The Epic of Kings
By Ferdowsi
Written 1010 A.C.E.
Translated by Helen Zimmern





Zal and Rudabeh
   







Anon it came about that Zal desired to see the kingdom. And he set forth,
and there followed after him a goodly train, and when they had journeyed
a while they marched with pomp into Cabul. Now Mihrab, who was descended
from Zohak the Serpent, reigned in Cabul, yet he was worthy, prudent, and
wise. When he heard that the son of Saum, to whom he paid tribute, drew
nigh unto the city, he went out to meet him, and his nobles went with him,
and slaves bearing costly gifts. And Zal, hearing that Mihrab was at hand,
prepared a feast in his tents, and Mihrab and his train feasted with him
until the night was far spent. Now, after the King was gone, Zal praised
his beauty. Then a noble rose up and said unto him-
"O Zal, thou knowest not beauty since thou hast not beheld the
daughter of this man. For she is like unto the slender cypress, her face
is brighter than the sun, her mouth is a pomegranate
flower."
When Zal heard these words he was filled with longing, and sleep
would not visit his eyelids for thinking of her beauty.
Now, when the day dawned, he opened the doors of his court, and
the nobles stood about him, each man according to his rank. And presently
there came from Cabul Mihrab the King to tender morning greeting to the
stranger without his gates. And Zal desired that Mihrab should crave a
boon at his hands. Then spake Mihrab unto him saying-
"O ruler mighty and great, I have but one desire, and to bring
it to pass is easy. For I crave thee that thou dwell as guest beneath my
roof, and let my heart rejoice in thy presence."
Then Zal said unto him, "O King, ask not this boon at my hands,
I pray thee, for it can in nowise be accomplished. The Shah and Saum would
be angered should they learn that I had eaten under the roof of Zohak.
I beg of thee ask aught but this."
When Mihrab heard these words he was sorrowful, and bent low before
Zal, and departed from out the tents. And the eye of Zal looked after him,
and yet again he spake his praises. Then he bethought him of the King's
daughter, and how that she was fair, and he was sunk in brooding and desire,
and the days passed unheeded over his head.
Now it came to pass that on a certain morning Mihrab stepped forth
from his palace to the house of the women to visit Sindokht his wife, and
her daughter Rudabeh. Truly the house was like to a garden for colour and
perfume, and over all shone those moons of beauty. Now when Mihrab had
greeted Rudabeh he marvelled at her loveliness, and called down the blessings
of Heaven upon her head. Then Sindokht opened her lips and questioned Mihrab
concerning the stranger whose tents were without their gates. And she
said-
"I pray thee tell unto me what manner of man is this white-haired
son of Saum, and is he worthy the nest or the throne?
"
Then Mihrab said unto her, "O my fair cypress, the son of Saum
is a hero among men. His heart is like unto a lion's, his strength is as
an elephant's, to his friends he is a gracious Nile, unto his enemies a
wasting crocodile. And in him are even blemishes turned to beauties, his
white locks but enhance his glory."
When Rudabeh had listened to these words her heart burned with
love for Zal, so that she could neither eat nor rest, and was like unto
one that hath changed her shape. And after a while, because that she could
bear the burden thereof no longer, she told her secret to the slaves that
loved and served her. And she charged them tell no man, and entreated of
them that they would aid her to allay the troubles of her heart. And when
the slaves had listened to her story, they were filled with fear, and with
one accord entreated her that she would dismiss from her heart one branded
among men, and whom his own father had cast out. But Rudabeh would not
listen to their voice. And when they beheld that she was firm in her spirit,
and that their words were vain, they cast about how they might serve her.
And one among them who was wise above the rest opened her lips and
spake-
"O moon-faced beauty, slender cypress, it shall be done at thy
desire. Thy slaves will neither rest nor slumber until the royal youth
shall have become the footstool to thy feet."
