As soon as morning dawned, the army was put in motion. The charge of the empire, and the keys of the treasury and jewel-chamber were left in the hands of Milad, with injunctions, however, not to draw a sword against any enemy that might spring up, without the consent and a.s.sistance of Zal and Rustem. When the army had arrived within the limits of Mazinderan, Kai-kaus ordered Giw to select two thousand of the bravest men, the boldest wielders of the battle-axe, and proceed rapidly towards the city. In his progress, according to the king's instructions, he burnt and destroyed everything of value, mercilessly slaying man, woman, and child. For the king said:

Kill all before thee, whether young or old, And turn their day to night; thus free the world From the magician's art.

Proceeding in his career of desolation and ruin, Giw came near to the city, and found it arrayed in all the splendor of heaven; every street was crowded with beautiful women, richly adorned, and young damsels with faces as bright as the moon. The treasure-chamber was full of gold and jewels, and the country abounded with cattle. Information of this discovery was immediately sent to Kai-kaus, who was delighted to find that Mazinderan was truly a blessed region, the very garden of beauty, where the cheeks of the women seemed to be tinted with the hue of the pomegranate flower, by the gate-keeper of Paradise.

This invasion filled the heart of the king of Mazinderan with grief and alarm, and his first care was to call the gigantic White Demon to his aid. Meanwhile Kai-kaus, full of the wildest antic.i.p.ations of victory, was encamped on the plain near the city in splendid state, and preparing to commence the final overthrow of the enemy on the following day. In the night, however, a cloud came, and deep darkness like pitch overspread the earth, and tremendous hail-stones poured down upon the Persian host, throwing them into the greatest confusion. Thousands were destroyed, others fled, and were scattered abroad in the gloom. The morning dawned, but it brought no light to the eyes of Kai-kaus; and amidst the horrors he experienced, his treasury was captured, and the soldiers of his army either killed or made prisoners of war. Then did he bitterly lament that he had not followed the wise counsel of Zal. Seven days he was involved in this dreadful affliction, and on the eighth day he heard the roar of the White Demon, saying:

"O king, thou art the willow-tree, all barren, With neither fruit, nor flower. What could induce The dream of conquering Mazinderan?

Hadst thou no friend to warn thee of thy folly?

Hadst thou not heard of the White Demon's power-- Of him, who from the gorgeous vault of Heaven Can charm the stars? From this mad enterprise Others have wisely shrunk--and what hast thou Accomplished by a more ambitious course?

Thy soldiers have slain many, dire destruction And spoil have been their purpose--thy wild will Has promptly been obeyed; but thou art now Without an army, not one man remains To lift a sword, or stand in thy defence; Not one to hear thy groans and thy despair."

There were selected from the army twelve thousand of the demon-warriors, to take charge of and hold in custody the Iranian captives, all the chiefs, as well as the soldiers, being secured with bonds, and only allowed food enough to keep them alive. Arzang, one of the demon-leaders, having got possession of the wealth, the crown and jewels, belonging to Kai-kaus, was appointed to escort the captive king and his troops, all of whom were deprived of sight, to the city of Mazinderan, where they were delivered into the hands of the monarch of that country. The White Demon, after thus putting an end to hostilities, returned to his own abode.

Kai-kaus, strictly guarded as he was, found an opportunity of sending an account of his blind and helpless condition to Zal, in which he lamented that he had not followed his advice, and urgently requested him, if he was not himself in confinement, to come to his a.s.sistance, and release him from captivity. When Zal heard the melancholy story, he gnawed the very skin of his body with vexation, and turning to Rustem, conferred with him in private.

"The sword must be unsheathed, since Kai-kaus Is bound a captive in the dragon's den, And Rakush must be saddled for the field, And thou must bear the weight of this emprize; For I have lived two centuries, and old age Unfits me for the heavy toils of war.

Should'st thou release the king, thy name will be Exalted o'er the earth.--Then don thy mail, And gain immortal honor."

Rustem replied that it was a long journey to Mazinderan, and that the king had been six months on the road. Upon this Zal observed that there were two roads--the most tedious one was that which Kai-kaus had taken; but by the other, which was full of dangers and difficulty, and lions, and demons, and sorcery, he might reach Mazinderan in seven days, if he reached it at all.

On hearing these words Rustem a.s.sented, and chose the short road, observing:

"Although it is not wise, they say, With willing feet to track the way To h.e.l.l; though only men who've lost, All love of life, by misery crossed, Would rush into the tiger's lair, And die, poor reckless victims, there; I gird my loins, whate'er may be, And trust in G.o.d for victory."

