
Zal and Rudabeh Exchange Vows
From A8.5, Zal and Rudabeh: A Secret Visit. It illustrates A8.5.43–52:
- A8.5.43Then spoke the prince: “O silver-bosomed fair,O swaying cypress, musk within your hair,
- A8.5.44Though Manuchehr should hear and answer no,He will not bless the path on which we go.
- A8.5.45And Sahm will roar and rise against me still,But none of this can bend my heart or will.
- A8.5.46I count as little now this life and breath;For you I take my shroud and welcome death.
- A8.5.47Before the Just I bind myself and swear:I shall not break the covenant we share.
- A8.5.48To God I pray that hearts opposed may bend,And all the wrath between our houses end.
- A8.5.49And if He grants what faithful hearts implore,You shall be mine, my bride for evermore.”
- A8.5.50Rudabeh answered: “By the Just, the True,No man shall ever claim me, none but you.
- A8.5.51Let God bear witness to this vow I make:No other lord shall my allegiance take,
- A8.5.52Except Zal-e-Zar, the Pahlevan of fame,With crown and treasure, farr and noble name.”
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