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pizzi-readings-claude3.xml
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pizzi-readings-claude3.xml
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<TEI><text><body>
Here is my translation of the Persian verses you provided:
1. There was a man in those days,
2. A spear-wielding horseman from the desert.
3. He was a noble and virtuous man,
4. Feared by the world like the cold wind.
5. His esteemed name was Mardas,
6. His justice and generosity were of the highest rank.
7. From his milking livestock,
8. A thousand of each kind would come to him.
9. The same for goats, camels and sheep,
10. The pure-faithed had assigned milkers for them.
11. The very same obedient cow-milkers,
12. The very same swift and fiery Arabian horses.
13. To anyone who was in need of milk,
14. He would extend his hands to provide what was desired.
15. That pure-faithed man had a son,
16. Who received little of his father's love.
17. The world-seeker's name was Zahak,
18. Brave, agile and impious.
19. They also called him Bivaraasp,
20. Such was the name given to him in Pahlavi.
21. How could Bivar be counted among heroes?
22. In the Persian language, it meant ten thousand.
23. From the swift Arabian horses with golden armor,
24. He was called Bivar for the name they bore.
25. Day and night he had two portions in the saddle,
26. Not out of enmity, but out of greatness.
27. It so happened that one dawn,
28. Iblis came in the guise of a well-wisher.
29. He led the chief's heart astray from the path of goodness,
30. The young man lent his ear to his words.
31. His words seemed pleasing to him,
32. Unaware of his evil deeds.
33. He gave him a pure mind, heart and soul,
34. And made the dust of his own nature mount on him.
35. When Iblis realized he had won his heart,
36. He became joyous about his tale.
37. He spoke many pleasant and delicate words,
38. The young man's mind was devoid of knowledge.
39. He said, "I have many words to say,
40. That no one else but me knows."
41. The young man said, "Speak and do not hesitate,
42. Teach us, O wise one."
43. He said to him, "First, I want your pledge,
44. Then I will rightly unfold my words."
45. The naive young man gave his pledge,
46. And swore as he had commanded.
47. "I will not reveal your secret to anyone,
48. I will listen to whatever you say."
49. He said to him, "Other than you, who in the abode
50. Should know, O illustrious chief?"
Here is my translation of the next set of verses:
51. Why should a father exist when a son like you is there?
52. You must heed one piece of advice from me.
53. This aged master won't remain in the world for long,
54. You will linger long after he departs.
55. Seize this opportunity while he is still around,
56. For the whole world will then be a fitting place for you.
57. If you keep your word on what I've said,
58. You will become the sole king of the world.
59. When Zahak heard this, he pondered,
60. His heart filled with pain at his father's blood.
61. He said to Iblis, "This is not fitting,
62. Speak otherwise, for this is not the right course."
63. He said, "If you turn away from these words,
64. And break your pledge and oath to me,
65. The oath and bond will remain around your neck,
66. You will be disgraced while your father remains honorable."
67. He ensnared the noble Arabian man's mind,
68. So that he chose to obey his command.
69. He asked, "Tell me, what is the solution?"
70. "I will never turn away from your wise counsel."
71. He said, "I will devise a solution for you,
72. And raise your head to the sun."
73. "You remain silent and patient in this matter,
74. I need no one's help."
75. "When I have made all the preparations,
76. You must not utter a word of protest."
77. That king had a delightful garden
78. In his abode, a truly heart-pleasing place.
79. The noble man would wake up at night
80. To perform his worship rituals.
81. He would bathe his head and body secretly in the garden,
82. His worshiper would not bring a lamp with him.
83. Following the wretched devil's upside-down scheme,
84. He dug a deep pit in the garden.
85. Then Iblis covered that deep pit
86. With brush, and awaited the path.
87. At night he went to the garden,
88. You seeker of the name of the chief of the noble Arabians!
89. When he came near that deep pit,
90. The king's fortune turned upside down all at once.
91. He fell into the pit and was shattered,
92. That pious, good-hearted man of God was no more.
93. To all good and bad, the noble king,
94. His dear son brought a cold wind.
95. He had reared him with affection and hardship,
96. Was joyous for him and gave him treasures.
97. Yet that ill-mannered, mischievous son of his
98. Did not follow the path of his father's loving guidance.
99. He became an accomplice in his father's blood,
100. This is the tale I have heard from the wise.
Here is my translation for the next set of verses:
