English
Section 17: Godarz's Dream
One night Godarz saw in a dream
a cloud rise from Iran, heavy with rain.
On that rain cloud rode a blessed angel,
who said to Godarz: open your ears and listen.
If you wish to be freed from this hardship,
and from this famous, ferocious Turkish dragon,
there is a new hero rising in Turan,
a king whose name is Kaykhosrow.
A prince descended from Siyavash,
skilled in every art and of noble blood.
From this line he carries the blood of Kayqobad,
and on his mother's side, the lineage of Tur.
When his blessed steps reach Iran,
whatever he asks of fate, fate will grant.
He will gird himself to avenge his father,
and turn the land of Tur upside down.
He will set the Red Sea boiling with fury,
and never rest from his hatred of Afrasiyab.
All year long he will wear the armor of vengeance,
night and day mounted and ready for battle.
Among all the champions and proud warriors of Iran,
he will find no guide but Giv to lead him.
Such is the command of the turning heavens,
which, out of justice, hold him dear.
When Godarz woke from his dream,
he went to God in prayer.
He pressed his white beard to the dust,
full of hope in the Lord of the world.
When the sun appeared from behind the raven of night,
it rose like a golden lamp.
The commander sat upon his ivory throne
and adorned his hall with a seat of teak.
Deep in thought, he called Giv to him
and spoke at length about that dream.
He told him: your steps and your days are blessed,
and your star lights up the whole world.
From the moment your pure and faithful mother bore you,
the entire earth filled with praise.
By the command of God, the blessed angel
showed himself to me in a dream last night.
Seated on a cloud full of wind and moisture,
he washed all the world clean of its sorrow.
He saw me and asked: why all this grief?
Why is the world so full of hatred and so dry?
It is because the king has lost his glory and might,
and no longer keeps to the ways of kings.
When Kaykhosrow comes from the land of Turan,
he will cast pain and vengeance upon our enemies.
None of the brave champions will find him,
except the renowned Giv, son of Godarz.
The high heavens have decreed it this way:
through you, the bonds of grief and pain will be loosed.
You always sought fame between the two armies;
now eternal fame has come into your hands.
As long as there are people and speech in the world,
such a name will never grow old.
The earth, together with the lofty heavens,
will be freed from its bonds by your hand.
Treasure comes through hardship, and fame through toil;
surely your name is worth more than any treasure.
Even if you cannot live forever,
a good name is better than this fleeting house of clay.
You will bring the world a rightful king,
and make the tree of loyalty bear fruit.
Giv said to him: father, I am your servant;
as long as I live, I will strive to fulfill your will.
I take this task gladly, if it comes to pass,
for its blessed name and its guiding purpose.
He went to the hall and prepared to set out,
still amazed at his father's dream.
When the shining sun appeared,
the earth turned the color of a yellow blossom.
Brave Giv came, his belt fastened,
a strong, wind-footed steed beneath him.
He said to Godarz: O champion of the world,
brave, proud, and clear of soul,
a lasso and a horse are companions enough for me;
no one else should be dragged into that land.
When I need someone, I will send for people;
after that, perhaps battle will come to me.
For a while my home will be the plains and mountains,
unless a guide appears before me.
To you, victorious champion of the world,
I will return only glad and clear of soul.
Take little Bizhan into your arms;
raise him and keep him safe from the turns of fate.
I do not know if we will meet again after this;
who can know such things but the world's Creator?
Farewell, and keep me in your memory;
free your soul from grieving over me.
When you wash your face for prayer,
call on the world's Creator for me as well.
Perhaps the just God will guide me
to the presence of that renowned lord.
By his father's command he made ready and rode out,
his father's heart full of pain, his face streaked with tears.
The father was old and gray, the son young and brave,
his jaws opened for war like a lion's.
The father did not know if he would see his son again;
at his going, his heart was turned upside down.