7 COURSES OF RUSTAM

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THE SEVEN COURSES OF RUSTAM

THE FIRST COURSE

How Rakhsh fought with a Lion :

Then Rustam, that world-brightening paladin, Departed from his sire and, treating night Like day, made two days' journey into one, Not giving Rakhsh repose. Now as his body Failed him through lack of food he reached a plain Where onager abounded, and urged Rakhsh To whom their speed was slow: no beast could 'scape From Rustam's lasso and his horse's feet. The Lion with his royal lasso caught A gallant onager and, striking sparks Upon an arrow's point, enkindled fire With stubble, thorns, and wood to roast the beast.
He ate the flesh and threw away the bones; The onager itself was pot and tray.

He spied some pasture, slipped off Rakhsh's bridle, Turned him out loose upon the meadow-land, And made himself a couch within a reed-bed; He deemed it safe though it was fear's own door, For in it was a lion's lair; no elephant Dared pluck a reed. One watch passed, then the lion Came boldly forth and was amazed to see An elephantine form among the reeds, Reposing with a charger standing by.

"First," said the lion, " I must maim the steed, Then I can take the rider when I please." He sprang at glossy Rakhsh, who raged like fire And lashed out at the lion's head, then firmed His sharp teeth in its back and dashed the beast To pieces by a shift that made it shiftless. When Rustam, deft of hand, awoke and saw How earth was straitened to that ravening beast He said: "O foolish Rakhsh!who bade thee fight A lion? Hadst thou perished 'neath its claws Could I have carried to Mazandaran My helmet, tiger-skin, bow, lasso, sword, And massive mace? Had my sweet sleep been broken

Thy combat with the lion had been brief." He slept and rested long, and when the sun Rose o'er the darksome hills awoke still drowsy; He rubbed down Rakhsh and saddled him, then prayed To God, the Author of all good, for aid.

THE SECOND COURSE

How Rustam found a Spring :

He had to face all dizzy as he was A desert waterless, a heat intense That dried the birds to powder; plain and waste Were as they had been scorched thou wouldst have said. Rakhsh was exhausted, while his rider's tongue Failed through the heat and drought, and Rustam, clutching

A double-headed dart, went staggering Like one bemused, and saw no means of safety. He looked up saying: "O all-righteous Judge! Thou bring'st all toil and hardship on my head, And if Thou findest pleasure in my pains My hoard is great indeed! I fare in hope That God will grant deliverance to the Shah, And that the Ruler of the world will free The Iranians from the clutches of the Div, Unscathed. They sinned, and Thou hast cast them out, But still they are Thy slaves and worshippers." This said, that elephantine form became Weak and distraught with thirst, and fell, with tongue All cracked and blistered, on the burning dust.

Anon a well-fed ram passed by. The hero On seeing thought: "Where is its watering-place? In sooth God's mercy is extended to me!" Then in the Worldlord's strength rose to his feet And followed up the ram, with scimitar In one hand while the other grasped the reins, Until lie saw the spring, for thither went That stately yarn. Then Rustam looked toward heaven, And said: "O Judge, that ever speakest sooth! The ram hath left no tracks about the spring! It is no desert-sheep of flesh and blood!" When hardships press on thee, in thy concern Flee unto God, the Just One; they who turn Away from Him have wisdom still to learn.

He blessed that ram and said: "Ne'er may mishap From circling heaven be thine; green be thy pastures, May cheetah never mark thee for its prey; Snapped be the bow and dark the soul of him That shooteth at thee who hath rescued Rustam, Else were he thinking of his shroud; but now He is not in the mighty dragon's maw As yet, or in the clutches of the wolf, So that the fragments of his clothes and limbs Should serve as tokens to his enemies." His praises offered he unsaddled Rakhsh, Washed him, and made him shining as the sun. Then Rustam much refreshed filled up his quiver And as he hunted dropped an onager Huge as an elephant, removed the entrails, The hide, and feet, lit up a blazing fire, And having washed the carcase roasted it.

