English
Part 11: Esfandiyar Arrives
When Bahman had heard Rostam's words,
he set off with the pure priest at his side.
For a while the great Rostam lingered on the road,
then called his brother Zavareh and Faramarz before him.
Go from here to Dastan,
go to the lord of Kabolestan.
Tell them that Esfandiyar has come,
a man who seeks the whole world has come.
Set golden thrones in the halls,
and spread royal robes upon them.
Just as in the days of King Kavus,
but with a station even more magnificent than that.
Prepare whatever food is fitting,
fine dishes to nourish a guest.
For the son of the king has come to us,
full of enmity and hungry for battle.
He is a famous hero, a bold prince;
he would not fear a whole plain of lions in war.
I will go to him, and if he accepts a friendly greeting,
then everyone may hope for a good outcome.
If I see goodwill in his mind,
I will bring him a crown of rubies and gold.
I will not grudge him treasure and jewels,
nor horse armor, nor mace, nor sword.
But if he sends me back with no hope,
no day of mine with him will dawn bright.
You know that this coiled lasso of mine
can drag down the head of a raging elephant into bonds.
Zavareh said to him, do not worry about this;
no one seeks battle where there is no grudge.
I know no one in the world like Esfandiyar,
so renowned in judgment and in courage.
A wise man does no wicked deed,
and he has seen no wrong from us.
Zavareh went to Zal,
while Rostam, on his part, raised his neck with pride.
He rode swiftly to the bank of the Hirmand,
his mind on edge from fear of harm.
He drew rein at the edge of the river
and waited there for Bahman to bring word of greeting.
When Bahman came to the pavilion,
he stood before his father, on his feet.
The blessed Esfandiyar asked him
what answer that famous hero had given.
When he heard, he sat down before his father
and told him all he had heard, door to door.
First he delivered Rostam's greeting,
and then recalled his words.
He told his father everything he had seen,
and kept hidden the things he had not seen.
He said to him: no gathering has ever seen
a man like the elephant-bodied Rostam.
He has the heart of a lion and the body of a mighty elephant;
he could haul crocodiles up from the river Nile.
He has now come to the bank of the Hirmand
without armor, helmet, mace, or lasso.
He longs to see the king;
I do not know what secret he holds with you.
Esfandiyar grew angry at Bahman
and humiliated him before the whole gathering.
He said to him: it does not suit a man of honor
to sit and share secrets with a woman.
And if you send children on a great mission,
they will not prove bold or strong.
Where have you ever seen proud warriors?
You have only heard the yelp of a fox.
So now you make Rostam out to be a battle-elephant,
breaking the courage of the famous gathering.
Then he said in secret to Pashutan:
this war-making, battle-crafting lion,
he pretends to be a young man;
it seems the years have never worn him down.