English
Part 12: The Reply to Khosrow
The scribe came and wrote the answer,
planting a tree in the garden of greatness.
First he gave praise to the Creator,
from whom come a clear heart and good fortune.
The Lord of Venus and the turning sky,
from whom come strife, peace, and love.
He raised a sky like this on high,
and made the world an adornment of night and day.
One He created dark of fortune,
another He made worthy of the throne.
Know sorrow and joy as coming from God,
for from Him comes every kind of grace upon us.
All that you sent to this court has arrived:
the captives, the elephants, the throne and the crown.
Many camels loaded with goods,
with clothing and with carpets too.
All these tools of delight and feasting and celebration
come to you as you would go to battle.
Except the one whose end draws near before him,
who in this way grows weary of his own life.
And the hardship of the war with Turan's army,
spending night and day upon the battlefield.
News of your struggle reached me day and night,
yet I never opened my lips to a stranger.
Night and day before the pure God
I was restless, my heart torn to shreds.
One who has Rostam for a champion
deserves to stay forever young.
The heavens have no servant like you;
may fortune's love never leave you.
The scribe finished with the words of praise,
and Khosrow set his seal upon the letter.
He ordered robes of honor to be prepared,
bridles and belts to be adorned.
A hundred curly-haired ones with golden belts,
a hundred precious horses with saddles of gold.
A hundred camels all loaded with Chinese silk,
a hundred camels likewise laden with fine cloth.
Two rings of shining ruby,
and a crown of lustrous pearls set on top.
From the king's own wardrobe a robe worked in gold,
likewise an armlet, a torque, and a golden belt.
For the chieftains they prepared gifts of every kind,
and in this way they emptied a treasury.
For Fariborz a crown, a mace, and a banner,
a golden throne and slippers of gold.
He sent them and commanded the return,
passing from Iran toward the commander.
He said: in the war with Afrasiab
there must be no rest, no food, no sleep.
Until that head of the ruthless king
is brought bound in the loop of your lasso.
Fariborz turned back from that court,
fulfilling the wish of the king of Iran's army.