English
Section 5: Darab in the War with Rome
He said this, then set out from that place, and from that border he pushed his army all the way to Rome.
The commander handed the vanguard to Darab, and gave the spearpoints a coat of poison.
At once the Roman vanguard advanced from their side; from ours he said, 'Guard this land and homeland.'
Suddenly the two armies clashed together, and the dust of battle rose at once.
They mingled together, man against man, spilling blood like a flowing river.
When Darab saw that fighting host, he charged into their midst like a whirlwind.
He killed so many of the Roman army that you would think the sky held a sword in its fist.
He went on like a lion, a crocodile in his grip and a dragon beneath him.
So he rode all the way to the Roman camp, charging like a raging lion.
The ground became a sea of blood from the Romans; the sword led the world seeker forward.
In triumph he returned from the Romans, back to the proud commander.
He received much praise from Roshnavad, who said, 'May the king's army never be without you.'
'When we return from this war with Rome, the army will march back to a prosperous land.'
'You will win such favor from the king: horse, and seal, and sword, and crown.'
All night long they made ready the army, and the riders polished their weapons.
When the sun raised its head over the dark hills, the earth grew bright as a shining lamp.
The two armies clashed together again, and the gleaming sun turned black with dust.
When Darab came forward and charged, giving the reins to his swift horse,
no one was left standing before the Roman ranks; few of their sword-wielding champions remained.
He drove into the heart of the army like a wolf and scattered that great host.
From there he turned toward the right wing and carried off much weaponry and gear.
He tore the whole Roman army apart; not one of their heroes could keep his footing.
The brave men of Iran, like lions, charged boldly in pursuit behind him.
They killed so many of the Roman army that the battlefield's dust turned to mud with blood.
He slew forty of their bishops among the brave, and came back with a cross clutched in his fist.
When Roshnavad saw such a wonder, the champion's heart swelled with joy.
He praised him and lauded him at length, and to that praise he added tenderness.
Night came and the world turned pitch black; all of them withdrew from the fighting.
The commander rested in the Roman camp and loosened the belt from his waist.
In the night he gave away much wealth, and the army was decked out with the spoils.
He sent someone to Darab, saying, 'O lion-hearted man who answers the call for help,'
'look now and see what pleases you, and what part of this wealth is useful to you.'
'Keep whatever seems right to you, and give away whatever your heart guides you to.'
'Give away whatever does not please you; you are more renowned than the master of Rakhsh himself.'
When Darab saw this, he was delighted; for the sake of honor he took up a single lance.
He sent it back to Roshnavad and said to him, 'May you be victorious and glad.'
When the face of the sun grew dark in the west, the sky put on its musk-black silk.
When that watch of the dark night had passed, the scouts spread out across the plain.
The sentries' cry rose like an earthquake, roaring like the voice of a free-roaming lion.
When the sun lifted its golden shield, the warriors raised their heads from sleep.
The champions of Iran girded their waists and rode in pursuit of the Romans.
With their sharp swords they kindled fire and burned all the cities down.
They raised dust from Rome and its people; no one thought again of home or land.
A cry of grief rose up from Rome: that they had abandoned that beloved homeland.
The world grew narrow for Caesar with sorrow, and his nobles' faces turned pale.
An envoy came to Roshnavad, saying, 'If a just man does not turn away from justice,'
'those who once loved war have grown weary of it; the fortune of Rome has sunk low.'
'If you demand tribute, we will obey; let us make a treaty anew.'
Caesar sent goods of every kind, along with captives and many purses of coin.
The commander accepted from him what there was, of gold coins and flawless jewels.