This done he feasted, breaking up the bones, And having quenched his thirst prepared for sleep. He said to Rakhsh: "Fight not and make no friends. If any foe approacheth run to me, But venture not to counter divs and lions." He lay and slept, his lips in silence bound, While Rakhsh till midnight grazed and strayed around.

THE THIRD COURSE

How Rustam fought with a Dragon :

A dragon, such an one as, thou hadst said, No elephant could 'scape, came from the waste. Its haunt was there; no div dared pass thereby. It came, beheld the atheling asleep, A charger near him, and was wroth. It thought :-

"What do I see? Who dareth to sleep here? " Because no lions, divs, or elephants Dared pass that way or, if they did, escaped not The clutches of that dragon fierce and fell. It turned on glossy Rakhsh, who ran to Rustam, Stamped with his brazen hoofs upon the ground, Whisked with his tail, and gave a thundering neigh. The hero woke up furious, looked about Upon the waste, perceived not that fell dragon, And wreaked his wrath on Rakhsh for waking him. He slept again, again the worm approached Out of the gloom; Rakhsh ran to Rustam's couch, And kicked the earth about and trampled it.

The sleeper woke, his cheeks rose-red with passion, Looked round and, seeing nothing but the gloom, Said to affectionate and watchful Rakhsh :-

"Thou canst not blink the darkness of the night Yet wakest me again impatiently! If thou disturb me more I will behead thee With my sharp scimitar, and carry it, My helmet, and my massive mace, on foot. I said: 'Should any lion come at thee I will encounter it.' I never said:-

Rush on me in the night!' Leave me to slumber." Then for the third time with his tiger-skin Upon his breast he set himself to sleep. The fearsome dragon roared and, thou hadst said, Breathed fire. Rakhsh left the pasturage forthwith, But dared not to approach the paladin. Yet was his heart distracted by his fears For Rustam with that dragon, till at length, O'ermastered by affection for his lord, He rushed swift as a blast to Rustam's side And neighed and fretted, pawed upon the ground, And stamped the earth to pieces with his hoofs. Then Rustam, wakened from his sweet repose, Raged at his docile steed; but now the Maker Willed that the dragon should be seen, and Rustam, Perceiving it amid the gloom, unsheathed The keen sword at his girdle, thundered out Like spring-clouds, and filled earth with battle-fire.

Then said he to the dragon: "Tell thy name; Earth is no longer thine, yet must not I Rob thy dark form of life, thy name untold." The laidly dragon said: "None scapeth me. For centuries this waste hath been my home, And mine its firmament; no eagle dareth To fly across or star to dream thereof." It further said: "What is thy name, for she Will have to weep that bare thee?" "I am Rustam," He answered, " sprung from Zal - the son of Sam -

And Nariman withal. I am myself A host, and trample earth 'neath dauntless Rakhsh. Thou shalt behold my prowess; I will lay Thy head in dust." The dragon closed with him, And in the end escaped not though it strove So fiercely with the elephantine hero That thou hadst said: "He will be worsted." Rakhsh, On seeing the dragon's might, and how it battled With Rustam, laid his ears back, joined the fray, Bit at the dragon's shoulders, tore its hide As though he were a lion, and amazed The valiant paladin, who with keen glaive Smote off the dragon's head; blood jetted out In rivers, and its carcase hid the earth. The matchless one, astonied at the sight, Invoked God's name and bathed him in the spring. Desiring conquest through God's strength alone He said: "O righteous Judge! me Thou hast given Grace, might, and wisdom; what care I for lion, Div, elephant, parched desert, and blue sea? When I am wroth all foes are one to me."

THE FOURTH COURSE

How Rustam slew a Witch :

Thanks givings done, he harnessed rose-cheeked Rakhsh And mounting came in time where sorcerers dwelt. Long had he fared and saw, as Sol declined, Trees, grass, and stream - the very spot for youth. There was a spring as bright as pheasant's eyes; Beside it were a golden bowl of wine, A roasted mountain-sheep with bread thereon, And salts and sweetmeats. Rustam thanked the Lord For showing him a place so opportune, Dismounted from his steed, took off the saddle, And marvelled at the loaves and venison. It was a sorcerers' meal, and when he came His voice had caused those divs to disappear.

