
Ardeshir's Arrow and the Prince's Claim
From D6.4, Ardeshir Babakan and His Rival. It illustrates D6.4.44–53:
- D6.4.44A Gur-e-Khar appeared upon the plain;A clamor rose from all the hunting train.
- D6.4.45They urged their steeds; the dust rose thick and high,And mingled with the sweat as they sped by.
- D6.4.46Ardeshir rode ahead and neared the game,And set an arrow, taking careful aim.
- D6.4.47He struck the male Gur-e-Khar’s rump; straight throughIts body went the point and feathers too.
- D6.4.48Then Ardavan arrived upon the plain,And saw the fallen Gur-e-Khar lie slain.
- D6.4.49He asked, “Whose arrow felled this quarry grand?May life remain united with that hand!”
- D6.4.50Then Ardeshir addressed the king to say:“It was my arrow, Shah, that felled this prey.”
- D6.4.51One prince replied, “I brought it to its fate,And now I am in search of its own mate.”
- D6.4.52Ardeshir answered, “See, the plain is wide;With game and arrows here, let skill decide.
- D6.4.53Then strike another with the selfsame art;A lie brings shame upon a noble heart.”
In the picture
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