Swift flies the messenger through secret ways, And to the King the dreadful tale conveys, Then pa.s.sed, unseen, in night's concealing shade, The mournful heroes and the warrior maid.

Soon as the sun with vivifying ray, Gleams o'er the landscape, and renews the day; The flaming troops the lofty walls surround, With thundering crash the bursting gates resound.

Already are the captives bound, in thought, And like a herd before the conqueror brought; Sohrab, terrific o'er the ruin, views His hopes deceived, but restless still pursues.

An empty fortress mocks his searching eye, No steel-clad chiefs his burning wrath defy; No warrior-maid reviving pa.s.sion warms, And soothes his soul with fondly-valued charms.

Deep in his breast he feels the amorous smart, And hugs her image closer to his heart.

"Alas! that Fate should thus invidious shroud The moon's soft radiance in a gloomy cloud; Should to my eyes such winning grace display, Then s.n.a.t.c.h the enchanter of my soul away!

A beauteous roe my toils enclosed in vain, Now I, her victim, drag the captive's chain; Strange the effects that from her charms proceed, I gave the wound, and I afflicted bleed!

Vanquished by her, I mourn the luckless strife; Dark, dark, and bitter, frowns my morn of life.

A fair unknown my tortured bosom rends, Withers each joy, and every hope suspends."

Impa.s.sioned thus Sohrab in secret sighed, And sought, in vain, o'er-mastering grief to hide.

Can the heart bleed and throb from day to day, And yet no trace its inmost pangs betray?

Love scorns control, and prompts the labouring sigh, Pales the red lip, and dims the lucid eye; His look alarmed the stern Turanian Chief, Closely he mark'd his heart-corroding grief;-- And though he knew not that the martial dame, Had in his bosom lit the tender flame[18]; Full well he knew such deep repinings prove, The hapless thraldom of disastrous love.

Full well he knew some idol's musky hair, Had to his youthful heart become a snare, But still unnoted was the gushing tear, Till haply he had gained his private ear:-- "In ancient times, no hero known to fame, Not dead to glory e'er indulged the flame; Though beauty's smiles might charm a fleeting hour, The heart, unsway'd, repelled their lasting power.

A warrior Chief to trembling love a prey?

What! weep for woman one inglorious day?

Canst thou for love's effeminate control, Barter the glory of a warrior's soul?

Although a hundred damsels might be gained, The hero's heart shall still be free, unchained.

Thou art our leader, and thy place the field Where soldiers love to fight with spear and shield; And what hast thou to do with tears and smiles, The silly victim to a woman's wiles?

Our progress, mark! from far Turan we came, Through seas of blood to gain immortal fame; And wilt thou now the tempting conquest shun, When our brave arms this Barrier-fort have won?

Why linger here, and trickling sorrows shed, Till mighty Kaus thunders o'er thy head!

Till Tus, and Giw, and Gudarz, and Bahram, And Rustem brave, Feramurz, and Reham, Shall aid the war! A great emprise is thine, At once, then, every other thought resign; For know the task which first inspired thy zeal, Transcends in glory all that love can feel.

Rise, lead the war, prodigious toils require Unyielding strength, and unextinguished fire; Pursue the triumph with tempestuous rage, Against the world in glorious strife engage, And when an empire sinks beneath thy sway (O quickly may we hail the prosperous day), The fickle s.e.x will then with blooming charms, Adoring throng to bless thy circling arms!"

Human's warm speech, the spirit-stirring theme, Awoke Sohrab from his inglorious dream.

No more the tear his faded cheek bedewed, Again ambition all his hopes renewed: Swell'd his bold heart with unforgotten zeal, The n.o.ble wrath which heroes only feel; Fiercely he vowed at one tremendous stroke, To bow the world beneath the tyrant's yoke!

"Afrasiyab," he cried, "shall reign alone, The mighty lord of Persia's gorgeous throne!"

Burning, himself, to rule this nether sphere, These welcome tidings charmed the despot's ear.

