Listen, my children, and you shall hear,
Of the wondrous love of a maiden dear,
For a mighty warrior, the pride of his day,
Who loved, and married, and rode away,
For this is the romance of Rustem.
Behold, it is written, that never in the Garden of Kings bloomed there a
fairer flower than Tamineh, only Princess of the house of Samengan.
Fresh and sweet as a nosegay of lilies and pinks, this beauteous
pomegranate flower, with her laughing dark eyes, her blue-black curls,
and her soft, velvety voice was indeed a joy to behold, and many there
were who loved her.
But alas! the Princess was wilful, as well as fair, and so, though she
had many suitors from far and near, she was attracted by none of them.
For lo! her eye was fixed and her heart was set upon a bright,
particular star, blazing away with more than heavenly splendor, in far,
far-off Persia. So, when her father would have married her unto this or
that great Prince, half laughing, half earnest, she would say:
“Nay, nay, my father! One man only will I marry, and that is Rustem, the
hero whose mighty prowess is exceeded only by his grandeur of soul.”
Now as it happened, the King of Samengan was feudatory unto Afrasiab,
the deadly enemy of Iran, and though the two countries were now at
peace, the probability that Rustem, the great Persian Pehliva, would
ever visit the small kingdom of Samengan, or even so much as hear of the
beautiful Tartar Princess, seemed most unlikely; therefore, when Tamineh
thus spoke of Rustem, the King chided, saying unto her:
“Foolish child! Verily, as well mightst thou cry for the moon as to set
thy heart upon so distant and so bright a star. For lo! the southern
palm stretcheth forth not its arms unto the northern pine; neither doth
the lion mate with the gazelle. Cast, therefore, O Pearl of my Heart,
this hero from thy thoughts, since only grief and pain can it bring unto
thee, forever to dream of the unattainable.”
But this Tamineh could not do, for Rustem had become a part of her life,
both waking and dreaming, as you shall hear. For it happened that the
Princess had for her nurse a Persian woman, Fatima by name, who loved
nothing so well as to talk of the great champion of her country, so that
from childhood up had the Tartar maiden heard the wonder tales of her
hero. Yea, the most beautiful part of every day unto her, as far back as
she could remember, was the twilight hour, when, seated at her nurse’s
feet, her head pillowed in her soft lap, for hours she would sit
spellbound, listening eagerly unto Fatima as she related the mighty
deeds of Rustem: How, when only eight years old, he slew the King’s
white elephant; of the capture of the magic fortress; of his wonderful
march into Mazinderan; of Rakush; and of all his daring deeds as a
warrior.
And behold! Fatima had also other things to relate of her hero: tales
illustrating his beautiful tenderness, loyalty, and greatness of soul.
And as the Princess grew older, these stories appealed more to her than
the wonder tales or the deeds of prowess; but all was listened to with
eagerness and delight by the infatuated Tamineh, who, thus fed upon
romance, grew into a tall, beautiful maiden with never a thought for any
man save Rustem the Mighty.
But though it seemed most unlikely that the Princess would ever behold
her hero, lo! it was written in the stars to the contrary. And that
which is written, shall it not surely come to pass? So, at least,
believe the Persians, and so happened it unto Rustem and Tamineh.
For presently it came to pass that upon a certain morning Rustem, in
far-away Persia, awoke from his slumbers unrefreshed, after a restless
night of dreaming. Concluding, therefore, that his muscles were in need
of exercise, there being no enemies to fight, the hero resolved to go
off upon a long hunting trip. So, filling his quiver with arrows, he
saddled Rakush, and set out for the beautiful wilds that border upon
Turan.
Now, arrived at the hunting-ground, Rustem found good sport, for the
plain was covered with great herds of wild asses that roamed at will
from the sullen grandeur of the uplands to the fairer vales below.
Setting spurs to Rakush, therefore, gaily the hero pursued them through
wood and glen, and often did his quivering darts pierce the glossy skin
of the dangerous game. Yea, and oft too, did his lengthy lasso unfurl,
ring upon ring, snaring the wily beasts for his club. So long he hunted,
until finally, night drawing on, he said unto Rakush:
“Enough, My Beauty, enough! for to-morrow will be another day.”
