THE DEATH OF AFRaSIYaB

Melancholy and afflicted, Afrasiyab penetrated through wood and desert, and entered the province of Mikran, whither he was followed by Kai-khosrau and his army. He then quitted Mikran, but his followers had fallen off to a small number and to whatever country or region he repaired for rest and protection, none was given, lest the vengeance of Kai-khosrau should be hurled upon the offender. Still pursued and hunted like a wild beast, and still flying from his enemies, the small retinue which remained with him at last left him, and he was left alone, dejected, dest.i.tute, and truly forlorn. In this state of desertion he retired into a cave, where he hoped to continue undiscovered and unseen.

It chanced, however, that a man named Hum, of the race of Feridun, dwelt hard by. He was remarkable for his strength and bravery, but had peacefully taken up his abode upon the neighboring mountain, and was pa.s.sing a religious life without any communication with the busy world.

His dwelling was a little way above the cave of Afrasiyab. One night he heard a voice of lamentation below, and anxious to ascertain from whom and whence it proceeded, he stole down to the spot and listened. The mourner spoke in the Turkish language, and said:--"O king of Turan and Chin, where is now thy pomp and power! How has Fortune cast away thy throne and thy treasure to the winds?" Hearing these words Hum conjectured that this must be Afrasiyab; and as he had suffered severely from the tyranny of that monarch, his feelings of vengeance were awakened, and he approached nearer to be certain that it was he. The same lamentations were repeated, and he felt a.s.sured that it was Afrasiyab himself. He waited patiently, however, till morning dawned, and then he called out at the mouth of the cave:--"O, king of the world!

come out of thy cave, and obtain thy desires! I have left the invisible sphere to accomplish thy wishes. Appear!" Afrasiyab thinking this a spiritual call, went out of the cave and was instantly recognized by Hum, who at the same moment struck him a severe blow on the forehead, which felled him to the earth, and then secured his hands behind his back. When the monarch found himself in fetters and powerless, he complained of the cruelty inflicted upon him, and asked Hum why he had treated a stranger in that manner. Hum replied: "How many a prince of the race of Feridun hast thou sacrificed to thy ambition? How many a heart hast thou broken? I, too, am one who was compelled to fly from thy persecutions, and take refuge here on this desert mountain, and constantly have I prayed for thy ruin that I might be released from this miserable mode of existence, and be permitted to return to my paternal home. My prayer has been heard at last, and G.o.d has delivered thee into my hands. But how earnest thou hither, and by what strange vicissitudes art thou thus placed before me?" Afrasiyab communicated to him the story of his misfortunes, and begged of him rather to put him to death on the spot than convey him to Kai-khosrau. But Hum was too much delighted with having the tyrant under his feet to consider either his safety or his feelings, and was not long in bringing him to the Persian king.

Kai-khosrau received the prisoner with exultation, and made Hum a magnificent present. He well recollected the basin and the dagger used in the murder of Saiawush, and commanded the presence of the treacherous Gersiwaz, that he and Afrasiyab might suffer, in every respect, the same fate together. The basin was brought, and the two victims were put to death, like two goats, their heads being chopped off from their bodies.

After this sanguinary catastrophe, Kai-khosrau returned to Iran, leaving Rustem to proceed to his own princ.i.p.ality. Kai-kaus quitted his palace, according to his established custom, to welcome back the conqueror. He kissed his head and face, and showered upon him praises and blessings for the valor he had displayed, and the deeds he had done, and especially for having so signally revenged the cruel murder of his father Saiawush.

THE DEATH OF KAI-KHOSRaU

Kai-khosrau at last became inspired by an insurmountable attachment to a religious life, and thought only of devotion to G.o.d. Thus influenced by a disposition peculiar to ascetics, he abandoned the duties of sovereignty, and committed all state affairs to the care of his ministers. The chiefs and warriors remonstrated respectfully against this mode of government, and trusted that he would devote only a few hours in the day to the transactions of the kingdom, and the remainder to prayer and religious exercises; but this he refused, saying:--"One heart is not equal to both duties; my affections indeed are not for this transitory world, and I trust to be an inhabitant of the world to come."

The n.o.bles were in great sorrow at this declaration, and anxiously applied to Zal and Rustem, in the hopes of working some change in the king's disposition. On their arrival the people cried to them:--

"Some evil eye has smote the king;--Iblis By wicked wiles has led his soul astray, And withered all life's pleasures. O release Our country from the sorrow, the dismay Which darkens every heart:--his ruin stay.

