Persian Literature, Volume 1, Comprising The Shah Nameh | Page 8

Nisus and
Euryalus, and the paternal love and despair of Dante's Ugolino. But in
Rustem the tears of anguish and sorrow seem to vanish like morning
dew, in the excitement of fresh adventure, and human feeling, as
depicted by Firdusi, lacks not only the refined gradations, but also the
intensity, which we see in the Florentine poet. Atkinson's versification
is rather that of Queen Anne's time than what we of the Victorian age
profess to admire in Browning and Tennyson. But it is one of the chief
praises of Tennyson that he has treated Sir Thomas Malory very much

in the same way as Mr. Atkinson has treated Abul Kasim Mansur, by
bringing the essential features of an extinct society within the range of
modern vision, and into touch with modern sympathies. All that is of
value in Firdusi, to the reader of to-day, will be found in this version of
Atkinson, while the philologist or the antiquarian can satisfy their
curiosity either in the original, or in the French versions whose fidelity
is above suspicion. For it is bare justice to say that James Atkinson's
Firdusi is one of those translations, even though it be at the same time
an abridgment, which have taken their place in the rank of British
classics. It is the highest praise that can be given to a work of this
character to say that it may be placed on the bookshelf side by side with
Jeremy Collier's "Marcus Aurelius," Leland's "Demosthenes," and the
"Montaigne" of Charles Cotton. It embalms the genuine spirit and life
of an Oriental poem in the simple yet tasteful form of English narrative.
The blending of verse and prose is a happy expedient. If we may use
the metaphor of Horace, we should say, that Mr. Atkinson alternately
trudges along on foot, and rises on the wings of verse into the upper air.
The reader follows with pleasure both his march and his flight, and
reaches the end of the volume with the distinct impression that he has
been reading a Persian poem, and all the while forgotten that it was
written in the English language.
E.W.

THE SHÁH NÁMEH

KAIÚMERS
According to the traditions of former ages, recorded in the
Bastan-námeh, the first person who established a code of laws and
exercised the functions of a monarch in Persia, was Kaiúmers. It is said
that he dwelt among the mountains, and that his garments were made of
the skins of beasts.
His reign was thirty years, and o'er the earth He spread the blessings of
paternal sway; Wild animals, obsequious to his will, Assembled round
his throne, and did him homage. He had a son named Saiámuk, a youth
Of lovely form and countenance, in war Brave and accomplished, and
the dear delight Of his fond father, who adored the boy, And only
dreaded to be parted from him. So is it ever with the world--the parent

Still doating on his offspring. Kaiúmers Had not a foe, save one, a
hideous Demon, Who viewed his power with envy, and aspired To
work his ruin. He, too, had a son, Fierce as a wolf, whose days were
dark and bitter, Because the favoring heavens in kinder mood Smiled
on the monarch and his gallant heir. --When Saiámuk first heard the
Demon's aim Was to o'erthrow his father and himself, Surprise and
indignation filled his heart, And speedily a martial force he raised, To
punish the invader. Proudly garbed In leopard's skin, he hastened to the
war; But when the combatants, with eager mien, Impatient met upon
the battle-field. And both together tried their utmost strength, Down
from his enemy's dragon-grasp soon fell The luckless son of royal
Kaiúmers, Vanquished and lifeless. Sad, unhappy fate!
Disheartened by this disastrous event, the army immediately retreated,
and returned to Kaiúmers, who wept bitterly for the loss of his son, and
continued a long time inconsolable. But after a year had elapsed a
mysterious voice addressed him, saying:--"Be patient, and despair
not--thou hast only to send another army against the Demons, and the
triumph and the victory will be thine.
"Drive from the earth that Demon horrible, And sorrow will be rooted
from thy heart."
Saiámuk left a son whose name was Húsheng, whom the king loved
much more even than his father.
Húsheng his name. There seemed in him combined, Knowledge and
goodness eminent. To him Was given his father's dignity and station.
And the old man, his grandsire, scarcely deigned To look upon another,
his affection For him was so unbounded.
Kaiúmers having appointed Húsheng the leader of the army, the young
hero set out with an immense body of troops to engage the Demon and
his son. It is said that at that time every species of animal, wild and