ys 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; and as soon as he was
escorted back to his palace, he shut himself up, remaining forty days,
unseen, prostrating himself in shame and repentance. After that he
recovered his spirits, and resumed the administration of affairs with
his former liberality, clemency, and justice, almost rivalling the glory
of Feridun and Jemshid.

One day Rustem made a splendid feast; and whilst he and his brother
warriors, Giw and Gudarz, and Tus, were quaffing their wine, it was
determined upon to form a pretended hunting party, and repair to the
sporting grounds of Afrasiyab. The feast lasted seven days; and on the
eighth, preparations were made for the march, an advance party being
pushed on to reconnoitre the motions of the enemy. Afrasiyab was soon
informed of what was going on, and flattered himself with the hopes of
getting Rustem and his seven champions into his thrall, for which
purpose he called together his wise men and warriors, and said to them:
"You have only to secure these invaders, and Kaus will soon cease to be
the sovereign of Persia." To accomplish this object, a Turanian army of
thirty thousand veterans was assembled, and ordered to occupy all the
positions and avenues in the vicinity of the sporting grounds. An
immense clamor, and thick clouds of dust, which darkened the skies,
announced their approach; and when intelligence of their numbers was
brought to Rustem, the undaunted champion smiled, and said to Garaz:
"Fortune favors me; what cause is there to fear the king of Turan? his
army does not exceed a hundred thousand men. Were I alone, with Rakush,
with my armor, and battle-axe, I would not shrink from his legions. Have
I not seven companions in arms, and is not one of them equal to five
hundred Turanian heroes? Let Afrasiyab dare to cross the boundary-river,
and the contest will presently convince him that he has only sought his
own defeat." Promptly at a