Page:Persian Literature (1900), vol. 1.djvu/72

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FIRDUSI

him in any undertaking that might promise the accomplishment of their purpose, which was to deprive Irij of his dominions. But he thought it would be most expedient, in the first instance, to make their father acquainted with the dissatisfaction he had produced; “for,” he thought to himself, “in a new distribution, he may assign Persia to me.” Then he wrote to Sílim, advising that a messenger should be sent at once to Feridún to inform him of their dissatisfaction, and bring back a reply. The same messenger was dispatched by Sílim accordingly on that mission,

Charged with unfilial language. “Give,” he said,“This stripling Irij a more humble portion,Or we will, from the mountains of Túrán,From Rúm, and Chín, bring overwhelming troops,Inured to war, and shower disgrace and ruinOn him and Persia.”

When the messenger arrived at the court of Feridún, and had obtained permission to appear in the presence of the king, he kissed the ground respectfully, and by command related the purpose of his journey. Feridún was surprised and displeased, and said, in reply:

“Have I done wrong, done evil? None, but good.I gave ye kingdoms, that was not a crime;But if ye fear not me, at least fear God.My ebbing life approaches to an end,And the possessions of this fleeting worldWill soon pass from me. I am grown too oldTo have my passions roused by this rebellion;All I can do is, with paternal love,To counsel peace. Be with your lot contented;Seek not unnatural strife, but cherish peace.”

After the departure of the messenger Feridún called Irij before him, and said: “Thy two brothers, who are older than thou art, have confederated together and threaten to bring a large army against thee for the purpose of seizing thy kingdom, and putting thee to death. I have received this information from a messenger, who further says, that if I take thy part they will also wage war upon me.” And after Irij had declared that in this extremity he was anxious to do whatever his father might advise, Feridún continued: “My son, thou art unable to resist the invasion of even one brother; it will,

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