Of Ferdoosee. 29 
To understand some of the allusions in the 
following speciu:ens, it may be necessary to ob- 
serve that Zaul isthe son of Saum Nereemaun. 
one of the Generals of Manucheher, King 
of Persia. Having the misfortune to be born 
with white hair, he incurs the resentment of 
his father, who orders him to be exposed on 
the mountain of Elboorz, where he is nur- 
tured by the Seemurzh, a fabulous bird which 
figures in the legends of Persia. Being af- 
terwards restored to the favour of Saum, he 
is sent, in process of time, to govern the 
frontier town of Zaubul. The adjoining pro- 
certain that no such associations enter into the mind of the Persian 
poet, whosimply means to ascribe to the countenance of his mistress, ihe 
mild radiance and softened Justre so beautifully assigned to that planet 
by Pope in these exquisite verses :— ; 
So when the Sun’s broad beams have tired the sight, 
All mild ascends the Mcon’s more sober light ; 
Serene in virgin modesty ste shines, 
While unobserved the glaring orb declines. 
In this and all similar cases it would be a good rule for the translator 
from the Persian to introduce a word which marked the point of resem- 
blance—*‘ An eye radiant as the moon”—* A hero strong as an ele- 
phant, and valiant as a lion.” It may just be observed in passing, 
that this oriental use of figures illustrates the application of many pa- 
tables in the sacred writings,— those, for instance, of the “ Unjust Stew- 
ard” and “the Importunate Widow.” 
Those w!:o wish to obtain more information on this subject will meet 
with some eurious observations in Professor Lumsden’s Persian Gram- 
mar, Vol, 2nd, p. 494, 
