The Persian Literature Volume I Part 30

In agony he breathes, a dire Convulsion fires his blood, And struggling, ready to expire, Ejects a poison-flood!

And then disgorges wain and steeds, And swords and javelins bright; Then, as the dreadful dragon bleeds, Up starts the warrior-knight, And from his place of ambush leaps, And, brandishing his blade, The weapon in the brain he steeps, And splits the monster's head.

But the foul venom issuing thence, Is so o'erpowering found, Isfendiyar, deprived of sense, Falls staggering to the ground!

Upon seeing this result, and his brother in so deplorable a situation, Bashutan and the troops also were in great alarm, apprehending the most fatal consequences. They sprinkled rose-water over his face, and administered other remedies, so that after some time he recovered; then he bathed, purifying himself from the filth of the monster, and poured out prayers of thankfulness to the merciful Creator for the protection and victory he had given him. But it was matter of great grief to Kurugsar that Isfendiyar had succeeded in his exploit, because under present circ.u.mstances, he would have to follow him in the remaining arduous enterprises; whereas, if the prince had been slain, his obligations would have ceased forever.

"What may be expected to-morrow?" inquired Isfendiyar. "To-morrow,"

replied the demon-guide, "thou wilt meet with an enchantress, who can convert the stormy sea into dry land, and the dry land again into the ocean. She is attended by a gigantic ghoul, or apparition." "Then thou shalt see how easily this enchantress and her mysterious attendant can be vanquished."

Fourth Stage.--On the fourth day Isfendiyar and his companions proceeded on the destined journey, and coming to a pleasant meadow, watered by a transparent rivulet, the party alighted, and they all refreshed themselves heartily with various kinds of food and wine. In a short s.p.a.ce of time the enchantress appeared, most beautiful in feature and elegant in attire, and approaching our hero with a sad but fascinating expression of countenance, said to him (the ghoul, her pretended paramour, being at a little distance):--

"I am a poor unhappy thing, The daughter of a distant king.

This monster with deceit and fraud, By a fond parent's power unawed, Seduced me from my royal home, Through wood and desert wild to roam; And surely Heaven has brought thee now To cheer my heart, and smooth my brow, And free me from his loathed embrace, And bear me to a fitter place, Where, in thy circling arms more softly prest, I may at last be truly loved, and blest."

Isfendiyar immediately called her to him, and requested her to sit down.

The enchantress readily complied, antic.i.p.ating a successful issue to her artful stratagems; but the intended victim of her sorcery was too cunning to be imposed upon. He soon perceived what she was, and forthwith cast his kamund over her, and in spite of all her entreaties, bound her too fast to escape. In this extremity, she successively a.s.sumed the shape of a cat, a wolf, and a decrepit old man: and so perfect were her transformations, that any other person would have been deceived, but Isfendiyar detected her in every variety of appearance; and, vexed by her continual attempts to cheat him, at last took out his sword and cut her in pieces. As soon as this was done, a thick dark cloud of dust and vapor arose, and when it subsided, a black apparition of a demon burst upon his sight, with flames issuing from its mouth.

Determined to destroy this fresh antagonist, he rushed forward, sword in hand, and though the flames, in the attack, burnt his cloth-armor and dress, he succeeded in cutting off the threatening monster's head.

"Now," said he to Kurugsar, "thou hast seen that with the favor of Heaven, both enchantress and ghoul are exterminated, as well as the wolves, the lions, and the dragon." "Very well," replied Kurugsar, "thou hast achieved this prodigious labor, but to-morrow will be a heavy day, and thou canst hardly escape with life. To-morrow thou wilt be opposed by the Simurgh, whose nest is situated upon a lofty mountain. She has two young ones, each the size of an elephant, which she conveys in her beak and claws from place to place." "Be under no alarm," said Isfendiyar, "G.o.d will make the labor easy."

