Great Throughts Treasury

"If on earth there be a Paradise of Bliss, it is this, it is this, it is this."

"When an arrow is crooked, she cannot hit the aim."

"A custom of the world is so that we don’t see in a sea of mysteries the shores."

"Fortune never separates the poison and the antidote."

"A wreath, the beauty of all living things, is intellect. You should admit that the basis of being is the intellect."

"And day by day were the Iranians weakened, for they were smitten with great slaughter, and the number of their dead was past the counting."

"And Piran, when he had seen the babe, goodly of mien, who already in his cradle was like unto a king, sware a great oath that Afrasiyab should not destroy it."

"And after he had thus spoken Kai Kaous passed away, and there remained of him in the world but the memory of his name."

"And now may the blessing of God rest upon all men. I have told unto them the Epic of Kings, and the Epic of Kings is come to a close, and the tale of their deeds is ended."

"And while one is brought up with luxury and caresses, and is thrown bewildered and despairing into a dark pit, another is lifted from the pit and raised to a throne where a jeweled crown is placed on his head. The world has no shame in doing this; it is prompt to hand out both pleasure and pain and has no need of us and our doings."

"And speedily did he set forth again to battle, and left the kingdom in the hands of his son, and Zal administered it with wisdom and judgment. And Rudabeh sat beside him on the throne, and he placed a crown of gold upon her head."

"But Lohurasp, when he learned that Kai Khosrau was vanished, mounted the throne of the Kaianides. And he called before him his people that they should do allegiance unto him. And they did so, and the place of Kai Khosrau knew him no more."

"And the blood of brave men was shed like unto the shedding of rain from a black cloud."

"But all this world is like a tale we hear - men's evil, and their glory, disappear."

"For Afrasiyab, when he learned the death of Piran, was beside himself with grief."

"He that abideth when he might depart from this world hath no wisdom in his heart."

"From moment then to moment their desire gained strength, and wisdom fled before love's fire; passion engulfed them, and these lovers lay entwined together till the break of day."

"Dire was the wailing among the army of Iran at their sore defeat, and they turned them back discomfited. And they came before the Shah, their hearts torn with anguish. And their hands were crossed upon their breasts, and they were humble as slaves."

"Helmet was joined to helmet, and spear to spear, and jewels, baggage, and elephants without number went with them, and you would have said it was a host that none could understand."

"Helmet was joined to helmet, and spear to spear, and jewels, baggage, and elephants without number went with them, and you would have said it was a host that none could understand."

"I am deathless, I am the eternal Lord for I have spread the seed of the Word."

"In the mean season Kai Kaous had learned of the death of Saiawush his son, and a mighty wailing went forth throughout the land of Iran, so that even the nightingale in the cypress was silent of her song, and the leaves of the pomegranate tree in the forest were withered for sorrow."

"How shall a man escape from that which is written; How shall he flee from his destiny?"

"I turn to right and left, in all the earth I see no signs of justice, sense or worth: a man does evil deeds, and all his days are filled with luck and universal praise; another's good in all he does - he dies a wretched, broken man whom all despise."

"Kaiumers first sat upon the throne of Persia, and was master of the world."

"Kai aous seated him on the crystal throne, and the world was obedient to his will."

"It comes from the intellect a grief and enjoyment, and the intellect can give us grandeur, but also a decline."

"Listen: this story's one you ought to know, you'll reap the consequence of what you sow. This fleeting world is not the world where we are destined to abide eternally: and for the sake of an unworthy throne you let the devil claim you for his own. I've few days left here, I've no heart for war, I cannot strive and struggle any more, but hear an old man's words: the heart that's freed from gnawing passion and ambitious greed looks on kings' treasures and the dust as one; the man who sells his brother, as you've done, for this same worthless dust, will never be regarded as a child of purity. The world has seen so many men like you, and laid them low: there's nothing you can do but turn to God; take thought then for the way you travel, since it leads to Judgment Day."

"Now Afrasiyab knew that the words of Piran were wise, and he gave ear unto them."

"Now for the space of two years Kai Khosrau did thus unto Afrasiyab, and the glory of Turan was eclipsed, and Rustem reigned within the land."

"Now it came to pass that on a certain morning Mihrab stepped forth from his palace to the house of the women to visit Sindokht his wife, and her daughter Rudabeh. Truly the house was like to a garden for colour and perfume, and over all shone those moons of beauty."

"Now Husheng was a wise man and just, and the heavens revolved over his throne forty years. justice did he spread over the land, and the world was better for his reign."

"Now Rustem, when he felt the water beneath him, forthwith drew out his sword and combated the crocodiles with his right hand, and with his left he swam towards the shore. And long did he struggle and sore, but when the night was fallen he put his foot upon the dry land."

"Now when it was done, Kai Khosrau mounted upon the crystal throne, and he held in his hand the ox-headed mace, and he bare on his head the crown of the Kaianides, and a sash of might was girded round his loins."

"Now when Rustem was come unto himself, he saw Shugdad, and he beheld in his face the joy felt of this evil man at this adventure. Then he knew that it was his brother that was his foe."

"Now the Serosch, the angel who defendeth men from the snares of the Deevs, and who each night flieth seven times around the earth that he may watch over the children of Ormuzd, when he learned this, appeared like unto a Peri and warned Kaiumers."

"Now while he lamented thus, Feramorz, the son of Rustem, gathered together an army to avenge his father. And he went into Cabul, and he laid low all the men he found therein, and he slew the King and all his house, and he changed the land into a desert."

"Now when the two armies met, many and fierce were the combats waged between them, and blows were given and received, and swords flashed and showers of arrows descended on all sides."

"Such is the passing that you must leave, all men must die, and it is vain to grieve."

"Our lives pass from us like the wind, and why should wise men grieve to know that they must die? The Judas blossom fades, the lovely face of light is dimmed, and darkness takes its place."

"Then the glorious Feridoun, when he had thus made trial of their hearts, vanished from their sight. But presently he came again with the face of their father, and many warriors, elephants, and cymbals were in his train."

"Then Zal and Rustem, and Gudarz the aged, listened unto the voice of the Shah, for they knew that he spake that which it became them to obey."

"Peace reigned again within the borders of Iran, and P the sword slept in its scabbard, and Kai Khosrau ordered the world with wisdom. And men rejoiced that the glory of Turan had been brought low, and the Shah feasted his nobles in lightness of heart."

"There stood a slave in the house of Zal, and she was fair to see, so that the heart of the aged man went out to her. And there was born to her a son, goodly of mien, like unto Saum the hero, and Zal named him Shugdad."

"When Kai Khosrau awoke from his dream he rejoiced, and poured out his thanks before God. Then he went unto his throne and seated himself thereon, and got together his treasures. And he ordered the world for his departure."

"When the men of Iran heard this, they set up a great shout, and their hearts seemed to come back into their bodies, and their courage, that had been as dead, returned. And glad was the greeting that they gave unto Rustem the Pehliva."