The Persian Literature Volume I Part 26

He then requested Gudarz to go after Tus, and by fair words and proper excuses bring him back to his festive board. Accordingly Gudarz departed. No sooner had he gone than Giw rose up, and said, "Tus is little better than a madman, and my father of a hasty temper; I should therefore wish to follow, to prevent the possibility of further disagreement." To this Rustem consented. Byzun was now also anxious to go, and he too got permission. When all the three had departed, Rustem began to be apprehensive that something unpleasant would occur, and thought it prudent to send Feramurz to preserve the peace. Zal then came forward, and thinking that Tus, the descendant of the Kais and his revered guest, might not be easily prevailed upon to return either by Gudarz, Giw, Byzun, or Feramurz, resolved to go himself and soothe the temper which had been so injudiciously and rudely ruffled at the banquet.

When Tus, on his journey from Rustem's palace, approached the residence of Susen the sorceress, he beheld numerous cooks and confectioners on every side, preparing all kinds of rich and rare dishes of food, and every species of sweetmeat; and enquiring to whom they belonged, he was told that the place was occupied by the wife of a merchant from Turan, who was extremely wealthy, and who entertained in the most sumptuous manner every traveller who pa.s.sed that way. Hungry, and curious to see what was going on, Tus dismounted, and leaving his horse with the attendants, entered the princ.i.p.al apartment, where he saw a fascinating female, and was transported with joy.--She was

Tall as the graceful cypress, and as bright, As ever struck a lover's ravished sight; Why of her musky locks or ringlets tell?

Each silky hair itself contained a spell.

Why of her face so beautifully fair?

Wondering he saw the moon's refulgence there.

As soon as his transports had subsided he sat down before her, and asked her who she was, and upon what adventure she was engaged; and she answered that she was a singing-girl, that a wealthy merchant some time ago had fallen in love with and married her, and soon afterwards died; that Afrasiyab, the king, had since wished to take her into his harem, which alarmed her, and she had in consequence fled from his country; she was willing, however, she said, to become the handmaid of Kai-khosrau, he being a true king, and of a sweet and gentle temper.

"A persecuted damsel I, Thus the detested tyrant fly, And hastening from impending woes, In happy Persia seek repose; For long as cherished life remains, Pleasure must smile where Khosrau reigns.

Thence did I from my home depart, To please and bless a Persian heart."

The deception worked effectually on the mind of Tus, and he at once entered into the notion of escorting her to Kai-khosrau. But he was immediately supplied with charmed viands and goblets of rich wine, which he had not the power to resist, till his senses forsook him, and then Pilsam appeared, and, binding him with cords, conveyed him safely and secretly into the interior of the fort. In a short time Gudarz arrived, and he too was received and treated in the same manner. Then Giw and Byzun were seized and secured; and after them came Zal: but notwithstanding the enticements that were used, and the attractions that presented themselves, he would neither enter the enchanted apartment, nor taste the enchanted food or wine.

The bewitching cup was filled to the brim, But the magic draught had no charms for him.

A person whispered in his ear that the woman had already wickedly got into her power several warriors, and he felt a.s.sured that they were his own friends. To be revenged for this treachery he rushed forward, and would have seized hold of the sorceress, but she fled into the fort and fastened the gate. He instantly sent a messenger to Rustem, explaining the perplexity in which he was involved, and exerting all his strength, broke down the gate that had just been closed against him as soon as the pa.s.sage was opened, out rushed Pilsam, who with his mace commenced a furious battle with Zal, in which he nearly overpowered him, when Feramurz reached the spot, and telling the venerable old warrior to stand aside, took his place, and fought with Pilsam without intermission all day, and till they were parted by the darkness of night.

