Hurmuzd son of Nushirwan

The Summer mocked the ruddy apple-tree,
And treated fruit and leaf with raillery :—
" As for the posy that in Spring of late
Thou barest on thy breast intoxicate,
With just a blush remembered in its bloom,
And branches yielding exquisite perfume,
How didst thou find a purchaser to buy.
And do thy marketing so readily ?
Those emeralds and rubies who bestowed
On thee that bendest underneath the load ?
Sooth ! thou hast bartered blossom for the grace
Of colour wherewithal to deck thy face,
But brought me to despair who cannot see
Thy blossoms for thy flaunting bravery."
Sweet Spring, my charmer ! whither hast thou fled,
And left the glories of the garden dead ?
Howbeit Autumn hath a scent of thine.
And I will drink to thee in new-made wine ;
Though thou art sallow I will praise thee yet,
And deck thee like Hurmuzd's own coronet,
For now my mart is brisk. Art thou to see,
When I am dead and gone, no trace of me I

A marchlord of Harat, well shot in age,

There was, in all approven and beseen,
A ready speaker, Makh by name, world-sage,

Still flourishing and of exalted mien ;
And it was him I questioned fain to find
What record of Hurmuzd he had in mind
When that Shah filled the throne of equity :
That eld of Khurasan thus answered me : —
Whenas that Shah sat on the famous state
He first gave praises to almighty God,
The Arbiter of fortune, and then said : —
" We will renown the throne and hold in honour
The men of high degree. We will enfold
The world beneath our wings, as did our sire,
In goodly case and Glory. We will make
Offenders quake and ease the oppressed, be patient
If one doth ill and succour him in trouble.
The prop of majesty is clemency
With bounty, justice, and right conduct. Know
That good and evil never are concealed
From Him who is the Maker of the world.
Our ancestors — crown-wearers in their time,
Which through their justice had its share of praise —
Sought but for mildness, equity, and greatness,
With valour, aptitude, their lieges' service,
Their lords' observance, and to vex their foes.
In every clime to act and to command,
Power, counsel, and authority to treat,
Are mine. The good affect a heaven-sent Shah.
Now mercy is the capital of such ;
The age becometh full of ease through bounty.
The mendicants will I entreat with kindness,
And will watch o'er the rich. The self-made man
Shall have a prosperous commerce with ourselves.
Withhold not your desires from my fond heart ;
I will abate with ease whatever cause
For fear ye entertain. Ye prosperous !
Joy in my crown and throne. Amid the great
Mine is the lustre in that mercy, justice,
And bounty are mine own. Grow still in kindness,
And banish greed and vengeance from your hearts.
They that fear God will see not evil fortune,
So strive ye all, both small and great, to win
The favour of the Maker of the world.
Again, let not the heart of one possessed
Of wisdom contemplate ingratitude,
And when thou benefitest other folk
Let there be no idea of recompense.
Mix not with men that speak deceitfully,
For what they utter is for outward show,
And if thy king be just think thou no shame
Concerning him, for while thou callest him
Unwise he may be studious of the words
Of former Shahs, and when his heart is prompted
To mercy sow not thou the seed of guile
Upon the earth. The spurner of our counsel
Will throw away the benefits of fortune.
The approval of thy Shah sufficeth thee,
While to resist him is the road to ruin.
His harshness in exhorting thee is kind.
For he would break with thee if he were wroth.
Begrudge no efforts in the cause of good.
And joy not in injustice and in wealth.
When in the world thou hast thy heart's desire,
And reached what thou wast instant to attain.
Still, when thou donst the crown of seventy years,
Thou yieldest all thy winnings to the foe.
My heart is greatly troubled for the poor,
And I would have them ever in my thoughts.
I ask the holy Fosterer for time
To render poor folk happy with my treasures ;
I will not bring the saintly heart to trouble.
If any by his monetary wealth
Shall grow too kinglike him will I abase :
No rival will I have. From first to last.
In public utterance and secret thought,
We are the same. The Maker's benison
Be yours, your earth the circling vault of heaven."
Now when the assembly heard his words each man
Grew thoughtful, those of wealth were filled with
fear,
And tyrants' hearts were rent, while for their part
The sage and mendicant waxed glad of heart.

The Shah ruled well until he felt secure
And had attained his ends but then he raged,
Displayed his evil nature, left the path
Of right and, as he had determined, slew
Those most in honour with his father — men,
Who, innocent and happy, feared no ill.

Among the scribes of Nushirwan were three,
Two old, one young, their names Izid Gashasp,
Burzmihr — a learned scribe of Grace and presence —
And Mah Azar, wise, shrewd, and prosperous.
The three had been vizirs and ministers
Before the throne of Nushirwan. Hurmuzd
Was longing to bring ruin on all three

Because he feared that they might prove ingrate.

Without a cause he raised his hand against
Izid Gashasp, bound and imprisoned him.
The high priest's heart was straitened and his cheek
Wan with anxiety, for he was good,
An ancient named Zarduhsht, and at the bondage
Of scribe Izid Gashasp it was as though
His own heart had been arrow-pierced.

