephants and musicians, and the various banners of red, white, yellow, and purple silk, made the earth seem like a paradise: with the blare of trumpets and the sound of harps, the squeal of bugles and the ringing of bells, it seemed as if Judgment Day had come. This was the manner in which Mehrab went forward to welcome Zal’s father Sam, and when he saw him he dismounted from his horse and walked forward. Sam embraced him and asked him how fate had dealt with him: Mehrab for his part called down blessing on both Sam and Zal and then mounted his charger again, like the new moon rising above the mountains. He placed a golden crown studded with jewels on Zal’s head, and the group arrived in Kabol happily laughing and chatting together.
The town was so full of the sounds of Indian chimes, lutes, harps, and trumpets that it seemed to be transformed; the horses manes were soaked in musk, wine, and saffron, and drummers and trumpeters were mounted on elephants. Three hundred slaves carrying golden goblets filled with musk and jewels called down blessings on Sam and then scattered their goblets’ jewels before him, and whoever came to the festivities wanted for nothing.
Sam smiled and said to Rudabeh’s mother Sindokt, “How long are you going to keep Rudabeh hidden?” In the same manner Sindokt replied, “And where is the gift you will give, if you wish to see the sun?” Sam answered, “Ask me for whatever you wish.” They went to the golden apartments, in which the happiness of spring awaited them. There Sam looked at Rudabeh and was overcome with wonder; he did not know how to praise her adequately, or how to keep his eyes from being dazzled by her splendor. Then he commanded Mehrab to come forward, and the marriage was solemnized according to ancient custom.
Zal and Rudabeh were sat side by side on one throne, and agates and emeralds were scattered over them. Rudabeh wore a splendid diadem, and Zal, a jewel-studded crown. A list of the treasures he was giving them was brought by Mehrab, and as it was read out, it seemed men’s ears could not listen until its end. From there they went to a banqueting hall, where they sat with wine cups in their hands for a week, and then returned to the palace where the festivities went on for three more weeks.
– The Shahnameh, Abolqasem Ferdowsi, 10th Century AD
