English
Rostam Before the King
When he came before the king who welcomes even the humble, he stepped forward with respect and bowed low.
He hurried to Khosrow with words of praise, for love and honor truly suited him.
He lifted his head, blessed him, and said: may you never be matched with anything but a triumphant fate.
May you hold this rank like Hormozd, and like Bahman be the guardian of the fortunate crown.
All year long may gentle Ordibehesht watch over you with wisdom and seasoned judgment.
May you be victorious like Shahrivar, in greatness, glory, and skill.
May Esfand be your watchman, may wisdom be the bright soul of your life.
May Khordad grant you help, and through Mordad may you rejoice in your land and home.
May Dey and Ohrmazd be blessed for you, and may every evil be barred against you.
May Dey kindle fire for you and bring auspicious days; may you be joyful, and your crown light up the world.
When Rostam finished this blessing on his feet, the king greeted him and gave him a place at his side.
Khosrow said to him: you have arrived in good health; may all harm stay far from your life.
You are the champion of the kings of the world; the hidden is plain to you, the plain is your secret.
The chosen of the kings, the backbone of the army, the guardian of Iran and the shelter of its soldiers.
You have gladdened me by your presence, with this skilled and watchful soul of yours.
Are Zavareh, Faramarz, and Dastan son of Sam well? What word do you bring from them?
Rostam bent down and kissed the throne, saying: O renowned and fortunate king,
by your good fortune all three are well and happy; blessed is anyone the king remembers.
The king ordered the officer on duty to summon Gudarz, Tus, and the warriors.
The chamberlain opened the garden gate for the audience; it was a truly royal gathering place.
He commanded that a golden crown and a throne be set beneath a tree that scattered blossoms.
All the royal brocade was spread through the garden, and the flower bed shone like a lamp.
They set up a tree above the king's seat, casting its shade over the crown and the throne.
Its trunk was silver, its branches ruby and gold, with many kinds of jeweled clusters upon it.
Its leaves and fruit were all agate and emerald, hanging from the crown like earrings.
Its whole harvest was golden citrons and quinces, and inside the citrons and quinces they were hollow,
filled with musk ground into wine, their surfaces pierced all over like reeds.
Whenever the king seated someone on the throne, the breeze scattered its musk over him.
All the wine bearers stood before him, jeweled crowns upon their heads,
in Chinese robes of gold-woven brocade, standing before the commander's seat,
all wearing collars and earrings, their garments patterned with gems,
their faces colored like Roman silk, aloe burning bright and the harp crying out.
Their hearts full of joy, wine in hand, cheeks like red blossoms, yet not drunk.
He ordered Rostam to the throne, and he sat upon the seat beneath the tree.
Then the king said to Rostam: O good and faithful ally through all my days,
you are Iran's shield against every evil, always spreading your wings like the Simorgh.
At the court of Iran and before the kings, you gird yourself for every hardship.
You know the deeds of the house of Gudarz, in ease and toil, in gain and loss.
They stand girded before me, ever guiding me toward what is good.
Giv alone, out of the whole assembly, was a shield for me against every evil.
No grief like this has ever struck this family; the grief and pain over a child outweigh all else.
If you gird yourself for this task, not even a raging lion could stand against you.
Now seek a remedy for Bizhan's plight, for evil has befallen him at the hands of Turan.
Warriors, horses, swords, treasure, take whatever you need; do not trouble yourself over this.
When Rostam heard this from Kaykhosrow, he kissed the ground and fell silent.
He blessed him and said: O man of good name, spreading your rule everywhere like the sun,
may the two eyes of need stay far from you, and may your enemy's heart burn and melt.
You are the king, the commander, and the emperor of the world; the kings of the earth are dust beneath your feet.
For neither the shining sun nor the turning moon has ever seen a king like you upon a throne.
You have set the wicked apart from the good; with spells and bonds you can master a dragon.
I tore out the heart of the demon of Mazandaran with royal glory and a heavy mace.
My mother bore me for your hardships; you should live in peace and joy.
I lend my ear to your command; I will never turn from my pledge to you in any way.
My heart and soul are devoted to the crown; I will walk the road the king has commanded.
And for Giv's sake, even if the sky rained fire on my head, I would pay it no heed.
Even with a spear point reaching my eyelashes, I will not turn my reins from Khosrow's command.
By your fortune I will accomplish this deed; I need no army, nor any warrior of men.
The key to such a bond is cunning; this is no time for the mace or the day of terror.
When Rostam spoke thus, Gudarz and Giv, Fariborz, Farhad, and brave Shapur,
and all the great men of the army, called down blessings upon him from the Maker of the world.
They reached for wine along with the king, opening their hearts to joy in the fresh spring.