登陆注册
19648300000017

第17章 RUSTEM(1)

Now ere the son of Zal was born, Rudabeh was sore afflicted, and neither by day nor night could she find rest. Then Zal in his trouble bethought him of the Simurgh, his nurse, and how she had given unto him a feather that he might use it in the hour of his need. And he cast the feather into the fire as she had commanded, and straightway a sound of rushing wings filled the air, and the sky was darkened and the bird of God stood before Zal. And she said unto him-"O my son, wherefore art thou troubled, and why are the eyes of this lion wet with tears?"

Then he told her of his sorrow, and she bade him be of good cheer, "For verily thy nurse who shielded thee, and reared thee when thy father cast thee out, is come yet again to succour thee."

And she told him how he should act, and when she had done speaking she turned her once more towards her nest. But Zal did as she had commanded, and there was born to him a son comely of limb. And when Rudabeh beheld the babe, she smiled and said-"Verily he shall be called Rustem (which, being interpreted, meaneth delivered), for I am delivered of my pains."

And all the land was glad that a son was come unto Zal the hero, and the sounds of feasting and joy were heard throughout its breadth.

Then fleet messengers brought the sweet tidings unto Saum. And they bare with them an image of Rustem sewn of silk, whereon were traced the features of this lion's whelp, and a club was put into its hands, and it was mounted upon a dromedary. Now when Saum beheld the image his heart leaped up within him. He poured mountains of gold before the messengers, and gave thanks unto Ormuzd that he had suffered his eyes to look upon this child.

And when eight summers had rolled above their heads, Saum learned that Rustem was mighty of stature and fair of mien, and his heart yearned towards him. He therefore made ready a mighty host and passed unto Zaboulistan, that he might look upon his son. And Rustem rode forth to meet his sire, mounted upon an elephant of war, and when he beheld Saum he fell upon his face and craved his blessing. And Saum blessed Rustem, the son of Zal.

Then Rustem spake unto Saum and said, "O Pehliva, I rejoice in that I am sprung from thee, for my desires are not after the feast, neither do I covet sleep or rest. My heart is fixed upon valour, a horse do I crave and a saddle, a coat of mail and a helmet, and my delight is in the arrow. Thine enemies will I vanquish, and may my courage be like unto thine."

And Saum, when he had heard these words, was astonished, and blessed Rustem yet again. And his eyes could not cease from gazing upon the face of the boy, and he lingered in the land until a moon had run her course.

Now it befell that when yet two springs had passed, Rustem was awakened from his slumber by a mighty roaring that shook the walls of the house, even unto the foundation, and a cry went forth that the white elephant of the King had broken its chain in fury, and that the housemates were in danger. And Rustem, when he learned it, sprang from his bed, and desired of the guards that they should suffer him to pass into the court that he might conquer the beast. But the guards barred the way from him, saying-"How can we answer for it before the King if thou run into danger?"

But Rustem would not listen to their voice. He forced a passage for himself with his mighty arms, with his strong fists he broke down the barriers of the door. And when he was without he beheld how that all the warriors were sore afraid of the elephant, because that he was mad with rage. And Rustem was ashamed for them in his soul, and he ran towards the beast with a loud cry. Then the elephant, when he saw him, raised his trunk to strike him, but Rustem beat him upon the head with his club, and smote him that he died. And when he had done this deed, he returned unto his bed and slept until the morning.

But the news of his prowess spread throughout the house of the King and far into the land, even unto the realms of Saum. And Zal, and all men with him, rejoiced because a hero was arisen in Iran.

Now, while these things were passing in the house of Zal, in the land of Zaboulistan, Minuchihr made him ready to pass from the world, for he had reached twice sixty years. He called before him Nauder his son, and gave him wise counsels, and exhorted him that he should ever walk in the paths of wisdom. And he bade him rest his throne upon the strength of Saum and Zal, and the child that was sprung from their loins. Then when he had spoken, Minuchihr closed his eyes and sighed, and there remained of him only a memory in the world.

But Nauder forgot the counsels of his father. He vexed the land and reigned in anger, and cruel deeds were committed in his name, so that the people rose up and cried against the King. And men of might came unto Saum and laid before him their plaints, and the petitions of the people, and they prayed that he would wrest the crown from the head of Nauder, and place it upon his own. But Saum was sore grieved when he had heard these words, and he spake, saying-"Not so, for it beseemeth me not to put out my hand after the crown, for Nauder is of the race of the Kaianides, and unto them is given majesty and might."

Then he girt his sword about his loins, and took with him a host, and rode before the face of the Shah. And when he was come unto him, Saum exhorted him with prayers and tears that he would turn him from the paths of evil. And Nauder listened unto the voice of Saum the Pehliva, and joy was abroad once more.

But the tidings spread, even into Turan, that Minuchihr the just was departed, and that the hand of Nauder was heavy upon the land. And Poshang, who was of the race of Tur, heard the news thereof with gladness, for he deemed that the time was ripe to remember the vengeance that was due unto the blood of his sire. Therefore he called about him his warriors, and bade them go forth to war against Iran, saying the time was come to avenge his father and draw unto himself the heritage.