So, his hunting done, straightway the hero proceeded to light a great
fire. Then, making a young tree serve as a spit, he ran it through the
body of a nice fat gor, hung it over the fire, and roasted it for his
meal. And behold, being deliciously done, hungrily he tore it joint from
joint, ate of it his fill, and broke the bones for the marrow. Then,
tired with his long day’s sport, the weary hunter sought the shade of a
thicket, and lay down to sleep, fanned by the plumes of the glorious
palms above his head, and lulled to rest by the cooing doves and
sunbirds that fluttered through their swinging crowns. Yea, and watched
over by faithful Rakush who wandered never far from his sleeping master.
Now while Rustem peacefully slept, the hand of Fate was busy weaving
into the pattern of his life some new threads. For, on this eventful
day, a traveller on his way to Samengan had beheld the Mighty One
hunting. So it came to pass that having arrived at the court, he told
the astonishing news, which spread until it reached the ears of Fatima,
who at once rushed to inform her young mistress. Now at first, Tamineh,
upon hearing this story, was incredulous, but having summoned the
traveller into her presence, her doubts were soon dispelled, for he
said:
“Gracious Princess! Behold, as I crossed the great salt plains upon the
border of the kingdom this day, I encountered a solitary huntsman,
mounted upon a magnificent charger, and towering in his saddle like a
giant among men. More like unto a god than mortal man, surely this could
have been no other than Rustem, the Champion of the World, and his
famous war-horse Rakush; for verily there exist not two such mighty
heroes in the world!—of that I am certain.”
Thus spake the traveller, and being dismissed, Fatima, all excitement,
cried eagerly unto her mistress:
“O Rose of the World, rejoice! for behold, thy hero draweth near, and
yet thine eyes may be gladdened by his coming! For surely no man could
see the Mighty Rustem and mistake him for another, since as the
traveller sayeth, in all the world there are no two such; nay, nor
methinks in heaven either!”
Now hearing these words, the heart of Tamineh leaped and rejoiced like
unto that of a gay singing-bird, as, embracing Fatima, she exclaimed
joyously, her soft, dark eyes shining like stars:
“Fatima, Old Dragon! Listen and admire. For, behold, thy Bright
Pomegranate Flower hath determined to gaze upon this glorious Persian
Sun, and if it withereth all her gay petals! and the stars decree that
thou must help her.”
But Fatima, hearing these words, quickly repented of her impetuosity,
for right well she knew the wilfulness of her mistress, and she feared
unto what it might lead. Therefore she replied unto Tamineh:
“Pearl of my Heart! be not foolish; for how is it possible for thee to
accomplish the desire of thy heart? The great Rustem is travelling
north, and it is not probable, either that he will visit our Court, or
delay his journey. How then canst thou hope to see him?”
Now thus questioned, for a time Tamineh was silent. But, being a young
woman of some resource, she was not to be dismayed by obstacles which
might have deterred smaller souls, for had she not all her life been
hoping against hope for just this opportunity? And now that it had come,
was she to sit quietly down, allowing it to pass by unimproved? Verily,
nay! For some minutes, however, the Princess did sit down, thinking
hard. But presently, springing gaily to her feet, a mischievous light
sparkling and dancing in her wonderful dark eyes, she cried:
“Kiss me, Fatima, kiss me! for verily thou beholdest before thee the
happiest Princess in the whole, wide world. Soon I shall see, and
perhaps win the hero of my dreams, and thou, too, methinks will rejoice
once more to behold thy country’s champion. Now let not thine eyes pop
out of thy head, Old Dragon; neither be thou dismayed, for I shall not
go forth unto the great Rustem, but he shall come unto me. For, look
you! the plan is quite simple, since we have only to take captive
Rakush, when the hero will come quickly enough to recover his glorious
steed.”
Alas! the proposition of stealing Rakush was unto Fatima as daring and
awful an idea as the thought of stealing Rustem himself, but realizing
that it was useless to oppose her young mistress, she replied not, save
by a deep groan.
Ignoring the groan, however, the Princess continued:
“Listen now, my dear old Fatima, for verily the plot is a famous one!
But it must be carried out to-night, before Rustem hath departed, else
will it be too late. Now methinks that not by strength but by stratagem
must Rakush the terrible be captured. Therefore, when darkness covereth
the land to-night, we will send forth six wily herdsmen, mounted upon
light, swift horses, spurring them on to the enterprise by offering them
princely rewards if successful. They must be, of course, men expert with
the lasso, and they must entrap, without harming, Rakush while Rustem
sleeps, returning with him unto the royal stables before dawn.”