Is it not mournful thus to see him cold And gloomy, casting pomp and joy away?

Restore him to himself; let us behold Again the victor-king, the generous, just and bold."

Zal and Rustem went to the palace of the king in a melancholy mood, and Khosrau having heard of their approach, enquired of them why they had left Sistan. They replied that the news of his having relinquished all concern in the affairs of the kingdom had induced them to wait upon him.

"I am weary of the troubles of this life," said he composedly, "and anxious to prepare for a future state." "But death," observed Zal, "is a great evil. It is dreadful to die!" Upon this the king said:--"I cannot endure any longer the deceptions and the perfidy of mankind. My love of heaven is so great that I cannot exist one moment without devotion and prayer. Last night a mysterious voice whispered in my ear:--The time of thy departure is nigh, prepare the load for thy journey, and neglect not thy warning angel, or the opportunity will be lost." When Zal and Rustem saw that Khosrau was resolved, and solemnly occupied in his devotions, they were for some time silent. But Zal was at length moved, and said:--"I will go into retirement and solitude with the king, and by continual prayer, and through his blessing, I too may be forgiven."

"This, indeed," said the king, "is not the place for me. I must seek out a solitary cell, and there resign my soul to heaven." Zal and Rustem wept, and quitted the palace, and all the warriors were in the deepest affliction.

The next day Kai-khosrau left his apartment, and called together his great men and warriors, and said to them:--

"That which I sought for, I have now obtained.

Nothing remains of worldly wish, or hope, To disappoint or vex me. I resign The pageantry of kings, and turn away From all the pomp of the Kaianian throne, Sated with human grandeur.--Now, farewell!

Such is my destiny. To those brave friends, Who, ever faithful, have my power upheld, I will discharge the duty of a king, Paying the pleasing debt of grat.i.tude."

He then ordered his tents to be pitched in the desert, and opened his treasury, and for seven days made a sumptuous feast, and distributed food and money among the indigent, the widows, and orphans, and every dest.i.tute person was abundantly supplied with the necessaries of life, so that there was no one left in a state of want throughout the empire.

He also attended to the claims of his warriors. To Rustem he gave Zabul, and Kabul, and Nim-ruz. He appointed Lohurasp, the son-in-law of Kai-kaus, successor to his throne, and directed all his people to pay the same allegiance to him as they had done to himself; and they unanimously consented, declaring their firm attachment to his person and government. He appointed Gudarz the chief minister, and Giw to the chief command of the armies. To Tus he gave Khora.s.san; and he said to Friburz, the son of Kaus:--"Be thou obedient, I beseech thee, to the commands of Lohurasp, whom I have instructed, and brought up with paternal care; for I know of no one so well qualified in the art of governing a kingdom."

The warriors of Iran were surprised, and murmured together, that the son of Kai-kaus should be thus placed under the authority of Lohurasp. But Zal observed to them:--"If it be the king's will, it is enough!" The murmurs of the warriors having reached Kai-khosrau, he sent for them, and addressed them thus:--"Friburz is well known to be unequal to the functions of sovereignty; but Lohurasp is enlightened, and fully comprehends all the duties of regal sway. He is a descendant of Husheng, wise and merciful, and G.o.d is my witness, I think him perfectly calculated to make a nation happy." Hearing this eulogium on the character of the new king from Kai-khosrau, all the warriors expressed their satisfaction, and antic.i.p.ated a glorious reign. Khosrau further said:--"I must now address you on another subject. In my dreams a fountain has been pointed out to me; and when I visit that fountain, my life will be resigned to its Creator." He then bid farewell to all the people around him, and commenced his journey; and when he had accomplished one stage he pitched his tent. Next day he resumed his task, and took leave of Zal and Rustem; who wept bitterly as they parted from him.

"Alas!" they said, "that one on whom Heaven has bestowed a mind so great, A heart so brave, should seek the tomb, And not his hour in patience wait.

The wise in wonder gaze, and say, No mortal being ever trod Before, the dim supernal way, And living, saw the face of G.o.d!"

After Zal and Rustem, then Khosrau took leave of Gudarz and Giw and Tus, and Gustahem, but unwilling to go back, they continued with him. He soon arrived at the promised fountain, in which he bathed. He then said to his followers:--"Now is the time for our separation;--you must go;"

but they still remained. Again he said:--"You must go quickly; for presently heavy showers of snow will fall, and a tempestuous wind will arise, and you will perish in the storm." Saying this, he went into the fountain, and vanished!

