‘Bahram and Khosrow, their hearts filled with apprehension confronted the lions. When Khosrow saw the two savage beasts and the crown placed between them, he turned to the priests and said,
“Only a prince ambitious for renown
Deserves to reign and to possess the crown;
And then I’m old, while he is young and strong-
I can’t fight lions’ claws, I’ve lived too long.
Let him display the prowess, let us see
His youth and health enjoy their victory”
From the Shahnameh, translated by Dick Davis
