| KAI KAUS - 1 Page 12
Chapter 11 KAI KAUS
HE REIGNED ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS
The Prelude :
If ever mortal injury befall A fruitful tree, when it hath waxen tall, Its leaf will fade, its root become unsound, Its head begin to bend toward the ground; And when the stem is snapped off at the root 'Twill yield its station to some fresh young shoot, Resign thereto the garden's burgeoning And all the lamp-like lustre of the spring; But if, my friend! an evil shoot should rise, Let not the good root suffer in thine eyes. So when a father leaveth to his son The world, and showeth him the course to run, If he shall flout his father's regimen Call him no longer son but alien. He that abandoneth his teacher's path Deserveth every evil that he hath. This ancient hostelry is fashioned so That thou canst not distinguish top from toe, And he that wotteth of its evil way Doth well to quit it with what speed he may. Now let the stories which an ancient sage Of prudent mind once told thy thoughts engage.
How Kaus sat upon the Throne and was tempted to invade Mazandaran :
Kaus, succeeding to his father's throne With all the world to serve him, looked upon Heaped hoards of treasures manifold, and knew That he had not his peer on earth for wealth Of necklaces, of earrings, and of thrones, High-crested Arab steeds, and golden crowns Inlaid with emeralds. Now as it chanced He sat one day and quaffed delicious wine Within a pleasure-palace arabesqued With gold, and sat upon the golden throne, Whose feet were crystal, master of the world, Discussing many matters great and small In converse with the Iranian paladins, And spake on this wise: "Who is Shah but I, Who worthy of the throne except myself? I rule the world with none to say me nay." The Shah was thus conversing in his cups, What while the captains wondered, when a div In minstrel's guise addressed the chamberlain. "A native of Mazandaran am I," He said, " a noted bard. If I am worthy To serve the Shah let me approach his throne." The chamberlain walked stately to the Shah, And said: "There is a minstrel at the gate - A rare musician - and he hath his harp." The Shah bade fetch the man and set him down Among the harpers. When his harp was tuned He sang a ditty of Mazandaran :- Mazandaran, my native land! May I forget it never, And may its fields and fells abide As populous as ever, For on its heights the hyacinth And tulip bloom, while roses Are ever blossoming anew Within its garden-closes. The landscape is fulfilled with charm, The atmosphere is pleasant, And there is neither heat nor cold, But spring is ever present. While in each garth the nightingale Discourseth musically, The deer are pacing daintily In every mountain valley Throughout the year without a break Intent upon their questing, And evermore the hues are bright, And scents exhale unresting. As for the rivers thou wouldst say :- 'They run rose-water surely!' And at the fragrance breathing thence The soul rejoiceth purely. There when the year is young and when 'Tis many a month the older, A soil all tulips and a-bloom Saluteth the beholder. The livelong year the streamlet's lips Are laughing, and the foray Of hawk and hunter after game Will never fail of quarry. The provinces are gaily dight Throughout their whole dimensions With golden coins and with brocade, And goodliest inventions; The handmaids there, as idols fair, Are crowned with crowns all golden, And there the loins of all the great With belts of gold are holden. He that is not in that fair land Of joy exceeding measure, Delighting heart and mind alike, What can he know of pleasure? The words roused Kai Kaus, he was resolved To lead a host against Mazandaran, And thus harangued his warriors: "We have been Too fond of feast. The brave but indolent Will never tire of leisure and of home. In fortune, Grace, and birth I pass Jamshid, Zahhak, and Kai Kubad, and must surpass them In prowess too: crowned heads should be ambitious." The nobles heard and liked it not, turned pale, And frowned, for no one wished to fight the divs, Though daring not to say so openly. They sadly sighed - Tus, Giv, Gudarz, Kishwad, Kharrad, Gurgin, and brave Bahram - and said:- "Thy slaves are we and walk earth by thy will." They met thereafter and spoke out their minds:- "What is this turn of fortune? If the Shah Remembereth the words said in his cups 'Twill be the ruin of us and of Iran, And leave the land not even dust and water. Jamshid possessed the crown and finger-ring, With div and fowl and fay to do his will, Yet spoke he never of Mazandaran, Or sought to fight against the valiant divs, While Faridun with all his craft and wisdom Ne'er guided us to any such desire. Had it been something fitting to achieve By dint of manliness, name, gems, and treasure, Then Minuchihr would have forestalled the matter And not repressed his wishes. We must find Some scheme to turn this evil from Iran." Then Tus addressed the chiefs: "Brave veterans! One remedy there is, and let us use it, For 'tis not hard. Send we a cameleer In haste to Zal the son of Sam to say:- 'If now thy head be soiled stay not to wash