Page:Persian Literature (1900), vol. 1.djvu/354

 The monarch in his progress to the city; And having prostrated himself in low Humility, retired among the train Attendant on the king. "Thou must not walk," Bahman exclaimed, well skilled in all the arts Of smooth hypocrisy--"thou art too weak; Remount thy horse, for thou requirest help." But Zál declined the honour, and preferred Doing that homage as illustrious Sám, His conquering ancestor, had always done, Barefoot, in presence of the royal race.

Fast moving onwards, Bahman soon approached Sístán, and entered Zál's superb abode; Not as a friend, or a forgiving foe, But with a spirit unappeased, unsoothed; True, he had spared the old man's life, but there His mercy stopped; all else was confiscate, For every room was plundered, all the treasure Seized and devoted to the tyrant's use.

After remorselessly obtaining this booty, Bahman inquired what had become of Ferámurz, and Zál pretended that, unaware of the king's approach, he had gone a-hunting. But this excuse was easily seen through, and the king was so indignant on the occasion, that he put Zál himself in fetters. Ferámurz had, in fact, secretly retired with the Zábul army to a convenient distance, for the purpose of acting as necessity might require, and when he heard that Zál was placed in confinement, he immediately marched against the invader and oppressor of his country. Both armies met, and closed, and were in desperate conflict three long days and nights. On the fourth day, a tremendous hurricane arose, which blew thick clouds of dust in the face of the Zábul army, and blinding them, impeded their progress, whilst the enemy were driven furiously forward by the strong wind at their backs. The consequence was the defeat of the Zábul troops. Ferámurz, with a few companions, however, kept his ground, though assailed by showers of arrows. He tried repeatedly to get face to face with Bahman, but every effort was fruitless, and he felt convinced that his career was now nearly at an end. He bravely defended himself, and aimed his arrows with great precision; but what is the use of art when Fortune is unfavorable?