Page:Persian Literature (1900), vol. 1.djvu/93

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THE SHÁH NÁMEH
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Always to choose the right, and shun the wrong.How will he burn with anger when he hearsThis new adventure; how will MinúchihrIndignantly reproach me for this dream!This waking dream of rapture! but I callHigh Heaven to witness what I now declare—Whoever may oppose my sacred vows,I still am thine, affianced thine, for ever.”
And thus Rúdábeh: “Thou hast won my heart,And kings may sue in vain; to thee devoted,Thou art alone my warrior and my love.”Thus they exclaimed,—then Zál with fond adieusSoftly descended from the balcony,And hastened to his tent.

As speedily as possible he assembled together his counsellors and Múbids to obtain their advice on the present extraordinary occasion, and he represented to them the sacred importance of encouraging matrimonial alliances.

For marriage is a contract sealed by Heaven—How happy is the Warrior’s lot, amidstHis smiling children; when he dies, his son.Succeeds him, and enjoys his rank and name.And is it not a glorious thing to say—This is the son of Zál, or this of Sám,The heir of his renowned progenitor?

He then related to them the story of his love and affection for the daughter of Mihráb; but the Múbids, well knowing that the chief of Kábul was of the family of Zohák, the serpent-king, did not approve the union desired, which excited the indignation of Zál. They, however, recommended his writing a letter to Sám, who might, if he thought proper, refer the matter to Minúchihr. The letter was accordingly written and despatched, and when Sám received it, he immediately referred the question to his astrologers, to know whether the nuptials, if solemnized between Zál and Rúdábeh, would be prosperous or not. They foretold that the nuptials would be prosperous, and that the issue would be a son of wonderful strength and power, the conqueror of the world. This announcement delighted the heart of the old warrior, and he sent the messenger back with the assurance of his approbation of the proposed union, but requested that the subject might be kept concealed till he returned with his army from the expedition to Karugsár, and was able to consult with Minúchihr.

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