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On a day in July, they started for Zuara at six o'clock in the morning; and the higher up they went the hotter it grew. The operators, returning to camp, refused to make the trip as the thermometer registered 60 centigrade at five hundred meters, stating a ghibli was raging at a higher altitude.
When Rustem reached his tent, he told his brother Zúára to get ready a litter, that he might proceed to Sístán for the purpose of obtaining a remedy for his wound from the Símúrgh. Pain and grief kept him awake all night, and he prayed incessantly to the Supreme Being.
So saying, the great champion breathed his last, And not a knightly follower remained, Zúára, and the rest, in other pits, Dug by the traitor-king, and traitor-brother, Had sunk and perished, all, save one, who fled, And to the afflicted veteran at Sístán Told the sad tidings.
When Zúára saw the noble animal, riderless, crossing the plain, he gasped for breath, and in an agony of grief hurried to the fatal spot, where he found Rustem desperately hurt, and the blood flowing copiously from every wound. The champion observed, that though he was himself bleeding so much, not one drop of blood appeared to have issued from the veins of his antagonist.
After him came Zúára himself: Who galloped to the charge incensed, and, high Lifting his iron mace, upon the head Of bold Núsháwer struck a furious blow, Which drove him from his steed a lifeless corse. Seeing their gallant leader thus overthrown, The troops in terror fled, and in their flight Thousands were slain, among them brave Mehrnús, Another kinsman of Isfendiyár.
In the meantime he made splendid presents to Tús and Gúdarz, suitable to their rank and services; and Zúára, in revenge for the monstrous outrage committed upon Saiáwush, burnt and destroyed everything that came in his way; his wrath being exasperated by the sight of the places in which the young prince had resided, and recreated himself with hunting and other sports of the field.
This was, however, repugnant to the wishes of Zúára, who observed to his brother: "Thou hast slain the father of this youth; do not therefore nurture and instruct the son of thy enemy, for, mark me, in the end he will be avenged." "But did not Isfendiyár, with his last breath, consign him to my guardianship? how can I refuse it now?
Doria was not at all prepared for such prompt pursuit, and eyed with anxiety the long battle line of one hundred and forty galleys, galleots, and brigantines, bearing down upon him before the wind. His ships were scattered, for the sails could not keep up with the oars, and Condulmiero's huge Venetian carack was becalmed off Zuara, a long way behind, and others were in no better plight.
Upon his approach, the king of Kábul and his army retired to the mountains, and Ferámurz laid waste the country. He found only the skeletons of Rustem and Zúára, the beasts of prey having stripped them of their flesh: he however gathered the bones together and conveyed them home and buried them, amidst the lamentations of the people.
And is not Káús living now, With rightful vengeance on his brow? And Rustem, who alone can make Thy kingdom to its centre quake? Gúdarz, Zúára, and Fríburz, And Tús, and Girgín, and Frámurz; And others too of fearless might, To challenge thee to mortal fight? O, from this peril turn away, Close not in gloom so bright a day; Some heed to thy poor daughter give, And let thy guiltless captive live."
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