THE SCENE: When Qobad, an old man, accepted a challenge to single combat, his king Qaren tried to dissuade him. Qobad, though, persisted, taking a philosophical approach to life and death.
THE TEXT: Now listen to Qobad’s answer to the warlike Qaren. He said, “The turning heavens have allotted me my life. My brother, you must know that our bodies are born to die, and that warriors lie to wear their helmets in war. From the time of the great Manuchehr until today my heart has lived in sorrow. A man cannot reach the heavens while he is alive; he is the prey of death, which pursues us all. One dies from a sword blow in the midst of battle; vultures and ravening lions devour his body, spears and swords slash his head. Another dies in his bed, but it is certain that we must all die. If I am to leave this splendid world, my strong brother will take my place here; he will build me a royal tomb, and perform the rites that love dictates. He will wrap my head in camphor, musk, and rose water, and lay my body down for its eternal rest. Allow me this, my brother; farewell, and may you flourish in the world. The world had given me my time. A man will die when his time has come, and cannot die before then.”
– The Shahnameh, Abolqasem Ferdowsi, 10th Century AD
