| C.—Macan's edition of the Sháhnáma. | |
| L.—Lumsden's | do. |
| P.—Mohl's | do. |
| T.—Tihrán | do. |
| V.—Vullers' | do. |
| BAG. | A History of Ancient Geography. By E. H. Bunbury, F.R.G.S. |
| CIG. | Corpus Inscriptionum Græcarum. |
| DZA. | Professor Darmesteter's Trans. of the Zandavasta in the Sacred Books of the East. Reference to Parts1 and pages. |
| GIP. | Grundriss der Iranischen Philologie. |
| GKS. | Kleine Schriften von Alfred von Gutschmid. |
| HAP. | History of Art in Persia from the French of Georges Perrot and Charles Chipiez. |
| JP. | Persia Past and Present, by Professor A. V. Williams Jackson. |
| LPC. | A View of the History and Coinage of the Parthians. By John Lindsay, Esq. |
| MGN. | Narrative of a Journey through the Province of Khorassan, &c. By Colonel C. M. MacGregor, C.S.I., C.I.E. |
| MHP. | History of Persia. By Sir John Malcolm, G.C.B. |
| NIN. | Das Iranische Nationalepos von Theodor Nöldeke. |
| RM. | The Mahábhárata translated into English Prose. By Pratápa Chandra Ráy, C.I.E. |
| RP. | Professor Rawlinson's Parthia in the Story of the Nations' Series. |
| ZT. | Chronique de Abou-Djafar-Mo'hammed-Ben-Djarir-Ben-Yezid Tabari. Traduite sur la version Persane d'Abou-'Ali Mo'hammed Bel'ami par M. Hermann Zotenberg. |
1 The second edition of Part I. is referred to unless otherwise specified.
á as in “water.”
í as in “pique.”
ú as in “rude.”
a as in “servant.”
i as in “sin.”
u as in “foot.”
ai as i in “time.”
au as ou in “cloud.”
g is always hard as in “give.”
kh as ch in the German “buch.”
zh as z in “azure.”
Kai Khusrau succeeds to the throne during the lifetime of his grandfather, Sháh Kai Káús, and swears to him to avenge the death of Siyáwush. This he achieves after long wars and vicissitudes of fortune; and then, fearing that, like Jamshíd, he too may fall away from holiness by reason of his great successes and half descent from Túr, prays that he may be taken from the world, its temptations, and its evil. His prayers are granted, and, having appointed his successor, he is caught up alive to heaven. In the course of the reign the poet tells two episodic stories, that of the dív Akwán, and that of Bízhan and Manízha.
Kai Khusrau is the last of the Sháhs in whose names we can trace a connexion with Indian mythology. In the Vedas he appears as Sushrávas. In the Zandavasta he is Kavi Husravah and is mentioned often. Like his grandfather Kai Káús he originated in the ancient nature-worship of the Aryan race, and a trace of his divine origin still clings to him in the Sháhnáma, as is shown by his exemption from death. The story of his birth and youth will be found in the reign of Kai Káús, Parts IV. and V.7
The reign of Kai Khusrau is the longest in the Sháhnáma and forms more than a fifth of the whole poem. It is nearly twice as long as “Paradise Lost” and “Paradise Regained” combined. It is divided into seven Parts, of which Parts IV. and V. are episodic. The others carry on and bring to a conclusion the story of the old epic cycle of Írán, the deaths of Íraj, Naudar, Ighríras, and Siyáwush are avenged, and the royal house of Túrán becomes extinct. Early in the reign a new motive of great importance is introduced, that of the slaughter of the descendants of Gúdarz, who in Part VI. has his revenge on Pírán, just as in Part VII. Kai Khusrau avenges himself on Afrásiyáb. By the end of the reign a clean sweep has been made on the Túránian side, while on the Íránian a great clearance has been effected. Many heroic names drop out of sight, Kai Khusrau and his half-brother Farúd leave no issue,8
and in the next reign the curtain rises on a complete change of scene and motive. Only Zál and his descendants—great relics of the heroic past—still continue to play their part among “new faces, other minds.”
The story is one of almost unceasing warfare, for even the episodes end with battles against Afrásiyáb. Omitting these, four campaigns are fought, the first in Part I., the second in Parts II. and III., the third in Part VI., and the fourth in Part VII. The successive campaigns become more and more elaborate in the method of their presentation, and set forth the gradual progress of the Íránian arms from total defeat to absolute triumph.
In the course of the reign we find a mass of subject-matter of comparatively late growth. It is only in Part VII. that the older legendary strata crop up, and we again find ourselves in touch with the Zandavasta, while it is not till the concluding scenes of all that we come upon the ancient legend which may be regarded as the bed-rock of the whole. Another version of it occurs near the end of the great Indian epic, the Mahábhárata.8a
This will be given in the Introductory Note to Part VII. in Vol. IV. of this translation, where it may be compared most conveniently with its Íránian equivalent.
It was stated in the Introduction8b
that the Sháhnáma was divisible into two periods—a mythic and a historic—and the distinction was based not so much on the nature of the subject-matter as on the names of the chief characters which at a certain point cease to be mythic and become historic. As regards the names of the Sháhs, which were there referred to, this is correct. We are still far from the point in the poem at which such names begin to appear in their proper historic connexion of time and place, but it does not follow that all the names occurring before that point is reached are wholly mythical. Real dynastic, family, and personal names are found thrown back upon and incorporated with a mythical past with which they have no connexion whatever. The dynastic title of Cæsar, for instance, occurs in the reign of Minúchihr,9
while the personified name—Káran—of a family famous in Ashkánian (Parthian) and Sásánian times is very prominent in the Pishdádian dynasty. The most striking instances of personal names and personalities being thus thrown back occur in the Kaiánian dynasty and in the reigns of Kai Káús and Kai Khusrau. These we will now proceed to consider.
About A.D. 40 the Parthian king Artabanus III. died. He left at least two sons living at his death—Vardanes, who succeeded him, and Artabanus. Shortly afterward, and during the absence of Vardanes from the capital, a certain Gotarzes assumed the supreme power and caused Artabanus with his wife and son to be murdered. The relationship of Gotarzes to Artabanus III. has been a matter of considerable difference of opinion, but seems fairly settled now by two pieces of contemporary evidence. On the rock of Bihistún, some three hundred feet below the inscription of the great Darius, Gotarzes has left a memorial tablet of himself. Unfortunately it is now almost defaced,9a
but when the late Sir Henry Rawlinson examined it in 1836 he made out, in addition to the name Gotarzes, which is still legible,9b
the word Mithrates, and Gotarzes' description of himself as “Satrap of Satraps.” In one corner of the tablet the words “Gotarzes Geopothros” (◌) were also found. Sir Henry Rawlinson's account was read before the Royal Geographical Society in January 1838.9c
In the first element in the word “Geopothros” we have, as now seems generally admitted, the historical original of the Gív of the Sháhnáma. In the second element we have the old Persian word “puthra,” which means “son.” The whole word therefore means “son of Gív.” This historical Gív seems to have been prince of Hyrcania and the father-in-law of Artabanus III.9d
He was also, if we accept the evidence of the inscription, the father of Gotarzes.
The second piece of contemporary evidence is a very rare coin of Gotarzes in the corrupted legend on which he is described as “the king of kings, the Arsacid, the adopted son of Artabanus” (◌).10
It appears therefore that Gotarzes was closely connected with the reigning Parthian family both by marriage and adoption, but was not really one of the sons of Artabanus III. as was formerly supposed.
Vardanes, on hearing of Gotarzes' usurpation of the kingdom, hurried back and expelled him. Gotarzes withdrew into his hereditary principality of Hyrcania, where, with the assistance of the Dahae, who dwelt between the Caspian and the Aral, he prepared to renew the struggle. The opposing forces met on the Bactrian plains, but hostilities were averted. Gotarzes had discovered a plot, on the part of the Parthian nobles on both sides, to kill him and Vardanes, and set up a new king in their place. He informed Vardanes of this, and the two combined against the common enemy. Gotarzes then withdrew to Hyrcania and Vardanes retained the crown. Subsequently another war broke out between the two and several battles were fought. Tacitus, the chief authority for this part of history, tells us10a
that Vardanes advanced to meet Gotarzes as far as the river Erinde,10b
at the passage of which severe fighting took place in which Vardanes was victorious, who then in several successful engagements subdued all the nations between that river and the river Sinde, which divided the Dahae and the Aryans.10c
He returned in triumph, but shortly afterward was assassinated while hunting, A.D. 46. Upon this Gotarzes became king, but his ferocity and self-indulgence speedily rendered him unpopular, and a Parthian deputation arrived in Rome in A.D. 49 for the purpose of obtaining from the Emperor Claudius permission for Meherdates, who resided there, to accompany them back to Persia. Meherdates was the son of a former Parthian king, Vonones I. As was to be expected in the circumstances the character of Gotarzes was depicted in very unfavourable colours by the envoys. He had killed all his relations, whether near or distant, with their wives and children; he was sluggish at home, unfortunate in war, and sought to cloak his sloth by cruelty.11
Meherdates was sent accordingly, but was defeated and taken prisoner by Gotarzes, who, however, rather belied his character for ferocity on this occasion. He spared the life of Meherdates and merely cut off his ears—a mutilation that disqualified him for the Parthian crown. It was to commemorate this victory that Gotarzes had the bas-relief already referred to carved on the rock of Bihistún, in the neighbourhood of which the battle probably was fought. Gotarzes is represented as charging at the head of his troops, while above him a winged Victory is setting the crown upon his head.11a
He died in A.D. 51.
In the lists of the kings of the Ashkánian (Parthian) dynasty, compiled by oriental historians,11b
the name Gúdarz occurs in several connexions. We also find the name Bízhan given as the son of one Gúdarz and as the father of another. We also find the name Bahrám. Firdausí, when he reaches Ashkánian times, includes the above three names in his very scanty list of the kings of that dynasty. He admits that he knows nothing about any of them, being wholly unaware, as naturally he would be, of their identity with some of his own most favourite heroes.
In the Sháhnáma Gotarzes becomes Gúdarz, who is represented as being the father, not the son, of Gív. Vardanes becomes Bahrám and is the son, not the adopted brother, of Gúdarz. Bízhan becomes the son of Gív and the grandson of Gúdarz. Similarly other names of the Parthian period appear in the poem. Meherdates (Mithradates, Mithrates, Mithradát, Mihrdát) appears as Mílád, the father of Gurgín, who plays such a prominent part in the story of Bízhan and Manízha, (Part V.). Phraates—a common Parthian name—becomes Farhád, and there are other instances.11c
Some of the names thus transplanted have flourished amazingly, and Gotarzes' reputation has not suffered by the change.
We conclude this note with a few instances in which the events of Parthian history summarized above may be traced in a distorted form in the Sháhnáma. In the war between Gotarzes and Vardanes we seem to have the origin of the campaigns of Tús against Túrán in Parts I. and II. The scene of operations is the same in both cases, and the battle at the river Erinde seems reproduced in that of the river Shahd.11d
The assassination of king Vardanes on the hunting-field is reproduced in the episode in which Bahrám, having lost his whip on the battlefield, insists on returning to look for it, and is, after a gallant defence, mortally wounded by the enemy.11e
It is because Meherdates, after marching through Armenia to attack Gotarzes,12
is let off after his defeat with a slight mutilation that, in the story of Bízhan and Manízha, Gurgín the son of Mílád and Bízhan the grandson of Gúdarz set forth together on an expedition to Irmán, that Gurgín treats Bízhan badly and, after having brought him into deadly peril, is lightly punished, then pardoned, and in the end forgiven by Bízhan himself,12a
while lastly it may be noted that the battle with Afrásiyáb, consequent on the release of Bízhan, is stated to have taken place in the neighbourhood of Mount Bístún.12b
The poet, first having set forth the various qualities that kings ought to possess, proceeds to tell how Kai Khusrau becomes joint Sháh with Kai Káús, who exacts from him an oath that he will avenge the death of Siyáwush. He accordingly assembles the host, and sends it, under the command of Tús, against Afrásiyáb, strictly enjoining the former not to attack Farúd—the half-brother of Kai Khusrau—on the march. Tús out of dudgeon with Kai Khusrau disobeys, and Farúd is slain. The Íránians subsequently are surprised in a night-attack by Pírán and defeated. Kai Khusrau recalls Tús and appoints Faríburz leader, who arranges a month's truce with Pírán, after which the fight is renewed and the Íránians are overthrown at the disastrous battle of Ládan. They retreat to Írán, and Pírán is splendidly rewarded by Afrásiyáb. The poet in this part records various heroic exploits of Gív, his son Bízhan, and his brother Bahrám, who is slain.
