One of the women of Gushtasp's household happened to elude the grasp of the invader, and hastened to Sistan to inform the king of the disaster that had occurred. "Thy father is killed, the city is taken, and thy women and daughters in the power of the conqueror." Gushtasp received the news with consternation, and prepared with the utmost expedition for his departure. He invited Rustem to accompany him, but the champion excused himself at the time, and afterwards declined altogether on the plea of sickness. Before he had yet arrived at Balkh, Kahram hearing of his approach, went out to meet him with his whole army, and was joined on the same day by Arjasp and his demon-legions.

Great was the uproar, loud the brazen drums And trumpets rung, the earth shook, and seemed rent By that tremendous conflict, javelins flew Like hail on every side, and the warm blood Streamed from the wounded and the dying men.

The claim of kindred did not check the arm Lifted in battle--mercy there was none, For all resigned themselves to chance or fate, Or what the ruling Heavens might decree.

At last the battle terminated in the defeat of Gushtasp, who was pursued till he was obliged to take refuge in a mountain-fort. He again consulted Jamasp to know what the stars foretold, and Jamasp replied that he would recover from the defeat through the exertions of Isfendiyar alone. Pleased with this interpretation, he on that very day sent Jamasp to the prison with a letter to Isfendiyar, in which he hoped to be pardoned for the cruelty he had been guilty of towards him, in consequence, he said, of being deceived by the arts and treachery of those who were only anxious to effect his ruin. He declared too that he would put those enemies to death in his presence, and replace the royal crown upon his head. At the same time he confined in chains Gurzam, the wretch who first practised upon his feelings. Jamasp rode immediately to the prison, and delivering the letter, urged the prince to comply with his father's entreaties, but Isfendiyar was incredulous and not so easily to be moved.

"Has he not at heart disdained me?

Has he not in prison chained me?

Am I not his son, that he Treats me ignominiously?

"Why should Gurzam's scorn and hate Rouse a loving father's wrath?

Why should he, the foul ingrate, Cast destruction in my path?"

Jamasp, however, persevered in his anxious solicitations, describing to him how many of his brethren and kindred had fallen, and also the perilous situation of his own father if he refused his a.s.sistance. By a thousand various efforts he at length effected his purpose, and the blacksmith was called to take off his chains; but in removing them, the anguish of the wounds they had inflicted was so great that Isfendiyar fainted away. Upon his recovery he was escorted to the presence of his father, who received him with open arms, and the strongest expressions of delight. He begged to be forgiven for his unnatural conduct to him, again resigned to him the throne of the empire, and appointed him to the command of the imperial armies. He then directed Gurzam, upon whose malicious counsel he had acted, to be brought before him, and the wicked minister was punished with death on the spot, and in the presence of the injured prince.

Wretch! more relentless even than wolf or pard, Thou hast at length received thy just reward!

When Arjasp heard that Isfendiyar had been reconciled to his father, and was approaching at the head of an immense army, he was affected with the deepest concern, and forthwith sent his son Kahram to endeavor to resist the progress of the enemy. At the same time Kurugsar, a gladiator of the demon race, requested that he might be allowed to oppose Isfendiyar; and permission being granted, he was the very first on the field, where instantly wielding his bow, he shot an arrow at Isfendiyar, which pierced through the mail, but fortunately for him did no serious harm.

The prince drew his sword with the intention of attacking him, but seeing him furious with rage, and being doubtful of the issue, thought it more prudent and safe to try his success with the noose. Accordingly he took the kamund from his saddle-strap, and dexterously flung it round the neck of his arrogant foe, who was pulled headlong from his horse: and, as soon as his arms were bound behind his back, dragged a prisoner in front of the Persian ranks. Isfendiyar then returned to the battle, attacked a body of the enemy's auxiliaries, killed a hundred and sixty of their warriors, and made the division of which Kahram was the leader fly in all directions. His next feat was to attack another force, which had confederated against him.

With slackened rein he galloped o'er the field; Blood gushed from every stroke of his sharp sword, And reddened all the plain; a hundred warriors Eighty and five, in treasure rich and mail, Sunk underneath him, such his mighty power.