Then Rudabeh was glad and said-
"An the issue be happy, there shall be planted for thee a noble tree,
and it shall bear riches and jewels, and wisdom shall cull its
fruits."
Then the slaves pondered in their hearts how they should compass
their end, for they knew that only by craft could it be brought about.
Straightway they clothed themselves in costly raiment, and went forth blithely
into the garden of flowers that was spread beside the river's bank without
the city. And they gathered roses, and decked their hair with blossoms,
and threw them into the stream for sooth-telling; and as they gathered
they came unto the spot over against which were pitched the tents of Zal.
Now Zal beheld them from his tent, and he questioned them concerning these
rose-gatherers. And one uprose and said unto him-
"They are slaves sent forth by the moon of Cabul into the garden
of flowers."
Now when Zal heard this his heart leaped for joy, and he set forth
unto the river's bank with only one page to bear him company. And seeing
a water-bird fly upwards, he took his bow and shot it through the heart,
and it fell among the rose-gatherers. Then Zal bade the boy cross the water
and bring him the bird. And when he had landed, the moon-faced women pressed
about him and questioned him, saying-
"O youth, tell us the name of him who aimeth thus surely, for verily
he is a king among men."
Then the boy answering said, "What! know ye not the son of Saum
the hero? The world hath not his equal for strength and
beauty."
But the girls reproved him, and said, "Not so, boast not thus vainly,
for the house of Mihrab holdeth a sun that o'ershines all
besides."
And the page smiled, and the smile yet lingered on his lips when
he came back to Zal. And Zal said-
"Why smilest thou, boy? What have they spoken unto thee that thou
openest thy lips and showest thy ivory teeth? "
Then the boy told unto him the speech of the women. And Zal
said-
"Go over yet again and bid them tarry, that they may bear back jewels
with their roses."
And he chose forth from among his treasures trinkets of pearl and
gold, and sent them to the slaves. Then the one who had sworn to serve
Rudabeh above the rest craved that she might look upon the face of the
hero, for she said-
"A secret that is known to three is one no longer."
And Zal granted her desire, and she told him of Rudabeh and of her
beauty, and his passion burned the more. And he spake-
"Show unto me, I pray thee, the path by which I may behold this
fair one, for my heart is filled with longing."
Then the slave said, "Suffer that we go back to the house of the
women, and we will fill the ears of Rudabeh with praises of the son of
Saum, and will entangle her in the meshes of our net, and the lion shall
rejoice in his chase of the lamb."
Then Zal bade her go forth, and the women returned to the house
rejoicing and saying-
"The lion entereth the snare spread forth to entrap him, and the
wishes of Rudabeh and Zal will be accomplished."
But when they were come to the gates the porter chid them that
they were gone without while the stranger sojourned in Cabul, and they
were troubled and sore afraid for their secret. But they stilled his wrath
and came unto where Rudabeh awaited them. And they told her of Zal, the
son of Saum, and of his beauty and his prowess. And Rudabeh smiled and
said-
"Wherefore have ye thus changed your note? For a while back ye
spake with scorn of this bird-reared youth, on whose head hang the locks
of a sage, but now are ye loud in his praises."
Then Rudabeh began privily to deck her house that it might be worthy
a guest. With brocades of Roum and carpets of Ind did she hang it, and
she perfumed it with musk and ambergris, and flowers did she cause to bloom
about the rooms. And when the sun was sunk, and the doors of the house
were locked and the keys withdrawn, a slave went forth unto Zal, the son
of Saum. And she spake unto him in a low voice-
"Come now, for all is ready."
And Zal followed after her. And when they were come to the house of
the women Zal beheld the daughter of the King standing upon the roof, and
her beauty was like unto a cypress on which the full moon shineth. And
when she beheld him, she spake and said-
"I bid thee welcome, O young man, son of a hero, and may the blessing
of Heaven rest upon thee."
