A literary history of Persia

198 THE ARAB INVASIONwho beheld him laughed at him. Yet ere the day was done thevictory was theirs, and they scattered us in a dire defeat which wasthe key of disaster, so that then there happened what happened inthis matter.'" Then ambassadors passed between Rustam and Sa'd ;and theArab of the desert would come to Rustam' s door as he sat on athrone of gold, supported by gold-embroidered cushions in a roomcarpeted with gold-embroidered carpets, the Persians wearingcrowns and making display of their ornaments, and the elephantsof war standing on the outskirts of the assembly. So the Arabwould approach with his spear in his hand, girt with his sword andcarrying his bow across his shoulders, and would tie up his horsenear to Rustam's throne. Then the Persians would cry out at himand endeavour to prevent him, but Rustam would stay them ;andthe Arab would approach him, walking towards him leaning on hisspear, pressing therewith on the carpet and cushions and tearingthem with its spike, while the Persians looked on. And when theArab came unto Rustam he would answer him back, and Rustamcontinually heard from them wise words and replies whichastonished and affrighted him. Thus, for instance, Sa'd used tosend a different ambassador each time ;and Rustam inquired of'one so sent, Why do they not send to us him who was withus yesterday?' 'Because,' answered the other, 'our Amir dealsequitably with us both in woe and weal.' Another day he asked,'What is this spindle in thy hand?' meaning his lance. 'The'smallness of a burning coal,' replied the other, is no hurt toit.' To another he said on another occasion,'What ails your swordthat I see it so worn ? Worn ' ' of sheath, keen of blade,' retortedthe Arab. So these things and the like which Rustam saw alarmedhim, and he said to his retainers, 'Behold, the pretensions of thesepeople are either true or false. If they be false, then a people whoguard their secrets thus carefully, differing in naught, and agreedwith such accord in the concealment of their secret that nonediscloseth is it, assuredly a people of great strength and power. Butifthey be true, then can none withstand them.' Then they criedout round him, saying, 'We conjure thee by God not to abandonaught which thou holdest by reason of anything which thou hastseen on the part of these dogs Rather be firm in thy resolve to do!battle with them.' Then said Rustam, ' This is my view which Itell you ;but I am with you in whatsoever ye desire.'"Then they fought for several days, on the last of which happenedthe veering of the wind against the Persians, so that the dust blindedthem ;and Rustam was slain, and his army was routed, and their