Page:Persian Literature (1900), vol. 1.djvu/310



But Isfendiyár replied, that he had no desire to be possessed of the power; he rather wished for the prosperity of the king, and no change.

"O, may thy life be long and blessed, And ever by the good caressed;  For 'tis my duty still to be  Devoted faithfully to thee!  I want no throne, nor diadem;  My soul has no delight in them.  I only seek to give thee joy,  And gloriously my sword employ.  I thirst for vengeance on Arjásp:  To crush him in my iron grasp,  That from his thrall I may restore    My sisters to their home again,  Who now their heavy fate deplore,  And toiling drag a slavish chain." "Then go!" the smiling monarch said, Invoking blessings on his head, "And may kind Heaven thy refuge be, And lead thee on to victory."

Isfendiyár now told his father that his prisoner Kurugsar was continually requesting him to represent his condition in the royal ear, saying, "Of what use will it be to put me to death? No benefit can arise from such a punishment. Spare my life, and you will see how largely I am able to contribute to your assistance." Gushtásp expressed his willingness to be merciful, but demanded a guarantee on oath from the petitioner that he would heart and soul be true and faithful to his benefactor. The oath was sworn, after which his bonds were taken from his hands and feet, and he was set at liberty. The king then called him, and pressed him with goblets of wine, which made him merry. "I have pardoned thee," said Gushtásp, "at the special entreaty of Isfendiyár--be grateful to him, and be attentive to his commands." After that, Isfendiyár took and conveyed him to his own house, that he might have an opportunity of experiencing and proving the promised fidelity of his new ally.