English
Section 6
A rider was sent from the king to Caesar, one who covered the distance swiftly.
He ordered that among the famous men of the West, whoever takes pride in that land and soil,
a seasoned warrior should hold the reins; a spear and shield are companion enough for him.
Such an army should come from the borders of the West to march with me into settled lands.
Then news arrived from Hamavaran, to the plain of the lance-bearing horsemen,
of what Rostam had done in Egypt and Barbar to those kings on the day of battle.
The knights and champions sought a brave one, a rein-turner, a man-thrower, a lancer.
They wrote a manly letter, with fitting and eloquent words.
When the army came from Gorgsaran seeking the throne of the exalted king,
our hearts grew pained at their deeds, that their hearts recalled such arrogance.
Afrasiyab desired his crown; his mind had strayed in haste from the path of reason.
We went out with our long spears and turned his peace and pleasure bitter.
Many were slain, from them and from us; fortune turned toward every good and ill.
Now that news of his deeds has come, that the imperial throne has been renewed,
all the famous sword-wielders have gathered on this field of vengeance.
When the king turns his reins from Barbar, we will raise our spears together as one.
We will fill the land with blood from mountain to mountain, and turn the desert of the enemy into a Jayhun river.
The Arab messenger set off at once and turned his face swiftly toward Barbaristan.
When the letter reached the king of Iran, he found its words fitting.
Their conduct pleased him, and at that moment he wrote a letter to Afrasiyab:
Leave Iran and seek no more; our heads are full of talk about you.
The land of Turan is enough for you; you reach out toward evil in vain.
Seek no more if you are content, for it will bring you grief and long suffering.
It is best for you to act as a lesser one and keep the skin safe on your own body.
Do you not know that Iran is my dwelling, and the whole world lies beneath my hand?
Though the fierce leopard be bold, it dares not step before the lion's claws.
When the news reached Afrasiyab, his head filled with vengeance and his heart with haste.
He sent his reply: such talk suits none but an ugly-natured man.
If you were worthy of Iran, you would not have needed help in Mazandaran.
He said this: Iran is mine on two counts; you must hear these true words.
For the son of Fereydun is my ancestor, and the whole realm of Iran is my house.
And besides, with the arm of the sword-wielder I cleared the gathering of Arabs away.
With my sword I will seize the blade from the mountain and bring the eagle down from the dark cloud.
Now I have come ready for war, my shining banner raised high.
The messenger returned like the wind and repeated the words to Kavus the king.
When Kavus heard his speech, he arrayed his army to fight him.
From Barbar he came toward the Syrians, an army without limit or measure.
Afrasiyab prepared for battle against him; the dust rose from the water to the sky.
The world went deaf with the cry of horns and drums; the earth turned to iron and the air to ebony.
From the blows of battle-axes and the clash of arms, a wave of blood rose from the field of war.
The star of Afrasiyab's champions fell asleep upon that battlefield.
Two thirds of the army of Turan were slain; the heads of their chieftains were wholly overthrown.
When the commander saw the affair go that way, he boiled without fire like fermenting wine.
He cried aloud: My brave men, my chosen champions, my manly lions,
it was for a day like this that I cradled and reared you at my side.
Fight and give strength to the battle; press Kavus hard and make the world narrow for him.
Strike the champions with javelin and dagger; bring down their brave ones one and all.
That same lion-hearted Rostam of Sistan, who tore the heart from a lion with his sword,
may you, through bravery, put him in chains and drag his head into the snare of harm.
Whoever, on the day of battle, throws him from his leopard-skin saddle into the dust,
I will give my daughter and kingship to him and raise his head above the highest heaven.
When the Turks heard his words, they all turned toward the fight.
He charged fiercely at the army of the Syrians, but that quest for gain ended in loss.
When the bright one saw fate turn that way, he withdrew from there toward the land of Turan.
His heart wounded and two thirds of his army slain, he sought honey from the world and found poison.