Vis and Ramin

128 VISRAMIANI
an idle word. The wise should speak justly, and glorify
themselves continually by righteousness. Between us
enmity is unbecoming, for friendship and enmity cannot
You speak shameful things, and insult us ;
exist together.
we cannot insult thee thus. Thou hast chased away thine
own wife, thou canst blame no one else. On account of
this, there is no need for thee either to write letters or do
battle. Behold thy wife, take her whithersoever thou wilt,
and if thou command me, I will even now send Vis to thee.
Since she has come here, God knows I have not seen her
more than three times ; and even if I saw her, what wonder
is it? When was ever brother hindered from seeing his
sister ? What matters it to thee if thy wife sits at my side ?
and if thou suspectest me of evil, know that never have I
done unrighteousness. Vis says the same, and thou also
knowest that I have spoken this guilelessly. Now, after
this, if thou knowest not the truth about me, I will make
thee hear. In that letter which thou hast written to me
thou art come as a judge alone, and certainly thou sayest
most evilly unjust things. Thou hast praised thyself in
the former combat, saying :
*
I was victorious and thou didst
flee.' Thus thou saidst: 'It is the same arm and steel
sword.' Neither is mine of straw. If thy sword cuts chain
armour and helmets, 1 mine cuts stone and anvil. 2 Thus
thou : sayest
*
Hast thou forgotten thy fear of me ?' Thou,
145 if thou sawest |
in a dream the trace of my blows, awakening
would be no pain to thee. Whatever is necessary to say in
my praise 3 and in disgust of thee, thou hast said and
written all in my place. If thou readest this letter to the
soldiers, many
Thus thou didst insult me :
a hidden shame will be revealed to thee.
'
Thy
mother in race excelled
thy father.' A brave 4 man's race in the day of battle is
6
his sword and bravery. Then they seek not for birth, but
for spear, sword, mace. 6 Let them fear that in battle I
1 Djadchu (183) muzaradi, 187. K., djadchvi, 426, 1346 ; muza-
radi, 430, 1375, 1389.
2 Gurdemli, 198. K., 5.
4 Mamatzi, 185.
Lakhti, 29 -scourge. R., 108
3 Kela, 116, 132, 164.
6
Dchabucoba, 142.