The Battle with the Lions

When Bahram and Khosrow rode out onto the plain, their hearts full of dread as they faced the lions. When Khosrow saw those two raging lions, with a single crown set between them, he said to the priests: the crown, first of all, belongs by right to whoever seeks the throne. And besides, I am old and he is young; against a raging lion's claws I have no strength. So let him take the first move, since he has the youth and the sound body for it. Bahram said to him: what you propose is fair; we hold nothing back, we speak the honest truth. He picked up a mace with an ox's head, and the whole world watched him in wonder. The priest said to him: O king, wise, learned, and devout, who is it that orders you to fight these lions? What will it gain you but the royal crown? Do not give your life for the sake of a kingdom, do not throw yourself, for nothing, to a monster's jaws. We are all innocent; this choice is yours, the hearts of all the world wait on your decision. Bahram said to him: O keeper of the faith, you are guiltless in this, and so is everyone else. I am the one who will match these wild lions; I am the buyer of a brave man's fight. The priest said: take refuge in God, and since you go, cleanse your heart of sin. Bahramshah did just as the priest had said; his heart grew pure, he repented of his sins. He went forward with his ox-headed mace, and when the fierce lions saw him, one of them quickly snapped its chain and bonds and rushed upon the noble king. Bahram the hero struck it on the head with his mace, and knocked the light right out of its eyes. He turned to the other and struck its head as well, until blood poured down from its eyes. The lord of the world sat upon the ivory throne and set that heart-lighting crown upon his head. He took refuge in God, who was his refuge, the one who shows the way to those who have lost it. Khosrow came and bowed before him, saying: O king of lofty rank, may your reign on the throne be blessed, may the world's champions be your servants. You are the king and we are your servants, and we will only add to your glory. The nobles scattered jewels over him and praised that new crown. A great cry rose from all the world; this feast fell on the day of Soroush in the month of Azar. A cloud rose up and darkened the moon, and from that black cloud arrows of rain poured down. No sea was visible, no plain, no meadow; I cannot even see a crow's wing in the air. The sky flings down snow like heron feathers every moment; what is this high heaven up to? I have no salted food left, no firewood, no barley, and nothing shows itself so I could reap grain. In this darkened weather, with the fear of taxes due, the ground has turned from snow into a mountain of ivory. Everything is sliding downhill, unless Hosein Qotib takes me by the hand. Now I will tell a wondrous tale, one beyond which no greater measure can be taken.