Early in the morning Rustem, accompanied by Barzu, arrived from Sistan, and entering the fort, called aloud for Pilsam. He also sent Feramurz to Kai-khosrau to inform him of what had occurred. Pilsam at length issued forth, and attacked the champion. They first fought with bows and arrows, with javelins next, and then successively with maces, and swords, and daggers. The contest lasted the whole day; and when at night they parted, neither had gained the victory. The next morning immense clouds of dust were seen, and they were found to be occasioned by Afrasiyab and his army marching to the spot. Rustem appointed Barzu to proceed with his Zabul troops against him, whilst he himself encountered Pilsam. The strife between the two was dreadful. Rustem struck him several times furiously upon the head, and at length stretched him lifeless on the sand. He then impelled Rakush towards the Turanian army, and aided by Zal and Barzu, committed tremendous havoc among them.

So thick the arrows fell, helmet, and mail, And s.h.i.+eld, pierced through, looked like a field of reeds.

In the meantime Susen, the sorceress, escaped from the fort, and fled to Afrasiyab.

Another cloud of dust spreading from earth to heaven, was observed in the direction of Persia, and the waving banners becoming more distinct, presently showed the approach of the king, Kai-khosrau.

The steely javelins sparkled in the sun, Helmet and s.h.i.+eld, and joyous seemed the sight.

Banners, all gorgeous, floating on the breeze, And horns shrill echoing, and the tramp of steeds, Proclaimed to dazzled eye and half-stunned ear, The mighty preparation.

The hostile armies soon met, and there was a sanguinary conflict, but the Turanians were obliged to give way. Upon this common result, Piran-wisah declared to Afrasiyab that perseverance was as ridiculous as unprofitable. "Our army has no heart, nor confidence, when opposed to Rustem; how often have we been defeated by him--how often have we been scattered like sheep before that lion in battle! We have just lost the aid of Barzu, and now is it not deplorable to put any trust in the dreams of a singing-girl, to accelerate on her account the ruin of the country, and to hazard thy own personal safety.

"What! risk an empire on a woman's word!"

Afrasiyab replied, "So it is;" and instantly urged his horse into the middle of the plain, where he loudly challenged Kai-khosrau to single combat, saying, "Why should we uselessly shed the blood of our warriors and people. Let us ourselves decide the day. G.o.d will give the triumph to him who merits it." Kai-khosrau was ashamed to refuse this challenge, and descending from his elephant, mounted his horse and prepared for the onset. But his warriors seized the bridle, and would not allow him to fight. He declared, however, that he would himself take revenge for the blood of Saiawush, and struggled to overcome the friends who were opposing his progress. "Forbear awhile," said Rustem, "Afrasiyab is expert in all the arts of the warrior, fighting with the sword, the dagger, in archery, and wrestling. When I wrestled with him, and held him down, he could not have escaped, excepting by the exercise of the most consummate dexterity. Allow thy warriors to fight for thee." But the king was angry, and said, "The monarch who does not fight for himself, is unworthy of the crown." Upon hearing this, Rustem wept tears of blood. Barzu now took hold of the king's stirrup, and knocked his forehead against it, and drawing his dagger, threatened to put an end to himself, saying, "My blood will be upon thy neck, if thou goest;" and he continued in a strain so eloquent and persuasive that Khosrau relaxed in his determination, and observed to Rustem: "There can be no doubt that Barzu is descended from thee." Barzu now respectfully kissed the ground before the king, and vaulting on his saddle with admirable agility, rushed onwards to the middle s.p.a.ce where Afrasiyab was waiting, and roared aloud. Afrasiyab burned with indignation at the sight, and said in his heart: "It seems that I have nurtured and instructed this ingrate, to shed my own blood. Thou wretch of demon-birth, thou knowest not thy father's name! and yet thou comest to wage war against me! Art thou not ashamed to look upon the king of Turan after what he has done for thee?" Barzu replied: "Although thou didst protect me, thou spilt the blood of Saiawush and Aghriras unjustly. When I ate thy salt, I served thee faithfully, and fought for thee. I now eat the salt of Kai-khosrau, and my allegiance is due to him."

