Chapter XVIII

Awake! 'Tis Day! Rise up, O Youthful Mussulman!
Pack quick thy Goods and Baggage, and catch the Caravan.
O List! I hear it coming, 'twill sweep past while you sleep;
Hark! Tinkling Bells are calling to come, while come you can.
When once the Desert Sand-storm has o'er the Foot-prints blown,
You them will find no longer, however close you scan.
Up! Brace yourself for Action, as a Man all prompt and bold;
And waste not Life fond, dreaming, in idlesse, pining, wan.
Think of your noble Forbears, the gallant Youth of old;
Of Rustum, bravest Hero; of Sal, the Pehlevan.[26]
Be, too, of Right the Champion, Knight of the spotless Sun!
Fall not a Prey to Darkness, o'erthrown by Ahriman.
When once in struggle valiant, the earthly Soul is slain,
The Heavenly Soul bears proudly Life's Banner in the Van.
When thou thyself hast conquered, and triumphed in the Fight;
A diamond Ring thou'lt ever shine, in our Lord Shah's Divan.

[26] Pehlevan, _i.e._ of the old heroic Age. 'Rustum, the "Hercules" of Persia, and Zál his Father, whose exploits are among the most celebrated in the Sháhnáma' (Fitzgerald). Compare Matthew Arnold's 'Sohrab and Rustum. An Episode.'

Bondage