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Chapter 6 JAMSHID Jamshid Reigned Seven Hundred Years
The Greatness and Fall of Jamshid :
Jamshid, the mighty son of Tahmuras, Full of his father's maxims, girt himself, Succeeded to his glorious father's throne, And wore in kingly wise the crown of gold. His girdle was the Grace of king of kings, And all the world obeyed him, contests ceased, The age had rest, and bird and div and fairy Were his to bid, the world took added lustre, Through him the throne of Shahs was glorified. "Mine is the Grace," he said, "I am both king And archimage, I will restrain ill-doers And make for souls a path toward the light." He first wrought arms and oped for warriors The door of fame. His Grace made iron yield; He fashioned it to helmets, hauberks, breastplates, And coats of armour both for man and horse. His ardent mind achieved the work and made Good store in fifty years. Another fifty He spent on raiment fit for fight or feast; And made of spun and floss silk, hair and cotton, Fine fabrics, cloth of hair and rich brocade. He taught to spin and weave, and when the stuffs Were made he showed men how to full and sew them Then to the joy of all he founded castes For every craft; it took him fifty years. Distinguishing one caste as sacerdotal To be employed in sacred offices, He separated it from other folk And made its place of service on the mountains That God might be adored in quietude.
Arrayed for battle on the other hand Were those who formed the military caste; They were the lion-men inured to war - The Lights of armies and of provinces - Whose office was to guard the royal throne And vindicate the nation's name for valour. The third caste was the agricultural, All independent tillers of the soil, The sewers and the reapers-men whom none Upbraideth when they eat. Though clothed in rags, The wearers are not slaves, and sounds of chiding Reach not their ears. They are free men and labour Upon the soil safe from dispute and contest. What said the noble man and eloquent? "Tis idleness that maketh freemen slaves." The fourth caste was the artizans. They live lay doing handiwork - a turbulent crew, Who being always busied with their craft Are given much to thought. Jamshid thus spent Another fifty years and did much good, For each man learnt his place and others' too. He bade the foul divs temper earth with water And taught them how to fashion moulds for bricks. They laid foundations first with stones and lime, Then raised thereon by rules of art such structures As hot baths, lofty halls, and sanctuaries. He searched among the rocks for stones whose lustre Attracted him and came on many a jewel, As rubies, amber, silver, gold. Jamshid Unlocked their doors and brought them forth by spells. He introduced the scents that men enjoy As camphor, genuine musk, gum Benjamin, Sweet aloe, ambergris, and bright rosewater. Next leechcraft and the healing of the sick, The means of health, the course of maladies Were secrets opened by Jamshid : the world Hath seen no other such discoverer. He crossed the sea in ships. For fifty years His wisdom brought to light the properties Of things. These works achieved, Jamshid ambitioned Rank loftier still, and by his royal Grace Made him a throne, with what a wealth of gems Inlaid! which when he willed the divs took up And bare from earth to heaven. There the Shah, Whose word was law, sat sunlike in mid air. The world assembled round his throne in wonder At his resplendent fortune, while on him The people scattered jewels, and bestowed Upon the day the name of New Year's Day, The first of Farwardin and of the year, When limbs repose from labour, hearts from strife. The noble chieftains held a festival, Called for the goblet, wine, and minstrelsy, And ever since that time that glorious day Remaineth the memorial of that Shah. Thus things continued for three centuries, And all the while men never looked on death; They wetted not of travail or of ill, And divs like slaves were girt to do them service; Men hearkened to Jamshid with both their ears, Sweet voices filled the world with melody, And thus till many years had come and gone The royal Grace shone brightly from the Shah His ends had been attained, the world reposed, And still new revelations came from God, Men saw but goodness in their king, the earth Served him, he reigned - a monarch with the Grace. One day contemplating the throne of power He deemed that he was peerless. He knew God, But acted frowardly and turned aside In his ingratitude.
