"Well dost thou know that I was not the first
To wage this war. From Túr, thy ancestor,
The strife began. Bethink thee how he slew
The gentle Irij-his own brother;-how,
In these our days, thy son, Afrásiváb,
Crossing the Jihún, with a numerous force
Invaded Persia-think how Nauder died!
Not in the field of battle, like a hero,
But murdered by thy son-who, ever cruel,
Afterwards stabbed his brother, young Aghríras,
So deeply mourned by thee. Yet do I thirst not

For vengeance, or for strife. I yield the realm
Beyond the Jihún-let that river be

The boundary between us; but thy son,
Afrásiyáb, must take his solemn oath

Never to cross that limit, or disturb

The Persian throne again; thus pledged, I grant
The peace solicited."

The messenger without delay conveyed this welcome intelligence to Poshang, and the Túránian army was in consequence immediately withdrawn within the prescribed line of division. Rustem, however, expostulated with the king against making peace at a time the most advantageous for war, and especially when he had just commenced his victorious career; but Kaikobád thought differently, and considered nothing equal to justice and tranquillity. Peace was accordingly concluded, and upon Rustem and Zál he conferred the highest honours, and his other warriors engaged in the late conflict also experienced the effects of his bounty and gratitude in an eminent degree.

Kai-kobád then moved towards Persia, and establishing his throne at Istakhar,* he administered the affairs of his government with admirable benevolence and clemency, and with un

* Istakhar, also called Persepolis, and Chehel-minar, or the Forty Pillars. This city was said to have been laid in ruins by Alexander after the conquest or Darius; that,

Thais led the way,

And like another Helen fired another Troy.

DRYDEN. ALEX, FEAST.

But this, for the credit of Alexander, does not appear to be the fact. M. Langlés has shown that the destruction of this renowned city was owing, long afterwards, to the fanatic Arabs.

ceasing solicitude for the welfare of his subjects. In his eyes every one had an equal claim to consideration and justice. The strong had no power to oppress the weak. After he had continued ten years at Istakhar, building towns and cities, and diffusing improvement and happiness over the land, he removed his throne into Irán. His reign lasted one hundred years, which were passed in the continual exercise of the most princely virtues, and the most munificent liberality. He had four sons: Kai-káús, Arish, Poshín, and Aramín; and when the period of his dissolution drew nigh, he solemnly enjoined the eldest, whom he appointed his successor, to pursue steadily the path of integrity and justice, and to be kind and merciful in the administration of the empire left to his charge.

KAI-KÁÚS.

When Kai-káús* ascended the throne of his father, the whole world was obedient to his will; but he soon began to deviate from the wise customs and rules which had been recommended as essential to his prosperity and happiness. He feasted and drank wine continually with his warriors and chiefs, so that in the midst of his luxurious enjoyments he looked

* Kai-káús, the second King of Persia of the dynasty called Kaianides. He succeeded Kai kobad, about six hundred years B.C. According to Firdausí he was a foolish tyrannical prince. He appointed Rustem captain-general of the armies, to which the lieutenant-generalship and the administration of the state was annexed, under the title of "the champion of the world." He also gave him a taj, or crown of gold, which kings only were accustomed to wear, and granted him the privilege of giving audience seated on a throne of gold.

It is said that Kai-káús applied himself much to the study of astronomy, and that he founded two great observatories, the one at Babel, and the other on the Tigris. Perhaps his reputed fondness for astronomical studies gave rise to the fable of his aerial excursion recorded further on.

upon himself as superior to every being upon the face of the earth, and thus astonished the people, high and low, by his extravagance and pride.

One day a Demon, disguised as a musician, waited upon the monarch, and playing sweetly on his harp, sung a song in praise of Mázinderán.

And thus he warbled to the king-
"Mázinderán is the bower of spring,
My native home; the balmy air
Diffuses health and fragrance there;
So tempered is the genial glow,
Nor heat nor cold we ever know;
Tulips and hyacinths abound
On every lawn; and all around
Blooms like a garden in its prime,
Fostered by that delicious clime.
The bulbul sits on every spray,
And pours his soft melodious lay;
Each rural spot its sweets discloses,
Each streamlet is the dew of roses;
And damsels, idols of the heart,
Sustain a more bewitching part.
And mark me, that untravelled man
Who never saw Mázinderán,

And all the charms its bowers possess,
Has never tasted happiness!"