Thus elaborated Tamineh her plan unto Fatima, who, relieved that it
threatened no danger to the Princess, nevertheless protested loudly,
tearing her hair and clothes, weeping and lamenting bitterly. But of
course she ended by doing the will of her mistress, as did also the men
chosen, for well they knew that any service faithfully performed would
be liberally rewarded by the Princess Tamineh.
Meanwhile, little dreamed the mighty Rustem, as he soundly slept on his
bed of moss that night, after his famous day’s hunting, of the filmy web
that this bright-eyed Princess was securely weaving about him. Yea, and
even intelligent Rakush, though he slept not, little suspected that for
long seven dark figures had stealthily stalked him through the night.
For the Tartar warriors who followed him, knowing quite well that no
easy task was involved in carrying out the commands of their Princess,
proceeded most cautiously.
Finally, however, advancing stealthily, the seven clever ones tried to
take their prize, unawares, by throwing a lasso over his head. But in
vain; for the noise of the uncoiling lariat piercing unto the ear of
Rakush, dexterously he avoided the cruel cord, standing with ears alert
and pawing feet of anger. Now for a second thus he stood; then having
located his enemy, like a lion he sprang upon them, striking two of the
foe dead with a single stroke of his forefeet, and savagely biting off
the head of a third. Thus three of the company were safely disposed of,
and the brave Rakush was not yet taken. Nor would he have been; for
never yet had man or Demon entrapped or overcome the glorious steed; but
for the sake of the beautiful Princess, the stars decreed it. So
presently, after a hard fight, the four succeeded in entangling him with
their lassos, and thus it came to pass that just before the day dawned
the proud war-horse of Rustem was led, gagged and blindfolded, into the
stables of the King of Samengan.
And behold, when the Princess Tamineh from her balcony at last beheld
the famous war-horse loom up along the shadowy road, so great was her
joy that, regardless of the fact that Rakush was tossing his head,
stamping his hoofs, and snorting protests like an angry dragon, she
would have flown down to welcome him with soft caress, had not the
faithful Fatima urged that such a step might undo all that had been
accomplished.
But though the dawn brought joy unto Tamineh, its message unto Rustem
was that of sorrow. For behold! when he called unto Rakush no answering
neigh rang out the glad reply. Thinking, however, that his steed had
perhaps but strayed beyond the sound of his first gentle call, the hero
quickly came out into the open, calling unto Rakush in a voice of
thunder; but still there came no answer. Then was the heart of the
Mighty One troubled, for well he knew that his faithful steed had not
willingly strayed away. Now in his dismay he said unto himself:
“What a dilemma! for now must I go on foot, carrying my quiver and my
great club, this heavy helmet and coat of mail, and my life-destroying
sword. And seeing me thus, how the Tartars will scoff, saying among
themselves: ‘Behold the Mighty Rustem! While he slept, some one must
have stolen his horse!’ Now thus shall I be put to shame before my
enemies, that which never yet hath happened unto Rustem.”
Thus communing with himself, busily the hero searched for some trace of
his missing steed, and not in vain, for at last he detected the
footprints of a scuffle down by the stream that murmured at the foot of
the shady glen. Here great hoof-marks pointed out the field of battle,
the ground being ploughed up upon all sides, indicating how desperately
the mighty steed had resisted his wily captors. Then farther on could be
traced the steps of Rakush between two other horses, closely followed by
a third, which plainly said unto Rustem that his faithful companion had
been stolen.
And now, boiling over with rage and sorrow, the heart of Rustem beat to
but one refrain: Vengeance! Vengeance upon the captors of Rakush!
Pausing not, however, quickly he followed the traces of his horse’s
hoofs, and lo! they led him unto the gates of Samengan. Then Rustem,
perceiving whither the footprints led, sware unto Heaven a great oath,
and he said:
“By the sun and moon and stars, I swear that if aught of harm hath come
unto Rakush through this King or his people, verily the thief shall pay
for it with his head!”
Meanwhile, knowing naught of the capture of Rakush, as Rustem approached
the shining turrets of the city, great was the astonishment of the King
and those about him when they beheld the manner of his coming.
Nevertheless, they hurried forth to greet their distinguished guest, the
King saying unto him:
“O glorious Pehliva, never hath Samengan been so honored in a guest, and
lo! her King sayeth unto thee, ‘Welcome.’ But how happeneth it that the
mighty Rustem cometh unto us afoot and unattended? If misfortune hath
befallen, behold! we are all at thy service!”
