Page:Persian Literature (1900), vol. 1.djvu/337

 s to try Our power in battle." Then Isfendiyár Dropped Rustem's hand, and spoke, "To-day let wine Inspire our hearts, and on the field to-morrow Be ours the strife, with battle-axe and sword, And my first aim shall be to bind thee fast, And show thee to my troops, Rustem in fetters!"

At this the champion smiled, and thus exclaimed, "Where hast thou seen the deeds of warriors brave? Where hast thou heard the clash of mace and sword  Wielded by men of valour? I to-morrow  Will take thee in my arms, and straight convey thee  To Zál, and place thee on the ivory throne,  And on thy head a crown of gold shall glitter.  The treasury I will open, and our troops  Shall fight for thee, and I will gird my loins  As they were girt for thy bold ancestors;  And when thou art the chosen king, and I  Thy warrior-chief, the world will be thy own;  No other sovereign need attempt to reign."

"So much time has been spent in vain boasting, and extravagant self-praise," rejoined Isfendiyár, "that the day is nearly done, and I am hungry; let us therefore take some refreshment together." Rustem's appetite being equally keen, the board was spread, and every dish that was brought to him he emptied at once, as if at one swallow; then he threw aside the goblets, and called for the large flagon that he might drink his fill without stint. When he had finished several dishes and as many flagons of wine, he paused, and Isfendiyár and the assembled chiefs were astonished at the quantity he had devoured. He now prepared to depart, and the prince said to him, "Go and consult with thy father: if thou art contented to be bound, well; if not, thou wilt have cause to repent, for I will assuredly attend to the commands of Gushtásp."--"Do thou also consult with thy brethren and friends," replied Rustem, "whether thou wilt be our guest to-morrow, or not; if not, come to this place before sunrise, that we may decide our differences in battle." Isfendiyár said, "My most anxious desire, my wish to heaven, is to meet thee, for I shall have no difficulty in binding thee hand and foot. I would indeed willingly convey thee without fetters to my father, but if I did so, he would say that I was unable to put thee in bonds, and that would disgrace my name." Rustem observed that the immense number of men and demons he had contended against