And Zal answered her benison, and prayed that he might enter into
nearer converse, for he was on the ground and she was on the roof. Then
the Peri-faced loosened her tresses, and they were long, so that they fell
from the battlements unto the ground. And she said unto
Zal-
"Here hast thou a cord without flaw. Mount, O Pehliva, and seize
my black locks, for it is fitting that I should be a snare unto
thee."
But Zal cried, "Not so, O fair one, it would beseem me ill to do
thee hurt."
And he covered her hair with kisses. Then he called for a cord
and made a running knot, and threw it upwards and fastened it to the battlements.
And with a bound he swung himself upon the roof. Then Rudabeh took his
hand and they stepped down together into the golden chambers, and the slaves
stood round about them. And they gazed upon each other and knew that they
excelled in beauty, and the hours slipped by in sweet talk, while love
was fanned in their hearts. Then Zal cried-
"O fair cypress, musk-perfumed, when Minuchihr shall learn of this
he will be angered and Saum also will chide. And they will say I have forgotten
my God, and will lift their hands against me. But I swear unto thee that
this life is to me vile if it be not spent in thy presence. And I call
upon Heaven to hear me that none other but thee will I call my
bride."
And Rudabeh said, "I too will swear unto thee this
oath."
So the hours sped, and there arose from out the tents of the King the
sound of drums that announce the coming of the day. Then cried Zal and
Rudabeh of one accord-
"O glory of the world, tarry yet a while, neither arrive so
quickly."
But the sun gave no ear to their reproaches, and the hour to part
was come. Then Zal swung himself from the battlements unto the ground,
and quitted the house of his beloved.
Now when the earth was flooded with light, and the nobles and chiefs
had tendered unto Zal their morning greetings as was their wont, he called
about him his Mubids, and laid before them how that he was filled with
love for a daughter of the Serpent. And the Mubids when they heard it were
troubled, and their lips were closed, and the words were chained upon their
tongues. For there was none of them that listed to mingle poison in the
honey of this love. Whereupon Zal reproved them, and said that he would
bestow on them rich gifts if they would open their mouths. Then they spake
and said unto him that the honour of a king could not suffer by a woman,
and though Mihrab be indeed of Zohak's race, he was noble and valiant.
And they urged him to write unto his father and crave Saum to wait upon
the Shah.
Then Zal called unto him a scribe and bade him write down the words
that he spake. And he told unto Saum his love and his fears. And he recalled
unto him how that he had cast him out, and how that he had lived in a nest,
and a bird had reared him, and the sun had poured down upon his head, and
raw flesh had been his nourishment the while his father had sat within
a goodly house clothed in silk. And he recalled the promise given to him
by Saum. Neither did he seek to justify that which was come about. Then
he gave the letter to a messenger, and bade him ride until he should be
come into the presence of Saum.
When Saum had heard the words of his son his spirit was troubled,
and he cried-
"Woe unto me, for now is clear what hath so long been hidden. One
whom a wild bird hath reared looketh for the fulfilment of wild desires,
and seeks union with an accursed race."
And he pondered long what he should answer. For he said, "If I
say, Abandon this desire, sow no discord, return to reason, I break my
oath and God will punish me. Yet if I say, Thy desire is just, satisfy
the passions of thy heart, what offspring can come to pass from the union
of a Deev and the nursling of a bird?"
And the heart of Saum was heavy with care. So he called unto him
his Mubids that they should search the stars, for he
said-
"If I mingle fire and water I do ill, and ill will come of
it."
Then all that day the Wise Men searched the secrets of Fate, and they
cast the horoscope of Zal and Rudabeh, and at even they returned to the
King rejoicing. And they found him torn with anguish. Then they
said-
"Hail unto thee, O Saum, for we have followed the movement of the
stars and counted their course, and we have read the message of the skies.
And it is written, 'A clear spring shall issue into the day, a son shall
be born to Zal, a hero full of power and glory, and there shall not be
his like in Iran.' "
Now when Saum had drunk in these words, his soul was uplifted,
and he poured gifts upon the Mubids. Then he called to him the messenger
of Zal, and he gave him pieces of silver, and bade him return unto his
master and say-
"I hold thy passion folly, O my son, but because of the oath that
I have sworn to thee it shall be done at thy desire. I will hie me unto
Iran and lay thy suit before the Shah."
