Part 15: The Return from the Seven Trials

When Esfandiar had read that letter through, he gave out gold and set his affairs in order. Except for Arjasp's treasury, nothing was left; he scattered all the wealth of Arjasp's kinsmen. His whole army grew rich through him, richer than any measure could hold. Camels and horses spread across plain and mountain, all branded with the mark of Turan's warlord. He called for camels, ten thousand of every kind, scattered across plain and highland. He threw open all of Arjasp's treasury and began to weigh out the silver coins. A thousand camels loaded with the royal gold, and about three hundred with brocade, thrones, and crowns. A hundred with musk, amber, and jewels, a hundred with crowns and famous royal diadems. He ordered a thousand loads of fine floor-brocades to be packed and burdened onto the beasts. About three hundred camels of Chinese cloth, of woven stuff, cloth of gold, and silk. He prepared a curtained litter and grand brocade, and two troops of Chinese slave-girls were led along. Their faces like spring, their figures like cypress, their waists slender as reeds, walking like pheasants. Alongside the sisters of brave Esfandiar went a hundred famous idol-faced maidens. Five of Arjasp's veiled women were taken away with lament, grief, and pain. Two sisters, two daughters, and his mother, full of sorrow, mourning, and wounded to the heart, at his side. When he set fire to the Brazen Fortress, the flames rose up to the high heavens. He leveled all the city's ramparts to the ground and raised dust from the whole land of China. The commander said to his three young sons: split up and travel, each paired with a share of the treasure. If anyone on the road turns aside from justice, gladly strike off their heads with your daggers. You take the desert road; carry your spearpoints gleaming like the sun. I will head toward my Seven Trials to hunt the lion; I will find you, so do not linger on the way. First I will secure the road ahead, and see you again at the new moon. Esfandiar set out toward the Seven Trials, off to hunt with a famous army. When he reached that cold place, he found all the plunder gathered right where it had been. The air was pleasant, the earth was full of color; you would think spring had arrived in midwinter. From that spot he took up the treasure, still marveling at the workings of fate. When he drew near the land of Iran, he reached the country of the bold and the lion-hearted. For two weeks he stayed there with hunting-leopard and hawk, worn out by the toil of the long road. He was watching for his three noble sons, and their delay filled his heart with anger. When the sons came to their father, he smiled at each crowned prince. He said, this road I traveled was rough, and your late arrival had upset me. All three sons kissed the ground: who in the world could have a father like you? From there he made for Iran, and hauled all the treasure to the brave warriors. The whole city of Iran decked itself out; they called for wine, music, and singers. They hung fine cloth from the walls and sprinkled musk and amber from above. The air was full of the singers' voices, the ground full of spear-bearing riders. When Goshtasp heard, he chose celebration, and to that music he raised the cup of wine. He ordered every man in the army, and everyone in the land who had shown greatness, to come with banners and drums; the great ones of the army went out to welcome him. The father went out with famous wise men, with great sages and priests. He came before his son with a bright face, the whole city of Iran alive with talk. When the young king saw his father's face, his heart turned glad and his spirit bright. He spurred his night-black horse into motion, the one that kindles the fire of war. He came and took his father in his arms; the father marveled at what his son had done. He kept praising his glory over and over: may earth and time never be without you. From there they went to the king's palace, and a whole world came wishing them well. Goshtasp adorned the palace and the throne; his heart rejoiced in that fortunate son. In the halls they laid out the feast; he told the steward, summon the great ones. From every domed hall a cupbearer came before that famous king. Royal wine in crystal cups, the cupbearer serving it, radiant as the sun. It lit up every friend's face and burned the hearts of enemies like fire. The son drank, shyly toasting his father; the father likewise toasting his son. Goshtasp asked about the Seven Trials; the son said to his father, read the letter. Let us call to mind the old tales and give our words their due of justice. When tomorrow, sober, you hear it, you will trust in the victory the just God grants. Everyone who had grown drunk went off, each with a moon-faced maiden hand in hand. Now the tale of the Seven Trials is done; read it in the name of the world's Judge, who gave power over good and evil, the Lord of the sun and the shining moon. If the victorious king approves of this, we have placed a saddle on the turning sky.