
Gorgin Lays the Boar Tusks before Khosrow
From C2.12, Giv Brings Gorgin before Khosrow. It illustrates C2.12.25–36 (to C2.12.37):
- C2.12.25Gorgin, his guilty soul consumed by shame,Went in for audience, inwardly aflame.
- C2.12.26He reached Khosrow and kissed the ground below,And offered reverence, bent with secret woe.
- C2.12.27He laid the diamond-hard tusks, one by one,Before the throne when formal rites were done.
- C2.12.28He said: “May Kay Khosrow victorious reign,His life like New Year brighten hill and plain.
- C2.12.29And you, O King, be glad while time shall last,From care and sorrow free, from grieving past.
- C2.12.30May all your foes’ proud heads be cut away,As these wild boars were severed in the fray.”
- C2.12.31The Shah beheld the tusks and asked him then:“How went the journey? Speak before my men.
- C2.12.32Where did Bijan part company with you?What evil did Ahriman put him through?”
- C2.12.33When Khosrow spoke, Gorgin stood ill at ease,And stammered out the words he thought would please.
- C2.12.34His guilty soul was dark; his cheeks were pale,He shook in terror as he shaped his tale.
- C2.12.35He babbled, and his words ran wild and far,Of forest, pasture, boar, and Gur-e-Khar.
- C2.12.36When words no longer matched the words before,Khosrow perceived the malice at his core.
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