He sat beside the rushy stream and brimmed A jewelled cup with wine. A dainty lute Was there, the desert seemed a banquet-hall! He took the lute up, touched the chords, and sang: -

Oh! Rustam is an outcast still And hath no days of pleasure, Marked out for every kind of ill And not a moment's leisure. Be where he may it is his plight With battle still to harden, And wilderness and mountain-height Must serve him for a garden. ' His combatings are never done And there is no assuagement, 'Tis dragon, div, and desert - one Perpetual engagement! The wine and cup, the scented rose, And where lush herbage groweth - Such things are not at his dispose, These fortune ne'er bestoweth "On one that with the crocodile Is still engaged in fighting, Save when the leopard for a while The combat is inviting." The sound of music reached a witch's ears; She made her cheeks like spring, although by rights She was not fair, and then, perfumed and decked, Approached, saluted, and sat down by Rustam, Who gave God thanks at finding in the desert Board, wine, and lute, and youthful boon-companion.

Not knowing that she was a wicked witch, An Ahriman beneath her bravery, He handed her a cup of wine, invoking The Giver of all good. Now when he named The Lord of love her favour changed; no soul Had she for gratitude, no tongue for praise, But blackened at God's name, while Rustam, flinging His lasso quicker than the wind, ensnared, And questioned her: "What art thou? Speak and show Thy proper favour." In the lasso's coils There was a fetid hag all guile and wrinkle, Calamitous. He clave her with his blade And made the hearts of sorcerers afraid.

THE FIFTH COURSE

How Rustam took Ulad captive :

He journeyed on and reached a place of gloom Black as a negro's face - a murky night Without a star or moon; thou wouldst have said:-

"The sun is captive and the stars are lassoed!" He gave the rein to Rakhsh and journeyed on, Not seeing height or river for the murk. When he emerged to light he saw a land, Like painted silk with crops, where all was verdure And streams; the old world had renewed its youth. His clothes were drenched, and longing for repose He took off his cuirass of tiger-skin, And dripping helm, to dry them in the sun, Unbridled Rakhsh, and loosed him in the corn, Then, donning his dried helmet and his breastplate, Couched like a mighty lion in the grass, His shield his pillow and his hand on hilt. The watchman of the plain, on seeing Rakhsh Among the crops, ran up with hue and cry; He smote the hero smartly with a stick Upon the foot and said, as Rustam woke:-

"O Ahriman! why didst thou loose thy steed Among the corn to eat where others toiled? " But Rustam, angered, seized the watchman's ears, Wrung them and tore them off without a word. The watchman howled and snatched them up, aghast At Rustam. Now Ulad was marchlord there - A brave and famous youth. To him the watchman went howling with his hands and head all bloody, And ears wrung off, and said: "There is a man, Like the Black Div, with leopard-skin cuirass And iron casque, a perfect Ahriman, Or else a dragon was asleep in mail! I went to drive his charger from the corn, He would not suffer it but, when he saw me, Rose without word, wrung off mine ears, and slept!" Ulad was hunting there with other nobles, But when he heard the watchman and beheld The Lion's track in his preserves, they rode Toward where the peerless Rustam had been seen To find out who he was, and why he served The watchman of the plain so scurvily.

