English
The Death of Kamus and the Khan's Vow of Revenge
Now, wise one with a bright soul, let your tongue speak of nothing but the name of God.
For He is the guide through good and evil, and by Him the turning heavens hold their place.
Your days are passing you by; your true resting place is a home other than this one.
If you agree with what is told here, the tale the old storyteller passes down from ancient times.
After that, word reached the Khan of China that Kamus had been killed on the field of vengeance.
For the men of Kashan, Sughd, and the warriors of Balkh, the day turned dark and bitter over Kamus.
They all turned to one another, asking who this skilled and battle hungry man was.
What kind of man is he, and what is his name? Who in the world could stand against him in combat?
Human said to the lion hearted Piran: today my soul has grown sick of battle.
How can our brave men still raise their fists, now that the mighty Kamus has fallen in the fight?
There was no warrior in the world like him, no rider stronger of body than he.
A champion like Kamus, who could bind an elephant on the battlefield with the loop of his lasso.
On the day of war it would suit him to seize an elephant's head, lift it, and dash it to the ground.
The whole army came before the Khan, grieving and weeping over Kamus.
They said: you heard and saw for yourself, before the army, the beginning and the end of this battle.
Now seek a remedy for our plight, keep it to yourself, and tell no one.
Look among the army's scouts for someone who can quietly gather word.
Let him find out who this lion hearted man is, and who among this army could match him in combat.
After that we will give ourselves wholly to the fight, and stake head and body on the battlefield.
The Khan of China said to Piran: this is exactly the source of my grief and sorrow.
That we must learn who in that army does such harm, one who can catch an elephant in his looping lasso.
Along with the truth that there is no escape from one's own death, no room for pleading, questioning, or force.
We were all born from our mothers only to die; against our will we bowed our necks to death.
No one escapes the turning of the sky, even if on earth he could tear an elephant apart.
Do not grieve your hearts over him, that he was killed beneath the coil of a lasso.
The one by whose hand Kamus perished, I will drag down to the dust in the bonds of my lasso.
I will turn all the land of Iran into a flowing river of ruin, to satisfy the heart of King Afrasiab.
He gathered many famous champions from the army, wielders of daggers and men of true valor.
He said: this war fighting man of the arrow, a horseman who throws the lasso and seizes warriors.
We must find out where his position is, on the left flank of the army or on the right.
Learn his city and his name, and after that we will arrange his end.
A proud, king serving horseman came forward and set his hand to this task.
His name was Chang, and he was a seeker, bold and diligent in every undertaking.
He said to the Khan: O exalted one, may the world bow in need before your love.
If he is a lion of war, I will take his life at the moment I turn my head toward Iran.
I will fight him alone, hand to hand, and bring his whole name down to disgrace.
First I will seek revenge on him for Kamus, then after his death I will bring back his true name.
The Khan of China blessed him, and Chang kissed the ground before him.
He said: if you bring back this vengeance, and return to me with your head held high and unbowed.
I will give you so many jewels from my treasury that you will never need to toil again.