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Zal and Rudabeh Exchange Vows

Zal and Rudabeh Exchange Vows

From A8.5, Zal and Rudabeh: A Secret Visit. It illustrates A8.5.43–52:

  • A8.5.43
    Then spoke the prince: “O silver-bosomed fair,O swaying cypress, musk within your hair,
  • A8.5.44
    Though Manuchehr should hear and answer no,He will not bless the path on which we go.
  • A8.5.45
    And Sahm will roar and rise against me still,But none of this can bend my heart or will.
  • A8.5.46
    I count as little now this life and breath;For you I take my shroud and welcome death.
  • A8.5.47
    Before the Just I bind myself and swear:I shall not break the covenant we share.
  • A8.5.48
    To God I pray that hearts opposed may bend,And all the wrath between our houses end.
  • A8.5.49
    And if He grants what faithful hearts implore,You shall be mine, my bride for evermore.”
  • A8.5.50
    Rudabeh answered: “By the Just, the True,No man shall ever claim me, none but you.
  • A8.5.51
    Let God bear witness to this vow I make:No other lord shall my allegiance take,
  • A8.5.52
    Except Zal-e-Zar, the Pahlevan of fame,With crown and treasure, farr and noble name.”

In the picture

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