The Wrath of Rustem

Now although Sohrab, the son of Rustem, was known throughout the length

and breadth of Turan as a valiant young warrior, yet up to the time of

his adventure with the Warrior-maid his fame had not spread unto Iran.

But this was now to be changed. For behold, the governor of the White

Fort, when forced to give into the hands of Sohrab this key to the heart

of the empire, hastily sent forth a swift messenger bearing a letter

unto Kaikous the Shah. And the letter told how that an army, like unto

locusts for multitude, had flown forth from Turan, at whose head rode a

chief whose head towered above the stars, and whose prowess, though he

was still but a child in years—shamed that of the lion, the dragon, and

the fierce crocodile. Yea, and he told how that Hujir had been overcome

and taken prisoner by this great champion, and how he now threatened to

overrun and conquer all Persia, unless the great Shah right speedily

opposed his progress.

Now Kaikous, when he had read the letter of Gustahem, was greatly

troubled. So he called about him his nobles to take counsel, and behold,

with one accord they cried:

“Verily, Rustem alone can deliver us from this great peril!”

So the Shah hastily summoned a scribe, dictating unto him a letter. And

he said:

“O mighty Pehliva, whose glorious deeds have ever caused the throne of

light to shine with splendor greater than the sun, behold, once more thy

country calleth thee unto her aid! For lo! among the Tartar host there

hath appeared a mighty champion whose like hath never been seen save in

the house of Saum and Neriman. Already hath he demolished the White

Fort, and only Rustem can bar the path that leadeth to the throne. Come

quickly, then, to Iran’s aid, rivalling the wind-footed dromedary in thy

speed. Be it night or day, tarry not e’en to speak the word that hangeth

upon thy lips, and if thou bearest roses in thy hands, stop not to smell

them, lest Sohrab conquering come and all be lost.”

Now having finished the letter, the Shah gave it unto a warrior named

Gew to carry unto Rustem. And he said:

“O my Pehliva, truly my soul suffereth an agony of fear! Haste thou,

therefore, unto the great Champion, pausing for neither rest nor food.

And when thou art come unto thy journey’s end, do not linger there for

even an hour, for my heart crieth, haste! haste! and truly the need is

great.”

So Gew departed, pausing for naught until he set foot within the gates

of Rustem. And so great was his speed that the watchman upon the tower

at Zabulistan, noting his approach, marvelled greatly, hastening quickly

unto Rustem with the news. And he said:

“O Mighty One, the watch-tower revealeth a warrior coming by the way of

Persia, riding like the wind. I fear me that he bringeth bad news.”

Now being thus informed, at once Rustem and his chiefs rode out to meet

the messenger, as was the Oriental custom. And when he beheld that it

was Gew, he greeted him cordially, for they were old comrades in arms.

Being informed of his mission, however, and of the strength and courage

of the gallant young Tartar, who was causing the Shah such agony of

soul, Rustem marvelled greatly. And he said:

“Verily, I should not have been surprised if such a hero as thou namest

had arisen in Iran; but that a warrior of such renown should spring

forth from amidst the Tartar horde is certainly past belief. Yet thou

sayest—dost thou?—that the lineage of this Pehliva, so like unto Saum

and the great heroes of my house, is Turanian? Strange! Now I myself

have a child whom the daughter of a Tartar King bare unto me; but the

child is a girl. And even if it were a son, it is yet but an infant,

while that which thou sayest hath been done, surely it is not the work

of a babe! But enter, I pray thee, into my house, and we will then

confer further as to this matter.”

Then Rustem, seeing that his guest was fatigued, commanded that a great

banquet be made ready, and he feasted his comrade so royally that he

caused him to forget both care and time. But when morn was come, Gew

remembered the commands of his Shah, and he spake thereof unto his host,

who replied unto him:

“O my brave comrade! Behold, we must all die some day. Let us,

therefore, bask in the sunshine of the present! As for this Tartar,

disquiet not thyself concerning him, for though he be a hero, the like

of which the world hath not seen, verily he shall fall into my hands!

But all in good time! To-day, however, we will feast, for I perceive

that thy lips are yet parched with the speed of thy journey.”

