The Persian Literature Volume I Part 5

"I feel no resentment, I seek not for strife, I wish not for thrones and the glories of life; What is glory to man?--an illusion, a cheat; What did it for Jemshid, the world at his feet?

When I go to my brothers their anger may cease, Though vengeance were fitter than offers of peace."

Feridun observed to him: "It is well that thy desire is for reconciliation, as thy brothers are preparing for war." He then wrote a letter to his sons, in which he said: "Your younger brother considers your friendship and esteem of more consequence to him than his crown and throne. He has banished from his heart every feeling of resentment against you; do you, in the like manner, cast away hostility from your hearts against him. Be kind to him, for it is inc.u.mbent upon the eldest born to be indulgent and affectionate to their younger brothers.

Although your consideration for my happiness has pa.s.sed away, I still wish to please you." As soon as the letter was finished, Irij mounted his horse, and set off on his journey, accompanied by several of his friends, but not in such a manner, and with such an equipment, as might betray his rank or character. When he arrived with his attendants in Turkistan, he found that the armies of his two brothers were ready to march against him. Silim and Tur, being apprised of the approach of Irij, went out of the city, according to ancient usage, to meet the deputation which was conveying to them their father's letter. Irij was kindly received by them, and accommodated in the royal residence.

It is said that Irij was in person extremely prepossessing, and that when the troops first beheld him, they exclaimed: "He is indeed fit to be a king!" In every place all eyes were fixed upon him, and wherever he moved he was followed and surrounded by the admiring army and crowds of people.

In numerous groups the soldiers met, and blessed The name of Irij, saying in their hearts, This is the man to lead an armed host, And worthy of the diadem and throne.

The courtiers of the two brothers, alarmed by these demonstrations of attachment to Irij continually before their eyes, represented to Silim and Tur that the army was disaffected towards them, and that Irij alone was considered deserving of the supreme authority. This intimation exasperated the malignant spirit of the two brothers: for although at first determined to put Irij to death, his youth and prepossessing appearance had in some degree subdued their animosity. They were therefore pleased with the intelligence, because it afforded a new and powerful reason for getting rid of him. "Look at our troops," said Silim to Tur, "how they a.s.semble in circles together, and betray their admiration of him. I fear they will never march against Persia. Indeed it is not improbable that even the kingdom of Turan may fall into his hands, since the hearts of our soldiers have become so attached to him.

"No time is this to deviate from our course, We must rush on; our armies plainly show Their love for Irij, and if we should fail To root up from its place this flourishing tree, Our cause is lost for ever."

Again, Silim said to Tur: "Thou must put Irij to death, and then his kingdom will be thine." Tur readily undertook to commit that crime, and, on the following day, at an interview with Irij, he said to him: "Why didst thou consent to be the ruler of Persia, and fail in showing a proper regard for the interests of thy elder brothers? Whilst our barren kingdoms are constantly in a state of warfare with the Turks, thou art enjoying peace and tranquillity upon the throne of a fruitful country?

Must we, thy elder brothers, remain thus under thy commands, and in subordinate stations?

"Must thou have gold and treasure, And thy heart be wrapt in pleasure, Whilst we, thy elder born, Of our heritage are shorn?

Must the youngest still be nursed, And the elder branches cursed?

And condemned, by stern command, To a wild and sterile land?"

When Irij heard these words from Tur, he immediately replied, saying:

"I only seek tranquillity and peace; I look not on the crown of sovereignty.

Nor seek a name among the Persian host; And though the throne and diadem are mine, I here renounce them, satisfied to lead A private life. For what hath ever been The end of earthly power and pomp, but darkness?

I seek not to contend against my brothers; Why should I grieve their hearts, or give distress To any human being? I am young, And Heaven forbid that I should prove unkind!"

Notwithstanding, however, these declarations of submission, and repeated a.s.surances of his resolution to resign the monarchy of Persia, Tur would not believe one word. In a moment he sprung up, and furiously seizing the golden chair from which he had just risen, struck a violent blow with it on the head of Irij, calling aloud, "Bind him, bind him!" The youth, struggling on the ground, exclaimed: "O, think of thy father, and pity me! Have compa.s.sion on thy own soul! I came for thy protection, therefore do not take my life: if thou dost, my blood will call out for vengeance to the Almighty. I ask only for peace and retirement. Think of my father, and pity me!

