Yazdagird son of Shapur

When Yazdagird became the world's great king
He gathered all the soldiers of the realm,
Assumed the crown which once his brother wore,
At whose sad death he joyed, and thus harangued
The notables : " All ye disposed to justice !
Make first your benisons to God, your hearts
All jubilant and laughing through our justice.
I will let not the wicked live who strive
To compass evil. He that cometh to us
For justice shall have rest from fraud and falsehood,
I will increase his state and banish greed
And vengeance from the heart. We will consult
None but the great men and the archimages,
Wise and shrewd-hearted ; but the vicious man,
Intoxicate with power, tyrannizing
The helpless, and elated with conceit
Of his own wealth, will we withstand and quell,
But multiply our favours to the poor.
The neck of him that heedeth not our wrath,
And fareth insolently in our eyes,
Is longing for an Indian sword, his body
To pillow in the dust. Scan well our bidding,
And, thus endeavouring, make your breast-plate
wisdom."
Thereat the men of mace and scimitar
All shook like willow-trees.
Now when his power
Waxed strong his love waned as his greatness grew ;
He scorned the sages and grew negligent
Of royal usages. The governors,
The paladins, the notables, and all
The learned and noble sages, were as wind
To him ; his dark soul had grown tyrannous ;
Both love and justice ceased within his heart ;
He-answered no petitions ; he misprized
All men alike and paused not on their faults.
All that were at his gate as ministers —
The Lustre of his fortune and his crown —
Agreed to speak not of the land to him,

And all men writhed with fear and died of fright
Because of him. When envoys came, or subjects
That clamoured for redress, a minister,
When notified, would learn their business,
And then with warm and kindly words dismiss
The envoys shamefastly, and say : " The Shah
Will not transact affairs ; ye cannot see him.
I have acquainted him with all your case,
But in his judgments right hath little place !"

When of his reign seven years had passed, and all
The archmages were in travail and dismay,
In Farwardin, when the eighth year began,
And showed the world the sun which they adored,
Upon Urmuzd's day there was born a child
With good stars and earth-brightening presages.
His sire forthwith gave him the name Bahram,
Rejoicing in that little one. At court
There were astrologers, for it is well
To hearken to their words. One was a noble
With Grace and sense, an Indian chieftain named

Surush, another hight Hushyar, a Persian,
Who by his arts could curb the sky itself.
These prudent seekers of the Way appeared
Before the Shah at his command. They used
Their astrolabes to take the stars and sought
To read the future with their Ruman tablets.
The stars ordained : " The child will be a king,
Lord of the seven climes, glad-hearted, holy."

They went before the Shah forthwith and took
Their astrolabes and tablets. Thus they said : —
" We have collected knowledge of all kinds,
And learned that heaven will love this goodly child.
The seven climes will be his realm, and he
Will be a mighty Shah and worshipful."

As soon as they had left the court, the chiefs,
And ministers, the holy archimages.
Sat and consulted o'er some shift whereby
The babe might favour not his sire but be
A righteous sovereign, "for if he hath
His father's temper he will wreck the realm,
The archimages and the paladins
Will not rejoice, and he will be not glad,
And bright of soul."

Then all the archimages
Approached the Shah with open, loyal hearts,
And said : " This sprightly babe is far beyond
Reproach and calumny. Now all the world
Is under thy command ; the toil and service
Of every clime are thine. Look for some place
Where knowledge is, and its possessors make
Their land rejoice, and choose among the great
Some statist who is lauded in that land,
And let this virtuous prince learn worth from him,
So that the world may joy in his behests."
The Shah, on hearing this, assembled all
The envoys of his realm and sent them forth
To Rum, to Hind, to Chin, and other lands
Inhabited. A chief, too, went among
The Arabs to discern if they would prove
A gain or loss. To every quarter fared
A crier seeking one to educate
Bahram, some man of eloquence and learning,
Accomplishment and knowledge ; so there came
From every clime an archmage wise, advised,
And fortunate, and, as they reached the court,
Each sought for that appointment from the Shah,
Who, after welcoming them graciously,
Assigned to each a lodging in the city.
Thus on a night Nu'man came with Munzir,
And likewise many famous Arab spearmen.

When all these chiefs had gathered thus in Pars
They came to Yazdagird, the king, and said : —
" We are thy slaves to hear and answer thee.
Who of these nobles is so fortunate
As to embrace the world-lord's precious child,
To be his teacher, and to cause the light
To shine upon the darkness of his heart ?
We out of Rum and Hindustan and Pars,
Geometricians and astrologers,
Philosophers and men exceeding wise,
Men of affairs and rhetoricians,
Are all of us the dust upon thy feet,
And all thy guides to knowledge. See thou then
Which one among us is approved by thee,
And which of us will profit thee the most."

Then spake Munzir on this wise : " We are slaves
Who only live in this world for the Shah.
He knoweth all the worth of us, for he
Is as the shepherd, we are as the flock.
Bold, riders we, adept in horsemanship,
More than a match for sages. We possess
No readers of the stars in figures versed,
But we have minds devoted to the realm,
And in this matter we are strong, O Shah !
Moreover we are slaves before thy son,
And sing the praises of his majesty."

When Yazdagird had heard he summoned up
His spirits and his wisdom, and, perceiving
From such an outset what would be the outcome,
Consigned Bahram, the precious, to Munzir,
For whom, for so the Shah bade, they prepared
A robe of honour and exalted sky-ward
His head. They robed his person and then called
The charger of the monarch of Yaman.
Then plain-ward from the hall of Yazdagird
Went camels, horses, litters, slaves, and nurses,
Past count, and stretched from palace to bazar.
The road through the bazars were draped with hangings,
And all was decked from city-gate to court.

Now when Munzir approached Yaman the men
And women all went out to welcome him.
Or ever he reached home he 'gan to seek
For many women of illustrious birth,
And made his choice among the landed folk
Of Persian race, among the Arabians,
Among the wealthy, great, and eminent,
And chose four ladies — two of Arab stock
And two of royal Persian — whose high strain
Was manifest in their accomplishment,
To serve as nurses. Thus they tended him
Four years. When he had had his fill of suckling,
And grew apace, they weaned him, which was hard
To do, and reared him delicately. At seven
What said he to Munzir in princely fashion ?
" Great chief! make me not out a babe unweaned !
Entrust me unto tutors that are learned,
My time is being wasted ; scorn me not."

