120
FIRDUSI
Still tried, ah fruitless struggle! to impart,
The swelling anguish of her bursting heart.
The swelling anguish of her bursting heart.
The father now with gratulations due
Rustem approaches, and displays to view
The fiery war-horse—welcome as the light
Of heaven, to one immersed in deepest night;
The Champion, wild with joy, fits on the rein,
And girds the saddle on his back again;
Then mounts, and leaving sire and wife behind,
Onward to Sístán rushes like the wind.
Rustem approaches, and displays to view
The fiery war-horse—welcome as the light
Of heaven, to one immersed in deepest night;
The Champion, wild with joy, fits on the rein,
And girds the saddle on his back again;
Then mounts, and leaving sire and wife behind,
Onward to Sístán rushes like the wind.
But when returned to Zábul’s friendly shade,
None knew what joys the Warrior had delayed;
Still, fond remembrance, with endearing thought,
Oft to his mind the scene of rapture brought.
None knew what joys the Warrior had delayed;
Still, fond remembrance, with endearing thought,
Oft to his mind the scene of rapture brought.
When nine slow-circling months had roll’d away,
Sweet-smiling pleasure hailed the brightening day—
A wondrous boy Tahmíneh’s tears supprest,
And lull’d the sorrows of her heart to rest;
To him, predestined to be great and brave,
The name Sohráb his tender mother gave;
And as he grew, amazed, the gathering throng,
View’d his large limbs, his sinews firm and strong;
His infant years no soft endearment claimed:
Athletic sports his eager soul inflamed;
Broad at the chest and taper round the loins,
Where to the rising hip the body joins;
Hunter and wrestler; and so great his speed,
He could o’ertake, and hold the swiftest steed.
His noble aspect, and majestic grace,
Betrayed the offspring of a glorious race.
How, with a mother’s ever anxious love,
Still to retain him near her heart she strove!
For when the father’s fond inquiry came,
Cautious, she still concealed his birth and name,
And feign’d a daughter born, the evil fraught
With misery to avert-but vain the thought;
Not many years had passed, with downy flight,
Ere he, Tahmíneh’s wonder and delight,
With glistening eye, and youthful ardour warm,
Filled her foreboding bosom with alarm.
“O now relieve my heart!” he said, “declare,
From whom I sprang and breathe the vital air.
Since, from my childhood I have ever been,
Amidst my play-mates of superior mien;
Should friend or foe demand my father’s name,
Let not my silence testify my shame!
If still concealed, you falter, still delay,
A mother’s blood shall wash the crime away.”
Sweet-smiling pleasure hailed the brightening day—
A wondrous boy Tahmíneh’s tears supprest,
And lull’d the sorrows of her heart to rest;
To him, predestined to be great and brave,
The name Sohráb his tender mother gave;
And as he grew, amazed, the gathering throng,
View’d his large limbs, his sinews firm and strong;
His infant years no soft endearment claimed:
Athletic sports his eager soul inflamed;
Broad at the chest and taper round the loins,
Where to the rising hip the body joins;
Hunter and wrestler; and so great his speed,
He could o’ertake, and hold the swiftest steed.
His noble aspect, and majestic grace,
Betrayed the offspring of a glorious race.
How, with a mother’s ever anxious love,
Still to retain him near her heart she strove!
For when the father’s fond inquiry came,
Cautious, she still concealed his birth and name,
And feign’d a daughter born, the evil fraught
With misery to avert-but vain the thought;
Not many years had passed, with downy flight,
Ere he, Tahmíneh’s wonder and delight,
With glistening eye, and youthful ardour warm,
Filled her foreboding bosom with alarm.
“O now relieve my heart!” he said, “declare,
From whom I sprang and breathe the vital air.
Since, from my childhood I have ever been,
Amidst my play-mates of superior mien;
Should friend or foe demand my father’s name,
Let not my silence testify my shame!
If still concealed, you falter, still delay,
A mother’s blood shall wash the crime away.”
“This wrath forego,” the mother answering cried,
And joyful hear to whom thou art allied.
And joyful hear to whom thou art allied.
