English
Part 2: Fereydun's Sons and the King of Yemen
When about fifty years of his life had passed, three cherished sons were born to him.
By the fortune of the world's ruler, all three were sons; three princes of royal blood, worthy of the golden crown.
Tall as cypress trees, faces bright as spring, resembling their kingly father in every way.
Two of the three were born of the pure Shahrnaz, and the youngest from the lovely Arnavaz.
Their father had not yet given them names when they began to march like young elephants.
From among his own famous men, Fereydun summoned the most distinguished one.
His name was Jandal, a man of many talents, loyal and devoted to the king in every task.
He told him: travel across the world and choose three daughters from noble lineage.
Three sisters from one mother and one father, fairy-faced, pure, and of royal blood.
In their beauty worthy of my three sons, fitting to be joined to my house.
All three alike in height and appearance, so that one could scarcely be told from another.
When Jandal heard the king's words, he laid the foundation of a sound plan.
For he was alert of mind and clear of thought, smooth of tongue and fit for delicate work.
He set out from the commander's presence on the road, with several trusted men beside him.
One by one he swept through the whole of Iran, inquiring and speaking with all kinds of people.
In every land where some great noble of the world kept a daughter behind the veil,
he secretly sought out all their secrets, and heard all their names and reputations.
But among the wealthy nobles he found none whose daughter was worthy to marry Fereydun's sons.
Wise, bright of heart, and pure of body, he came to Sarv, the king of Yemen.
Jandal found the true sign he sought: three daughters, exactly as Fereydun had wished.
He came gracefully into Sarv's presence, like a pheasant approaching a rose.
He kissed the ground and spoke sweet words, heaping praise upon his own humble station.
The king of Yemen said to Jandal: may your mouth never be without such graceful speech.
What message do you carry, what command do you bring? An envoy is a welcome traveler.
Jandal answered: may you be joyful, and may misfortune stay far from you always.
I am a humble servant from Iran, like a devotee, come to bring a message to the king of Yemen.
I bring the greetings of the fortunate Fereydun, and I will answer whatever you ask.
Fereydun the hero sends you his blessing; only a fool would fail to honor a man like you.
He told me: say to the king of Yemen, may you thrive on your throne as long as musk gives its scent.
Know this, chief of the Arabs: may you be forever safe from ill fortune.
I have a flourishing kingdom, along with treasure, valor, and the strength of my arm.
Three sons worthy of the crown and throne, fit, if such a tale could be, to marry the moon itself.
Free of any want or desire, their hands reaching every wish they choose.
These three precious princes must now, in privacy, be given three worthy brides.
I learned the news from those who know such matters, and I hurried eagerly upon that news,
that behind your veil, O seeker of fame, you keep three pure daughters, faces hidden.
All three still without names given; when I heard this my heart grew glad,
for we too, fittingly, have not yet named our three sons of blessed lineage.
Now these two precious kinds of jewels must be joined and blended with one another.
Seek three crowns for the three veiled faces, worthy matched to worthy, without dispute.
This is the message Fereydun gave me; now give whatever answer comes to your mind.
When the king of Yemen heard the message, he withered like a jasmine cut from its water.
He said to himself: if these three moons, the light of my eyes, no longer rest beside my pillow,
my bright day will turn to dark night, yet I must open my lips to give an answer.
He said to the envoy: O seeker of fame, such a matter requires time for talk.
You must not rush me now for an answer; I have several secret matters to weigh with my counselors.
He quickly gave the messenger a place to stay, and then turned his attention to the matter.
He went in and closed the door of audience, and sat down amid a crowd of anxious thoughts.
He summoned many men from the plain of spearmen, tested chiefs, to his side.
He brought his hidden secrets out into the open and told them all his thoughts.
He said: in this world, of my own blood, I have three bright candles gleaming before my eyes.
Fereydun has sent me a message; he has spread before me a beautiful trap.
He means to take them from my sight; I must take counsel with you all.
The envoy says the king declares: we have three princes worthy of the throne,
each drawn to a bond with me, to marry my three veiled daughters.
If I say yes while my heart is empty of it, such a lie is unbecoming of a king.
And if I hand over my heart's desires to him, my heart fills with fire and my face with tears.
And if I turn away from his command and step aside from his covenant,
one who is the king of the earth, it is no game to plot enmity against him.
I have heard from experienced men what came upon Zahhak at his hands.
Whatever thoughts you have on this matter, lay them all fully before me.
The world-tested, valiant chiefs opened their tongues one by one to answer.
They said: none of us think it wise that you should shift from your place at every wind.
If Fereydun has become king of the world, we are not slaves fit only to wear earrings.
Speech and struggle are our custom; wielding rein and spear is our creed.
With the sword we can turn the earth into a wasteland; with the spear we can turn the sky into a thicket of reeds.
If your three daughters are precious to you, open your purse but keep your lips sealed.
But if you seek a way out of this affair and you fear this great kingdom,
then demand from him such lofty conditions that no one could ever see them fulfilled.
When he heard these words from his nobles, he could see neither head nor end to the matter.