The Flight to Pars

When the face of the land turned as dark as pitch, the slave girl came to Ardeshir. The young man raged like a stormy sea: how could Ardavan not endure his absence even a single day? The girl repeated what the bright-souled astrologer had said to the famous Ardavan. When Ardeshir heard such words from Golnar, he chose patience and silence. The young man's heart was stirred by that quick-witted moon, and from then on he sought a way to escape. He told her: if I go to Iran, I will travel from Rey toward the city of the brave. Think it over, whether you will come with me on the road, or stay here beside the king. If you come with me, you will grow rich, and you will wear the crown of the whole realm. She answered: I am your servant; I will never be parted from you as long as I live. She spoke with lips full of cold sighs, and pale tears streamed from her eyes. Ardeshir said to that moon-faced girl: tomorrow we must go, there is no other way. The girl went back to her own chambers, having placed her body and soul in his hands. When the world's face turned pale as the sun set, the deep-blue night curved over everything. The girl opened the treasuries and began to pick out every kind of jewel. She gathered rubies and royal gems and as many gold coins as would be of use. She came to the place where she lodged, and set the jewels down in that room. She waited until night rose over the mountains; Ardavan fell asleep and the place emptied of company. She rushed from the hall like an arrow and brought the jewels to Ardeshir. She found the ambitious young man with a cup in hand, and the grooms of the horses all fast asleep and drunk. For Ardeshir had made them drunk, since he was set on leaving no matter what. He had chosen two precious horses, standing at the manger, already saddled. When the young man saw Golnar's face, and the jewels and the red gold coins, at once he set the cup aside and bridled the Arab steeds. He put on his armor and mounted, a poison-tempered sword in his hand. The moon-faced girl mounted the other horse, and together they set off all at once. From the hall he turned his face toward Pars, riding on with a happy heart, seeking his way.