44 Life and Writings 
the result of the union of Zaul with a Prin- 
cess of the line of Zohak. After the in- 
tense study of many days, they prophecy the 
birth of the celebrated Rustam. 
The sages approached and said,— 
O warrior of the Golden Belt! 
Joy will be to thee, from the union of Zaul 
with the daughter of Mihraub ; 
For they are two illustrious equals, 
And from them shall be born a hero, in 
strength like the elephant, 
Who shall gird his lotus in manliness. 
He shall bear dominion on his sword, 
And shall exalt the throne of the King above 
the clouds; 
He shall cut off the malevolent from the land, 
Nor leave aden of violence on the face of 
the earth ; 
He shall leave neither Deeve nor inhabitant 
of Mazinderan, 
Batshall sweep the earth with his mighty mace: 
From him Turan shall suffer many woes, 
And Iran shall enjoy all happiness. 
He shall cause the afflicted to repose in peace, 
And shall close the door of sorrow and the 
path of calamity: 
The hope of the inhabitant of Iran shall be in 
him, 