Then Saum called together his army and set forth for Iran, and
the sound of trumpets and cymbals went before him.
Now when the messenger was come back to Zal, he rejoiced and praised
God, and gave gold and silver to the poor, and gifts unto his servants.
But when night was come he could not close his eyes in slumber, nor could
he rest during the day. Neither did he drink wine nor demand the singers,
for his soul was filled with longing after his love. And presently there
came out to him a slave, and he gave unto her Saum's letter that she might
bear it to Rudabeh. And Rudabeh rejoiced also, and chose from among her
treasures a costly crown and a ring of worth, and bade the woman bear them
unto Zal. Now as she quitted the chamber she met Sindokht. And the Queen
questioned her and said-
"Whence comest thou? Reply to all my questions, neither seek thou
to deceive me, for already a long time do I suspect thy passing to and
fro."
And the woman trembled as she heard these words, and fell down
and kissed the feet of the Queen, and said-
"Have pity on thine handmaiden, who is poor and gaineth her bread
as she can. I go into the houses of the rich and sell to them robes and
jewels. And Rudabeh hath this day bought of me a tiara and a bracelet of
gold."
Then said Sindokht, "Show unto me the money thou hast received
for the same, that my anger be appeased."
And the woman answered and said, "Demand not that I show unto thee
that which I have not, for Rudabeh will pay me to-morrow."
Now Sindokht knew that these words were feigned, and she searched
the sleeve of the woman, and lo! she found therein the tiara that Rudabeh
had broidered with her hands. Then she was angered, and commanded that
the slave should be bound in chains. And she desired that her daughter
be brought into her presence. And when she was come, Sindokht opened her
mouth and spake, saying-
"O moon of noble race, to whom hath been taught naught but that
which is good, how hast thou gone astray upon the paths of evil? O my daughter,
confide unto thy mother thy secrets. From whom cometh this woman? For what
man are destined thy gifts?"
When she had heard, Rudabeh was abashed, but after a while she
told all unto Sindokht. Now when the Queen had heard she was confounded,
for she feared the wrath of the Shah, and that he would raze Cabul to the
dust for this mischance. And she went into her rooms and wept in her sorrow.
Then presently Mihrab the King came in to Sindokht, and he was of joyful
mind, for Zal had received him graciously. But when he beheld her tears
he questioned of her grief. Then she told him how that his daughter was
filled with love for Zal, the son of Saum. And when Mihrab had heard her
to an end, his heart also was troubled, for he knew that Cabul could not
stand before the Shah.
Minuchihr, too, when he had heard these things, was troubled, for
he beheld in them the device of Ahriman, and feared lest this union should
bring evil upon Iran. And he bade Nauder call Saum before him. Now when
Saum heard the desire of the Shah, he spake and said-
"I obey, and the sight of the King will be a banquet. unto my
soul."
Then Saum went into the presence of Minuchihr, and he kissed the
ground, and called down blessings upon the head of the Shah. But Minuchihr
raised him and seated him beside him on the throne, and straightway began
to question him concerning the war, and the Deevs of Mazinderan. Then Saum
told him all the story of his battles. And Minuchihr listened with joy
though the tale was long, and when Saum had ended he praised his prowess.
And he lifted his crown unto heaven and rejoiced that his enemies were
thus confounded. Then be bade a banquet be spread, and all night long the
heroes feasted and shortened the hours with wine. But when the first rays
of morn had shed their light, the curtains of the Shah's house were opened,
that he might hold audience and grant the petitions of his people. And
Saum the Pehliva came the first to stand before the King, for he desired
to speak to him of Zal. But the Shah of the world would not suffer him
to open his lips, but said unto him-
"Go hence, O Saum, and take with thee thine army, for I command
thee to go yet again to battle. Set forth unto Cabul and burn the house
of Mihrab the King, and utterly destroy his race and all who serve him,
nor suffer that any of the seed of Zohak escape destruction, for I will
that the earth be delivered of this serpent brood."
