English
Part 12
He read the letter to the scribe and said: I will bring the hidden secrets out into the open.
But if you loosen your tongue and let it slip, that tongue will bring disaster upon your head.
He ordered a letter written to the king, to inform him of the state of the army.
He laid out for Khosrow all that had happened, every word that Piran had spoken to him.
How Giv had been sent, the bonds of kinship and affection, and the workings of the turning heavens.
And the answer that the nobles and the brave wise men had given to Giv.
And the army that Giv, fierce as a leopard, had brought to Kanabad for battle.
How after that they set the field of war, and cleared their hearts of everything but the fight.
He recalled in the letter, one by one, the warlike Human and Nastihan.
And Bizhan's deeds, how on the day of battle he dealt with those mace-wielding Turanians.
When he had told the whole story from start to finish, all the clashes and the war that had passed,
he then turned to Afrasiab, who had come with his army near the water.
If he leads his troops across the banks of the Jayhun and sends his army onto the road to Iran,
you know we cannot stand against him, O blessed lord of the world.
Unless Khosrow himself comes to back the army and sets the crown upon his servants' heads.
And if Piran should make the first move and ask his own king for reinforcements,
then word will reach Khosrow of what he plans to do, and by your fortune we will find the way, my lord.
And another thing: of Rostam who binds demons, of Lohrasb and of the shrewd Ashkash,
may the victorious king send word of their deeds to this humble servant.
When he had sealed and bound the letter, he ordered it carried on a swift mount.
They prepared a royal seat and led out many fast steeds.
He ordered Hojir to come before him, a young man who acted with the wisdom of an elder.
The champion told the whole matter, word for word, before that wise young son.
He said to him: O son of sharp mind, set your heart quick and keen upon this task.
If ever you sought high standing with me, now is the time to prove it.
As soon as you take this letter, go at once, swift as the roaring wind.
Do not rest by night or day, do not pause to scratch your head; carry my letter to the king.
In farewell he took him into his arms, and Hojir left the presence of his noble father.
He called two men of the army to his side and quickly mounted them on swift horses.
He set out from his father's royal tent, taking a fresh camel-mount at every stage.
Their food, sleep, and rest were all in the saddle, whether in the dark of night or the blazing sun.
In this way they pressed on down the road and within a week they neared the king.
When the rider came along the road of Iran, someone brought word to the renowned Khosrow.
He sent Shammakh out to meet him, along with a host of bold and fearless warriors.
When he saw Hojir's face, he asked him: O lion-hearted son of a champion,
at least is all well, that you have come so suddenly to the king of the world?
He ordered the curtain drawn aside and let him ride his horse straight through the gate.
When Hojir entered and Khosrow looked at him, he rubbed his face on the ground before him.
The king asked him many questions and seated him, and blessed Hojir a thousand times over.
The king set a jeweled turquoise crown upon his head, gleaming like the shining moon.
The king asked after Gudarz and the leaders of the army, one by one about each of them.
Hojir delivered the nobles' greetings to Khosrow and recounted to him all the army's affairs.
Then the young man, wise and bright of soul, handed him the champion's letter.
They seated the scribe before them and ordered the letter to be read aloud.
When the scribe had read the letter to Khosrow, the king filled Hojir's mouth with shining rubies,
and after that he told the treasurer: bring gold coins and brocade from the vaults.
When he heard the command, the treasurer brought a purse and poured until its top was buried out of sight.
Then he brought a robe of gold thread, such as befits the royal court.
Likewise they brought before Hojir ten fine horses with saddles of gold.
He also gave robes of honor to Hojir's companions, and handed out silver, gold, and every kind of gift.
After that, when they rose from their places, they set up the seats for a feast.
Hojir and the nobles devoted to Khosrow all took cups of wine in their hands.
They sat together for a day and a night, while Khosrow weighed his plans, great and small.
At dawn Khosrow washed his head and body and came first before the Judge of the world.
He put on fresh garments of servitude, his two eyes raining like a cloud.
With bent back and bowed head, he offered praise to the just God.
He asked Him for victory and glory, and sought from Him the crown and throne of kingship.
He lamented to God about Afrasiab, and in his pain the tears poured down from both eyes.
Then he rose from there, tall as a straight cypress, and took his place upon the throne of the king of kings.