But unto this courteous greeting Rustem replied coldly, relating briefly
unto the King all that had come to pass. Then becoming more angry as he
talked, once more the hero sware that many heads should quit their
trunks if his charger were not returned unto him right speedily, void of
harm.
Then the King, seeing that Rustem was beside himself with anger, spake
words of comfort unto the hero, for he knew how dear unto him was his
glorious steed. And he said:
“O Hero of Heroes! Be not so disturbed in thy spirit, for verily anger
profiteth nothing. It is by charming that one lureth the serpent from
his hole. As for Rakush,
If still within the limits of my reign,
The well-known courser shall be thine again.
For Rakush never can remain concealed
No more than Rustem on the battle-field.
“Take courage, therefore, and be of good cheer, for soon thy glorious
other self shall be restored unto thee, and all will be well. As for the
thief, when detected he shall be placed in thy hands, to slay or to
spare, according to thy good pleasure. But as for Rustem!—for this one
night, at least, he must tarry at Samengan as our honored guest.”
So, being satisfied with these promises, Rustem put away all suspicion
from his mind, and became the King’s guest. Then all day they feasted
and made merry, beguiling the hours with wine and sweet words. Nor could
the King sufficiently honor his guest, though he encompassed him with
music and song, and waited upon him with his own hands, as though he
were his slave. And behold! when night was fallen the monarch himself
led Rustem unto a couch perfumed with musk and roses, bidding him
slumber peacefully until morning, when he should again be made glad in
Rakush, his steed.
Now thus delightfully couched, Rustem slept dreamlessly until the star
of morning stood high in the arch of heaven. Then suddenly there fell
upon his ear the murmur of soft womanly voices which caused the hero to
start up in confused amazement. Seeing nothing, however, he closed his
eyes again, for he thought that he had dreamed.
But though his conclusion was natural, the hero dreamed not, for
presently the heavy curtains were drawn softly aside, and there stepped
within the chamber a slave bearing a lamp perfumed with amber. And
following after, her veil but half concealing her lovely face, Rustem
beheld the fairest maiden his eyes had ever gazed upon. Now for a moment
the lovely vision lingered upon the threshold, poised like a frightened
bird for hasty flight, the rich color suffusing her olive cheek, her
dark eyes beaming beneath their splendid lashes, and her pomegranate
mouth, flower-soft and sensitive, slightly parted. Then gaining courage,
slowly she advanced toward the hero, and as she moved, fragrance was
scattered from her robes, and her long black ringlets, musk-perfumed,
seemed unto Rustem as fateful as the warrior’s kamund. Yet, though
enchanted, the warrior sighed, for again he thought he but dreamed.
But even as he would have settled himself once more unto slumber,
behold, like music upon his ear fell the soft voice of Tamineh, bidding
Fatima retire to the distant window. Now this fully awoke the young
warrior, who, springing quickly from his couch, gazed in astonished
delight at his enchanting visitor. Then Tamineh spoke in the soft,
velvety tones she could use so effectively when she chose. And she said:
“My Lord Rustem, thou beholdest before thee the Princess Tamineh,
daughter of the King, and she hath come thus into thy presence because
the need is urgent. For she would crave thy pardon for a great wrong
which she hath done unto thee, and which, she heareth, carrieth with it
a fearful penalty.”
Now amazed at this most surprising confession poured forth from tempting
lips, moulded for love’s recompense alone, for a second the valiant
Rustem was silenced by the wonder and unexpectedness of it all. Quickly
recovering himself, however, he replied unto the maiden:
“Thou, Fair Princess! Thou hast done me a wrong? Truly, I know not what
wrong thou canst have done me, unless it be the mischief wrought by thy
bright eyes since they have shone so radiantly upon me. It is true, my
heart whispers unto me that thy wondrous beauty hath caught me in its
snare, but if that be thy sin, it carrieth with it a delightful
penalty—one which thou needst not fear.”
Now this reply, so unlike that of a mighty warrior, caused a roguish
smile to play about the fascinating lips of the Princess Tamineh, who,
casting upon the speaker one bright, admiring glance from her sparkling
eyes, then modestly dropped them, replying demurely unto this gallant
speech:
“Who knoweth, My Lord, but that, perchance, I would gladly add that
theft unto the other! But greatly I fear that thou wilt consider my
first offence the greater. For it was I, and none other, who had stolen
from thee Rakush, thy steed of battle, who even now slumbereth
peacefully in the royal stables.”
