Page:Persian Literature (1900), vol. 1.djvu/50

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16

FIRDUSI

of God; and that the descendants of Adam are continually increasing. When the people of Irán and Túrán heard that Zohák kept near him two devouring serpents, alarm and terror spread everywhere, and so universal was the dread produced by this intelligence, that the nobles of Persia were induced to abandon their allegiance to Jemshíd, and, turning through fear to Zohák, confederated with the Arab troops against their own country. Jemshíd continued for some time to resist their efforts, but was at last defeated, and became a wanderer on the face of the earth.

To him existence was a burden now,The world a desert—for Zohák had gainedThe imperial crown, and from all acts and deedsOf royal import, razed out the very nameOf Jemshíd hateful in the tyrant’s eyes.

The Persian government having fallen into the hands of the usurper, he sent his spies in every direction for the purpose of getting possession of Jemshíd wherever he might be found, but their labor was not crowned with success. The unfortunate wanderer, after experiencing numberless misfortunes, at length took refuge in Zábulistán.

Flying from place to place, through wilderness,Wide plain, and mountain, veiled from human eye,Hungry and worn out with fatigue and sorrow,He came to Zábul.

The king of Zábulistán, whose name was Gúreng, had a daughter of extreme beauty. She was also remarkable for her mental endowments, and was familiar with warlike exercises.

So graceful in her movements, and so sweet,Her very look plucked from the breast of ageThe root of sorrow—her wine-sipping lips,And mouth like sugar, cheeks all dimpled o’erWith smiles, and glowing as the summer rose—Won every heart.

This damsel, possessed of these beauties and charms, was accustomed to dress herself in the warlike habiliments of a man, and to combat with heroes. She was then only fifteen