Now when
Izid Gashasp had passed a day untended,
Without food, clothes or solacer, a friend
Conveyed for him this message from the prison
To the high priest : " O thou that to the captive
Art skin and marrow ! I here am I within
The prison of the Shah without attendance,
And none can come to me. I crave for food ;
A famished paunch increaseth my distress.
Send to me what is fit and, when I die,
Some linen and a stitcher for my shroud."

The high priest's heart was grieved at his afflic-
tion,
His message, place, and lodging. He replied : —
" Complain not of the matter of thy bondage
If thou art not in jeopardy of life."

Albeit the message left him broken-hearted,
And troubled for himself. He thought : " If news
Shall reach this Graceless and ungenerous Shah
That his high priest hath sent things to the prison,
My life and body are not worth a mite ;
This world-lord will destroy me and will turn
A livid face toward me in his wrath."

Yet through affection for Izid Gashasp,
The scribe, his heart was wrung, his face like gall.
He bade his heedful cook take to the prison
Food for the prisoner and afterwards
Gat On an Arab steed and went to him.
The keeper of the prison paled with fright,
On seeing the high priest, but dared not say : —
" Go not within the prison for this king
Is self-willed and a novice."

Bathed in tears
That aged man alighted from his steed,
And visited Izid Gashasp. They clasped
Each other in a close embrace, all anguish,
The lashes of their eyes like clouds in Spring,
And held talk of the Shah's malignity
Until words failed them. Then the board was

spread
Before those holy men who next began
To mutter prayers with sacred twigs in hand,
And afterwards Izid Gashasp in whispers
Conveyed his wishes, while the high priest heark-
ened,
As to his hoarded treasure and dinars,
His mansions, palaces, and property.
And said : " O noble man ! on going hence
Say to Hurmuzd from me : " Though thou mayst
spurn
My words yet think upon the toils and care
That I supported with Shah Nushirwan,
And how I cherished thee too on my breast.
My recompense is chains and fear of worse,
And I shall show God on the Judgment Day
A guiltless heart aggrieved against the king.' "
Now when the high priest had gone home a spy
Departed hastily and told the news
To Shah Hurmuzd whose heart conceived fell
schemes.
He did not spare Izid Gashasp but sent,
And slew him in the prison, heard reports
At large about the high priest, made no sign,
And pondered how by fair means or by foul
To slay him : then gave orders to the cook
To mingle bane in secret with some dish,
And when the high priest came at audience-time
To pay his duty to the illustrious king,
Hurmuzd said : " Tarry here to-day for I
Have a new cook."
The high priest sat ; they spread
The board ; he paled ; he felt that 'twas his last,
And so it proved. The cooks brought up the meats,
And Shah Hurmuzd partook of all in turn,
But when he had the poisoned dish brought in
The high priest glanced thereat and looked again.
There was an ill surmise in his pure heart : —
" His remedy is poison in that dish !

Hurmuzd, on seeing this, said not a word,
But stretched his hand out to that dish of bane,
And, in accordance to the use of kings
When paying servants honour and regard,
Put his own noble fingers to the board.
And, having taken marrow from the dish.
Said to the high priest : " O thou honest man !
I made this luscious morsel for thyself.
So open wide thy mouth and take this food,
And such should be thy nourishment henceforth."
The archmage answered : " By thy life and head.
And may thy head and crown endure for ever,
Bid me not eat it ; I have had enough,
So do not press me further."

Said Hurmuzd : —
"By sun and moon, and by the purity
Of soul of him who is the Shah and world-lord,
Thou shalt accept this morsel from my hand.
And frustrate not my wish herein."

He answered : —
"The Shah hath bidden and I have no choice."
He ate, then left the board, in sore distress,
And hurried home, spake of the poisoned food
To none but spread a robe and lay lamenting.
He ordered one to fetch an antidote
From those old hoards of his or from the city,
But it availed not aught, and bitterly
Complained he unto God against Hurmuzd.
The Shah dispatched a trusty man to learn
The high priest's state, the action of the poison,
And if the scheme had failed. Now when the

eye
Of the high priest beheld the messenger
Tears fell from his eyelashes down his cheeks.
" Go, tell Hurmuzd," he said : " Thy fortune

changeth.
Hereafter, through thy mischievous designs,
Thou shalt be blind and shiftless in the world,
Thy foes shall have their hearts' desire upon thee,
And lasting shame shall dog thy soul for this.
Soon wilt thou die and leave an evil name.
I go to lay my cause before the Judge,
Where we shall face each other. Never more
Sleep free from ill, for chastisement divine
Confronteth thee. I take my leave of thee,
Malignant man ! Ill done will bring thee ill.'

The trusty envoy heard and went with tears
To take the king the message. He repented,
Writhed at the high priest's righteous words but

saw
No way to cure that smart and deeply sighed.
Anon the high priest died, and all the wise
Wept o'er him sorely. In this world of pain
And toil why court renown and clutch at gain ?
The wise count breaths because no joys remain.

The high priest's wretched end convulsed the realm
With grief, but that blood-shedding, brutal world-
lord
Recked not of evil fortune, girt his loins
For bloodshed, made Bahram Azarmihan
His tool, called him by night and made him kneel
Beside the throne, then said : " Thou wouldst feel

safe
From evil treatment at my hands ? Then when
The sun is bright in heaven, and mountain-tops
Are shining like a back-plate, come among
The nobles of Iran and take thy stand
Before my throne. Then will I question thee
About Simah Barzin : make answer boldly.
I shall inquire : " What is this friend of thine,
An evil man or one that serveth God ? '

Reply : " He is an evil man. a villain.

