Ferdowsi, The Shahnameh, The Reign of the Ashkanian, Part 20

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The Reign of the Ashkanian (Arsacids) – Part 20: The Defeat of the Worm

From that place, he (Ardashīr) went to battle against the worm; his army made its way toward the worm. He brought an army of twelve thousand—world-seen, experienced horsemen. When the army was scattered in groups, he brought them between two mountains.

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The Plan

There was a man named Shahrgīr (City-Seizer), a wise commander of Shah Ardashīr. The Shah said to the paladin: "Remain here, bright of soul. Keep scouts on foot night and day, horsemen with knowledge and guidance. Keep watchmen and guards, guardians of the army by day and night. I will now prepare a sorcery, like my ancestor Esfandiyār. If the watchman sees smoke by day, or fire at night like the sun illuminating the world, know that the work of the worm has come to an end; the star and the market day of the worm have passed."

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The Selection

He chose seven men from those great ones—brave, lion-hearted warriors of the day of battle—all who were of one voice with him and would not tell his secret to the wind. He also chose many gems from the treasury—brocade, gold, and every kind of thing. With the eye of wisdom, he made things cheap (i.e., he did not value them). He filled two chests with lead and brass, and a copper pot within the load, for he was a master in that work. When he had made the garments of burden ready, he called for ten donkeys from the commander. The donkey-drivers put on felt garments, and their load was all silver and gold.

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The Disguise

He went, broken-hearted and path-seeking, from the army toward the fortress. He took with him those two young villagers who had once been his hosts—for they were both friends and counselors. He went with that caravan, in the manner of a merchant. When he drew near the fortress from the road, he saw the fortress, wall, and city from afar.

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The Entrance

The servants of the worm were sixty men; no one was free from their work. One looked and said aloud: "What is hidden in these chests?"

Thus the Shah gave him answer: "I have every kind of thing in my load: ornaments, garments, silver, gold, gold coins, brocade, pearls, and gems. I am a merchant from Khorasan; in toil, I am not at ease. I have gained much wealth from the fortune of the worm; now I have come happily to the throne of the worm. If I increase in servitude, it is fitting, for from his fortune, my work has become straight."

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The Reception

The servant of the worm opened the secret; at once, they opened the fortress gate. When he drove his load into the fortress, he prepared the work from the famed door. He quickly opened the head of the load; he gave whatever was necessary. He spread a table before the servants and rose like a servant. He opened the chests, their bonds and keys; he brought out and raised a cup of wine.

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The Feast

Whoever carried food to the worm—of milk and rice, whatever was nourishing—he turned his neck from the wine cup, for it was not the time for drunkenness. When Ardashīr heard (this), he sprang to his feet: "I have much toil and milk (i.e., I have brought plenty). With the permission of the servants, for three days, I will be the heart-kindler of his eating. Perhaps I will become renowned in the world, and have a share of his fortune. You, drink wine with me for three days. On the fourth day, when the sun illuminates the world, I will build a spacious booth, its arch higher than the palace and hall. I am a seller and also a seeker of buyers; it will increase my honor near the worm."

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The Success

All his desire was fulfilled from this speech; they said: "We will serve you." The donkey-driver raised every kind of color (i.e., he decorated the place). The servants sat with wine in hand. They drank wine and became drunk; the servants became wine-worshippers. When their tongues became loose from the wine cup, the World-Lord came with the host. He brought brass and copper; he kindled fire on the bright day.

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The Killing of the Worm

When it was the worm's feeding time, he fed it boiling brass. They saw its tongue the color of copper, like the rice it had eaten before. The young man poured the brass; the worm became weak in its lair. A cry rose from its throat, and the lair and its land trembled. Ardashīr went with the young men like the wind, with mace, sword, club, and arrows. The servants were drunk; not one escaped alive from the sword.

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The Signal

He raised dark smoke from the fortress wall; he showed bravery to the army commander. The watchman ran to Shahrgīr: "Shah Ardashīr has become victorious!" The paladin came swiftly with the army; he brought the army near the Shah.

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End of Passage

This passage describes the climax of the story of Ardashīr and the worm:

1. The plan — Ardashīr disguises himself as a merchant to enter the fortress.

2. The feast — He gives wine to the servants and gets them drunk.

3. The killing — He feeds the worm boiling brass, killing it.

4. The signal — He raises smoke to signal his victory.

5. The arrival — The army comes to support him.

The worm is dead. Haftvād's power is broken. The stage is set for the final defeat of Haftvād and the establishment of the Sasanian dynasty. The end is near.