When Saum heard these words he knew that the Shah was angered,
and that speech would avail him naught. So he kissed the throne and touched
the earth with his forehead, and said, "Lord, I am thy servant, and I obey
thy desires." And he departed, and the earth trembled under the stamping
of footmen and of hoofs, and the air of the city was darkened with his
spears.
Now the news of Saum's intent reached even unto Cabul, and the
land was sunk in woe, and weeping filled the house of the King. But Zal
was wroth, and he went forth to meet his father. And when he was come to
the spot where he had encamped his army, he craved an audience. And Saum
granted it, and Zal reminded him yet again of his oath, and desired that
he would spare the land of Cabul, nor visit his judgments upon the innocent.
When Saum had listened, his heart was moved, and he
said-
"O my son, thou speakest that which is right. To thee have I been
unjust from the day of thy birth. But stay thy wrath, for surely I will
find a remedy, and thy wishes shall yet be accomplished. For thou shalt
bear a letter unto the Shah, and when he shall have looked on thy face,
he will be moved with compassion and cease to trouble
thee."
Then Zal kissed the ground before his father and craved the blessings
of God upon his head. And Saum dictated a letter to the Shah, and he spoke
therein of all he had done for Minuchihr, and how he had killed the dragon
that had laid waste the land, how he had ever subdued the foes of Iran,
and how the frontiers were enlarged by his hands. Yet now was he waxing
old, and could no longer do doughty deeds. But a brave son was his, worthy
and true, who would follow in his footsteps. Only his heart was devoured
of love, and perchance he would die if his longing were unsatisfied. And
therewith he commended to the wisdom of the Shah the affairs of
Zal.
When the letter was ended Zal set forth with it unto the court,
and the flower of his army went with him.
But the fear of Minuchihr was great in Cabul, and Mihrab pondered
how he should quench the wrath of the King of kings. And he spake to Sindokht
and said-
"For that the King is angered against me because of thee and thy
daughter, and because I cannot stand before him, I will lead Rudabeh unto
his court and kill her before his eyes. Perchance his anger may be thus
allayed."
Sindokht listened to his words in silence, and when he had ended
she cast about her for a plan, for she was quick of wit. And when she had
found one she came again into the presence of Mihrab, and she craved of
him that he should give her the key of his treasury. For she
said-
"This is not the hour to be strait-handed; suffer that I take what
seemeth good unto me and go before Saum, it may be that I move him to spare
the land."
And Mihrab agreed to her demand because of the fear that devoured
him. Then Sindokht went out to the house of Saum, and she took with her
three hundred thousand pieces of gold, and sixty horses caparisoned in
silver, bearing sixty slaves that held cups filled to the brim with musk
and camphor, and rubies, and turquoise, and precious stones of every kind.
And there followed two hundred dromedaries and four tall Indian elephants
laden with carpets and brocades of Roum, and the train reached for two
miles beyond the King's gates. Now when Sindokht was come to Seistan she
bade the guardians of the door say unto Saum that an envoy was come from
Cabul bearing a message. And Saum granted an audience, and Sindokht was
brought into his presence. Then she kissed the ground at his feet and called
upon Heaven to shower down blessings on his head. And when she had done
so, she caused her gifts to be laid before Saum, and when Saum beheld these
treasures, he marvelled and thought within himself, "How cometh it that
a woman is sent as envoy from a land that boasteth such riches? If I accept
them the Shah will be angered, and if I refuse perchance Zal will reproach
me that I rob him of his heritage." So he lifted his head and
said-
"Let these treasures be given unto the treasurer of my
son."
