Part 28
Isfendiyár, however, was not contented with his mother's counsel, and suspecting that she would communicate to the king what he had said, he one day, as if under the influence of wine, thus addressed his father: "In what way have I failed to accomplish thy wishes? Have I not performed such actions as never were heard of, and never will be performed again, in furtherance of thy glory? I have overthrown thy greatest enemy, and supported thy honor with ceaseless toil and exertion. Is it not then incumbent on thee to fulfil thy promise?" Gushtásp replied: "Do not be impatient--the throne is thine;" but he was deeply irritated at heart on being thus reproached by his own son. When he retired he consulted with Jamásp, and was anxious to know what the stars foretold. The answer was: "He is of exalted fortune, of high destiny; he will overcome all his enemies, and finally obtain the sovereignty of the heft-aklím, or seven climes." This favorable prophecy aggravated the spleen of the father against the son, and he inquired with bitter and unnatural curiosity: "What will be his death? Look to that."
"A deadly dart from Rustem's bow, Will lay the glorious warrior low."
These tidings gladdened the heart of Gushtásp, and he said: "If this miscreant had been slain in his expedition to the Brazen Fortress I should not now have been insulted with his claim to my throne." The king then having resolved upon a scheme of deep dissimulation, ordered a gorgeous banquet, and invited to it all his relations and warriors; and when the guests were assembled he said to Isfendiyár: "The crown and the throne are thine; indeed, who is there so well qualified for imperial sway?" and turning to his warriors, he spoke of him with praise and admiration, and added: "When I was entering upon the war against Arjásp, before I quitted Sístán, I said to Rustem: 'Lohurásp, my father, is dead, my wife and children made prisoners, wilt thou assist me in punishing the murderer and oppressor?' but he excused himself, and remained at home, and although I have since been involved in numberless perils, he has not once by inquiry shown himself interested in my behalf; in short, he boasts that Kai-khosráu gave him the principalities of Zábul and Kábul, and Ním-rúz, and that he owes no allegiance to me! It behooves me, therefore, to depute Isfendiyár to go and put him to death, or bring him before me in bonds alive. After that I shall have no enemy to be revenged upon, and I shall retire from the world, and leave to Isfendiyár the crown and the throne of Persia, with confidence and satisfaction." All the nobles and heroes present approved of the measure, and the king, gratified by their approbation, then turned to Isfendiyár, and said: "I have sworn on the Zendavesta, to relinquish my power, and place it in thy hands, as soon as Rustem is subdued. Take whatever force the important occasion may require, for the whole resources of the empire shall be at thy command," But Isfendiyár thus replied: "Remember the first time I defeated Arjásp--what was my reward? Through the machinations of Gurzam I was thrown into prison and chained. And what is my reward now that I have slain both Arjásp and his son in battle? Thy solemn promise to me is forgotten, or disregarded. The prince who forgets one promise will forget another, if it be convenient for his purpose.
"Whenever the Heft-khan is brought to mind, I feel a sense of horror. But why should I Repeat the story of those great exploits! God is my witness, how I slew the wolf, The lion, and the dragon; how I punished That fell enchantress with her thousand wiles; And how I suffered, midst the storm of snow, Which almost froze the blood within my veins; And how that vast unfathomable deep We crossed securely. These are deeds which awaken Wonder and praise in others, not in thee! The treasure which I captured now is thine; And what is my reward?--the interest, sorrow. Thus am I cheated of my recompense. It is the custom for great kings to keep Religiously their pledged, affianced word; But thou hast broken thine, despite of honour.
"I do remember in my early youth, It was in Rúm, thou didst perform a feat Of gallant daring; for thou didst destroy A dragon and a wolf, but thou didst bear Thyself most proudly, thinking human arm Never before had done a deed so mighty; Yes, thou wert proud and vain, and seemed exalted Up to the Heavens; and for that noble act What did thy father do? The king for that Gave thee with joyous heart his crown and throne. Now mark the difference; think what I have done, What perils I sustained, and for thy sake! Thy foes I vanquished, clearing from thy mind The gnawing rust of trouble and affliction. Monsters I slew, reduced the Brazen Fortress, And laid Arjásp's whole empire at thy feet, And what was my reward? Neglect and scorn. Did I deserve this at a father's hands?"