So Rustem made ready another banquet, and for three days the comrades

feasted and made merry without ceasing. But on the fourth day Gew, who

feared the anger of the Shah, uprose with resolve, appearing before his

host girt for departure. And he said:

“O Glory of Iran, generous hath been thy hospitality, and long will it

warm the heart of Gew! It behooveth us now, however, to return unto the

Shah. For behold! the fear of Sohrab weigheth upon his soul like a

nightmare, and he burneth with impatience, since sleep and rest have

deserted his pillow, and hunger and thirst are exercising their dominion

over him! Let us make haste, therefore, for well thou knowest that

Kaikous is a man senseless and easily aroused to wrath.”

But Rustem, smiling, replied with easy courtesy unto Gew:

“Really, comrade, there is no need for such haste! It is true that thou

art right about Kaikous, but as for his anger, let it give thee not a

moment’s anxiety! For verily the man liveth not who dareth to be wroth

with Rustem.”

Nevertheless, his army being now recruited, the great Pehliva commanded

that Rakush be saddled, and they set forth unto the Court; and great was

the train that followed after them. And behold, when they were come near

unto the King’s palace, a great company of nobles rode out to meet them

to do honor unto the Glory of Iran, and to conduct him into the presence

of the Shah.

So, presently, Rustem entered the great audience-room of kings and,

advancing unto the throne, performed obeisance unto the Lord of the

World. But alas! Kaikous was black with rage, and so, opening the doors

of his mouth, words of folly escaped his lips. And he said:

“So thou art come at last, O Insolent Pehliva! Verily, it is well. And

now I should like to ask, ‘Who is Rustem, indeed, that he dareth to defy

my power and disobey my commands?’ Truly, if I had a sword in my hand at

this moment, like an orange would I split his head, half in half, and

throw it unto the jackals! As I have not—Guards, seize him!—for I will

that he be hanged alive upon the nearest gallows, and that his name be

blotted out from the list of my heroes.”

Now Gew, when he heard these words of anger, was confounded, and in his

sore dismay he cried unto the King:

“O Lord of the World, wilt thou really lay hands upon Rustem? I pray

thee, forget not that he alone is the bulwark of the throne—yea, e’en as

he and his house have ever been through long generations!”

But alas! Gew’s words of wisdom but fanned the blaze of the King’s

anger. Beside himself with fury, therefore, he raged in his wrath like

unto a mad elephant, shouting with a roar that made the very throne

tremble:

“Guards! Seize yon barking dog also, and hang him alive with the other.

Haste! Out of my presence!”

Now at this, Tus, who feared that Kaikous in his mad rage might do unto

the Mighty One an injury, laid his hand gently upon that of Rustem, to

lead him from the audience-chamber; but the Pehliva would not suffer it.

Breaking away from his grasp, therefore, he stood boldly before Kaikous,

his anger rivalling that of the King. And he said:

“Petty Monarch, darest thou really to rage at me—Rustem? Verily thou

shalt bitterly rue thy temerity! And now, in turn I ask of thee, ‘Who,

after all, is Kaikous that he ventureth to talk of the gallows unto

me—Rustem?’ Listen, and I will tell it unto thee:

“Verily, Kaikous is that madman who led his brave army into Mazinderan

and Hamaveran, and who also winged his foolish flight, once upon a time,

into heaven; Kaikous is that Shah who hath ever in his folly brought

derision and shame unto Iran and sorrow and woe unto his subjects;

Kaikous is the monarch who ever sendeth for his Pehliva when danger

threateneth, instead of going boldly forth himself to meet his foes—aye

Kaikous is a brave fellow! for, hath he not the heart of a mouse and the

head of that stubborn creature who flappeth his long ears and brayeth

unto the moon?

“And now, having disposed of the glorious Kous, I will answer unto thee

as to Rustem:

“Verily, Rustem is the son of Zal and Saum and Neriman, heroes who have

ever supported the throne of light, and but for whom Kaikous would never

have sat upon its seat; Rustem is a free man, being slave unto none and

servant alone unto God, who hath given unto him his glorious strength

and courage; Rustem is the Pehliva whose deeds shine as the sun in a

dark world, and who again and again hath been entreated to take his true

place upon the throne of Iran; Rustem is the Champion who hath the world

at his feet, and yet who hath desired no throne except Rakush, no crown

but his helmet, and no sceptre but his grandsire’s mighty club; yea,

Rustem is the Pehliva who, times without number, hath risked his life to

save the illustrious Kous from the penalty of his foolish deeds.