He summoned all The chiefs, and what a wealth of words he used! "The world is mine, I found its properties, The royal throne hath seen no king like me, For I have decked the world with excellence And fashioned earth according to my will. From me derive your provand, ease, and sleep, Your raiment and your pleasure. Mine are greatness And diadem and sovereignty. Who saith That there is any great king save myself? Leechcraft hath cured the world, disease and death Are stayed. Though kings are many who but I Saved men from death? Ye owe me sense and life They who adore me not are Ahrimans. So now that ye perceive what I have done All hail me as the Maker of the world." Thereat the archmages hung their heads, perplexed To answer and God's Grace departed from him, The world was filled with din, the Court deserted, None who desired renown stayed in his presence. For three and twenty years the empty portal Told of the crime that equalled him with God, Brought on disaster and o'erturned the state. How saith the seer, the man of Grace and wisdom? "King though thou art serve God. Great fears oppress The heart that is devoid of thankfulness." Day darkened to Jamshid, he lost the Grace That lighteneth the world, and though with tears Of blood he sought for pardon Grace was not, And dread of coming evil was his lot.
The Story of Zahhak and His Father :
One of the desert spear-armed Bedouins Of noble birth then lived - a virtuous king, Just, highborn, generous, and hight Mardas, Who sought his God with reverence and sighs, He kept a thousand head of all milch cattle, Goats, camels, sheep, and kine - a gentle breed - With Arab steeds, all timid beauties they, And grudged the milk to none. He had a son Whom much he loved - Zahhak, a gallant prince, But hasty. People called him Biwarasp. Ten thousand is " biwar " in ancient Persian, And he possessed ten thousand Arab steeds With golden equipage - a famous stud. Most of his days and nights he spent on horseback Engaged in superintendence not in war. One day Iblis approached him as a friend And led his wits astray. The youth gave ear With pleasure and all unsuspectingly Gave to Iblis heart, reason, and pure soul, And heaped the dust on his own head. Iblis Exulted seeing that the youth was snared And gulled the simpleton with specious words, Thus saying: "I could tell thee many things Known to myself alone." The youth made answer :- "Tell me at once, my worthy monitor! " Iblis replied: "First promise, then my story." The guileless youth swore as Iblis dictated "Thy secret shall be kept, thy bidding done." Then said Iblis: "Great prince? shall any rule Here but thyself? What profiteth a sire With such a son? Now hearken to my redo The lifetime of this ancient potentate Continueth, thou art shelved. Seize on his court And goods. His place will suit thee, thou shalt be King of the world if thou durst do my bidding." Zahhak looked grave; to shed his sire's blood grieved him. He said: "Not so, suggest some other course: This cannot be." "Then thou," Iblis rejoined, "Art perjured and wilt still be despicable, Thy father honoured." Thus he snared the Arab, Who asked: "What must I do? I will obey." Iblis replied: "Leave me to scheme. Thy head Shall touch the sun. I only ask thy silence; No help need I, myself am competent, But keep the sword of speech within the scabbard." Now in the palace was a jocund garth, And thither used Mardas to go at dawn To bathe him ere he prayed, without a slave To light him on his way, The wicked Div, Intent on ill, dug in the garden-path A deep pit, masked and made it good with boughs. Ere dawn the Arab chieftain hied him thither And, as he reached the pit, his fortunes fell; That good man tumbled, broke his back, and died. He ne'er had breathed a cold breath on his son, But cherished him and lavished treasure on him, Yet that abandoned youth respected not His father, but conspired to shed his blood. I heard a sage once say: "Though fierce in strife No son will dare to take his father's life; If such a crime should seem to be implied, Seek for the reason on the mother's side." Vile and unjust Zahhak thus seized the throne, Assumed the Arabs' crown and governed them For good or ill. Iblis encouraged thus Began again and said: "Since thou hast turned To me, and gained thy heart's desire, come pledge me Thy word once more to do as I require; And then thy realm shall spread throughout the world, Birds, beasts, and fishes shall be all throe own." When this was said he set about to use, Most marvellous' another kind of ruse.