Gushtásp remained unmoved by this sharp rebuke, though he readily acknowledged its justice. "The crown shall be thine," said he, "but consider my position. Think, too, what services Zál and Rustem performed for Kai-khosráu, and shall I expect less from my own son, gifted as he is with a form of brass, and the most prodigious valor? Forbid it, Heaven! that any rumor of our difference should get abroad in the world, which would redound to the dishonor of both! Nearly half of Irán is in the possession of Rustem." "Give me the crown," said Isfendiyár, "and I will immediately proceed against the Zabúl champion." "I have given thee both the crown and the throne, take with thee my whole army, and all my treasure.--What wouldst thou have more? He who has conquered the terrific obstacles of the Heft-khan, and has slain Arjásp and subdued his entire kingdom, can have no cause to fear the prowess of Rustem, or any other chief." Isfendiyár replied that he had no fear of Rustem's prowess; he was now old, and therefore not equal to himself in strength; still he had no wish to oppose him:--
"For he has been the monitor and friend Of our Kaiánian ancestors; his care Enriched their minds, and taught them to be brave; And he was ever faithful to their cause. Besides," said he, "thou wert the honoured guest Of Rustem two long years; and at Sístán Enjoyed his hospitality and friendship, His festive, social board; and canst thou now, Forgetting that delightful intercourse, Become his bitterest foe?"
Gushtásp replied:--
"Tis true he may have served my ancestors; But what is that to me? His spirit is proud, And he refused to yield me needful aid When danger pressed; that is enough, and thou Canst not divert me from my settled purpose. Therefore, if thy aim be still To rule, thy father's wish fulfil; Quickly trace the distant road; Quick invade the chiefs abode; Bind his feet, and bind his hands In a captive's galling bands; Bring him here, that all may know Thou hast quelled the mighty foe."
But Isfendiyár was still reluctant, and implored him to relinquish his design.
"For if resolved, a gloomy cloud Will quickly all thy glories shroud, And dim thy brilliant throne; I would not thus aspire to reign, But rather, free from crime, remain Sequestered and alone."
Again Gushtásp spoke, and said: "There is no necessity for any further delay. Thou art appointed my successor, and the crown and the throne are thine; thou hast therefore only to march to the scene of action, and accomplish the object of the war." Hearing this, Isfendiyár sullenly retired to his own house, and Gushtásp, perceiving that he was in an angry mood, requested Jamásp (his minister) to ascertain the state of his mind, and whether he intended to proceed to Sístán or not. Jamásp immediately went, and Isfendiyár asked him, as his friend, what he would advise. "The commands of a father," he replied, "must be obeyed." There was now no remedy, and the king being informed that the prince consented to undertake the expedition, no further discussion took place.
But Kitabún was deeply affected when she heard of these proceedings, and repaired instantly to her son, to represent to him the hopelessness of the enterprise he had engaged to conduct.
"A mother's counsel is a golden treasure, Consider well, and listen not to folly. Rustem, the champion of the world, will never Suffer himself to be confined in bonds. Did he not conquer the White Demon, fill The world with blood, in terrible revenge, When Saiáwush was by Afrásiyáb Cruelly slain? O, curses on the throne, And ruin seize the country, which returns Evil for good, and spurns its benefactor. Restrain thy steps, engage not in this war; It cannot do thee honour. Hear my voice! For Rustem still can conquer all the world." Hear the safe counsel of thy anxious mother! Thus spoke Kitabún, shedding ceaseless tears; And thus Isfendiyár: "I fear not Rustem; I fear not his prodigious power and skill; But never can I on so great a hero Place ignominious bonds; it must not be. Yet, mother dear, my faithful word is pledged; My word Jamásp has taken to the king, And I must follow where my fortune leads."