So spake Tamineh, and though, as we know, her words were true, yet was
it long before she could persuade the master of Rakush that she did not
jest. When she finally convinced him, however, so great was his joy in
knowing Rakush safe and unharmed, that, behold, he forgot to be angry
with the thief. But, after all, who could blame him? for the thief was
very fair, and she confessed with a voice that rivalled the magic notes
of the bulbul chanting unto his mate. And besides, the master of Rakush
had it in his heart to ask a great boon of the Princess, and this time
he remembered that not by anger, but by charming, one lureth a bird from
the bush. So, smiling, he said unto Tamineh:
“Fair Princess, behold, thou standest before thy judge, convicted of two
serious crimes. Two conditions must thou fulfil, therefore, if thou
wouldst obtain thy pardon. First, the judge must be allowed to gaze upon
the face of the fair culprit, else how can he administer suitable
punishment? And second, he must be informed as to the motive of the
theft, for that puzzle hath yet to be unravelled.”
Now at this embarrassing sentence, the lovely Tamineh stood silent
before her judge, looking indeed like a culprit fostering half a desire
to flee. But presently, rallying her forces, she replied bravely unto
the Mighty One, though her soft voice trembled and she looked not up:
“My Lord Rustem, though news unto thee—since thou art a mighty warrior—I
suppose it is yet true that every maiden hath her hero. Now it is owing
to Fatima, there, who is a Persian, that I have mine: a hero of whose
fame and valorous deeds I have dreamed my life long, whose like ne’er
was and ne’er will be again, whose glory reacheth even unto the stars.
And thou must know also, O Mighty One, that every maiden longeth to gaze
upon the face of the only hero in the world for her. That is why I stole
thy horse. And now, since thou knowest my utmost guilt, findest thou my
crime too great for pardon?”
But unto this plea, for some minutes, Rustem replied not, for
persistently his heart kept singing: “The only hero in the world for
her! The only hero in the world for her!” Now praise was no new thing
unto the Champion of the World, but never before had it been offered
with such subtle charm. And besides, with joy the warrior recognized
that here was a spirit akin unto his own in its dauntlessness and
longings after the best. Drawing near unto the Princess, therefore, “The
Only Hero in the World” said unto her softly:
“Fair Pomegranate Flower, one of the conditions, truly, thou hast
fulfilled; but the other must be met also; for verily my eyes are hungry
for full sight of lips that can murmur words so sweet to hear!”
But the Princess, drawing closer the long white veil which half
concealed her face, stepped quickly back, saying proudly unto the eager
Rustem:
“Nay, nay, my Lord! That is a privilege I grant only unto the man who
weddeth me.”
Now saying this, slowly the Princess moved toward the curtains, as
though she would go. But Rustem, detaining her, cried out impetuously:
“O Pearl among Women, stay! for verily my heart hath wakened and calleth
unto thee for its mate. Only consent, therefore, and to-morrow will we
be wed.”
But, though these words sounded unto Tamineh like a pæan of victory, she
received them coldly; for well she knew that no man—least of all a
warrior—careth for what he can win too easily. And then it was that
Rustem, in whom contradiction ever roused a fiery purpose to obtain his
will, vowed again and yet again that he could not live without her; that
he would wed but her, and that before the morrow’s sun had set; that
from henceforth honor and praise and glory would be as ashes unto his
lips, unless shared with his Moon of Beauty.
So now, having thus aroused desire, softly the Princess drew aside her
veil. Then before the enraptured Rustem had wakened to the danger, like
a gay humming-bird, swiftly away she flew, leaving in his hands her
veil, which he in his eagerness had seized lest she hide that lovely
face again too soon. And as she fled, like chimes of bells there floated
back the sound of merry laughter, which but fanned the flame glowing
already so brightly in the awakened heart of the hero left gazing so
ruefully upon love’s only token—the dainty, fragrant, cruel film of
lace. Now regarding it tenderly, the warrior smiled and said:
“Behold, the gay young Singing-bird hath flown, leaving her pretty wing
in the too rough hand of her captor! But, by the sun and moon and stars,
I swear that yet shall she be mine, for mighty in love shall Rustem be
as well as in deeds of valor.”
Consequently, when morning dawned, and the hero once more beheld the
King, ceremoniously he asked Tamineh’s hand in marriage. Yea, and the
monarch of Samengan listened unto him gladly, for was it not Rustem the
Mighty who sued! And did he not know but too well the heart of his Moon
of Beauty! So that very day was the marriage bower crowned with roses
and decked with white lilies, while the royal abode was flooded with
music and sunshine to grace the glad wedding of the Princess Tamineh.