Munzir replied : " Not yet, O prince ! hast thou
A need for knowledge. When that time shall come,
And thou hast grown solicitous to learn,
I will not leave thee playing in the house :
But playing is the thing to make thee grow."
Bahram rejoined : " Make me not out to be
An idle child for, though my years are few,
And though my neck and chest are not yet those
Of warriors, I have wisdom. As for thee,
Thou hast small wisdom though thou hast the years.
I am not as thou deemest. Know'st thou not
That one in quest of opportunities
Will start with matters that concern him most ?
To seek twice is to sacrifice one's prospects.
What is ill-timed is fruitless. Of man's body
The head is chief, and thou shouldst have me taught
What the great king should know. The first thing needful
Is knowledge since it is the head of right,
And blest is he that from the first ensueth
His proper end."

Munzir scanned him with wonder,
Invoking God beneath his breath, and sent
Upon a dromedary to Shursan
A chief forthwith who found three archimages,
Accomplished men and well reputed there.
One was to teach the young prince penmanship,

And lighten the dark places in his heart ;
The second to instruct him in the use
Of hawk and cheetah for his recreation,
As well as polo, archery, swordmanship
Against the foeman, how to rein his steed,
And to exalt himself among the brave ;
The third to inculcate the arts of kingship,
The style and business of administration,
And everything that he should bear in mind.
When these archmages came before Munzir

They held much talk with him, and in their charge
He placed the prince, because Munzir himself
Was both a scholar and a warrior.
Bahram, that seed of kings, grew so adept
That he was competent to play the man,
And when he heard of new accomplishments
He longed to learn them. When he was eighteen
The valiant warrior was like the sun ;
He needed not archmages to instruct him
In erudition, how to play at polo,
In manage of the cheetah and the hawk,
To wheel a steed upon the battlefield,
And charge. Thus said he to Munzir : " O man
Of honest rede ! send these professors home."

Thereat Munzir bestowed great gifts upon them,
And they returned rejoicing. Then the prince
Said to Munzir : " Call for the spearmen's steeds,
And bid the cavaliers to wheel before me,
To couch their lances, and then name the price
Of what I fancy ; I will better it."

Munzir said : " O accomplished atheling !
The keeper of my steeds is thine to bid,
The master of the horse is all thine own ;
Why should I toil and trouble for such things
If thou art forced to purchase Arab steeds ? "

Bahram replied : " O famous one ! may all
Thy years be satisfied with good. I want
A steed that I may spur adown the height,
And never draw the bridle in alarm,
Then, having rendered him so sure of foot,
Cause him to vie with winds upon the course,
Because one should not press a beast untried."

Munzir then bade Nu'man : " Go thou and choose
A drove of our own valiant herdsmen's horses ;
Go round the desert of the spearmen, see
What chargers thou canst get."

He hurried forth,

Chose, and produced a hundred warriors' mounts.
Bahram, on seeing them, went on the plain,

And wheeled about upon them for a while,
But every steed, albeit fleet as wind,
Possessed no wings when ridden by Bahram.
At length he chose a chestnut broad of breast,
With feet like wind, and, of another brand,
A bay. Thou wouldst have said : " A crocodile
Hath come forth from the deep ! " His shoes flashed

fire,

And from his ruddy breast fell drops of blood.
Munzir paid for the two what they were worth
(The wood of Kufa was their native place)
And bold Bahram accepted the two steeds,
Bright as Azargashasp, and guarded them,
Like some fresh apple, lest a blast should harm.

One day the young prince spake thus to Munzir : —
" O man of understanding, bright of mind !
Thou hast no pretext for thus keeping me,
Not sparing me a moment from thy sight.
There is a secret impulse in the hearts
Of all that thou beholdest. As grief paleth,
So pleasure greateneth, a man. In short
Some fair-faced damsel will increase my joy,
For woman is the solace of our pains.
In woman doth a young man find repose,
Be he a monarch or a paladin ;
She is his guide to Faith and to all good.
Command to have some damsels brought to me,
Some five or six, like suns and full of charm.
Perchance, when I have chosen one or two,
My thoughts will fix on justice and the Faith.
It may be too that I shall have a child
To ease my heart, the world-lord will approve me,
And I shall have the praise of every one."

On hearing such words from the youth, Munzir
The aged, blessed him and then bade a man
To make all haste to the slave-dealer's shop
Upon that quest, who brought out forty damsels
Of Rum, all fit to please and soothe the heart,
As tall in stature as a cypress-tree,
All objects of desire, of charm, and grace.
Bahram chose two, among those rosy-cheeked,
With rosy skins and bones of ivory.
One of these Stars could play upon the lute,
The other with her cheeks all tulip-like
Was as Canopus of Yaman, in height
A cypress, and with tresses lasso-wise.
Munzir paid for them when they were approved.
With cheeks bright as the gem of Badakhshan
Bahram gave thanks with smiles upon his face,
And spent his days at polo and the chace.

It happened that one day without attendance
Bahram went with the lutist to the chase.
Azada was the Ruman damsel's name ;
Her cheeks were coral-hued. Bahram had mounted
A dromedary with the noble Cypress,
Who had her lute in hand. She was his charmer,
His love ; her name was ever on his lips.
For such occasions he required a camel,
And set thereon a housing of brocade,
While from it hung four stirrups. Thus he pricked
O'er hill and dale. Two stirrups were of silver,

Two were of gold, and all were set with jewels,
And furthermore he had beneath his quiver
A stone-bow ; that brave youth was all-accomplished.
He came upon a pair of deer and laughing
Said to Azada : " O my Moon ! when I
Have strung my bow and in my thumb-stall notched
The string, which shall I shoot ? The doe is young,
Her mate is old."
She said : " O lion-man !

