Bízhan girt up his loins, armed him for strife,
And put the saddle on his steed Shabrang.
News reached Gív of the doings of Bízhan,
How he had armed to fight with Farshídward.
Gív sprang up, mounted swift as smoke his Arab,
Went to Bízhan, seized on his bridle, dragged him
Aside, and said: “How often have I warned thee
In vain! Thou givest me no moment's pleasure.
Now whither wouldst thou hasten? Grieve me not
By every act. What wouldst thou have me do,
Hoar as I am? I have no son but thee,
And know no happiness when thou art sorry.
Ten days and nights hast thou been in the saddle,
And borne the vengeful sword against the foe;
Thou hast been galled by coat of mail and helm:
Wilt thou be never satiate with blood?
Since He that giveth good hath given us
The victory, we ought to rest with joy.
Why stake thy head before its time? Too much
Thou trustest to thy sword. None is successful
In this world save he seek his proper end.
Forestall not fate so fast, for even now
Its eye is on us; for thy father's sake
Abandon this; thou shouldst not vex my heart.”
“O full of wisdom!” thus Bízhan replied,
“Men think not thus of thee. Hast thou forgotten
The past? Why fondly turn away from justice?
Know, father! what thou sayest is unjust.
Hast thou forgot the battle of Ládan,
The deeds which Gustaham and I performed,
And our companionship in weal and woe?
If in God's providence the evil day
Is imminent no caution will avert
What is decreed, and further talk is useless.
So strive not to divert me from the fight,
For I have pledged my life to this emprise.”
Then Gív: “If thou art fixed it will be best
For us to fare o'er hill and dale together,
And I will give thee aid in everything.”
“Now God forbid that we three warriors,”
Bízhan said, “of the chiefs of royal race
Should chase two craven Turkmans all that way!
So by our bright-souled monarch's life and head,
By that famed paladin my grandsire's life,
And by the blood of Siyáwush, return,
And let me go. I will not do thy bidding,
Because thou sayest: ‘Turn away from fight.’”
Gív, hearing this, relented and bestowed
His blessing on his son, then left him, saying:—
“Go conquering and come again with joy,
Heart-easèd, having bound the hands of evil.”
Bízhan made haste to follow Gustaham
Lest ill should come upon him from Túrán.
Now when Lahhák and Farshídward had passed
The river, speeding onward like the dust,
They journeyed in an hour seven leagues,
And felt in safety from the Íránian host.
They caught sight of a forest and a stream—
A shady resting-place for warriors.
Inside the wood were lions, fowl, and game,
Trees overhead with grass and stream below.
They halted there to hunt, and being thirsty
Went to the stream, but still they needed meat,
For grief and joy stay not the appetite.
They went among the pastures, dropped much game,
Then lit a fire and, having eaten kabáb,
Went to the stream. There Farshídward kept watch,
Lahhák reposed. Bright is no warrior's day
Whene'er he hath been worsted in the fray.