English
Section 21
When Kaykhosrow came to Zam with Giv, the world was partly joyful and partly grieving over him.
Giv sent riders in every direction, each carrying a letter from the king and from brave Giv.
The letter said: the joyful world ruler has come from Turan, the crowning heir of the famed line of Kayqobad.
He chose a fortunate messenger and horseman, wise, clear sighted, and loyal.
He picked him from among the notables of Zam and told him everything he had heard, great and small.
He said to him: go from here to Isfahan, to brave Gudarz, son of Keshvad.
Tell him that Kaykhosrow has come to Zam, so that no gust of sorrow may pass over him.
A swift messenger took a letter and set off on the road to Kavus the king.
The foaming, wind footed camels sprang from their place like fire.
Giv's bright souled messenger first came before the champion Gudarz.
He delivered his message and handed over the letter; the world champion pressed the letter to his head.
He wept tears for Siyavosh and heaped curses upon Afrasiab.
The messenger was sent on to Kavus the king; sweat streamed from the necks of the camels.
When he reached Kavus the king, a shout of joy rose from the royal court.
Word spread through the world that the king's son, the world seeking Kaykhosrow, had come along the road.
The commander called the messenger before him and showered jewels on him for Giv's letter.
They decked out the whole world in joy and summoned musicians everywhere.
After that the great ones of the realm all set out together toward Isfahan.
Gudarz adorned the high palace and spread out all the royal brocade.
He set up a throne worked in gold, studded with many kinds of jewels.
A crown with armlets and earrings, and a torque full of kingly gems.
He adorned the throne with gold and jewels, just as befits a king.
The whole city was hung with festive decorations; they prepared the square and the place of assembly.
The proud nobles rose up and made ready to go out and welcome him.
They went eighty leagues ahead and received him according to their custom.
When the commander's eye fell on the king, he saw Giv beside him on the road.
When Giv appeared alongside the king, those brave riders dismounted.
Pale tears poured from their eyes, and they remembered Siyavosh again and again.
Gudarz praised him greatly and blessed him, saying: king of the earth,
may your enemy's evil eye be kept far from you, and may the soul of Siyavosh be full of light.
God, the ruler of the world, is my witness that seeing your face is my guide.
If I had seen Siyavash alive, my heart could not have laughed with more joy than this.
The nobles of Iran, one after another, laid their faces on the ground before him.
Then they rose again in gladness; the proud man's fortune began to shine.
He kissed Giv's eyes and head and said: You have drawn the hidden heavens into the open.
You are the one who reads the dream and fights the war; in the hour that calls for patience, you are the steady man.
They came to the champion's house, all glad and bright of spirit.
For a full week they stayed, wine in hand, the feasting hall and the seats richly adorned.
On the eighth day, all light of heart, they set out toward the city of King Kavus.
When Kaykhosrow came before the king, the world filled with perfume, color, and ornament.
The whole world was decked out with splendor; doors, rooftops, and walls were rich with treasure.
In every place minstrels were seated; rosewater and wine, musk mingled with saffron.
The manes of the horses were drenched in musk and wine; coins and sugar were scattered beneath their hooves.
When King Kavus saw the face of Khosrow, tears fell from his lashes down his cheeks.
He came down from the throne and went to him, pressing his own eyes and face against the young man's.
The young world-seeker bowed low to him; then, walking proudly, they went back to the throne.
The king asked much about the Turks, and about the throne of the lord of the army of Turan.
He answered: That witless man rules the world through evil.
For a while he tested me and questioned me, but I hid my wisdom and skill from him.
I was afraid of his deeds and his ways; I shrank from the pain and grief he caused.
Even if a cloud rains pure pearls, how can the killer of a father be a true friend?
No priest ever summoned me by the sacred water to honor him while my father lies beneath the earth.
Now Giv endured much hardship for a time; he sought me in Turan and tasted great suffering.
Even if there had been no other trial than this, that he came with me from the land of Turan,
two proud champions with an army came after us, swift as fire along the road.
I saw such things from Giv as no idol-worshipper in India ever saw even from a raging elephant.
I never imagined that a crocodile could rise from the sea to fight in such a way.
After that, Piran came on like a lion, his belt tightened and a swift steed beneath him.
He plunged into the water like a crocodile, as if he would burn the very earth in battle.