Men do not fight with deer. Make with thine arrows
The female male, the aged buck a doe,
Then urge the dromedary to its speed,
And, as the deer are fleeing from thy shafts,
Aim with thy cross-bow at one creature's ear
That it may lay its ear upon its neck,
Keys And when the beast shall raise its foot to scratch
The ear that hath been tickled though not hurt,
Pin with one arrow head and ear and foot
Together if thou wouldest have me call thee
The Lustre of the world. ' "

Bahram Gur set

The string upon his bow and caused commotion
Upon that quiet plain. Within his quiver
He had a double-headed shaft for use
While hunting on the waste and, when the deer
Sped off, he shot the buck's two horns away
Much to the girl's amaze. Forthwith the sportsman
Shot two shafts at the doe which struck her head
Just where the horns should be and furnished her
Therewith. Her breast grew red with blood. He rode
Toward her mate again, set in his stone-bow
A bolt, hit the buck's ear, and was well pleased,

For he had aimed thereat. The creature scratched
Its ear. Forthwith within his bow of Chach

He set an arrow and pinned head and ear
And foot together ; but Azada's heart
Was vexed about the deer, and when the prince
Said : " When I hunt I bring them down by thousands
Thus," she replied : " Thou art an Ahriman,
Else how canst thou shoot thus ? "
Bahram stretched out,

Flung her from saddle headlong to the ground,
And made his dromedary trample her,
Besmearing hands and breast and lute with blood.
He said to her : O thou lute-playing fool !
Why shouldst thou seek for my discomfiture ?
If I had drawn mine arms apart in vain
My race had been dishonoured by the shot."

When he had trampled her beneath his camel
He never more took damsels to the chase.

Next se'nnight with a noble troop he went
Forth to the hunting-ground with hawk and cheetah,
And near a mountain saw a lion that tore
An onager's flanks. Impetuously he strung
His bow and notched therein a shaft three-feathered,
Then pinned both preyer's back and heart of prey
That underneath the blood-stained lion lay !

Another week Nu'man went with Munzir
To be Bahram's companion in the chase,
And took withal some Arab men of name

As judges of his failure or success.
Munzir desired Bahram Gur to display
His horsemanship and strength before these men.
Anon a flock of ostriches appeared,
Each running like a dromedary loose.
On seeing them Bahram Gur rushed like wind.
He handled smilingly his bow and stuck
Four poplar arrows in his belt. He laid
The arrows in his bow successively
To slay those birds, and pierced in sportsman's fashion
Their plumes. No arrow by a needle's breadth
Was lower than another, none more high,
And, when the nobles went to see the outcome,
They found the horseman's shots true to a hair,
Whereat Munzir called blessings down on him,
As did the other spear-armed warriors.
Munzir said : " O my king ! I joy o'er thee
As roses joy o'er springtide. May thy Moon
Ne'er wane, thy girdlestead be weakened never."

Munzir, returning to his palace, held
Bahram Gur high as Saturn. Many a painter
He sought for in Yaman, and all the best
Assembled at his court. He bade them limn
On silk a picture of Bahram Gur shooting.
They drew with ink thereon a cavalier
To represent him, thews and all, as seated
On his tall camel, shooting wondrously ;
The stone-bow, lion, deer, and onager ;
His breast expanded, all his markmanship,
And strength ; the ostriches, the wilderness,
And impact of the arrow. Then Munzir
Dispatched a cavalier to bear the picture
To Yazdagird, and all the host assembled
At that communication. In amaze
The chiefs all called down praises on Bahram.
Thenceforth, whenever he did anything
Of note, they sent it pictured to the king.

The Shah was eager to behold Bahram —
Bahram ? Nay rather an imperious Sun !
That Lion said thus to Munzir : " Albeit
I could abide however long with thee
My father's wish inciteth me to go,
And, since I shall be safe, mine own heart urgeth."

Munzir prepared whatever was required; —
Gifts from Yaman, exceeding all compute,
As Arab steeds with golden furniture,
And other things of noted costliness,
Striped cloth, and falchions, of Yaman, and what
The mines afforded in 'Adan. Nu'man,
Who was in favour at the Persian court,
Went with Bahram, conversing of the Shahs,
Until they reached Istakhr. When tidings came
About the Shah's son and Nu'man the Arab,
The archimages and shrewd-hearted sages
Went from the court to meet them. When the Shah
Saw from afar Bahram, his Grace, his limbs,
And girth, he stood amazed at seeing him
So tall, well trained, and fair to look upon,
Received him well and lodged him near at hand.
He chose Nu'man a dwelling in the city,
And for the prince a palace as was meet,
Supplying him with handmaids and with slaves
Befitting his degree. The son attended
His sire by night and day, and had not time
To rub his head. Nu'man abode a month,
And then requested licence to depart,
The monarch summoned him by night, then set him

Upon the throne, and said : " Munzir hath seen
Much toil in fostering high-born Bahram,
And I must make him a return therefor,
For your esteem is as Urmuzd to me.
I laud the weighty counsels of Munzir,
For he inclineth, as I see, to wisdom ;
Still, while thou tarriest at our court, I trow
That he is looking for thee on the road."

Then of dinars out of the treasury
They gave him fifty thousand with king's raiment,
And from the stalls ten steeds that bore a name,
With gold and silver trappings, gave withal
Slaves, carpetings, perfumes, and coloured stuffs,
And goods of all kinds. These Mihran produced
Out of the world-lord's treasures and bestowed them
All on Nu'man, son of Munzir. He opened
The door of largess gladly to bestow
Upon Nu'man's companions fitting gifts.
The Shah then wrote a letter to Munzir,
A letter that was worthy of the state,
With thanks for his entreatment of the prince,
Whose love the monarch of Yaman had gained : —

I will endeavour to repay thy deeds ;
Mine own head is exalt by such a son."

Bahram Gur wrote : " My lot here is not happy.
It was not what I hoped for from the Shah
That he should look upon his subject thus.
I am not here as either son or servant,
Or, like a younger brother, light of heart."

He told Nu'man, what had been hidden from him,
The evil ways and customs of the world-lord.

