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Kavah, meanwhile, with warning voice set forth What wrongs the nation suffered, and there came Multitudes round him, who called out aloud For justice! justice! On his javelin's point He fixed his leathern apron for a banner, And lifting it on high, he went abroad To call the people to a task of vengeance. Wherever it was seen crowds followed fast, Tired of the cruel tyranny they suffered.
The latter, always boasting of his ancestry, reviled the old warrior and said, "I am the son of Nauder, and the grandson of Feridún, whilst thou art but the son of Kavah, the blacksmith; why then dost thou put thyself on a footing with me?"
"'Tis not for us to shrink from Persian foe, Put on thy armour, and prepare thy bow." Accordingly the challenge was given. Kárun looked round, and the only person who answered the call was the aged Kobád, his brother. Kárun and Kobád were both sons of Kavah, the blacksmith, and both leaders in the Persian army. No persuasion could restrain Kobád from the unequal conflict.
His mother wept to see him depart, and continually implored the blessing of God upon him. He had two elder brothers, whom he took along with him. Desirous of having a mace formed like the head of a cow, he requested Kavah to make one of iron, and it was accordingly made in the shape he described.
Who, but the low descendant of a blacksmith? No Khosráu claims thee for his son, no chief Of noble blood; whilst I can truly boast Kindred to princes of the highest worth, And merit not to be obscured by thee!" To him then Gúdarz: "Hear me for this once, Then shut thy ears for ever. Need I blush To be the kinsman of the glorious Kavah? It is my humour to be proud of him.
Then the leathern banner Was splendidly adorned with gold and jewels, And called the flag of Kavah. From that time It was a sacred symbol; every king In future, on succeeding to the throne, Did honor to that banner, the true sign Of royalty, in veneration held. Feridún, aided by the directions and advice of the blacksmith, now proceeded against Zohák.
Feridún, however, was well aware of this being the evil work of his brothers, but he took no notice of the conspiracy, and instead of punishing them, raised them to higher dignity and consequence. They saw that Kavah directed the route of Feridún over the mountainous tracts and plains which lie contiguous to the banks of the Dijleh, or Tigris, close to the city of Bagdad.
He showed him Kavah and his two sons, Shahpúr, and Shírúeh, and Kárun, and Sám, and Narímán, and other chiefs all of admirable courage and valor in war and thus resumed: "Hence with your presents, hence, away, Can gold or gems turn night to day? Must kingly heads be bought and sold, And shall I barter blood for gold? Shall gold a father's heart entice, Blood to redeem beyond all price?
The register, including both old and young, was accordingly prepared. At that period there lived a man named Kavah, a blacksmith, remarkably strong and brave, and who had a large family.
The glorious standard of Kavah streamed upon the breeze. On the other side, Afrásiyáb prepared for battle, assisted by his heroes Akbás, Wísah, Shimasás, and Gersíwaz; and so great was the clamor and confusion which proceeded from both armies, that earth and sky seemed blended together.
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