with beauty, with her rich
dark tresses flowing to her feet, and cheeks like the rose, Kaus
regarded her with admiration and rapture; and so impatient was he to
possess that lovely treasure, that the marriage rites were performed
according to the laws of the country without delay.

The Shah of Hamaveran, however, was not satisfied, and he continually
plotted within himself how he might contrive to regain possession of
Sudaveh, as well as be revenged upon the king. With this view he invited
Kaus to be his guest for a while; but Sudaveh cautioned the king not to
trust to the treachery which dictated the invitation, as she apprehended
from it nothing but mischief and disaster. The warning, however, was of
no avail, for Kaus accepted the proffered hospitality of his new
father-in-law. He accordingly proceeded with his bride and his most
famous warriors to the city, where he was received and entertained in
the most sumptuous manner, seated on a gorgeous throne, and felt
infinitely exhilarated with the magnificence and the hilarity by which
he was surrounded. Seven days were passed in this glorious banqueting
and delight; but on the succeeding night, the sound of trumpets and the
war-cry was heard. The intrusion of soldiers changed the face of the
scene; and the king, who had just been waited on, and pampered with such
respect and devotion, was suddenly seized, together with his principal
warriors, and carried off to a remote fortress, situated on a high
mountain, where they were imprisoned, and guarded by a thousand valiant
men. His tents were plundered, and all his treasure taken away. At this
event his wife was inconsolable and deaf to all entreaties from her
father, declaring that she preferred death to separation from her
husband; upon which she was conveyed to the same dungeon, to mingle
groans with the captive king.

Alas! how false and fickle is the world,
Friendship nor pleasure, nor the ties of blood,
Can check the headlong course of human passions;
Treachery still laughs at kindred;--who is safe
In this tumultuous sphere of strife and sorrow?

INVASION OF IRAN BY AFRASIYAB

The intelligence of Kaus's imprisonment was very soon spread through the
world, and operated as a signal to all the inferior states to get
possession of Iran. Afrasiyab was the most powerful aspirant to the
throne; and gathering an immense army, he hurried from Turan, and made a
rapid incursion into the country, which after t