As the time drew near that Rudabeh should become a mother, she suffered extremely from constant indisposition, and both Zal and Sindokht were in the deepest distress on account of her precarious state.

The cypress leaf was withering; pale she lay, Unsoothed by rest or sleep, death seemed approaching.

At last Zal recollected the feather of the Simurgh, and followed the instructions which he had received, by placing it on the fire. In a moment darkness surrounded them, which was, however, immediately dispersed by the sudden appearance of the Simurgh. "Why," said the Simurgh, "do I see all this grief and sorrow? Why are the tear-drops in the warrior's eyes? A child will be born of mighty power, who will become the wonder of the world."

The Simurgh then gave some advice which was implicitly attended to, and the result was that Rudabeh was soon out of danger. Never was beheld so prodigious a child. The father and mother were equally amazed. They called the boy Rustem. On the first day he looked a year old, and he required the milk of ten nurses. A likeness of him was immediately worked in silk, representing him upon a horse, and armed like a warrior, which was sent to Sam, who was then fighting in Mazinderan, and it made the old champion almost delirious with joy. At Kabul and Zabul there was nothing but feasting and rejoicing, as soon as the tidings were known, and thousands of dinars were given away in charity to the poor. When Rustem was five years of age, he ate as much as a man, and some say that even in his third year he rode on horseback. In his eighth year he was as powerful as any hero of the time.

In beauty of form and in vigour of limb, No mortal was ever seen equal to him.

Both Sam and Mihrab, though far distant from the scene of felicity, were equally anxious to proceed to Zabulistan to behold their wonderful grandson. Both set off, but Mihrab arrived first with great pomp, and a whole army for his suite, and went forth with Zal to meet Sam, and give him an honorable welcome. The boy Rustem was mounted on an elephant, wearing a splendid crown, and wanted to join them, but his father kindly prevented him undergoing the inconvenience of alighting. Zal and Mihrab dismounted as soon as Sam was seen at a distance, and performed the ceremonies of an affectionate reception. Sam was indeed amazed when he did see the boy, and showered blessings on his head.

Afterwards Sam placed Mihrab on his right hand, and Zal on his left, and Rustem before him, and began to converse with his grandson, who thus manifested to him his martial disposition.

"Thou art the champion of the world, and I The branch of that fair tree of which thou art The glorious root: to thee I am devoted, But ease and leisure have no charms for me; Nor music, nor the songs of festive joy.

Mounted and armed, a helmet on my brow, A javelin in my grasp, I long to meet The foe, and cast his severed head before thee."

Then Sam made a royal feast, and every apartment in his palace was richly decorated, and resounded with mirth and rejoicing. Mihrab was the merriest, and drank the most, and in his cups saw nothing but himself, so vain had he become from the countenance he had received. He kept saying:--

"Now I feel no alarm about Sam or Zal-zer, Nor the splendour and power of the great Minuchihr; Whilst aided by Rustem, his sword, and his mace, Not a cloud of misfortune can shadow my face.

All the laws of Zohak I will quickly restore, And the world shall be fragrant and blest as before."

This exultation plainly betrayed the disposition of his race; and though Sam smiled at the extravagance of Mihrab, he looked up towards Heaven, and prayed that Rustem might not prove a tyrant, but be continually active in doing good, and humble before G.o.d.

Upon Sam departing, on his return to Karugsar and Mazinderan, Zal went with Rustem to Sistan, a province dependent on his government, and settled him there. The white elephant, belonging to Minuchihr, was kept at Sistan. One night Rustem was awakened out of his sleep by a great noise, and cries of distress when starting up and inquiring the cause, he was told that the white elephant had got loose, and was trampling and crushing the people to death. In a moment he issued from his apartment, brandishing his mace; but was soon stopped by the servants, who were anxious to expostulate with him against venturing out in the darkness of night to encounter a ferocious elephant. Impatient at being thus interrupted he knocked down one of the watchmen, who fell dead at his feet, and the others running away, he broke the lock of the gate, and escaped. He immediately opposed himself to the enormous animal, which looked like a mountain, and kept roaring like the River Nil. Regarding him with a cautious and steady eye, he gave a loud shout, and fearlessly struck him a blow, with such strength and vigor, that the iron mace was bent almost double. The elephant trembled, and soon fell exhausted and lifeless in the dust. When it was communicated to Zal that Rustem had killed the animal with one blow, he was amazed, and fervently returned thanks to heaven. He called him to him, and kissed him, and said: "My darling boy, thou art indeed unequalled in valor and magnanimity."