§§ 1 and 9. There are two Preludes in this Part. The first may be regarded as introductory to the whole reign, specifying as it does the ideal kingly qualities that are to be exemplified in the person of Kai Khusrau, while the second is meant to impress upon the reader the real motives that underlay the conduct of Tús with reference to his treatment of Farúd. Tús, as we have seen, was a disappointed man.12c
Although he was the direct representative of the ancient Pishdádian Dynasty his claim to the crown invariably had been ignored. Despairing, moreover, of ever becoming Sháh himself he had just been advocating the claims of Faríburz to the kingship, in opposition to those of Kai Khusrau, in the hope of becoming at all events a king-maker and the power behind the throne. Again his plans are frustrated, and he vents his spite on Khusrau's half-brother, Farúd.
§ 6. The name of the slave of Tazháv appears variously as Isnapwí and Ispanwí. We adopt the latter.
§ 7. In Rustam's account of the conquest of part of Zábulistán by the Turkmans we seem to have a reminiscence of the permanent occupation of that country (?? 100 B.C.), from which it received the name of Sístan.14
Similarly in Kai Káús, Part II., we had a reference to the invasions of Mesopotamia by the Arabs.14a
§ 10. Kalát is a word used for forts in general, but if, as seems probable, the particular stronghold referred to is that which is now known as Kalát-i-Nádirí, we here find ourselves in the poet's own neighbourhood. Tús, his native place, is said to have been founded by the legendary hero of that name, who plays so prominent a part in this portion of the Sháhnáma, because, in consequence of the death of Farúd, he was afraid to return to the court of Kai Khusrau,14b
but we find nothing to this effect in the Sháhnáma. Kalát-i-Nádirí was so called because Nádir Sháh (A.D. 1736-1747), one of the most remarkable of Persian sovereigns, whose uncle was the ruler of this fortress,14c
was born in its neighbourhood and made it his favourite residence. It is situated some forty miles to the north of the ruins of Tús. “It is upon a very high hill, only accessible by two narrow paths. An ascent of six or seven miles terminates in a plain about twelve miles in circumference, watered by several fine streams and covered with verdure and cultivation. A second ascent, by a route of ten or eleven miles, leads to another plain of greater elevation, but of equal richness.”14d
“It is a district or a basin,” says another account, “fortified in the most wonderful way by nature. In shape it is something like a foot, and it must have a length of twenty miles by a breadth of two to four miles … if the term impregnable can be used anywhere, it can here. For the fifty miles of its circuit, nature has indeed left hardly anything for man to do.”14e
§ 15. The Rívníz slain by Farúd should be distinguished from the hero of the same name slain at Ládan (§ 30). The former was descended from Pashang14f
and therefore of Pishdádian descent. He is quite appropriately the son-in-law of Tús. The latter is a son of Kai Káús and therefore a Kaiánian.
§ 18. Bízhan's friendship with Gustaham, the son of Gazhdaham, is one of the features of this reign. Another is Gív and Bízhan's anxiety about one another when either is courting danger. The father can never bring himself to realise that his son is grown up and well able to take care of himself, while the son, with all the insolence of youth, persists in regarding his father as played out— touches not foreign to human nature.
§ 30. The battle of Ládan is also known by the name of the battle of Pashan, and there is a legend that when Firdausí was on his way to seek his fortune at the court of Mahmúd he chanced to enter a garden where three of the seven poets of Mahmúd's court were revelling. He asked to be allowed to join them, and they consented on the condition that he should cap their three rhyming verses with a fourth. Firdausí at once obtained the needful rhyme by a verse referring to the battle of Pashan, whereby he showed his superior knowledge of the epic history of his country.15
In this connexion the word has sometimes been understood as equivalent to Pashang, the name both of the father and of one of the sons of Afrásiyáb, but Firdausí's line was intended to celebrate the prowess of Gív at the battle of Pashan or Ládan. It is possible, however, that these are the names of distinct battles though fought in the same campaign, in which case we may regard the former as the night-surprise and the latter as the occasion when Gúdarz lost nearly all his descendants. Gív distinguished himself at both battles.
The “mountain-skirt” to which the Íránian army withdrew after its defeat seems to be that of the northern scarp of the province of Khurásán which still goes by the name of Dáman-i-Kuh— the term used in the poem, cf. p. 10.
§§ 31-33. See pp. 10, 11. The historical Bahrám (Vardanes) was, according to Tacitus, a king of exceptional valour and brilliancy.15a
THIS much achieved, the poet will present
Another tale of yore—how Kai Khusrau
Sat on the throne and sent an armament
Against Túrán. Thus, if God's grace allow
Leave to the world from this famed book of lore.
When in the garth a cypress sendeth off
A shoot, whose green top mounteth palace-high,
The tree rejoiceth in the height thereof,
Its prudent carriage, and prosperity,
The heart of fortune nourisheth the shoot,
And all the world partaketh of the fruit.
If sovereignty to native worth be due
The wearer of the crown must needs do right;
Three aspects of the matter let us view,
And presently a fourth will come in sight:
Accomplishment thou wilt not fail to find
With high birth and with native worth combined.
Such are the three, and all in one content,
For save in company with native worth
How can there ever be accomplishment,
And, lacking that, what scion of high birth
Hast thou beheld? High birth the father's seed
Produceth, which may well fair fruitage breed.
Accomplishment thou learnest painfully
From others, at the cost of many a groan,
While native worth is greatest of the three—
A robe of honour given by God alone.
To these be wisdom added, that which will
Discriminate for thee 'twixt good and ill.
When any man possesseth all the four
He hath repose from travail, greed, and grief,
But not from death; that is an evil, sore
Beyond all others; there is no relief.
Now Kai Khusrau possessed all four, and he
Was fashioned thus by heaven's destiny.
When Kai Khusrau acceded, and the world
Had been apprised, he sat upon the throne
Of king of kings and donned the crown of greatness.
He meted justice out to each, uprooting
Injustice from the earth. Then all the nobles,
Possessed of crowns and sprung of royal race,
With foreign monarchs, potentates, and magnates,
Resorted to Khusrau: there was no head
Not taken in his toils. He cultivated
Waste lands and freed the mourners' hearts from woe;
The moisture rained down from the clouds in spring,
And cleansed the face of earth from rust and sorrow;
'Twas decked like Paradise with goodly havings
By reason of his justice and his bounty.
The hands of Áhriman were barred from ill,
While envoys came from all the provinces,
From every man of name and potentate.
When tidings had been carried to Nímrúz,
And reached the chief, the Lustre of the earth:—
“The glorious prince is seated on the throne,
And hath his foot upon the sky of power,”
He summoned his retainers from all sides
To go to offer homage to the Sháh,
Departing on the journey in great state
And much content with Zál the son of Sám
The son of Narímán, and all the nobles,
Both great and little of Kábul—a host
Which made the desert as 'twere ebony
What while the tymbals split the leopards' ears.
Zál with an escort led the way; behind
Came Rustam followed by the violet flag.
When tidings reached the Sháh: “The loyal Rustam
Is on his way,” the people as one man
Arose prepared to go to welcome him.
The Sháh was glad and bade the courier: “Take
Thy pleasure here, for Rustam reared my father,
And all eyes recognise his excellence.”
The monarch ordered Gív, Gúdarz, and Tús
To set forth with the tymbals and the pipes,
The drums beat at the portal of the Sháh,
And all the warriors assumed their helms.
From every quarter of the land all went
With flag and kettledrum to welcome Rustam;
While those in chief command with many troops
Went forward two days' journey to receive him.
As soon as Rustam's standard came in sight,
And when the host's dust mounted o'er the sun,
And from the centre Gív, Gúdarz, and Tús
Approached in haste the elephantine chieftain,
And gave him salutations joyfully.
All three of them embraced him; he meanwhile—
The lion-queller—asked about the Sháh.
From Rustam they proceeded next to Zál,
The son of Sám, with open hearts and happy,
Then turned to Farámarz, rejoiced to see him.
Thence they approached the Sháh, approached to gaze
Upon the glorious crown. Now when Khusrau
Beheld the elephantine warrior
Tears trickled from his eyelids down his cheeks.
Descending from the throne he greeted Rustam,
Who kissed the ground. The Sháh said: “Paladin!
Live ever glad and happy, for thou art
The foster-sire of Siyáwush and likewise
Art of all men most wise and reticent.”
He clasped upon his breast the head of Zál,
And sorrowed for his own sire's sake the while,
Then seated both chiefs on the royal throne,
And blessed them in God's name. When Rustam
marked
From head to foot the person of the Sháh,
And how he sat, held converse, and advised,
The hero's cheek flushed up and his heart ached,
So much reminded him of Siyáwush.
He thus addressed the world's king: “To the world
Thou art, O Sháh! the memory of thy sire.
I have not seen a king with Grace like thine,
Or one so like thy father.”
When they rose
They had the tables spread and wine prepared.
Khusrau slept not till night was far advanced,
But held more converse touching what had chanced.
When Sol had drawn its shining scimitar,
And dark night's head had vanished, rose the blare
Of trumpets from the court-gate, and such chiefs
Ruhhám the Lion, Gustaham, and others,
Came to the Sháh in that famed audience-hall.
Now when they had assembled at his throne
He said to them: “I purpose to survey
The glorious realm and marches of Írán.
Go we in hunting wise and fleet a while
In happiness.”
The nobles all agreed.
The monarch of the world went forth to hunt
With Rustam, that illustrious paladin,
With Gív, Gúdarz son of Kishwád, Shápúr,
Bahrám, a wielder of the seimitar,
Gurgín, Bízhan expert in archery,
Farhád and Zanga son of Sháwarán,
And one among the fighting-men, Guráza—
A host that darkened both the sun and moon
With helmets, maces, coats of mail, and casques.
The tracks and trackless waste were like a field
Of battle with the corpses of the game.
Khusrau passed through the country of Írán,
And subsidised and peopled all the lands
That then were uninhabited or ravaged,
Or ruined by misgovernment; he found
No toil in justice or munificence.
He tarried in each city and set up
His throne as fitted fortune's favourite,
Called for his purse and cup, and with dínárs
Decked all the world; then sought another city,
Conveying with him crown and throne and wine,
He reached at length Ázar Ábádagán;
Then quaffing wine, and urging on his steed,
Approached the temple of Ázargashasp,
Prayed in that Fane of Fire and praised the Maker.
He left in state to go back to Káús,
With whom they sat—a merry company—
Not ceasing for a moment from their mirth
Till to their heads the sparkling liquor rose,
And all went eagerly to seek repose.
When morn brought forth bright day, and scattered
gems
Upon the dusky ground, the world-lord sat
With Kai Káús—both noble, prosperous Sháhs—
With Zál and valiant Rustam. Kai Káús
Discoursed at large on matters great and small,
And, first, in speaking of Afrásiyáb,
Bathed both his cheeks with blood-drops from his eyes,
Recounting what that king had perpetrated
On Siyáwush, and how he had sent up
Dust from Írán, how many paladins
Had died, and how their wives and children suffered,
Thus saying: “Thou beholdest many cities
Waste in Írán, wrecked by Afrásiyáb.
Since every needful, God-sent gift is thine—
Men, knowledge, might of hand, Grace, majesty,
And favouring stars—and thou in every point
Of native worth art raised o'er other kings,
I claim of thee an oath, and thou must keep it,
That vengeance on Afrásiyáb shall fill
Thy heart, and thou shalt not allay that flame,
And heeding not what any one may urge.
Thou shalt not be seduced by wealth or power,
Howe'er thou be exalted or abased,
Nor shalt thou turn aside to treat with him
For mace or sword or throne or diadem.
I will declare the sanction of thine oath—
One binding on thy wisdom and thy soul:
Swear by the righteous Judge of sun and moon,
By crown, throne, casque, and signet, by the justice
Of Farídún and by his precedent,
The blood of Siyáwush, thy life, O Sháh!
The Grace, and by the favouring stars divine,
That thou wilt nov??r turn aside to ill,
Wilt ask no arbitor but sword and mace,
And rise above thyself in thy resolve.”
Whenas the youthful monarch heard the words
He turned both face and soul toward the Fire,
And took an oath: “By God, the Lord of all,
By day resplendent and night azure-dim,
By sun and moon, by throne and casque and signet,
By sword and by the Sháh's own diadem,
I never will incline toward amity
For him, or dream of looking on his face.”