Nu'man, when he had left the royal court,
Came to renowned Munzir and gave to him
The world's king's letter which, when he had kissed,
He laid upon his head, joyed at those gifts,
And multiplied his praises. Afterward
The envoy spake in private to Munzir
At large about Bahram Gur. When the scribe
Had read the other letter out to him
His visage grew like gall. He wrote forthwith
An answer full of good advice : " Famed prince !
See that thou turn not from thy father's way.
Approve both good and evil from the Shah,

Be wise and serve. When princes are submiss
Ills pass. Men's heads have need to compass wisdom.
'Tis all the doing of the circling sky,
And we are impotent. It hath a heart
All love, a heart all hate, a face all frowns.
The Master of the world hath framed it so,
And we must be disposed as He disposeth.
Henceforth I will dispatch to thee dinars,
And royal gems, according to thy needs.
Let not thy heart be troubled, for thy trouble
Importeth more to me than heaped up treasure.
Lo ! now by way of offering I send
Five hundred score dinars and lo ! withal
The handmaid that was erst thy confidant,
And thine own heart's delight behind thy curtains,
To brighten thy dark soul. When thou hast spent
All these dinars lean not upon the king,
For I will send to thee still many more,
And things of all descriptions from this realm ;
But do thy service, utter words of praise,
And serve with an increasing instancy,
For e'en in thought thou canst not separate
Ill temper and the monarch of the world."

He sent off' ten Arabian cavaliers —
Men who were loyal, shrewd, and eloquent.
They came to prince Bahram with sacks of coin,
And with his loyal slave-girl. Wise Bahram
Rejoiced thereat, his sorrows turned to wind,
And thenceforth, as Munzir advised was right,
He failed not in attendance day and night.

It chanced that in the banquet-hall one day
Bahram was in attendance on the Shah ;
That night came on and he was wearied out
By standing long and could not keep awake.
His father, seeing that his eyes were closed,
Cried violently in an angry voice,
And bade an executioner : " Arrest him.
Henceforth he shall not look on crown and girdle.
Ward him within this house and then return.
He graceth not this place of fame and fight."

Within the palace, with a broken heart,
That year he looked not on his father's face
Save on Nauruz and at the Sada feast

When he drew near among the other nobles.

It happened that Tainush, the Ruman, came
As envoy to the Shah with purses, slaves,
And with the tribute sent from Rum by Caesar.
The king of kings received him graciously,
And lodged him worthily. Bahram dispatched
This message to him : " Shrewd and potent man !
No grievance hath the Shah against his subject,
Yet guiltless I am banished from him thus !
Ask him to grant me pardon for thy sake,
That so my withered fortunes may revive,
And send me to my fosterers : Munzir
Was more to me than mother and than father."

Tainush gave ear, accomplished his desire,
And made Bahram's afflicted heart rejoice.
He was released from his degrading bonds,
Bestowed much largess on the mendicants,
And gat him ready to depart in haste.
He called his followers and, when the night
Was dark, led forth the company like wind,
Exclaiming to his friends : " Thanks be to God
For our escape and safety from distress."

When he came near the monarch of Yaman,
Men, women, children, went to welcome him ;
So did Nu'man, so did Munzir, so did
Their honest spearmen. As Munzir drew nigh
Bahram the day was darkened with the dust
Of troops, both chiefs dismounted, and Bahram
Detailed his sufferings whereat Munzir
Wept much, and said : " What is the Shah's star then,
For ne'er he walketh in the way of wisdom ?
I fear that he will suffer for his deeds."

Bahram said : " Never may the Shah himself
Grow conscious even of his own ill star ! "

Munzir received him then and there as guest,
And heaped new benefits upon the old.
Bahram Gur's whole employ was banqueting,
Disporting on the riding ground, gift-giving,
And combating. Thenceforth the grief and joy
Of Yazdagird were to his son but breezes
Upon the day of Ard. Time passed. Bahram
Was glad in hall and glorious on the waste.

Now Yazdagird, concerned about the realm,
Assembled archimages from all quarters,
And bade the readers of the stars discover
How he would die and darkness whelm his head,
And, when this happened, where his royal cheeks
Would wither. They replied : " Let not the Shah

Take thought of death, but when the royal fortune
Shall founder he will seek the spring of Sav,
Take thither with him troops with trump and drum,
And set out joyfully to visit Tus.
That is the place wherein the Shah will die.
Of such a day as that his ear hath heard not,
And pondering such knowledge is not good ;
It is a secret veiled by God Himself."

The Shah, on hearing this, swore by Kharrad,
And by Barzin, and by the yellow sun : —
" I will not, whether I be glad or wroth,
Behold the spring of Sav."

Three month rolled by,

And then the Shah's blood caused the age concern.
One day his nostrils bled, and leeches came
From every quarter to advise thereon ;
They made a shift the bleeding to restrain
One week with drugs, then it began again.

An archmage said to him : " Thou hast, O king !
Departed from the ways of Providence.
Thou said'st : " I will escape the hand of death ! '
But where is death not alway in full leaf ?
The course for thee is this : by way of Shahd
Go in a litter to the spring of Sav,
There make thy prayer before all-holy God,
Go in abasement round that burning soil,
And say thus : " I, a feeble slave, whose oath
Hath set a snare before his soul, have come
Now to inquire how long I have to live,
O righteous Judge ! ' '

The Shah approved thereof
As helpful to his anguish, had brought forth
Three hundred litters, and, thus borne, proceeded
Toward the river Shahd both night and day
Post haste, his nostrils bleeding still at whiles.
As soon as he had reached the spring of Sav
He left his litter, gazed upon the stream,
Poured somewhat of the water on his head,
And called on God, the Giver of all good.
Anon the bleeding ceased. He ate and rested
Among his counsellors, grew proud, and said : —
" This was the course ! Why need I tarry longer ? "

Now when the Shah in his conceit imagined
That he had wrought the cure upon himself,
A white steed issued from the stream, with buttocks
Round like an onager's, and short of leg.
It pranced and seemed as 'twere an angry lion ;
'Twas stately, black of belly, raven-eyed ;
It had a trailing tail, a crest, and mane,
Black hoofs, and foamed ; it was a lion-slayer.
Thus to his chiefs said Yazdagird : " Let troops
Encircle it."

