Esfandiar and the Lions

Nothing but grief fell to Gorgsar's lot from the war of Gorgan and from Esfandiar. They set out a golden banquet table, ate the food and called for wine. He ordered the captive brought before him; they led him in, trembling, his face wet with tears. He gave him three cups of wine, then began to question him: 'Now what do you say? What wonder will I see?' The famous Gorgsar answered him: 'O renowned, lionhearted king, at the next stage, a lion comes to fight, so fierce that even a sea monster could not endure its battle. The brave eagle will not fly over that lion's path, however bold it may be.' Clear-hearted Esfandiar laughed and said to him: 'You quarrelsome, stubborn Turk, tomorrow you will see how boldly I go to battle against the fierce lion.' When night grew dark, the king gave the order, and the army set out from that place. Through the black night the troops marched on, calling out their blessings upon him. When the sun turned that curtain of dark blue into a robe of yellow silk, the commander reached the ground of the brave, arriving at the plain where the lions fought. He ordered Pashutan forward and gave him more advice than could be measured. He told him: 'I hand over this proud army to you; I am going into battle.' He advanced, and when he drew near the lion, the world went dark before the lion's heart. One was male, the other a lioness; they came forward, fierce and bold. As the male charged in, he struck a single blow, and the sand beneath him turned red as coral. He split it in two from head to waist, and the lioness's heart filled with terror. When her mate's death enraged her and she rushed close, the warrior struck a blow to her head. He sent her head rolling into the sand; his hand and battle-armor turned ruby with blood. He stepped into the water and washed his head and body, seeking no protector but the pure God. He said: 'O just and pure judge, it is you who destroyed these beasts by my hand.' At that very moment the army arrived, and Pashutan saw the heads and manes of the lions. They showered blessings on Esfandiar and named him the renowned lord of the earth. From there the guide came forward, up to the royal tent and the pavilion. They laid the table with fine dishes, and the clean-minded chief brought them in.