The next morning Isfendiyár took leave of the king, and with a vast army, and immense treasure, commenced his march towards Sístán. It happened that one of the camels in advance laid down, and though beaten severely, could not be made to get up on its legs. Isfendiyár, seeing the obstinacy of the animal, ordered it to be killed, and passed on. The people, however, interpreted the accident as a bad omen, and wished him not to proceed; but he could not attend to their suggestions, as he thought the king would look upon it as a mere pretence, and therefore continued his journey.
When he approached Sístán, he sent Bahman, his eldest son, to Rustem, with a flattering message, to induce the champion to honor him with an istakbál, or deputation to receive him. Upon Bahman's arrival, however, he hesitated and delayed, being reluctant to give a direct answer; but Zál interposed, saying: "Why not immediately wait upon the prince?--have we not always been devoted to the Kaiánian dynasty?--Go and bring him hither, that we may tender him our allegiance, and entertain him at our mansion as becomes his illustrious birth," Accordingly Rustem went out to welcome Isfendiyár, and alighting from Rakush, proceeded respectfully on foot to embrace him. He then invited him to his house, but Isfendiyár said: "So strict are my father's commands, that after having seen thee, I am not permitted to delay my departure." Rustem, however, pressed him to remain with him, but all in vain. On the contrary the prince artfully conducted him to his own quarters, where he addressed him thus: "If thou wilt allow me to bind thee, hand and foot, in chains, I will convey thee to the king my father, whose humor it is to see thee once in fetters, and then to release thee!" Rustem was silent. Again Isfendiyár said: "If thou art not disposed to comply with this demand, go thy ways," Rustem replied: "First be my guest, as thy father once was, and after that I will conform to thy will." Again the prince said: "My father visited thee under other circumstances; I have come for a different purpose. If I eat thy bread and salt, and after that thou shouldst refuse thy acquiescence, I must have recourse to force. But if I become thy guest, how can I in honor fight with thee? and if I do not take thee bound into my father's presence, according to his command, what answer shall I give to him?" "For the same reason," said Rustem; "how can I eat thy bread and salt?" Isfendiyár then replied: "Thou needest not eat my bread and salt, but only drink wine.--Bring thy own pure ruby." To this Rustem agreed, and they drank, each his own wine, together.
In a short space Rustem observed that he wished to consult his father Zál; and being allowed to depart, he, on his return home, described in strong terms of admiration the personal appearance and mental qualities of Isfendiyár.
"In wisdom ripe, and with a form Of brass to meet the battle-storm, Thou wouldst confess his every boon, Had been derived from Feridún."
Bashútan in the meanwhile observed to his brother, with some degree of dissatisfaction, that his enemy had come into his power, on his own feet too, but had been strangely permitted to go away again. To this gentle reproof Isfendiyár confidently replied, "If he does fail to return, I will go and secure him in bonds, even in his own house,"--"Ah!" said Bashútan, "that might be done by gentleness, but not by force, for the descendant of Sám, the champion of the world, is not to be subdued so easily." These words had a powerful effect upon the mind of Isfendiyár, and he became apprehensive that Rustem would not return; but whilst he was still murmuring at his own want of vigilance, the champion appeared, and at this second interview repeated his desire that the prince would become his guest. "I am sent here by my father, who relies upon thy accepting his proffered hospitality."--"That may be," said Isfendiyár, "but I am at my utmost limit, I cannot go farther. From this place, therefore, thou hadst better prepare to accompany me to Irán." Here Rustem paused, and at length artfully began to enumerate his various achievements, and to blazon his own name.
"I fettered fast the emperor of Chin, And broke the enchantment of the Seven Khans; I stood the guardian of the Persian kings, Their shield in danger. I have cleared the world Of all their foes, enduring pain and toil Incalculable. Such exploits for thee Will I achieve, such sufferings will I bear, And hence we offer thee a social welcome. But let not dark suspicion cloud thy mind, Nor think thyself exalted as the heavens, Because I thus invite thee to our home."