And sprung from Ahriman.' Then ask whatever

Thou wilt — a handmaid, signet, throne and crown.""

Bahram replied : " I will, and multiply
The ill a hundredfold. "

The Shah thus sought

An artifice to put Simah Barzin,
One of the chiefs, beloved by Nushirwan
That Lustre of the age — beyond the pale
Of sympathy.

Now when the Robe whose hue
Is ivory-bright grew visible, and Sol
Rose in the Sign of Gemini, the world-lord
Sat on the ivory throne, and o'er his head
They hung the costly crown. The Iranian chiefs
Met and drew up in rank before the court-gate.
The audience-chamberlain withdrew the curtain,
And all the throng approached the king. First came
Bahram Azarmihan, Simah Barzin,
And valiant chiefs. Each took his proper seat,
The crowd still standing in the monarch's presence,
Who questioned thus Bahram Azarmihan :
" Now doth Simah Barzin, in presence here,
Deserve our wealth or is he troublesome,
Because the ill-disposed deserve not treasure ? '

Bahram Azarmihan well understood
The question of the monarch of the world,
Its base and motive : " We must weep therefor,
And from the ruler of the people I
Shall have at last a charnel but no shroud !
And thus he made response : " O noble Shah !
Look for no goodness from Simah Barzin,
For he hath wrecked Iran. Would that his body
Had neither brain nor skin ! He speaketh naught
But villainy and thus produceth strife."
Simah Barzin, on hearing this, replied : —
" My good old friend ! defame not thus my person,
And be not thus confederate with the Div.
Since thou hast been my friend what words and

deeds
Of Ahriman hast thou perceived in me ? "

Bahram Azarmihan thus answered him : — -
" Thou hast been scattering seed throughout the

world,
And thou wilt be the first to reap the crop.
Black smoke shall be thy portion of the fire,
For Nushirwan once summoned thee and me,
And made us kneel before the royal throne
With the high priest, Burzmihr, and with that chief
Of comely face, Izid Gashasp, and asked : —
" Who doth deserve the imperial throne and who
Possesseth Grace ? On younger son or elder
Shall I bestow it ? Which is worthier
Of kingship ? '

Then the rest of us arose,

And framed our tongues to utter this reply : —
" This man of Turkman kindred is unworthy ;
None would give aught for such a Shah, for he
Is Khan-descended, is of evil nature,
And like his mother both in looks and bearing.'
Thou saidst : " Hurmuzd is fit to be the Shah,'
And now art guilty of the consequence.
For this cause have I testified against thee,
And opened thus my lips in thy dispraise."

Hurmuzd at that archmage's truthful words
Turned pale with shame. At night he sent them

both
To prison and for two nights made no sign
Withal, but on the third, what time the moon
Arose above the mountains, he dispatched
Simah Barzin by slaying him within
The prison of the thieves yet gat thereby
But toil and malison. On hearing how

That man of honest heart had passed away
Bahram Azarmihan sent to the Shah
A message saying : " Thou whose crown is over
The orbit of the moon ! thou knowest how much
I have endured to keep thy secrets close,
And ne'er was aught but well disposed to thee
Before thy father, that illustrious Shah.
If thou wilt summon me and make me sit
Beside the royal throne I will reveal
A matter to thee in thine interest.
Free me at once from bondage in the prison ;
'Twill help Iran and keep the wise unscathed."

Hurmuzd, when this came, chose a confidant
To bring Bahram Azarmihan to him,
And to that court renowned. The monarch sum-
moned
Bahram Azarmihan when it was night,
Caused him to kneel before the royal throne,
And then said: "Tell me what this matter is
That will secure my life in happiness."'

He answered : " In the royal treasury
I have observed a plain black cabinet.
Deposited within it is a casket,
And therein is a document in Persian.
'Tis written on white silk : the Iranians" hopes
Are centred there. 'Twas written by thy sire,
That Shah and world-lord, and thou shouldest see
it."

Then to his treasurer, good at need, Hurmuzd
Sent one to say : " Seek in the ancient hoards
A plain sealed cabinet and on the seal
The name of Nushirwan, and may his soul
Be ever young ! Dispatch and bring it me
Ere night be past."
The treasurer was prompt,

And brought it with the seal intact. The world-
lord
Oped it, invoking oftentimes the while
The name of Nushirwan. He saw within
A casket, which was also sealed, wherefrom
He eagerly took forth the piece of silk,
And saw the characters of Nushirwan
Inscribed thereon, and thus the writing ran : —

" Hurmuzd for two years more than ten
Will prove a matchless monarch, then
The world will be convulsed, his name
Pass to abeyance with his fame.
Foes will spring up in every place
Led by a man of evil race,
An Ahriman, the monarch's host
Will be dispersed, his throne be lost.
Him will that villain blind, and they
Will, after, take his life away. -"

On seeing that script, and in his fathers hand,
Hurmuzd was frayed and rent the silk asunder.
With bloodshot eyes and livid face he cried : —
" Injurious man ! what was thine aim herein ?
Wouldst have my head ? "

Bahram Azarmihan
Said : " Turkman-born ! how long wilt thou delight
In bloodshed ? From the Khan, not Kai Kubad,
Art thou upon whose head the crown was set
By Nushirwan."

