English
Rostam Slays the White Demon
From there he tightened his belt and set out, his head full of hatred and thoughts of battle.
When Rakhsh reached those seven mountains where the fierce demons had gathered in a horde,
He came near the bottomless cave and saw an army of demons all around.
He said to Owlad: everything I asked you about, I found you truthful in guiding me.
Now that the time to act has come, show me the way and reveal the secret.
Owlad told him: when the sun grows hot and the demons fall asleep,
You will win the fight against them. For now you must wait a while.
You will not see a single demon awake, only a few sorcerers keeping watch.
Then you may triumph, if the victorious God stands with you as your ally.
Rostam was in no rush to move; he waited until the sun climbed high.
He bound Owlad hand and foot and tied him to the coils of his lasso, then mounted.
He drew his war-blade like a crocodile from its sheath, roared like thunder, and called out God's name.
He swept into the army like a whirlwind, cutting the heads of their leaders from their bodies.
No one stood against him in battle; none sought honor or shame by facing him.
They cleared his path and fled, refusing to lock in combat with him.
From there he made for the White Demon, moving like a blazing sun.
He saw a cave like hell itself, the demon's body hidden in its darkness.
For a moment he stood with his sword gripped, unable to see and with no way to retreat.
In that darkness his eyes could see nothing, so he rested there a while.
When he rubbed his lashes and cleared his eyes, he searched a bit through that dark place.
In the dark he saw what looked like a mountain, so vast it hid the whole cave from view.
Its face was black as jet, its hair white like a lion's; its width and height filled the world.
It came toward Rostam like a black mountain, its forearms of iron, its helmet of iron.
The mighty hero's heart filled with dread; he feared he had come to a bitter, narrow pass.
He raged like a maddened elephant and struck a sharp blow with his blade at its waist.
With Rostam's strength, from that towering frame he cut away one thigh and one leg.
Even severed, the demon grappled with him, like a proud elephant and a furious lion.
Each tore the skin from the other; the whole ground turned to mud with blood.
Rostam said to himself: if I keep my life today, I will live forever.
And the White Demon told himself: I have lost hope of my sweet life.
If somehow I escape from this dragon's grip, with my leg cut and my skin torn,
Then no one, low or high, no proud lord will ever see me again in Mazandaran.
So the White Demon spoke, giving his heart such consolation.
The mighty champion, by the power of the Creator, fought hard with pain and rage.
The fierce lion of a man reached out, lifted him, hoisted him overhead, and threw him down.
He drove in his dagger, split open its heart, and tore the liver from its dark body.
The whole cave was filled with the slain; the world had become a sea of blood.
He came and untied Owlad's bonds, then coiled and fastened the lasso to his saddle-straps.
He gave the torn-out liver to Owlad and set his course toward King Kavus.
Owlad said to him: O fierce lion, you have brought a whole world under your blade.
My body still bears the marks of your bonds; my neck was under your lasso.
The thing you gave my heart hope with, that promise, my hope now asks you to fulfill.
Breaking a promise does not suit you, for you are a raging lion and a man of standing.
Rostam told him: I will hand over Mazandaran to you, from end to end.
From now on I will free you from need and raise you to power in Mazandaran.
But there is a task ahead and long hardship, with its ups and its downs.
The king of Mazandaran must be torn from his throne and cast into a pit.
Thousands upon thousands of sorcerer-demons must be struck down painfully by the blade.
After that, whether I hold this land or not, I will not break my promise to you.
Then that hero of shining valor, blessed of step, came before King Kavus.
He said: O wise, receptive king, take joy in the death of your ill-wisher.
I have torn open the White Demon's heart; the king need have no more fear of him.
I pulled the liver from his flank. What now does the victorious king command?
King Kavus blessed him: may crown and signet never be without you.
The mother who bore a son like you deserves nothing but praise.
My fortune is greater than both crown and throne, for the one who fells lion and elephant is my servant.
King Kavus said to Rostam: O warrior, wise and of good fortune,
Drip his blood into my eyes, so that perhaps I may see your face again.
When they dropped the blood into his eyes, that dim sight grew bright as the sun.
They set an ivory throne beneath him and hung a crown above the ivory.
He sat upon the throne of Mazandaran with Rostam and the renowned lords,
Men like Tus, Fariborz, Gudarz and Giv, like Rohham, Gorgin, and brave Farhad.
In this way, for a week, with harp and wine, King Kavus arranged the celebration.
On the eighth day they all mounted their saddles, the world-seeker, the proud warriors, and the host.
They all raised their heavy maces and spread out through the city of Mazandaran.
At the king's command they moved as one, like fire leaping up from dry reeds.
With their sharp swords they kindled fire and burned the whole city, all of it.
King Kavus said to the army: now that the sinners have been paid back,
And they have received what they deserved, it is time to hold back from killing.
We need a man of wit and gravity, one who knows when to hurry and when to hold back,
To go to the ruler of Mazandaran, to wake his heart and sober his mind.
The son of Zal was pleased with this plan, as were the great men who were his equals.
A letter was sent to that ruler, to bring light back to his darkened soul.