And not a trace was left behind, And not a dimple on the wave; All sought, but sought in vain, to find The spot which proved Kai-khosrau's grave!

The king having disappeared in this extraordinary manner, a loud lamentation ascended from his followers; and when the paroxysm of amazement and sorrow had ceased, Friburz said:--"Let us now refresh ourselves with food, and rest awhile." Accordingly those that remained ate a little, and were soon afterwards overcome with sleep. Suddenly a great wind arose, and the snow fell and clothed the earth in white, and all the warriors and soldiers who accompanied Kai-khosrau to the mysterious fountain, and amongst them Tus and Friburz, and Giw, were while asleep overwhelmed in the drifts of snow. Not a man survived.

Gudarz had returned when about half-way on the road; and not hearing for a long time any tidings of his companions, sent a person to ascertain the cause of their delay. Upon proceeding to the fatal place, the messenger, to his amazement and horror, found them all stiff and lifeless under the snow!

LOHURaSP

The reputation of Lohurasp was of the highest order, and it is said that his administration of the affairs of his kingdom was more just and paternal than even that of Kai-khosrau. "The counsel which Khosrau gave me," said he, "was wise and admirable; but I find that I must go beyond him in moderation and clemency to the poor." Lohurasp had four sons, two by the daughter of Kai-kaus, one named Ardshir, and the other Shydasp; and two by another woman, and they were named Gushtasp and Zarir. But Gushtasp was intrepid, acute, and apparently marked out for sovereignty, and on account of his independent conduct, no favorite with his father; in defiance of whom, with a rebellious spirit, he collected together a hundred thousand hors.e.m.e.n, and proceeded with them towards Hindustan of his own accord. Lohurasp sent after him his brother Zarir, with a thousand hors.e.m.e.n, in the hopes of influencing him to return; but when Zarir overtook him and endeavored to persuade him not to proceed any further, he said to him, with an animated look:--

"Proceed no farther!--Well thou know'st We've no Kaianian blood to boast, And, therefore, but a minor part In Lohurasp's paternal heart.

Nor thou, nor I, can ever own From him the diadem or throne.

The brothers of Kaus's race By birth command the brightest place, Then what remains for us? We must To other means our fortunes trust.

We cannot linger here, and bear A life of discontent--despair."

Zarir, however, reasoned with him so winningly and effectually, that at last he consented to return; but only upon the condition that he should be nominated heir to the throne, and treated with becoming respect and ceremony. Zarir agreed to interpose his efforts to this end, and brought him back to his father; but it was soon apparent that Lohurasp had no inclination to promote the elevation of Gushtasp in preference to the claims of his other sons; and indeed shortly afterwards manifested to what quarter his determination on this subject was directed. It was indeed enough that his determination was unfavorable to the views of Gushtasp, who now, in disgust, fled from his father's house, but without any attendants, and shaped his course towards Rum. Lohurasp again sent Zarir in quest of him; but the youth, after a tedious search, returned without success. Upon his arrival in Rum, Gushtasp chose a solitary retirement, where he remained some time, and was at length compelled by poverty and want, to ask for employment in the establishment of the sovereign of that country, stating that he was an accomplished scribe, and wrote a beautiful hand. He was told to wait a few days, as at that time there was no vacancy. But hunger was pressing, and he could not suffer delay; he therefore went to the master of the camel-drivers and asked for service, but he too had no vacancy. However, commiserating the distressed condition of the applicant, he generously supplied him with a hearty meal. After that, Gushtasp went into a blacksmith's shop, and asked for work, and his services were accepted. The blacksmith put the hammer into his hands, and the first blow he struck was given with such force, that he broke the anvil to pieces. The blacksmith was amazed and angry, and indignantly turned him out of his shop, uttering upon him a thousand violent reproaches.

Wounded in spirit, broken-hearted, Misfortune darkening o'er his head, To other lands he then departed, To seek another home for bread.

Disconsolate and wretched, he proceeded on his journey, and observing a husbandman standing in a field of corn, he approached the spot and sat down. The husbandman seeing a strong muscular youth, apparently a Turanian, sitting in sorrow and tears, went up to him and asked him the cause of his grief, and he soon became acquainted with all the circ.u.mstances of the stranger's life. Pitying his distress, he took him home and gave him some food.