With scented ink upon a royal roll,
And Zál and Rustam signed as witnesses,
And likewise all the other mighty men.
The written oath attested in due form
Was put for safety into Rustam's hands.
When this was done they called for wine and feast,
And held a session of another kind;
The nobles passed a week with harp and wine
Within the hall of Kai Káús. Khusrau
Upon the eighth day bathed, composed himself,
Then sought the place of prayer, and, in the presence
Of circling heaven's Lord, adored the Maker.
That night until the rising of the sun
He cried aloud with eyes fulfilled with tears,
And said: “O righteous Judge, the only God,
The World-lord, the Sustainer, and the Guide!
Thus didst deliver me, a hostless boy,
Out of the Dragon's breath. Afrásiyáb
Thou knowest reckless, not afraid to injure;
His curse is on the waste and peopled lands;
Revenge against him filleth guiltless hearts.
Hath sifted o'er the brave the dust of woe,
Unjustly shed the blood of Siyáwush
Upon the earth, and rent our souls thereby.
The hearts of kings are filled with dread of him;
His throne and diadem are this world's bane.
Thou knowest that he is of evil nature,
And both a miscreant and sorcerer.”
He laid his cheek full oft upon the ground,
And uttered praises to the Lord of all.
Departing thence he went back to the throne,
And thus harangued the exalted paladins:—
“O ye my men of name, my gallant hearts,
And swordsmen! I have ridden through Írán,
But, from the temple of Ázargashasp
To this place, seen not any one heart-glad,
Possessed of riches or of lands in culture.
All have been injured by Afrásiyáb,
All hearts are filled with blood, all eyes with tears.
I am the first whose liver thus he wounded,
So that my soul and body smart through him,
And next there is that noble Sháh—my grandsire—
Who from his heart still heaveth chilly sighs,
At massacre and pillage, war and raid.
So now if ye are all my trusty friends,
Devoted to me in your hearts indeed,
I will make ready to avenge my father,
And turn this evil from the Íránians.
If ye will, all of you, renew the fight,
Strive, and contend like pards, so too will I;
Plains in the battles of the brave shall turn
To mountains, and for all the blood shed there
Afrásiyáb the criminal shall be
Responsible. If any of our host
Shall fall, their place is Paradise above.
What say ye then? What answer do ye give?
Advise me well. Afrásiyáb, ye know,
Began the wrong. Requital should not rest.”
The chiefs prepared to answer and arose
With rancour in their hearts. They said: “O Sháh!
Keep thy heart glad and ever free from care.
Our bodies and our souls are wholly thine,
And thine our grief and joy, our loss and gain.
We all of us are mother-born to die,
And all of us, though free men, are thy slaves.”
Whenas he heard this answer from the throng,
From Tús, Gúdarz, and elephantine Rustam,
The Sháh's cheek grew as red as cercis-bloom,
For he was young in person and in fortune.
“May earth be peopled by the brave,” said he.
With matters in this stay the sky revolved
Till Sol appeared in Virgo; then the Sháh
Called all the archimages of the realm,
And spake to them at large in fitting terms.
He closed the door of audience for two sennights,
And had the muster-roll compiled afresh.
He bade the commissaries to call over
The names of great and small, and had them written
In solemn form befitting paladins.
The kin of Kai Káús five score and ten—
Chiefs of the host—came first upon the list,
And at their head was Faríburz the son
Of Kai Káús—the new Sháh's kinsman. Next
He chose him eighty scions of Naudar,
All armed with maces and all warriors.
Their leader was Zarásp the general,
Who used to make their welfare his concern
In everything—a crown of kings, the son
Of Tús—the lord of iron mace, of scimitar,
And drum. Gúdarz son of Kishwád came next,
Whose counsels were the safeguard of the host.
His sons and grandsons numbered seventy-eight—
Brave mountaineers and horsemen of the plain;
They carried Káwa's standard and illumed
The throne and fortune of the Kaian race.
The seed of Gazhdaham were sixty-three,
And great men all; their chief was Gustaham.
The kinsmen of Mílád—a hundred horsemen—
Had for their chief victorious Gurgín.
Tawába's kindred numbered eighty-five
Brave cavaliers, the wardens of the treasure,
While Barta was the warden over them,
And most illustrious of them all in fight.
Brave men, who bore the double-headed dart
In battle-time, their chieftain was Rívníz—
A mighty man both valiant and discreet,
Who used to go before the drums in war,
The warriors' warden, son-in-law to Tús.
The kinsmen of Barzín, three score and ten
In sum, all Lions on the day of battle,
Had over them Farhád, himself an Anvil
Of steel in fight. Guráza led in person
His kinsmen—five score and five warriors.
Apart from these, the lords and paladins,
The princes and the mighty men of worship,
Were more than any archimage could reckon,
So many were the chiefs with Grace and glory!
They wrote upon the monarch's muster-roll
The names of all efficients, and the Sháh
Bade them to quit the city and march out
Toward the wastes and plains. He said to them:—
“About the ending of the month must rise
The clarion-blast and sound of Indian bells,
And all must march with joy against Túrán.”
They bent their heads before him to the ground,
And all called blessings down upon him, saying:—
“O Sháh possessed of Grace divine and glory,
Who givest lustre to the crown and girdle!
We all are slaves, thine is the sovereignty,
From Aries to Pisces all for thee.”
Wherever there were horses running wild
Their keepers drove them to the camp in herds.
The Sháh commanded: “Let the lasso-throwers—
The warriors brazen-bodied in the fight—
Anon the conquering world-lord took his seat
With mace in hand upon the throne of gold,
Unlocked his treasury of dínárs, and said:—
“The treasures of the great should not be hidden.
In times of strife and fighting for revenge
They look with scorn on treasure and dínárs;
So all our wealth and thrones will we bestow
Upon the brave, to make our Tree fruit sunward,
And why delay since treasure helpeth them?”
A hundred pieces of brocade of Rúm
With jewelled patterns on a golden ground,
With beaver-skins, gold raiment, and a goblet
Of royal gems—he had these brought. “Behold,”
Said he, “the price set on the worthless head
Of that fierce Dragon, murderous Paláshán,
Now made commander by Afrásiyáb26
That he may slumber while that chieftain watcheth.
Who in our camp will bring his head and sword
And steed to dust upon the day of battle?”
Bízhan the son of Gív sprang to his feet
Forthwith, he undertook to slay that Dragon,
And carried off the stuffs and cup of gold,
With all the jewels, blessing Kai Khusrau,
And saying: “May this crowned head live for ever!”
Then went back to his seat retaining still
The goblet with the jewels in his hand.
Two hundred robes of gold embroidery
With beaver-skins, brocade, rich painted silk,
And two slaves rosy-cheeked with girded loins,
And thus he said: “These presents will I give,
And will confer more favours on, the man
That bringeth unto me, or to the chieftains
Assembled here, the crown worn by Tazháv,
Which crown Afrásiyáb set on his head,
And hailed him as a high-born son-in-law.”27
Again Bízhan the son of Gív arose,
Who had a hand far reaching in the fight,
And seized upon the presents and the slaves
While all assembled wondered; he exclaimed:—
“May earth be prosperous under Kai Khusrau!”
Then sat down gladly giving many thanks.
The Sháh commanded and the treasurer
Brought out ten slave-boys with their girdles on,
Ten steeds of rapid pace with golden bridles,
And ten veiled maidens in their bravery;
The watchful ruler of the people said:—
“These steeds and all these Beauties are for one
Who, when Tazháv hath fled, need not possess
A lion's heart. Tazháv hath by his side
In battle one whose voice would tame a leopard,
A slave with cheeks like spring, of cypress-stature,
With reed-like waist and with a pheasant's gait,
A Moon-face, Ispanwí by name, a Jasmine
In visage, heart-alluring, breathing musk.
Her captor must not strike her with the sword,
For swords are not for such a cheek as hers,
But noose her waist and take her to his bosom.”
Bízhan smote on his breast and volunteered
Again. He drew anigh the all-conquering Sháh,
And supplicate the Maker. The great king
Rejoiced in him and spake thus: “Famous chief!
May paladin like thee ne'er help our foes,
Ne'er may thine ardent soul and body part!”
Then said the world-lord to the treasurer:—
“Bring forth ten golden beakers from the hoard,
And let them put pastilles therein; bring also
Ten goblets of pure silver brimmed with jewels,
One topaz goblet filled with musk, and one
Of turquoise, one of lapis-lazuli,
With emeralds and carnelians showered therein,
Mixed with rose-water and with musk; ten boy-slaves
With belts, and ten fine steeds with golden bridles.
These are,” he said, “for him who, having strength
To fight Tazháv upon the day of battle,
Shall bear his head off from the stricken field,
And bring it to the warriors of the host.”
Then Gív son of Gúdarz smote on his breast,
And undertook to fight that paladin,
Whereat they brought those noble slaves and gifts,
And set them in array in front of him.
He called down many blessings on the Sháh,
And said: “May crown and signet ne'er lack thee.”
The Sháh commanded then the treasurer:—
“Set out ten golden trays before the throne,
And mix in them dínárs and musk and jewels;
Set too ten Fairy-faced with crowns and girdles,
Two hundred beaver-skins, brocade of gold,
Ten girdles, and a royal diadem.
This is for him,” he said, “that grudgeth not
His labour for the sake of fame and treasure.
Let such depart hence to the Kása rúd,
And there salute the soul of Siyáwush.
He will behold a mighty pile of fire-wood,
Whose height is greater than ten lassos' length.
It is a pile raised by Afrásiyáb
Upon the spot whereat he crossed the river.
He wished that none should pass there from Írán
And make the Kása rúd a sheet of flame,
So that if e'er it be the seene of fight
The wood may prove no cover for the foe.”
Again Gív spake: “This is my quarry; mine
Shall be the task to set the pile a-blaze.
I fear not combat if the foe shall come,
But will invite the vultures to a feast.”
The Sháh bestowed on Gív those goods as well,
And said to him: “Famed chieftain of the host!29
May this bright crown ne'er lack thy sword. So be it.
Oh! may the Brahman never lack the Idol!”
He ordered: “Let the treasurer produce
Forthwith a hundred divers-hued brocades,”
Chose from his hoards a hundred lustrous pearls—
“All drops of water frozen,” thou wouldst say—
And brought out from the women's bower five handmaids,
Whose heads and tresses were concealed by crowns.
He said: “This is a present meet for one
Whose wisdom is the king of his pure mind—
A daring, prudent man and eloquent,
Who turneth not from lions in the fight—
If he will carry to Afrásiyáb
A message, weeping not for dread of him,
And will convey his answer back to me.
Who of this noble company will dare?”
Gurgín son of Mílád held forth his hand,
And gat him ready for that enterprise.
The Sháh bestowed on him the slaves, the robes
Of gold-embroidery, and royal gems.
He called down blessings on the Sháh and said:—
“May wisdom wed the soul of Kai Khusrau!”
And when night's Lamp rose o'er the hills, the Sháh
Departed, each one to his home again.
When daylight made the hills like sandarac,
And cockcrows reached the clouds, the matchless
Rustam
With Farámarz and with Zawára came
Before the Sháh to speak about Írán,
The crown, the state, and matters great and small.
Then Rustam said: “Illustrious, glorious Sháh!
There is a district in Zábulistán,
That formed a portion of the realm of Túr
Till Minúchihr drave all the Turkmans out.
It is a goodly and a glorious land;
But when Káús grew hoar and spiritless,
When fame, the Grace, and prowess quitted him,
Túránians seized it and Íránians ceased
Therein.30
The folk now carry to Túrán
Both toll and tribute, heeding not the Sháh.
The innocent are troubled by this folk
With constant pillage, massacre, and raid,
And all the insolency of Túrán.30a
Now that the kingship of Írán is thine,
Thine from the ant's foot to the lion's claws,
'Twere well to send a valiant paladin,
And mighty host, to make this people bring
Their tribute to the Sháh and look to him.
This region ours we can defeat Túrán.”
The Sháh said: “Live for ever! Thou art right.
Take order for sufficiency of troops,
Selecting all the famous warriors,
For since the district marcheth with thine own
Its purchase will be worthy of thy fame.
Commit a mighty host to Farámarz,
As many warriors as shall suffice.
The business will succeed with him; his hook
Will catch the crocodiles.”
The paladin
With flushing cheeks called many a blessing down
Upon the Sháh, who bade the chamberlain
And listened spell-bound to their melody.