"Wouldst thou, with life endowed, take life away?

Torture not the poor ant, which drags the grain Along the dust; it has a life, and life Is sweet and precious. Did the innocent ant Offend thee ever? Cruel must he be Who would destroy a living thing so harmless!

And wilt thou, reckless, shed thy brother's blood, And agonize the feelings of a father?

Pause, and avoid the wrath of righteous Heaven!"

But Tur was not to be softened by the supplications of his brother.

Without giving any reply, he drew his dagger, and instantly dissevered the head of the youth from his body.

With musk and ambergris he first embalmed The head of Irij, then to his old father Dispatched the present with these cruel words: "Here is the head of thy beloved son, Thy darling favourite, dress it with a crown As thou wert wont; and mark the goodly fruit Thou hast produced. Adorn thy ivory throne, In all its splendour, for this worthy head, And place it in full majesty before thee!"

In the meantime, Feridun had prepared a magnificent reception for his son. The period of his return had arrived, and he was in anxious expectation of seeing him, when suddenly he received intelligence that Irij had been put to death by his brothers. The mournful spectacle soon reached his father's house.

A scream of agony burst from his heart, As wildly in his arms he clasped the face Of his poor slaughtered son; then down he sank Senseless upon the earth. The soldiers round Bemoaned the sad catastrophe, and rent Their garments in their grief. The souls of all Were filled with gloom, their eyes with flowing tears, For hope had promised a far different scene; A day of heart-felt mirth and joyfulness, When Irij to his father's house returned.

After the extreme agitation of Feridun had subsided, he directed all his people to wear black apparel, in honor of the murdered youth, and all his drums and banners to be torn to pieces. They say that subsequent to this dreadful calamity he always wore black clothes. The head of Irij was buried in a favorite garden, where he had been accustomed to hold weekly a rural entertainment. Feridun, in performing the last ceremony, pressed it to his bosom, and with streaming eyes exclaimed:

"O Heaven, look down upon my murdered boy; His severed head before me, but his body Torn by those hungry wolves! O grant my prayer, That I may see, before I die, the seed Of Irij hurl just vengeance on the heads Of his a.s.sa.s.sins; hear, O hear my prayer."

--Thus he in sorrow for his favourite son Obscured the light which might have sparkled still, Withering the jasmine flower of happy days; So that his pale existence looked like death.

MINuCHIHR

Feridun continued to cherish with the fondest affection the memory of his murdered son, and still looked forward with anxiety to the antic.i.p.ated hour of retribution. He fervently hoped that a son might be born to take vengeance for his father's death. But it so happened that Mahafrid, the wife of Irij, gave birth to a daughter. When this daughter grew up, Feridun gave her in marriage to Pishung, and from that union an heir was born who in form and feature resembled Irij and Feridun. He was called Minuchihr, and great rejoicings took place on the occasion of his birth.

The old man's lips, with smiles apart, Bespoke the gladness of his heart.

And in his arms he took the boy The harbinger of future joy; Delighted that indulgent Heaven To his fond hopes this pledge had given, It seemed as if, to bless his reign, Irij had come to life again.

The child was nourished with great tenderness during his infancy, and when he grew up he was sedulously instructed in every art necessary to form the character, and acquire the accomplishments of a warrior.

Feridun was accustomed to place him on the throne, and decorate his brows with the crown of sovereignty; and the soldiers enthusiastically acknowledged him as their king, urging him to rouse himself and take vengeance of his enemies for the murder of his grandfather. Having opened his treasury, Feridun distributed abundance of gold among the people, so that Minuchihr was in a short time enabled to embody an immense army, by whom he was looked upon with attachment and admiration.

When Silim and Tur were informed of the preparations that were making against them, that Minuchihr, having grown to manhood, was distinguished for his valor and intrepidity, and that mult.i.tudes flocked to his standard with the intention of forwarding his purpose of revenge, they were seized with inexpressible terror, and antic.i.p.ated an immediate invasion of their kingdoms. Thus alarmed, they counselled together upon the course it would be wisest to adopt.

"Should he advance, his cause is just, And blood will mingle with the dust, But heaven forbid our power should be O'erwhelmed to give him victory; Though strong his arm, and wild his ire, And vengeance keen his heart inspire."

