Page:Persian Literature (1900), vol. 1.djvu/101

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THE SHÁH NÁMEH
67
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 Kotwál, who sprung up to meetThe peril threatened by the invading foe.Rustem meanwhile uplifts his ponderous mace,And cleaves his head, and scatters on the groundThe reeking brains. And now the garrisonAre on the alert, all hastening to the spotWhere battle rages; midst the deepened gloomFlash sparkling swords, which show the crimson earthBright 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 Zál to know his further commands on the subject of the capture. Zál, overjoyed at the result of the enterprise, replied:

Thou hast illumed the soul of Nárímán,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 Zábulistán.

On his return Zál pressed him to his heart,And paid him public honors. The fond motherKissed and embraced her darling son, and allUniting, showered their blessings on his head.
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