Page:Persian Literature (1900), vol. 1.djvu/120

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FIRDUSI

in a state of deep dejection and misery, they continued their retreat along the banks of the Jihún. The Persian army, upon the flight of the enemy, fell back with their prisoners of war, and Rustem was received by the king with distinguished honor. When Afrásiyáb returned to his father, he communicated to him, with a heavy heart, the misfortunes of the battle, and the power that had been arrayed against him, dwelling with wonder and admiration on the stupendous valor of Rustem.

         Seeing my sable banner,He to the fight came like a crocodile,Thou wouldst have said his breath scorched up the plain;He seized my girdle with such mighty forceAs if he would have torn my joints asunder;And raised me from my saddle—that I seemedAn insect in his grasp—but presentlyThe golden girdle broke, and down I fellIngloriously upon the dusty ground;But I was rescued by my warrior train!Thou knowest my valour, how my nerves are strung,And may conceive the wondrous strength, which thusSunk me to nothing. Iron is his frame,And marvellous his power; peace, peace, aloneCan save us and our country from destruction.

Poshang, considering the luckless state of affairs, and the loss of so many valiant warriors, thought it prudent to acquiesce in the wishes of Afrásiyáb, and sue for peace. To this end Wisah was intrusted with magnificent presents, and the overtures which in substance ran thus: “Minúchihr was revenged upon Túr and Sílim for the death of Irij. Afrásiyáb again has revenged their death upon Nauder, the son of Minúchihr, and now Rustem has conquered Afrásiyáb. But why should we any longer keep the world in confusion—Why should we not be satisfied with what Feridún, in his wisdom, decreed? Continue in the empire which he appropriated to Irij, and let the Jihún be the boundary between us, for are we not connected by blood, and of one family? Let our kingdoms be gladdened with the blessings of peace.”

When these proposals of peace reached Kai-kobád, the following answer was returned:

“Well dost thou know that I was not the firstTo wage this war. From Túr, thy ancestor,The strife began. Bethink thee how he slewThe gentle Irij—his own brother;—how,
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