
Rostam Laughs and Calls for Wine
From B7.1, Rostam and the Seven Warriors Go Hunting. It illustrates B7.1.62–73 (to B7.1.78):
- B7.1.62Like rushing wind the watcher turned in flight,With shout and cry he hastened from the sight.
- B7.1.63He found the heroes deep in sport and cheer,Their cups still full, not dreaming foes were near.
- B7.1.64“O Rostam,” cried he, “lion of the field,Rise from the feast; the enemy is revealed.
- B7.1.65A force beyond all count has spread in might,Till height and hollow vanish from the sight.
- B7.1.66Afrasiab’s banner burns within the light,A sun through dust that darkens day to night!”
- B7.1.67Then Rostam laughed: “Victorious Fortune’s near;Why should the Turk or Turan’s horse bring fear?
- B7.1.68Why fear Afrasiab or his mounted train?No mass of horse can shake me on this plain.
- B7.1.69At most a hundred thousand riders show,Rein-masters, bargostvan from row to row.
- B7.1.70Though all his horsemen crowd this open ground,Their numbers cannot turn our fortune round.
- B7.1.71With Rakhsh, my armor, and my gorz in hand,Alone I would not yield a foot of land.
- B7.1.72If one of us stood firm upon this field,All Turan’s strength would seem too small to wield.
- B7.1.73This field alone provides the strength I need;I ask no troops from Iran for this deed.
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