m presents and wealth to a vast extent, and moreover
was ready to return with him to Iran, to his father; but every overture
was rejected. Relentless fate must have hurried him on to a premature
death. "I have now," continued Rustem, "completed the education of
Bahman, according to the directions of his father, and await thy further
commands." Gushtasp, after reading this letter, referred to Bashutan,
who confirmed the declarations of Rustem, and the treacherous king,
willing to ascribe the event to an overruling destiny, readily acquitted
Rustem of all guilt in killing Isfendiyar. At the same time he sent for
Bahman, and on his arrival from Sistan, was so pleased with him that he
without hesitation appointed him to succeed to the throne.

"Methinks I see Isfendiyar again,
Thou hast the form, the very look he bore,
And since thy glorious father is no more,
Long as I live thou must with me remain."

THE DEATH OF RUSTEM

Firdusi seems to have derived the account of Shughad, and the melancholy
fate of Rustem, from a descendant of Sam and Nariman, who was
particularly acquainted with the chronicles of the heroes and the kings
of Persia. Shughad, it appears, was the son of Zal, by one of the old
warrior's maid-servants, and at his very birth the astrologers predicted
that he would be the ruin of the glorious house of Sam and Nariman, and
the destruction of their race.

Throughout Sistan the prophecy was heard
With horror and amazement; every town
And city in Iran was full of woe,
And Zal, in deepest agony and grief,
Sent up his prayers to the Almighty Power
That he would purify the infant's heart,
And free it from that quality, foretold
As the destroyer of his ancient house.
But what are prayers, opposed by destiny?

The child, notwithstanding, was brought up with great care and
attention, and when arrived at maturity, he was sent to the king of
Kabul, whose daughter he espoused.

Rustem was accustomed to go to Kabul every year to receive the tribute
due to him; but on the last occasion, it is said that he exacted and
took a higher rate than usual, and thus put many of the people to
distress. The king was angry, and expressed his dissatisfaction to
Shughad, who was not slow in uttering his own discontent, saying,
"Though I am his brother, he has no respect for me, but treats me always
like an enemy. For this personal hostility I long to punish him with
death."--"But how," inquired