When Sindokht beheld that her gifts were accepted, she rejoiced and
raised her voice in speech. And she questioned Saum,
saying-
"Tell me, I pray thee, what wrong have the people of Cabul done
unto thee that thou wouldst destroy them?"
Then answered Saum the hero, "Reply unto my questions and lie not.
Art thou the slave or the wife of Mihrab, and is it thy daughter whom Zal
hath seen? If indeed it be so, tell me, I pray, of her beauty, that I may
know if she be worthy of my son."
Then Sindokht said, "O Pehliva, swear to me first a great oath
that thou wilt spare my life and the lives of those dear unto me. And when
I am assured of thy protection I will recount all that thou
desirest."
Then Saum took the hand of Sindokht, and he sware unto her a great
oath, and gave her his word and his promise. And when she had heard it
she was no longer afraid, and she told him all her secrets. And she
said-
"I am of the race of Zohak, and wife unto the valiant Mihrab, and
mother of Rudabeh, who hath found favour in the eyes of thy son. And I
am come to learn of thy desire, and who are thine enemies in Cabul. Destroy
the wicked, and those who merit chastisement, but spare, I pray thee, the
innocent, or thy deeds will change day into night."
Then spake Saum, "My oath is sacred, and if it cost my life, thou
and thine and Cabul may rest assured that I will not harm them. And I desire
that Zal should find a wife in Rudabeh, though she be of an alien
race."
And he told her how that he had written to the Shah a letter of
supplication such as only one in grief could pen, and how Zal was absent
with the message, and he craved her to tell him of Rudabeh.
But Sindokht replied, "If the Pehliva of the world will make the
hearts of his slaves rejoice, he will visit us and look with his own eyes
upon our moon."
And Saum smiled and said, "Rest content and deliver thine heart
of cares, for all shall end according unto thy desires."
When Sindokht heard this she bade him farewell and made all haste
to return. And Saum loaded her with gifts and bade her depart in peace.
And Sindokht's face shone brightly, like unto the moon when she hath been
eclipsed, and hope once more reigned in her breast.
Now listen to what happened to Zal while these things were passing
in Seistan. When he was come to the court of Minuchihr he hastened into
his presence, and kissed the ground at his feet, and lay prostrate before
him in the dust. And when the Shah saw this he was moved, and bade his
servants raise Zal, and pour musk before him. Then Zal drew nigh unto the
throne and gave to the King the letter written by Saum the son of Neriman.
And when Minuchihr had read it he was grieved, and said-
"This letter, written by Saum thy father in his sorrow, hath awakened
an old pain within me. But for the sake of my faithful servant I will do
unto thee that which is thy desire. Yet I ask that thou abide with me a
little while that I may seek counsel about thee."
Then the cooks brought forth a table of gold, and Zal was seated
beside the Shah and all the nobles according to their rank, and they ate
flesh and drank wine together. Then when the mantle of night was fallen
over the earth Zal sprang upon his steed and scoured the land in the unrest
of his spirit, for his heart was full of thoughts and his mouth of words.
But when morning was come he presented himself before the Shah in audience.
And his speech and mien found favour in the eyes of the Shah, and he called
unto him his Wise Men and bade them question the stars of this matter.
Three days and three nights did the Mubids search the heavens without ceasing,
and on the fourth they came before the Shah and spake. And they said unto
him-
"Hail to thee, hero of the golden girdle, for we bring unto thee
glad tidings. The son of Saum and the daughter of Mihrab shall be a glorious
pair, and from their union shall spring a son like to a war-elephant, and
he shall subdue all men by his sword and raise the glory of Iran even unto
the skies. And he shall uproot the wicked from the earth so that there
shall be no room for them. Segsars and Mazinderan shall feel the weight
of his mace, and he shall bring much woe upon Turan, but Iran shall be
loaded with prosperity at his hands. And he will give back sleep to the
unhappy, and close the doors of discord, and bar the paths of wrong-doing.
The kingdom will rejoice while he lives; Roum, Ind, and Iran will grave
his name upon their seals."
