
Giv Confronts the Toll-Man
From B10.27, Giv Confronts the Toll-Man. It illustrates B10.27.9–17:
- B10.27.9Now when brave Giv and Khosrow reached the tide,They sought with urgent haste the farther side.
- B10.27.10They found the toll-man waiting by the shore,And soon their words broke into sharp uproar.
- B10.27.11Then Giv spoke first: “Where is your swift-set sail,A boat fit for Kay Khosrow without fail?”
- B10.27.12The toll-man said: “What difference rank or name?The river treats both low and high the same.
- B10.27.13If you would cross, then pay the proper fee;No man, however high, may cross for free.”
- B10.27.14Then Giv replied: “Name what you wish as toll;The foe is near; speak quickly, name the whole.”
- B10.27.15The toll-man heard and swiftly ventured near,Then turned to Giv and made his purpose clear:
- B10.27.16“No trifling toll is what I ask from you;Of these four things, surrender one as due:
- B10.27.17Your jowshan, or your horse of darkest hue,The serving woman, or the Shah’s crown too.”
In the picture
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