Page:Persian Literature (1900), vol. 1.djvu/245

 set fire to the forest, and reduced the whole of the cultivation to ashes. His exertions were, in short, entirely successful, and the country was thus freed from the visitation which had occasioned so much distress and ruin. To give incontestable proof of this exploit, he cut off the heads of all the wild boars, and took out the tusks, to send to Kai-khosráu. When Girgín had witnessed the intrepidity and boldness of Byzun, and found him determined to send the evidence of his bravery to Kai-khosráu, he became envious of the youth's success, and anticipated by comparison the ruin of his own name and the gratification of his foes. He therefore attempted to dissuade him from sending the trophies to the king, and having failed, he resolved upon getting him out of the way. To effect this purpose he worked upon the feelings and the passions of Byzun with consummate art, and whilst his victim was warm with wine, praised him beyond all the warriors of the age. He then told him he had heard that at no great distance from them there was a beautiful place, a garden of perpetual spring, which was visited every vernal season by Maníjeh, the lovely daughter of Afrásiyáb.

"It is a spot beyond imagination Delightful to the heart, where roses bloom,  And sparkling fountains murmur--where the earth  Is rich with many-colored flowers; and musk  Floats on the gentle breezes, hyacinths  And lilies add their perfume--golden fruits  Weigh down the branches of the lofty trees,  The glittering pheasant moves in stately pomp,  The bulbul warbles from the cypress bough,  And love-inspiring damsels may be seen  O'er hill and dale, their lips all winning smiles,  Their cheeks like roses--in their sleepy eyes  Delicious languor dwelling. Over them  Presides the daughter of Afrásiyáb,  The beautiful Maníjeh; should we go,  ('Tis but a little distance), and encamp  Among the lovely groups--in that retreat  Which blooms like Paradise--we may secure  A bevy of fair virgins for the king!"

Byzun was excited by this description; and impatient to realize what it promised, repaired without delay, accompanied by Girgín, to the romantic retirement of the princess. They approached so close to the summer-tent in which she dwelt that