Then it occurred to Zal that Rustem, after such an achievement, would be a proper person to take vengeance on the enemies of his grandfather Nariman, who was sent by Feridun with a large army against an enchanted fort situated upon the mountain Sipund, and who whilst endeavoring to effect his object, was killed by a piece of rock thrown down from above by the besieged. The fort[7], which was many miles high, inclosed beautiful lawns of the freshest verdure, and delightful gardens abounding with fruit and flowers; it was also full of treasure. Sam, on hearing of the fate of his father, was deeply afflicted, and in a short time proceeded against the fort himself; but he was surrounded by a trackless desert. He knew not what course to pursue; not a being was ever seen to enter or come out of the gates, and, after spending months and years in fruitless endeavors, he was compelled to retire from the appalling enterprise in despair. "Now," said Zal to Rustem, "the time is come, and the remedy is at hand; thou art yet unknown, and may easily accomplish our purpose." Rustem agreed to the proposed adventure, and according to his father's advice, a.s.sumed the dress and character of a salt-merchant, prepared a caravan of camels, and secreted arms for himself and companions among the loads of salt. Everything being ready they set off, and it was not long before they reached the fort on the mountain Sipund. Salt being a precious article, and much wanted, as soon as the garrison knew that it was for sale, the gates were opened; and then was Rustem seen, together with his warriors, surrounded by men, women, and children, anxiously making their purchases, some giving clothes in exchange, some gold, and some silver, without fear or suspicion.

But when the night came on, and it was dark, Rustem impatient drew his warriors forth, And moved towards the mansion of the chief-- But not unheard. The unaccustomed noise, Announcing warlike menace and attack, Awoke the Kotwal, who sprung up to meet The peril threatened by the invading foe.

Rustem meanwhile uplifts his ponderous mace, And cleaves his head, and scatters on the ground The reeking brains. And now the garrison Are on the alert, all hastening to the spot Where battle rages; midst the deepened gloom Flash sparkling swords, which show the crimson earth Bright as the ruby.

Rustem continued fighting with the people of the fort all night, and just as morning dawned, he discovered the chief and slew him. Those who survived, then escaped, and not one of the inhabitants remained within the walls alive. Rustem's next object was to enter the governor's mansion. It was built of stone, and the gate, which was made of iron, he burst open with his battle-axe, and advancing onward, he discovered a temple, constructed with infinite skill and science, beyond the power of mortal man, and which contained amazing wealth, in jewels and gold. All the warriors gathered for themselves as much treasure as they could carry away, and more than imagination can conceive; and Rustem wrote to Zal to know his further commands on the subject of the capture. Zal, overjoyed at the result of the enterprise, replied:

Thou hast illumed the soul of Nariman, Now in the blissful bowers of Paradise, By punishing his foes with fire and sword.

He then recommended him to load all the camels with as much of the invaluable property as could be removed, and bring it away, and then burn and destroy the whole place, leaving not a single vestige; and the command having been strictly complied with, Rustem retraced his steps to Zabulistan.

On his return Zal pressed him to his heart, And paid him public honors. The fond mother Kissed and embraced her darling son, and all Uniting, showered their blessings on his head.

DEATH OF MINuCHIHR

To Minuchihr we now must turn again, And mark the close of his ill.u.s.trious reign.

The king had flourished one hundred and twenty years, when now the astrologers ascertained that the period of his departure from this life was at hand.

They told him of that day of bitterness, Which would obscure the splendour of his throne; And said--"The time approaches, thou must go, Doubtless to Heaven. Think what thou hast to do; And be it done before the damp cold earth Inshrine thy body. Let not sudden death O'ertake thee, ere thou art prepared to die!"

Warned by the wise, he called his courtiers round him, And thus he counselled Nauder:--"O, my son!

Fix not thy heart upon a regal crown, For this vain world is fleeting as the wind; The pain and sorrows of twice sixty years Have I endured, though happiness and joy Have also been my portion. I have fought In many a battle, vanquished many a foe; By Feridun's commands I girt my loins, And his advice has ever been my guide.