Ulad in threatening wise drew near to Rustam, Who mounted Rakhsh, unsheathed his trenchant sword, And then came onward like a thunder-cloud. As they drew near they questioned one another. "What is thy name?" Ulad cried. " Who art thou? Who is thy king and who is backing thee? Hence is no passage to the warrior-divs. Why didst thou tear away the watchman's ears And turn thy charger loose among the corn? Just so will I make black the world to thee And lay thy helm in dust." "My name is 'Cloud,' " Said Rustam, "if a cloud hath lion's claws, With swords and maces only for its fruit, And beareth on its lap the heads of chieftains. My real name, should it reach thine ears, would freeze Thy life's breath and heart's blood. Hast thou not heard Of the elephantine warrior's bow and lasso In every company? We call the mothers Of sons like thee shroud-stitchers, wailing-women. Thou comest thus against me with a troop, But only throwest walnuts on a dome." With that he drew his baleful Crocodile, Hung his coiled lasso to the saddle-bow, Came like a lion midst a flock, and slew All that were in his reach. At every stroke He sheared two chieftains' heads and strewed the dust Beneath his feet therewith. The troops thus broken Fled in dismay, and wilderness and dale Were filled with dust-clouds by the cavaliers As they dispersed among the rocks and hollows.

Then Rustam, like an elephant enraged, With sixty coils of lasso on his arm, Pressed forward and, when Rakhsh was near Ulad, Whose day was darkened, flung his mighty lasso, Ensnared that chieftain's head, and then alighting Made fast his hands, drave him in front and, mounting, Said: "If thou speak the truth, and if I find No guile at all in thee from first to last, If thou wilt show me where the White Div dwelleth, Where dwell Pulad son of Ghundi and Bid, And where Kaus, who caused these ills, is bound; If thou dost show this truly and art faithful, Then from the monarch of Mazandaran Will I take crown and throne and massive mace, And thou shalt be the ruler of the land; But if thy words prove guileful I will make Thine eyes run blood."

Ulad said: "Be not wroth, But gracious just for once and slay me not In wantonness, and I will answer thee. I will point out to thee the roads and city Wherein Kaus is bound, the White Div's dwelling And Bid's, since thou hast reassured my heart. Know, O thou worshipful div-hearted hero That God hath fashioned thee of noble clay' There are between us now and Kai Kaus A hundred leagues, O thou of gracious feet? Whence to the White Div is another hundred.

The road is bad and dangerous, through a gorge - A fearful spot o'er which no eagle flieth. There is a cavern midst two hundred others, A wondrous place beyond all measurement, And there twelve thous and warriors, all divs, Keep watch by night upon the mountain-top; Their captain is Pulad son of Ghundi, While Bid and Sanja are their outpost-guards. Of all the divs the White Div is the chief; At him the mountains shake like willow-leaves, And thou wilt find his person mountain-tall, With shoulders, breast, and neck ten cords across. E'en with such arms and hands and reins as thine, And though thou brandishest sword, mace, and spear, And hast such stature, mien, and energy, It is not well for thee to fight that div.

Beyond are rocks that no gazelle could pass, And then a river two leagues wide and more Watched by the div in charge of all that province With all the other divs at his command. Call it three hundred leagues to the Narmpai From the Buzgush, whence to Mazandaran The journey is a foul and tedious one. A myriad of cavaliers at least Are posted through the realm, so armed and paid That thou wilt not see one dissatisfied. There are twelve hundred elephants of war; The city cannot hold them. Thou'rt but one, Though iron, and but gratest on the file Of Ahriman."

The words made Rustam laugh. "If thou wilt be my comrade," he replied, "Thou shalt see how one elephantine chief Will treat yon famous band by help of God, The Prosperer, and fortune, arms, and prowess. When they behold my might of breast and neck, And mace-blows in the fight, their feet and hides Will burst in sheer dismay, they will not know A stirrup from a rein; so point me out Kaus, where'er he be, and step along." This said, he sprang on Rakhsh, while swift as wind Ulad ran on beside him, day or night Not resting till he reached Mount Ispuruz, Where divs and warlocks had o'erthrown Kaus. At midnight shoutings went up from the plain, The folk lit watch-fires in Mazandaran And torches everywhere. Then matchless Rustam Asked of Ulad : "What is the cause that fires Are springing up to right and left of us? " "It is the entrance to Mazandaran," Ulad replied. " The more part of each night None dareth sleep; the div Arzhang is there And he is ever noisy." Rustam slept Till dawn, then took Ulad, bound him in anguish Against a tree, and, hanging on the saddle The mace his grandsire had been wont to use, Departed confident and full of ruse.