“But at last, O Senseless One, hath Rustem reached the end of his

patience. And now he sayeth unto thee, behold, when the brave Tartar

chieftain cometh, go thyself out to meet him—thou who art brave, and

wise, and full of strength and valor like unto the Shahs of Old!

Perchance thou canst then use thy boasted gallows for him. But as for

Rustem, verily thou shalt see him no more in the land of Persia, for he

is sick unto death of thy follies.”

Thus spake the Great Rustem in his wrath, and having finished,

fearlessly he turned him, and strode unhindered from out the

presence-chamber. And having mounted upon Rakush, lo, he vanished, ere

the dumfounded Kaikous had rallied from his astonishment.

Now the nobles and chiefs of Iran were greatly troubled by the wrath of

Rustem, for they were sheep and the Great Pehliva was their shepherd. So

they murmured against Kaikous, saying:

“Truly the Shah, in his anger, hath forgotten all gratitude and decency!

else how dare he threaten the Great Rustem, to whom he oweth his life

and his throne, with the vile gallows? Verily, the wrath of the Mighty

One is righteous! But what, alas, is to become of Iran, if her only

invincible Champion forsaketh her now that so great a peril

threateneth?”

So talked the nobles of Iran, and finally in their dilemma they decided

to choose a mediator, Gudarz the Aged, who should stand before the King;

and, though the mission was fraught with danger, Gudarz quailed not, but

spake long and without fear unto the Shah, counting over, as a string of

pearls, each glorious deed of Rustem. And having so spoken, then

fearlessly he reproached the weak monarch with ingratitude. And he said:

“O King of Kings, can it really be possible that so soon thou hast

blotted out from thy book of remembrance all that Rustem hath done for

thee and this land? How he conquered Mazinderan and the Great White

Deev; and how he gave back unto thee the sight of thy eyes? Yet now as

his reward thou commandest that he be hanged alive upon a gallows, thou

who art King only by his grace! Now I ask thee to answer me truly—is

this the justice of a great and wise Monarch, or that worthy of the

great King of Kings?”

Alas! beholding his acts, spread out thus naked before him, Kaikous was

ashamed of that which he had said in his anger. So, humbling himself

before Gudarz, he said:

“O white-haired Pehliva, verily thou speakest well! The words of a

mighty monarch should be those of wisdom and not such as provoke wrath.

Go, therefore, unto Rustem and say unto him that Kaikous repenteth him

of his bitter words and calleth him back to be his most honored

Pehliva.”

So, thus armed, swiftly Gudarz rode forth in search of the angry Rustem,

and behold, all the mighty chiefs of Iran joined themselves unto him, so

that there was a great company. Now they rode fast and far before they

overtook the anger-spurred hero, but when they were finally come up with

him, lo, the entire company prostrated themselves in the dust before

him. And Gudarz said:

“O Hero of Heroes! Listen, I pray thee, unto the words of an aged

warrior who loveth both thee and Iran well. Now truly thy wrath is just,

and so have I said unto Kaikous, whose thoughts in his anger o’erflow

like unto new wine that fermenteth, being sour and bitter unto the

taste. But, though hasty, the Shah soon repenteth him of his anger, and

behold, already is he both ashamed and sorry for his ingratitude unto

the Pehliva, who is the light of his eyes and the support of his throne!

“Now as for Kaikous—alas! For yet oft must the sun revolve above his

head ere he learneth the wisdom of the great—even as hath been so aptly

said by Zal, thy silver-crowned father. But behold, the whole world

knoweth that Rustem is noble of mind as well as wise, and brave, and

strong of limb! And though he be justly angered against the Shah, yet

hath Iran done no wrong that it should be left to fall into the hands of

black-hearted Afrasiab.”

So spake the aged Gudarz in his wisdom. But alas! though so aptly

spoken, the words fell upon deaf ears, for Rustem was still in a

towering rage. Turning unto the old man, therefore, he said:

“Speak not unto me of Kaikous, Brave Gudarz—either of his anger or his

repentance—for what is he unto me but a grain of vile dust? Behold,

Rustem feareth only his Creator, and from henceforth Him alone will he

serve. As for Kaikous, let him do his worst, for verily I am not only

sick, but ashamed in my soul of his weakness and follies, and I will

fight no more of his battles.”

