Page:Persian Literature (1900), vol. 1.djvu/66

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FIRDUSI

children along with him. After he had gone away, the nobles said to the king:

“Why should reproaches, sovereign of the world,Be thus permitted? Why the royal scrollTorn in thy presence, with a look and voiceOf proud defiance, by the rebel blacksmith?So fierce his bearing, that he seems to beA bold confederate of this Feridún.”Zohák replied: “I know not what o’ercame me,But when I saw him with such vehemenceOf grief and wild distraction, strike his forehead,Lamenting o’er his children, doomed to death,Amazement seized my heart, and chained my will.What may become of this, Heaven only knows,For none can pierce the veil of destiny.”
Kavah, meanwhile, with warning voice set forthWhat wrongs the nation suffered, and there cameMultitudes round him, who called out aloudFor justice! justice! On his javelin’s pointHe fixed his leathern apron for a banner,And lifting it on high, he went abroadTo call the people to a task of vengeance.Wherever it was seen crowds followed fast,Tired of the cruel tyranny they suffered.“Let us unite with Feridún,” he cried,“And from Zohák’s oppression we are free!”And still he called aloud, and all obeyedWho heard him, high and low. Anxious he soughtFor Feridún, not knowing his retreat:But still he hoped success would crown his search.
The hour arrived, and when he saw the youth,Instinctively he knew him, and thanked HeavenFor that good fortune. Then the leathern bannerWas splendidly adorned with gold and jewels,And called the flag of Kavah. From that timeIt was a sacred symbol; every kingIn future, on succeeding to the throne,Did honor to that banner, the true signOf royalty, in veneration held.

Feridún, aided by the directions and advice of the blacksmith, now proceeded against Zohák. His mother wept to see him depart, and continually implored the blessing of God upon him. He had two elder brothers, whom he took along with him. Desirous of having a mace formed like the head of a cow, he requested Kavah to make one of iron, and it was accordingly made in the shape he described. In his progress,

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