After having partaken sufficiently of the refreshments placed before him, Gushtasp inquired of his host to what tribe he belonged, and from whom he was descended. "I am descended from Feridun," rejoined he, "and I belong to the Kaianian tribe. My occupation in this retired spot is, as thou seest, the cultivation of the ground, and the customs and duties of husbandry." Gushtasp said, "I am myself descended from Husheng, who was the ancestor of Feridun; we are, therefore, of the same origin." In consequence of this connection, Gushtasp and the husbandman lived together on the most friendly footing for a considerable time. At length the star of his fortune began to illumine his path, and the favor of Heaven became manifest.

It was the custom of the king of Rum, when his daughters came of age, to give a splendid banquet, and to invite to it all the youths of ill.u.s.trious birth in the kingdom, in order that each might select one of them most suited to her taste, for her future husband. His daughter Kitabun was now of age, and in conformity with the established practice, the feast was prepared, and the youths of royal descent invited; but it so happened that not one of them was sufficiently attractive for her choice, and the day pa.s.sed over unprofitably. She had been told in a dream that a youth of a certain figure and aspect had arrived in the kingdom from Iran, and that to him she was destined to be married. But there was not one at her father's banquet who answered to the description of the man she had seen in her dream, and in consequence she was disappointed. On the following day the feast was resumed. She had again dreamt of the youth to whom she was to be united. She had presented to him a bunch of roses, and he had given her a rose-branch, and each regarded the other with smiles of mutual satisfaction. In the morning Kitabun issued a proclamation, inviting all the young men of royal extraction, whether natives of the kingdom or strangers, to her father's feast. On that day Gushtasp and the husbandman had come into the city from the country, and hearing the proclamation the latter said: "Let us go, for in this lottery the prize may be drawn in thy name."

They accordingly went. Kitabun's handmaid was in waiting at the door, and kept every young man standing awhile, that her mistress might mark him well before she allowed him to pa.s.s into the banquet. The keen eyes of Kitabun soon saw Gushtasp, and her heart instantly acknowledged him as her promised lord, for he was the same person she had seen in her dream.

As near the graceful stripling drew, She cried:--"My dream, my dream is true!

Fortune from visions of the night Has brought him to my longing sight.

Truth has portrayed his form divine; He lives--he lives--and he is mine!"

She presently descended from her balcony, and gave him a bunch of roses, the token by which her choice was made known, and then retired. The king, when he heard of what she had done, was exceedingly irritated, thinking that her affections were placed on a beggar, or some nameless stranger of no birth or fortune, and his first impulse was to have her put to death. But his people a.s.sembled around him, and said:--"What can be the use of killing her?--It is in vain to resist the flood of destiny, for what will be, will be.

"The world itself is governed still by Fate, Fate rules the warrior's and the monarch's state; And woman's heart, the pa.s.sions of her soul, Own the same power, obey the same control; For what can love's impetuous force restrain?

Blood may be shed, but what will be thy gain?"

After this remonstrance he desired enquiries to be made into the character and parentage of his proposed son-in-law, and was told his name, the name of his father, and of his ancestors, and the causes which led to his present condition. But he would not believe a word of the narration. He was then informed of his daughter's dream, and other particulars: and he so far relented as to sanction the marriage; but indignantly drove her from his house, with her husband, without a dowry, or any money to supply themselves with food.

Gushtasp and his wife took refuge in a miserable cell, which they inhabited, and when necessity pressed, he used to cross the river, and bring in an elk or wild a.s.s from the forest, give half of it to the ferryman for his trouble, and keep the remainder for his own board, so that he and the ferryman became great friends by these mutual obligations. It is related that a person of distinction, named Mabrin, solicited the king's second daughter in marriage; and Ahrun, another man of rank, was anxious to be espoused to the third, or youngest; but the king was unwilling to part with either of them, and openly declared his sentiments to that effect. Mabrin, however, was most a.s.siduous and persevering in his attentions, and at last made some impression on the father, who consented to permit the marriage of the second daughter, but only on the following conditions: "There is," said he, "a monstrous wolf in the neighboring forest, extremely ferocious, and destructive to my property. I have frequently endeavored to hunt him down, but without success. If Mabrin can destroy the animal, I will give him my daughter."

When these conditions were communicated to Mabrin, he considered it impossible that they could be fulfilled, and looked upon the proposal as an evasion of the question. One day, however, the ferryman having heard of Mabrin's disappointment, told him that there was no reason to despair, for he knew a young man, married to one of the king's daughters, who crossed the river every day, and though only a pedestrian, brought home regularly an elk-deer on his back. "He is truly," added he, "a wonderful youth, and if you can by any means secure his a.s.sistance, I have no doubt but that his activity and strength will soon put an end to the wolfs depredations, by depriving him of life."