On the following day, resigning himself to the protection of Heaven, he put on his war attire, and with his favorite horse, Rakush, properly caparisoned, stood prepared for the journey. His mother, Rudabeh, took leave of him with great sorrow; and the young hero departed from Sistan, consoling himself and his friends, thus:

"O'er him who seeks the battle-field, n.o.bly his prisoned king to free, Heaven will extend its saving shield, And crown his arms with victory."

THE SEVEN LABORS OF RUSTEM

First Stage.--He rapidly pursued his way, performing two days' journey in one, and soon came to a forest full of wild a.s.ses. Oppressed with hunger, he succeeded in securing one of them, which he roasted over a fire, lighted by sparks produced by striking the point of his spear, and kept in a blaze with dried gra.s.s and branches of trees. After regaling himself, and satisfying his hunger, he loosened the bridle of Rakush, and allowed him to graze; and choosing a safe place for repose during the night, and taking care to have his sword under his head, he went to sleep among the reeds of that wilderness. In a short s.p.a.ce a fierce lion appeared, and attacked Rakush with great violence; but Rakush very speedily with his teeth and heels put an end to his furious a.s.sailant.

Rustem, awakened by the confusion, and seeing the dead lion before him, said to his favorite companion:--

"Ah! Rakush, why so thoughtless grown, To fight a lion thus alone; For had it been thy fate to bleed, And not thy foe, my gallant steed!

How could thy master have conveyed His helm, and battle-axe, and blade, Kamund, and bow, and buberyan, Unaided, to Mazinderan?

Why didst thou fail to give the alarm, And save thyself from chance of harm, By neighing loudly in my ear; But though thy bold heart knows no fear, From such unwise exploits refrain, Nor try a lion's strength again."

Saying this, Rustem laid down to sleep, and did not awake till the morning dawned. As the sun rose, he remounted Rakush, and proceeded on his journey towards Mazinderan.

Second Stage.--After travelling rapidly for some time, he entered a desert, in which no water was to be found, and the sand was so burning hot, that it seemed to be instinct with fire. Both horse and rider were oppressed with the most maddening thirst. Rustem alighted, and vainly wandered about in search of relief, till almost exhausted, he put up a prayer to Heaven for protection against the evils which surrounded him, engaged as he was in an enterprise for the release of Kai-kaus and the Persian army, then in the power of the demons. With pious earnestness he besought the Almighty to bless him in the great work; and whilst in a despairing mood he was lamenting his deplorable condition, his tongue and throat being parched with thirst, his body prostrate on the sand, under the influence of a raging sun, he saw a sheep pa.s.s by, which he hailed as the harbinger of good. Rising up and grasping his sword in his hand, he followed the animal, and came to a fountain of water, where he devoutly returned thanks to G.o.d for the blessing which had preserved his existence, and prevented the wolves from feeding on his lifeless limbs.

Refreshed by the cool water, he then looked out for something to allay his hunger, and killing a gor, he lighted a fire and roasted it, and regaled upon its savory flesh, which he eagerly tore from the bones.

When the period of rest arrived, Rustem addressed Rakush, and said to him angrily:--

"Beware, my steed, of future strife.

Again thou must not risk thy life; Encounter not with lion fell, Nor demon still more terrible; But should an enemy appear, Ring loud the warning in my ear."

After delivering these injunctions, Rustem laid down to sleep, leaving Rakush unbridled, and at liberty to crop the herbage close by.

Third Stage.--At midnight a monstrous dragon-serpent issued from the forest; it was eighty yards in length, and so fierce, that neither elephant, nor demon, nor lion, ever ventured to pa.s.s by its lair. It came forth, and seeing the champion asleep, and a horse near him, the latter was the first object of attack. But Rakush retired towards his master, and neighed and beat the ground so furiously, that Rustem soon awoke; looking around on every side, however, he saw nothing--the dragon had vanished, and he went to sleep again. Again the dragon burst out of the thick darkness, and again Rakush was at the pillow of his master, who rose up at the alarm: but anxiously trying to penetrate the dreary gloom, he saw nothing--all was a blank; and annoyed at this apparently vexatious conduct of his horse, he spoke sharply:--

"Why thus again disturb my rest, When sleep had softly soothed my breast?

I told thee, if thou chanced to see Another dangerous enemy, To sound the alarm; but not to keep Depriving me of needful sleep; When nothing meets the eye nor ear, Nothing to cause a moment's fear!

But if again my rest is broke, On thee shall fall the fatal stroke, And I myself will drag this load Of ponderous arms along the road; Yes, I will go, a lonely man, Without thee, to Mazinderan."

Rustem again went to sleep, and Rakush was resolved this time not to move a step from his side, for his heart was grieved and afflicted by the harsh words that had been addressed to him. The dragon again appeared, and the faithful horse almost tore up the earth with his heels, to rouse his sleeping master. Rustem again awoke, and sprang to his feet, and was again angry; but fortunately at that moment sufficient light was providentially given for him to see the prodigious cause of alarm.

