Page:Persian Literature (1900), vol. 1.djvu/89

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THE SHÁH NÁMEH
55

Such was the description of Rúdábeh, which inspired the heart of Zál with the most violent affection, and imagination added to her charms.

Mihráb again waited on Zál, who received him graciously, and asked him in what manner he could promote his wishes. Mihráb said that he only desired him to become his guest at a banquet he intended to invite him to; but Zál thought proper to refuse, because he well knew, if he accepted an invitation of the kind from a relation of Zohák, that his father Sám and the King of Persia would be offended. Mihráb returned to Kábul disappointed, and having gone into his harem, his wife, Sindokht, inquired after the stranger from Zábul, the white-headed son of Sám. She wished to know what he was like, in form and feature, and what account he gave of his sojourn with the Símurgh. Mihráb described him in the warmest terms of admiration—he was valiant, he said, accomplished and handsome, with no other defect than that of white hair. And so boundless was his praise, that Rúdábeh, who was present, drank every word with avidity, and felt her own heart warmed into admiration and love. Full of emotion, she afterwards said privately to her attendants:

“To you alone the secret of my heartI now unfold; to you alone confessThe deep sensations of my captive soul.I love, I love; all day and night of himI think alone—I see him in my dreams—You only know my secret—aid me now,And soothe the sorrows of my bursting heart.”

The attendants were startled with this confession and entreaty, and ventured to remonstrate against so preposterous an attachment.

“What! hast thou lost all sense of shame,All value for thy honored name!That thou, in loveliness supreme,Of every tongue the constant theme,Should choose, and on another’s word,The nursling of a Mountain Bird!A being never seen before,Which human mother never bore!And can the hoary locks of age,A youthful heart like thine engage?
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