Fifth Stage.--On the fifth day, Isfendiyar resumed his journey, travelling with his little army over desert, plain, mountain, and wilderness, until he reached the neighborhood of the Simurgh. He then adopted the same stratagem which he had employed before, and the machine supplied with swords and spears, and drawn by horses, was soon in readiness for the new adventure. The Simurgh, seeing with surprise an immense vehicle, drawn by two horses, approach at a furious rate, and followed by a large company of hors.e.m.e.n, descended from the mountain, and endeavored to take up the whole apparatus in her claws to carry it away to her own nest; but her claws were lacerated by the sharp weapons, and she was then obliged to try her beak. Both beak and claws were injured in the effort, and the animal became extremely weakened by the loss of blood. Isfendiyar seizing the happy moment, sprang out of the carriage, and with his trenchant sword divided the Simurgh in two parts; and the young ones, after witnessing the death of their parent, precipitately fled from the fatal scene. When Bashutan, with the army, came to the spot, they were amazed at the prodigious size of the Simurgh, and the valor by which it had been subdued. Kurugsar turned pale with astonishment and sorrow. "What will be our next adventure?"

said Isfendiyar to him. "To-morrow more pressing ills will surround thee. Heavy snow will fall, and there will be a violent tempest of wind, and it will be wonderful if even one man of thy legions remains alive.

That will not be like fighting against lions, a dragon, or the Simurgh, but against the elements, against the Almighty, which never can be successful. Thou hadst better therefore, return unhurt." The people on hearing this warning were alarmed, and proposed to go back; "for if the advice of Kurugsar is not taken, we shall all perish like the companions of Kai-khosrau, and lie buried under drifts of snow.

"Let us return then, whilst we may; Why should we throw our lives away?"

But Isfendiyar replied that he had already overcome five of the perils of the road, and had no fear about the remaining two. The people, however, were still discontented, and still murmured aloud; upon which the prince said, "Return then, and I will go alone.

"I never can require the aid Of men so easily dismayed."

Finding their leader immovable, the people now changed their tone, and expressed their devotion to his cause; declaring that whilst life remained, they would never forsake him, no never.

Sixth Stage.--On the following morning, the sixth, Isfendiyar continued his labors, and hurried on with great speed. Towards evening he arrived on the skirts of a mountain, where there was a running stream, and upon that spot, he pitched his tents.

Presently from the mountain there rushed down A furious storm of wind, then heavy showers Of snow fell, covering all the earth with whiteness, And making desolate the prospect round.

Keen blew the blast, and pinching was the cold; And to escape the elemental wrath, Leader and soldier, in the caverned rock Scooped out by mouldering time, took shelter, there Continuing three long days. Three lingering days Still fell the snow, and still the tempest raged, And man and beast grew faint for want of food.

Isfendiyar and his warriors, with heads exposed, now prostrated themselves in solemn prayer to the Almighty, and implored his favor and protection from the calamity which had befallen them. Happily their prayers were heard, Heaven was compa.s.sionate, and in a short s.p.a.ce the snow and the mighty wind entirely ceased. By this fortunate interference of Providence, the army was enabled to quit the caves of the mountain; and then Isfendiyar again addressed Kurugsar triumphantly: "Thus the sixth labor is accomplished. What have we now to fear?" The demon-guide answered him and said: "From hence to the Brazen Fortress it is forty farsangs. That fortress is the residence of Arjasp; but the road is full of peril. For three farsangs the sand on the ground is as hot as fire, and there is no water to be found during the whole journey." This information made a serious impression upon the mind of Isfendiyar; who said to him sternly: "If I find thee guilty of falsehood, I will a.s.suredly put thee to death." Kurugsar replied: "What! after six trials?

Thou hast no reason to question my veracity. I shall never depart from the truth, and my advice is, that thou hadst better return; for the seventh stage is not to be ventured upon by human strength.

"Along those plains of burning sand No bird can move, nor ant, nor fly; No water slakes the fiery land, Intensely glows the flaming sky.

No tiger fierce, nor lion ever Could breathe that pestilential air; Even the unsparing vulture never Ventures on blood-stained pinions there.