it, But whet thy wits and let us see thy face.' He may suggest some wise rede to the Shah, And tell him: 'Ahriman hath prompted this The portal of the divs must ne'er be opened.' Unless Zal can divert him from such talk An end will come to all our ups and downs." They talked it o'er, then sent a cameleer, Who went apace toward Nimruz, and when He came to Zal - the lustre of the world - Gave thus the nobles' message: "High-born son Of Sam! a parlous case confronteth us, And one that knowledge cannot estimate! Bestir thyself or else we shall not have Folk, field, or fell. A fancy hath arisen Within the Shah's heart. Ahriman hath turned him From what is right, he is not satisfied With travail such as his forefathers had, But would have treasure where he hath not toiled, And so must throne it in Mazandanin! If thou delayest but to scratch thy head He will have gone and given to the winds Thy travail at the first with Kai Kubad, When thou with Rustam - that insatiate Lion - Didst like a valiant lion gird thy loins; All which is now as wind to Kai Kaus, Whose evil purposes distract his mind." Zal when he heard grieved sorely that the leaves Upon the royal tree were growing sere, And said: "Kaus, that man of headstrong will, And not approved in this world's heat and cold, Will hearken not to what the experienced say, And sleepeth not upon his own designs. If one who is the monarch of the world, Whom years and sun and moon still circle o'er, One at the thought of whose sword everywhere Alike the nobles and the people tremble, Will not obey me 'tis not wonderful; Still it would grieve me if he hearkened not. If I think of myself, not of the Shah, Then God, the Shah, and all the warriors Throughout Iran, will be displeased at me. I will set out and offer mine advice; If he accepteth it so much is gained If he is headstrong then our course is clear, And Rustam now will be among the troops." He mused all night, and when the sun displayed Its crown on high begirt himself and journeyed, Escorted by the chiefs, toward the Shah. Intelligence reached Tus, Gudarz, and Giv, Bahram, Gurgin, and others: "Zal approacheth; E'en now his royal standard is in sight." The army-leaders, helmed as paladins, Went forth to meet him and, when he was near, Dismounted, went to him afoot, and blessed him. Now, as they fared together to the Shah, Tus said to Zal: "So then, O noble chief! Thou hast endured a journey of much toil, And for the sake of us Iranian nobles Hast chosen travail rather than repose We are devoted to thee: all of us Feel honoured by thy crown and Grace." Zal answered "The maxims of the men of old recur To one whom years have worn, and later on The course of heaven will justify his conduct. We must not keep our counsel from the Shah, For he hath need thereof. If he rejecteth• The words of wisdom he will rue it sorely." They cried: "We are agreed and will not hear Another's words," then sought with one accord The crown and throne and presence of their lord.
How Zal gave Counsel to Kaus :
Attended by the lords with golden girdles Zal led the way and, when he saw Kaus Rejoicing on the throne, approached the state With downcast eyes and folded arms, then said:- "O worldlord, who art mightiest of the mighty! Throne hath not heard of, nor crown seen, thy peer, Revolving heaven hath heard not of such fortune, As thine. Be victor all thy years and glad With heart all wisdom and with head all justice." 'The famous Shah received Zal graciously, And, giving him a seat upon the throne, Asked him about the toil of that long journey, About the chieftains and exalted Rustam. He answered: "Ever live and conquer, Shah We all are blithe and brightened by thy fortune, And have our heads exalted by thy throne." He then began his well considered speech:- "O monarch of the world! thou well deservest To have the throne and crown of mighty men. Thou art the memory of Shah Faridun, And may this age ne'er rob thee of its love. Now I have heard grave tidings that the Shah Hath some design upon Mazandaran. None of thy mighty predecessors thought Of such a journey. Minuchihr in dying Left here much wealth and many palaces; So too did Zav, Naudar, and Kai Kubad (How many a chief our memories recall With massive maces and with mighty hosts!) Yet they attempted not Mazandaran - The home of warlock-divs and under spells Which none hath power to loose; so give not thou Men, wealth, and money to the winds. That land Can not be conquered by the scimitar, Nor will it come to hand through wit and treasure. To go or e'en to think of going thither Is held unlucky! Thou must not invade Those parts because no Shah hath thought it good, Who if less great than thou was still God's slave Then do not for the sake of covetise Plant with the blood of such a famous head A tree whose growth and fruit will prove a curse, And break the precedents of former Shahs." Kaus replied: "I need thy views hereon, But nathless I in courage, Grace, and treasure Surpass Jamshid and Faridun as well As Minuchihr and Kai Kubad, who never Made mention of Mazandaran; my heart And host are greater, and the world is 'neath My trenchant scimitar.