Isfendiyár felt so indignant and irritated by this apparent boasting and self-sufficiency of Rustem, that his first impulse was to cast a dagger at him; but he kept down his wrath, and satisfied himself with giving him a scornful glance, and telling him to take a seat on his left hand. But Rustem resented this affront, saying that he never yet had sat down on the left of any king, and placed himself, without permission, on the right hand of Isfendiyár. The unfavorable impression on the prince's mind was increased by this independent conduct, and he was provoked to say to him, "Rustem! I have heard that Zál, thy father, was of demon extraction, and that Sám cast him into the desert because of his disgusting and abominable appearance; that even the hungry Símúrgh, on the same account, forebore to feed upon him, but conveyed him to her nest among her own young ones, who, pitying his wretched condition, supplied him with part of the carrion they were accustomed to devour. Naked and filthy, he is thus said to have subsisted on garbage, till Sám was induced to commiserate his wretchedness, and take him to Sástán, where, by the indulgence of his family and royal bounty, he was instructed in human manners and human science." This was a reproach and an insult too biting for Rustem to bear with any degree of patience, and frowning with strong indignation, he said, "Thy father knows, and thy grandfather well knew that Zál was the son of Sám, and Sám of Narímán, and that Narímán was descended from Húsheng. Thou and I, therefore, have the same origin. Besides, on my mother's side, I am descended from Zohák, so that by both parents I am of a race of princes. Knowest thou not that the Iránian empire was for some time in my hands, and that I refused to retain it, though urged by the nobles and the army to exercise the functions of royalty? It was my sense of justice, and attachment to the Kais and to thy family, which have enabled thee to possess thy present dignity and command. It is through my fidelity and zeal that thou art now in a situation to reproach me. Thou hast slain one king, Arjásp, how many kings have I slain? Did I not conquer Afrásiyáb, the greatest and bravest king that ever ruled over Túrán? And did I not also subdue the king of Hámáverán, and the Khakán of Chín? Káús, thy own ancestor, I released from the demons of Mázinderán. I slew the White Demon, and the tremendous giant, Akwán Díw. Can thy insignificant exploits be compared with mine? Never!" Rustem's vehemence, and the disdainful tone of his voice, exasperated still more the feelings of Isfendiyár, who however recollected that he was under his roof, otherwise he would have avenged himself instantly on the spot. Restraining his anger, he then said softly to him, "Wherefore dost thou raise thy voice so high? For though thy head be exalted to the skies, thou wert, and still art, but a dependent on the Kais. And was thy Heft-khan equal in terrible danger to mine? Was the capture of Mázinderán equal in valorous exertion to the capture of the Brazen Fortress? And did I not, by the power of my sword, diffuse throughout the world the blessings of my own religion, the faith of the fire-worshipper, which was derived from Heaven itself? Thou hast performed the duties of a warrior and a servant, whilst I have performed the holy functions of a sovereign and a prophet!" Rustem, in reply, said:--
"In thy Heft-khan thou hadst twelve thousand men Completely armed, with ample stores and treasure, Whilst Rakush and my sword, my conquering sword, Were all the aid I had, and all I sought, In that prodigious enterprise of mine. Two sisters thou released--no arduous task, Whilst I recovered from the demon's grasp The mighty Káús, and the monsters slew, Roaring like thunder in their dismal caves.
"This great exploit my single arm achieved; And when Kai-khosráu gave the regal crown To Lohurásp, the warriors were incensed, And deemed Fríburz, Káús's valiant son, Fittest by birth to rule. My sire and I Espoused the cause of Lohurásp; else he Had never sat upon the throne, nor thou Been here to treat with scorn thy benefactor. And now Gushtásp, with foul ingratitude, Would bind me hand and foot! But who on earth Can do that office? I am not accustomed To hear harsh terms, and cannot brook their sting, Therefore desist. Once in Káús's court, When I was moved to anger, I poured out Upon him words of bitterest scorn and rage, And though surrounded by a thousand chiefs, Not one attempted to repress my fury, Not one, but all stood silent and amazed."