"At the distance of three farsangs beyond this inaccessible belt of scorching country lies the Brazen Fortress, to which there is no visible path; and if an army of a hundred thousand strong were to attempt its reduction, there would not be the least chance of success."

Seventh Stage.--When Isfendiyar heard these things, enough to alarm the bravest heart, he turned towards his people to ascertain their determination; when they unanimously repeated their readiness to sacrifice their lives in his service, and to follow wherever he might be disposed to lead the way. He then put Kurugsar in chains again, and prosecuted his journey, until he reached the place said to be covered with burning sand. Arrived on the spot, he observed to the demon-guide: "Thou hast described the sand as hot, but it is not so." "True; and it is on account of the heavy showers of snow that have fallen and cooled the ground, a proof that thou art under the protection of the Almighty."

Isfendiyar smiled, and said: "Thou art all insincerity and deception, thus to play upon my feelings with false or imaginary terrors." Saying this he urged his soldiers to pa.s.s rapidly on, so as to leave the sand behind them, and they presently came to a great river. Isfendiyar was now angry with Kurugsar, and said: "Thou hast declared that for the s.p.a.ce of forty farsangs there was no water, every drop being everywhere dried up by the burning heat of the sun, and here we find water! Why didst thou also idly fill the minds of my soldiers with groundless fears?" Kurugsar replied: "I will confess the truth. Did I not swear a solemn oath to be faithful, and yet I was still doubted, and still confined in irons, though the experience of six days of trial had proved the correctness of my information and advice. For this reason I was disappointed and displeased; and I must confess that I did, therefore, exaggerate the dangers of the last day, in the hope too of inducing thee to return and release me from my bonds.

"For what have I received from thee, But scorn, and chains, and slavery."

Isfendiyar now struck off the irons from the hands and feet of his demon-guide and treated him with favor and kindness, repeating to him his promise to reward him at the close of his victorious career with the government of a kingdom. Kurugsar was grateful for this change of conduct to him, and again acknowledging the deception he had been guilty of, hoped for pardon, engaging at the same time to take the party in safety across the great river which had impeded their progress. This was accordingly done, and the Brazen Fortress was now at no great distance.

At the close of the day they were only one farsang from the towers, but Isfendiyar preferred resting till the next morning. "What is thy counsel now?" said he to his guide. "What sort of a fortress is this which fame describes in such dreadful colors?" "It is stronger than imagination can conceive, and impregnable."--"Then how shall I get to Arjasp?

"How shall I cleave the oppressor's form asunder, The murderer of my grandsire, Lohurasp?

The bravest heroes of Turan shall fall Under my conquering sword; their wives and children Led captive to Iran; and desolation Scathe the whole realm beneath the tyrant's sway."

But these words only roused and exasperated the feelings of Kurugsar, who bitterly replied:--

"Then may calamity be thy reward, Thy stars malignant, and thy life all sorrow; And may'st thou perish, weltering in thy blood, And the bare desert be thy lonely grave For that inhuman thought, that cruel menace."

Isfendiyar, upon hearing this unexpected language, became furious with indignation, and instantly punished the offender on the spot; with one stroke of his sword he cleft Kurugsar in twain.

When the clouds of night had darkened the sky, Isfendiyar, with a number of his warriors, proceeded towards the Brazen Fortress, and secretly explored it on every side. He found it constructed entirely of iron and bra.s.s; and, notwithstanding a strict examination at every point, discovered no accessible part for attack. It was three farsangs high, and forty wide; and such a place as was never before beheld by man.

CAPTURE OF THE BRAZEN FORTRESS

Isfendiyar returned from reconnoitring the fortress with acute feelings of sorrow and despair. He was at last convinced that Kurugsar had spoken the truth; for there seemed to be no chance whatever of taking the place by any stratagem he could invent. Revolving the enterprise seriously in his mind, he now began to repent of his folly, and the overweening confidence which had led him to undertake the journey. Returning thus to his tent in a melancholy mood, he saw a Fakir sitting down on the road, and him he anxiously accosted. "What may be the number of the garrison in this fort?" "There are a hundred thousand veteran warriors in the service of Arjasp in the fort, with abundance of supplies of every kind, and streams of pure water, so that nothing is wanted to foil an enemy."

