m to return; but when
Zarir overtook him and endeavored to persuade him not to proceed any
further, he said to him, with an animated look:--

"Proceed no farther!--Well thou know'st
We've no Kaianian blood to boast,
And, therefore, but a minor part
In Lohurasp's paternal heart.
Nor thou, nor I, can ever own
From him the diadem or throne.
The brothers of Kaus's race
By birth command the brightest place,
Then what remains for us? We must
To other means our fortunes trust.
We cannot linger here, and bear
A life of discontent--despair."

Zarir, however, reasoned with him so winningly and effectually, that at
last he consented to return; but only upon the condition that he should
be nominated heir to the throne, and treated with becoming respect and
ceremony. Zarir agreed to interpose his efforts to this end, and brought
him back to his father; but it was soon apparent that Lohurasp had no
inclination to promote the elevation of Gushtasp in preference to the
claims of his other sons; and indeed shortly afterwards manifested to
what quarter his determination on this subject was directed. It was
indeed enough that his determination was unfavorable to the views of
Gushtasp, who now, in disgust, fled from his father's house, but without
any attendants, and shaped his course towards Rum. Lohurasp again sent
Zarir in quest of him; but the youth, after a tedious search, returned
without success. Upon his arrival in Rum, Gushtasp chose a solitary
retirement, where he remained some time, and was at length compelled by
poverty and want, to ask for employment in the establishment of the
sovereign of that country, stating that he was an accomplished scribe,
and wrote a beautiful hand. He was told to wait a few days, as at that
time there was no vacancy. But hunger was pressing, and he could not
suffer delay; he therefore went to the master of the camel-drivers and
asked for service, but he too had no vacancy. However, commiserating the
distressed condition of the applicant, he generously supplied him with a
hearty meal. After that, Gushtasp went into a blacksmith's shop, and
asked for work, and his services were accepted. The blacksmith put the
hammer into his hands, and the first blow he struck was given with such
force, that he broke the anvil to pieces. The blacksmith was amazed and
angry, and indignantly turned him out of his shop, uttering upon him a
thousand violent reproaches.

Wounded in spirit,