Part 15

More time rolled by beneath the turning sky, while he kept his plan in his heart and showed no sign of it. That warrior said to Goshtasp: as long as you live, take your share from this world. Think this matter through with reason, for reason and words belong together. I will send an envoy to Iran, a man who has seen the world, honest and noble. I will tell Lohrasp: you hold half the world in peace, along with its greatest treasures. If you send tribute from your borders, you will see the true worth of your own wealth. Otherwise I will send an army from Rome so vast that the ground will vanish beneath their horses' hooves. He answered: this decision is yours; fate lies beneath the sole of your foot. There was a famous man named Qalus, wise, learned, thoughtful and capable. He summoned that renowned sage and said: go from here to the king's court. Tell him: if you pay Iran's tribute, submit to command and bow your neck, then the crown and throne of Iran will remain yours; you will rule the world and prosper. But if not, then with a mighty army from Rome and from the plains of the lancers, watch how a great roar will rise from the plain, with the victorious Farrokhzad leading the way. I will lay all your lands utterly to waste and strip Iran bare with the sword. The envoy set off swift as the wind, his head full of wisdom, his heart full of justice. When he reached the great king, he beheld that gate and that mighty court. When word reached the master of the audience hall, he came gracefully before the king. He said: a worldly-wise old man is at the gate; it seems he is the Caesar's envoy. Many renowned horsemen are with him, and he seeks an audience with the king. Hearing this, the king sat upon the ivory throne and placed the heart-brightening crown on his head. The nobles of Iran all sat before the throne, glad of heart and fortunate. He ordered the curtain drawn back and had the envoy admitted with honor. When he came up close to the throne, he blessed the king and bowed low before him. He delivered Caesar's weighty message just as custom and protocol required. The king grew grieved at his words and raged against the turning of fate. They prepared a fine place and seated the envoy with honor. He sent gold-woven carpets, clothing, and food. He treated him so kindly at the feast that you would think he had never heard talk of war. Night came, and he slept troubled, tossing with worry, as though joined to pain and grief. When the sun took its golden throne and dark night veiled its face, he ordered Zarir to come before him, and spoke long with the king of every matter. At dawn Qalus sought an audience, and they gave him access to the king. They cleared the hall of strangers and seated the envoy before the king. Lohrasp said to him: you full of wisdom, may no soul be nourished by anything but wisdom. I will ask you; answer truthfully. If you are wise, do not choose the path of falsehood. These talents did not exist in Rome; Caesar was once weak before the kings. Now he sends tribute-demanders to every land and has set his throne up to the moon. Take Elyas, who at the Khazar frontier was a champion, glorious and fierce in battle, yet Caesar seizes and binds him with an army; how was this path of tribute-seeking opened to him? The envoy said: you eloquent king, I myself went to demand tribute at the Khazar frontier. As a messenger I labored greatly, yet no one ever asked about this matter. But the king favored me in such a way that I need never bend my neck to falsehood. A horseman has come to him who can seize lions from the forests with his bare hands. On the day of battle he laughs at brave men, and at the feast he laughs over cups of wine. In feast, in battle, on the day of the hunt, no one on earth has seen a rider like him. Caesar gave him his most precious daughter, dearer to him than his own crown. He has become a legend throughout Rome; even a mighty dragon fell helpless in his grasp. There was a wolf on the plain, huge as an elephant, that Caesar dared not pass by. He struck it down and tore out its fangs, and by him the land of Rome was freed from harm. Lohrasp said to him: you truth-teller, whom does this battle-seeking man resemble? He answered: first of all, in his face he is truly the image of Zarir. In height, in looks, in learning and judgment, he is exactly like the brave Zarir. When Lohrasp heard this, his face lit up, and he showed kindness to that Roman man. He gave him many slaves and purses of gold, and he left the court victorious and glad. He told him: now go tell Caesar that I have come with an army, ready for war.