English
The King's Journey to Balkh and the Fire Temple
He crossed the Oxus toward Balkh, having tasted much bitterness and turmoil from the world.
The king stayed a month in Balkh, then at the start of the next month set out from there.
In every great city he passed, a renowned chief was left behind, proud, with a garrison.
They hung decorations along road and byway, wherever the king and his army went.
They adorned the whole land of the kingdom, and called for wine, music, and minstrels.
They scattered coins and saffron, gold and musk, everywhere from end to end.
In the city, everyone who was poor, or who lived only by his own labor,
he gave money from the treasury to each one; fifty-five purses were handed out.
At the week's start he headed for Rey, toward Fars, near King Kavus.
Two weeks in Rey he gave gifts and feasted; in the third week he set out for Baghdad.
From Rey he sent several couriers to the fortunate Kavus.
The old king's heart was refreshed by the news; you would think he had grown young again.
He placed golden thrones in the halls, and decorated the house in the manner of China.
They hung decorations across city and road, every quarter, lane, and marketplace.
All the nobles came out to greet him, the great ones and warriors of every city.
Along road and byway they raised canopies; the world became like brocade woven with gold.
They mixed musk with jewels and poured them down from the canopies over the crowd's heads.
When King Kavus came out of the city with his fortunate and renowned men,
he came toward Taleqan and Marv-Rud; the world was full of the sound and song of music.
Then, on the road to Nishapur, the two kings caught sight of each other.
When the young king saw his grandfather in the distance, he spurred his swift horse forward.
The grandfather blessed him and gave praise worthy of the Creator of the world.
He said: without you, may the world not exist, neither the throne of greatness nor the crown of kings.
For the sun has never seen a king like you, nor armor, nor horse, nor throne, nor crown.
From Jamshid down to Fereydun, neither sky nor earth has seen a king like you.
No one among the great has toiled like this, nor uncovered the hidden things of the world so openly.
May the bright world be blessed by you, and the heart and soul of your enemy be torn out.
If Siavash's day were to return, even he would need your glory.
The king said to him: this comes from your good fortune; I am the fruitful branch of your tree.
He brought emeralds, rubies, and gold, and poured them over the king's crown.
So much that around the jewel-inlaid throne, its very steps vanished beneath the offerings.
Then he ordered: summon the gathering, and in another hall set out a feast.
In the golden garden hall they sat, the noble great ones together with the king.
The king told of the wonders he had seen at sea, and the renowned men listened.
He spoke of the ocean and the fortress of Gang, filling the mouths of the famed with astonishment.
Of the delight of that plain, that city and meadow, its gardens and orchards bright as lamps.
Kavus was left in wonder at him, and took the measure of all his deeds.
He said to him: a new day and a new moon, like new words and a new king.
No one has seen a king like you in the world, nor has this tale reached anyone's ears.
Now, until we raise a new star for this, let us all recall the king with manly courage.
They adorned that golden garden hall; the ruby-lipped cupbearer brought the wine.
For a whole week from the hall of Kavus, waves rose from the wine cups.
On the eighth day the king opened the treasury; he made a station to reward all that hardship.
The great ones who had been with him through battle and feast, through joy and sorrow,
were dressed in robes of honor fit for their rank, in the finest the treasury could offer.
Then each went off to his own province, proud, with a renowned army.
After that he turned to the army's affairs, and paid a year's wages from the king's treasury.
Then the grandfather and the world-seeker sat alone with a counselor.
Thus said Khosrow to King Kavus: from whom but the Creator can we seek our path?
Through desert and a year's journey of sea and mountain we traveled, a whole band with grief in our hearts.
Across plain, mountain, and the watery sea we found no trace of Afrasiab.
If he reaches Gang for even a moment, he will at once gather an army from every side.
All hardship and struggle still lie ahead of us, even though the just God is our helper.
When the grandfather heard his grandson's words, he laid down a foundation of elderly advice.
He said to him: let the two of us ride like this on our horses to the shrine of Azargoshasb.
Let us wash head and body, hands and feet, as a man who worships God should do.
With reverence to the Creator of the world, let us secretly offer our prayers to Him.
Let us stand upright before the fire, so that perhaps the pure God will guide us.
To the place where Afrasiab has taken refuge, may the Guide show us the way of justice.
On this vow of reverence they two became as one; neither strayed even slightly from the path.
With their vows they both mounted their horses, riding hard toward the shrine of Azargoshasb.
Their hearts full of fear yet full of hope, they went in white garments.
When they saw the fire they began to weep, as if scorched upon the fierce flame.
There the two kings, weeping and mournful, remained in pain, calling out for help.
They called upon the Creator of the world, and scattered jewels before those priests.
When Khosrow washed his face with the tears of his lashes, he scattered gold coins over the Zend and Avesta.
For a week they stood before God; do not imagine they were fire-worshippers,
for the fire in those days was the place of prayer, and the worshipper's eyes were full of tears.
However long your thoughts may stretch, still you are not free of need for the pure God.
For a whole month in Azarabadegan the kings and the noble free-born ones remained.