English
The Slaying of the Worm
From there he set out to fight the Worm, and his army marched toward it as well.
He brought a force of twelve thousand horsemen, all seasoned veterans hardened by war.
When the scattered troops had gathered into one body, he led them to a spot between two mountains.
There was a man named Shahrgir, a wise commander in the service of King Ardeshir.
Then the king said to his champion: Stay here, and keep your mind clear and alert.
Keep sentries posted night and day, riders who know their craft and can guide the way.
Maintain both lookouts and watchmen, guarding the army through day and night.
I will now devise a scheme, just as my ancestor Esfandiar once did.
If the lookout sees smoke by day, or fire at night blazing like the world lighting sun,
know then that the Worm has met its end; its lucky star has set, its heyday is over.
From among the nobles he chose seven men, brave as lions on the day of battle.
Everyone who was his confidant would never let his secret slip to the wind.
From his treasury he also picked out many jewels: silk brocade, gold coins, and every sort of thing.
With a wise eye he turned the precious into worthless: he filled two chests with lead and tin.
Among the load he placed a bronze cauldron, for he was a master at such work.
When he had readied the goods to carry, he asked the quartermaster for ten donkeys.
He dressed his men like donkey drivers in coarse woolen cloaks, though their loads were all gold and silver.
With a troubled heart, seeking his path, they turned from the army toward the fortress.
The two young village men who had once been his hosts one day,
he took along with him from that gathering, for they were both his friends and his advisers.
He traveled along with that caravan, disguised as a merchant.
When along the road he neared the fortress, he saw its walls, ramparts, and town from afar.
The Worm's attendants were sixty men, and none of them ever left their duties.
One of them looked up and called out: What is hidden inside these chests?
The king answered him: I carry all sorts of goods in my load,
ornaments and garments, silver and gold, coins and brocade, pearls and gems.
I am a merchant from Khorasan, worn out with toil, with no rest for my body.
I have gained great wealth through the Worm's good fortune, and now I have come gladly to the Worm's throne.
If I add to its worship, that is only right, for it was by its luck that my fortunes were set straight.
The Worm's attendant revealed the secret sign, and at once they opened the fortress gate.
When he had driven his load into the stronghold, that renowned man set his plan in motion.
Ardeshir quickly opened the bundles and gave away whatever he could spare.
He spread a feasting cloth before the attendants and waited on them like a servant.
He undid the locks and clasps of the chest, brought out its contents, and lifted a cup of wine.
Everyone who used to bring food to the Worm, milk and rice, the fare on which it was reared,
turned his neck away from the cup of wine, for it was his turn on duty and no time for drunkenness.
When Ardeshir heard this, he sprang to his feet: I have plenty of rice and milk with me.
With the leaders' permission, for three days let me be the one who cheers you by feeding it.
Perhaps I too will become famous in the world, and take some share of its lucky star.
You drink wine with me for three days, and on the fourth, like the world lighting sun,
I will rise up and build a broad shop, its arch loftier than any hall or palace.
I am a seller in search of buyers; this will raise my standing before the Worm.
With these words all his aim was fulfilled; they said: Go, take on its worship yourself.
The disguised donkey driver put on every kind of manner; the attendants sat down with wine in hand.
They drank cup after cup and grew drunk; the Worm's attendants became worshippers of wine.
When wine had loosened their tongues, the world ruler came forward with his hosts.
He brought the tin and the bronze cauldron and lit a fire in broad daylight.
When it was the Worm's feeding time, its nourishment now was boiling molten tin.
They saw its tongue take on the color of a scale, just as when it used to eat its rice before.
The young man poured the molten tin down, and inside the pit the Worm grew helpless.
A crash burst from its throat, so loud that the pit and its ground trembled.
Ardeshir rushed in with the young men, swift as the wind, armed with mace, sword, club, and arrows.
Of the attendants who were drunk, not one escaped their blades alive.
He raised dark smoke from the fortress roof, showing his valor to the army's commander.
The lookout ran to Shahrgir with the news: King Ardeshir has won the victory.
Swiftly the champion came with his army and brought the troops close to the king.