All looked upon the throne, and heard and saw Nothing but Jemshíd, he alone was king, Absorbing every thought; and in their praise, And adoration of that mortal man, Forgot the worship of the great Creator. Then proudly thus he to his nobles spoke, Intoxicated with their loud applause, "I am unequalled, for to me the earth Owes all its science, never did exist A sovereignty like mine, beneficent And glorious, driving from the populous land Disease and want. Domestic joy and rest Proceed from me, all that is good and great Waits my behest; the universal voice Declares the splendor of my government, Beyond whatever human heart conceived, And me the only monarch of the world." --Soon as these words had parted from his lips, Words impious, and insulting to high heaven, His earthly grandeur faded--then all tongues Grew clamorous and bold. The day of Jemshíd Passed into gloom, his brightness all obscured. What said the Moralist? "When thou wert a king Thy subjects were obedient, but whoever Proudly neglects the worship of his God, Brings desolation on his house and home." --And when he marked the insolence of his people, He knew the wrath of Heaven had been provoked, And terror overcame him. MIRTÁS-TÁZÍ, AND HIS SON ZOHÁK The old historians relate that Mirtás was the name of a king of the Arabs; and that he had a thousand animals which gave milk, and the milk of these animals he always distributed in charity among the poor. God was pleased with his goodness, and accordingly increased his favor upon him. Goats, sheep, and camels, yielded up their store Of balmy milk, with which the generous king Nourished the indigent and helpless poor. Mirtás had a son called Zohák, who possessed ten thousand Arab horses, or Tazís, upon which account he was surnamed Bíwurasp; biwur meaning ten thousand, and asp a horse. One day Iblís, the Evil Spirit, appeared to Zohák in the disguise of a good and virtuous man, and conversed with him in the most agreeable manner. Pleased with his eloquence, the youth Suspected not the speaker's truth; But praised the sweet impassioned strain, And asked him to discourse again. Iblís replied, that he was master of still sweeter converse, but he could not address it to him, unless he first entered into a solemn compact, and engaged never on any pretence to divulge his secret. Zohák in perfect innocence of heart Assented to the oath, and bound himself Never to tell the secret; all he wished Was still to hear the good man's honey words. But as soon as the oath was taken, Iblís said to him: "Thy father has become old and worthless, and thou art young, and wise, and valiant. Let him no longer stand in thy way, but kill him; the robes of sovereignty are ready, and better adapted for thee."