English
Rustam Answers the King's Call
After that, when word came to Khosrow that Piran had triumphed in the battle,
the commander withdrew to Mount Hamavan, and much of the army vanished away.
In the palace of Gudarz, son of Keshvad, the halls stood empty of warriors and noblemen.
The very stars grieve for them; blood drips down beside their pillows.
Because of them the world is filled with dust and blood; the high fortune of Tus has been overturned.
He ordered that Rustam, mighty as an elephant, should come to the court with his company.
From Iran came all the wise men, the seasoned and famous priests.
The chief of the noble ones began to speak, recalling much of the army's struggle.
He said to Rustam: 'O proud one, I fear this reign will not last long,
it is sliding down toward the depths; my heart is full of dread at its course.'
You are the one who nurtures the crown and throne; the fortune of the world's ruler takes its light from you.
The heart of the heavens rests on your sword's point; sky, time, and earth lie beneath you.
You tore out the heart and brain of the White Demon; the age pins its hope on your affection.
The earth around your steed Rakhsh is your servant; time is to you like a loving mother.
The sun is scorched by your blade; Venus weeps at the sight of your mace.
By the force of your arrow's tip, on the day of calamity even the lion grows weary of the fight.
From the day you first put on the helmet of valor, no enemy has dared even glance at Iran.
Now Giv, Gudarz, Tus, and the chiefs, many heroes of this land,
all with hearts full of blood and eyes full of tears, are fleeing from Afrasiab's Turks.
Many of Gudarz's kin lie slain, their beds now dust on the field of battle.
All those among them who escaped with their lives are wounded, gathered on Mount Hamavan.
All have turned their faces toward the heavens, toward the Creator of place and time,
praying that the mighty hero would come here, by God's power and at my command.
On the dark night I read this letter, I poured much blood from my liver in grief.
For three days I told no one of this, except before God, the one who answers cries.
Now the matter has passed all bounds; my heart is filled with sorrow over this.
The hope of the army and its commander rests on you; may your spirit be bright and your body sound.
May your head stay green and your heart glad; may Zal's body be spared the malice of ill-wishers.
Ask of me whatever more you need: horses, weapons, treasure, and troops.
Go with a glad heart and sound judgment; such a task must not be handled slackly.
In answer Rustam said to the king: 'May the throne and crown never be without you,
for with your glory, majesty, wisdom, and justice, the turning sky recalls no king like you.'
Khosrow has heard that ever since Kai Qobad set the great crown upon his head,
I have girded myself for Iran's vengeance; not for a single day have I sat at ease.
Desert and darkness, demon and lion, sorcery and the fierce dragon,
the wars of Turan and Mazandaran, the dark nights and the heavy maces,
thirst and the long road, choosing hardship over comfort,
such pain and trouble I have seen so much that I have not known a single day of joy.
You are the new king by right, and I am like your servant, girded and ready however you command.
I will go with an army, my belt tightened, and turn this evil away from the people of Iran.
May the king feel no grief for the slain; may the faces of his enemies turn pale.
My own liver is wounded for the kin of Gudarz; I have girded myself with mourning.
When Kai Khosrow heard his voice, two rivers ran down his cheeks from his eyes.
He said to him: 'Without you I want no time on the throne, no crown, no mace, no bow.'
May the heavens fall beneath the loop of your lasso; may the heads of crowned kings be in your bonds.
Of coins and treasure, crown and jewels, of helmet and bow, lasso and belt,
Khosrow's treasurer brought the keys and tore open the mouths of the sacks of silver.
The king handed all of Iran over to Rustam, saying: 'O renowned hero,
the world's treasure and the keeper of the sword are yours; the heads of the world's lords are beneath you.'
You, with the mace-bearers of Zabolestan and the brave lions of Kabolestan,
go on like a roaring wind; do not seek delay or command any waiting.
Take thirty thousand sword-wielding warriors, the chosen ones of the army, skilled in war.
Give Fariborz, son of Kavus, ten legions, so that he may lead the way and seek revenge.
The mighty one kissed the ground and said: 'My rein and stirrup are ready and yoked.'
Let us set the chiefs in swift motion; let us allow no rest and no sleep.
He began to hand out silver to the army, came to the field, and made ready for war.
He told Fariborz: 'Set out at dawn; lead your troops at the head of the army.'
You must not slumber by day or night until you reach Tus the commander.
Tell him not to be rash in battle; to watch for the right moment and not act too slowly.
I myself, like a roaring wind, will come, wasting no time upon the road.
Let Gorgin, son of Milad, the experienced one, guide the army through good fortune and bad.
When the shining sun revealed its face, like an idol with a heart full of love,
the trumpets rose in a great cry, and the mighty one set the army moving.
The soul of the world-ruling king, full of care, went with him two leagues along the road.
Rustam covered two stages in one, resting neither by day nor by night.