in the land knew their secret; but in Marav Zarnages, the daughter of Khaqan (the Khan) knew. She was of good birth, and in fairness and loveliness her commanding2 face was like the sun, and she was chief of sorceresses. In her art and witchery she was so remarkable 3 that she made roses bloom from a steel anvil.* When Ramin came to the city of Marav he had traversed the court of Moabad, and asked news of Vis from everybody. When he learned that she was in the castle, as we said above, he became so affected that the Didjila® flowed from his eyes, his face was bathed in tears. When he could not see with his eyes Vis's beautiful face, nor hear her pleasant discourse, he wandered about the city, pos199 sessed like a madman, seeking Vis, | and hastily directed his steps towards the castle where Vis was. He was like a panther in his fleetness, and he did not seem to trouble any longer to rush up and down in the rocks like a hawk.8 Sometimes he went up the mountain so that his head was in a cloud, and sometimes he went down as into Joseph's pit.9 This witch Zarnages 10 knew that Ramin went thither, and that there could be no balm for his grief save the sight of Vis. In her heart the daughter of Khaqan" resolved to tell Moabad. 1 Cf. Zarniges, 6; 199, 200. Graf, Chakan." 2 Sapatrono, 126, 144. 4 Gurdemli, 144. R., 5. "Zerrinkisch eine Tochter des 3 Magalithi, 150, 207. 6 Didjila (259) or Diladji. Cf. diladja, didjla, R., 813, 830. Car., 66 name of a stream in Kashmir” (? Jhelum). 7 Vep❜hkhi, 194. 8 Kori-? falcon. R., 355, 432, 606, 703. • Iosebis ormo; ormo, 173. 10 198, 200. CHAPTER XXXV MOABAD LEARNS THAT VIS AND RAMIN ARE TOGETHER 3 WHEN the sovereign Shah Moabad returned victorious and joyful from his campaign-as he wished so had been the event he came home to Khuarasan, and entered the city of Marav. He had won both the land of Ran1 and Somkhit❜h,2 and had taken hostages and tribute from Ceisar, King of the Greeks; he was victorious over all monarchs, he had overcome his enemies. His pomp and triumph reached even unto heaven in his rejoicing, and the earth had no room for the multitude of his warriors. When he collected his stuff, it made a heap of treasure 200 higher than a mountain; so to say, it reached the sky in its loftiness. He had captured the ball from the monarchs by his own (endeavour) and the sport of Fate; the goal was his, and the victory over all sovereigns. There were warriors from every land at his gate, and hostages, too. He was become sovereign of all sovereigns, and none knew another equal to him on the earth. 5 When he went thus joyous and victorious to the city of Marav, his joy was turned to grief. From Zarnages9 he heard the news about Ramin; his heart was filled with blood, and his brain boiled with smoke from the excess of his heart. For a long time he sat thus broken. Then, grown yellow 1 Ran, 214. 2 Armenia. 4 Zari (196) da zeimi. R. 303, 313, etc. 5 Lari, R., 54, 1042, etc. 7 Silaghe, 174 (salaghobeli). 3 Cæsar, 177. 6 Burt'hi, 117, 198. 8 Hela-the goal or resting-place outside the ground at the game of ball (burt'hi). Zarnages, 6, 198. with wrath, he sprang up, instructed the soldiers, commanded them again to set out, and began his preparations. He sounded the alarums.1 The nobles and soldiers learned what road they were to travel by. The trumpet 2 began to lament in Moabad's court: "O monarch, none can endure such travel." Also the drum3 began to cry and sigh for the separation of Vis and Ramin: "Woe if the lovers are to be separated." In the castle, so to speak, Ramin's heart felt that the state hitherto so pleasant was become bitter. Shahinshah went hastily, eager for Ramin's death, and all the army marched dissatisfied because of this: that half of them had not come home yet; those who had been on forced service for a year had not yet loosed their belts nor doffed their helmets when he again summoned them to the 201 difficult road to the castle. Some thought thus: | why was the former service not enough for us that now he summons us elsewhere? Some said: if we are to be travellers until we protect Vis from Ramin, we need wondrous horsemanship. Some said: it would be much better if instead of Ramin a thousand Greeks like the King (of the Greeks) appeared. They said a thousand things. Shahinshah went swift as the wind with his army. The dust of his hosts reached the clouds. The sentinel® set to guard the castle saw the dust, and came and told Zard: "A dust is visible which reaches to heaven, doubtless Shahinshah comes; otherwise there could not be so great a dust." In the castle there was noise and confusion, and a swaying to and fro like the wind among willow-trees.8 Zard was not yet gone forth to meet Moabad. When Moabad came to the castle gate his heart was full of enmity and gall, he shouted angrily to Zard, and said: "O greatest plague of all my plagues! May God the Creator deliver me from you two brothers! When it is a time for manhood a dog is better than you: a dog remembers the bread it has had from a man, and you do 1 Asaqari, 143. 