The herdsman with the help
Of ten rough-riders hemmed it in and took
A saddle and a lengthy coiled up lasso.
How could the Shah wot of the World-lord's purpose
In bringing him that dragon of a steed ?
It foiled alike the herdsman and the troops,
Whereat the monarch was exceeding wroth,
And taking up the saddle and the reins
Drew near the horse exultingly which proved
So docile that it did not stir a foot.
The monarch took the bridle from the herdsman,
And gently put the saddle on the mount.
He girthed it. That fleet Crocodile stood stirless.
He went to put the crupper on. That charger,
Flint-hoofed, neighed and kicked him on the head !
His head and crown descended to the dust.

The dust received him and the dust begot.
From yon seven heavens on high what wouldst thou
ask?

Their revolution thou escapest not ;
To pay them worship is a fruitless task.
Incline to God — the Master of the sky,
Of sun, and moon — to Him for refuge fly.

The water-horse, when Yazdagird was slain,
Returned like flying dust to that blue spring,
And vanished 'neath the surface ! None e'er looked
On such another marvel. Like a drum-roll
Rose from the host a shout : " O Shah ! thy fate
Led thee to Tus."

The chieftains rent their clothes,
And flung dust on their heads. The archimages
Then oped the head and body of the Shah,
Embalmed them both with musk and camphor, wrapped
The dry corpse in brocade, draped therewithal
His shining breast, and set upon his head
A crown of musk. Then on a bier of gold,
And on a teaken litter, he departed
Unthroned and crownless back again to Pars.

Thus is it with this Wayside Hostelry !
Will peace, though thou ensue it, come to thee ?
Though meek thyself, the world is unrestrained ;
So having eaten let the cup be drained.
Religion is a better thing than sin
For one that hath the power to walk therein.

Now when the monarch of the world was buried,
And from Iran the chieftains came in tears —
Archmages, governors, and paladins,
With prudent ministers, men shrewd of heart — -
All met in Pars and gathered round his charnel,
As Gustaham, who rode down elephants,
And slaughtered them, Karan the warrior,
Son of Gashasp, Milad, Arash the marchlord,
Parwiz the horseman of Gurzban, and others.
Withal too those in hiding in Iran —
The great men and the leaders of the world,
Whom Yazdagird was wonted to abase —
Assembled in the city, and Gashasp,
The scribe — a man of eloquence — thus spake : —
" Ye nobles young and old ! since God created
The world none hath beheld a king like this,
Who knew but how to slaughter and contemn,
To cause distress and travail, and withhold
His counsel and his treasure from his subjects,
Respecting none and setting all at odds.
No man hath seen a fouler Shah or heard
Of one among the paladins of yore.
We want no more of this race on the throne,
And cry against his very dust to God.
Illustrious Bahram is his own son,
His very kin in purpose, heart, and brain.
His talk is all Munzir. We will not have
A tyrant on the throne."

Then all that were
Chiefs in Iran swore mighty oaths and said : —
" We will not have another of this race

As king of kings with crown and throne of might."

That done, they rose and sought another Shah.
When tidings of the death of Yazdagird
Spread 'mongst the chiefs — the monarch of the Alans,
The paladin of Pars, Biward, Shikban,
The warrior of the world, Bihzad who had
Barzin to sire and was of Rustam's race,
And Sam the hero sprung from Kai Kubad —
All said : " The sovereignty is mine from earth
To Pisces," and the whole world was fulfilled
With tumult, for the head that wore the crown
Had vanished from the throne. Then in Iran
Chief, paladin, and archmage, all that were
Of ardent soul, met to debate in Pars : —
" Who is there worthy of the throne of kings ?

Consider who can enter on the work.
We see not any one, approved by God,
To wear the golden girdle on the throne,
And to allay the troubles of the time :
A kingless world is but a pasturage."

There was an ancient man, by name Khusrau,
Of generous instincts, masterful, and ardent.
Moreover he was born of noble race,
And one among the wealthy of the land.
The nobles gave to him the crown and state,
And troops from all sides gathered at his gate.

Thereafter to Bahram Gur tidings came : —

" Heaven hath apportioned to thy sire the grave ;
Thy father, eminent midst kings, is dead,
And ta'en with him the name of sovereignty ;
They have enthroned another and acclaimed him
As monarch by the title of Khusrau.
The warriors have bound themselves by oaths : —
" We will not have a monarch of the race
Because Bahram, the son, is like the sire,
And, skin and marrow, of his father's seed.' "

Bahram Gur, when he heard it, tore his cheeks,
So troubled was he at his father's death,
And for two se'nnights went up from Yaman
Wails from child, man, and woman. When Bahram
Had sorrowed for a month he graced the throne.
Nu'man drew near together with Munzir,
And Arabs of Yaman both great and small,
All shedding tears of sorrow with their Shah,
While anguish wrought on them the effects of fire.
Then setting loose their tongues they counselled thus :—
" O virtuous and most exalted prince !
We came to this world to be turned to dust,
Came not in quest of any remedy.
All mother-born will die, and to God's justice
We must resign our hearts."

Bahram Gur said

Thus to Munzir : " Already is the water
" Grown brackish in our stream ! What time my race
Shall lose its royal title it will lose
Its Grace divine, men will send up in dust
The desert of the horsemen and convert
The country of the Arabs to a ditch.
Consider well, assist me, and deplore
My father's death."

Munzir gave ear and answered
Right manfully : " This is my chance and this
My hunt-day on the waste. Sit on the throne,

Observe, and wear through all thy years the crown,
And bracelet."

All the chiefs approved the course
Suggested by Nu'man and by Munzir :
They left the presence and prepared for war.
Munzir gave orders to Nu'man and said : —
" Go gather our brave Lions in a host —
Two thousand of Shiban, ten of Kibtis,
All dight for battle. I will show the Iranians
Who is the Shah with treasure, crown, and troops ! "

Nu'man assembled him a mighty power
Of swordsmen and of spearmen, bade them raid,
And trample down the realm. To Taisafun
All the salt desert route shook with their hoofs,
The women and the children were made captive,
There was no helper, and the world was full
Of fire and harrying since the imperial throne
Was impotent. News came to Rum and Chin,
To Turkistan, to Hind, and to Makran : —
" The Iranian throne is void, and none is fit
To rule," and all made ready, in despite
Of justice, to invade the land. They all
Stretched out their hands toward the Iranian throne,
And rose to claim the empire for their own.