This was very unwelcome intelligence to Isfendiyar, who now a.s.sembled his officers to consider what was best to be done. They all agreed that the reduction of the fortress was utterly impracticable, and that the safest course for him would be to return. But he could not bring himself to acquiesce in this measure, saying: "G.o.d is almighty, and beneficent, and with him is the victory." He then reflected deeply and long, and finally determined upon entering the fort disguised as a merchant.

Having first settled the mode of proceeding, he put Bashutan in temporary charge of the army, saying:--

"This Brazen Fortress scorns all feats of arms, Nor sword nor spear, nor battle-axe, can here Be wielded to advantage; stratagem Must be employed, or we shall never gain Possession of its wide-extended walls, Placing my confidence in G.o.d alone I go with rich and curious wares for sale, To take the credulous people by surprise, Under the semblance of a peaceful merchant."

Isfendiyar then directed a hundred dromedaries to be collected, and when they were brought to him he disposed of them in the following manner. He loaded ten with embroidered cloths, five with rubies and sapphires, and five more with pearls and other precious jewels. Upon each of the remaining eighty he placed two chests, and in each chest a warrior was secreted, making in all one hundred and sixty; and one hundred more were disposed as camel-drivers and servants. Thus the whole force, consisting of a hundred dromedaries and two hundred and sixty warriors, set off towards the Brazen Fortress, Isfendiyar having first intimated to his brother Bashutan to march with his army direct to the gates of the fort, as soon as he saw a column of flame and smoke ascend from the interior.

On the way they gave out that they were merchants come with valuable goods from Persia, and hoped for custom. The tidings of travellers having arrived with rubies and gold-embroidered garments for sale, soon reached the ears of Arjasp, the king, who immediately gave them permission to enter the fort. When Isfendiyar, the reputed master of the caravan, had got within the walls, he said that he had brought rich presents for the king, and requested to be introduced to him in person.

He was accordingly allowed to take the presents himself, was received with distinguished attention, and having stated his name to be Kherad, was invited to go to the royal palace, whenever, and as often as, he might please. At one of the interviews the king asked him, as he had come from Persia, if he knew whether the report was true or not that Kurugsar had been put to death, and what Gushtasp and Isfendiyar were engaged upon. The hero in disguise replied that it was five months since he left Persia; but he had heard on the road from many persons that Isfendiyar intended proceeding by the way of the Heft-khan with a vast army, towards the Brazen Fortress. At these words Arjasp smiled in derision, and said: "Ah! ah! by that way even the winged tribe are afraid to venture; and if Isfendiyar had a thousand lives, he would lose them all in any attempt to accomplish that journey." After this interview Isfendiyar daily continued to attend to the sale of his merchandise, and soon found that his sisters were employed in the degrading office of drawing and carrying water for the kitchen of Arjasp. When they heard that a caravan had arrived from Iran, they went to Isfendiyar (who recognized them at a distance, but hid his face that they might not know him), to inquire what tidings he had brought about their father and brother. Alarmed at the hazard of discovery, he replied that he knew nothing, and desired them to depart; but they remained, and said: "On thy return to Iran, at least, let it be known that here we are, two daughters of Gushtasp, reduced to the basest servitude, and neither father nor brother takes compa.s.sion upon our distresses.

"Whilst with bare head, and naked feet, we toil, They pa.s.s their time in peace and happiness, Regardless of the misery we endure."

Isfendiyar again, in a.s.sumed anger, told them to depart, saying: "Talk not to me of Gushtasp and Isfendiyar--what have I to do with them?" At that moment the sound of his voice was recognized by the elder sister, who, in a transport of joy, instantly communicated her discovery to the younger; but they kept the secret till night, and then they returned to commune with their brother. Isfendiyar finding that he was known, acknowledged himself, and informed them that he had undertaken to restore them to liberty, and that he was now engaged in the enterprise, opposing every obstacle in his way; but it was necessary that they should continue their usual labor at the wells, till a fitting opportunity occurred.

