English
Tahmuras
Hushang had a wise and noble son, the precious Tahmuras, binder of demons.
He came and sat upon his father's throne, and girded himself for the work of kingship.
He summoned all the priests of his army and spoke to them at length, and well.
He said: Today the throne and crown are mine; this diadem, this treasure, and this army suit me.
With wisdom I will wash the world clean of evil, and then set up a court and a throne.
Everywhere I will cut short the hand of the demons, for I mean to be the world's sole master.
Whatever is useful in the world, I will bring to light and free from its bonds.
So they sheared the wool and hair from sheep and lambs, and set about spinning it.
With effort and good judgment he made clothing from it, and he also taught how to weave rugs to spread out.
Of the swift-moving beasts, he fed the fastest on grass, straw, and barley.
He studied all the wild, shy beasts and chose out the lynx and the cheetah.
By his skill he brought them in from plain and mountain, and those of that kind were tamed and bound.
Among the birds, those that were swift hunters, like the falcon and the high-necked hawk,
he brought them in and began to train them, leaving the whole world astonished at him.
When this was done, the hen and the rooster, whose crowing rings out like the beat of a drum,
he brought them all and gave them into people's care, choosing every hidden benefit in them.
He ordered that people treat them with warmth, and call to them only in gentle tones.
He said: Give thanks for this, and offer praise to the Creator of the world,
for he gave us power over the beasts; praise to him who showed us the way.
He had a pure and pious minister whose counsel was far from any wrong deed.
Everywhere his name was renowned, Shahrasp, and he took no step except toward good.
All day his lips were shut against food, fasting, and all night he stood in prayer before the Lord of the world.
He was so beloved in everyone's heart: night prayer and fasting were his practice.
He was the king's guiding star and good fortune, and he had barred the way to the soul of every ill-wisher.
He showed the king only the path of goodness, and sought only uprightness as the foundation of his rank.
The king was so refined and purged of evil that the divine glory shone out from him.
He went and bound Ahriman with a spell, then mounted him like a swift steed.
From time to time he saddled him and rode him all around the world.
When the demons saw what he did, they refused to obey his word.
A great host of demons gathered, hoping to strip him of his crown and glory.
When Tahmuras learned of their scheme, he grew furious and wrecked their market of mischief.
With the glory of the world's king he girded himself and hoisted a heavy mace onto his shoulder.
All the fierce male demons and the sorcerers set out, a great army of magic.
The roaring black demon led them, and they raised their howls to the sky.
The blessed world-ruler Tahmuras came, girded for battle and vengeance.
One by one he joined battle with the demons, and their fight did not last long.
Two thirds of them he bound with spells; the rest he crushed with his heavy mace.
They were dragged in, wounded, bound, and abased, and then they begged for their lives.
They said: Do not kill us, and we will teach you a new art that will serve you well.
The renowned king spared their lives, so that they would reveal what was hidden.
When they were freed from his bonds, they had no choice but to keep their promise to him.
They taught the king the art of writing and kindled his heart with knowledge.
Not one script, but nearly thirty: Roman, Arabic, and Persian,
Sogdian, Chinese, and Pahlavi, every kind of script you might hear of.
For thirty years and more the world-ruler brought forth such arts and wonders.
Then he passed on, and his days came to an end; all his toil remained as his memorial.