Shapur and the Daughter of Mehrak

Now hear the tale of Mehrak's daughter, and of the warrior Shapur, wielder of the sword. When some time had passed over these days, the king's fortune blazed bright. One morning the king rode out to hunt, and wise Shapur went along the road with him. In every direction the riders galloped, and cleared the plain of its game. From afar a broad plain came into view, full of gardens, fields, halls, and a palace. Shapur rode on toward the village and dismounted at the house of its headman. There was a lush and pleasant garden estate, and the young man stepped into that green place. He saw a girl as lovely as the moon, lowering a bucket down into a well on its wheel. When that moon-faced girl saw Shapur's face, she came forward and offered her blessings. May you be joyful, my king, and smiling; may you stay all year long safe from all harm. Surely your horses are thirsty now, and the water flowing through this village is brackish. But down in the well the water is cool and sweet; give the word, and I will draw it up myself. Shapur said to her, moon-faced one, why put yourself to trouble with such talk? I have servants with me who will draw cool water from this bottomless well. The girl turned her face from the young man, moved away, and sat down beside the stream. The king ordered one of his servants: bring the bucket and draw water from the well. The servant heard and came running; he set the rope over the wheel with the heavy bucket. When the heavy bucket filled with water, the servant's face flushed red with strain. When the heavy bucket would not rise from the well, King Shapur came over, muttering. He said to the servant, you half a man, wasn't it a woman who lifted this bucket and all this rope? She kept drawing so much water from the well, while you are worn out and crying for help. He came and took the rope from the servant, but the hard task proved humbling even to the king. When the king felt the strain of the heavy bucket, he praised that lovely-faced girl. For she had lifted a bucket this heavy: surely she comes from the line of the great. When the girl had drawn the bucket up, she came with warmth and offered her blessings. May you be blessed for as long as time endures, and may wisdom always be your teacher. By the might of Shapur, son of King Ardeshir, even well water will surely turn to milk. The young man said to the sweet-spoken girl, how do you know that I am Shapur, moon-faced one? She answered, I have often heard this tale from the lips of honest people. That Shapur is a hero with the strength of an elephant, and in generosity like the river Nile. Tall as a cypress and hard as bronze in body, in every way he resembles Bahman. Shapur said to her, moon-faced one, answer me truthfully in all that I ask. Reveal to me what your lineage is; upon your face there is the mark of royalty. She said, I am the daughter of a nobleman; that is why I am so beautiful and so strong. He answered, lies never shine before kings. A farmer's daughter would never have such a moon-like face, this look, this color and grace. The girl said to him, my king, the moment I have a promise for my life, I will tell you all my lineage, once I am safe from the King of Kings' wrath. Shapur said to her, from the garden of friendship no grudge against friends has ever grown. Speak, and hold no fear in your heart, neither of me nor of the renowned and just king. The girl said, in all honesty then: I am the daughter of Mehrak, son of Nushzad. A pious woman raised me with care and entrusted me to this skilled village headman. Out of fear of that renowned king, I became a water-drawer and a servant like this. Shapur came and cleared the place, while the headman stood before him on his feet. He said to him, give me this lovely-faced girl, and call the heavens as your witness over me. The headman gave her to him at his command, according to the rites of the fire-worshippers.