
Bijan Bound before Afrasiab
From C2.8, Bijan Is Brought before Afrasiab. It illustrates C2.8.34–45 (to C2.8.56):
- C2.8.34In that state to Afrasiab they boreHis yellow face, his eyes with weeping sore.
- C2.8.35The hero came with arms in fetters bound,Bareheaded, standing on the royal ground.
- C2.8.36The Shah said: “Reckless head. Now let me knowWhy to this land and region did you go?”
- C2.8.37He blessed him: “O my king, if you would seekThe truth from me, then hear me while I speak.
- C2.8.38Not by desire I sought this festal place;In all this matter no man’s guilt I trace.
- C2.8.39From Iran came I to the fight with boars,And came up to this Turan feast of yours.
- C2.8.40For one lost hawk, one bird that went astray,I have cast down my house and home away.
- C2.8.41Under a cypress I lay down to sleep,That from the sun its shadow might me keep.
- C2.8.42A pari came and spread her wings out wide,And took me sleeping up against her side.
- C2.8.43She took me from my horse and struck the road,Where the king’s daughter’s escort onward strode.
- C2.8.44Horsemen were scattered over all the plain,And ammaris passed by me, train on train.
- C2.8.45An Indian parasol appeared in view,And Tur’s own riders ringed it through and through.
In the picture
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