Story of Sohrab and Rustom - 7915 Words

The story of Sohrab and Rustum is told in Sir John Malcolms History of Persia, as follows: — The young Sohrab was the fruit of one of Rustums early amours. He had left his mother, and sought fame under the banners of Afrasiab, whose armies he commanded, and soon obtained a renown beyond that of all contemporary heroes but his father. He had carried death and dismay into the ranks of the Persians, and had terrified the boldest warriors of that country, before Rustum encountered him, which at last that hero resolved to do, under a feigned name. They met three times. The first time they parted by mutual consent, though Sohrab had the advantage; the second, the youth obtained a victory, but granted life to his unknown father; the third†¦show more content†¦For now it is not as when I was young, When Rustum was in front of every fray: But now he keeps apart, and sits at home, In Seistan, with Zal, his father old. Whether that his own mighty strength at last Feels the abhorred approaches of old age, Or in some quarrel with the Persian King. There go: — Thou wilt not? Yet my heart forebodes Danger or death awaits thee on this field. Fain would I know thee safe and well, though lost To us: fain therefore send thee hence, in peace To seek thy father, not seek single fights In vain: — but who can keep the lions cub From ravening, and who govern Rustums son? Go, I will grant thee what thy heart desires. So said he, and dropped Sohrabs hand, and left His bed, and the warm rugs whereon he lay; And oer his chilly limbs his woollen coat He passed, and tied his sandals on his feet, And threw a white cloak round him, and he took In his right hand a rulers staff, no sword; And on his head he set his sheep-skin cap, Black, glossy, curled, the fleece of Kara-Kul; And raised the curtain of his tent, and called His herald to his side, and went abroad. The sun by this had risen, and cleared the fog From the broad Oxus and the glittering sands. And from their tents the Tartar horsemen filed Into the open plain; so Haman bade — Haman, who next to Peran-Wisa ruled The host, and still was in his lusty prime. From their black tents, long files of horse, they