
Rostam Carries the Sorcerer-King's Stone
From B5.10, Kavus Wars with Mazandaran. It illustrates B5.10.92–103 (to B5.10.106):
- B5.10.92At once by sorcery his body changed;A mass of mountain-stone before them ranged.
- B5.10.93Iran’s warriors stared; Rostam stood amazed,And at the sudden stone in wonder gazed.
- B5.10.94His spear-bearer lifted up the shaft,While Rostam stared in wonder at the craft.
- B5.10.95Then Kavus came with elephants in train,Tabiras, banners rolling through the plain.
- B5.10.96He asked, “Why linger here, O champion, still?What holds you from the battle and your will?”
- B5.10.97Said Rostam, “Fortune favored me in fight;The fire of victory rose before my sight.
- B5.10.98He saw my water-tempered spear draw near,Its tempered point before him bright and clear.
- B5.10.99I gave brave Rakhsh the rein and struck his waist;I thought to see him from his seat displaced.
- B5.10.100Instead he turned to stone before us all;Now bear him to the camp at Kavus’s call.”
- B5.10.101The strongest warriors strained with hand and knee;The stone stayed rooted where it seemed to be.
- B5.10.102Then Rostam laughed; he needed no such test;He spread his arms and pressed it to his chest.
- B5.10.103He raised the massive stone without a groan;The army marveled at his strength alone.
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