"Smooth that indignant brow," the prince replied "And measure not my courage nor my strength With that of Káús; had he nerve like mine? Thou might'st have kept the timorous king in awe, But I am come myself to fetter thee!" So saying, he the hand of Rustem grasped, And wrung it so intensely, that the champion Felt inwardly surprised, but careless said, "The time is not yet come for us to try Our power in battle." Then Isfendiyár Dropped Rustem's hand, and spoke, "To-day let wine Inspire our hearts, and on the field to-morrow Be ours the strife, with battle-axe and sword, And my first aim shall be to bind thee fast, And show thee to my troops, Rustem in fetters!"
At this the champion smiled, and thus exclaimed, "Where hast thou seen the deeds of warriors brave? Where hast thou heard the clash of mace and sword Wielded by men of valour? I to-morrow Will take thee in my arms, and straight convey thee To Zál, and place thee on the ivory throne, And on thy head a crown of gold shall glitter. The treasury I will open, and our troops Shall fight for thee, and I will gird my loins As they were girt for thy bold ancestors; And when thou art the chosen king, and I Thy warrior-chief, the world will be thy own; No other sovereign need attempt to reign."
"So much time has been spent in vain boasting, and extravagant self-praise," rejoined Isfendiyár, "that the day is nearly done, and I am hungry; let us therefore take some refreshment together." Rustem's appetite being equally keen, the board was spread, and every dish that was brought to him he emptied at once, as if at one swallow; then he threw aside the goblets, and called for the large flagon that he might drink his fill without stint. When he had finished several dishes and as many flagons of wine, he paused, and Isfendiyár and the assembled chiefs were astonished at the quantity he had devoured. He now prepared to depart, and the prince said to him, "Go and consult with thy father: if thou art contented to be bound, well; if not, thou wilt have cause to repent, for I will assuredly attend to the commands of Gushtásp."--"Do thou also consult with thy brethren and friends," replied Rustem, "whether thou wilt be our guest to-morrow, or not; if not, come to this place before sunrise, that we may decide our differences in battle." Isfendiyár said, "My most anxious desire, my wish to heaven, is to meet thee, for I shall have no difficulty in binding thee hand and foot. I would indeed willingly convey thee without fetters to my father, but if I did so, he would say that I was unable to put thee in bonds, and that would disgrace my name." Rustem observed that the immense number of men and demons he had contended against was as nothing in the balance of his mind compared with the painful subject of his present thoughts and fears. He was ready to engage, but afraid of meriting a bad name.
"If in the battle thou art slain by me, Will not my cheek turn pale among the princes Of the Kaiánian race, having cut off A lovely branch of that illustrious tree? Will not reproaches hang upon my name When I am dead, and shall I not be cursed For perpetrating such a horrid deed? Thy father, too, is old, and near his end, And thou upon the eve of being crowned; And in thy heart thou knowest that I proffered, And proffer my allegiance and devotion, And would avoid the conflict. Sure, thy father Is practising some trick, some foul deception, To urge thee on to an untimely death, To rid himself of some unnatural fear, He stoops to an unnatural, treacherous act, For I have ever been the firm support Of crown and throne, and perfectly he knows No mortal ever conquered me in battle, None ever from my sword escaped his life."
Then spoke Isfendiyár: "Thou wouldst be generous And bear a spotless name, and tarnish mine; But I am not to be deceived by thee: In fetters thou must go!" Rustem replied: "Banish that idle fancy from thy brain; Dream not of things impossible, for death Is busy with thee; pause, or thou wilt die." "No more!" exclaimed the prince, "no more of this. Nor seek to frighten me with threatening words; Go, and to-morrow bring with thee thy friends, Thy father and thy brother, to behold With their own eyes thy downfall, and lament In sorrow over thy impending fate." "So let it be," said Rustem, and at once Mounted his noble horse, and hastened home.