For the purpose of accelerating the moment of release, Isfendiyar represented to the king that at a period of great adversity, he had made a vow that he would give a splendid banquet if ever Heaven again smiled upon him, and as he then was in the way to prosperity, and wished to fulfil his vow, he hoped that his majesty would honor him with his presence on the occasion. The king accepted the invitation with satisfaction, and said: "To-morrow I will be thy guest, at thy own house, and with all my warriors and soldiers." But this did not suit the scheme of the pretended merchant, who apologized on account of his house being too small, and proposed that the feast should be held upon the loftiest part of the fortress, where s.p.a.cious tents and pavilions might be erected for the purpose, and a large fire lighted to give splendor to the scene. The king a.s.sented, and every requisite preparation being made, all the royal and warrior guests a.s.sembled in the morning, and eagerly partook of the rich viands set before them. They all drank wine with such relish and delight, that they soon became intoxicated, and Kherad seizing the opportunity, ordered the logs of wood which had been collected, to be set on fire, and rapidly the smoke and flame sprung up, and ascended to the sky. Bashutan saw the looked-for sign, and hastened with two thousand hors.e.m.e.n to the gates of the fortress, where he slew every one that he met, calling himself Isfendiyar. Arjasp had enjoyed the banquet exceedingly; the music gave him infinite pleasure, and the wine had intoxicated him; but in the midst of his hilarity and merriment, he was told that Isfendiyar had reached the gates, and entered the fort, killing immense numbers of his people. This terrible intelligence roused him and quitting the festive board of Kherad, he ordered his son Kahram, with fifty thousand hors.e.m.e.n, to repel the invader. He also ordered forty thousand hors.e.m.e.n to protect different parts of the walls, and ten thousand to remain as his own personal guard. Kahram accordingly issued forth without delay, and soon engaged in battle with the force under Bashutan.

When night came, Isfendiyar opened the lids of the chests, and let out the hundred and sixty warriors, whom he supplied with swords and spears, and armor, and also the hundred who were disguised as camel-drivers and servants.

With this bold band he sped, Whither Arjasp had fled; And all who fought around, To keep untouched that sacred ground; (Resistance weak and vain,) By him were quickly slain.

The sisters of Isfendiyar now arrived, and pointed out to him the chamber of Arjasp, to which place he immediately repaired, and roused up the king, who was almost insensible with the fumes of wine. Arjasp, however, sprang upon his feet,

And grappled stoutly with Isfendiyar, And desperate was the conflict: head and loins Alternately received deep gaping wounds From sword and dagger. Wearied out at length, Arjasp shrunk back, when with one mighty blow, Isfendiyar, exulting in his power, Cleft him asunder.

Two of the wives, two daughters, and one sister of Arjasp fell immediately into the hands of the conqueror, who delivered them into the custody of his son, to be conveyed home. He then quitted the palace, and turning his steps towards the gates of the fortress, slew a great number of the enemy.

Kahram, in the meantime, had been fiercely engaged with Bashutan, and was extremely reduced. At the very moment too of his discomfiture, he heard the watchmen call out aloud that Arjasp had been slain by Kherad.

Confounded and alarmed by these tidings, he approached the fort, where he heard the confirmation of his misfortune from every mouth, and also that the garrison had been put to the sword. Leading on the remainder of his troops he now came in contact with Isfendiyar and his two hundred and sixty warriors, and a sharp engagement ensued; but the coming up of Bashutan's force on his rear, placed him in such a predicament on every side, that defeat and destruction were almost inevitable. In short, Kahram was left with only a few of his soldiers near him, when Isfendiyar, observing his situation, challenged him to personal combat, and the challenge was accepted.

So closely did the eager warriors close, They seemed together joined, and but one man.

At last Isfendiyar seized Kahram's girth, And flung him to the ground, and bound his hands; And as a leaf is severed from its stalk, So he the head cleft from its quivering trunk; Thus one blow wins, and takes away a throne, In battle heads are trodden under hoofs, Crowns under heads.