When earth grew sun-hued eloquent Bandwí
Went to the roof and thus addressed Bahrám:—
“Experienced one! when dust rose from the plain
Khusrau Parwíz at sight of you departed,
He and his troops, in haste toward Rúm, and now,
Wert thou to wing it eagle-like and soar
Above the sun, thou wouldst not spy the Sháh
Unless in Rúm where he hath aged by now;
But if ye grant me quarter I will come
Forth to thy valiant chief and I will answer
All questions asked of me about ourselves,
But if not I will arm and send the dust
In combat to the sun.”
The youth's heart aged
With grief when he heard this. “What will it profit,”
He asked his comrades, “if I send the reek
Up from Bandwí? The better course will be
To take him as he is with mind unclouded
Before the paladin to tell whatever
He knoweth of the Sháh and either lose
His head or keep his crown.’
Then to Bandwí:—
“Discuss this question with Bahrám Chúbína,
Thou evil schemer!”
Then Bandwí, the Lion,
Came down and went back with the valiant chiefs.
Bahrám Chúbína heard of their return,
And that Khusrau Parwíz bent on revenge
Had gone to Rúm, and vehemently raged
Against the son of Siyáwush, exclaiming:—
“Thou luckless miscreant! thou hast disobeyed.
Fool that I am! I have approved a fool!”
He summoned next Bandwí, the ambitious one,
And turned the wrath on him: “Thou miscreant
knave!
Blame-worthy liar who hast been so foolish
As thus to gull my troops! Thou couldst not rest
Through thine ill nature and hast now become
One with accursed Khusrau Parwíz, hast made
A youth a veteran and hast come to boast:—
‘I will renew this outworn age.’”
Bandwí
Replied: “Exalted chief! look but for right
From me and be not fierce. Know that the king
Of kings is of my kin, his majesty
And greatness are mine own, and I have given,
As was my duty, mine own life for his.
If thou'rt a chieftain act straightforwardly.”