English
Rostam Prepares to Free Bijan
When Gorgin heard word of the mighty Rostam, he knew the key to ending his sorrow had come.
He sent a message to Rostam: 'You who are the sword of fortune and the sheath of loyalty,
a great tree of greatness, a treasure of faith, a man of generosity even while in chains of trouble,
if my words do not tire you, let me tell the story of what I have done.
Look at this hunched, wheeling sky that senselessly snuffed out the lamp of my heart.
It led me into darkness; what was written was written, and what happened, happened.
I will throw myself into the fire before the king, if only he will forgive me this sin,
so that my bad name may be lifted, this wretched end that comes to me at the last.
If you ask the young king to release me, I will come running at your side like a fierce wild ram.
I will go and throw myself in the dust before Bijan, hoping to regain that pure faith of mine.'
When Gorgin's message reached Rostam, he drew a cold sigh up from deep in his chest.
He writhed at that pain and at the message, grieved by Gorgin's pointless desire.
He said to the messenger: 'Go back and tell him, you reckless, corrupt man,
have you not heard the tale of the leopard that fought the crocodile in the deep sea?
If passion wins out over reason, no one escapes the grip of that passion.
The wise man kept his desire subdued; his story became like that of a brave lion.
He need not go out to hunt, nor does harm from wild beasts ever reach him.
You played your tricks like an old fox, yet you did not see the trap that catches the prey.
It is not right, after this pointless whim of yours, that I should carry your name before the king.
But since you are now so utterly helpless, left with no way out at all,
I will beg the king to pardon your sin, and I will light up this dark moon of yours.
If Bijan is freed from his chains, by the command of the Creator, God of the world,
you will be freed from bondage and saved with your life, and the malice of the suspicious will fall away from you.
But if the heavens turn any other way, then let go your love of your own life and body.
I myself will be first to come seeking this vengeance, by the power of God and the command of the king.
And if I do not come, then men like Gudarz and Giv will demand from you vengeance for the brave youth.'
A day and a night passed over this affair, and about it he opened his lips to the king not at all.
On the second day, when the king put on his crown and sat upon the silver throne of ivory,
Rostam came and made his plea before the king whose splendor was like the sun.
He spoke to the king about Gorgin, about that man of lost fortune and evil days.
The king said to him: 'My great commander, you are breaking my vow and my oath,
for I swore by throne and crown, by the just judge, by Bahram, by the sun and moon,
that Gorgin would see nothing but misery from me, unless Bijan is freed from his chains.
Ask for anything but this: throne, seal, sword, and crown.'
Then Rostam said to the king: 'You skilled and renowned lord of the court,
if he plotted evil, he now writhes in regret, and he is ready to give up his life,
if the king's forgiveness does not come to him, he will have no name and will fall from the faith.
Whoever strays from the path of wisdom will in the end recoil in regret from his own deeds.
It is fitting that you recall his service and set him always to fight for vengeance,
girded before your ancestors, on the field of vengeance against some spiteful foe.
If the king sees fit to grant him to me, perhaps his lucky star may shine again for him.'
The victorious king granted Rostam's request and freed Gorgin from chains and the dark pit.
Then the king asked Rostam: 'How will you carry out this kind of task?
Ask what you need of treasure and of army, and whoever should go along the road with you.
I fear the evil nature of Afrasiab, that he will act in haste against Bijan's life.
He has a wretched demon full of empty boasts, one who has read many spells and tricks and bindings.
Ahriman could shake his heart from its place and throw that swordsman off his feet.'
Rostam said to the king of the world: 'I will arrange this task in secret.
The key to such a lock is cunning; one must not make this task a matter of force.
This is no time for mace, sword, and spear; for this work one must draw in the reins.
We need much treasure, gold, and silver, going full of hope and staying amid fear,
to go in the guise of merchants and to stay long in Turan with great patience.
Of things to spread out and things to wear we will need goods for trade and gifts to give away.'
When the king heard Rostam's words, he ordered that the ancient treasuries be opened.
The king's treasurer opened them all completely and adorned the court with coins and jewels.
Rostam came and looked over everything, and chose from it whatever he needed.
He loaded a hundred camels with gold coins and a hundred camels with silver from the treasury.
Rostam ordered the master of the court: 'Pick a thousand from the warriors of the army.
From the proud and renowned men, a few must gird their belts,
such as Gorgin, and Zangeh son of Shavaran, and Gostaham, that lion among warriors,
fourth, Goraza who leads the army, and Farhad, guardian of throne and crown,
and Farhad, and Rahham the brave champion, and Ashkash who brings down the fierce male lion.
Seven such heroes must be prepared, as guardians of this army and this wealth.'
They cast off all crowns and ornaments and made ready everything just as it needed to be.
Then word reached the proud men, those mace-bearers who slay their enemies.
Zangeh asked: 'Where is the king? What has happened to him that he has summoned us?'