He spoke, and raised his battle-axe, and rushed, Swift as a demon of Mazinderan, Against Afrasiyab, who, frowning, cried:-- "Approach not like a furious elephant, Heedless what may befall thee--nor provoke The wrath of him whose certain aim is death."

Then placed he on the string a pointed dart, And shot it from the bow; whizzing it flew, And pierced the armor of the wondering youth, Inflicting on his side a painful wound, Which made his heart with trepidation throb; High exultation marked the despot's brow, Seeing the gush of blood his loins distain.

Barzu was now anxious to a.s.sail Afrasiyab with his mace, instead of arrows; but whenever he tried to get near enough, he was disappointed by the adroitness of his adversary, whom he could not reach. He was at last compelled to lay aside the battle-axe, and have recourse to his bow, but every arrow was dexterously received by Afrasiyab on his s.h.i.+eld; and Barzu, on his part, became equally active and successful. Afrasiyab soon emptied his quiver, and then he grasped his mace with the intention of extinguis.h.i.+ng his antagonist at once, but at the moment Human came up, and said: "O, king! do not bring thyself into jeopardy by contending against a person of no account; thy proper adversary is Kai-khosrau, and not him, for if thou gainest the victory, it can only be a victory over a fatherless soldier, and if thou art killed, the whole of Turan will be at the feet of Persia." Both Piran and Human dissuaded the king from continuing the engagement singly, and directed the Turanians to commence a general attack. Afrasiyab told them that if Barzu was not slain, it would be a great misfortune to their country; in consequence, they surrounded him, and inflicted on him many severe wounds. But Rustem and Feramurz, beholding the dilemma into which Barzu was thrown, hastened to his support, and many of the enemy were killed by them, and great carnage followed the advance of the Persian army.

The noise of clas.h.i.+ng swords, and ponderous maces Ringing upon the iron mail, seemed like The busy work-shop of an armorer; Tumultuous as the sea the field appeared, All crimsoned with the blood of heroes slain.

Kai-khosrau himself hurried to the a.s.sistance of Barzu, and the powerful force which he brought along with him soon put the Turanians to flight.

Afrasiyab too made his escape in the confusion that prevailed. The king wished to pursue the enemy, but Rustem observed that their defeat and dispersion was enough. The battle having ceased, and the army being in the neighborhood of Sistan, the champion solicited permission to return to his home; "for I am now," said he, "four hundred years old, and require a little rest. In the meantime Feramurz and Barzu may take my place." The king consented, and distributing his favors to each of his distinguished warriors for their prodigious exertions, left Zal and Rustem to proceed to Sistan, and returned to the capital of his kingdom.

THE EXPEDITION OF GuDARZ

The overthrow of the sovereign of Turan had only a temporary effect, as it was not long before he was enabled to collect further supplies, and another army for the defence of his kingdom; and Kai-khosrau's ambition to reduce the power of his rival being animated by new hopes of success, another expedition was entrusted to the command of Gudarz. Rustem, he said, had done his duty in repeated campaigns against Afrasiyab, and the extraordinary gallantry and wisdom with which they were conducted, ent.i.tled him to the highest applause. "It is now, Gudarz, thy turn to vanquish the enemy." Accordingly Gudarz, accompanied by Giw, and Tus, and Byzun, and an immense army, proceeded towards Turan. Feramurz was directed previously to invade and conquer Hindustan, and from thence to march to the borders of Chin and Ma-chin, for the purpose of uniting and co-operating with the army under Gudarz, and, finally, to capture Afrasiyab.