Meantime Kaus, this dire invasion known, Had called his chiefs around his ivory throne: There stood Gurgin, and Bahram, and Gushwad, And Tus, and Giw, and Gudarz, and Ferhad; To them he read the melancholy tale, Gust'hem had written of the rising bale; Besought their aid and prudent choice, to form Some sure defence against the threatening storm.

With one consent they urge the strong request, To summon Rustem from his rural rest.-- Instant a warrior-delegate they send, And thus the King invites his patriot-friend,

"To thee all praise, whose mighty arm alone, Preserves the glory of the Persian throne!

Lo! Tartar hordes our happy realms invade; The tottering state requires thy powerful aid; A youthful Champion leads the ruthless host, His savage country's widely-rumoured boast.

The Barrier-fortress sinks beneath his sway, Hujir is vanquished, ruin tracks his way; Strong as a raging elephant in fight, No arm but thine can match his furious might.

Mazinderan thy conquering prowess knew; The Demon-king thy trenchant falchion slew, The rolling heavens, abash'd with fear, behold Thy biting sword, thy mace adorned with gold!

Fly to the succour of a King distress'd, Proud of thy love, with thy protection blest.

When o'er the nation dread misfortunes lower, Thou art the refuge, thou the saving power.

The chiefs a.s.sembled claim thy patriot vows, Give to thy glory all that life allows; And while no whisper breathes the direful tale, O, let thy Monarch's anxious prayers prevail."

Closing the fragrant page[19] o'ercome with dread, The afflicted King to Giw, the warrior, said:-- "Go, bind the saddle on thy fleetest horse, Outstrip the tempest in thy rapid course, To Rustem swift his country's woes convey, Too true art thou to linger on the way; Speed, day and night--and not one instant wait, Whatever hour may bring thee to his gate."

Followed no pause--to Giw enough was said, Nor rest, nor taste of food, his speed delayed.

And when arrived, where Zabul's bowers exhale Ambrosial sweets and scent the balmy gale, The sentinel's loud voice in Rustem's ear, Announced a messenger from Persia, near; The Chief himself amidst his warriors stood, Dispensing honours to the brave and good, And soon as Giw had joined the martial ring, (The sacred envoy of the Persian King), He, with becoming loyalty inspired, Asked what the monarch, what the state required; But Giw, apart, his secret mission told-- The written page was speedily unrolled.

Struck with amazement, Rustem--"Now on earth A warrior-knight of Sam's excelling worth?

Whence comes this hero of the prosperous star?

I know no Turk renowned, like him, in war; He bears the port of Rustem too, 'tis said, Like Sam, like Nariman, a warrior bred!

He cannot be my son, unknown to me; Reason forbids the thought--it cannot be!

At Samengan, where once affection smiled, To me Tahmineh bore her only child, That was a daughter?" Pondering thus he spoke, And then aloud--"Why fear the invader's yoke?

Why trembling shrink, by coward thoughts dismayed, Must we not all in dust, at length, be laid?

But come, to Nirum's palace, haste with me, And there partake the feast--from sorrow free; Breathe, but awhile--ere we our toils renew, And moisten the parched lip with needful dew.

Let plans of war another day decide, We soon shall quell this youthful hero's pride.

The force of fire soon flutters and decays When ocean, swelled by storms, its wrath displays.

What danger threatens! whence the dastard fear!

Rest, and at leisure share a warrior's cheer."

In vain the Envoy prest the Monarch's grief; The matchless prowess of the stripling chief; How brave Hujir had felt his furious hand; What thickening woes beset the shuddering land.

But Rustem, still, delayed the parting day, And mirth and feasting rolled the hours away; Morn following morn beheld the banquet bright, Music and wine prolonged the genial rite; Rapt by the witchery of the melting strain, No thought of Kaus touch'd his swimming brain.[20]

The trumpet's clang, on fragrant breezes borne, Now loud salutes the fifth revolving morn; The softer tones which charm'd the jocund feast, And all the noise of revelry, had ceased, The generous horse, with rich embroidery deckt, Whose gilded trappings sparkling light reflect, Bears with majestic port the Champion brave, And high in air the victor-banners wave.

Prompt at the martial call, Zuara leads His veteran troops from Zabul's verdant meads.[21]

Ere Rustem had approached his journey's end, Tus, Gudarz, Gushwad, met their champion-friend With customary honours; pleased to bring The shield of Persia to the anxious King.