How Iblis Turned Cook :
Then as a youth well spoken, clean, and clever, Iblis went to Zahhak with fawning words, "Let me," he said, "who am a noted cook, Find favour with the king." By appetite Seduced, Zahhak received and welcomed him, So that the monarch's faithful minister Gave to Iblis the royal kitchen's key. Foods then were few, men did not kill to eat But lived on vegetals of all earth's produce; So evil-doing Ahriman designed To slaughter animals for food, and served Both bird and beast. He fed the king on blood To make him lion-fierce, and like a slave Obeyed him. First he fed his lord on yelk To make him strong; he liked the flavour much And praised Iblis, who said: "Illustrious monarch! For ever live! To-morrow I will serve thee So as to please thee well." All night he mused What strange repast to proffer on the morrow, And when the azure vault brought back again The golden Gem he hopefully presented A meal of partridges and silver pheasants. The Arab monarch ate and his small wits Were lost in admiration. On the third day Iblis served lamb and fowl, and on the fourth A chine of veal with saffron and rosewater, Musk and old wine. Zahhak when he had tasted, In wonder at his cook's ability, Said: "Worthy friend! ask thou my recompense." He answered? Live, O king! in wealth and power. My heart is throe, thy favour my soul's food; Yet would I ask one boon above my station 'Tis leave to kiss and lay my face and eyes Upon thy shoulders." Off his guard Zahhak Replied? I grant it; it may do thee grace." Iblis received permission, kissed and vanished. A marvel followed - from the monarch's shoulders Grew two black snakes. Distraught he sought a cure And in the end excised them, but they grew Again! oh strange! like branches from a tree. The ablest leeches gave advice in turn And used their curious arts but all in vain. At length Iblis himself came hurrying Dight as a leech. " This was thy destiny," He said; " cut not the snakes but let them live. Give them men's brains and gorge them till they sleep. It is the only means, such food may kill them." The purpose of the foul Div shrewdly scan Had he conceived perchance a secret plan To rid the world of all the race of man?
How the Fortunes of Jamshid Went to Wrack :
Thereafter tumult, combating and strife Arose throughout Iran, the bright day Bloomed And men renounced Jamshid, who when his Grace Was darkened turned to folly and perverseness. Pretenders started up, on every march The disaffected nobles levied troops And strove. Some set forth for Arabia, For they had heard? There is a monarch there - An awe-insiring king of dragon-visage." Thus all the discontented cavaliers Went to Zahhak and offered fealty, Saluting him as monarch of Iran. The king of dragon-visage came like wind And donned the Iranian crown, collected troops - The bravest of Arabia and Iran - And having seized the throne of Shah Jamshid Slipped on the world as 'twere a finger-ring. Thus fell Jamshid. Pressed by the world's new lord He fled, surrendering crown, throne and treasure, Host, power and diadem. The world turned black To him, he disappeared and yielded all. He was in hiding for a century, But in the hundredth year the impious Shah Appeared one day beside the sea of Chin. Zahhak clutched him forthwith, gave him small respite, And sawing him asunder freed the world From him and from the fear that he inspired. Long was he hidden from the Dragon's breath, But there was no escaping in the end, For fortune whirled him like a yellow straw And both his throne and greatness passed away. What better Shah was ever on the throne, And yet what profit could he call his own From all his toils? His seven centuries Brought him great blessings and calamities. What need hast thou then for a length of years? The world will keep its secrets though fur food It give thee sweets and honeycomb, and rude Ungentle voices banish from thine ears. Wilt thou then say? Its love is spent on me, In every look affection is expressed? " Wilt thou confide therein caressingly And tell it all the secrets of thy breast? 'Twill play with thee a pretty game indeed Anon, and cause thy wretched heart to bleed. My heart is weary of this Wayside Inn: O God! release me soon from toil therein.'
Source :
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