Bahram and His Sister

When his sister heard that her brother had come back from the battlefield full of pain, that famous woman set aside her crown and had her veil brought to her at once. She came rushing to her brother's side, her heart wounded by grief, her spirit dark. She said to him: 'You great warrior, tell me, how did things go for you before the king? Even if his youth makes him hot tempered and harsh, don't refuse; turn your mind toward peace.' Bahram the champion answered his sister: 'He should not even be counted among kings. He is no fighting rider, no giver of gifts, no wise head, however brilliant he may seem. Skill is worth more than famous lineage; a true king's body should be that of an artist of ability.' His wise sister spoke to him then: 'You gifted, honor seeking chief, how long must I speak while you won't listen, meeting me with harshness and ill temper? See what the wise speaker of Balkh once said: that truthful words are bitter to hear. Whoever tells you of your own faults has laid bare all the truths that were hidden. Do not plot the ruin of your own city, since from this world you have taken your share. Someone once told a story about this, a man who had gained much from knowledge: a donkey went out wanting horns like the cattle, and lost his ears and muzzle all at once. Do not draw the whole world's blame upon yourself; no one from your family has ever worn the crown. If this young king had not been in the picture, my spirit would not be darkened by this grief. Your father alive, the royal throne still standing, and yet you throw them under your own feet. I don't know how this will end at last; my two eyes are always full of blood. You seek nothing but pain and curses; in your folly you smell a poisoned flower. When they say Chobineh has become disgraced, every mention of the name Bahram turns to insult. For this too there will be God's anger; your soul would be locked in the prison of hell. Look, apart from king Hormozd himself, who in this world ever wanted you and raised you up? That very throne and the treasures of Saveh Shah came into your hands, and you set the crown on your head. Once you became famous through him across the world, now you go seeking the throne of kings of kings. Know that all good things come from God; do not be ungrateful to Him, you crowned one. For the battle you fought, do not grow so proud; you had skill, but do not become arrogant. In your heart you have made the demon your ally, and you are becoming a sinner before God. When Hormozd was troubled and flared up at the words of the foul Azargoshasp, you should have shown patience in this; it was not the servant's day to make war. When such hardship came upon him, the vengeful son came from Bardaa. You should have gone to the new king and, to please him, set up a new court. The young man did nothing except for your sake; his heart looked only to the times ahead. You could have lived easy, happy, and blessed by fortune; why did you set your heart on this crown and throne? You know that from the line of Ardashir the kings remain, young and old alike. With treasure and countless armies, who in Iran would call you their ruler? If a king with treasure and troops could rule over Iran, then it would have been none but Saveh, the commander of China, who brought his army into the land of Iran. The pure God appointed you to that task; through you He turned away the evil from Iran and Turan. Since the Lord of the world created this world, made the earth and the sky as well, no one ever saw a rider like Sam; not even a raging lion stepped before him. When Nozar's fortune turned unjust and his father's counsel brought him low, all the nobles wished for Sam, and adorned the turquoise throne for him. But he told those nobles: never let it be that the commander's soul should think of the crown. The dust of Manuchehr is my throne; the head of Nozar's throne is my crown. I said this, my brother, so you'd know the throne is only won by a man blessed with fortune, one with a generous hand, glory, and good lineage, wise, clear hearted, and full of justice. I don't know what will befall you, for reason has vanished from your heart.' Bahram said to her: 'This is the truth; the pure God is witness to this truth. But now the matter has gone past all that; my heart and mind are filled with sorrow. Whether I rise to greatness or lay my head down to death, when death comes even against a helmet of steel.'