This intelligence was received with great pleasure by Mabrin, who hastened to Gushtasp, and described to him his situation, and the conditions required. Gushtasp in reply said, that he would be glad to accomplish for him the object of his desires, and at an appointed time proceeded towards the forest, accompanied by Mabrin and the ferryman.

When the party arrived at the borders of the wilderness which the wolf frequented, Gushtasp left his companions behind, and advanced alone into the interior, where he soon found the dreadful monster, in size larger than an elephant, and howling terribly, ready to spring upon him. But the hand and eye of Gushtasp were too active to allow of his being surprised, and in an instant he shot two arrows at once into the foaming beast, which, irritated by the deep wound, now rushed furiously upon him, without, however, doing him any serious injury; then with the rapidity of lightning, Gushtasp drew his sharp sword, and with one tremendous stroke cut the wolf in two, deluging the ground with bubbling blood. Having performed this prodigious exploit, he called Mabrin and the ferryman to see what he had done, and they were amazed at his extraordinary intrepidity and muscular power, but requested, in order that the special object of the lover might be obtained, that he would conceal his name, for a time at least. Mabrin, satisfied on this point, then repaired to the emperor, and claimed his promised bride, as the reward for his labor. The king of Rum little expected this result, and to a.s.sure himself of the truth of what he had heard, bent his way to the forest, where he was convinced, seeing with astonishment and delight that the wolf was really killed. He had now no further pretext, and therefore fulfilled his engagement, by giving his daughter to Mabrin.

It was now Ahrun's turn to repeat his solicitations for the youngest daughter. The king of Rum had another evil to root out, so that he was prepared to propose another condition. This was to destroy a hideous dragon that had taken possession of a neighboring mountain. Ahrun, on hearing the condition was in as deep distress as Mabrin had been, until he accidentally became acquainted with the ferryman, who described to him the generosity and fearless bravery of Gushtasp. He immediately applied to him, and the youth readily undertook the enterprise, saying:--"No doubt the monster's teeth are long and sharp, bring me therefore a dagger, and fasten round it a number of knives." Ahrun did so accordingly, and Gushtasp proceeded to the mountain. As soon as the dragon smelt the approach of a human being, flames issued from his nostrils, and he darted forward to devour the intruder, but was driven back by a number of arrows, rapidly discharged into his head and mouth.

Again he advanced, but Gushtasp dodged round him, and continued driving arrows into him to the extent of forty, which subdued his strength, and made him writhe in agony. He then fixed the dagger, which was armed at right angles with knives, upon his spear, and going nearer, thrust it down his gasping throat.

Dreadful the weapon each two-edged blade Cut deep into the jaws on either side, And the fierce monster, thinking to dislodge it, Crushed it between his teeth with all his strength, Which pressed it deeper in the flesh, when blood And poison issued from the gaping wounds; Then, as he floundered on the earth exhausted, Seizing the fragment of a flinty rock, Gushtasp beat out the brains, and soon the beast In terrible struggles died. Two deadly fangs Then wrenched he from the jaws, to testify The wonderful exploit he had performed.

When he descended from the mountain, these two teeth were delivered to Ahrun, and they were afterwards conveyed to the king, who could not believe his own eyes, but ascended the mountain himself to ascertain the fact, and there he beheld with amazement the dragon lifeless, and covered with blood. "And didst thou thyself kill this terrific dragon?"

said he. "Yes," replied Ahrun. "And wilt thou swear to G.o.d that this is thy own achievement? It must be either the exploit of a demon, or of a certain Kaianian, who resides in this neighborhood." But there was no one to disprove his a.s.sertion, and therefore the king could no longer refuse to surrender to him his youngest daughter.

And now between Gushtasp, and Mabrin, and Ahrun, the warmest friendship subsisted. Indeed they were seldom parted; and the three sisters remained together with equal affection. One day Kitabun, the wife of Gushtasp, in conversation with some of her female acquaintance, let out the secret that her husband was the person who killed the wolf and the dragon.

No sooner was this story told, than it spread, and in the end reached the ears of the queen, who immediately communicated it to the king, saying:--"This is the work of Gushtasp, thy son-in-law, of him thou hast banished from thy presence--of him who n.o.bly would not disclose his name, before Mabrin and Ahrun had attained the object of their wishes."

The king said in reply that it was just as he had suspected; and sending for Gushtasp, conferred upon him great honor, and appointed him to the chief command of his army.