English
Section 13
When Rostam left the bank of the Hirmand, the great hero grew heavy with thought.
Pashutan, who was the prince's guide, came at once to the royal tent.
The champion Esfandiar said to him: we have taken on a hard and thankless task.
I have no business in Rostam's hall, nor is there any meeting between me and him.
If he does not come, I will not summon him either, even if it means one of us is undone.
A living heart is scorched by the thought of the slain, and the head weeps at the loss of a friend.
Pashutan said to him: O renowned one, what brother could match Esfandiar?
By God, at first I saw the two of you as men who bore no grudge against each other.
My heart turned green as spring at that sight, glad for both Rostam and Esfandiar.
But when I looked closely at your affair, I saw the demon blocking the road of reason.
You know the ways of faith and wisdom; your soul has always been nourished by good sense.
Take care, do not wage war against life; listen to your brother's words.
I heard everything Rostam said; his greatness is matched by his humanity.
Your fetters will never touch his feet, nor will he come lightly to be bound by you.
The world's great rider, the son of Dastan and Sam, will not let himself be trapped in some game.
No wise man has ever named in this world a champion among the proud to equal him.
How can you put his foot in chains? Do not speak of a thing that will never win favor.
Foul and unwelcome words: it is fitting that a lion-hearted hero not utter them.
I fear this matter will drag on to an ugly end between two proud men.
You are noble and wiser than the king, stronger in courage and horsemanship.
One man seeks a feast, another seeks battle and hate; consider which of them earns praise.
The renowned prince answered him: if I turn my head away from the king,
it would be a disgrace in this world, and a reckoning before God as well.
I will not sell both worlds for Rostam; no one has ever sewn shut the eye of faith with a needle.
Pashutan said: whatever counsel I gave was for the good of your pure body and soul.
I have said it all; now choose the better path. The hearts of kings should not reach for hatred.
The commander called the cooks to lay the table, but ordered no one to go and invite Rostam.
When the meal was done he took up the cup of wine, and then began to speak of the Brazen Fortress.
He recalled his own feats of valor, and drank a cup to the memory of the king of kings.
Rostam meanwhile stayed in his own hall, holding to his pledge to abstain from the meal.
After a while no one came; Rostam kept watching the road again and again.
When the hour for the meal had passed, the brave man's patience boiled over.
He laughed and said: brother, set out your own table and invite the noble free men.
If this is Esfandiar's way of hospitality, then remember this hero's way in return.
He ordered Rakhsh to be saddled, and the saddle adorned in Chinese fashion.
I will go and tell Esfandiar to his face how lightly he has treated our affair.