As soon as it was known in Turan that Gudarz was in motion to resume hostilities against the king, Human was appointed with a large force to resist his progress, and a second army of reserve was gathered together under the command of Piran. The first conflict which occurred was between the troops of Gudarz and Human. Gudarz directed Byzun to attack Human. The two chiefs joined in battle, when Human fell under the sword of his adversary, and his army, being defeated, retired, and united in the rear with the legions of Piran. The enemy thus became of formidable strength, and in consequence it was thought proper to communicate the inequality to Kai-khosrau, that reinforcements might be sent without loss of time. The king immediately complied, and also wrote to Sistan to request the aid of Rustem. The war lasted two years, the army on each side being continually recruited as necessity required, so that the numbers were regularly kept up, till a great battle took place, in which the venerable Piran was killed, and nearly the whole of his army destroyed. This victory was obtained without the a.s.sistance of Rustem, who, notwithstanding the message of the king, had still remained in Sistan. The loss of Piran, the counsellor and warrior, proved to be a great affliction to Afrasiyab: he felt as if his whole support was taken away, and deemed it the signal of approaching ruin to his cause.

"Thou wert my refuge, thou my friend and brother; Wise in thy counsel, gallant in the field, My monitor and guide--and thou art gone!

The glory of my kingdom is eclipsed, Since thou hast vanished from this world, and left me All wretched to myself. But food, nor sleep Nor rest will I indulge in, till just vengeance Has been inflicted on the cruel foe."

When the news of Piran's death reached Kai-khosrau, he rapidly marched forward, crossed the Jihun without delay, and pa.s.sed through Samerkand and Bokhara, to encounter the Turanians. Afrasiyab, in the meantime, had not been neglectful. He had all his hidden treasure dug up, with which he a.s.sembled a prodigious army, and appointed his son Shydah-Poshang to the command of a hundred thousand hors.e.m.e.n. To oppose this force, Khosrau appointed his young relative, Lohurasp, with eight thousand hors.e.m.e.n, and pa.s.sing through Sistan, desired Rustem, on account of Lohurasp's tender age and inexperience, to afford him such good counsel as he required. When Afrasiyab heard this, he added to the force of Shydah another hundred thousand men, but first sent his son to Kai-khosrau in the character of an amba.s.sador to offer terms of peace.

"Tell him," said he, "that to secure this object, I will deliver to him one of my sons as a hostage, and a number of troops for his service, with the sacred promise never to depart from my engagements again.--But, a word in thy ear, Shydah; if Khosrau is not disposed to accept these terms, say, to prevent unnecessary bloodshed, he and I must personally decide the day by single combat. If he refuses to fight with me, say that thou wilt meet him; and shouldst thou be slain in the strife, I will surrender to him the kingdom of Turan, and retire myself from the world." He further commanded him to propound these terms with a gallant and fearless bearing, and not to betray the least apprehension. Shydah entered fully into the spirit of his father's instructions, and declared that he would devote his life to the cause, that he would boldly before the whole a.s.sembly dare Kai-khosrau to battle; so that Afrasiyab was delighted with the valorous disposition he displayed.

Kai-khosrau smiled when he heard of what Afrasiyab intended, and viewed the proposal as a proof of his weakness. "But never," said he, "will I consent to a peace till I have inflicted on him the death which Saiawush was made to suffer." When Shydah arrived, and with proper ceremony and respect had delivered his message, Kai-khosrau invited him to retire to his chamber and go to rest, and he would send an answer by one of his people. Shydah accordingly retired, and the king proceeded to consult his warrior-friends on the offers that had been made. "Afrasiyab tells me," said he, "that if I do not wish for peace, I must fight either him or his son. I have seen Shydah--his eyes are red and blood-shot, and he has a fierce expression of feature; if I do not accept his terms, I shall probably soon have a dagger lodged in my breast." Saying this, he ordered his mail to be got ready; but Rustem and all the great men about him exclaimed, unanimously: "This must not be allowed; Afrasiyab is full of fraud, artifice, and sorcery, and notoriously faithless to his engagements. The sending of Shydah is all a trick, and his letter of proposal all deceit: his object is simply to induce thee to fight him alone.

"If them shouldst kill this Shydah--what of that!

There would be one Turanian warrior less, To vex the world withal; would that be triumph?

