Page:Persian Literature (1900), vol. 1.djvu/199

 his enemy; but he was deaf to their entreaties, and in the stubbornness of his spirit, wrote to Afrásiyáb, informing him that Káús had refused to ratify the treaty of peace, that he was compelled to return the hostages, and even himself to seek protection in Túrán from the resentment of his father, the warrior Tús having been already entrusted with the charge of the army. This unexpected intelligence excited considerable surprise in the mind of Afrásiyáb, but he had no hesitation in selecting the course to be followed. The ambassadors, Zinga and Sháwerán, were soon furnished with a reply, which was to this effect:--"I settled the terms of peace with thee, not with thy father. With him I have nothing to do. If thy choice be retirement and tranquillity, thou shalt have a peaceful and independent province allotted to thee; but if war be thy object, I will furnish thee with a large army: thy father is old and infirm, and with the aid of Rustem, Persia will be an easy conquest." Having thus obtained the promised favor and support of Afrásiyáb, Saiáwush gave in charge to Báhrám the city of Balkh, the army and treasure, in order that they might be delivered over to Tús on his arrival; and taking with him three hundred chosen horsemen, passed the Jihún, in progress to the court of Afrásiyáb. On taking this decisive step, he again wrote to Káús, saying:--

"From my youth upward I have suffered wrong. At first Súdáveh, false and treacherous,  Sought to destroy my happiness and fame;  And thou hadst nearly sacrificed my life  To glut her vengeance. The astrologers  Were all unheeded, who pronounced me innocent,  And I was doomed to brave devouring fire,  To testify that I was free from guilt;  But God was my deliverer! Victory now  Has marked my progress. Balkh, and all its spoils,  Are mine, and so reduced the enemy,  That I have gained a hundred hostages,  To guarantee the peace which I have made;  And what my recompense! a father's anger,  Which takes me from my glory. Thus deprived  Of thy affection, whither can I fly?  Be it to friend or foe, the will of fate  Must be my only guide--condemned by thee."

The reception of Saiáwush by Afrásiyáb was warm and flattering. From the gates of the city to the palace, gold and