I hurled just vengeance on the tyrant-brothers Silim and Tur, who slew the gentle Irij; And cities have I built, and made the tree Which yielded poison, teem with wholesome fruit.

And now to thee the kingdom I resign, That kingdom which belonged to Feridun, And thou wilt be the sovereign of the world!

But turn not from the worship of thy G.o.d, That sacred worship Moses taught, the best Of all the prophets; turn not from the path Of purest holiness, thy father's choice.

"My son, events of peril are before thee; Thy enemy will come in fierce array, From the wild mountains of Turan, the son Of Poshang, the invader. In that hour Of danger, seek the aid of Sam and Zal, And that young branch just blossoming; Turan Will then have no safe buckler of defence, None to protect it from their conquering arms."

Thus spoke the sire prophetic to his son, And both were moved to tears. Again the king Resumed his warning voice: "Nauder, I charge thee Place not thy trust upon a world like this, Where nothing fixed remains. The caravan Goes to another city, one to-day, The next, to-morrow, each observes its turn And time appointed--mine has come at last, And I must travel on the destined road."

At the period Minuchihr uttered this exhortation, he was entirely free from indisposition, but he shortly afterwards closed his eyes in death.

NAUDER

Upon the demise of Minuchihr, Nauder ascended the throne, and commenced his reign in the most promising manner; but before two months had pa.s.sed, he neglected the counsels of his father, and betrayed the despotic character of his heart. To such an extreme did he carry his oppression, that to escape from his violence, the people were induced to solicit other princes to come and take possession of the empire. The courtiers labored under the greatest embarra.s.sment, their monarch being solely occupied in extorting money from his subjects, and ama.s.sing wealth for his own coffers. Nauder was not long in perceiving the dissatisfaction that universally prevailed, and, antic.i.p.ating, not only an immediate revolt, but an invading army, solicited, according to his father's advice, the a.s.sistance of Sam, then at Mazinderan. The complaints of the people, however, reached Sam before the arrival of the messenger, and when he received the letter, he was greatly distressed on account of the extreme severity exercised by the new king. The champion, in consequence, proceeded forthwith from Mazinderan to Persia, and when he entered the capital, he was joyously welcomed, and at once entreated by the people to take the sovereignty upon himself. It was said of Nauder:

The gloom of tyranny has hid The light his father's counsel gave; The hope of life is lost amid The desolation of the grave.

The world is withering in his thrall, Exhausted by his iron sway; Do thou ascend the throne, and all Will cheerfully thy will obey.

But Sam said, "No; I should then be ungrateful to Minuchihr, a traitor, and deservedly offensive in the eyes of G.o.d. Nauder is the king, and I am bound to do him service, although he has deplorably departed from the advice of his father." He then soothed the alarm and irritation of the chiefs, and engaging to be a mediator upon the unhappy occasion, brought them to a more pacific tone of thinking. After this he immediately repaired to Nauder, who received him with great favor and kindness. "O king," said he, "only keep Feridun in remembrance, and govern the empire in such a manner that thy name may be honored by thy subjects; for, be well a.s.sured, that he who has a just estimate of the world, will never look upon it as his place of rest. It is but an inn, where all travellers meet on their way to eternity, but must not remain. The wise consider those who fix their affections on this life, as utterly devoid of reason and reflection:

"Pleasure, and pomp, and wealth may be obtained-- And every want luxuriously supplied: But suddenly, without a moment's warning, Death comes, and hurls the monarch from his throne, His crown and sceptre scattering in the dust.

He who is satisfied with earthly joys, Can never know the blessedness of Heaven; His soul must still be dark. Why do the good Suffer in this world, but to be prepared For future rest and happiness? The name Of Feridun is honoured among men, Whilst curses load the memory of Zohak."

This intercession of Sam produced an entire change in the government of Nauder, who promised, in future, to rule his people according to the principles of Husheng, and Feridun, and Minuchihr. The chiefs and captains of the army were, in consequence, contented, and the kingdom reunited itself under his sway.

