"The sword must be unsheathed, since Kai-káús
Is bound a captive in the dragon's den,
And Rakush must be saddled for the field,
And thou must bear the weight of this emprize;
For I have lived two centuries, and old age
Unfits me for the heavy toils of war.
Should'st thou release the king, thy name will be
Exalted o'er the earth.--Then don thy mail,
And gain immortal honor."

Rustem replied that it was a long journey to Mázinderán, and that the
king had been six months on the road. Upon this Zál observed that there
were two roads--the most tedious one was that which Kai-káús had taken;
but by the other, which was full of dangers and difficulty, and lions,
and demons, and sorcery, he might reach Mázinderán in seven days, if he
reached it at all.

On hearing these words Rustem assented, and chose the short road,
observing:

"Although it is not wise, they say,
With willing feet to track the way
To hell; though only men who've lost,
All love of life, by misery crossed,
Would rush into the tiger's lair,
And die, poor reckless victims, there;
I gird my loins, whate'er may be,
And trust in God for victory."

On the following day, resigning himself to the protection of Heaven, he