English
Part 8: The Passing of Gushtasp
When the days of the mighty Rostam had ended, I brought forward another tale.
When Gushtasp's fortune turned dark, he summoned Jamasp before the throne.
He said to him: the fate of Esfandiar has left my heart so scorched and grieving,
that no day of my life brought me joy; I have been broken by a vengeful star.
After me, Bahman shall now be king, and Pashutan shall be the keeper of his secrets.
Do not turn your heads from his command; do not stray from your promise to him.
One by one, let him be your guide upon the road, for he is worthy of the throne and crown.
Then he gave him the keys to the treasuries and drew a cold sigh up from his heart.
He told him: my work is finished now; the water has risen over the crown of my head.
I sat as king a hundred and twenty years and never saw anyone in the world my equal.
Now you must strive and be just; once you bring justice, be free of sorrow.
Keep the wise close to you and glad; make the world dark for those who mean harm.
Do everything with honesty, for through honesty the head turns away from crookedness and fault.
I hand you the throne, the crown, and the treasure, after enduring so much heat and hardship.
He said this, and his days came to an end; the time that had passed never returned.
They built him a tomb of black wood and ivory and hung a crown above the seat of rule.
This was all his share of struggle and of treasure; after the sweet drink he tasted the poison of death.
If this is how it ends, why any gladness? In death the beggar is made equal to the king.
Eat what you have sown, do not chase after evil, and lend your ear to a person of wisdom.
Our companion has passed on and we remain; we have read much of the deeds now gone.
The one who kept walking reached his destination; the one who kept searching found the road.
Nothing but goodness will take you by the hand, if you listen to the words of a wise elder.
Now let us turn our effort to Bahman's story, and carry wisdom to the learned Pashutan.