同类推荐
  • 无量度人上品妙经旁通图

    无量度人上品妙经旁通图

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 无见先睹禅师语录

    无见先睹禅师语录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 思文大纪

    思文大纪

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 峡中行

    峡中行

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • Cowley's Essays

    Cowley's Essays

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 末世重生之带着系统去刷怪

    末世重生之带着系统去刷怪

    简介:上世,不管她如何努力修炼。最终,还是不如天才。还是被当成了他们逃亡的挡箭牌。这世,一道冰冷的机械声出现在脑海里,“系统开启,任务A级丧尸十只。”虽然,她不是天才。但是,她有更为变态的系统。这世,看她如何带着系统站在末世的最巅峰!
  • 虚拟战旅

    虚拟战旅

    史前文明的昌盛是有目共睹的!至今依然还有很多难题困扰着科学家,例如:金字塔!、百慕大三角洲……等等。
  • 云空之溟

    云空之溟

    记忆里的,别人眼里的……到底哪一个才是真实的自己到底是谁在撒谎,又是谁篡改了这一切时间里影藏着怎样的面孔而故事又将会何去何从…………
  • 民国就是这么生猛04:袁氏称帝

    民国就是这么生猛04:袁氏称帝

    独家史料,新锐观点,中国版维基解密“幽默讲史新掌门”雾满拦江彪悍开讲民国史历史长河波涛汹涌,传奇人物各领风骚!民国这趟列车,在历史的轨道上,高速行驶着!汽笛长鸣,呜民国列车驶入了“袁世凯时代”。称帝前异象连连,是天命所归,还是北洋集团运作的结果?日本提出的“二十一条”,袁世凯到底签署了没有?孙文运作的“十一条”,又是怎么回事?明知称帝违背历史潮流,袁世凯为何依然称帝?小凤仙因蔡锷而出名,史上真实的小凤仙究竟是怎样的?袁世凯最器重段祺瑞,两人后来又为什么有了激烈的冲突?究竟是什么原因,导致了“洪宪帝国”轰然倒塌?这所有所有的疑问,“幽默讲史新掌门”雾满拦江将用他特有的麻辣、幽默、深刻,向你道来。
  • 高冷总裁:走着瞧

    高冷总裁:走着瞧

    一时之间,他的眼底满是苦涩的笑容。如果那时候,他一心一意的对戚菲,说不定,现在得到幸福的,便是他?而身边这两个孩子,也该是属于他的。只是一切的事情,都只是如果罢了,若是人生真的能后悔,真的能改变,又哪里会有这么多的后悔呢?
  • 儿戏婚姻:总裁征婚

    儿戏婚姻:总裁征婚

    贺俊南是豪门世家贺氏集团的继承人,却一直对母亲的死耿耿于怀,这件事在他幼小的心灵上造成了巨大的伤害,而逼死他母亲的人正是他的奶奶,他发誓要用最残忍的方式对她进行报复。这个风烛残年的老人最大的愿望就是能看到他们贺家后继有人,他就偏不如她所愿。通过征婚的方式他娶了一个被诊断患有不孕症的女人-苏晚晴。他以为自己不会爱上任何一个女人,却在一段时间的接触中发现自己深深的爱上了她。他痛苦地压抑着自己的情感,直到有一天他终于鼓起勇气对她表白,自此两颗彼此相爱的心终于走到了一起,原以为事情就会这样圆满的结束。可是有一天,苏晚晴突然离他而去,这让他陷入了深深的痛苦之中。两年后,一个不速之客的出现又再次带给他沉重的打击,他因受不了这样的刺激而导致精神崩溃,昏迷不醒。苏晚晴得到消息赶回来对他悉心照料,他终于醒来,多年的谜团也终于解开,他也最终放下了多年的仇恨和心爱的女人幸福的生活在一起。
  • 幸好你还在

    幸好你还在

    看上去呆萌呆萌的没错,可是要搞到手且受国家法律保护,还真有点难度。不过,夏南木不是普通人,看腹黑男神如何骗得听荷心甘情愿的。。。。。。
  • 斯文扫地

    斯文扫地

    师范生余悦君毕业后分配到草甸小学任教,当上了“孩子王”。他厌倦枯燥的学校生活,却又牵挂着班级的学生;他向往着更充实的未来,却又对前途有着迷茫;他愤恨学校里领导间的尔虞我诈,却又陷入对仕途的膜拜。一次省城之行,终于让他认清自己应该选择的生活,他的青春年华,终于在缓缓流淌多年后,迸发出激越的浪花。他的经历,也折射出中国当代年轻人对于人生和青春的探索,更反应出中国当前教育体制的深层裂变。
  • 穿越之好好过日子

    穿越之好好过日子

    郭燕:谁说有后娘就有后爹,看咱一视同仁视如己出。钱元脩:你愿意跟我好好过日子,我就把你女儿当自己亲生的。景帝:皇弟啊,你喜欢那闺女,朕就把她赐给你家吧?王爷:啊,皇兄,千万别,那是弟弟的沧海遗珠。郭燕:我闺女又不是公主,凭什么要她去和亲?景帝:我说是就是,身为皇家血脉,和亲是她的使命。郭燕:皇帝不讲理,自己没有闺女抢人家的。钱元脩:以后咱们就光生儿子吧,让他没得抢……
  • 悲权之颂

    悲权之颂

    令人世间向往的权利,在权利的背后又隐藏着多少当权者的阴谋?在你死我活的处境下,又擦出了怎样的爱情火花?这不是一场故事,而是一次漫长的权利之旅。