English
Part 11: Sabak and the Battle Against Bahman
There was a famous man named Sabak,
with a fine army, good weapons, and clear judgment.
He was the king of the city of Jahrom,
worldly wise, just, and commanding.
He had seven fortunate sons; when he learned the news,
he left Bahman's side and departed.
He came from Jahrom toward Ardashir
with his army, war drums, and full battle gear.
When his eyes fell upon the commander's face,
he dismounted, as was proper and fitting.
He rushed forward and kissed his feet,
recalling much the glory of the Sasanians.
The world-seeking king honored him greatly,
and valued his coming so swiftly.
Yet the ambitious king grew thoughtful about Sabak;
his heart filled with fear and unease at that old man.
Even on the road he stayed watchful,
for a world-conquering army marched with the old man.
The worldly, alert-hearted old man
sensed what Ardashir was thinking.
He came and brought the Avesta and Zand,
and said: I swear by the exalted Creator,
the noble soul of Sabak be wretched
if his heart is not loyal to the pure king.
When the news of King Ardashir reached me,
that he had brought his army to this land,
I had grown so weary of Ardavan
that, like an old woman turned young, I felt renewed.
Know me as a devoted, loyal servant of good fortune,
patient of heart and a keeper of secrets.
When Ardashir heard these words from him,
he set aside his old suspicion and thought anew.
He treated the old man as he would his father,
and set him above those other nobles.
The king's heart was freed from worry,
and he turned toward the fire temple of Ram Khorrad.
He offered many prayers before God,
that He might guide him toward goodness,
and grant him victory in every deed,
letting the tree of his greatness bear fruit.
From there he went to the royal pavilion,
where the muster passed before him with his steward.
He paid the army in coin and made them prosper,
and gave thanks to God, the giver of good.
When his army was fierce as a bold leopard,
he marched to war against Bahman son of Ardavan.
When the two sides drew near each other,
the battle-hungry warriors advanced.
The armies formed their ranks on both sides,
spears and Indian blades gripped in hand.
They clashed like battling lions
and spilled blood like a flowing stream.
It went on this way until the sun turned yellow,
the air thick with dust, the ground littered with men.
When the sky's canopy turned turquoise with dusk,
Sabak's army entered the fight.
A wind rose and a dust dark as pitch,
coming from the heart of Ardashir's army.
He struck down many of them with his mace,
for he was full of strength, courage, glory, and stature.
Bahman son of Ardavan fled,
his body pierced with arrows, his spirit darkened.
King Ardashir chased close behind him,
with the blare of trumpets and a rain of arrows,
chasing him this way to the city of Istakhr,
where Bahman had held his fame and pride.
When the king's fame rose through the world,
countless troops joined him from every side.
They showed him great treasures,
wealth that Bahman had painfully hoarded.
He scattered the hoarded coins freely,
and grew strong, then led his army out of Pars.