The Iranians heard and sought a remedy.
Distracted by their woes they met, and said : —
" These Rumans, Indians, and desert-horsemen
Have passed all bounds ! We must adopt some means
To rid our hearts and souls of this distress."
They chose a noble envoy shrewd and fluent,
A warrior hight Jawanwi, a scribe,
A man of high degree and eloquence,
To go to parley with Munzir and say : —
" O noble lord ! the world doth need thy name.
Thou watchest o'er Iran and o'er Turan,

And thou art everywhere the warriors' stay.
What time this throne grew void of Shah and crown,
And when the marches of our land with blood
Were like the plumage of the francolin,
We said that thou wouldst rule our coasts, for they
Were worthy of thee. Now thou raidest us,
And sheddest blood with rapine and contention
On every side ! Thou used'st not to be
An evildoer and wast wont to fear
Reproach and malison. Consider now
If this doth please thee and doth benefit
Thee with thy hoary head. There is a Judge
Besides thyself, One higher than all thought.
The envoy will narrate what he hath seen,
Or heard from persons in authority."

Wise Jawanwi went from the chieftain's presence,
He journeyed toward the desert of the spearmen,
Spake with Munzir, and gave him the dispatch.
The Arab chief made no reply thereto,
But said to him : " Wise seeker of the way !
Repeat the matter to the king of kings,
Repeat what thou hast said to Shah Bahram,
And, when thou seekest for an answer, he
Will point thee out the way."

He sent a chief

With Jawanwi who reached the monarch's gate.
That man of knowledge, when he saw Bahram,
Invoked God's blessing on the Shah whose breast,
Whose stature, and whose limbs astonished him,
Shrewd-hearted though he was : " Thou wouldest say
That wine distilleth from his face, the scent
Of musk exhaleth from his hair ! "

That man

Of eloquence grew void of Grace and sense,
And utterly forgot his embassage !
Bahram Gur, noting his amaze, and how
The spectacle bedimmed his eyes and heart,
Much greeted him, showed him all courtesy,
And set him graciously upon the throne.
Now when the envoy seemed at ease the Shah
Asked : " Wherefore hast thou toiled thus from Iran ?
Hereafter thou shalt have the fruit of toil,
And well filled treasury, from us."

He sent

A sage to take him to Munzir and say : —
" Write thou an answer and indite fair words.
See if the envoy hath a verbal message,
And, if so, hear it and reply at large."

Came Jawanwi and spake, at whose wise speech
Munzir's cheek flushed ; he heard that shrewd one out,
Prepared to make his answer to the letter,
And said to Jawanwi : " O full of wisdom !
All that do ill will smart therefor. Now I
Have heard thy message and the nobles' greeting.

Say thus : " Who was the first to cause the ill ?
Who needs must seek this senseless feud ? Bahram Gur,
The king of kings, with stature, Grace, and host,
Is with us here, and they who draw the snake
Out of its hole will trail their skirts in blood.
Albeit, were I to advise, no harm
Would come upon the Iranians.' "

Jawanwi

Had seen and hearkened to the king of kings,
Had questioned him to see if he was fit
For throne and greatness, fortune and success,
And, as he listened to Munzir, conceived
A brilliant notion, and replied : " Great sir,
Who needest not the wits of other men !

If wisdom failed the Iranians, many a chief
Among them hath been slain through that defect.
Now I, old as I am, still seek for fame,
And I will speak if thou wilt hear. Our land
We gladly yield to thee and brave Bahram,
The king of kings. With hawk and cheetah make
A royal progress in Iran to hear
What folk will say : no harm will come of it.
Speak too whate'er is right. The sage will best
The fool. Forgo all mischievous intent,
And shrink not at reproach and calumny."

Munzir, on hearing, gave him gifts and sent
Him home from that fair country, well content.

Munzir, Bahram Gur, and the counsellors
All met in privy conclave and resolved
To march upon Iran. Munzir made choice
Of thirty thousand warlike Arab spearmen,
Gave ample pay, and filled the chieftains' heads
With vapouring. As tidings reached Iran
Of these things Jawanwi himself returned,
And all the potentates, in deep concern,
Betook them to the Fire-fane of Barzin,
And prayed to God to change their strife to joy
And feasting.

When Munzir had led his troops

Across the unwatered waste, and reached Jahram,
Great Shah Bahram Gur pitched his camp-enclosure.
His troops surrounded it, and to Munzir
He spake thus : " From the country of Yaman
Thou hast come to Jahram, my counsellor !
Which shall it be, when host confronteth host,
A fight or parley ? "

Said Munzir : " Invite

The chiefs and, on their coming, spread the board,
And speak with them. When any are provoked
So be not thou, and we shall learn whom they
Are fain to hail as monarch of the world.
That known, we will take order and avoid
Strife if soft means suffice. If they seek war,
Turn, and display the bearing of a pard,
Then will I make this desert of Jahram
As 'twere a sea, and turn the shining sun
To Pleiades. I wot when folk behold
Thy stature, mien, and lovingkindliness,
Thy wisdom, counsel, and initiative,
Thy gravity, thy knowledge, and thy patience,
That they will want none else to have the crown,
The throne, the fortune, and the pageantry ;
But if they err, and wish to take away
The throne from thee, then will I with these horsemen,
And our sharp swords, bring Doomsday on the world ;
Then shalt thou see me frown, and may my soul
And body be thy ransom. When they mark
My countless troops, the order that I take,
Our deeds of blood, that God is our ally,
And that the realm is thine inheritance
By right established through a long descent,
They will acclaim as Shah none save thyself
As fit for crown and to adorn the throne."

The Shah heard smiling; his heart throbbed with

joy-
Now when the sun rose o'er the mountain-tops

The mighty men and nobles of Iran
Made ready to go forth to meet Bahram Gur
The sages were convoked, an ivory throne
Was set up for the prince, and he assumed
The glorious crown, and ordered all his court
According to the use of king of kings,
Because he was the monarch of the world.
On one hand sat Munzir and on the other
Nu'man with sword in hand, while all about
The tent-enclosure there were warriors,
But none that was not on the Arab side.
Then those Iranians that were loyalists
Came to the antechamber of the Shah,
Who had the curtain lifted and the names
Of those that entered called out at the door.
They came before the presence of Bahram Gur,
The Shah, beheld a splendid crown and throne,
And shouted, saying : " Mayst thou live for ever ;
Far from thee ever be the evil eye."

