The Siege of Gang

For two weeks he lived joyfully like this, for who knows whose heart will be glad tomorrow. In the third week Kaykhosrow came to Gang and heard the clamor of flutes and the sound of harps. He laughed and circled the fortress walls, marveling at how the world turns. He said: the one who built such ramparts did not build them to face open battle. When he spilled the blood of Iran's king, he kindled the fire of this vengeance against us. He was amazed to see such a place, a heaven of ease standing before him. He said to Rostam: warrior, it is fitting that you see with a clear soul. What the Lord of the world has done for us, through goodness and through victory in battle. Where evil earns for itself the name of evil, through violence, crookedness, and folly. He fled from our hands into the fortress, and thus found rest from his fate. This evil man, who is the chief of the world's wickedness, is now worse in his old age. If I do not give thanks to God for this, then let me not keep vigil through the night's three watches. For victory and power come from Him; He is also the creator of the sun and the moon. On one side of that citadel was a mountain, so the army was free from worry of attack there. On the other side ran flowing water, whose sight refreshed a man's spirit. They pitched the royal tents across the plain, and on every side of the fort a champion stood ready. The army covered seven leagues of ground; the land itself raised its hand in awe of the host. Rostam pitched his pavilion on the right and asked the world ruling king for troops. On the left was Fariborz, son of Kavus, cheerful with his trumpets and war drums. They went and set up the pavilions, and thirdly Gudarz chose his ground. Night fell and shouting rose from every side; you would think the world's ear was split apart. The very heart of the earth leapt from its place at the wailing of horns, trumpets, and flutes. When the sun lifted the darkness from the sky and tore its musk colored garment, The king mounted his night black horse and came and rode around the army. He said to the elephant bodied Rostam, and to that famed chief of the gathering, I hold this hope: that Afrasiyab will never again see the world, even in his dreams. Whether he falls into our hands dead or alive, he will see the edge of God's own sword. I believe his troops will come from every side to help him at this battlefield. They will grow afraid, and out of fear give aid, not out of loyalty or desire for glory. Let us strive, before his army answers his call, to block the road against them. Let us bring down every rampart of the fort and cast all its stone and earth into the river. The hard days for the army have now passed, and the day of battle has settled into calm. When the enemy takes refuge behind a wall, the army fears neither his fight nor his hatred. He is broken hearted within this citadel, which after this will surely become a wasteland. When we recall the words of Kavus, let us turn our souls wholly toward justice. For he said: this vengeance, whether won or lost, time may bury under rust and dust. I will pass it down from son to son, on and on, until sixty times five years have gone. It is like a tree with fresh leaves: a heart set on kings' vengeance does not fear death. The father passes, but the vengeance stays behind; the son becomes the guide for this pain. The nobles called down blessings upon him and named him the pure faithed king. They said: may your father's vengeance be fulfilled through you; may you be nothing but king and victor.