
Rostam Kicks Aside Bahman's Boulder
From C8.8, Bahman Delivers Esfandiyar’s Message. It illustrates C8.8.11–17:
- C8.8.11He loosened from the height a flinty mass,And sent it roaring down the mountain pass.
- C8.8.12Zavareh saw it hurtling toward the ground,And heard the mountain thunder with its sound.
- C8.8.13He shouted, “Pahlevan, look to the height!A boulder hurtles down with deadly might!”
- C8.8.14But Rostam neither moved nor set asideThe wild ass, while Zavareh loudly cried.
- C8.8.15He waited till the stone had thundered low,While dust rose thick and dimmed the daylight’s glow.
- C8.8.16Then with one kick he drove the boulder wide,While son and brother praised him at his side.
- C8.8.17Bahman felt sick at heart at what was done,And marked his majesty beneath the sun.
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