The king of kings received them graciously,
And ranked them every one in his degree.

Bahram said : " Princes, old, experienced chiefs !
The kingship is mine own by long descent.
Why this to-do of yours ? "

" Expect us not,"

The Iranians shouted, " to endure more loss !
Not one of us will have thee as the Shah.
Thou hast an army, but the land is ours.
Thy race hath caused us anguish, toil, and woe :
By night and day we writhe and heave cold sighs."
Bahram thus answered : " Yea, 'tis true, for passion
Is king of every heart. If ye reject
Me, why thus seat another in my room
Without consulting me ? "

An archmage said : —

"None, whether he be prince by birth or subject,
May shun the path of justice. Join with us,
And choose a Shah that every one will bless."

They spent three days upon the task of choosing
A monarch from Iran, and then wrote down
A hundred nobles' names — fit Lustres all
For crown and throne and belt. Bahram Gur's name
Was one of them because he charmed the realm.
They cautiously and anxiously reduced
The hundred names to fifty, and of these
Bahram's name stood the first, who, if he sought
His sire's place, sought but justice. Of the fifty
They wrote down thirty, and they were the choicest,
Most famous, and most potent of Iran.
Bahram amongst the thirty led again
Because he was a prince — the destined Shah.
The wise archmages brought the thirty down
To four, of whom Bahram was leader still.
When the decisive moment was at hand
The Iranian ancients said : " We will not have
Bahram who is too headstrong and self-willed,
Though brave."

An outcry rose among the chiefs,
The hearts of all were darkened, and Munzir
Addressed the Iranians thus: " I fain would know,
For good or ill, why ye are full of pain,

And stricken in your souls, about the Shah
In his untime-worn youth ? In excellence
No king on earth can match him, and in looks
No moon in heaven. His poplar shafts pierce anvils)
While with his strength he can uproot a mountain.
Though still a youth he is a sage in counsel,
Well skilled, with bright heart and retentive mind."
The chiefs, by way of answering him, sought out
Full many a stricken Persian, and assembled
Out of Iran upon that plain all those
That Yazdagird had maimed. One still survived
Lopped hand and foot but still intact of trunk ;
Another had lost ears and hands and tongue,
And seemed a lifeless body, while another
Had lost both shoulders, and Nu'man was all
Astound at those maimed forms. The eyes of one
Had been dug out with nails, and when Munzir
Beheld that sight his anger rose. Bahram
Was sorely grieved, invoked his father's dust,
And cried : " O hapless one ! why didst thou close
The eyes of thine own joy and burn thy soul
In fire?"

Munzir the aspiring said to him : —
" We cannot blink such evil. Thou hast heard
What they have had to say, now answer them,
For kings should not be at a loss."

Bahram

Then spake on this wise : " Chiefs and veterans !
Ye all said sooth, and this is even worse !
Well may I blame my sire since I myself
Have had a sample, for he darkened all
My fine resolves : his palace was my prison.
When God had mercy, and Tainush released me
Out of the clutches of my sire, his hook
Had pierced me to the soul, for which cause I
Took shelter with Munzir, because I never
Saw kindness from the Shah. May none possess
His temper, for the man is lost that lacketh
Humanity. Now I, thanks be to God,
Have wisdom, my soul eateth of its fruits,
And to this present I have prayed to Him
To be my guide to good that I might purge
My heart and spirit of such crimes as those
Wrought by the Shah on these men. I will live
To gratify my subjects' hearts, exist
To worship God according to the Way.
I am the shepherd and my subjects form
My flock. Let all of us seek peace and justice.
Then I have character, discretion, counsel,
And virtue, which no unjust king possesseth,
Because he needs must be unjust and froward,
And we should weep for one that is unjust.
With me are greatness, kingship, and discretion,
Benevolence and wisdom. From Shapur,
Son of Bahram, back to Ardshir my sires,
Both old and young, were Shahs, and are my guides
To wisdom and the Faith, while through my mother
I am the grandson of king Samiran,
And every way have wisdom for my comrade.
I am possessed of virtue, wisdom, might,
With courage, strength of hand, and horsemanship.
I know none other fit to call a man
In feast, in battle, or in anything.
I have a secret treasury well filled,
And men of name leal to their sovereign.
My justice shall make populous the world,
And all my subjects shall abide in joy.
Moreover I will make a pact with you,
And pledge my tongue to God. Let us bring forth
The imperial throne of ivory, and set
The bright crown over it, then let us bring
Two savage lions of the wood and, placing
The crown between them, chain them on each side.
Then let the would be Shah advance and take
The famed crown from the throne of ivory,
Place it upon his head and sit between
The lions as the Shah, the crown above him,
And under him the throne, for we will have
None else, provided he be just and holy.
If ye reject what I have said then choose,
Ye all ! some noble, and Munzir and I,
For Arab chieftains know not how to flee,
With mace and trenchant scimitar will send
The dust up from your king of kings, and strew
Your heads upon the moon. Now for your answer,
And speak advisedly in this contention."

He spake, then rose and went inside his tent.
All marvelled at his words. The chiefs, archmages,
And all the people of Iran that heard
The wise Shah's words, exclaimed : " This is the Grace
Of God, not craftiness or lack of wit !
He speaketh naught but what is just, and justice
Well may rejoice our hearts. For his proposal
About the savage lions with the throne,
And royal crown, between them : if they rend him
The Judge will not require his blood of us ;
'Tis his own plan, and if he perisheth
We are content, while if he shall achieve
The crown he will have distanced Faridun
In Grace, and we will have no other king.
In brief we give acceptance to his words."