When bright Sol rose above the hills, and when
The minstrels tired of song, the kettledrums
Clanged at the court-gate and the troops drew up
Before the palace. On the elephants
They bound the tymbals and the trumpets blared.
Upon one elephant they set a throne;
That royal Tree bore fruit; the Sháh came forth,
And took his seat, crowned with a jewelled casque.
He wore a torque of royal gems and held
An ox-head mace. Two earrings, decked with pearls
And precious stones, depended from his ears;
His bracelets were of jewels set in gold;
His belt was pearls and gold and emeralds.
His elephant with golden bells and bridle
Proceeded to the centre of the host.
He had with him the ball within the cup;
The shouting of the army rose to Saturn;
The earth grew black and heaven azure-dim
With all the swords and maces, drums and dust;
Thou wouldst have said: “The sun is in a net,”
Or “Water hath o'erwhelmed the arching sky!”
The clearest sight could not behold the world,
Or gaze upon the sky and stars for spears;
Thou wouldst have said: “The billows of the sea
Are rising,” as the host marched troop by troop.
They brought the camp-enclosure from the palace
Forth to the plain, and shoutings frayed the skies.
Upon his elephant let fall the ball
Within the cup, and girt his loins, no place
Remained for any one throughout the realm
Save at the Sháh's own gate. Such was the token
To all his realm of that famed king of chiefs.
The Sháh remained upon his elephant
On that broad plain to see the troops march past.
First to defile before the world's new lord
Was Faríburz with golden boots, with mace,
And sword. Behind him was his flag sun-blazoned.
He rode a chestnut steed, his lasso coiled
Was in the saddle-straps. He passed along
In pride with Grace and lustre, his retainers
Were buried in their gold and silver trappings.
The world-lord blessed him, saying: “May the
greatness
And Grace of heroes ever be thine own,
Thy fortune triumph in each enterprise,
Thy whole existence be a New Year's Day;
May health be thine in all thy goings forth,
And no infirmity on thy return.”
Behind him was Gúdarz son of Kishwád,
Whose counsel brought the world prosperity.
A lion clutching mace and scimitar
Was charged upon the flag that followed him.
Upon his left hand marched the brave Ruhhám,
And on his right the noble Gív; Shídúsh
Behind him bore the banner lion-charged,
Which threw a violet lustre on the ground,
While thousands of exalted warriors followed,
All cavaliers and armed with lengthy lances.
Behind Gív and accompanied by troops
His sable banner came charged with a wolf,
While of Ruhhám, that man of high ambition,
The flag rose cloudward tiger-charged. These sons
And grandsons of Gúdarz were seventy-eight
In number, and they crowded that broad plain,
All valiant men with swords and golden boots.
“The whole world,” thou hadst said, “is 'neath
Gúdarz,
The chiefs' heads are beneath his scimitar.”
He called down blessings on the crown and throne
As he approached; the Sháh returned the blessings
On him, on Gív, and all his warriors.
The next behind Gúdarz was Gustaham,
The son of Gazhdaham the vigilant;
His weapon in the battle was a spear,
His comrades were a bow and poplar arrows;
And when a shaft went flying from his arm
'Twould pierce a rock or anvil to the core.
He was attended by a mighty host
With maces, scimitars, and rich array.
His banner blazoned with a moon waved o'er him,
And raised its head resplendent to the clouds.
He called down benedictions on the Sháh,
Who gloried in him. Next came shrewd Ashkash,
Endowed with prudent heart and ready brain.
His troops were from Balúchistán and Kutch,
And very rams to fight. No one had seen
Their backs in battle or one finger mailless;
Their banner was a pard with claws projecting.
Ashkash felicitated Kai Khusrau
At large upon the happy turn of fortune.
Surveyed the troops, whose ranks stretched out two
miles,
And in abundant satisfaction blessed
His sleepless fortune and his glorious land.
Behind Ashkash was well approved Farhád,
Who tendered all the troops, and everywhere
Was like their foster-father in the fight.
He had a banner charged with a gazelle,
Whose shadow fell upon him as he rode.
His troops were all equipped with Indian swords,
With Turkman armour and with Sughdian saddles.
They all were princely scions of Kubád,
And all were dowered with God's Grace and with
justice;
The face of each was like the shining moon,
And like the shining sun in battlefield.
Farhád beheld the throne's new occupant,
And called down blessings on the youthful Sháh.
Guráza, eldest offspring of Gívgán,
Came next accompanied by all his kin,
A favourite in whom the Sháh rejoiced.34
Upon his saddle was a lasso coiled;
He bore a banner blazoned with a boar;
His troops were warriors and lasso-flingers.
These cavaliers and heroes of the plain
Saluted many times and then marched past.
Behind him Zanga son of Sháwarán
Came rushing with his gallant hearts and chieftains.
Behind him was his flag charged with an eagle,
And as a moving mountain so moved he.
His mien and stature, sword and signet-ring.
All that were from the country of Baghdád
Were armed with lances and steel swords, and marched
Beneath the eagle while their general
Himself was seated on an elephant.
Behind him was the valiant Farámarz
Of noble stature, Grace, and majesty,
With tymbals, elephants, and many troops,
All eager for the fray, and mighty men
Brought from Kashmír, Kábulistán, Nímrúz,
All noble and the lustre of the world.
He had a banner like his valiant sire's—
That Rustam who could be surpassed by none—
With seven heads, “The heads as of a dragon
That had escaped from bonds,” thou wouldst have
said.
In favour like a fruitful tree he came,
And uttered many a blessing on the Sháh,
Who with a heart that joyed at Farámarz
Gave him much prudent rede and said to him:—
“The nursling of the elephantine chief
Will be pre-eminent among the people.
Thou art the son of wary-hearted Rustam,
Thou art from Zál—Sám's son—and Narímán.
Now is the land of Hindústán thine own,
All from Kannúj up to Sístán is thine;
So bear thyself that harm may not befall
Him that assayeth not to fight with thee.
Be noble unto those of thine own kin,
See heedfully what friends thou hast, and who
Are men of wisdom and can soothe thy griefs,
Give, entertain, and never say: ‘To-morrow.’
How know'st thou what to-morrow will bring forth?
I have bestowed on thee this kingship. Hold it.
Make no war anywhere in wantonness,
Be not in youth acquisitive of treasure,
Aggrieve not any that hath not grieved thee,
And trust not thou this treacherous dwelling-place;
'Tis sandarac and ebony by turns.
Thy duty is to leave a noble name,
And mayst thou never have a sorry heart.
For thee and me alike the day will pass,
And turning heaven reckon up thy breaths.
Thou need'st a happy heart, a body hale;
Consider if a third thing is to seek.
May He who made the world be gracious to thee,
And smoke fill thy foes' hearts.”
The chief, on hearing
The words of this new master of the world,
Dismounted from his fleet steed, and invoked
Full many a blessing on the young Sháh, saying:—
“Mayst thou wax even as the new moon waxeth.”
He kissed the ground and, having done obeisance,
Turned and departed on his longsome journey,
While matchless Rustam, with his brain distraught
At losing Farámarz, accompanied
In warfare, feast, and wisdom, wishing him
Back from the desert to the tent-enclosure.
The Sháh got off his lusty elephant,
And, mounting on a rapid-footed steed,
Withdrew in state to his pavilion,
With aching heart and deeply pondering.
When Rustam had returned the wine was brought;
Khusrau filled up a mighty bowl, and said:—
“Mirth as thy mate sufficeth, and no sage
Will name to-morrow. Where are Túr and Salm
And Farídún? All lost and one with dust!
We go about and toil and gather wealth,
Yet frustrate all the wishes of our hearts,
Since in the end the dust will be our share,
And not one of us will escape that day.37
Fleet we the darksome night with goblets brimmed,
And when day cometh with its measured steps
We will command that Tús shall blow the trumpet,
That tymbal, kettledrum, and clarion sound;
Then shall we see o'er whom the turning sky
Will stretch its hand in love in this campaign.
And yet what profit is our toil to us
Since from the first what is to be will be?
We shall be quit alike of good and ill;
Why should a wise man gorge himself with care?
Still by the aid of Him who made us all
I will take vengeance for my father's fall.”
Intrust his army to an enemy,
One from whose eyelids tears of envy pour,
Tears such as leeches know no drugs to cure;
For such a man, if of a noble race,
Will chafe to be denied the highest place,
To be a slave with wish insatiate,
And only speak as others may dictate.
No wisdom can the monarch's heart attend
Who calleth such a man as this a friend,
For if heaven hostile to his wishes prove,
And hath no blessing for him in its love,
He will be prone to act no friendly part;
The thwarted wish will rankle in his heart.
No sage would reckon him a man at all
That hath not wisdom for his pedestal,
And thou wilt see, when thou shalt hear this tale,
How far an evil nature may prevail.
When Sol arose in all its majesty,
And sat upon its lofty eminence,
Ascendant in the Sign of Aries,
While all the world became like golden wine,
The tymbals sounded from the court of Tús
With blare of trump and roll of kettledrum.
The battle-shout went up throughout the realm,
The air was full of war-cries, earth of turmoil.
The neighs and the shouts frayed Luna from her course,
While from the clash of arms and trumpeting
Of elephants thou wouldst have said: “The Nile
Hath overflowed the world!” The air was yellow,
'Mid cavaliers—the kinsmen of Gúdarz—
Waved. Kai Khusrau with crown and mace and
trumpets
Came to the entering in of his pavilion.
Tús with the golden boots and Káwa's flag
Set forth and with the great men that wore torques
And crowns—the aspiring kindred of Naudar—
Went proudly from the host before Khusrau.
The banner o'er them bore an elephant,
Its golden staff-head rising to the clouds.
They went together, like a darksome mountain,
And sun and moon ceased shining. When they came
With flags and helms in haste before the Sháh
He bade the chieftain Tús present to him
The warriors of distinction in the host,
And thus addressed them: “Tús is chief; he hath
The flag of Káwa; do as he commandeth.”
Then in their sight he gave his signet-ring
To Tús, and said: “He is your chief and leader.”
To Tús himself he said: “Be true to me,
And mark mine institutions and commands:
No one must be molested on the march,
Such is the custom of my crown and throne.
Or artisan, or one that armeth not
Against thee; strive but with antagonists.
Refrain from troubling those who are at ease
Since all will have to quit this Wayside Inn.
Thou shalt on no account pass by Kalát,
For, if thou dost, things will go hard with thee.
To Siyáwush (his soul be as the sun,
His place all hopeful in the other world!)
The daughter of Pírán once bare a child39
But little shown in public by his sire.
He is my brother and resembleth me.
He is a youth of mine own age, high-fortuned,
And liveth with his mother at Kalát;
A world-lord he who hath the Grace and troops.
He knoweth no Íránian e'en by name,
And from that quarter thou must turn thy bridle,
For he hath troops and famous men of war
Upon a mountain steep and hard to reach.
He is a brave and warlike cavalier,
Great through his native worth and famed of person,
And therefore thou must take the desert-road:
It is not well to touch the claws of lions.”
Tús answered: “In thy counsels is success,
By that way which thou biddest will I go,
For good alone must come of thy behest.”
He then departed quickly, and the Sháh
Returned with loyal Rustam to the throne,
Where sitting with that elephantine hero,
The lords, archmages, and the stainless princes,
His own heart's anguish and his father's wrongs.
Tús for his part with all his warriors
Came to a place where two roads met; the one
Went through a desert dry and waterless,
The other by Kalát and toward Charam.
The elephants and kettledrums were halted
Till Tús the general should come up, that so
The host might take the road that pleased him best.
When Tús had at his leisure reached the chiefs
He spake about the waterless, hot road;
Then to Gúdarz: “Although this arid waste
Yield ambergris for dust and musk for soil,
Still on a long and toilsome march we need
Repose and water. Our best route will be
Kalát, Charam, encamping at Mayam,
Why choose a desert and its miseries?
I went along that way in former times,
When Gazhdaham was leader of the host,
And never saw so troublesome a road
Although the ups and downs are few enough.
'Tis best to march along the other route,
And measure not the desert and its leagues.”
Gúdarz replied: “The noble Sháh made thee
Commander of this host; lead as he bade;
Make not the troops' march grievous. They should not
By disobedience to the great king's orders
Be injured thus.”
Tús said: “O famous warrior!
Think not such things; this will not vex the Sháh,
And therefore need not be a grief to thee.”