Hurmuzd knew : "If he can
He will o'erthrow me," heard out his abuse,
And sent him back to prison where next night,

" The enemy will cast him down from the throne."
What time the moon rose o'er the mountain-tops,
The deathsman slew him. At the court no sage
Or counsellor or archimage was left.
From ill self-governance all evils spring ;
See that thou disregard that evil thing.

From that time forth he led a goodlier life.
Moved by remorse at heart. Now every year.
When nights were short, he sojourned at Istakhr
Two months because that city was delightsome,
The air serene : he knew not how to quit it.
He and his court were wont to spend three months
At Ispahan with its delicious air —
The seat of mighty men. In Winter-time
He dwelt at Taisafun among the troops,
The archimages and the counsellors :
While in the Spring he was upon the plain
Of the Arwand, and thus a while went by.
His heart was terror-stricken by that scroll,
He spent three watches of the night in prayer,
Shed no more blood thenceforth and did no wrong :
His soul mused not of ill. Whene'er the Veil
Of lapis-lazuli was hidden, and when
The topaz height appeared, a herald used
Thus to proclaim : " Famed men of Grace and pru-
dence !
If tilth be trampled and the sower troubled
By that mishap, or if a horse shall enter
Crops, or if any one withal shall trespass
On orchards, then the horse's tail and ears
Must be cut off and the thief's head be set

Upon the stake

He had a son beloved,
Just like the moon, whom he had named Parwiz,
And sometimes called : " Khusrau the well-content."
He never left his father's side for long ;
The father never bloomed without the son.
It chanced that the young steed of prince Parwiz
Escaped from stall and followed by its groom
Went to the growing crops whose owner came
Lamenting to the groom and asked : " What man
Must sorrow for this horse's ears and tail ? "

The groom said : " 'Tis the horse of prince
Parwiz ;
What careth he for subjects ? "

Then the owner
Went to the king and laid the case before him,
Who said : " Haste, dock the horse's tail and ears,
Then have the damage to the crop assessed,
And prince Khusrau shall recompense the man
A hundredfold in money from his treasures
Upon the field and in its owner's presence."

Thereat the prince moved chiefs to plead for him
Before the Shah that he would not have docked
The black steed's tail and ears, but in his wrath
Against the steed the king paid no regard
To all those men of world-experience ;
The groom through terror of the king made haste
To dock the young steed of its ears and tail
Upon that tilth betrampled ; and Khusrau
Paid the complainant what the Shah had bidden.

Anon the king went hunting, and they all

Had much good sport. A valiant warrior,
Whose father was the captain of the host,
Saw, as he went along, a vine well laden

With unripe grapes and bade his servant haste
To cut and take some bunches to his cook.
The owner came and said : " Thou miscreant !
Thou neither wast the tender of this vine.
Nor boughtest it with treasure and dinars !
Why hast thou spoiled the labour of another ?
I shall complain of thee before the Shah."

The valiant horseman, fearing what might chance,
Undid his belt forthwith and then bestowed it,

All costly and all golden with each link
Inlaid with gems. upon the man who said
On seeing it : " What wrong one must condone !
Tell not the king. Thou hast no purchaser
In me. so, make it no affair of price;
While as for thanks I lay on thee that word ;
Thou wouldst be lifeless if that just judge heard !

When he had reigned for ten years righteously
The voice of foemen rose from every realm,
King Sawa marched upon him from Harat
With drums and treasure, elephants and troops.
If thou wouldst take the number of that host
Go count four hundred o'er a thousand times.
There were twelve hundred elephants of war ;
Thou wouldst have said : " Earth hath no room

for them."
The desert from Harat to the Marvrud
Was thick as warp and woof with soldiery,
And as he led them on to Marv the earth
Was hidden by the dust-clouds of the host.

King Sawa wrote a letter to Hurmuzd,

And said : " Convoke thy powers from every side,
Repair the roads and bridges for my troops,
Get provand and bethink thee of my sword.
I would pass through thy realm. Mine army reacheth
O'er river, height, and waste."

On reading this
The king turned pale at all that countless host.
Then from another quarter Caesar came,
And over-ran the land with his array —
A force of Rumans five score thousand strong,
Courageous and redoubted cavaliers.
The cities ta'en by Nushirwan, whose name
Still frighted him, he took back with the sword :
All were again obedient unto Caesar.
A host came from the side of the Khazars,
And all the fields and fells were black with them.
A warrior of experience and possessed
Of troops and treasure of his own was Leader,
And from Armenia their companies
Extended to the gate of Ardabil.
Then from the waste of spear-armed cavaliers
An army came past count. 'Abbas and "Amr,
Two horsemen youthful and illustrious,
Led them. They gave to havoc land and crop
Because Hurmuzd demanded tribute of them.
That host reached the Farat, and in that land
No place for grass was left. When fortune loured
News reached Hurmuzd, and that successful Shah
Grew all amort at his informants' words,
And he repented slaying those archmages,
And alienating wise men from his court.
He saw no counsellor, and he had need
Of wise advisers, so he sent and summoned
The Iranians to full session in the palace,
And made discovery of all the matter,
Addressing thus those nobles of the land : —
" A greater host than any can recall
Is marching on Iran."