When the Shah had heard this he charged the Mubids that they keep
secret that which they had revealed unto him. And he called for Zal that
he might question him and test his wisdom. And the Wise Men and the Mubids
were seated in a circle, and they put these questions to the son of
Saum.
And the first opened his mouth and said-
"Twelve trees, well grown and green, Fair and lofty,
have I seen; Each has sprung with vigorous sprout, Sending
thirty branches out; Wax no more, nor wane, they can In the
kingdom of Iran."
And Zal pondered a while and then answered and
said-
'Twelve moons in the year, and each I praise As a new-made
king on a new throne's blaze: Each comes to an end in thirty
days."
Then the second Mubid questioned him and said-
"Thou whose head is high in air, Rede me now of coursers
twain; Both are noble, swift to speed; Black as storms in
the night one steed, The other crystal, white and fair, They
race for ever and haste in vain, Towards a goal they never
gain."
And Zal thought again yet a while and answered-
"Two shining horses, one black, one white. That run for
ever in rapid flight; The one is the day, the other the night,
That count the throbs of the heavens height, Like the hunted
prey from the following chase They flee, yet neither wins the
race."
Then the third Mubid questioned him and said-
"Thirty knights before the king Pass along. Regard the
thing Closely; one is gone. Again Look- the thirty are in
train."
And Zal answered and spake-
"Thirty knights of whom the train Is full, then fails,
then fills again, Know, each moon is reckoned thus, So willed
by God who governs us, And thy word is true of the faint moon's
wane, Now failing in darkness, now shining plain."
Then the fourth Mubid questioned him and said-
"See a green garden full of springs; A strong man with
a sickle keen Enters, and reaps both dry and green; No word
thine utmost anguish wrings."
And Zal bethought him and replied-
"Thy word was of a garden green, A reaper with a sickle
keen, Who cuts alike the fresh and the dry Nor heedeth prayer
nor any cry: Time is the reaper, we the grass; Pity nor fear
his spirit has, But old and young he reaps alike. No rank
can stay his sickle's strike, No love, but he will leave it lorn,
For to this end all men are born. Birth opes to all the gate
of Life, Death shuts it down on love and strife, And Fate,
that counts the breath of man, Measures to each a reckoned
span."
Then the fifth Mubid questioned him and said-
"Look how two lofty cypresses Spring up, like reeds,
from stormy seas, There builds a bird his dwelling-place; Upon
the one all night he stays, But swift, with the dawn, across he
flies; The abandoned tree dries up and dies, While that whereon
he sets his feet Breathes odours out, surpassing sweet. The
one is dead for ever and aye, The other lives and blooms
alway."
Then Zal yet again bethought him before he said-
"Hear of the sea-born cypresses, Where builds a bird,
and rests, and flees. From the Ram to the Scales the earth o'erpowers,
Shadows obscure of the night that lowers, But when the Scales'
sign it must quit, Darkness and gloom o'ermaster it; The
sides of heaven thy fable shows Whence grief to man or blessing
flows, The sun like a bird flies to and fro, Weal with him
bringing, but leaving woe."
Then the sixth Mubid questioned him, and it was the last question
that he asked, and he deemed it the hardest of all to answer. And all men
hung upon his words and listened to the answer of Zal. And the Mubid
said-
"Builded on a rock I found A town. Men left the gate
and chose A thicket on the level ground. Soon their soaring
mansions rose Lifting roofs that reach the moon, Some men
slaves, some kings, became, Of their earlier city soon The
memory died in all. Its name None breathed. But hark! an earthquake;
down, Lost in the chasm lies the land- Now long they for
their rock-built town, Enduring things they understand. Seek
in thy soul the truth of this; This before kings proclaim, I was,
If rightly thou the riddle rede, Black earth to musk thou hast
changed indeed."