THE SIXTH COURSE

How Rustam fought with the Div Arzhang :

In royal helm and sweat-soaked tiger-skin He sought, intent on fight, the chief Arzhang, And shouted in the middle of the host; Thou wouldst have said: "The hills and seas are rent?" The div Arzhang came leaping from the camp At that tremendous shout, while Rustam spurring Came on him like Azargashasp, grasped boldly His head and ears and neck, then lion-like Tore off his head and flung it at his troops. The divs' hearts burst in terror at the sight Of Rustam's iron mace, and son and sire, Forgetting land and crops, went off pell mell, While Rustam drew his vengeful scimitar And cleared the neighbourhood. At set of sun He made all speed back to Mount Ispuruz, Untied Ulad, and, as they sat beneath The lofty tree, asked how to reach the city Where Shah Kaus was, and then hurried on Led by Ulad afoot. When he arrived Rakhsh gave a thundering neigh, which Kai Kaus, Who heard it, understood and told the Iranians:-

"Our evil days are all but over now; I heard the neigh of Rakhsh; it made my heart And spirit young. Thus neighed he in the wars Of Kai Kubad against the Turkman king." The soldiers said: "His mind hath gone through hardship, And he hath lost his wisdom, sense, and Grace Thou wouldest say: 'He talketh in his sleep.' But in these grievous bonds we can do naught; In good sooth fortune hath abandoned us."

Anon that ardent lover of the fray, The elephantine chief, approached Kaus, And all the noble paladins - Gudarz, Tus, gallant Giv, Bahram the Lion, Shidush, And Gustaham - flocked round while Rustam wept Right sorely, did obeisance to the Shah, And asked about his longsome toils. Kaus, Embracing him, inquired concerning Zal, And all his travail, then said privily :-

"Let not these sorcerers get sight of Rakhsh, For when the White Div is apprised: 'Arzhang Is dead and Rustam is with Kai Kaus!' The valiant divs will gather, earth will teem With them, and then thy toils will bear no fruit. Seek the White Div's abode, exert thyself. With sword and arrow; holy God may aid thee In bringing to the dust these sorcerers' heads. O'er seven mountains must thou pass, and troops Of dins throng everywhere. At length a cavern Of frightful aspect will appear before thee, A fearsome place, as I have heard: the approach Is held by warrior-divs equipped like pards For fight. That cavern is the White Div's home He is the hope and terror of his troops. May'st thou have strength to put an end to him Because he is that army's chief and stay. My soldiers' eyes are blinded by their griefs; I am in darkness too. Our leeches trust To blood extracted from the White Div's vitals, In which regard a wise physician said:-

'Let three drops of his blood descend like tears Upon the eyes and it will banish blindness.'" He made him ready, and in setting forth Spake thus to the Iranians: "Be alert, For 'tis the White Div that I go against - That Elephant of war, full of resource, And compassed by a host of warriors. If he shall catch my body with his noose A shameful sorry plight will long be yours, But if the Lord and my good star shall aid me Our country and our throne will we restore, And this our royal Tree shall fruit once more."

THE SEVENTH COURSE

How Rustam slew the White Div :

He went girt up - all battle and revenge; He took Ulad and made Rakhsh go like wind. As soon as Rakhsh had reached the seven mountains, With all their troops of valiant divs, the chieftain Drew near the abysmal cave, saw them on guard, And spake thus to Ulad: "Thou hast been faithful, So now that we must act point out the way." Ulad made answer: "When the sun is hot The divs will sleep and thou wilt overcome them So bide thy time and thou wilt see no divs, Except some few on duty, and may'st triumph If He that giveth victory shall aid thee." So Rustam paused till noon, then, having bound Ulad fast with the lasso, mounted Rakhsh, Unsheathed his warlike Crocodile, and shouted His name like thunder, came like flying dust Among the troops, and parted heads from trunks.