No sooner had Kai-káús heard this description of the country of Mázinderán than he determined to lead an army thither, declaring to his warriors that the splendour and glory of his reign should exceed that of either Jemshíd, Zohák, or Kaikobád. The warriors however were alarmed at this precipitate resolution, thinking it certain destruction to make war against the Demons; but they had not courage or confidence enough to disclose their real sentiments. They only ventured to suggest, that if his majesty reflected a little on the subject, he might not ultimately consider the enterprize so advisable as he had at first imagined. But this produced no impression, and they then deemed it expedient to despatch a messenger to Zál, to inform him of the wild notions which the Evil One had put into the head of Kai-káús to effect his ruin, imploring Zal to

allow of no delay, otherwise the eminent services so lately performed by him and Rustem for the state would be rendered utterly useless and vain. Upon this summons, Zál immediately set off from Sístán to Irán; and having arrived at the royal court, and been received with customary respect and consideration, he endeavoured to dissuade the king from the coutemplated expedition into Mázinderán.

"O, could I wash the darkness from thy mind,
And show thee all the perils that surround
This undertaking! Jemshid, high in power,
Whose diadem was brilliant as the sun,
Who ruled the demons-never in his pride
Dreamt of the conquest of Mázinderán !
Remember Feridún, he overthrew
Zohák-destroyed the tyrant, but he never
Thought of the conquest of Mázinderán !
This strange ambition never fired the souls
Of by-gone monarchs-mighty Minúchihr,
Always victorious, boundless in his wealth,
Nor Zau, nor Nauder, nor even Kai-kobád,
With all their pomp, and all their grandeur, ever
Dreamt of the conquest of Mázinderán !
It is the place of demon-sorcerers,

And all enchanted.

Swords are useless there,

Nor bribery nor wisdom can obtain

Possession of that charm-defended land,

Then throw not men and treasure to the winds;
Waste not the precious blood of warriors brave,
In trying to subdue Mázinderán !"

Kai-káús, however, was not to be diverted from his purpose; and with respect to what his predecessors had not done, he considered himself superior in might and influence to either Feridún, Jemshíd, Minúchihr, or Kai-kobád, who had never aspired to the conquest of Mázinderán. He further observed, that he had a bolder heart, a larger army, and a fuller treasu▾ · than any of them, and the whole world was under his swry

And what are all these Demon-charms,
That they excite such dread alarms?

What is a Demon-host to me,

Their magic spells and sorcery?
One effort, and the field is won;

Then why should I the battle shun?

Be thou and Rustem (whilst afar
I wage the soul-appalling war),

The guardians of the kingdom; Heaven
To me hath its protection given;

And, when I reach the Demon's fort,
Their severed heads shall be my sport!

When Zál became convinced of the unalterable resolution of Kai-káús, he ceased to oppose his views, and expressed his readiness to comply with whatever commands he might receive for the safety of the state.

May all thy actions prosper-mayst thou never
Have cause to recollect my warning voice,

With sorrow or repentance. Heaven protect thee!

Zál then took leave of the king and his warrior friends, and returned to Sístán, not without melancholy forebodings respecting the issue of the war against Mázinderán.

As soon as morning dawned, the army was put in motion. The charge of the empire, and the keys of the treasury and jewel-chamber were left in the hands of Mílad, with injunctions, however, not to draw a sword against any enemy that might spring up, without the consent and assistance of Zál and Rustem. When the army had arrived within the limits of Mázinderán, Kai-káús ordered Gíw to select two thousand of the bravest men, the boldest wielders of the battle-axe, and proceed rapidly towards the city. In his progress, according to the king's instructions, he burnt and destroyed every thing of value, mercilessly slaying man, weman, and child. For the king said:

Kill all before thee, whether young or old,

And turn their day to night; thus free the world
From the magician's art.

Proceeding in his career of desolation and ruin, Gíw came near to the city, and found it arrayed in all the splendour of heaven; every street was crowded with beautiful women, richly adorned, and young damsels with faces as bright as the moon. The treasure-chamber was full of gold and jewels, and the