Then swift he drew his sword, and closed in strife With that huge monster.--Dreadful was the shock And perilous to Rustem; but when Rakush Perceived the contest doubtful, furiously, With his keen teeth, he bit and tore away The dragon's scaly hide; whilst quick as thought The Champion severed off the ghastly head, And deluged all the plain with horrid blood.

Amazed to see a form so hideous Breathless stretched out before him, he returned Thanks to the Omnipotent for his success, Saying--"Upheld by thy protecting arm, What is a lion's strength, a demon's rage, Or all the horrors of the burning desert, With not one drop to quench devouring thirst?

Nothing, since power and might proceed from Thee."

Fourth Stage.--Rustem having resumed the saddle, continued his journey through an enchanted territory, and in the evening came to a beautifully green spot, refreshed by flowing rivulets, where he found, to his surprise, a ready-roasted deer, and some bread and salt. He alighted, and sat down near the enchanted provisions, which vanished at the sound of his voice, and presently a tambourine met his eyes, and a flask of wine. Taking up the instrument he played upon it, and chanted a ditty about his own wanderings, and the exploits which he most loved. He said that he had no pleasure in banquets, but only in the field fighting with heroes and crocodiles in war. The song happened to reach the ears of a sorceress, who, arrayed in all the charms of beauty, suddenly approached him, and sat down by his side. The champion put up a prayer of grat.i.tude for having been supplied with food and wine, and music, in the desert of Mazinderan, and not knowing that the enchantress was a demon in disguise, he placed in her hands a cup of wine in the name of G.o.d; but at the mention of the Creator, the enchanted form was converted into a black fiend. Seeing this, Rustem threw his kamund, and secured the demon; and, drawing his sword, at once cut the body in two!

Fifth Stage.--

From thence proceeding onward, he approached A region dest.i.tute of light, a void Of utter darkness. Neither moon nor star Peep'd through the gloom; no choice of path remained, And therefore, throwing loose the rein, he gave Rakush the power to travel on, unguided.

At length the darkness was dispersed, the earth Became a scene, joyous and light, and gay, Covered with waving corn--there Rustem paused And quitting his good steed among the gra.s.s, Laid himself gently down, and, wearied, slept; His shield beneath his head, his sword before him.

When the keeper of the forest saw the stranger and his horse, he went to Rustem, then asleep, and struck his staff violently on the ground, and having thus awakened the hero, he asked him, devil that he was, why he had allowed his horse to feed upon the green corn-field. Angry at these words, Rustem, without uttering a syllable, seized hold of the keeper by the ears, and wrung them off. The mutilated wretch, gathering up his severed ears, hurried away, covered with blood, to his master, Aulad, and told him of the injury he had sustained from a man like a black demon, with a tiger-skin cuira.s.s and an iron helmet; showing at the same time the bleeding witnesses of his sufferings. Upon being informed of this outrageous proceeding, Aulad, burning with wrath, summoned together his fighting men, and hastened by the directions of the keeper to the place where Rustem had been found asleep. The champion received the angry lord of the land, fully prepared, on horseback, and heard him demand his name, that he might not slay a worthless antagonist, and why he had torn off the ears of his forest-keeper! Rustem replied that the very sound of his name would make him shudder with horror. Aulad then ordered his troops to attack Rustem, and they rushed upon him with great fury; but their leader was presently killed by the master-hand, and great numbers were also scattered lifeless over the plain. The survivors running away, Rustem's next object was to follow and secure, by his kamund, the person of Aulad, and with admirable address and ingenuity, he succeeded in dismounting him and taking him alive. He then bound his hands, and said to him:--

"If thou wilt speak the truth unmixed with lies, Unmixed with false prevaricating words, And faithfully point out to me the caves Of the White Demon and his warrior chiefs-- And where Kaus is prisoned--thy reward Shall be the kingdom of Mazinderan; For I, myself, will place thee on that throne.

But if thou play'st me false--thy worthless blood Shall answer for the foul deception."

"Stay, Be not in wrath," Aulad at once replied-- "Thy wish shall be fulfilled--and thou shalt know Where king Kaus is prisoned--and, beside, Where the White Demon reigns. Between two dark And lofty mountains, in two hundred caves Immeasurably deep, his people dwell.

Twelve hundred Demons keep the watch by night And Baid, and Sinja. Like a reed, the hills Tremble whenever the White Demon moves.

