y all
froze to death, and thus left him to continue alone the journey from
whence he never returned.

And not a trace was left behind,
And not a dimple on the wave;
All sought, but sought in vain, to find
The spot which proved Kai-Khosrau's grave.

The successor which Kai-Khosrau had chosen proved a just ruler until
he became jealous of his own son, Isfendiyar, who was also a great
warrior, and who, like Rustem, accomplished seven great works. He,
too, overcame demons, wolves, lions, enchanters, dragons, and
unchained elements, and on one occasion proceeded to rescue two of his
sisters, who were detained captives in the fortress of Arjasp, a demon
king. Knowing he could not enter this stronghold by force, Isfendiyar
penetrated into it in the guise of a merchant, having hidden in his
chests a number of soldiers, who were to help him when the right
moment came. Thanks to their aid and to the fact that he began by
intoxicating his foe, Isfendiyar triumphed.

The time came, however, when Isfendiyar was ordered by his father to
bring Rustem to court in chains. This task proved most distasteful to
the prince, who, on approaching Rustem, explained that he was not a
free agent. Because the old hero obstinately refused to be manacled,
the two warriors began fighting, and at the end of the day Rustem and
his steed were so severely wounded that Isfendiyar felt sure they
would not be able to renew the fight on the morrow.

It happened, however, that the aged Zal, on seeing his wounded son,
remembered his partly burned feather, and promptly cast it into the
fire. Immediately the Simurgh appeared, and with one touch of her
golden wings healed the horse, and used her clever beak to draw the
lance out of Rustem's side. Having thus healed her nursling's son, the
Simurgh vanished, leaving Rustem and his steed in such good condition
that they were able to renew the battle on the morrow. This time,
Isfendiyar perished beneath Rustem's blows, exclaiming that the hero
was not to blame for his death and that he fell victim to his father's
hate. In token of forgiveness, he begged Rustem to bring up his son, a
wish which was piously carried out by the brave warrior as long as he
lived.

Because it had been written in the stars that "he who slew Isfendiyar
would die miserably," Rustem was somewhat prepared for his tragic
fate. It seems his young half-brother finally became so jealous of him
that he plotted to kill him by digging