And when all was over, verily it seemed unto Rustem and his pretty
Singing-bird as if the world, like some vast tidal wave, had rolled
away, leaving them alone with their happiness upon the golden shores of
the Land of Delight.
Now thus it was that Tamineh, Princess of Samengan, obtained her heart’s
desire. And behold! for one bright summer month she tasted such
happiness as is seldom vouchsafed, even unto the children of Ormuzd.
Wandering in the myrtle groves, or strolling together in the shady
forest, the Princess now heard from the hero’s own lips marvellous tales
of adventure, and, the days passed for both like a happy dream. But
alas! In the Book of Fate it is written that pure happiness is not for
mortals, and so, when one bright moon had run her course, relentlessly
sorrow—joy’s sombre twin—invaded this Land of Delight.
And behold! not suddenly, but with stealth, the invader drew nigh,
attacking first the hero of battles. For gradually Rustem became
restless, and impatient with his life of inactivity, longing intensely
for the excitement of warfare and adventure to which he was accustomed
and for which he was formed. For alas! Nature, in giving unto him his
giant frame and mighty muscles, his valorous heart, and his soul that
joyed, above all else, in battle, had planned and destined the mighty
son of Zal to shine through all the ages—not as a lover, but as the type
of the perfect warrior.
Now slowly this truth was brought home unto Tamineh, as she noted the
ever-increasing restlessness of her hero, which even she could not
always still, though she knew that he loved her tenderly. And though she
spake not of it, her heart became burdened with sorrow, for she knew
that the time was now not far off when Rustem would go back unto his own
people and life, perhaps forgetting her in the more powerful attractions
of war, while she must needs love him forever.
[Illustration: The days passed for both like a happy dream.]
And alas! Tamineh was right in her surmise, for it needed only the rumor
that war had again broken out in Persia to cause Rustem to buckle on his
sword and armor with joy at the prospect of battle. Then hastily seeking
the King, he said unto him:
“O Royal Cypress, long have I rested in the shade of thy glorious land,
but now I must say unto it farewell. For behold! duty calleth me back
unto Iran, and it is well, for verily my sword hath rusted too long in
its scabbard, and Rakush neigheth with longing to bear me once more in
the thick of the fight.”
Now having thus spoken, the hero opened his arms and took unto his heart
Tamineh, the Peri-faced, bathing her cheeks with tears and covering her
hair and eyes with kisses; also he whispered unto his Singing-bird sweet
words of enchantment. But alas for Tamineh! Clinging unto the neck of
her hero, bitterly she wept, crying unto her beloved:
“O Light of my Life! I fear that thou goest from me forever, and how
shall I live without thee?”
But, kissing away her tears, Rustem spake unto Tamineh brave words of
comfort, telling her that he would surely return unto her when his
fighting was over, laden with fresh laurels to lay at her feet. And he
bade her be strong and dauntless of spirit, as was seemly for a
warrior’s bride, since even for this was it that he loved her. And last
of all, taking from off his arm an onyx bracelet, upon which was
engraved the image of a Simurgh, he gave it unto Tamineh, saying:
“Pearl of my Heart, listen! If while I am away, God should send unto us
a daughter, fasten this amulet under her curls. If, however, a son
should be sent to gladden our hearts, then let him wear it upon his arm,
as his father hath worn it, for it will protect him from the powers of
evil, being the badge of Rustem and of Zal.”
Now having thus spoken, hastily Rustem threw himself upon the back of
Rakush, and the wind-footed bare him swiftly away from out the sight of
Tamineh, unto whom the world suddenly became dark, so blinded were her
eyes with tears.
Then with leaden feet passed the days for the Princess Tamineh. Howbeit,
as time passed on, news came from the Mighty Rustem of fresh victories,
together with a present of three great rubies of priceless value and
three wedges of finest gold. But alas! the letter said no word of the
hero’s return, only of more battles and victories to come. And Tamineh,
reading between the lines, sighed bitterly, taking no pleasure in the
rubies and gold.
But a great joy was in store for Tamineh, for one night as she sat
sorrowfully upon her balcony, suddenly she heard a flutter of mighty
wings, and behold, there was dropped into her lap a priceless treasure—a
babe whose mouth was filled with smiles, and who in feature resembled
his glorious sire. Then was Tamineh comforted, and because of his smiles
she called her babe Sohrab, which meaneth Sunshine.