
Gudarz Rebukes the Fallen Shah
From B6.10, Rostam Brings Back Kay Kavus. It illustrates B6.10.11–22 (to B6.10.27):
- B6.10.11The chiefs arrived and would not now restrainTheir anger, nor conceal their just disdain.
- B6.10.12“A madhouse suits you better than a town,”Said Gudarz, “better far than court or crown.
- B6.10.13You yield your place to enemies with ease,And hide your futile counsels as you please.
- B6.10.14Three times calamity has caught you fast,Yet no experience schools you from the past.
- B6.10.15You led your men to Mazandaran’s gate;Behold the ruin that befell your state.
- B6.10.16Again you made yourself the foeman’s guest,An idol turned to Brahman in this test.
- B6.10.17None but pure Yazdan in the world remainedWho had not read the charter your sword framed.
- B6.10.18You rode the whole earth armed for war below;Now, reckless, you make heaven too your foe.
- B6.10.19You seek beyond the bounds of mortal place,To meet a power as equal face to face.
- B6.10.20What grief remains that you have not survived?What ruin has not left you yet alive?
- B6.10.21Men yet will tell what such a king had done,Who rose to heaven, viewed the moon and sun,
- B6.10.22And count the stars above him one by one;Such tales will live when this brief life is run.
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