Then all the marchlords
Approached him with suggestions, saying thus : —
" Advised and prudent Shah ! hear us herein.
Thou art a wise Shah ; we are subjects merely,
And count ourselves as less than one archmage.
Thy scribes and thine archmages hast thou slain,
Departing from both faith and precedent.
Think what to do and who shall guard our land."

Then said an archimage who was wazir : —
" O sage and knowledge-seeking Shah ! if' now
The host of the Khazars come forth to battle
Our warriors will be fully occupied.
Let us make overtures to them of Rum,
And then pluck up the Arabs by the root.
King Sawa is more instant and with him
Our prospect is more gloomy too. Our trouble
Will come by way of Khurasan for he
Will waste our country and our wealth withal ;
So when the Turkman marcheth from Jihun
To war there must be no delay.'

Hurmuzd,
For he was seeking for a policy,
Said to that archimage : " How shall we now
Bear us toward king Sawa ? '

He replied : —
" Put thine own soldiers into war-array,
For troops exalt a monarch. Summon too
The muster-master that he may account
The number fit for service."
With the roll
The muster-master came before the Shah,
Whose army numbered five score thousand men,
The more part mounted, many were on foot.

The archmage said : " With such a host as this
We well may be defeated by king Sawa
Unless thou actest boldly and uprightly.
Dismissing all ideas of fraud and falsehood ;
Then thou wilt free thy subjects" heads from bonds
As well becometh kingship. Thou hast heard
The mighty tale of ill done to Gushtasp,
And to Luhrasp all for religion's sake
By great Arjasp, that brave old Wolf, and all
The cavaliers of Chin, the woe of Balkh,
And how life was embittered in that land
Until Asfandiyar was set at large,
And pressed the war amain. Unless the king
Of earth will be advised he will behold
Much trouble from the Turks of Chin, but though
I pass the king in years I pass him not
In thought."

The king said : " Caesar shall not fight
With us. I will restore the cities taken
By Nushirwan, and then he will withdraw."

He chose a scribe — a warrior — as envoy,
A wise, a prudent, and observant man,
And sent him unto Caesar with this message : —
" I want no Ruman cities ; be that land
Thine ; but withal set foot not on our coasts
If thou wouldst be both great and prosperous."

The envoy came to Caesar and delivered
The message of Hurmuzd. The lord of Rum
Withdrew and did no scath upon Iran.
The king, when Caesar had withdrawn, prepared
To war with the Khazars. He formed a host,
Whose dust-clouds blotted day, and sent it thither
To fire those fields and fells, led by Kharrad
A man of Grace, of worship, and of justice.
Now when that army reached Armenia
The host of the Khazars barred all the way.
The Iranians slaughtered many and bare off"
Much spoil. The Arabs hearing this were checked,
And went back whence they came. So when the

Shah
Heard that Kharrad had been victorious
Naught but to fight king Sawa still remained,
To which endeavour all his thoughts were strained.

A servant of the Shah's, one hight Nastuh,
A wise, successful, and observant man.
Spake thus : " O Shah ! be happy. May the hand
Of ill be ever far from thee ! My sire.
The wise Mihran Sitad, hath still his wits.
Though old, and sitteth with the Zandavasta
In his retirement, having naught to hope for
Through age and weakness. Now but recently
I went and spent a day and night with him,
Told him about king Sawa, his vast host.
And elephants of war. My father said :—
" The ancient prophecy is then fulfilled !
I questioned him : " To what referrest thou ? '
He answered : " If the Shah shall ask of me
I will reveal it.' "

Then the king of kings
Commanded that a noble should set forth
In haste and fetch the old man from his palace
Upon a litter. When that ancient came,
His heart all knowledge and his head all lore,
Before the Shah, Hurmuzd inquired of him : — -
" What know'st thou of the past ? "

" O fluent Shah,
And heedful," said the elder, " when the Khan
Dispatched thy mother to Iran from Chin
I was the chief of eight score warriors
That went to ask of him her hand in marriage.
Thy father, that most upright king of kings,
Demanded no slave's daughter of the Khan,
But said : " Require a daughter of the queen ;
No slave must be the consort of the Shah."
I went before the Khan and did obeisance.