That night passed by ; at dawn the Shah came forth,
And sat upon the throne. He sent and summoned
The Iranians, and discoursed of yesterday
At large. The archimages cried : " O Shah,
More knowing than the wise ! how wilt thou rule
When thou hast eminence and mastery ?
How wilt thou deal concerning right and justice,
So that both fraud and falsehood may abate ? "

He answered thus those sages, warriors,
And chiefs : " I will be better than my words,
Will make injustice and informing cease,
And not appoint unworthy governors,
Will rule the world by counsel and by justice,
And, having pacified it, will rejoice
At what my justice hath achieved, will give
Some of my hoarded wealth withal to those
In want, admonish those that are in fault,
And bind them if they err the second time,
Will pay the army promptly and rejoice
The sages' hearts, make tax-collectors just,
And turn their souls from darkness and chicane.
If any one shall die, not having kindred,
And leave excessive wealth, I will bestow it
On mendicants, not add it to my treasures,
Or be enamoured of this Wayside Inn.
I will hold counsel with the experienced,
And take such order as will frustrate greed.
I will consult my ministers whenever
I purpose some new scheme, and not dismiss
The assembly when a man is asking me
For justice, but will give to such their due,
Will utter righteous judgment, and requite
The ill with ill as well becometh rulers.
My witness is all-holy God, and wisdom
Is master of my tongue."
Then the high priest
And sages — well approved and veteran chiefs —
Exclaimed : " We are thy slaves and bow our heads
To thy command and will."
Then Shah Bahram
Said thus : " Ye men of wisdom and our guides !
If in a year I make my soul and wisdom
Belie my promises I will renounce
Crown, throne, and heritage, and sit thenceforth
Among the luckless."
Hearing this the sages,
The magnates, and archmages shrewd of heart,
Repented of past words and, being in fault,
Desired to make all well again, exclaiming,
One to another : " Who is worthier
To be the Shah than he in manliness,
Speech, counsel, birth ? None purer hath been born
Within the world ! God fashioned him of justice.
May mischief ne'er befall him. We shall have
All good from him, and turn us to the Faith,
And justice. If now we shall speak perversely,
And send our wits to sleep, he with such stature,
Such neck, and arms, is peerless in the world,
While at his back there is the Arab host,
Because in weal and woe Munzir will help him,
And if he win the throne that is his own
Who in the world is better than Bahram ?
What cause hereafter would he have to fear
The Iranians, for what are we but a pinch
Of dust to him ? "

They said : " O prosperous one !
Our minds approve thee for our Shah. None knew
Thy virtues, purity of person, wisdom,
And counsel, and we all of us have paid
Our homage to Khusrau, son of Pashin,
As Shah, we all are under oath to serve him,
And stand within his danger, so to speak.
Hereafter if he ruleth in Iran
Our borders will be desolate with war.
One party taketh pleasure in Bahram,
Another is in favour of Khusrau.
Thine own plan is the right one, and the world
Thereafter will be under thy command :
Ordeal by the lions will suffice,
And thenceforth none will seek the sovereignty."
Bahram gave his assent ; 'twas his proposal.
At the accession of a lawful Shah
The high priest with three sages used to go
To him, enthrone him, and felicitate
The throne, then bring the crown of gold — the source
Of glory, right, and Grace — and, crowning him,
Would press both cheeks upon his breast in joy.
The Shah then would bestow on suppliants
All gifts presented to him. So they put
The crown and throne in charge of the high priest,
And from the city fortunate Bahram
Departed to the waste. Brave Gustaham
Had two fierce lions which he gave in chains
To the high priest. They dragged the savage beasts
Along, the draggers seeming mad with fright,
And to the footings of the ivory throne
Chained them, and set the crown within a nook
Upon it. All the world — spectator there
Of crown and throne — watched how the prince would
fare.

Bahram Gur and Khusrau went on the waste,
And with full hearts approached the lions. Khusrau,
On seeing the fierce beasts with the crown between
them,

Said to the archimages : " He that seeketh
The sovereignty should be the first to try.
Moreover he is young and I am old—
Too feeble to resist fierce lions' claws —
So let him use his youth and vigour first."

Bahram made answer, saying : "Good, 'tis well.
We will not blink fair words."

With that he took
An ox-head mace while the world wondered at him.
An archmage said : " O wise and holy king !
Who biddeth thee fight lions ? Canst thou have
More than the sovereignty ? So in its quest
Give not thy life and person to destruction
Thus wantonly. Herein no blame attacheth
To us, 'tis thine own act, the world is thine."

Bahram said : " O explorer of the Faith !
Thou and the other folk are not to blame.
I am the man to fight these savage lions ;
'Tis my delight to battle with the brave."

The archmage answered: "Refuge then with God,
And, if thou needs must go, first purge thy heart
Of sin."

He did according to that word,
Repented, purged his heart, bathed in a stream,
And sought upon the plain a place of prayer.
Then as he prayed before all-holy God,
And laid his cheeks upon the dusky ground,
He said : " Almighty ! let Thy servants triumph.
If I — Thy servant — justly seek to cleanse
The world of evil give my soul assurance
In this strife, let me overcome the lions."
Thence came the wise Shah and at once set forth
Upon his way, armed with the ox-head mace.
Now when the valiant lions saw him coming,
One on the instant snapped its chain and charged
The exalted king. That hero smote its head,
And dimmed its eyes, then going to the other
Smote its head whence the blood ran down its breast,
Then took his seat upon the ivory throne,
Placed on his head the heart-delighting crown,
And put his trust in God who is our Refuge,
The Guider of the lost. Khusrau drew near,
Did homage, and thus said : " Exalted Shah !
Blest be thy sitting on the throne, and may
The heroes of the world be slaves before thee.
Thou art the Shah, we are thy slaves and further
Thy good in everything."

The mighty men

Showered jewels over him, invoking blessings
Upon his crown. A universal shout
Ascended from the world. That jubilance
Was on Surush's day in month Azar
Whereon Bahram assumed the sovereignty,
And won fruition of the crown and Grace.

A cloud hath risen and the moon's obscured ;
From that dark cloud a shower of Milk is poured ;
No river, plain, or upland can I spy,
The raven's plumes are lost against the sky ;
In one unceasing stream egg-apples fall :
What is high heaven's purpose in it all ?
No fire-wood, salted meat, or barley-grain
Are left me, naught till harvest come again !
Amid this gloom, this day of tax and fear,
When earth with snow is like an ivory sphere,
All mine affairs in overthrow will end
Unless my hand is grasped by some good friend.

Now will I tell to thee so strange a tale
That in the wonder wonder's self will fail.