They determined, at length, to pursue pacific measures, and endeavor by splendid presents and conciliatory language to regain the good-will of Feridun. The elephants were immediately loaded with treasure, a crown of gold, and other articles of value, and a messenger was dispatched, charged with an acknowledgment of guilt and abundant expressions of repentance. "It was Iblis," they said, "who led us astray, and our destiny has been such that we are in every way criminal. But thou art the ocean of mercy; pardon our offences. Though manifold, they were involuntary, and forgiveness will cleanse our hearts and restore us to ourselves. Let our tears wash away the faults we have committed. To Minuchihr and to thyself we offer obedience and fealty, and we wait your commands, being but the dust of your feet."

When the messenger arrived at the court of Feridun he first delivered the magnificent presents, and the king, having placed Minuchihr on a golden chair by his side, observed to him, "These presents are to thee a prosperous and blessed omen--they show that thy enemy is afraid of thee." Then the messenger was permitted to communicate the object of his mission.

He spoke with studied phrase, intent to hide, Or mitigate the horror of their crime; And with excuses plausible and bland His speech was dressed. The brothers, he observed, Desired to see their kinsman Minuchihr, And with the costliest gems they sought to pay The price of kindred blood unjustly shed-- And they would willingly to him resign Their kingdoms for the sake of peace and friendship.

The monarch marked him scornfully, and said: "Canst thou conceal the sun? It is in vain Truth to disguise with words of shallow meaning.

Now hear my answer. Ask thy cruel masters, Who talk of their affection for the prince, Where lies the body of the gentle Irij?

Him they have slain, the fierce, unnatural brothers, And now they thirst to gain another victim.

They long to see the face of Minuchihr!

Yes, and they shall, surrounded by his soldiers, And clad in steel, and they shall feel the edge Of life-destroying swords. Yes, they shall see him!"

After uttering this indignant speech, Feridun showed to the messenger his great warriors, one by one. He showed him Kavah and his two sons, Shahpur, and Shirueh, and Karun, and Sam,[3] and Nariman, and other chiefs--all of admirable courage and valor in war--and thus resumed:

"Hence with your presents, hence, away, Can gold or gems turn night to day?

Must kingly heads be bought and sold, And shall I barter blood for gold?

Shall gold a father's heart entice, Blood to redeem beyond all price?

Hence, hence with treachery; I have heard Their glozing falsehoods, every word; But human feelings guide my will, And keep my honour sacred still.

True is the oracle we read: 'Those who have sown oppression's seed Reap bitter fruit; their souls, perplext, Joy not in this world or the next.'

The brothers of my murdered boy, Who could a father's hopes destroy, An equal punishment will reap, And lasting vengeance o'er them sweep.

They rooted up my favourite tree, But yet a branch remains to me.

Now the young lion comes apace, The glory of his glorious race; He comes apace, to punish guilt, Where brother's blood was basely spilt; And blood alone for blood must pay; Hence with your gold, depart, away!"

When the messenger heard these reproaches, mingled with poison, he immediately took leave, and trembling with fear, returned to Silim and Tur with the utmost speed. He described to them in strong and alarming terms the appearance and character of Minuchihr, and his warriors; of that n.o.ble youth who with frowning eyebrows was only anxious for battle.

He then communicated to them in what manner he had been received, and repeated the denunciations of Feridun, at which the brothers were exceedingly grieved and disappointed. But Silim said to Tur:

"Let us be first upon the field, before He marshals his array. It follows not, That he should be a hero bold and valiant, Because he is descended from the brave; But it becomes us well to try our power,-- For speed, in war, is better than delay."

In this spirit the two brothers rapidly collected from both their kingdoms a large army, and proceeded towards Iran. On hearing of their progress, Feridun said: "This is well--they come of themselves. The forest game surrenders itself voluntarily at the foot of the sportsman."

Then he commanded his army to wait quietly till they arrived; for skill and patience, he observed, will draw the lion's head into your toils.

As soon as the enemy had approached within a short distance, Minuchihr solicited Feridun to commence the engagement--and the king having summoned his chief warriors before him, appointed them all, one by one, to their proper places.

The warriors of renown a.s.sembled straight With ponderous clubs; each like a lion fierce, Girded his loins impatient. In their front The sacred banner of the blacksmith waved; Bright scimitars were brandished in the air; Beneath them pranced their steeds, all armed for fight, And so incased in iron were the chiefs From top to toe, their eyes were only seen.