English
Part 5: Rustam Finds Kai Qobad
Many Turkish scouts were on the road when their champion, the army's shield, reached them.
He clashed with the renowned warriors, an ox headed mace gripped in his fist.
The brave men of Turan fought back, but in the end they fled the battle.
They turned toward Afrasiab, hearts full of blood and eyes brimming with tears.
They told him everything, great and small, and the commander grew grim at their report.
He summoned Qalun to come before him, a bold and cunning champion among the Turks.
He told him: Choose horsemen from the army, set out from here toward the mountains.
Be brave, wise, and alert; stay watchful and keep good guard.
For the Iranians are a treacherous people; they strike at the scouts without warning.
Qalun left the king's presence, guides leading the way ahead of him.
He blocked the road against the famous ones with battle hardened men and raging elephants.
On the other side, brave and noble Rustam pressed on toward the king of Iran.
A mile's distance from the Alborz mountains, he saw a place of youthful splendor.
Many trees and running water, the resting place of a young man.
A throne had been set beside the water, sprinkled with pure musk and rosewater.
A youth, radiant as the shining moon, sat on that throne in the shade.
Many warriors were lined up, belts fastened at the waist in the manner of nobles.
A royal gathering had been arranged, like a paradise in its color and beauty.
When they saw the champion on the road, they came out from that shaded place to greet him.
They said: We are the hosts and you are our guest; dismount here at our command.
So that we may all give ourselves to joy and drink wine in honor of a famous face.
The mighty one answered them thus: O noble and proud men,
I must go on to the Alborz mountains, on an errand of great importance.
I must not lay my head and hands to rest on a pillow, for a long and heavy toil lies ahead.
The throne of Iran stands without a king; drinking wine is no use to me now.
Give me directions to Kai Qobad, if any among you remembers him.
The leader of those brave men spoke up: I have news of Kai Qobad.
If you come down and share our bread, your face will brighten our very souls.
We will tell you all about Qobad, what his ways and nature are.
The mighty one leapt from Rakhsh like the wind when he heard word of Qobad from him.
He came swiftly to the edge of the stream; they sat beneath that shaded shelter.
The youth sat back on his throne, taking Rustam's hand in one of his own.
With the other hand he filled a cup with wine and drank to the memory of noble men.
He passed another cup to Rustam and said: O renowned and valiant one,
You asked me for news of Qobad; from whom do you hold this name in memory?
Rustam replied: I bring a message from the champion, with a clear soul.
They have adorned the throne of Iran; the nobles have called him to be king.
My father, the chosen one of all heroes, the one they call Zal the golden,
Told me: Go to the Alborz mountains and find brave Qobad among his company.
Give him a blessing for the kingship, and do not delay even a little.
Tell him the champions have summoned you; in joy they have made a world ready.
If you can and you know him, give me directions and set him on the throne.
At Rustam's words the brave youth laughed and said to him: O champion,
I am Kai Qobad, of the line of Fereydun; I keep the name of my fathers in memory.
When Rustam heard this he bowed his head and came down from the golden throne to serve him.
He said: O king of the world's kings, refuge of the great and support of the noble,
May the throne of Iran bend to your will; may the bodies of mighty elephants fall into your snare.
May your seat upon the imperial throne bring both mastery and royal glory.
I bring greetings to the king of the world from chosen Zal, that heroic champion.
If the king would command his servant to let the messenger unbind his words,
Brave Qobad rose from his place, his heart, mind, and will stirred by Rustam's words.
The mighty one at once opened his tongue and delivered the message of Iran's commander.
When the words reached the commander's ears, his heart leapt in his chest with joy.
He raised a cup brimming with wine and drained it in honor of the mighty one.
Likewise Rustam drank a cup of wine and blessed the life of the king.
A cry rose up from low notes and high; joy grew great and sorrow grew slight.
The king spoke thus to the champion: With a clear soul I saw a dream,
That from the direction of Iran two white falcons brought a shining crown, bright as the sun.
Gracefully and proudly they came to me and set that crown upon my head.
When I woke I was filled with hope, from that shining crown and the white falcons.
I arranged this royal gathering, just as you see it in this meadow.
Now the mighty one has become like a white falcon to me; from him has come the promise of the crown of the great.
When Rustam heard of the king's dream, of the falcon and the crown glowing like the moon,
He said to the king of heroes: Your dream is a sign like those of the prophets.
Now rise, let us go to Iran, to stand beside the brave men in support.
Qobad sprang up from his place like fire and set foot on his war charger.
Rustam fastened his belt swift as the wind and came striding behind Kai Qobad.
Night and day they did not rest from riding, until they came near the scouts.
Brave Qalun learned of what was afoot and came like fire toward the battle.
When the king of Iran saw this, he wanted to draw up his own line against him.
The mighty one said to him: O king, seeking battle does not suit you.
I, Rakhsh, my mace and armor, they have no match, not even for me alone.
He said this and spurred Rakhsh forward; with a single blow he cut a horseman apart.
Qalun saw a demon broken loose from its chains, with mace and a coiled lasso in hand.
He charged at him like the wind, struck with his spear and split the fastenings of the armor.
The mighty one reached out and seized the spear; Qalun stood amazed at his courage.
The renowned one wrested the spear from his hand and roared like thunder from the mountains.
He struck with the spear and lifted him from the saddle, then planted the spear's butt in the ground.
Qalun became like a bird on a spit; the whole army watched, man by man.
Qalun's army was routed by him, their ill fortune crushed all at once.
The mighty one, mounted, passed through the scouts and hurried toward the mountains.
Where there was pastureland and running water, the champion dismounted at that spot.
Thus until dark night drew near, the mighty one made ready every kind of preparation.
The adornment of royal robes, the crown, and the kingly steed as well.
When night grew dark, the far seeing hero set out with the king of Iran.
He brought him to Zal by night; through the whole journey he never opened his lips.
For a week they sat in counsel; the wise priests gathered in that assembly.
On the eighth day the ivory throne was arrayed, and they hung the crown above the ivory.