And to a Persian king? But if it chanced, That thou shouldst meet with an untimely death, By dart or javelin, at the stripling's hands, What scathe and ruin would this realm befall!"

By the advice of Rustem, Kai-khosrau gave Shydah permission to depart, and said that he would send his answer to Afrasiyab by Karun.

"But," observed the youth, "I have come to fight thee!" which touched the honor of the king, and he replied: "Be it so, let us then meet to-morrow."

In the meantime Khosrau prepared his letter to Afrasiyab, in which he said:--

"Our quarrel now is dark to view, It bears the fiercest, gloomiest hue; And vain have speech and promise been To change for peace the battle scene; For thou art still to treachery p.r.o.ne, Though gentle now in word and tone; But that imperial crown thou wearest, That mace which thou in battle bearest, Thy kingdom, all, thou must resign; Thy army too--for all are mine!

Thou talk'st of strength, and might, and power, When revelling in a prosperous hour; But know, that strength of nerve and limb We owe to G.o.d--it comes from Him!

And victory's palm, and regal sway, Alike the will of Heaven obey.

Hence thy lost throne, no longer thine, Will soon, perfidious king! be mine!"

In giving this letter to Karun, Kai-khosrau directed him, in the first place, to deliver a message from him to Shydah, to the following effect:--

"Driven art thou out from home and life, Doomed to engage in mortal strife, For deeply lours misfortune's cloud; That gay attire will be thy shroud; Blood from thy father's eyes will gush, As Kaus wept for Saiawush."

In the morning Khosrau went to the appointed place, and when he approached Shydah, the latter said, "Thou hast come on foot, let our trial be in wrestling;" and the proposal being agreed to, both applied themselves fiercely to the encounter, at a distance from the troops.

The youth appeared with joyous mien, And bounding heart, for life was new; By either host the strife was seen, And strong and fierce the combat grew.

Shydah exerted his utmost might, but was unable to move his antagonist from the ground; whilst Khosrau lifted him up without difficulty, and, das.h.i.+ng him on the plain,

He sprang upon him as the lion fierce Springs on the nimble gor, then quickly drew His deadly dagger, and with cruel aim, Thrust the keen weapon through the stripling's heart.

Khosrau, immediately after slaying him, ordered the body to be washed with musk and rose-water, and, after burial, a tomb to be raised to his memory.

When Karun reached the court of Afrasiyab with the answer to the offer of peace, intelligence had previously arrived that Shydah had fallen in the combat, which produced in the mind of the father the greatest anguish. He gave no reply to Karun, but ordered the drums and trumpets to be sounded, and instantly marched with a large army against the enemy. The two hosts were soon engaged, the anger of the Turanians being so much roused and sharpened by the death of the prince, that they were utterly regardless of their lives. The battle, therefore, was fought with unusual fury.

Two sovereigns in the field, in desperate strife, Each by a grievous cause of wrath, urged on To glut revenge; this, for a father's life Wantonly sacrificed; that for a son Slain in his prime.--The carnage has begun, And blood is seen to flow on every side; Thousands are slaughtered ere the day is done, And weltering swell the sanguinary tide; And why? To soothe man's hate, his cruelty, and pride.

The battle terminated in the discomfiture and defeat of the Turanians, who fled from the conquerors in the utmost confusion. The people seized hold of the bridle of Afrasiyab's horse, and obliged him to follow his scattered army.

Kai-khosrau having despatched an account of his victory to Kaus, went in pursuit of Afrasiyab, traversing various countries and provinces, till he arrived on the borders of Chin. The Khakan, or sovereign of that state, became in consequence greatly alarmed, and presented to him large presents to gain his favor, but the only object of Khosrau was to secure Afrasiyab, and he told the amba.s.sador that if his master dared to afford him protection, he would lay waste the whole kingdom. The Khakan therefore withdrew his hospitable services, and the abandoned king was compelled to seek another place of refuge.