Page:Persian Literature (1900), vol. 1.djvu/253

 do so on the promise of pardon for the alleged offence. When brought before Afrásiyáb, he was assailed with further opprobrium, and called a dog and a wicked remorseless demon.

"Thou caitiff wretch, of monstrous birth, Allied to hell, and not of earth!"

But he thus answered the king:--

"Listen awhile, if justice be thy aim, And thou wilt find me guiltless. I was sent  From Persia to destroy herds of wild boars,  Which laid the country waste. That labour done,  I lost my way, and weary with the toil,  Weary with wandering in a wildering maze,  Haply reposed beneath a shady cypress;  Thither a Peri came, and whilst I slept,  Lifted me from the ground, and quick as thought  Conveyed me to a summer-tent, where dwelt  A princess of incomparable beauty.  From thence, by hands unknown, I was removed,  Still slumbering in a litter--still unconscious;  And when I woke, I found myself reclining  In a retired pavilion of thy palace,  Attended by that soul-entrancing beauty!  My heart was filled with sorrow, and I shed  Showers of vain tears, and desolate I sate,  Thinking of Persia, with no power to fly  From my imprisonment, though soft and kind,  Being the victim of a sorcerer's art. Yes, I am guiltless, and Maníjeh too, Both by some magic influence pursued, And led away against our will or choice!"

Afrásiyáb listened to this speech with distrust, and hesitated not to charge him with falsehood and cowardice. Byzun's indignation was roused by this insulting accusation; and he said to him aloud, "Cowardice, what! cowardice! I have encountered the tusks of the formidable wild boar and the claws of the raging lion. I have met the bravest in battle with sword and arrow; and if it be thy desire to witness the strength of my arm, give me but a horse and a battle-axe, and marshal twice five hundred Túránians against me, and not a man of them shall survive the contest. If this be not thy pleasure, do thy worst, but remember my blood will be avenged. Thou knowest the power of Rustem!" The mention of Rustem's name renewed