blind and helpless condition to Zal, in which he lamented
that he had not followed his advice, and urgently requested him, if he
was not himself in confinement, to come to his assistance, and release
him from captivity. When Zal heard the melancholy story, he gnawed the
very skin of his body with vexation, and turning to Rustem, conferred
with him in private.

"The sword must be unsheathed, since Kai-kaus
Is bound a captive in the dragon's den,
And Rakush must be saddled for the field,
And thou must bear the weight of this emprize;
For I have lived two centuries, and old age
Unfits me for the heavy toils of war.
Should'st thou release the king, thy name will be
Exalted o'er the earth.--Then don thy mail,
And gain immortal honor."

Rustem replied that it was a long journey to Mazinderan, and that the
king had been six months on the road. Upon this Zal observed that there
were two roads--the most tedious one was that which Kai-kaus had taken;
but by the other, which was full of dangers and difficulty, and lions,
and demons, and sorcery, he might reach Mazinderan in seven days, if he
reached it at all.

On hearing these words Rustem assented, and chose the short road,
observing:

"Although it is not wise, they say,
With willing feet to track the way
To hell; though only men who've lost,
All love of life, by misery crossed,
Would rush into the tiger's lair,
And die, poor reckless victims, there;
I gird my loins, whate'er may be,
And trust in God for victory."

On the following day, resigning himself to the protection of Heaven, he
put on his war attire, and with his favorite horse, Rakush, properly
caparisoned, stood prepared for the journey. His mother, Rudabeh, took
leave of him with great sorrow; and the young hero departed from Sistan,
consoling himself and his friends, thus:

"O'er him who seeks the battle-field,
Nobly his prisoned king to free,
Heaven will extend its saving shield,
And crown his arms with victory."

THE SEVEN LABORS OF RUSTEM

First Stage.--He rapidly pursued his way, performing two days' journey
in one, and soon came to a forest full of wild asses. Oppressed with
hunger, he succeeded in securing one of them, which he roasted over a
fire, lighted by sparks produced by striking the point of his spear, and
kept in a blaze with dried grass and branches of trees. After regaling
himself, and satisfying his hunger, he loosened the bridle of