THE SCENE: The passage below demonstrates the eternal principle that all the trash talking in the world won’t save you when it comes time to actually shut up and fight.
THE TEXT: There was a famous warrior in Mazanderan who carried a heavy mace on his shoulders when he went into battle. His name was Juyan, and he was ambitious, a good fighter with his mace, and had an imposing voice. His cuirass glittered on his body, and the sparks from his sword blows burned the ground. He came in front of the Persian army, and the mountains and plains echoed as he roared, “Who will fight with me, who will draw forth dust from water?”
King Kavus said to the Persians, “Aren’t you ashamed, that no one responds to his challenge? Are your hearts and eyes so abashed and downcast by this demon’s voice?” None of his brave warriors answered him, and it was as if the whole army had withered at the sight of Juyan. Then Rostam tugged at his reins and rode up to the king flourishing his lance. He said, “Give the order, your majesty, and let me confront this demon.” Kavus replied, “No Persian wants to fight him; the task is yours.”
Rostam grasped his death-dealing lance in his fist and urged Rakhsh forward. He went onto the battlefield like a maddened elephant, pulled on his reins, gave his war cry that made the whole plain tremble, and a could of dust rose into the sky. He called out to Juyan, “You are ugly and evil, and your name will be struck from the list warriors. Your fate is decided now; the woman who bore you will weep for you.” Juyan replied, “Don’t be so sure of yourself when you confront Juyan and his cold dagger; your mother’s heart will break, and she will weep over that cuirass and helmet of yours.”
When Rostam heard Juyan’s reply he raged like a savage lion and rode straight at him, flinging his lance at Juyan’s waist, where it cut through the coat of mail, severing the fastenings of his armour and piercing his trunk. Rostam dragged him from his saddle, spitted like a hen, and hurled him to the ground, his armor cut to pieces, his mouth filled with blood. The warriors of Mazanderan were appalled to see this, their hearts gave way within them, their faces turned sallow, and all the battlefield was filled with talk of Rostam’s feat.
– The Shahnameh, Abolqasem Ferdowsi, 10th Century AD