His remaining object was to a.s.sail the centre, where Arjasp himself was stationed; and thither he rapidly hastened. Arjasp, angry and alarmed at this success, cried out, "What! is one man allowed to scathe all my ranks, cannot my whole army put an end to his dreadful career?" The soldiers replied, "No! he has a body of bra.s.s, and the vigor of an elephant: our swords make no impression upon him, whilst with his sword he can cut the body of a warrior, cased in mail, in two, with the greatest ease. Against such a foe, what can we do?" Isfendiyar rushed on; and after an overwhelming attack, Arjasp was compelled to quit his ground and effect his escape. The Iranian troops were then ordered to pursue the fugitives, and in revenge for the death of Lohurasp, not to leave a man alive. The carnage was in consequence terrible, and the remaining Turanians were in such despair that they flung themselves from their exhausted horses, and placing straw in their mouths to show the extremity of their misfortune, called aloud for quarter. Isfendiyar was moved at last to compa.s.sion, and put an end to the fight; and when he came before Gushtasp, the mail on his body, from the number of arrows sticking in it, looked like a field of reeds; about a thousand arrows were taken out of its folds. Gushtasp kissed his head and face, and blessed him, and prepared a grand banquet, and the city of Balkh resounded with rejoicings on account of the great victory.

Many days had not elapsed before a further enterprise was to be undertaken. The sisters of Isfendiyar were still in confinement, and required to be released. The prince readily complied with the wishes of Gushtasp, who now repeated to him his desire to relinquish the cares of sovereignty, and place the reins of government in his hands, that he might devote himself entirely to the service of G.o.d.

"To thee I yield the crown and throne, Fit to be held by thee alone; From worldly care and trouble free, A hermit's cell is enough for me,"

But Isfendiyar replied, that he had no desire to be possessed of the power; he rather wished for the prosperity of the king, and no change.

"O, may thy life be long and blessed, And ever by the good caressed; For 'tis my duty still to be Devoted faithfully to thee!

I want no throne, nor diadem; My soul has no delight in them.

I only seek to give thee joy, And gloriously my sword employ.

I thirst for vengeance on Arjasp: To crush him in my iron grasp, That from his thrall I may restore My sisters to their home again, Who now their heavy fate deplore, And toiling drag a slavish chain."

"Then go!" the smiling monarch said, Invoking blessings on his head, "And may kind Heaven thy refuge be, And lead thee on to victory."

Isfendiyar now told his father that his prisoner Kurugsar was continually requesting him to represent his condition in the royal ear, saying, "Of what use will it be to put me to death? No benefit can arise from such a punishment. Spare my life, and you will see how largely I am able to contribute to your a.s.sistance." Gushtasp expressed his willingness to be merciful, but demanded a guarantee on oath from the pet.i.tioner that he would heart and soul be true and faithful to his benefactor. The oath was sworn, after which his bonds were taken from his hands and feet, and he was set at liberty. The king then called him, and pressed him with goblets of wine, which made him merry. "I have pardoned thee," said Gushtasp, "at the special entreaty of Isfendiyar--be grateful to him, and be attentive to his commands." After that, Isfendiyar took and conveyed him to his own house, that he might have an opportunity of experiencing and proving the promised fidelity of his new ally.

THE HEFT-KHAN OF ISFENDIYaR

Rustem had seven great labours, wondrous power Nerved his strong arm in danger's needful hour; And now Firdusi's legend-strains declare The seven great labours of Isfendiyar.

The prince, who had determined to undertake the new expedition, and appeared confident of success, now addressed himself to Kurugsar, and said, "If I conquer the kingdom of Arjasp, and restore my sisters to liberty, thou shalt have for thyself any princ.i.p.ality thou may'st choose within the boundaries of Iran and Turan, and thy name shall be exalted; but beware of treachery or fraud, for falsehood shall certainly be punished with death." To this Kurugsar replied, "I have already sworn a solemn oath to the king, and at thy intercession he has spared my life--why then should I depart from the truth, and betray my benefactor?"