He had five daughters in his women's bower,
All goodly, fit to deck the thrones of monarchs,
In gait like pheasants and in looks like Spring,
And all fulfilled with colour, scent, and beauty.
The monarch sent me to their bower. I entered
That famed court. They had decked the daughters'

faces,
And twined their locks with roses, save thy mother
Who wore no coronet, no necklace, bracelet,
Or other ornament but sat there mute
With hanging head and shyly hid her face
Behind her sleeves ; but she alone of all
Was daughter of the queen ; none of the rest
Possessed such elegance, such bloom, and charm
Because the queen was daughter of Faghfur,
And naturally indisposed to ill.
She sorrowed that her child should dwell afar,
And that pure daughter quit the monarch's palace.
Among those daughters her it was I chose ;
I heeded not the others. Said the Khan : —
" Select another ; all the five are fair
And worshipful," and this was my response : —
" My choice is made ; to choose again were fatal."
Then summoned he his priests and made them kneel
Before the royal throne and asked concerning
His daughter's future. Those astrologers

Replied : " Thou shalt see naught but good and

hear
Naught but the truth. From her and From the

Shah
A prince like some fierce lion will be born,
Of lofty stature and with lusty limbs.
Brave as a lion, bounteous as a cloud,
Black-eyed, impetuous, and choleric,
Who. on his Father's death, will be the king.
He will enjoy much treasure from his sire.
And in his latter days refrain from evil.
Thereafter will a mighty king arise.

Lead forth a valiant host of Turks and seek

With that array to occupy Iran
And country of Yaman throughout. The Shah
Will be in dudgeon at him and will fear
His high, victorious fortune, but will have
Far off' a subject, an exalted horseman
And loyal liege, tall and adust of body.
Upon his head crisp locks as black as musk,
Big both of bone and nose and swart of skin —

A warrior brave and strong, nicknamed Chubina,
And sprung from paladins. This strenuous man
Will come with some few soldiers to the Shah,
Soon overthrow this Turk and wreck his host.'
Ne'er saw I one more glad than was the Khan
On hearing this. He gave the Crown of all
His daughters unto Nushirwan while I

Received her on the Shah's behalf. This done
I hied me home, the Khan producing for us
Such wealth of jewels from his treasury
That we were put to it to carry them.
He came with me as far as the Jihun,
Embarked his daughter and with doleful heart
Turned back, at one with sorrow for his child.
Now have I told my tale here in thy presence,
O king of men ! Seek for the man himself
Within thy realm and bid thy couriers haste
Because thy triumph lieth in his hands,
But tell not friend or foe."

E'en with the words
He yielded up the ghost, and all the folk
Bewailed him bitterly. The king of kings
Was all astound and poured down tears of blood.
" Mihran Sitad," he told the Iranians,
" Retained this story in his memory,
And after having told it to us died,
Committing his accepted soul to God,
And God be thanked that this old man hath uttered
Words of such import. Had I fetched him hither
But one hour later he had died and I
Had seen much grief. Our realm must now be

searched
For this man whether he be lord or liege.
Seek indefatigably for this one
Until ye find him."

An illustrious subject,
The master of the horse, named Zad Farrukh,
Who sought in all the pleasure of the Shah,
Went to him and thus spake : " The indications
Detailed by that famed man before the lords
Can only, otherwise we clutch but wind,
Apply, methinketh, to Bahram Chubina,
Son of Gashasp, a noble, well skilled horseman
To whom thou gavest Ardabil and Barda'
Where he became marchlord with drums and troops."

The Shah dispatched a speedy cameleer
To bid Bahram Chubina dally not
Upon the way but come from Ardabil
To court alone without the drums and host.
The messenger the joyful news conveyed,
And told him what Mihran Sitad had said.

Not calling any of his warriors

That world-aspirant hurried off from Barda',
And when he came the Shah accorded audience.
On seeing the visage of the king of kings
The veteran much praised that noble one.
Who at first sight grew favourably disposed,
Perceived the marks named by Mihran Sitad
In him. smiled and grew blithe of countenance,
Received him well and lodged him splendidly.
When sombre night flung off its musky veil,
And Sol displayed its face, the marchlord came
To court, and all the chiefs made way for him.
The world-lord summoned him and made him sit
Among the magnates, told him how Iran
Was placed and what Mihran Sitad had said.
Then asked about king Sawa, saying : " Shall I
Make peace or send forth troops ? '

The warrior
Replied : " We may not make a peace with him,
For, since he fain would fight, to sue for peace
Will mean defeat for us ; the foe moreover
Will be emboldened if he see thee weak.
To proffer feast in war-time is to make
Contention like submission."

Said Hurmuzd :—
" What is the course then ? Shall I seek delay.
Or march to battle ? "

He made answer thus : —
" It augureth well if foes behave unjustly.
What said the noble counsellor ? " No match
For justice is injustice.' Therefore seek
To fight with this injurious enemy.
For fire and water will not flow together ;
But if thou actest otherwise herein
The ancient sky will choose another Shah.
If we put forth the might of our own arms,
And what we have of prowess, holy God
Will neither blame us nor. shall we be shamed
Before the heroes when the truth is sought.
Shall we be weak enough to shun the combat
While yet ten thousand of Iranians
Remain unslain ? What will malignants say
To thee if thou flee foes without a fight ?

When I pour arrows down on them and make

My bow as 'twere a cloud in Spring, and when
A hundred thousand swords and iron maces
Are brandished in the ranks of war, and yet
We gain no glimpse of triumph but despair
Of fortune in our hearts, then we will be
Our foemen's to command for we shall have
No body, life or spirit, left to us ;
But let us struggle till we see if heaven
Will bring us gain or loss."

