English
Part 13
This was his answer to Kavus: even if the sea itself were wine,
my court stands higher than yours, and my army is greater by many thousands.
Wherever they turn their faces to battle, no color or scent remains, even in stone.
Now I will bring a lion like army and rouse you all from your sweet sleep.
I command twelve hundred war elephants, while in your court there is not a single one.
From Iran I will raise such a dark cloud of dust that no one can tell height from hollow.
When Farhad heard this dispute from him, the arrogance, the fury, and the bravado,
he pressed on until he received the answer to the letter, then rushed his reins back toward Iran's commander.
He came and told all he had seen and heard, tearing away every veil that hid the secrets.
He said: this man thinks himself higher than the sky, and his lofty pride will not bow down.
He turned his head away from my words as well; in his eyes the whole world is worth nothing.
The king of the world summoned his champion and repeated everything Farhad had said.
Kavus said to the mighty warrior: I will free this assembly from such disgrace.
When Rustam heard this, he spoke in turn before the king who cherishes his loyal servants:
I must carry the message to him myself; I will draw my words like a sword from its sheath.
There must be a letter as sharp as a cutting blade, a message like a thundering storm cloud.
I will go to him as a messenger, and with my words alone set blood flowing in streams.
In reply King Kavus said: through you the royal ring and crown shine bright.
You are the messenger, and you the bold war elephant, the proud lion on every field of vengeance.
He ordered the scribe to come before him, and the scribe made the tip of his pen an arrowhead.
He wrote: such empty talk is worthless, and it does not befit a wise man.
If you empty your head of this arrogance and submit to command like a servant on the road,
well and good; if not, I will march my army against you and lead troops from sea to sea.
The spirit of the evil White Demon will offer your brains to the vultures.