Kiumarth

(30,000 years BCE)
The Greatness of Kiumarth and the Envy of Ahriman

What saith the rustic bard? Who first designed to gain the crown of power among mankind? Who placed the diadem upon his brow? The record of those days hath perished now unless one, having borne in memory Tales told by sire to son, declares to thee who was the first to use the royal style and stood the head of all the mighty file.
He who compiled the ancient legendary, and tales of paladins, saith Kiumarth Invented crown and throne, and was a Shah.
This order, Grace, and luster came to earth When Sol was dominant in Aries and shone so brightly that the world grew young.
Its lord was Kiumarth, who dwelt at first upon a mountain; thence his throne and fortune Rose. He and all his troop wore leopard skins, and under him the arts of life began, for food and dress were in their infancy.

He reigned o'er all the earth for thirty years, in goodness like a sun upon the throne, And as a full moon o'er a lofty cypress so shone he from the seat of king of kings.
The cattle and the divers' beasts of prey grew tame before him; men stood not erect before his throne but bent, as though in prayer, Awed by the splendor of his high estate, and thence received their Faith.
He had a son Named Siyamak, ambitious like his sire, A youth well favored, skilled, and fortunate, His father's Life, whose joy was gazing on him, That fruitful offshoot of the ancient stem.
That Life the father cherished tenderly, and wept for love, consumed by dread of parting.
Thus time passed onward and the kingdom prospered, for Kiumarth had not an enemy except, in secret, wicked Ahriman, Who led by envy sought the upper hand.
He had a son too, like a savage wolf grown fearless, and a host of warriors.

The son assembled these and sought his sire, resolved to win the great Shah's throne and crown, whose fortune joined with that of Siyamak Made the world black to him. He told his purpose to every one and filled the world with clamor; but who told Kiumarth about the foe? The blest Sorush appeared in fairy form, Bedight with leopard skin, and told the king the projects that his foes were harboring.
*** How Siyamak was slain by the Hand of the Deev

News of that foul deev's acts reached Siyamak, Who listened eagerly; his heart seethed up with rage. He gathered troops, arrayed himself In leopard skin, for mail was yet unworn, And went to fight. When host met host he came In front unarmed to grapple with the son Of Ahriman. That horrible Black Deev clutched at, bent down that prince of lofty stature and rent him open. Thus died Siyamak By that foul hand and left the army chiefless.

When Kiumarth heard this the world turned black to him, he left his throne, he wailed aloud and tore his face and body with his nails; His cheeks were smirched with blood, his heart was broken, and life grew somber. All the soldiers wept, Consumed upon the flames of woe, and wailed as clad in turquoise colored garb they stood before the portal of the Shah. All cheeks were wine red, for all eyes shed tears of blood.

Birds, timid beasts and fierce, flocked to the mountain with doleful cries in anguish, and dust rose before the court gate of the mighty Shah.
When one year had passed thus the blest Sorush Was sent by God; he greeted Kiumarth And said:" Lament no more, control thyself, Do as I bid, collect thy troops and turn Thy foemen into dust, relieve earth's surface of that vile deev and thine own heart of vengeance."
The famous Shah looked up and cursed his foes, then, calling by the highest of all names upon his God, he wiped his tears away and prosecuted vengeance night and day.
*** How Hushang and Kiumarth went to fight the Black Deev
The blessed Siyamak had left a son, His grandsire's minister, a prince by name Hushang a name implying sense and wisdom.
Hushang

It was the lost restored and fondly cherished, and therefore being set on war the Shah Sent for the prince and frankly told him all:" I mean to gather troops and raise the war cry, but thou being young shalt lead for I am spent." He raised a host of fairies, lions, pards, and raveners, as wolves and fearless tigers, But took the rear, his grandson led the host.

The Black Deev though in terror raised the dust to heaven, but his claws were hanging slack Frayed by the roaring beasts. Hushang saw this and putting forth his hands like lion's paws Made earth too narrow for the lusty deev, then flayed him, lopping off his monstrous head, and trampled him in scorn thus flayed and sent.
The days of Kiumarth had reached their close when he achieved this vengeance on his foes; He passed away, the world was for his heir, but see who hath had glory to compare with his! He owned this tricky world and made the path of gain his path, and yet he stayed not to enjoy, for like a story done is this world: good and ill abide with none.