The Story of Rustem, and other Persian hero tales from Firdusi

by Elizabeth D. Renninger

And lo! the missile safely lodged, a noise like thunder rent the air, and all the world grew dark, as when the sun hath gone to rest. Yea, and long it so remained, but when at last once more the light appeared, behold, the magic tower had vanished from the earth.

Now thus it was that KaiKhosrau vanquished the demons, and thus it was also that at last he came into his own. For, shortly after this wondrous victory, the coronation ceremony took place with great pomp and splendor, KaiKhosrau the Prince becoming KaiKhosrau the Shah, of whom the poet says:

“Justice he spread with equal hand,

Rooting oppression from the land;

And every desert, wood, and wild,

With early cultivation smiled;

And every plain with verdure clad,

And every Persian heart was glad.”

LATER FEATS OF RUSTEM

Now in the Book of the Kings it is written that when KaiKhosrau ascended the throne, Kaikous required him to swear a great oath that the waters of forgetfulness should never quench the flame of vengeance in his heart until Afrasiab, the murderer of Siawush, be utterly destroyed.