He spake and bade the army to proceed,
And march toward Kalát and to Charam;
And, since Khusrau's commands he minded not,
See what a Tempest proved at last his lot!
News reached Farúd: “The bright sun's face is dark-ened
And camels; earth is like the river Nile.
Thy brother's army marcheth from Írán
Against Túrán for vengeance, purposing
To take the road that leadeth to Kalát.
I know not where their battlefield will be.”
The inexperienced youth on hearing this
Grew very sore of heart and dark of soul.
He came down from the hold, unbarred the gate,
And going forth surveyed the lofty mountain.
At his command they brought in all the camels,
The sheep, and horses; none remained on waste
Or hill; he drove them all toward Mount Sapad
And toward Ambúh, returned, secured the gate,
And mounted on a rapid-footed steed.
When from Mayam the sound of drums arose,
And from Charam dust-clouds like ebony,
Jaríra, gazing from the castle-roof,
Felt her heart throb in terror of that host.
To her, his mother, came the young Farúd,
And said: “O chief of ladies! from Irán
A host hath come with elephants and tymbals,
And Tús the general is in command.
We must prevent him from attacking us.”
Jaríra said to him: “O warrior!
Be all thy days as fortunate as this!
Thy brother is the new Sháh of Írán:
A world-lord shrewd is Kai Khusrau, and he
Well knoweth both thy name and native worth.
One father's blood and bone are in you both,
And Siyáwush was peerless in the world.
Well may the age applaud him! At the outset
Pírán gave me to him; he would not else
Have sought a Turkman spouse. Thus thy descent
On both sides is illustrious and royal.
Now, since thy brother seeketh to avenge,
And vindicate, the soul of Siyáwush,
Thou shouldst be foremost in the race for vengeance,
In making ready and exacting it.
Don Rúman mail and go with raging heart,
And shouts of battle ringing in thy head,
For, since he seeketh vengeance on your grandsire,
Thy part should be revenge, not policy,
In that this grief may well make leopards wail,
And crocodiles come groaning from the river.
The birds too and the fishes in the water
Call curses down upon Afrásiyáb,
For in the whole world not one sovereign
That girdeth girdle is like Siyáwush
In prowess, manhood, fortune, and high birth,
In glory, weight, intelligence, and justice.
Thou art the son of that world-famous chief,
Art of the Kaian seed and look'st it too!
Thy sire and prove thy birth and native worth.
See who the leader is of yonder host,
Show hospitality, invite the lords,
And set upon the tables wine and gifts
Of scimitars, of helmets, of horse-armour,
Of coats of mail, and Indian swords. Thy brother
Is wealth sufficient for thee in this world.
Shall such just vengeance fall to aliens?
At this conjuncture lead his troops thyself,
New in revenge as he is new in reign.”
Farúd said: “Which of them must I address
Since I must have some helper 'mid these men,
These men so haughty on the day of battle,
Because I know not one of them by name?
How shall I send them greeting and a message?”
Jaríra answered: “In the dust afar
Raised by the host look for two cavaliers,
Bahrám and Zanga son of Sháwarán.
Search for the blazons of these two great heroes,
For thou and I have nothing hid from them.
Oh! may thy head and name survive for ever,
And may the soul of Siyáwush be bright!
He and these twain were never separable,
They were his lords, he was their over-lord.
Go with Tukhár, but with no further escort,
And do not in thy heart misprize my words:
When thou shalt ask about the chiefs and warriors
The brave Tukhár will point them out, for he,
Will show thee sheep and shepherds.”
“Noble lady!”
Replied Farúd, “thy rede enlighteneth
Thy kin and folk.”
A watchman from the look-out
Came, told Farúd about that host, and said:—
“The mountains, vales, and plains are filled with troops,
And thou wouldst say: ‘The sun is put in duress!’
The expanse of rock up to the castle-door
Is all flag, elephant, and warrior!”
Tukhár departed with Farúd—a youth
Whom fortune had abandoned. Whensoever
The sky above us is untowardly
No gentleness or rage availeth thee.
They chose the summit of a lofty mountain,
Commanding all the army of Írán,
And marvelled at the troops and their equipment.
The youth said to his confidant Tukhár:—
“Conceal not aught of what I ask of thee.
Tell me the names of all that thou beholdest—
The man of rank, the bearer of the flag,
The lord of partisan and golden boot—
All whom thou recognisest of Írán.”
The Íránian host defiled between two mountains,
And what with golden helm and golden shield,
With golden ax and golden partisan,
Thou wouldst have said: “No gold is left unmined,
A cloud hath risen and rained jewelry!”
Affrayed the vultures as they flew o'erhead,
While thirty thousand sword and buckler men
Marched bravely on in all points dight for war.
Now when Tukhár had scanned the host, the prince
Began to question him. That expert answered:—
“I will clear up what is obscure to thee:
Know that yon flag charged with an elephant,
Those horsemen, and those blue steel scimitars,
Belong to noble Tús the general—
A bad opponent when he seeketh vengeance.
Behind him is another standard bearing
A blazing sun: 'tis that of Faríburz,
Son of Káús, a general, thine uncle,
A man of Grace and purpose. Next to him
There is a mighty flag, its charge a moon,
With many valiant warriors. The chief
Call Gustaham the son of Gazhdaham,
Whom no two-headed dart or club affrayeth.
Next yon tall flag charged with an onager,
Encompassed by a band of warriors,
Is over Zanga son of Sháwarán,
Whose troops are mighty men. The flag behind
That hath a moon on red, with musk-black fringes,
Belongeth to Gív's son Bízhan who spurteth
Blood to the sky. The flag charged with a tiger—
One that would make a mighty lion burst,
And, thou wouldst say, is leaping from its field—
Is borne by brave Shídúsh, while that behind him,
Whose blazon is a wild boar, ‘One to bring,’
As thou wouldst say, ‘the heavens to the shears,’
Pertaineth to a brave chief hight Guráza,
Who counteth it but sport to fight a lion.
The next flag blazoned with a buffalo,
With cavaliers behind and chiefs in front,
Is famed Farhád's, the choicest of the chiefs:
Thou wouldest say: ‘His stature is sky-high.’
Betokeneth the valiant chieftain Gív.
The banner with the lion wrought in gold
Is floating o'er Gúdarz son of Kishwád.
The streaming standard blazoned with a pard
Precedeth proud, imperious Rívníz.
The banner that is charged with a gazelle
Belongeth to Nastúh son of Gúdarz,
And to his troops; that with the mountain-sheep
Pertaineth to another son—Bahrám.
They all are lion-men—brave cavaliers;
To name each one were tedious.”
Thus he told
The blazons of the chiefs to prince Farúd,
Who viewed all, great and small. His heart grew glad,
His cheek flushed,46
and he spake thus to Tukhár:—
“We shall take vengeance for my sire with ease!
I will not leave in Chín or in Máchín
A cavalier, when battling for revenge,
But catch the Dragon46a
and reduce their throne
To straits.”
Now when the ĺránians had descried
Farúd upon the mountain with Tukhár,
Tús the commander was incensed, and caused
The drums and elephants to halt. He said:—
To hasten to the mountain-top to learn
Who these two warriors are and wherefore there.
If they be ours let him bestow on them
Two hundred lashes on their heads, if foes
Bind them and drag them hither faces downward;
If they be slain still let him drag them hither
Along the dust and have no fear of any,
While if they shall prove spies, who want to take
The number of our forces secretly,
Let him cleave both asunder on the spot,
Then fling them down the mountain and return;
But if a countless host be ambushed there,
Whereof a straggling few have shown themselves,
Let him return and give the intelligence
To us forthwith, and we will drive them thence.”
Bahrám son of Gúdarz said to the chief:—
“This matter shall not be concealed from us.
I will go forth to do as thou hast said,
And scale the mountain-top.”
He struck his steed,
And went full of surmise toward the height.
Farúd said to Tukhár: “Who is this man
That cometh hither with such insolence?
Good sooth! he taketh no account of us
At all, but cometh up the steep apace!
He rideth a bay charger with a lasso
Hung in his saddle-straps.”
The counsellor
Replied: “He is not one to treat with rudeness.
I know him not by token or by name,
But take him for a kinsman of Gúdarz.
When Kai Khusrau departed from Túrán
He took a helmet of Afrásiyáb's;47
It is methinketh on that horseman's head,
And he hath royal mail to correspond.
He must be of the kindred of Gúdarz;
So let us ope our lips and question him.”
Bahrám, when he came nearer to the crest,
Cried as a cloud might thunder: “Who art thou
Upon the mountain-top? Dost thou not see
Yon countless host, or hear their clamouring
And din of drums? Or art thou not afraid
Of Tús their watchful leader?”
Then the prince:—
“Thou wast not rudely treated: be not rude.
Good words, O veteran! Let no harsh challenge
Pollute thy lips. Thou art no warlike lion,
And I am not a desert-onager;
We are not to be treated in this fashion.
Thou art in no way my superior
In courage or in manliness or strength,
While as for head, foot, hand, heart, brain, and wits,
Tongue speaking fluently and eyes and ears—
See if I too possess them and, if so,
Forbear to threaten in thy foolishness.
If thou wilt answer I will ask thee somewhat,
And shall rejoice if thou advise me well.”
Bahrám said: “Ask away! Thou art in heaven
And I am on the earth.”
“Who is your leader,”
Inquired Farúd, “and wherefore make ye war?”
Bahrám said: “Tús is leader for he hath
The drums and Káwa's flag. Of warriors
There are Gúdarz, Ruhhám, and Gív, Shídúsh,
Gurgín, Farhád the valiant, Gustaham,
With Zanga son of Sháwarán, and chief
Of all the clan of fighting-men—Guráza.”
Farúd returned: “Why nam'st thou not Bahrám,
And leavest thus the matter incomplete?
We most rejoice, and yet thou nam'st him not!”
Bahrám replied to him: “O lion-man!
Who spake to thee in such wise of Bahrám?”
Farúd said: “From my mother heard I of him.
She said to me: ‘Now when the host approacheth
Meet it and summon forth Bahrám, and also
A noble, Zanga son of Sháwarán,
Because they are thy father's foster-brothers,
And thou mayst well inquire for news of them.’”
Then thus Bahrám: “O fortune's favourite!
So thou art Fruit of that Imperial Tree!
Thou art Farúd, young prince! Live long and happy!”
He answered: “Yea, I am indeed Farúd:
The fallen Cypress hath put forth a Shoot.”
Bahrám rejoined: “Display to me thy person,
Display to me the mark of Siyáwush.”49
Thereat Farúd showed to Bahrám his arm.
A mole of ambergris on rosy flesh
Was there—a picture such as none on earth
Could skill to limn with compasses from Chín.
Bahrám perceived: “He cometh from Kubád
Through Siyáwush,” then blessed him, did obeisance,
And scaled the lofty steep. The prince dismounted,
Sat on a rock, rejoicing, and thus said:—
“Exalted, shrewd, and Lion of the fight!
Were my two eyes to see my sire alive
In sooth it would not be a greater joy
To me than to behold thee glad and happy,
Accomplished, wary, and a paladin.
About the heroes of the Íránian host,
And learn who are their chief and men of name.
I will provide a feast such as I can,
Will entertain their paladin with joy,
Give many gifts of horses, maces, belts,
And scimitars, then march forth seared of heart
Before the host against Túrán for vengeance.
The quest befitteth me who am fierce fire
When mounted on my saddle in the combat.
Be pleased to ask the paladin to come
With glad heart to the mountain, there to spend
A week that we may well advise together.
Upon the eighth day, when the tymbal soundeth,
And Tús the general mounteth on his steed,
I will make ready to avenge my father,
And, in the anguish of my heart, provide
A conflict which shall teach the warrior-lion,
While vultures' feathers testify aloft,
That 'tis no common noble of the world
Who girdeth him for vengeance such as this.”
Bahrám replied: “O prince young and accomplished,
And valiant cavalier! I will report
Thy words to Tús, and kiss his hand while urging
Compliance. Still our chieftain is not wise,
His head and brains brook not good counselling.
He is accomplished, rich, and nobly born,
But nameth not the Sháh. When Gív brought
home
That glorious one, Tús was provoked with him,
Gúdarz, and Gív, supported Faríburz,
And said: ‘I am descended from Naudar:
The kingship of the world is rightly mine.’
And in his anger quarrel with myself.
If any one but I shall come to thee
Let him not look upon thy head and helmet.
Tús said to me: ‘See who is on the summit,
But ask him not what he is doing there.
