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Surkha Bound before Rostam

Surkha Bound before Rostam

From B10.6, Surkha Marches against Rostam. It illustrates B10.6.54–65 (to B10.6.67):

  • B10.6.54
    Then Rostam looked on Surkha where he stood,A noble youth, upright as cypress wood.
  • B10.6.55
    His chest was broad, a lion’s strength and grace;The bloom of spring was written on his face.
  • B10.6.56
    Black musk lay patterned on the youthful rose,Across the bloom where springtime beauty glows.
  • B10.6.57
    He said: “Bring him before me on the plain,And summon those who deal in death and pain.
  • B10.6.58
    Bring basin, khanjar; bind the captive’s hands,And coil the kamand round him in its bands.
  • B10.6.59
    Lay him like sheep upon the bloodied ground,As Siavash lay helpless, closely bound.
  • B10.6.60
    Strike off his head as Siavash was slain,And let the vulture shroud him on the plain.”
  • B10.6.61
    When Tus the great chief heard the order given,He went at once, by duty sternly driven.
  • B10.6.62
    Then Surkha said: “What wrong, what bloody deed?Why must I die for another’s misdeed?
  • B10.6.63
    Siavash was my equal and my friend;My grief for him has known no pause nor end.
  • B10.6.64
    My eyes have never ceased to weep his fate,And curse the blade that struck him down in hate.
  • B10.6.65
    I curse the man who brought the bowl and knife,Who took the prince’s head and quenched his life.”

In the picture

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