101. For if a son were a lion's cub,
102. He would not be brave in shedding his father's blood.
103. The vile, tyrannical Zahak
104. Seized his father's place through this scheme.
105. He placed the crown of the Arabians on his head,
106. Granting them profit or loss.
107. When Iblis saw his words had taken effect,
108. He laid another fresh snare.
109. He said to him, "Since you have turned towards me,
110. You have attained all your heart's desires from the world."
111. "If you make a pledge again,
112. And do not go back on your words and obey my commands,
113. "The entire kingdom of the world shall be yours,
114. Monsters and demons, birds and fish shall be yours."
115. When he said this, he made another preparation,
116. Devised another wondrous scheme.
117. He adorned a youth from among his own,
118. Eloquent, wise, pure of heart and body.
119. He sent him directly to Zahak,
120. Whose only talk was of praise for him.
121. He said to him, "If I provide the king
122. With a noble, pure cook,
123. When Zahak heard this, he favored him,
124. And appointed him a place in the kitchen.
125. The key to the king's kitchen
126. Was given to him by the commanding ruler.
127. In those times, food was not abundant,
128. And few dishes were made from slaughtered animals.
129. They ate nothing but plants,
130. As nothing but plants had yet sprouted from the earth.
131. Then Ahriman, the evil-schemer, devised a plan,
132. And placed the killing of animals in his heart.
133. From every kind of bird and quadruped,
134. He made dishes and brought them one by one.
135. He nourished him on their blood like a lion,
136. So that he might make the king brave.
137. Whatever he said, he obeyed his commands,
138. And pledged his heart as hostage to his orders.
139. First, he gave him a dish of testicles,
140. And kept him healthy on it for some time.
141. He ate it and praised it greatly,
142. The ill-fated one found its taste pleasing.
143. Thus spoke Iblis, the trickster,
144. "May you live forever, O exalted king!"
145. "Tomorrow I will prepare a dish for you
146. That will nourish you thoroughly."
147. He left and spent the entire night awake,
148. Wondering what wondrous food to prepare the next day.
149. The next day, when the azure dome arose
150. And displayed the yellow ruby,
The verses appear to be narrating a story in which a character named Zahak (also called Bivaraasp), the son of a noble and generous man named Mardas, is being deceived by Iblis (the Devil in Islamic mythology) who comes in disguise as a well-wisher and leads the young man astray by making him pledge to keep a secret before revealing his words of seduction.
Here is my translation for the next set of verses:
151. Dishes of partridge and white francolin
152. Were prepared, and he came with a hopeful heart.
153. When the Arab king reached for the plate,
154. His foolish mind surrendered to its delights.
155. On the third day, the table was adorned
156. With dishes of bird and lamb of all kinds.
157. On the fourth day when he laid the table,
158. He made a dish from a young ox's back.
159. In it were saffron and rose water,
160. That year's aged wine and pure musk.
161. When Zahak took it and ate,
162. He was amazed by that exceptional man.
163. He said to him, "Look, whatever you desire,
164. Ask of me, O noble one."
165. The cook said to him, "O king,
166. May you ever live joyfully and as a ruler."
167. "My heart is full of love for you,
168. My entire life's provision comes from your countenance."
169. "I have one wish from the king,
170. Though I do not have that rank,"
171. "That the king would command me to kiss his shoulder,
172. To kiss and rub my eyes and face on it."
173. When Zahak heard his words,
174. He did not conceal his real intent.
175. He said to him, "I grant you this wish,
176. May your name become exalted!"
177. He commanded the devil, who was like his partner,
178. To let him kiss his shoulder.
179. When he kissed it, he disappeared into the ground,
180. No one in the world had seen such a wonder!
181. Two black snakes emerged from his shoulders,
182. He became distressed and sought a cure from all sides.
183. At last he cut both of them from his shoulders,
184. It is fitting if you remain amazed at this.
185. Like branches of a tree, those two black snakes
186. Again emerged from the king's shoulders.
187. Wise physicians gathered around,
188. Each relating a tale.
189. They tried all kinds of tricks,
190. But could not find a cure for that affliction.
191. Then like a skilled physician, Iblis came swiftly
192. And went to Zahak with his cunning.
193. He said to him, "This was destined to happen,
194. Wait and see what becomes of it, do not grieve."
195. "Prepare dishes and let them eat peacefully,
196. There is no other cure but this."
197. "Give them nothing but human brains to eat,
198. Else they may die from this nourishment."
199. See how the manly devil persisted in this quest,
200. What he sought and saw in this discourse!
Here is my translation for the next two verses:
201. Perhaps he will devise a secret solution,
202. So that the world remains populated with people.
These verses continue the narrative of the evil devil/Iblis advising the tyrannical king Zahak, who has been afflicted with snakes growing out of his shoulders. Iblis suggests feeding the snakes human brains as a cure, while hinting that he may have a hidden solution in mind to prevent too many people from being killed for this purpose, so that the world remains populated.
The story portrays Iblis/the devil manipulating Zahak into committing evil acts like killing innocent people, exploiting his greed and ambition. It serves as a cautionary tale about being misled by evil counselors and one's own desires toward cruelty and injustice.
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