On hearing this
The Shah smiled and the court grew bright, and then
The veterans left the presence with full hearts,
And talking with Bahram Chubina said : —
" Henceforth if he shall speak with thee be modest,
Because king Sawa hath such mighty powers
That e'en to ants and gnats they bar the way !
Who after what thou said'st before the Shah
Will venture to be captain of the host ? '

He answered them : " Illustrious warriors !
I will be captain by our great Shah's leave."

Informants on the watch went to the world's
king,
And told him of this speech and ten times more.
The king of kings rejoiced thereat and ceased
To fear those troops. He gave Bahram Chubina
The chief command, exalting to the clouds
His valiant head. All warriors that sought
For Glory hailed him captain of the host.
He came before the king with girded loins.
Equipped for war. and said : " By thy permission
I will call o'er the roll and ascertain
Who are the fighting-men and who are slack
In quest of fame.'"

The Shah said : " Thou art leader
Responsible for good and ill alike."

The chief went to the royal muster-ground,
And bade the troops parade. He made his choice
Of those that were the crown among the chiefs,
And entered on the roll twelve thousand names
Of mail-clad warriors on barded steeds.
All those enrolled were forty years of age ;
The older and the younger were rejected.
Bahram Chubina held the chief command
As one renowned in war. He made one hight
Yalan-sina — a man of vengeful breast —
Chief of the warrior-chiefs to go before
The ranks on battle-days, to wheel his steed,

Proclaim his ancestry, and set on strife
The warriors' thoughts. One named Izid Gashasp,
Who drew not rein at fire, he bade to guard
The baggage-train and dress the wings. He made
Kanda Gashasp, who as he rode would grasp
The tails of lions, leader of the rear.
Then to the troops thus spake the paladin : —
" Ye ardent chiefs ! if ye would have God's help
In lightening your dark task inflict not harm
Or loss and never gird your loins for ill,
And when at night the clarion-call ariseth
Leap up and one and all so spur your steeds
That in the dark more tumult may arise.
Through strength derived from resting horse and

man
Will take no thought about the day of battle."

When tidings reached the king of how the wise
Bahram Chubina acted he rejoiced
Both at the words and deeds ; he oped his treasures,
And paid the troops. He gave Bahram withal
Arms from the magazines which he unlocked,
Assembled in the city all the herds
Of battle-steeds that were at large, and ordered
The captain of the host to ask of him
Whate'er was needful, saying : " Thou hast seen
All sorts of warfare and hast heard what stores
King Sawa, that illustrious man, possesseth
Of treasure, arms, and troops, and how his Turks
Set earth a-quaking on the day of battle.
Now thou hast chosen out of all the host
Twelve thousand men in mail on barded steeds !
I know not how such numbers can avail
Upon the day of fight, and thou hast chosen,
Instead of youthful sworders, men of forty ! '
The chief replied : " Well-starred and courteous
Shah !
The saying of the mighty thou hast heard,
Who ruled the world as Shahs in days of old : —
When conquering fortune is assisting thee
'Tis well though little other aid there be,'
And by this token I will prove it too
If now the Shah, whose word is law, will hear :
When Kai Kaus was in Hamavaran,
In bonds with countless others, Rustam chose
Twelve thousand fit and warlike cavaliers,
And freed him, and no harm befell the chiefs.
Again, Gudarz, son of Kishwad, the head
Of noble and illustrious men, employed
Twelve thousand men in mail on barded steeds
To execute revenge for Siyawush.
Again, the glorious Asfandiyar
Was leader of twelve thousand warriors
Against Arjasp and by a stratagem
Made dust fly out of host and hold alike.
When any host exceedeth this amount
It is too Large for dash and enterprise ;
The leader that conducteth countless less troops
To battle is discomfited in fight.
As for thy saying : " Men of forty years
Are not so eager for the fight as youths."
The man of forty hath experience,
And excellence in point of hardihood,
Remembering the seal of bread and salt
O'er which the heaven hath so oft revolved.
In dread too of the voice of calumny,
And loss of fame, he shirketh not the fight.
Moreover wife and child and family
Irk not the feelings of a veteran.

A young man is deceived by outward show,
And when he should have patience he is rash.
He hath not wife or child or tilth ; to him
The worthy and the worthless seem alike.
Since wisdom resteth on experience
He seeth not the import of affairs.
If he is conqueror in any fight
He laugheth with delight and wasteth time ;
But if one chanceth to prevail against him
His foes see nothing but his back."

On hearing,
The king grew fresh as roses in the Spring.
Then said : " Depart, put on thy mail, and go
Forth from the palace to the riding-ground."

The general left the king, called for his girdle.
Mail-coat, and Ruman helm, had his steed barded,
And set the coiled up lasso in its straps.
The world-lord with his arrows, clubs, and balls
Went out upon the ground with his wazirs.
The general approached with mace and mail
And Ruman casque. The world-lord, seeing, blessed

him.
He kissed the ground and showed a liege's prowess
With mace, at polo, and in archery.
The king then had the banner brought that bare
A violet dragon for device, the banner
That had been borne in fight in front of Rustam,
Grasped it immediately and, handling it
With smiles, bestowed it on Bahram Chubina,
Invoking many a blessing on him, saying : —
" My predecessors used to hail as chief

Of all our race the man whose name was Rustam,

The paladin, the conqueror of the world,
Triumphant and of ardent soul. Thou holdest
His flag. Mayst thou be conquering and loyal !
Thou art a second Rustam to my thoughts
In courage, prowess, and obedience."

