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Updated: June 20, 2025
The champion stern replied, "My name is Rustem sent by Zál, my father, Descended from the champion Sám Súwár, To be revenged on thee the King of Persia Being now a prisoner in Mázinderán."
At length Rustem said to Afrásiyáb: "Art thou not ashamed to avoid a contest with so inferior a force, a hundred thousand against one thousand? We two, and our armies, have often met, and dost thou now shrink from the fight?" The reproach had its effect, For the tyrant at once, and his heroes, began Their attack like the demons of Mázinderán.
Upon this summons, Zál immediately set off from Sístán to Irán; and having arrived at the royal court, and been received with customary respect and consideration, he endeavored to dissuade the king from the contemplated expedition into Mázinderán. "O, could I wash the darkness from thy mind, And show thee all the perils that surround This undertaking!
Seven days he was involved in this dreadful affliction, and on the eighth day he heard the roar of the White Demon, saying: "O king, thou art the willow-tree, all barren, With neither fruit, nor flower. What could induce The dream of conquering Mázinderán? Hadst thou no friend to warn thee of thy folly?
This strange ambition never fired the souls Of by-gone monarchs mighty Minúchihr, Always victorious, boundless in his wealth, Nor Zau, nor Nauder, nor even Kai-kobád, With all their pomp, and all their grandeur, ever Dreamt of the conquest of Mázinderán! It is the place of demon-sorcerers, And all enchanted.
The conqueror of Karugsár and Mázinderán was received on his return with cordial rejoicings, and he charmed the king with the story of his triumphant success. The monarch against whom he had fought was descended, on the mother's side, from Zohák, and his Demon army was more numerous than ants, or clouds of locusts, covering mountain and plain. Sám thus proceeded in his description of the conflict.
Swords are useless there, Nor bribery nor wisdom can obtain Possession of that charm-defended land, Then throw not men and treasure to the winds; Waste not the precious blood of warriors brave, In trying to subdue Mázinderán!"
But dangerous is the way. A stony desert Lies full before thee, which the nimble deer Has never passed. Then a prodigious stream Two farsangs wide obstructs thy path, whose banks Are covered with a host of warrior-Demons, Guarding the passage to Mázinderán; And thou art but a single man canst thou O'ercome such fearful obstacles as these?" At this the Champion smiled.
At midnight hour, Whilst watching with attentive eye and ear, A piercing clamor echoed all around, And blazing fires were seen, and numerous lamps Burnt bright on every side. Rustem inquired What this might be. "It is Mázinderán," Aúlád rejoined, "and the White Demon's chiefs Are gathered there."
But when the king of Mázinderán heard from Ferhád the purpose of his embassy, he expressed great astonishment, and replied that he himself was superior in all respects to Káús; that his empire was more extensive, and his warriors more numerous and brave. "Have I not," said he, "a hundred war-elephants, and Káús not one?
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