"Then tell me the road to the brazen fortress, and how far it is distant from this place?" said Isfendiyar.

"There are three different routes," replied Kurugsar. "One will occupy three months; it leads through a beautiful country, adorned with cities, and gardens, and pastures, and is pleasant to the traveller. The second is less attractive, the prospects less agreeable, and will only employ two months; the third, however, may be accomplished in seven days, and is thence called the Heft-khan, or seven stages; but at every stage some monster, or terrible difficulty, must be overcome. No monarch, even supported by a large army, has ever yet ventured to proceed by this route; and if it is ever attempted, the whole party will be a.s.suredly lost.

"Nor strength, nor juggling, nor the sorcerer's art Can help him safely through that awful path, Beset with wolves and dragons, wild and fierce, From whom the fleetest have no power to fly.

There an enchantress, doubly armed with spells, The most accomplished of that magic brood.

Spreads wide her snares to charm and to destroy, And ills of every shape, and horrid aspect, Cross the tired traveller at every step."

At this description of the terrors of the Heft-khan, Isfendiyar became thoughtful for awhile, and then, resigning himself to the providence of G.o.d, resolved to take the shortest route. "No man can die before his time," said he; "heaven is my protector, and I will fearlessly encounter every difficulty on the road." "It is full of perils," replied Kurugsar, and endeavored to dissuade him from the enterprise. "But with the blessing of G.o.d," rejoined Isfendiyar, "it will be easy." The prince then ordered a sumptuous banquet to be served, at which he gave Kurugsar abundant draughts of wine, and even in a state of intoxication the demon-guide still warned him against his proposed journey. "Go by the route which takes two months," said he, "for that will be convenient and safe;" but Isfendiyar replied:--"I neither fear the difficulties of the route, nor the perils thou hast described."

And though destruction spoke in every word, Enough to terrify the stoutest heart, Still he adhered to what he first resolved.

"Thou wilt attend me," said the dauntless prince; And thus Kurugsar, without a pause, replied: "Undoubtedly, if by the two months' way, And do thee ample service; but if this Heft-khan be thy election; if thy choice Be fixed on that which leads to certain death, My presence must be useless. Can I go Where bird has never dared to wing its flight?"

Isfendiyar, upon hearing these words, began to suspect the fidelity of Kurugsar, and thought it safe to bind him in chains. The next day as he was going to take leave of his father, Kurugsar called out to him, and said: "After my promises of allegiance, and my solemn oath, why am I thus kept in chains?" "Not out of anger a.s.suredly; but out of compa.s.sion and kindness, in order that I may take thee along with me on the enterprise of the Heft-khan; for wert thou not bound, thy faint heart might induce thee to run away.

"Safe thou art when bound in chains, Fettered foot can never fly.

Whilst thy body here remains, We may on thy faith rely.

Terror will in vain a.s.sail thee; For these bonds shall never fail thee.

Guarded by a potent charm, They will keep thee free from harm."

Isfendiyar having received the parting benediction of Gushtasp, was supplied with a force consisting of twelve thousand chosen hors.e.m.e.n, and abundance of treasure, to enable him to proceed on his enterprise, and conquer the kingdom of Arjasp.

First Stage.--Isfendiyar placed Kurugsar in bonds among his retinue, and took with him his brother Bashutan. But the demon-guide complained that he was unable to walk, and in consequence he was mounted on a horse, still bound, and the bridle given into the hands of one of the warriors.

In this manner they proceeded, directed from time to time by Kurugsar, till they arrived at the uttermost limits of the kingdom, and entered a desert wilderness. Isfendiyar now asked what they would meet with, and the guide answered, "Two monstrous wolves are in this quarter, as large as elephants, and whose teeth are of immense length." The prince told his people, that as soon as they saw the wolves, they must at once attack them with arrows. The day pa.s.sed away, and in the evening they came to a forest and a murmuring stream, when suddenly the two enormous wolves appeared, and rushed towards the legions of Isfendiyar. The people seeing them advance, poured upon them a shower of arrows.