But Giv threw his lasso over Piran's neck, and the champion's head fell into the noose.
I went to plead for mercy, my king; otherwise he would have cut off his head from his body.
For he was wounded by grief for his father, and our harsh words had tied his tongue.
So it went, all the way to the banks of the Oxus in battle, never resting his ox headed mace.
In the end he crossed the Oxus in fury, giving no thought to the water or to a boat.
Anyone who has a champion like him stays forever glad and bright of soul.
There was a palace of Keshvad's in Estakhr, the pride of all the noble born.
When they rose from the throne of Kavus, they set out to go to the new hall.
Godarz walked along with the young king until he reached that gilded rose garden.
They seated him upon the golden throne and heaped many blessings upon him.
The warriors of Iran fastened their belts in service, all but Tus, son of Nozar, who turned his head away.
For he was the one with the war drum and the golden boots; he was the one who held the royal banner of Kaveh.
That deed made Godarz hot with anger, and he sent him a sharp message.
His messenger was the proud, bold Giv, who had a hero's grip and the arm of a lion.
He told him: Say to Tus, son of Nozar, that this is no time to seek excuses at a moment of joy.
The great ones and warriors of the land of Iran have all called down blessings on the king.
Why do you rebel at the demon's bidding? Do you not see the royal glory of the lord of the world?
If you defy the king's command, then a feud and a battlefield will rise between us.
Giv is the bearer of my message, with the leave of this renowned assembly.
Giv turned his back and left his father, his heart full of harsh words.
He came to Tus the commander and said: A demon is the partner of this plan of yours.
When Tus heard this, he answered thus: It is not fitting to mock me.
In Iran, after mighty Rostam, I am the most exalted man of the assembly.
Grandson of the bold king Manuchehr, who brought the whole world under his sword.
I am the same battle seeking lion in war; I tear the heart of the elephant and the claw of the leopard.
You made your customs and plans without me; you gave the world a new master.
I will not agree to this business; do not tell me any tale of Khosrow.
If we set a ruler from the seed of Afrasiab, good fortune will fall asleep.
We do not want a king from the line of Pashang; a sheep pen and a leopard do not go well together.
All these hardships you endured were wasted, for Khosrow is young and reckless.
Whoever is to be the king of the earth needs merit, noble blood, glory, and faith.
Fariborz, son of Kavus, of royal blood, is the one most worthy of the throne and crown.
On no side does he share the enemy's lineage; he has glory and stature, a good name and justice.
Giv rose up angrily from before him, for he found Tus's knowledge and judgment half-baked.
He went to Gudarz, son of Keshvad, and said that glory and wisdom do not go hand in hand with Tus.
It is as if his two eyes see nothing; he keeps choosing Fariborz.
Gudarz flared up and said among the nobles: the world would be better with less of Tus in it.
He had seventy-eight grandsons and sons; he beat the war drum and moved from the palace to the field.
Twelve thousand fighting horsemen, all in armored mounts, rode out.
From the other side came the commander Tus; they strapped the drums onto the elephants' backs.
The champions of Iran girded their belts, the Kaviani banner at the head of the army.
When he saw Gudarz and so vast an army that it darkened the face of sun and moon,
there stood a throne on the back of a mighty elephant, gleaming turquoise, shining like indigo.
The world-seeking, crowned Kaykhosrow sat upon that throne, his belt fastened for battle.
Around him stood two hundred mighty elephants; you would think there was no other place in the world.
Khosrow shone from that throne like the moon, a blazing ruby set upon his crown.
Tus's heart grew heavy and he thought: if I wage war today,
many will fall on both sides, and this feud will never be lifted from Iran.
Nothing would come of it but Afrasiab's wish; the fortune of the Turks would wake from its sleep.
The imperial throne would pass to them, and our days of greatness would come to an end.
He sent a wise man, skilled in finding a way, to King Kavus,
saying: if even one of us lays a poplar arrow to the bow on this battlefield,
such a bloodfeud will rise that this very night Afrasiab will see it fulfilled in his dreams.
When the king heard such words, he ordered the messenger to return
to Tus and to Gudarz, son of Keshvad, those chosen and proud among the free-born nobles,
saying they should come to the court without their troops, just as they must, and stand before me.
Tus and Gudarz went to the king and opened their mouths to speak before the throne.