None sought for glory by withstanding him. Thence radiant as the sun he went to seek The White Div, found a pit like Hell, but saw not The sorcerer for the murk. There sword in band He paused; no room was there for fight or flight. He rubbed his eyelids, bathed his eyes, and searched The cave till in the gloom he saw a Mountain That blotted all within, with sable face And hair like lion's mane - a world to see! Now Rustam hasted not to slay the div Asleep, but roused him with a leopard's roar. He charged at Rustam, like a gloomy mountain With iron helm and brassards, seized a millstone And drave at him like smoke. The hero quailed, And thought : "Mine end is come!" Yet like a lion Enraged he struck full at the div and lopped From that enormous bulk a hand and foot, So mighty was he with his trenchant sword! As 'twere some lofty-crested elephant And lion in its wrath the maimed div closed With Rustam, and one-footed wrecked the cave.

They wrestled, tearing out each other's flesh, Till all the ground was puddled with their blood, And Rustam thought: "If I survive this day I ne'er shall die." The White Div also thought :-

"Life hath no hopes for me, for, should I scape This Dragon's claws, maimed as I am and torn, None great or small within Mazandaran Will look at me." Such was his wretched comfort! But still they wrestled, streaming blood and sweat, While elephantine Rustam in God's strength Strove mightily in anguish and revenge, Till sore bestead, bold Lion that he was, He reached out, clutched the div, raised him neck - high, And dashed the life-breath from him on the ground, Then with a dagger stabbed him to the heart And plucked the liver from his swarthy form The carcase filled the cave, and all the world Was like a sea of blood. Then Rustam freed Ulad, put back the lasso in the straps, And, giving him the liver of the div To carry, went back to Shah Kai Kaus.

"O Lion!" said Ulad, " thou bast subdued The world beneath thy sword, and I myself On my bruised body bears thy lasso's marks, So now I hope that thou wilt keep thy promise, For lion-fierceness and a royal mien Sort not with broken faith:"

"I give thee all Mazandaran," he answered. " I have yet Long toils before me, many ups and downs, For I must hale its monarch from his throne And fling him in a ditch, behead a myriad Of sorcerer-divs with my relentless sword, And then, it may be, tread the ground again, But if not I will still keep faith with thee." He reached Kaus while all in gladness cried: "The chief of ardent spirit hath returned!"

And ran to him with thanks and praise past count. He said: "O Shah, thou seeker after knowledge! Rejoice, thy foe is slain. I have ripped out The White Div's liver, and his king hath naught To hope from him. What would my lord the Shah? " Kaus blessed Rustam. "Ne'er may crown and host Lack thee," he said. " The mother of such offspring Must not be mentioned but in terms of praise.

Now may a thousand blessings be on Zal, And on the country of Zabulistan, Because they have produced so brave a chief. In sooth the age hath not beheld thy like, But brighter still is my lot since I have For liege this lion-slaying Elephant." When he had made an end of praise he said: - "O warrior of blessed steps! now put The White Div's blood upon mine eyes and those Of all my folk; God willing, we may see Thy face again." They anointed his dim eyes, Which grew as bright as Sol, and forthwith Rustam Anointed all the others with the blood.

Their eyes grew bright, and all the world to them A rosary. They hung the crown and set Kaus beneath it on an ivory throne As monarch of Mazandaran, with Rustam, Tus, Fariburz, Gudarz, Ruhham, and Giv, Gurgin, and brave Bahram. One week he revelled, The eighth day mounted with his chiefs and troops, Who spread themselves like fire among dry reeds Throughout the land and plied the massive mace According to the bidding of the Shah.

They scorched the realm with their keen scimitars, And of the warlocks slew so many that blood Flowed in a river. When night fell the warriors All rested and Kaus proclaimed: "The wrong Hath been avenged, the divs have their deserts, 'Tis time to cease from slaughter. Now we need A man of weight and sense, with sense to wait Yet prompt, to work upon and overawe The monarch of Mazandaran." The son Of Zal and all the other chief's agreed On this that such a letter should be sent To give his darkened mind enlightenment.

Source :

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