62 Life and Writings 
And the mountains were covered with men 
and women, 
Who called down blessings upon me. (20) 
The rest of the story must be told in few 
words, for this paper has already extended 
to too great a length, and specimens have 
been adduced sufficient to give some idea of 
the character of Ferdoosee’s poetry. Zaul 
arrives at the court of Manucheher. The 
King is happily pleased with his appearance, 
and the proofs which he gives of his wisdom - 
and courage; but his fears still make him he- 
sitate to grant his request, and it is not till 
he has again consulted the astrologers, who 
return a favourable answer, that he can be 
induced to sanction it with his approbation. 
Zaul returns to Caubul to communicate the 
glad tidings to Roodabah. The nuptials are 
celebrated with great pomp; and the offspring 
of the marriage is the celebrated Rustam, 
who plays a distinguished part among the 
heroes of Persia in a subsequent part of the 
Shah-nameh. 
(20) The reader may compare this passage with a similar one 
in Ovid, Metam. L. Ill, v.31 et seq. 