The world was won When thou didst brandish thine; let it see ours. I shall go thither, snare them all, maintaining The credit of myself and scimitar, Then tax them heavily or leave all dead, So vile and wretched do I hold that crew Of divs and sorcerers, and thou wilt hear That earth is void of them. Do thou and Rustam Be regents of Iran and slumber not. God is my Helper and the prince of divs My quarry. Since thou wilt not go with me Bid me not dally on my throne." Zal heard, And baffled answered: "Thou art Shah, and we Are slaves who speak in love and, right or wrong, Must move and breathe according to thy will. I have relieved my heart as knowledge prompted. No one can root out death, sew up the eyes Of destiny with needles, or escape From want by abstinence; in this regard E'en princes must submit. May this bright world Prove prosperous to thee, and mayst thou never Have reason to recall these words of mine; May thine own doings cause thee no remorse, And be thy heart and Faith and rule resplendent." Grieved that the Shah would go Zal took his leave In haste, and as he left the monarch's presence Both sun and moon were darkened in his eyes. The gallant nobles - Tus, Gudarz, Bahram, And Giv - went with him, and Giv said to Zal :- "May God direct us! Were Kaus, not Shah I should esteem him naught. May greed, death, want, Be far from thee, foes' hands too short to reach thee. Where'er we be or go we hear thy praises, And next to God trust thee who hith so toiled For us." Thus Giv, Zal, clasping to his heart The warriors, made ready to depart.
How Kaus went to Mazandran :
Next day arose the tymbals' din, Gudarz And Tus led on the troops. Kaus, their lustre, Went with them, and upon a shaded spot Set up his throne before Mount Ispuruz For rest and sleep, while terror everywhere Fell on the brutish divs. Upon the heights The Shah spread cloth of gold; the air was fragrant With luscious wine; the favoured paladins Sat by his throne and spent the night together. At dawn they woke and entered helmed and armed The presence of the Shah, who ordered Giv :- "Choose from the warriors two thousand men - Mace-wielders - to prepare for us a path Mazandaran-ward, slaughter young and old, Fire all the settlements, turn day to night, And slay the warlocks ere they are aware." Giv girt him, left the portal of the Shah, Chose valiant warriors, and when he reached Mazandaran showered scimitars and maces. The women, children, and old men with staves, Received no quarter from his sword; he sacked And burned the cities, scattering bane instead Of antidote. He lighted on a spot Like Paradise, replete with all delights, And in each street and quarter countless slaves With necklaces and earrings, and still more With casques and faces like the shining moon. In every place were treasures stored away, Here gold, there gems. The cattle were past count. Thou wouldst have said: '"Tis Paradise itself!" They told Kaus the news, who cried: "Live happy The man who said: 'Mazandaran may match With Paradise, and thou wouldst say that all The country is an Idols' temple decked With wreaths of roses and brocade of Chin; Its Idols come from Paradise with faces Bathed in pomegranate-blossoms by Rizwan.' " The Iranians plundered for one week, then ceased. The monarch of Mazandaran received The news; his heart was sad, his head was heavy. There was a div named Sanja at the court, Who also grieved. The monarch said to him "Go swift as Sol in yonder circling heaven And tell the White Div : 'There hath come a host Out of Iran to spoil Mazandaran; They have burnt up our cities and inflamed Our vengeance by the outrage. Kai Kaus, With many young and brave, is in command Without thy help we shall be all destroyed.'" When Sanja heard the message he sped forth And carried to the div the king's appeal. The White Div answered: "Be not in despair, For I am coming with a mighty host To cut the Shah's foot from Mazandaran." He spake and like a mountain rose erect; His head was level with the turning sky.
