Part 12

When the sun turned the face of the earth golden, the speaker Bandavi climbed onto the roof. He said to Bahram: You who have seen the world, back when the dust rose from the plain, as soon as Khosrow saw your force he left, riding swiftly toward Rome with his own army. Now, even if you could fly like an eagle, or lift your head higher than the sun itself, no one will find the king except in Rome, for by now he has grown settled in that land. Now, if you grant me safety for my life, I will come riding to the commander, and answer whatever he asks of me about the strength and weakness of that gathered host. But if not, I will put on my battle armor and enter the fight like a swirling dust storm. When Bahram heard these words from him, the young man's heart filled with old grief. He said to his companions: what good would it do now if I raise smoke and ruin from Bandavi? It is better that I take him to the commander just like this, alive and clear of mind, so he can tell him all he knows about the king, whether he loses his head or keeps his crown. He said to Bandavi: you who scheme so badly, take these disputes and speak them to Bahram himself. Bandavi the lion came down from the roof and rode along with the renowned brave man. When Bahram heard that the army was coming, and that vengeful Khosrow had gone to Rome, he grew fiercely angry at the son of Siyavush and said: you wretched, ill fated man, this was no task for you, yet I ordered it; without skill, I foolishly praised you. The world seeker summoned Bandavi before him, and Bahram poured out his rage upon him. He said to him: you evil bodied, evil doing man, deceiver, deserving only of reproach, you recklessly misled my army, and you could not restrain your own vile nature. You became one with cursed Khosrow, and from childhood you made him worldly wise. Now you have come with a heart full of speeches, saying I should make the old days new again. Bandavi said to him: you exalted one, seek the truth from me and do not rage. Know that this king of kings is my own; his greatness and generosity come before me. I gave my life for him, as I had to; if you are a great man, do not turn to crookedness. Bahram said to him: for this sin you have committed, I will not destroy you. But you too will soon be killed at his hand, and then you will call me the one who spoke the truth. They put chains on Bandavi's feet and handed him over to Bahram for punishment. He remained so until the sun sank into hiding, then came in, and with a mind full of worry, lay down to sleep.