In safety now from foreign and domestic enemies, Kaus turned his attention to pursuits very different from war and conquest. He directed the Demons to construct two splendid palaces on the mountain Alberz, and separate mansions for the accommodation of his household, which he decorated in the most magnificent manner. All the buildings were beautifully arranged both for convenience and pleasure; and gold and silver and precious stones were used so lavishly, and the brilliancy produced by their combined effect was so great, that night and day appeared to be the same. Iblis, ever active, observing the vanity and ambition of the King, was not long in taking advantage of the circumstance, and he soon persuaded the Demons to enter into his schemes. Accordingly one of them, disguised as a domestic servant, was instructed to present a nosegay to Kaus; and after respectfully kissing the ground, say to him: "Thou art great as king can be, Peris, mortals, demons, hear Thy commanding voice with fear; "That remains for thee; to know How the sun his light displays, And who directs the whole! " This artful address of the Demon satisfied Kaus of the imperfection of his nature, and the enviable power which he had yet to obtain. To him, therefore, it became matter of deep concern, how he might be enabled to ascend the Heavens without wings, and for that purpose he consulted his astrologers, who presently suggested a way in which his desires might be successfully accomplished. They contrived to rob an eagle's nest of its young, which they reared with great care, supplying them well with invigorating food, till they grew large and strong. A framework of aloes-wood was then prepared; and at each of the four corners was fixed, perpendicularly, a javelin, surmounted on the point with flesh of a goat. At each corner again one of the eagles was bound, and in the middle Kaus was seated in great pomp with a goblet of wine before him. As soon as the eagles became hungry they endeavored to get at the goat's flesh upon the javelins, and by flapping their wings and flying upward, they quickly raised up the throne from the ground. Hunger still pressing them, and still being distant from their prey, they ascended higher and higher in the clouds, conveying the astonished King far beyond his own country; but after long and fruitless exertion their strength failed them, and unable to keep their way, the whole fabric came tumbling down from the sky, and fell upon a dreary solitude in the kingdom of Chin. There Kaus was left, a prey to hunger, alone, and in utter despair, until he was discovered by a band of Demons, whom his anxious ministers had sent in search of him. Rustem, and Gudarz, and Tus, at length heard of what had befallen the King, and, with feelings of sorrow not unmixed with indignation, set off to his assistance. Since I was born," said Gudarz, "never did I see such a man as Kaus. He seems to be entirely destitute of reason and understanding; always in distress and affliction. This is the third calamity in which he has wantonly involved himself. First at Mazinderan, then at Hamaveran, and now he is being punished for attempting to discover the secrets of the Heavens!" When they reached the wilderness into which Kaus had fallen, Gudarz repeated to him the same observations, candidly telling him that he was fitter for a mad-house than a throne, and exhorting him to be satisfied with his lot and be obedient to God, the creator of all things. The miserable King was softened to tears, acknowledged his folly; |