118
FIRDUSI
So light her step, so graceful-every part
Perfect, and suited to her spotless heart.
Perfect, and suited to her spotless heart.
Rustem, surprised, the gentle maid addressed,
And asked what lovely stranger broke his rest.
“What is thy name,” he said—“what dost thou seek
Amidst the gloom of night? Fair vision, speak!”
And asked what lovely stranger broke his rest.
“What is thy name,” he said—“what dost thou seek
Amidst the gloom of night? Fair vision, speak!”
“O thou,” she softly sigh’d, “of matchless fame!
With pity hear, Tahmíneh is my name!
The pangs of love my anxious heart employ,
And flattering promise long-expected joy;
No curious eye has yet these features seen,
My voice unheard, beyond the sacred screen.[1]
How often have I listened with amaze,
To thy great deeds, enamoured of thy praise;
How oft from every tongue I’ve heard the strain,
And thought of thee—and sighed, and sighed again.
The ravenous eagle, hovering o’er his prey,
Starts at thy gleaming sword and flies away:
Thou art the slayer of the Demon brood,
And the fierce monsters of the echoing wood.
Where’er thy mace is seen, shrink back the bold,
Thy javelin’s flash all tremble to behold.
Enchanted with the stories of thy fame,
My fluttering heart responded to thy name;
And whilst their magic influence I felt,
In prayer for thee devotedly I knelt;
And fervent vowed, thus powerful glory charms,
No other spouse should bless my longing arms.
Indulgent heaven propitious to my prayer,
Now brings thee hither to reward my care.
Túrán’s dominions thou hast sought, alone,
By night, in darkness—thou, the mighty one!
O claim my hand, and grant my soul’s desire;
Ask me in marriage of my royal sire;
Perhaps a boy our wedded love may crown,
Whose strength like thine may gain the world’s renown.
Nay more for Samengán will keep my word—
Rakush to thee again shall be restored.”
With pity hear, Tahmíneh is my name!
The pangs of love my anxious heart employ,
And flattering promise long-expected joy;
No curious eye has yet these features seen,
My voice unheard, beyond the sacred screen.[1]
How often have I listened with amaze,
To thy great deeds, enamoured of thy praise;
How oft from every tongue I’ve heard the strain,
And thought of thee—and sighed, and sighed again.
The ravenous eagle, hovering o’er his prey,
Starts at thy gleaming sword and flies away:
Thou art the slayer of the Demon brood,
And the fierce monsters of the echoing wood.
Where’er thy mace is seen, shrink back the bold,
Thy javelin’s flash all tremble to behold.
Enchanted with the stories of thy fame,
My fluttering heart responded to thy name;
And whilst their magic influence I felt,
In prayer for thee devotedly I knelt;
And fervent vowed, thus powerful glory charms,
No other spouse should bless my longing arms.
Indulgent heaven propitious to my prayer,
Now brings thee hither to reward my care.
Túrán’s dominions thou hast sought, alone,
By night, in darkness—thou, the mighty one!
O claim my hand, and grant my soul’s desire;
Ask me in marriage of my royal sire;
Perhaps a boy our wedded love may crown,
Whose strength like thine may gain the world’s renown.
Nay more for Samengán will keep my word—
Rakush to thee again shall be restored.”
The damsel thus her ardent thought expressed,
And Rustem’s heart beat joyous in his breast,
Hearing her passion-not a word was lost,
And Rakush safe, by him still valued most;
And Rustem’s heart beat joyous in his breast,
Hearing her passion-not a word was lost,
And Rakush safe, by him still valued most;
- ↑ As a proof of her innocence Tahmíneh declares to Rustem, “No person has ever seen me out of my private chamber, or even heard the sound of my voice.” It is but just to remark, that the seclusion in which women of rank continue in Persia, and other parts of the East, is not, by them, considered intolerable, or even a hardship. Custom has not only rendered it familiar, but happy. It has nothing of the unprofitable severity of the cloister. The Zenanas are supplied with everything that can please and gratify a reasonable wish, and it is well known that the women of the East have influence and power, more flattering and solid, than the free unsecluded beauties of the Western world.