Now when the nobles heard these words, they wailed in sorrow, and cast

dust upon their heads. But Gudarz despaired not, for he had not grown

old at the Court without learning much of human nature, which he knew to

be the same in a great hero as in ordinary mortals. So, in his wisdom,

he still held in reserve a barbed arrow, sharp enough to pierce even the

armor of the invincible Rustem; and this he now shot forth, saying

gently unto the hero:

“O Glorious One, all that thou sayest, verily it is just and true! But

it appeareth unto me that there remaineth somewhat still to be

considered. For, when it shall be learned throughout the land that the

Mighty Rustem—undisputed Champion of the Whole World—hath fled before

the face of a much-heralded Tartar chief, young and full of prowess,

will not all the warriors say:

“‘Alas! alas! We had not thought it, but truly Rustem is getting past

his prime. What a pity that a hero’s glory vanisheth so quickly, when he

beginneth to grow old! Now soon will Rustem also be heard of no more,

for since he feareth this valiant young Tartar, surely he must be a

mighty hero, who will soon supplant the Elephant-limbed as Champion of

the World.’

“Yea, greatly I fear, O mighty One, that not only this, but much more

bitter unto the taste will be said. Therefore I, Gudarz the Aged, ask

thee: Is it wise, at this hour, to turn from thy allegiance unto the

Shah, thus tarnishing thy glory and causing the downfall of Iran to rest

upon thy head? Verily, nay; for thy retreat would be the path of folly,

which thy soul hateth. Put from thee, therefore, the empty words of

Kaikous, and lead us forth unto battle against this Tartar. For verily

it must not be said that Rustem feared to fight a beardless boy!”

Thus sharp was the poison-tipped arrow of Gudarz, and not fruitlessly

did it speed unto its mark. For behold! Rustem stood confounded by this

view of the matter, such thoughts being new unto him. Rallying from his

surprise, however, he said proudly unto the Shah’s messenger:

“Verily, if by searching, Rustem could find one atom of fear in his

heart, quickly would he tear his soul from his body in shame! But the

slayer of the Great White Deev needeth not to vindicate his courage, for

it is known unto all the world.”

So spake Rustem. Nevertheless, he continued to ponder the words of

Gudarz, for he knew them to be the message of an old man grown wise in

the thoughts of men. And so, the current of his anger being changed,

soon he decided to do for the sake of Iran, what he knew to be right.

For, though he really feared not for his glory, yet well he knew that

none but Rustem could meet this crisis in the history of his country.

And besides, deep in his soul was the longing to meet this vaunted

Tartar champion and joy once more in battle.

Therefore, great were the shouts of joy when, in obedience to his

master’s hand, Rakush faced once more toward Persia. But verily it was

with proud step and uplifted head that the hero appeared once more

before the Shah. When Kaikous beheld Rustem, however, so great was his

relief that he stepped down from off his throne to welcome him, saying

unto him in deep humility of spirit:

“O glorious Pehliva! Verily, I am foolish of soul, as thou sayest, and

not worthy to sit upon the throne of light. But must not a man be as

Ormuzd hath made him? Now thou art brave, but alas! my heart was full of

fear because of this mighty Tartar, and I looked unto thee for safety,

for art thou not the bulwark of my throne? But, though haste is my

birthright, long thou wert in coming, and so in my wrath I spake unto

thee foolish words, though now my mouth is full of dust.”

So spake the contrite Shah, and Rustem, beholding his humility, replied

unto

“O King of Kings! Verily the world is thy footstool, and all its

inhabitants thy slaves, for such is the prerogative of the Shahs. As for

Rustem, ever hath his loins been girt in fealty unto Iran, and so may it

ever be while he liveth.”

So, peace being once more restored, Kaikous made a great feast, inviting

unto it all his heroes. But of all the mighty ones present, none were

lauded save only Rustem, the Champion of the World, before whom rich

gifts were poured—yea, until mountain high rose the enormous pile! Then,

and not until then, did Kaikous say unto the slaves “enough!” for Rustem

would have no more. And now all was well again within the gates of the

Shah, for lo! the wrath of Rustem had been appeased.