Night came, a cloud involved the Iranian host, The world grew like a negro's face for blackness, And thou hadst said: "'Tis like a sea of pitch, And all its light is lost." The White Div spread Above their heads a tent of pitchy smoke, Air dusked and eyes were darkened. From the sky He showered stones and darts, the Iranian troops Dispersed abroad, and many sought Iran, Heart-broken at the doings of Kaus. When day had come the ambitious Shah and most Among his warriors were blind. The nobles Were wroth with him, his troops were prisoners, His treasures pillaged, and his fortunes old. It is a ne'er to be forgotten tale, For at such wonders wonder's self must fail Now when the Shah perceived his plight he said:- A "prudent minister is more than treasure; Alas that I accepted not the counsel Of Zal the worldlord but misdoubted it." When he had passed seven days in misery And looked on no Iranian, on the eighth The White Div thundered at him: "O thou Shah, As fruitless as a willow! thou wouldst have Complete supremacy and seize our pastures. Like to a maddened elephant's appeared Thy strength to thee, thou wouldst not yield to any Content not with the crown above thy throne Thou hast perverted wisdom and hast wrought Ill in Mazandaran, and slaughtered many With massive mace. The news of mine achievements Perchance ne'er reached thee, such a dullard thou On thine imperial throne! Now thou hast gained The fitting outcome of thy heart's desire." Then of the valiant divs that drew the sword He chose twelve thousand. setting them to guard The Iranians, and afflicted grievously Those headstrong men. He gave them food enough To keep them living on from day to day, While all the treasures of the Shah and host, The jewelled diadems and turquoise thrones, All that he saw, he gave o'er to Arzhang, The general of Mazandaran, and said:- "Convey these to the king and say to him:- 'Blame not thou Ahriman, for I have done All that was needed, and have brought yon folk To dust. The Shah and paladins will never Behold the bright sun or the moon again. I have not threatened him with death, but taught him The ups and downs of fortune. He will grow Wise through his troubles, and hereafter none Will listen to such schemes.'" Thereat Arzhang Went to the monarch of Mazandaran, And took with him the treasure and the troops, The captives and the steeds caparisoned. This done the White Div went back to his home As glorious as the sun, while Kai Kaus Remained within Mazandaran to moan:- "I was to blame for this and I alone."
The Message of Kai Kaus to Zal and Rustam :
Kaus with stricken heart sent to Zabul To Zal a warrior, like a bird that flew As swift as smoke, to say: "What hap is mine My crown and throne have tumbled to the dust, And heaven hath given to the divs my treasures And troops arrayed like roses in the spring; The wind, thou wouldst say, rose and bore them off. Mine eyes are blinded and my fortunes sheet, My crown and throne are both o'erturned, and I Lie stricken in the hand of Ahriman, Who rendeth me asunder, soul from body. I often sigh to think on thine advice, Which I rejected foolishly, thus causing The present trouble. If thou dost not act Both capital and interest will be lost." He went as 'twere a bird as swift as smoke And told what he had seen and heard to Zal, Whose skin burst at the tidings, but he kept The news from friend and foe. His shrewd heart showed him The ills that fate would bring upon Kaus. "The scimitar is all but out," he said To Rustam. " We must not thus feed at ease, But make provision for the crown itself, Because the Shah is in the Dragon's breath How great a bale is on the Iranians Thy part is now to saddle Rakhsh and seek For vengeance with the world-allotting sword. God surely made thee for a time like this, And thou art fitted for such labours now, While I, I have outlived two centuries! Thou wilt gain high renown and save the Shah. Thou must not in this Ahriman's own business Take matters leisurely or stop to breathe, But don the tiger-skin and purge thy head Of sleep and thought. When one hath seen thy spear Will any say: 'His soul will rest?' If thou Shouldst fight the sea 'twould turn to blood, thy voice Will level mountains. Thou must make Arzhang, And the White Div no less, despair of life. As for the monarch of Mazandaran Go smash him, neck and spine, with thy great mace." He answered thus: "The way is long, and I How shall I go to take revenge?" Said Zal: "There are two routes both hard and dangerous; One, which is long, was taken by Kids; The other is a journey of two weeks, The haunt of div and lion, and all gloom; Its murk will maze thine eyes. Choose thou the short, And see its wonders; God will be thine aid. What though the way be hard? An end will come, The feet of glorious Rakhsh will traverse it, And I will pray all night to see again Thy limbs and iron mace; while if the Worldlord Shall let the divs' grip close upon thy life, Who can resist His word? 'Tis said and done. None can abide here though he tarry long, And one whose fame embraceth all the world Is not cast down at going." Rustam answered :- "I gird me to obey although the great Of yore walked not to Hell advisedly, And only one grown sick of life will counter The rending lion. Think of me as girt And gone. I ask no help but God's, will give Both soul and body for the Shah, and break The talismans that guard those sorcerers. All that survive among the Iranians there Will I bring back and gird their loins again; I will not spare the White Div nor Arzhang, Nor Sanja nor Pulad son of Ghundi, Nor Bid. I swear by God, the only God, Not to quit Rakhsh till I have bound Arzhang With yoke on neck and hands as firm as rocks, Have trod the brains and headpiece of Pulad, And shaken earth beneath the feet of Rakhsh." He donned the tiger-skin and stretched himself, While Zal called many blessings down on him, Then mounted on his elephantine steed With steadfast heart and mien. Rudaba came With tearful cheeks while Zal too wept. She said:- "So thou wilt go and leave me here to grieve How canst thou hope in God?" He said: "Good mother I did not choose my course; 'tis destiny. Do thou commit to God my soul and body." The people came to him to say farewell; Who knew if he should look on Rustam more? Uncounted by the wise the moments fly, And, when an evil day hath passed thee, try To reckon that the world hath gained thereby.
Source :
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