
Zahhak Rages at Kundrav's Report
From A5.8, Fereydoon and the Minister of Zahhak. It illustrates A5.8.38–46:
- A5.8.38If this renowned man truly is your guest,Why in your shabestan has he found rest?
- A5.8.39Why sit with Jamshid’s daughters side by side,And speak of every matter they decide?
- A5.8.40One hand now rests on fair Shahrnaz’s cheek;One brushes Arnavaz’s lips as they speak.
- A5.8.41At dark of night he does still worse than this;Their musk-dark tresses serve his bed of bliss.
- A5.8.42Those musk-black tresses of the moon-faced twoBelong to those your heart once held as true.
- A5.8.43Half-drunk, he draws them close against his breast;That is no proper conduct for a guest.”
- A5.8.44Zahhak erupted like a maddened beast;He wished for death when Kundrav’s words had ceased.
- A5.8.45With filthy curses and a thunderous cry,He raged against his fortune and the sky.
- A5.8.46He shouted, “In this royal house of mine,No longer shall you serve in steward’s line!”
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