The Persian Literature, Comprising The Shah Nameh, The Rubaiyat, The Divan, and The Gulistan, Volume 1Omar Khayyam
GeneralSufism
The Persian Literature, Comprising The Shah Nameh, The Rubaiyat, The Divan, and The Gulistan, Volume 1
Omar Khayyam
Persian literature -- Translations into English
It is said that Gúdarz beheld in a dream the young prince, who pointed
out to him his actual residence, and intimated that of all the warriors
of Káús, Gíw was the only one destined to restore him to the world and
his birth-right. The old man immediately requested his son Gíw to go to
the place where the stranger would be found. Gíw readily complied, and
in his progress provided himself at every stage successively with a
guide, whom he afterwards slew to prevent discovery, and in this manner
he proceeded till he reached the boundary of Chín, enjoying no comfort
by day, or sleep by night. His only food was the flesh of the wild ass,
and his only covering the skin of the same animal. He went on traversing
mountain and forest, enduring every privation, and often did he
hesitate, often did he think of returning, but honor urged him forward
in spite of the trouble and impediments with which he was continually
assailed. Arriving in a desert one day, he happened to meet with several
persons, who upon being interrogated, said that they were sent by
Pírán-wísah in search of Kai-káús. Gíw kept his own secret, saying that
he was amusing himself with hunting the wild ass, but took care to
ascertain from them the direction in which they were going. During the
night the parties separated, and in the morning Gíw proceeded rapidly on
his route, and after some time discovered a youth sitting by the side of
a fountain, with a cup in his hand, whom he supposed to be Kai-khosráu.
The youth also spontaneously thought "This must be Gíw"; and when the
traveller approached him, and said, "I am sure thou art the son of
Saiáwush"; the youth observed, "I am equally sure that thou art Gíw the
son of Gúdarz." At this Gíw was amazed, and falling to his feet, asked
how, and from what circumstance, he recognized him. The youth replied
that he knew all the warriors of Káús; Rustem, and Kishwád, and Tús, and
Gúdarz, and the rest, from their portraits in his father's gallery, they
being deeply impressed on his mind. He then asked in what way Gíw had
discovered him to be Kai-khosráu, and Gíw answered, "Because I perceived
something kingly in thy countenance. But let me again examine thee!" The
youth, at this request, removed his garments, and Gíw beheld that mark
on his body which was the heritage of the race of Kai-kobád. Upon this
discovery he rejoiced, and congratulating himself and the young prince
on the success of his mission, related to him the purpose for which he
had come. Kai-khosráu was soon mounted on horseback, and Gíw accompanied
him respectfully on foot. They, in the first instance, pursued their way
towards the abode of Ferangís, his mother. The persons sent by
Pírán-wísah did not arrive at the place where Kai-khosráu had been kept
till long after Gíw and the prince departed; and then they were told
that a Persian horseman had come and carried off the youth, upon which
they immediately returned, and communicated to Pírán what had occurred.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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