But dangerous is the way. A stony desert Lies full before thee, which the nimble deer Has never pa.s.sed. Then a prodigious stream Two farsangs wide obstructs thy path, whose banks Are covered with a host of warrior-Demons, Guarding the pa.s.sage to Mazinderan; And thou art but a single man--canst thou O'ercome such fearful obstacles as these?"

At this the Champion smiled. "Show but the way, And thou shalt see what one man can perform, With power derived from G.o.d! Lead on, with speed, To royal Kaus." With obedient haste Aulad proceeded, Rustem following fast, Mounted on Rakush. Neither dismal night Nor joyous day they rested--on they went Until at length they reached the fatal field, Where Kaus was o'ercome. At midnight hour, Whilst watching with attentive eye and ear, A piercing clamor echoed all around, And blazing fires were seen, and numerous lamps Burnt bright on every side. Rustem inquired What this might be. "It is Mazinderan,"

Aulad rejoined, "and the White Demon's chiefs Are gathered there." Then Rustem to a tree Bound his obedient guide--to keep him safe, And to recruit his strength, laid down awhile And soundly slept.

When morning dawned, he rose, And mounting Rakush, put his helmet on, The tiger-skin defended his broad chest, And sallying forth, he sought the Demon chief, Arzang, and summoned him with such a roar That stream and mountain shook. Arzang sprang up, Hearing a human voice, and from his tent Indignant issued--him the champion met, And clutched his arms and ears, and from his body Tore off the gory head, and cast it far Amidst the shuddering Demons, who with fear Shrunk back and fled, precipitate, lest they Should likewise feel that dreadful punishment.

Sixth Stage.--After this achievement Rustem returned to the place where he had left Aulad, and having released him, sat down under the tree and related what he had done. He then commanded his guide to show the way to the place where Kai-kaus was confined; and when the champion entered the city of Mazinderan, the neighing of Rakush was so loud that the sound distinctly reached the ears of the captive monarch. Kaus rejoiced, and said to his people: "I have heard the voice of Rakush, and my misfortunes are at an end;" but they thought he was either insane or telling them a dream. The actual appearance of Rustem, however, soon satisfied them. Gudarz, and Tus, and Bahram, and Giw, and Gustahem, were delighted to meet him, and the king embraced him with great warmth and affection, and heard from him with admiration the story of his wonderful progress and exploits. But Kaus and his warriors, under the influence and spells of the Demons, were still blind, and he cautioned Rustem particularly to conceal Rakush from the sight of the sorcerers, for if the White Demon should hear of the slaughter of Arzang, and the conqueror being at Mazinderan, he would immediately a.s.semble an overpowering army of Demons, and the consequences might be terrible.

"But thou must storm the cavern of the Demons And their gigantic chief--great need there is For sword and battle-axe--and with the aid Of Heaven, these miscreant sorcerers may fall Victims to thy avenging might. The road Is straight before thee--reach the Seven Mountains, And there thou wilt discern the various groups, Which guard the awful pa.s.sage. Further on, Within a deep and horrible recess, Frowns the White Demon--conquer him--destroy That fell magician, and restore to sight Thy suffering king, and all his warrior train.

The wise in cures declare, that the warm blood From the White Demon's heart, dropped in the eye, Removes all blindness--it is, then, my hope, Favored by G.o.d, that thou wilt slay the fiend, And save us from the misery we endure, The misery of darkness without end."

Rustem accordingly, after having warned his friends and companions in arms to keep on the alert, prepared for the enterprise, and guided by Aulad, hurried on till he came to the Haft-koh, or Seven Mountains.

There he found numerous companies of Demons; and coming to one of the caverns, saw it crowded with the same awful beings. And now consulting with Aulad, he was informed that the most advantageous time for attack would be when the sun became hot, for then all the Demons were accustomed to go to sleep, with the exception of a very small number who were appointed to keep watch. He therefore waited till the sun rose high in the firmament; and as soon as he had bound Aulad to a tree hand and foot, with the thongs of his kamund, drew his sword, and rushed among the prostrate Demons, dismembering and slaying all that fell in his way.

Dreadful was the carnage, and those who survived fled in the wildest terror from the champion's fury.

Seventh Stage.--Rustem now hastened forward to encounter the White Demon.

Advancing to the cavern, he looked down And saw a gloomy place, dismal as h.e.l.l; But not one cursed, impious sorcerer Was visible in that infernal depth.

Awhile he stood--his falchion in his grasp, And rubbed his eyes to sharpen his dim sight, And then a mountain-form, covered with hair, Filling up all the s.p.a.ce, rose into view.

The monster was asleep, but presently The daring shouts of Rustem broke his rest, And brought him suddenly upon his feet, When seizing a huge mill-stone, forth he came, And thus accosted the intruding chief: "Art thou so tired of life, that reckless thus Thou dost invade the precincts of the Demons?