To talk with sword and mace will be enough,
For why should any one be there to-day?’
When he is calm I will return to thee
With good news and conduct thee to our host,
Rejoicing; but if any one approach
Except myself put little faith in him.
More than a single horseman will not come
To thee, such is our noble leader's rule.
Consider well what is the wisest course,
Take refuge in the hold and quit this spot.”
Farúd took from his belt a turquoise mace
With golden haft. “Accept of this,” he said,
“A keepsake from me; it will prove of service.
If Tús the general be well-disposed
We will have merry hearts and great content,
And I will furnish further other things,
Steeds, sells, gold, crowns, and royal signet-rings.”
Bahrám returning said to Tús: “May wisdom
And thy pure soul be mates! This is Farúd,
The son of guiltless, murdered Siyáwush!
He showed to me the mark which all the race
Inherit from Káús and Kai Kubád.”
“The host, the trumpets, and the drums are mine.
My words to thee were: ‘Bring the man to me,
Ask him no questions.’ If he be a king
Who then am I, and wherefore am I here
With this array? A man of Turkman race,
Like some black raven on the mountain there,
Is hindering the progress of the troops!
Among the froward offspring of Gúdarz
I can see naught but mischief to the host.
Thou wast afraid of one unskilful horseman!
It was no savage Lion on the height.
He saw our host, and duped thee. Thou hast gone
Both up and down for naught!” Then to the chiefs:—
“O men of name and slayers of the foe!
I need some noble and aspiring man
To face the height and Turkman, to behead him,
And bring his head to me before the host.”
Rívníz girt up his loins for that encounter,
Which cost his life. Then said Bahrám to Tús:—
‘O paladin! stain not thy soul so rashly.
Revere the Ruler of the sun and moon:
Respect the Sháh, for yonder is his kinsman—
A famous horseman and a warrior;
And even if a hundred cavaliers
Should go against him to the mountain-top
They would not 'scape his clutches with their lives:
Thou wilt but bring glad hearts to misery.”
But bade some chiefs to hasten to the mountain,
And many valiant men rushed forth and raised
Their heads to make an onslaught on Farúd,
But “Hold not,” thus spake brave Bahrám to them,
“This matter lightly; he on yonder height
Is of Khusrau's own kin, one hair of whom
Is better than a hundred paladins.
He that ne'er saw the face of Siyáwush
Will find repose in gazing on his son.”
Now when Bahrám told of Farúd the men
That had set forth retraced their steps again.
Then for the second time the son-in-law
Of Tús came forth—the laughing-stock of heaven—
And left the road that leadeth to Charam
For Mount Sapad, his fierce heart set on outrage.
Farúd descried him from the mountain-top,
And, drawing from its case his royal bow,
Said to Tukhár the veteran: “Tús hath spurned
The message, for a horseman not Bahrám
Hath come! My heart is confident but heavy.
See if thou canst remember who he is.
Why is he clad in mail from head to foot?’
Tukhár replied: “A valiant cavalier,
Rívníz by name. He is an only son
With forty sisters like the jocund spring.
He is unserupulous, sly, plausible,
Accomplished, young, and son-in-law to Tús.”
Farúd returned: “Such talk is not for war-time.
If he approach for combat I will send him
To sleep upon his sisters' skirts. If merely
Mine arrow make him feel its wind in passing,
And he surviveth, hold me not a man.
How sayest thou, O veteran Tukhár?”
Tukhár replied: “The time for strife hath come.53
Loose at the man; perchance the heart of Tús
May be perturbed for him. Tús knoweth not
Thy resolution for thou soughtest peace;
If he attacketh thee in wantonness
He will but bring disgrace upon thy brother.”
When sword in hand Rívníz drew nigh, Farúd
Strung his curved bow, shot down a poplar shaft,
And pinned the Rúman helmet to the head
Of him that came. He fell. His fleet steed left him.
Rívníz came headlong to the dust. When Tús,
The general, beheld this from Mayam
The mountain disappeared before his eyes!
Now wisdom hath a saw in this regard:—
“Man's evil nature is its own reward.”
Then Tús said to Zarásp: “Let thy heart flame
As 'twere Ázargashasp, don horsement's armour,
And take good heed of thine own life and person.
Thou mayst perchance avenge this noble chief,
Or if not I myself will seek for vengeance.”
Zarásp departed and assumed his helm.
With vengeful heart and windy pate he went
Toward Mount Sapad, like some fierce, vengeful lion,
Loud shouts, fierce gestures, and impetuous heart.
Farúd, that raging Lion, told Tukhár:—
“Another challenger is on his way;
See now who this Íránian horseman is
That cometh galloping upon the mountain.”
Tukhár declared at once: “It is the son
Of Tús, by name Zarásp, who wheeleth not
His charger from an elephant of war.
His sister was the consort of Rívníz.
This atheling hath come for vengeance too!
As soon as he can see thine arm and casque
Let loose a poplar shaft that he may come
Down from his charger headlong to the dust.
Sure am I that the heart of Tús will be
As 'twere a leaf in winter at his death,
And that insensate chief will understand
That we are not here to be sport for him.”
When in the sight of all the Íránian host
Zarásp drew near upon the mountain-top,
The valorous Farúd urged on his charger,
Shot at Zarásp and pinned him through the mail
And loins against the saddle. His spirit flamed
Upon the point. He fell. His windfoot steed
Abandoned him and galloped back full speed.
A shout ascended from the Íránian host,
And all the warriors put on their helms.
Tús with a full heart and with weeping eyes
Donned his cuirass in haste. He greatly mourned
Those gallant chiefs and trembled like a leaf.
He mounted on his saddle and appeared
As 'twere the mountain-mass that men up pile
Upon the back of lusty elephants,
And turned his charger's reins toward Farúd
With heart revengeful and with head a-fume.
In fury toward the height. 'Tis Tús the chief!
Contend not with the veteran Crocodile.
Secure thee in the hold and wait on fortune.
Expect no merrymake since thou hast slain
Alike his son and son-in-law in battle.”
The young Farúd, wroth with Tukhár, replied:—
“When war and strife confront us what care I
For Tús or elephant or mighty lion,
For warrior-leopard or for tiger? These
But give a man the heart to light, and serve not
To scatter earth upon the raging fire.”
Then said Tukhár the much-experienced: “Kings
Despise not counsel. Iron though thou be,
And able to uproot a mount of flint,
Yet art thou but a single cavalier;
And thirty thousand warriors of Írán
Will come against thee to the mountain-top.
No strong-hold will be left here, stone or dust:
They will sweep all away, and furthermore
If evil by this means shall come to Tús
His downfall will cause sorrow to Khusrau,
And so defeat the vengeance for thy sire—
A breach which nevermore will be repaired.
Why combat with a Lion in thy rage?
Go to the hold and fight not foolishly.”
This, which he should have spoken at the first,
He left unsaid till then; so to Farúd
All through this worthless, foolish minister
Resulted battle and the loss of life.
The youth had eighty moon-faced female slaves
At home who stood upon the roof to watch him,
The thought of a retreat before their eyes,
But raised his reins and rushing on like wind
Set to his string another poplar shaft;
But first Tukhár said: “If thou meanest fight,
The best for thee, or else thou mayest not conquer
The noble Tús, will be to overthrow
His steed, for monarchs do not war afoot,
However much they may be put to it;
Besides one wooden arrow from a bow
Will never set a period to his life,
And when the general shall reach the summit
His warriors will follow, and thou hast not
The power to oppose; thou hast not looked
His arrows in the face.”
The youth attended
To what Tukhár said, strung his bow, and shot.
The poplar arrow struck the general's steed—
A bow-shot worthy of a cavalier—
The charger came down headlong and expired
While Tús both raged and blustered. He returned
To camp, his buckler hanging from his neck,
On foot, all dusty, and distraught in mind,
Farúd the while with gibes pursuing him:—
“What ailed the noble paladin, and how
Will he proceed amid the ranks of war
Who cannot fight a single horseman here?”
The women-slaves began to laugh, and sent
Their peals of laughter through the sky. They cried:—
“The old man staggereth down the mountain-slope,
Affrighted at the arrows of a youth!”
When Tús descended from the height the chiefs,
Full of concern, approached him, did obeisance,
And said: “O famous paladin of earth!
What can be better than thy safe return?
We have no cause to bathe our cheeks in tears.”
The noble Gív was grievously distressed
Because the valiant general had come back
In turning thus our chieftains' faces pale!
What though he be a king and weareth earrings,
Is he to flout so great a host as this?
It is not right that we should acquiesee
In his pretensions thus. If Tús displayed
Some hastiness, Farúd hath filled the world
With tumult. We would die for Siyáwush,
But we must not forget this injury.
Farúd hath given to the winds Zarásp,
That noble cavalier sprung from Naudar!
The body of Rívníz is drowned in blood!
What further shame is ours? Farúd, though he
Jamshíd's own son, Kubád's own marrow, be,
Hath made a new departure witlessly.”
Gív spake, armed in hot haste, and came forth proudly
Like wild sheep on the mountain. Seeing him
Farúd heaved from his breast a chilly sigh,
And said: “This warrior-host discerneth not
Between uphill and down! Each combatant
Is braver than the last—the crown of hosts—
But wit is lacking in their paladin;
A witless head is like a soulless body.
I fear me they will fail in their revenge
Unless Khusrau himself invade Túrán;
Then back to back will we avenge our sire,
And haply get our foes within our clutches.
Whose hand and brand will shortly ask for tears?”
Thereat Tukhár glanced at the plain below,
And said to him: “It is the raging Dragon,
Whose neezings make birds topple from the air,
Who put Pírán thy grandsire's hands in bonds,
And brake two Turkman hosts!58
He hath unfathered
Full many a little child. His foot hath been
On many a river, mount, and wilderness.
Full many a father too hath he unsonned,
And treadeth underfoot the lion's neck.
'Twas he that bare thy brother to Írán,
And crossed Jíhún although he saw no boat.58a
They call him Gív—a very Elephant
Or river Nile upon the day of battle.
When thou shalt set thy thumbstall to the bow-string
Thy poplar arrow will not pierce his mail,
Because he weareth that of Siyáwush;58b
So draw thy bow and let the arrow fly
Against his steed. The great beast may be wounded,
And Gív the rider may return afoot
With shield on neck as did their general.”
The brave prince bent his bow until the top
Was at his shoulder, shot, and struck Gív's charger
Upon the breast. Gív came down and retreated.
Then from the battlements of Mount Sapad
A shout rose. Gív's brain shrank before the jeers,
But all the mighty men approached him, saying:—
“Praise be to God, exalted warrior!
Because the horse is hurt and thou art not,
Nor art thou captured but can'st go again.”
Bízhan the warrior came to Gív like wind,
And uttered words most unacceptable:—58c
“My father—lion-quelling paladin,
Whose might is greater than an elephant's!
Why did a single horseman see thy back?
Thy hand was wont to be the heart of fight,
But now because a Turkman shot thy steed
Thou wentest reeling like a drunken man!”
Gív answered saying: “Since my horse was wounded
I should have forfeited my life to him
Immediately.”
He spake in savage tones,
Which when Bízhan perceived he showed his back,
And Gív in fury at his levity
Lashed at Bízhan's head with a riding-whip,
And said: “Did no one ever teach thee this—
That circumspection is required in war?
Thou hast no wisdom, providence, or brains,
And may he cease to be that nurtured thee.”
Bízhan was pained because his sire was wroth,
And swore an oath before the Almighty Judge:—
“I will not take the saddle off my steed
Until I have avenged Zarásp or perished.”
Departing with a heart oppressed by care,
And head all vengeance, unto Gustaham
He spake thus: “Let me have a steed of thine—
A handy one, such as will climb with ease
The mountain-side—so that I may assume
My mail that one of us may seem a man.
A Turkman hath ascended to the heights,
So as to draw the eyes of all the host,
And I desire to go and fight with him
Because my soul is darkened by his deeds.”
But Gustaham: “This is not well. Climb not
The height so rashly! When we have to march
The world will be all ups and downs and waste.
Now of my horses fit to carry armour
I have but two remaining, and if he
Destroy one I shall not obtain another
To take its place in action, strength, and size.
Zarásp—a world-lord—with Rívníz, and Tús,
Who holdeth all the world of no account,
And thine own sire, that hunter of fierce lions,
Who recketh not how heaven's wheel may turn,
Have all retreated from him with sore hearts;
None made a fight against that Mount of Flint.