The king said to him: wise old man, do not drop poison into a cup of milk.
Set down your sword and loosen the iron from your waist; this must not turn a gain into a loss.
The commander Tus said to the king: if the king is weary of throne and crown,
then the world, its greatness, the diadem and the throne of the great, should pass to his son.
When a son exists, why should a grandson take the crown and sit upon the throne?
Gudarz said to him: You fool, no one of sense would count you among wise people.
In all the world there was never anyone like Siyavash, none so noble, so free, so patient and calm.
Now this seeker of the world is his son; in face and skin you would say he is the very same man.
Though on his mother's side he descends from Tur, he still comes from royal stock and will not stray from justice.
In Turan or Iran, who is his equal in valor? Why do you speak such raw and empty words?
Your two eyes have not even seen his face, that stature and height, that kindness of his.
He crossed the Jayhun without seeking a boat, by royal glory and by sound judgment.
Just as Fereydun crossed the Arvand River and never stepped down into a boat.
Through his manliness and divine grace, the eye and hand of evil turned away from him.
You are of Nowzar's line, not a stranger; your father was sharp, but you are mad.
If my weapon were in my hand right now, your chest and shoulder would be drenched in blood.
Tus said to him: Old man who has seen the world, speak on, but let your words be pleasing to the heart.
If your sword can split an anvil, my spear can pierce the heart of Mount Qaf.
And if your mace has weight and force, my arrow can sew shut the heart of the sun.
And if you descend from Keshvad, I am Tus, son of Nowzar, a great man and a prince.
Gudarz said to him: Say no more, or I will lose all respect for you.
He said to Kavus: World-ruling king, do not turn your heart from custom and the right path.
Call before you the two worthy princes; both are young and fit for the throne.
See which of the two is worthy, the one who carries stature and divine glory.
Hand him the crown and keep your heart glad, for in him you look upon a royal son.
Kavus said to him: This is not wise counsel, for both are equally dear to my heart.
If I choose one of them as I would, the other's heart will fill with resentment toward me.
I will arrange a task so that neither of the two takes offense at me before this gathering.
Our two sons must now go, each with his own troop, all the way to Ardabil.
To the border land where Fort Bahman stands, where there is strife with the demon all year long.
It suffers from the fire-worshipping demon; no one can settle on that border.
Whichever of them takes that stronghold by the sword, from him I will not withhold the royal throne.
When Gudarz and Tus heard these words, the plan the wise commander had laid down,
They both agreed to this; no one could think of any better plan than that.
On this single decision they set their hearts at ease, then rose and left the king's presence.
When the sun lifted its head from the constellation of the Lion, the sky pulled the night down beneath it.
Fariborz, with Tus son of Nozar in a rush, came before the king at that hour.
The shrewd Tus said to the king: I will carry the war drum and the elephants alongside the commander.
I myself will bear the royal Kaviani banner and turn the enemy's ruby face to the color of violets.
So now, from the court of the king, I will load the baggage and set the army marching.
Behind them Fariborz, the drum, and the banner, the air turned violet-dark from the horses' hooves.
When the son already holds the royal glory and grandeur, the grandson need not gird himself for battle.
The king said to him: even if you lead the army forward, fate will not swerve from its own way.
By the will of the Lord of the sun and moon, victory and power can be made ready.
If this is Fariborz's decision, then muster the army and do not sit idle.
Tus set out with the Kaviani banner, golden boots upon his feet.
Fariborz son of Kavus at the center, with Tus, the elephants, and the army in the vanguard.
When they drew near to Bahman Fortress, the very ground seemed to blaze up like fire.
Tus advanced with a battle-hungry army and pressed swiftly toward the fortress.
The rampart of the fortress towered into the air; no one thought it possible to fight so high.
The spearheads glowed from the heat, and the warrior burned inside his own coat of mail.
You would say the whole world was made of fire; the very air was the snare of the defiant devil.
The commander said to Fariborz: a man, when he comes to the field of battle,
with heavy mace, with sword and lasso, tries to strike some harm against something.
But there is no path around this fortress, and no one, my king, has the heart to face such fire.
It scorches a man beneath his armor; his enduring body is set ablaze.
For a whole week they circled around it, yet with their own eyes they could find no gate.
In despair they turned back from the fight; no fruit came from the toil of that long road.