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The onset was irresistible, and the young prince was soon overthrown and bathed in his own blood. The news of the unfortunate catastrophe deeply affected Gushtásp, who cried, in great grief: "Is there no one to take vengeance for this?" when Isfendiyár presented himself, kissed the ground before his father, and anxiously asked permission to engage the demon.
It happened that Gurzam a warrior, was particularly befriended by the king, but retaining secretly in his heart a bitter enmity to Isfendiyár, now took an opportunity to gratify his malice, and privately told Gushtásp that he had heard something highly atrocious in the disposition of the prince.
And then disgorges wain and steeds, And swords and javelins bright; Then, as the dreadful dragon bleeds, Up starts the warrior-knight, And from his place of ambush leaps, And, brandishing his blade, The weapon in the brain he steeps, And splits the monster's head. But the foul venom issuing thence, Is so o'erpowering found, Isfendiyár, deprived of sense, Falls staggering to the ground!
On his arrival, he waited on the king respectfully, and was thus received: "Thou hast become the great king! Thou hast conquered many countries, but why am I unworthy in thy sight? Thy ambition is indeed excessive." Isfendiyár replied: "However great I may be, I am still thy servant, and wholly at thy command."
"That may be," said Isfendiyár, "but I am at my utmost limit, I cannot go farther. From this place, therefore, thou hadst better prepare to accompany me to Irán." Here Rustem paused, and at length artfully began to enumerate his various achievements, and to blazon his own name.
Gushtásp rejoiced at the glorious result, and ordered the drums to be sounded to celebrate the victory, and he increased his favor upon Zerdusht, who originated the war, and told him to call his triumphant son, Isfendiyár, near him.
Isfendiyár and his warriors, with heads exposed, now prostrated themselves in solemn prayer to the Almighty, and implored his favor and protection from the calamity which had befallen them. Happily their prayers were heard, Heaven was compassionate, and in a short space the snow and the mighty wind entirely ceased.
At one of the interviews the king asked him, as he had come from Persia, if he knew whether the report was true or not that Kurugsar had been put to death, and what Gushtásp and Isfendiyár were engaged upon.
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?
When Bashútan first saw him, he thought he was coming to offer terms of peace, and said to Isfendiyár, "He is coming alone, and it is better that he should go to thy father of his own accord, than in bonds." "But," replied Isfendiyár, "he is coming completely equipped in mail quick, bring me my arms." "Alas!" rejoined Bashútan, "thy brain is wild, and thou art resolved upon fighting.
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