Would that we had a vulture's wings or eagle's,
For none will get inside the hold afoot!”
Bízhan replied to him: “Break not my heart,
Break not mine arms and shoulders too just now,
For I have sworn a great oath by the moon,
The world's Judge, and the Sháh's own diadem,
That if I am not slain I will not ride
Back from the mountain but avenge Zarásp.”
Then Gustaham replied: “This is not good,
For wisdom doth not recognise such fierceness.”
Bízhan responded: “I will go afoot,
And so avenge Zarásp: I need no horse.”
Then answered Gustaham: “I would not have
A single hair to perish from thy head;
And if I had a hundred thousand steeds,
Whose manes and tails were full of royal gems,
I would not keep them or my treasure, life,
Or iron mace or falchion back from thee.
Go thou, inspect my horses each in turn,
And take whichever of them thou preferrest.
Bid that be saddled. If 'tis slain so be it.”
He had one charger that was like a wolf,
Long in the barrel, tall, and spirited:
They mailed it for the brave, young atheling.
Gív, mindful of Farúd's deeds, fumed at heart
Thereat, then sent and summoned Gustaham,
And uttered many a saw concerning youth.
Besides a royal helmet of his own.
When Gustaham had brought the mail Bízhan
Incased himself as quick as dust and went
To Mount Sapad as one on vengeance bent.
Farúd said to Tukhár: “Another chief
Hath come! Look forth, see who he is, and who
Will weep for him.”
That man of words replied:—
“There is not one to match him in Írán,
For he is Gív's son and a valiant hero
Victorious like a lion in all combats.
Gív hath no other son, and this is dearer
To him than life and wealth. Direct thy hand
Against the steed, and break not the Sháh's heart.
Bízhan too hath the mail, and Gív hath linked
The gorget of the helm, of Siyáwush
Thereto. These neither double-headed dart
Nor shaft can pierce. Bízhan may fight afoot.
Thou wilt not shine as his antagonist;
He graspeth, look! a sword of adamant.”
Farúd's shaft struck the charger of Bízhan:
Thou wouldst have said: “It had no life.” It fell,
And when Bízhan had disengaged himself
He made toward the summit, sword in hand,
And shouted: “O thou valiant cavalier!
Remain and see now how a Lion fighteth,
And realise how heroes though unhorsed
Will still advance to battle with the sword.
Thou shalt behold it if thou wilt await me,
For thou shalt never think of fighting more.”
Bízhan withdrew not, and again that Lion
Discharged a shaft. Bízhan the brave held up
His shield above his head. The arrow pierced
The shield but missed the mail. Bízhan sped on,
And, when he reached the summit, drew his sword.
Farúd the noble turned away from him;
The ramparts rang with cries. Bízhan pursued
Apace, sharp sword in hand, and gashed the bards
Upon the noble steed which came to dust.
Farúd howbeit gained the castle-gate,
The garrison secured it with all speed,
And showered many stones down from the walls
Upon Bízhan, who knew that 'twas no spot
To loiter at. He cried: “O famous one!
Hast thou—a warrior and cavalier—
Thus turned from one on foot and felt no shame?
Woe for the heart and hand of brave Farúd!”
He left the scene of combat, came to Tús,
And said: “To fight so brave a warrior
Would need a famous lion of the desert,
And if a mount of flint should turn to water
In strife with him the chieftain need not marvel:
Imagination boggleth at such prowess!”
The general Tús swore by the Lord of all:—
“I will send up this hold's dust to the sun.
To avenge beloved Zarásp the cavalier
I will attack without delay, will make
This Turkman wretch a corpse, and with his gore
Engrain the stones like coral to the core.”
Now when the shining sun had disappeared,
And dark night led its host across the sky,
Farúd—with anxious mind and aching heart,
And lay down near her darling, but all night
Remained the spouse of grief and misery.
She dreamed that from the lofty castle rose
A flame in front of him she loved so well,
Illuming Mount Sapad and burning all
The castle and the women-slaves. She woke
In pain, her soul in anguish and dismay,
Went out upon the wall and looking round
Saw all the mountain filled with mail and spears.
Her cheek flushed up and fuming at the heart
She hastened to Farúd, and cried to him:—
“Awake from slumber, O my son! the stars
Are bringing down disaster on our heads!
The mountain is all foes, the castle-gate
All spears and mail!”
He said: “Why such to-do?
If life is o'er for me, and thou canst count not
On further respite for me, mine own sire
Was slain in youth, my life is wreeked like his.
Gurwí's hand put a period to his days,
And now Bízhan is eager for my death;
Yet will I struggle, perish wretchedly,
And not ask quarter of the Íránians.”
He gave out mail and maces to the troops,
He placed a splendid helm upon his head,
And with a Rúman breastplate girt about him
Came with a royal bow grasped in his hand.
Now when the shining sun displayed its face,
And proudly mounted to the vault of heaven,
While massive maces whirled amid the din
Of clarions, tymbals, pipes, and Indian bells.
Farúd descended from the castle-ramparts
With all his gallant Turkmans. Through the dust
Raised by the horsemen, and the feathered shafts,
The mountain-top was like a sea of pitch.
There was no level ground or room to fight;
The rocks and stones played havoc with the steeds,
While shouts ascended as the armies strove.
Tús ready armed for battle, grasping shield
And trenchant falchion, led the way in person,
Escorted by the chieftains of the host
Afoot. Thus they attacked till noon was high,
And then the troops of brave Farúd were thinned,
The hills and valleys had been filled with slain,
The youth's good fortune had abandoned him.
The Íránians marvelled at him, none had seen
So fierce a Lion, but as battle pressed him
He saw his fortune adverse; of the Turkmans
No cavalier remained with him; he fought
Ruhhám sought with Bízhan to intercept him:
They charged him from above and from below.
When on the lower ground Bízhan appeared,
With stirrups firmly pressed and reins held loose,
The youth espied the helm, drew out his mace,
And went like some fierce lion at his foe,
Not knowing what the vaulted sky decreed.
He thought to strike Bízhan upon the head,
And smash both head and helmet with one buffet.
Bízhan was staggered by the young man's stroke,
And lost both sense and power. Ruhhám behind
Saw this and shouted, clutched his Indian sword,
And struck the lion-man upon the shoulder;
His hand fell useless. Wounded he cried out,
And urged his steed which, as he neared the hold,
Bízhan came up and houghed. Farúd himself
Afoot with certain of his followers,
Thus stricken in the battles of the brave,
Reached and secured with speed the castle-gate.
Woe for the heart and name of brave Farúd!
His mother and the slaves drew near, embraced him,
And sadly laid him on his ivory throne:
His day, his season for the crown, were over.
The scented tresses of their musky hair,
While the beloved Farúd plucked out their lives:
The throne was strewn with hair, the house all
sorrow.
Then with a faint glance and a sigh he turned
Toward his mother and the slaves, and said,
With one last effort to unclose his lips:—
“It is no marvel that ye pluck your hair;
The Íránians will come with girded loins
To sack the hold and make my slave-girls captive,
Make castle, castle-wall, and rampart waste.
Let all whose hearts and cheeks burn for my life
Go fling themselves down from the battlements
That none may be the portion of Bízhan.
I follow soon because he severeth
My blameless life and is, in this my day
Of youth, my death.”
He spake, his cheeks grew wan,
His spirit soared away 'mid grief and anguish.
As 'twere a conjurer this drunken sky
Deludeth us with tricks—threescore and ten—
At whiles employing blast or cloud and then
The sword or dagger or the agency
Of some unworthy wight. At whiles to one
Plunged in calamity 'twill grant relief,
At whiles allot crown, treasury, and throne,
At whiles chain, dungeon, bitterness, and grief!
Man must accept his lot whate'er it be;
Mine own affliction is my poverty.
The man of wisdom, had he died at birth,
Had suffered not the heat and cold of earth,
But, living after birth, hath want and stress,
Constrained to weep a life of wretchedness.
Woe for his heart, his usance, and intents!
His pillow is the dust in all events.
Now when in failure thus had passed away
Farúd, the hapless and inglorious son
Of Siyáwush, the slave-girls scaled the roof,
And dashed them to the ground. Jaríra kindled
A pyre and burned the treasures. Sword in hand
She locked the stable of the Arab steeds,
Hamstrung, and ripped them up. All blood and
sweat
She sought the couch of glorious Farúd,
Upon whose coverlet a dagger lay,
And, having pressed her cheeks upon his face,
Ripped up herself and died upon his breast.
The Íránians forced the portal of the hold,
Prepared for pillaging, but when Bahrám
Approached those walls his heart was rent with sorrow.
He sought the couch of glorious Farúd,
With cheeks all tears and heart a-fume, and thus
Addressed the Íránians: “Here is one by far
More wretched and dishonoured than his sire,
For Siyáwush did not destroy his slaves,
Nor was his mother slain upon his couch,
Though round him likewise all his palace flamed,
And all his home and goods were razed and burned.
Still heaven's hands are long enough to reach
The wicked, and it turneth not in love
Khusrau who, charging Tús so earnestly,
Sent you to take revenge for Siyáwush,
And gave you much advice and parting-counsel?
When he shall hear about his brother's death
He will cut short respect and clemency,
And for Ruhhám and passionate Bízhan
The world will have but little pleasure left.”
With that came Tús the general with the drums
Along the road that leadeth to Kalát,
While with him were the chiefs Gúdarz and Gív,
And therewithal a host of warriors.
The general marched along to Mount Sapad,
Advancing swiftly and without remorse;
But when he reached the throne where wretchedly
The poor, slain man lay pillowed with his mother,
While on one hand beside the pillow sat,
All tears and wrath, Bahrám, and on the other,
With all the men of battle crowding round
About him, Zanga son of Sháwarán,
While tree-like on the ivory throne the hero—
A moon in face, a teak in stature, slept—
A Siyáwush upon his throne of gold—
With coat of mail and helmet, mace and girdle,
While Gív, Gúdarz, the other men of name
And gallant chiefs, bewailed him bitterly,
Then Tús poured out his heart's blood down his cheeks
In anguish for Farúd and his own son,
While Gív, Gúdarz, and all the warriors
With sighs and tears turned and upbraided him:—
“Thy fury beareth thee remorse as fruit:
Sow not the seeds of fury in the garden.
A youth of Kaian stock with all his Grace,
His stature, form, and bearing to the wind,
Hast given Zarásp, that chief sprung from Naudar,
And given too—that victim of thy rage—
Rívníz! Ill fortune hath left naught undone!
But parts and wisdom in the passionate
Are like a sword that groweth blunt with rust.”
While thus they spake Tús wept; his rage and fury
Abated; he replied: “From evil fortune
No lack of toil and moil befalleth man.”
He gave directions to his men to build
Upon the mountain-top a royal charnel
Wherein they placed a throne of gold, the mail,
Sword, mace, and girdle, then prepared the corpse,
Requiring roses, camphor, musk and wine,
And with the camphor they embalmed his head,
His body with rose-water, musk, and gums.
They set him on the throne and left him there;
That famed, accomplished, lion-hearted man
Thus passed away. Beside the prince they set
Rívníz and great Zarásp, while Tús, with beard
Like camphor, shed a stream of tears of blood.
'Tis always thus! However long we stay
Proud Elephant and Lion must away!
The hearts of stone and anvil quake with fear
Of death; no root and leaf escape it here.
When Tús the general had made an end
Of fighting with Farúd, and left the heights,
He halted at Charam three days. The blare
Of trumpets rose upon the fourth; then Tús
Led forth the host and sounded pipe and tymbal,
While all the earth from mountain unto mountain
Turned ebon. Whatso Turkman troops he saw
He slew and flung them down upon the road,
Left all the marches neither woof nor warp,
And thus proceeded to the Kása rúd,
Where he encamped the army: all the earth
Was covered by his tents.
“Troops from Írán
Are at the Kása rúd!” Such tidings reached
Túrán, and from the Turkmans there came forth
Shrewd Paláshán, a youthful warrior,
The leader of their host, to view the foe,
And count the camp-enclosures and the flags.
Within the lines there was a rising ground
On one side, and unoccupied by troops:
There Gív was sitting with Bízhan, conversing
On matters great and small. Appeared the flag
Of Paláshán, come from the Turkman host,
Upon the road, whereat the gallant Gív
Unsheathed his sword. “I will go forth,” quoth he,
“Behead, or bring him captive to our folk.”
Bízhan said: “Man of name! the Sháh bestowed
A robe of honour on me for this end;
Myself to fight the warrior Paláshán.”