4 Begara, 184. 7 Bruali. 9 ZARD'S REPLY 177 not even do that. When God created you I know not what planet was in the ascendant. One of you is equal to a devil in sorcery, and one like an ox and an ass for stupidity. Thy place is in the herd, among cattle. How hast thou kept Vis from Ramin? I am worthy of all the shame that can fall on me, since I have appointed an ox head of the castle. Thou sittest carelessly,1 thou shuttest the gate, and thinkest: "I have done well and have zealously done my duty. Thou sittest there, and like an ox lowest in thy stupidity. Thou canst not perceive this, that secretly inside they laugh at thee; as they wish, | Ramin thus rejoices; 202 and outside the whole country knows this story. Thy seat is certainly an enviable one for thee!" Zard thus replied: 66 5 O happy2 monarch, be applauded; 3 many a year mayst thou return merry from the road. Grieve not for evil deeds, let not the devil's deeds into thy heart. Thou art a puissant sovereign, and canst speak both ill and good. If thou knewest what is true, none would dare say aught to thee; and if thou wert to speak crookedly a thousand times nobody would dispute anything whatever thou saidst, and say it is not so. Thou blamest for something of this kind: that I have not taken thought. You took Ramin away from here; I, alas! how do I know what he has done? He was not a falcon that he should soar from Greece and fly down here; nor an arrow that he should speed to this castle, as it seems Ramin has done. Look at the locked door sealed with your seal; the dust of a year lies upon it. How could Ramin break into such a castle as this whose gates and walls are all of brass? Sentinels are fixed day and night at all approaches and roads—thus I guard her. Even if Ramin is a sorcerer and knows a thousand wiles, he could not even then get in; and if he opened these doors and shattered them, who resealed them with your seal? Believe not this evil report, O sovereign. Do not be gloomy, 1 Ghaphali, 142. 3 Vashad, R., 290, 379. 5 Mrudi, 176. 2 Sviani, 197. 4 Mordchmuli, 195, 215. 6 Daletsa, 66, 222. R., 166, 1016. and do not slay us. Speak not thus, for it will not please the wise, and wisdom will not buy that thought for one grain." Shahinshah said: 66 "O Zard, why dost thou chatter triflingly ? How long 203 wilt thou talk on the subject of gates and seals? | What does their strength avail me? Thou hast not been careful. Watchful guards of the castle and gate are much better than keys and seals. When God created the heaven on high He also appointed the stars to be watchmen. What is the use of this seal to me, since I have not tied up the drawers2 with a sash ?3 Wherefore gird thyself with a belt if thou hast not donned drawers? Since I committed this to such a foolish person as thou art, whatever glory I have gained this year by my sword, all, by thy doing, seems to me a shame to me. Very bright was my court because of my glory, but now its doors and walls are all blackened and darkened." While he was angry a little time passed; he took out the key from his boot,4 threw it to Zard, and said: "Open the door, though this possession of mine be as useless as a bridge on the other side of the water."5 The nurse from the inside heard the knocking at the gate. She lent her ear, she heard the voice and conversation of Moabad and Zard, she trembled with fear. She went to Vis and Ramin and said: "For us the sun of misfortune has risen in the EastShahinshah is come like black clouds; thunder and lightning have appeared for us, and from them a stream of woe begins to flow. Now shall we see burning fire upon the earth, for his smoke will darken our bright day, and our affair cannot prosper with him." All three were stricken with fear on the spot, and no longer knew what they did. They could think of no plan but this to let Ramin down where they had taken him 204 up. Although he would have preferred death then and 2 Nip'hkhavi. 1 Bedithsa, 87. 3 Khondjari. 5 Cf. 188. |