Several, however, were wounded, but the wolves were much exhausted by the arrows which had penetrated their bodies. At this moment Bashutan attacked one of them, and Isfendiyar the other; and so vigorous was their charge, that both the monsters were soon laid lifeless in the dust. After this signal overthrow, Isfendiyar turned to Kurugsar, and exclaimed: "Thus, through the favor of Heaven, the first obstacle has been easily extinguished!" The guide regarded him with amazement, and said:--"I am indeed astonished at the intrepidity and valor that has been displayed."

Seeing the bravery of Isfendiyar, Amazement filled the soul of Kurugsar.

The warriors and the party now dismounted, and regaled themselves with feasting and wine. They then reposed till the following morning.

Second Stage.--Proceeding on the second journey, Isfendiyar inquired what might now be expected to oppose their progress, and Kurugsar replied: "This stage is infested by lions." "Then," rejoined Isfendiyar, "thou shalt see with what facility I can destroy them." At about the close of the day they met with a lion and a lioness. Bashutan said: "Take one and I will engage the other." But Isfendiyar observed, that the animals seemed very wild and ferocious, and he preferred attacking them both himself, that his brother might not be exposed to any harm. He first sallied forth against the lion, and with one mighty stroke put an end to his life. He then approached the lioness, which pounced upon him with great fury, but was soon compelled to desist, and the prince, rapidly wielding his sword, in a moment cut off her head. Having thus successfully accomplished the second day's task, he alighted from his horse, and refreshments being spread out, the warriors and the troops enjoyed themselves with great satisfaction, exhilarated by plenteous draughts of ruby wine. Again Isfendiyar addressed Kurugsar, and said: "Thou seest with what facility all opposition is removed, when I am a.s.sisted by the favor of Heaven!" "But there are other and more terrible difficulties to surmount, and amazing as thy achievements certainly have been, thou wilt have still greater exertions to make before thy enterprise is complete." "What is the next evil I have to subdue?" "An enormous dragon,

"With power to fascinate, and from the deep To lure the finny tribe, his daily food.

Fire sparkles round him; his stupendous bulk Looks like a mountain. When incensed, his roar Makes the surrounding country shake with fear.

White poison-foam drops from his hideous jaws, Which yawning wide, display a dismal gulf, The grave of many a hapless being, lost Wandering amidst that trackless wilderness."

Kurugsar described or magnified the ferocity of the animal in such a way, that Isfendiyar thought it necessary to be cautious, and with that view he ordered a curious apparatus to be constructed on wheels, something like a carriage, to which he fastened a large quant.i.ty of pointed instruments, and harnessed horses to it to drag it on the road.

He then tried its motion, and found it admirably calculated for his purpose. The people were astonished at the ingenuity of the invention, and lauded him to the skies.

Third Stage--Away went the prince, and having travelled a considerable distance, Kurugsar suddenly exclaimed: "I now begin to smell the stench of the dragon." Hearing this, Isfendiyar dismounted, ascended the machine, and shutting the door fast, took his seat and drove off.

Bashutan and all the warriors upon witnessing this extraordinary act, began to weep and lament, thinking that he was hurrying himself to certain destruction, and begged that for his own sake, as well as theirs, he would come out of the machine. But he replied: "Peace, peace!

what know ye of the matter;" and as the warlike apparatus was so excellently contrived, that he could direct the movements of the horses himself, he drove on with increased velocity, till he arrived in the vicinity of the monster.

The dragon from a distance heard The rumbling of the wain, And snuffing every breeze that stirred Across the neighbouring plain,

Smelt something human in his power, A welcome scent to him; For he was eager to devour Hot reeking blood, or limb.

And darkness now is spread around, No pathway can be traced; The fiery horses plunge and bound Amid the dismal waste.

And now the dragon stretches far His cavern throat, and soon Licks in the horses and the car, And tries to gulp them down.

But sword and javelin, sharp and keen, Wound deep each sinewy jaw; Midway, remains the huge machine, And chokes the monster's maw.