Page:Persian Literature (1900), vol. 1.djvu/221

 Is to prevent disunion; to preserve Brotherly kindness and respect among them."

After a pause, he requested the attendance of Fríburz and Khosráu, and told them that there was a demon-fortress in the vicinity of his dominions called Bahmen, from which fire was continually issuing. "Go, each of you," said he, "against this fortress, supported by an army with which you shall each be equally provided, and the conqueror shall be the sovereign of Persia." Fríburz was not sorry to hear of this probationary scheme, and only solicited to be sent first on the expedition. He and Tús looked upon the task as perfectly easy, and promised to be back triumphant in a short time.

But when the army reached that awful fort, The ground seemed all in flames on every side; One universal fire raged round and round, And the hot wind was like the scorching breath Which issues from red furnaces, where spirits Infernal dwell. Full many a warrior brave, And many a soldier perished in that heat, Consumed to ashes. Nearer to the fort Advancing, they beheld it in mid-air, But not a living thing--nor gate, nor door; Yet they remained one week, hoping to find Some hidden inlet, suffering cruel loss Hour after hour--but none could they descry. At length, despairing, they returned, worn out, Scorched, and half-dead with watching, care, and toil. And thus Fríburz and Tús, discomfited And sad, appeared before the Persian king.

Then was it Khosráu's turn, and him Káús Despatched with Gíw, and Gúdarz, and the troops Appointed for that enterprise, and blessed them. When the young prince approached the destined scene Of his exploit, he saw the blazing fort Reddening the sky and earth, and well he knew This was the work of sorcery, the spell Of demon-spirits. In a heavenly dream, He had been taught how to destroy the charms Of fell magicians, and defy their power, Though by the devil, the devil himself, sustained, He wrote the name of God, and piously Bound it upon his javelin's point, and pressed Fearlessly forward, showing it on high; And Gíw displayed it on the magic walls Of that proud fortress--breathing forth a prayer Craving the aid of the Almighty arm;