In the meantime, however, the news of the death of Minuchihr, together with Nauder's injustice and seventy, and the disaffection of his people, had reached Turan, of which country Poshang, a descendant from Tur, was then the sovereign. Poshang, who had been unable to make a single successful hostile movement during the life of Minuchihr, at once conceived this to be a fit opportunity of taking revenge for the blood of Silim and Tur, and every appearance seeming to be in his favor, he called before him his heroic son Afrasiyab, and explained to him his purpose and views. It was not difficult to inspire the youthful mind of Afrasiyab with the sentiments he himself cherished, and a large army was immediately collected to take the field against Nauder. Poshang was proud of the chivalrous spirit and prompt.i.tude displayed by his son, who is said to have been as strong as a lion, or an elephant, and whose shadow extended miles. His tongue was like a bright sword, and his heart as bounteous as the ocean, and his hands like the clouds when rain falls to gladden the thirsty earth. Aghriras, the brother of Afrasiyab, however, was not so precipitate. He cautioned his father to be prudent, for though Persia could no longer boast of the presence of Minuchihr, still the great warrior Sam, and Karun, and Garshasp, were living, and Poshang had only to look at the result of the wars in which Silim and Tur were involved, to be convinced that the existing conjuncture required mature deliberation. "It would be better," said he, "not to begin the contest at all, than to bring ruin and desolation on our own country." Poshang, on the contrary, thought the time peculiarly fit and inviting, and contended that, as Minuchihr took vengeance for the blood of his grandfather, so ought Afrasiyab to take vengeance for his. "The grandson," he said, "who refuses to do this act of justice, is unworthy of his family. There is nothing to apprehend from the efforts of Nauder, who is an inexperienced youth, nor from the valor of his warriors.

Afrasiyab is brave and powerful in war, and thou must accompany him and share the glory." After this no further observation was offered, and the martial preparations were completed.

AFRaSIYaB MARCHES AGAINST NAUDER

The brazen drums on the elephants were sounded as the signal of departure, and the army proceeded rapidly to its destination, overshadowing the earth in its progress. Afrasiyab had penetrated as far as the Jihun before Nauder was aware of his approach. Upon receiving this intelligence of the activity of the enemy, the warriors of the Persian army immediately moved in that direction, and on their arrival at Dehstan, prepared for battle.

Afrasiyab despatched thirty thousand of his troops under the command of Shimasas and Khazervan to Zabulistan, to act against Zal, having heard on his march of the death of the ill.u.s.trious Sam, and advanced himself upon Dehstan with four hundred thousand soldiers, covering the ground like swarms of ants and locusts. He soon discovered that Nauder's forces did not exceed one hundred and forty thousand men, and wrote to Poshang, his father, in high spirits, especially on account of not having to contend against Sam, the warrior, and informed him that he had detached Shimasas against Zabulistan. When the armies had approached to within two leagues of each other, Barman, one of the Turanian chiefs, offered to challenge any one of the enemy to single combat: but Aghriras objected to it, not wishing that so valuable a hero should run the hazard of discomfiture. At this Afrasiyab was very indignant and directed Barman to follow the bent of his own inclinations.

"'Tis not for us to shrink from Persian foe, Put on thy armour, and prepare thy bow."

Accordingly the challenge was given. Karun looked round, and the only person who answered the call was the aged Kobad, his brother. Karun and Kobad were both sons of Kavah, the blacksmith, and both leaders in the Persian army. No persuasion could restrain Kobad from the unequal conflict. He resisted all the entreaties of Karun, who said to him--

"O, should thy h.o.a.ry locks be stained with blood, Thy legions will be overwhelmed with grief, And, in despair, decline the coming battle."

But what was the reply of brave Kobad?

"Brother, this body, this frail tenement, Belongs to death. No living man has ever Gone up to Heaven--for all are doomed to die.-- Some by the sword, the dagger, or the spear, And some, devoured by roaring beasts of prey; Some peacefully upon their beds, and others s.n.a.t.c.hed suddenly from life, endure the lot Ordained by the Creator. If I perish, Does not my brother live, my n.o.ble brother, To bury me beneath a warrior's tomb, And bless my memory?"

Saying this, he rushed forward, and the two warriors met in desperate conflict. The struggle lasted all day; at last Barman threw a stone at his antagonist with such force, that Kobad in receiving the blow fell lifeless from his horse. When Karun saw that his brother was slain, he brought forward his whole army to be revenged for the death of Kobad.

Afrasiyab himself advanced to the charge, and the encounter was dreadful. The soldiers who fell among the Turanians could not be numbered, but the Persians lost fifty thousand men.

Loud neighed the steeds, and their resounding hoofs.