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Rostam Carries the Sorcerer-King's Stone

Rostam Carries the Sorcerer-King's Stone

From B5.10, Kavus Wars with Mazandaran. It illustrates B5.10.92–103 (to B5.10.106):

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

In the picture

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