“Haste not to battle with this savage Lion,”
Gív answered. “God forbid that thou shouldst fight
him,
And straiten mine own day. A Lion he,
This desert is his feeding-ground, he preyeth
On none but warriors.”
Bízhan replied:—
“Oh! put me not to shame before the world-lord
By speaking thus, but let me have the armour
Of Siyáwush. Be mine to hunt this Leopard.”
Then gallant Gív gave him the coat of mail.
Bízhan, when he had made the buckles fast,
Bestrode a rapid charger, and rode off
Upon the desert with a spear in hand.
Now Paláshán, who had brought down a deer,
Was roasting some kabáb upon a fire,
And eating with his bow upon his arm,
The while his horse was ranging free to graze
It saw afar the charger of Bízhan,
Neighed loudly, and ran in; so Paláshán
Knew that a horseman came prepared for fight,
And shouted to Bízhan: “I fling down lions,
And fetter dívs. Declare thy name; thy star
Shall weep for thee.”
He said: “Bízhan am I—
A brazen-bodied dív when fight is toward.
My grandsire is a Lion of the fray,
My sire is gallant Gív, and thou shalt see
My prowess. This brave day, when battle breatheth,
Thou, like a carrion wolf70
upon the mountains,
Eat'st ashes, smoke, and blood! How cometh it
That thou art leading troops upon the waste?”
He answered not but gave his mighty steed
Their spear-points brake; both took their scimitars,
Which shivered with their strokes. The riders shook
Like leaves upon a tree, the steeds were drowned
In sweat, and staggered. Then the noble Lions,
The combatants, drew forth their heavy maces.
Thus went it till Bízhan with mace on shoulder
Sent up a shout, struck valiant Paláshán
Upon the waist, and brake his spine. His corpse,
All helmed and mailed, fell headlong from his charger.
Bízhan, dismounting with the speed of dust,
Cut off the warrior's head and carried it
Together with the arms and steed to Gív,
Who had been troubled o'er the fight, and thought:—
“How will the wind of battle blow to-day?”
And groaned and fidgeted upon the watch
Until Bízhan's dust rose upon the road.
The youth came bringing head and mail and charger,
And placed them all before his sire who cried:—
“For ever be victorious, O my son!”
They went with joy toward the chief's pavilion,
And brought to him the breastplate, helmet, steed,
And head of Paláshán. Tús gladdened so
That thou hadst said: “He will pour out his soul.”
“Head of the famed of our Sháh's diadem!
Live ever joyfully, aspiring still,
And banished far from thee be foeman's ill.”
Thereafter tidings reached Afrásiyáb:—
“The marches of Túrán are like a sea:
A host hath reached the Kása rúd, and earth
Is blackened in revenge for Siyáwush.”
The king said to Pírán: “Khusrau hath made
His object clear; perchance we may prevent him
By marching forth with flags and drums in force;
If not the army from Írán will come,
And we shall see not shining sun or moon.
Go gather troops together from all quarters;
Few words are needed.”
On the Íránian side
A tempest rose and none took thought of fight;
A dense cloud came like flying dust, their lips
Congealed with cold, the tents and camp-enclosures
Were turned to ice, snow carpeted the mountains,
And for a sennight's space earth disappeared.
There was but little food or rest or sleep:
Thou wouldst have said: “Earth's face is turned to
stone.”
They slew and ate their horses. Multitudes
Of men and cattle perished. None at last
Possessed a charger. When the eighth day came
The sun prevailed, the earth was like a sea,
The troops were mustered, and Tús spake of fight;
'Tis well that we proceed upon our march.
Cursed be these fields and fells, all from Kalát
And Mount Sapad down to the Kása rúd!”
Then from the warrior-throng thus spake Bahrám:—
“I needs must tell the general my mind
Concerning this. Thou makest us keep silence!
Thou fightest with the son of Siyáwush!
I told thee: ‘Do not so: it is not right.’
See what a loss hath followed and what ill
May yet confront thee, for the buffalo
Is still within its hide!”
“Ázargashasp
Is not more famed than was Zarásp the brave,”
Said Tús, “nor was Farúd slain innocent.
'Twas written thus, and what hath been hath been.
Look through the host and see whom thou canst find
In courage and in aspect like Rívníz,
Through whom my cup was filled with wine and milk.
His form was youthful but his words were sage.
Now let us speak no further of the past,
Or whether he was justly slain or not;
And since Gív took a present from the Sháh
That he might set that mass of faggots blazing,
Which now is in the way, 'tis time to do it,
And light up heaven with the conflagration;
Thus we may gain a passage for the troops.”
Gív said to him: “This will not be a toil,
Or, if it be, a toil not unrequited.”
Bízhan was grieved: “I cannot give,” he said,
“Consent to this. Thou rearedst me in stress
And hardihood, without a chiding word:
While thou an old man girdest up thy loins.”
Gív said: “My son! I took this enterprise
Upon my shoulders; 'tis the time for arms,
Not for indulgence and decrepitude.
Be not in dudgeon at my going, I
Can burn a flinty mountain with my breath.”
He passed the Kása rúd albeit with stress,
The world for warp and woof had ice and snow,
And when he reached the barricade of faggots
Its length and breadth were more than he could tell;
He used a javelin-point to kindle fire,
Threw it upon the mass and burned the pile.
For three weeks conflagration, wind, and smoke
Allowed no passage through the burning mass,
But when the fourth week came the army went
Across the river for the fire was spent.
Tús, when the host was mustered, left the fire
For Giravgard. They marched in fair array,
Camped on the hills and plains, took due precautions,
And hurried out the scouts on every side.
Tazháv the cavalier—one used to fight
With lions—dwelt at Giravgard and kept
The herds there, driving them from hill to hill.
News came: “A host hath come forth from Írán:
The cattle must be driven out of reach.”
He sent a warrior with all dispatch
To tell a herdsman of Afrásiyáb's—
Kabúda hight, an able man withal,
And there was need for his ability:—
Observe how large the Íránian army is,
And see whose are the standards and the crowns.
My purpose is to make a night-attack,
And fill the mountains and the plains with blood.”
When it was dark Kabúda drew anigh,
Like some black dív, the army of Írán.
That night Bahrám, whose lasso snared the heads
Of elephants, was on the outpost-guard,
And, when Kabúda's charger neighed, Bahrám
Pricked up his ears, sat firm, and strung his bow;
Then urged his mighty charger from the spot.
Without a word he let an arrow fly,
Though darkness hid Kabúda from his sight,
And struck the royal herdsman on the belt;
His face turned black; and falling from his steed
He begged for life. Bahrám said: “Tell me truly:
Who sent thee hither? Whom wouldst thou attack?”
Kabúda said: “If thou wilt grant me quarter
I will reply to all thy questioning:
My master is Tazháv. I am his servant,
And sent by him; so put me not to death,
And I will guide thee to his dwelling-place.”
Bahrám replied: “Know that Tazháv to me
Is as a bullock to a rending lion.”
He cut Kabúda's head off with a dagger,
Secured it to his royal saddle-straps,
Took it to camp and flung it down in scorn
As that of one unfamed, no cavalier
To fight.
The voice of chanticleer and lark
Arose, and yet Kabúda came not back:
Tazháv the warrior was sad at heart,
Aware that evil had befallen him;
Then summoned all the troops that were about
Available, and promptly led them out.
Its standard, and its sword had turned the rear
Of night to violet, Tazháv the chieftain
Led forth his men. Shouts from the look-out reached
The Íránians: “From Túrán a host hath come
To fight. Their leader is a Crocodile
With flag in hand.”
Then from the nobles Gív
Went forth to him, escorted by a troop
Of valiant warriors, fiercely asked his name,
And said: “O lover of the fray! hast come
With such a force as this to meet the claws
Of Crocodiles?”
The bold Tazháv replied:—
“A lusty heart and lion's claws are mine.
Tazháv am I, I fling down men and pluck
The heads of valiant Lions from their trunks.
By birth and worth I am Íránian,
Sprung from the warriors and the Lions' seed.
Now I am marchlord of the country round—
A chosen chief, the king's own son-in-law.”
Gív said: “Nay say not so, 'twill dim thy glory.
Would any leave Írán and settle here
Unless he lived on blood or colocynth?
If thou art marchlord and king's son-in-law
How is it that thou hast not mightier powers?
With such a band as this seek not the fray,
Nor go with vehemence against the brave;
For I who speak—a hero worshipful
And famous—trample on the heads of marchlords.
If thou with all thy troops wilt do my bidding,
And hence depart Íránward to the Sháh,
Go first of all to Tús our general,
Apply to him, and hearken to his words.
I will take care that thou shalt have a gift
From him—goods, slaves, and steeds caparisoned.
This seemeth well to me, O prudent man!
What say'st thou? Shall I have to fight to-day?”
None lowereth my flag. Now I have here
The throne and signet, horses, flocks, and soldiers;
Moreover in Írán no person dreameth
Of such a king as is Afrásiyáb.
Slaves too have I, and herds of wind-foot steeds,
Which wander over mountain, vale, and plain.
Look not upon my little band but me,
And at the mace upon my saddle-bow,
For I will maul thy troops to-day till thou
Repent thy coming.”
Then Bízhan exclaimed:—
“O famous chief—engrosser of the fight,
Exalted and shrewd-hearted paladin!
In age thou art not as thou wast in youth.
Why givest thou this counsel to Tazháv?
Why so much love and amity for him?
Our business is to draw the sword and mace,
And to cut out these peoples' hearts and brains.”
He urged his steed; the battle-cry went up;
They laid upon their shoulders sword and mace.
A cloud of murky dust rose in the midst
So that the sun became invisible,
The world grew gloomy as a winter's cloud,
And men beheld not shining star or moon.
Bold Gív who used to rob the sky of lustre
Was in the midst, Bízhan the deft of hand,
Who dallied not in action, led the van.
Tazháv, who wont to fight the rending lion,
And wore his crown, opposed them with Arzhang
To help him and Mardwí the Lion—two
That wearied not of fight yet gat small fruit
That day, for brave Arzhang withdrew himself,
The more part of the Turkman troops were slain,
And froward fortune turned its head away.
Tazháv the valiant fled. That famous Lion,
Bízhan, pursued him, shouting eagerly,
“It is a maddened, roaring elephant!”
One spear-blow struck Tazháv upon the waist,
And all his lustihood departed from him.
The man reeled, but the Rúman coat of mail
Gave not, nor did the fastenings of it break.
Bízhan flung down his spear and made a clutch,
Like leopard springing at a mountain-sheep,
And then, as falcon bindeth lark, snatched off
That crown of great price which Afrásiyáb
Had set upon his head, a crown that never
Was absent from his thoughts and from his dreams.
He urged his steed toward the castle-gate,
Pursued thus by Bízhan at lightning-speed,
And, when he neared the castle, Ispanwí
Came wailing with her face suffused with tears,
And cried out loudly to him: “O Tazháv!
Where are thy host, thy mettle, and thy might
That thou shouldst turn thy back upon me thus,
And leave me in this castle shamefully?
Give me a seat behind thee; let me not
Be left inside the castle for the foe.”
The heart of proud Tazháv was set on fire,
And his cheeks flamed. She mounted swift as wind
Behind him on his steed and clasped his waist.
He rushed along like dust with Ispanwí;
Awhile till man and beast were both fordone,
And then Tazháv addressed his handmaid, saying:—
“O my fair mate! here is a grievous case!
My charger is exhausted with this work,
Foes are behind, in front is a ravine,
And though we race Bízhan some distance yet
Still they will have their will of us at last;
So as they are not enemies to thee
Remain behind while I urge on my horse.”
Then Ispanwí alighted from the steed:
Tazháv's face was all tears at losing her,
Yet sped he on to reach Afrásiyáb,
And all the while Bízhan was in pursuit,
Who when he spied the moon-faced Ispanwí,
Her musky hair descending to her feet,
Came to her, took her with all gentleness,
Made room for her behind him, and returned
Toward the army of the paladin.
He reached the entrance of the tent of Tús,
Rejoicing, whence arose the sound of drums,
Because Bízhan, that horseman brave and wary,
Was coming with his quarry from the fight.
Tús and the chiefs—those lovers of the fray—
Then set themselves to pillaging the hold,
And afterward they went to seek the herds
That roamed about the desert of Túrán.
They took, as warriors are wont, their lassos,
And quickly furnished all the host with steeds,
While in the palace whence Tazháv had fled
Were fierce Íránian horsemen lodged instead.