But foaming wrath the senseless monarch swayed; His friendship scorned, his mandate disobeyed, Beneath dark brows o'er-shadowing deep, his eye Red gleaming shone, like lightning through the sky And when the warriors met his sullen view, Frowning revenge, still more enraged he grew:-- Loud to the Envoy thus he fiercely cried:-- "Since Rustem has my royal power defied, Had I a sword, this instant should his head Roll on the ground; but let him now be led Hence, and impaled alive."[22] Astounded Giw Shrunk from such treatment of a knight so true; But this resistance added to the flame, And both were branded with revolt and shame; Both were condemned, and Tus, the stern decree Received, to break them on the felon-tree.

Could daring insult, thus deliberate given, Escape the rage of one to frenzy driven?

No, from his side the nerveless Chief was flung, Bent to the ground. Away the Champion sprung; Mounted his foaming horse, and looking round-- His boiling wrath thus rapid utterance found:-- "Ungrateful King, thy tyrant acts disgrace The sacred throne, and more, the human race; Midst clashing swords thy recreant life I saved, And am I now by Tus contemptuous braved?[23]

On me shall Tus, shall Kaus dare to frown?

On me, the bulwark of the regal crown?

Wherefore should fear in Rustem's breast have birth, Kaus, to me, a worthless clod of earth!

Go, and thyself Sohrab's invasion stay, Go, seize the plunderers growling o'er their prey!

Wherefore to others give the base command?

Go, break him on the tree with thine own hand.

Know, thou hast roused a warrior, great and free, Who never bends to tyrant Kings like thee!

Was not this untired arm triumphant seen, In Misser, Rum, Mazinderan, and Chin!

And must I shrink at thy imperious nod!

Slave to no Prince, I only bow to G.o.d.

Whatever wrath from thee, proud King! may fall, For thee I fought, and I deserve it all.

The regal sceptre might have graced my hand, I kept the laws, and scorned supreme command.

When Kai-kobad and Alberz mountain strayed, I drew him thence, and gave a warrior's aid; Placed on his brows the long-contested crown, Worn by his sires, by sacred right his own; Strong in the cause, my conquering arms prevailed, Wouldst thou have reign'd had Rustem's valour failed When the White Demon raged in battle-fray, Wouldst thou have lived had Rustem lost the day?"

Then to his friends: "Be wise, and shun your fate, Fly the wide ruin which o'erwhelms the state; The conqueror comes--the scourge of great and small, And vultures, following fast, will gorge on all.

Persia no more its injured Chief shall view"-- He said, and sternly from the court withdrew.

The warriors now, with sad forebodings wrung, Torn from that hope to which they proudly clung, On Gudarz rest, to soothe with gentle sway, The frantic King, and Rustem's wrath allay.

With bitter grief they wail misfortune's shock, No shepherd now to guard the timorous flock.

Gudarz at length, with boding cares imprest, Thus soothed the anger in the royal breast.

"Say, what has Rustem done, that he should be Impaled upon the ignominious tree?

Degrading thought, unworthy to be bred Within a royal heart, a royal head.

Hast thou forgot when near the Caspian-wave, Defeat and ruin had appalled the brave, When mighty Rustem struck the dreadful blow, And n.o.bly freed thee from the savage foe?

Did Demons huge escape his flaming brand?

Their reeking limbs bestrew'd the slippery strand.

Shall he for this resign his vital breath?

What! shall the hero's recompense be death?

But who will dare a threatening step advance, What earthly power can bear his withering glance?

Should he to Zabul fired with wrongs return, The plunder'd land will long in sorrow mourn!

This direful presage all our warriors feel, For who can now oppose the invader's steel; Thus is it wise thy champion to offend, To urge to this extreme thy warrior-friend?

Remember, pa.s.sion ever scorns control, And wisdom's mild decrees should rule a Monarch's soul."[24]

Kaus, relenting, heard with anxious ear, And groundless wrath gave place to shame and fear; "Go then," he cried, "his generous aid implore, And to your King the mighty Chief restore!"