And Zal pondered this riddle but a little while, and then opened
his mouth and said-
"The eternal, final world is shown By image of a rock-built
town; The thicket is our passing life, A place of pleasure
and of pain, A world of dreams and eager strife, A time for
labour, and loss, and gain; This counts thy heart-beats, at its
will Prolongs their pulse or makes it still. But winds and
earthquake rouse: a cry Goes up of bitterness and woe, Now
we must leave our homes below And climb the rocky fastness high.
Another reaps our fruit of pain, That yet to another leaves his
gain; So was it aye, must so remain. Well for us if our name
endure, Though we shall pass, beloved and pure, For all the
evil man hath done, Stalks, when he dies, in the sight of the sun;
When dust is strown on breast and head, Then desolation reigns
with dread."
When Zal had spoken thus the Shah was glad, and an the assembly
were amazed, and lauded the son of Saum. And the King bade a great banquet
be prepared, and they drank wine until the world was darkened, and the
heads of the drinkers were troubled. Then when morn was come Zal prayed
that the Shah would dismiss him. But Minuchihr said-
"Not so, abide with me yet another day," and he bade the drums
be beaten to call together his heroes, for he desired to test Zal also
in feats of strength. And the Shah sat upon the roof of his house and looked
down upon the games, and he beheld Zal, the son of Saum, do mighty deeds
of prowess. With his arrow did he shoot farther and straighter than the
rest, and with his spear he pierced all shields, and in wrestling he overcame
the strongest who had never known defeat. When the nobles beheld these
doughty deeds they shouted and clapped their hands, and Minuchihr loaded
Zal with gifts. Then he prepared a reply unto the letter of Saum. And he
wrote-
"O my Pehliva, hero of great renown, I have listened to thy desires,
and I have beheld the youth who is worthy to be thy son. And he hath found
favour in my sight, and I send him back to thee satisfied. May his enemies
be impotent to harm him."
Then when the Shah had given him leave to go, Zal set forth, and
he bare his head high in the joy of his heart. And when he came before
his father and gave to him the letter of the Shah, Saum was young again
for happiness. Then the drums sounded the signal to depart, and the tents
were prepared, and a messenger, mounted on a fleet dromedary, was sent
unto Mihrab to tell him that Saum and Zal were setting forth for Cabul.
And when Mihrab heard the tidings his fears were stilled, and he commanded
that his army be clad in festal array. And silken standards of bright colour
decked the city, and the sounds of trumpets, harps, and cymbals filled
the air. And Sindokht told the glad tidings to Rudabeh, and they made ready
the house like unto a paradise. Carpets broidered with gold and precious
stones did they lay down upon its floors, and set forth thrones of ivory
and rich carving. And the ground they watered with rose-water and
wine.
Then when the guests were come near unto Cabul, Mihrab went forth
to meet them, and he placed upon the head of Zal a crown of diamonds, and
they came into the city in triumph. And all the people did homage before
them, and Sindokht met them at the doors of the King's house, and poured
out musk and precious stones before them. Then Saum, when he had replied
to their homage, smiled, and turned to Sindokht and
said-
"How much longer dost thou think to hide Rudabeh from our
eyes?"
And Sindokht said, "What wilt thou give me to see the
sun?"
Then Saum replied, "All that thou wilt, even unto my slaves and my
throne, will I give to thee."
Then Sindokht led him within the curtains, and when Saum beheld
Rudabeh he was struck dumb with wonder, for her beauty exceeded dreams,
and he knew not how he could find words to praise her. Then he asked of
Mihrab that he would give unto him her hand, and they concluded an alliance
according to custom and the law. And the lovers were seated upon a throne,
and Mihrab read out the list of the gifts, and it was so long the ear did
not suffice to hear them. Then they repaired unto the banquet, and they
feasted seven days without ceasing. And when a month had passed Saum went
back to Seistan, and Zal and Rudabeh followed after him. And speedily did
he set forth again to battle, and left the kingdom in the hands of his
son, and Zal administered it with wisdom and judgment. And Rudabeh sat
beside him on the throne, and he placed a crown of gold upon her
head.