ed to lead an army thither, declaring to his
warriors that the splendor and glory of his reign should exceed that of
either Jemshid, Zohak, or Kai-kobad. The warriors, however, were alarmed
at this precipitate resolution, thinking it certain destruction to make
war against the Demons; but they had not courage or confidence enough to
disclose their real sentiments. They only ventured to suggest, that if
his majesty reflected a little on the subject, he might not ultimately
consider the enterprise so advisable as he had at first imagined. But
this produced no impression, and they then deemed it expedient to
despatch a messenger to Zal, to inform him of the wild notions which the
Evil One had put into the head of Kai-kaus to effect his ruin, imploring
Zal to allow of no delay, otherwise the eminent services so lately
performed by him and Rustem for the state would be rendered utterly
useless and vain. Upon this summons, Zal immediately set off from Sistan
to Iran; and having arrived at the royal court, and been received with
customary respect and consideration, he endeavored to dissuade the king
from the contemplated expedition into Mazinderan.

"O, could I wash the darkness from thy mind,
And show thee all the perils that surround
This undertaking! Jemshid, high in power,
Whose diadem was brilliant as the sun,
Who ruled the demons--never in his pride
Dreamt of the conquest of Mazinderan!
Remember Feridun, he overthrew
Zohak--destroyed the tyrant, but he never
Thought of the conquest of Mazinderan!
This strange ambition never fired the souls
Of by-gone monarchs--mighty Minuchihr,
Always victorious, boundless in his wealth,
Nor Zau, nor Nauder, nor even Kai-kobad,
With all their pomp, and all their grandeur, ever
Dreamt of the conquest of Mazinderan!
It is the place of demon-sorcerers,
And all enchanted. Swords are useless there,
Nor bribery nor wisdom can obtain
Possession of that charm-defended land,
Then throw not men and treasure to the winds;
Waste not the precious blood of warriors brave,
In trying to subdue Mazinderan!"

Kai-kaus, however, was not to be diverted from his purpose; and with
respect to what his predecessors had not done, he considered himself
superior in might and influence to either Feridun, Jemshid, Minuchihr,
or Kai-kobad, who had never aspired to the conquest of Mazinderan. He
further observed, that he had a bolder heart, a larger army, and a
full