The paladin saluted him and said : —
" Be always conquering and bright of mind."

With peerless Rustam's banner in his hand
The general left the plain for his abode,
And on their several ways the Shah's troops went.
The captain of the host was well content.

When morning dawned upon the mountain-tops,

And when the glittering Shield of Gold appeared,
The chief came to the palace of the Shah,
And prostrate in the presence of the troops

Spake thus : " I was a man that had no claims.
But by thy Grace became the age's crown.
I have to beg one favour of the king —
That he will send with me a trusty man
To make a note of those that fight and lay
A hostile head beneath the dust and thus
Achieve their end."

Hurmuzd replied : Mihran,
The old, is great, observant, eloquent,"
Bade him accompany the chief and quit
The palace for the combat. From the province
Of Taisafun the army marched, their leader
Bahram Chubina. 'Twas a prudent, brave,
And dauntless host, and wary as a lion
Was their commander. When he had departed
The monarch of the world himself withdrew,
Was privy with his archimage and said : —
" Upon the day of fight this man will laugh
For joy ! What will result ? Let us confer."

The archmage answered : " Mayst thou live for
ever,
For thou deservest everlasting life.
This paladin possessed of such a mien
And stature, ready speech and ardent soul,
Must needs be happy and victorious,
And cause a barren world to bring forth fruit ;
But yet I fear me that he will revolt
At last against his sovereign and patron
Because he talked with such audacity.
And spake so like a lion to the Shah."

Hurmuzd made answer to him : " Mingle not

Bane with the antidote, misdoubting one !
If he shall prove victorious o'er king Sawa
I ought to yield to him the crown and throne.
May he be ever as now for he will make
A glorious sovereign ! "

The archimage On hearing what the Shah said, paled and bit
His lips. The king himself moreover kept
The thing in mind, and in a while selected
A courtier as his confidant to learn
How matters stood, and said : " Pursue in haste
The paladin and tell what thou observest."

The agent followed swiftly, known to none.
He was a guide, in omens skilled, and used
To utter his prognostics to the Shah.

Bahram Chubina, quitting Taisafun,
Led on the host himself. In front appeared,
And far from him, one that purveyed sheep's heads,
Which rose above a clean draped wicker tray.
The chieftain urged his horse and. strange to tell !
Pierced one head with his spear, rode off' with it
Aloft, then flung it where he would and drew
An omen from the matter. saying thus : —
" Just so will I cut off king Sawa's head.
Will throw it in his army's line of march,
And shatter all his host."'

The emissary,
Sent by the Shah, drew too his presage, saying: —
"This favourite of Fortune will attain.
His labours done, the crown at last for when
His end is gained he will grow troublesome,
And will rebel."

He went and told the king,
Who wedded grief and anguish for the words
Were worse than death to him. He withered up,
That verdant leaf grew sere. He called to him
A young man of the court and sent him off
In all haste to the paladin and said : —
Depart and tell the captain of the host : —
For this night tarry where thou art. At dawn
Turn back and come to me for I would clear
The court of strangers and advise thee further,
For thoughts of profit have occurred to me."

The messenger came to the paladin,
And told what he had heard. Bahram Chubina
Made this reply : " Men do not, O wise Shah !
Recall an army on the march ; such action
Would be ill-omened and would reinforce
The foe. I will return when I have conquered,
And then thy kingdom and thy diadem
Shall shine."'

The messenger returned and gave
The warrior's answer to the Shah and he
Was satisfied. That envoy's toil was vain.
At dawn the captain of the host led on
The troops and called God's blessing down on

them.
He marched to Khuzistan the troops harmed

none.
There came a woman with a sack of hay
Among them and a horseman purchased it,
Refused to pay her, and made off. She came
Lamenting to Bahram Chubina, saying :
" I have some hay concealed. I brought a sack's

worth,
And passed before thy troops. A cavalier,
With iron helm, hath taken it from me
While on the march ! "

Forthwith they sought the man,
And haled him quickly to the general.
The brave Bahram Chubina said to him :—
" So thou didst think this fault a little one ! '

They smashed his head and hands and feet. The

chief
Had him dragged forth before the camp-enclosure,
Then clave him through the middle with the sword,
And filled the heart of the unjust with terror.
Then from the camp-enclosure 'twas proclaimed :—
" O ye illustrious men and of good will !
The stealer of a stalk of hay shall find
No intercessor. I will cleave his waist
Asunder with the sword. Let all procure
By payment what they need."

Led on his host well ordered and they marched
Toward Damaghan.

The Shah was full of care
At Sawa's army, elephants, and treasures,
And spake thus to Kharrad. son of Barzin,
One night at rise of moon : " Prepare to go
To our opponent and be diligent,
Not slumbering but speeding. Mark his troops
As to their numbers and their quality,
And who their leader and their warriors are."

He ordered that a letter of advice
Should be indited to the hostile king.
And countless royal presents sent therewith.
He said thus to the messenger : " Proceed
Toward Harat and if a host appear
Know it for that of brave Bahram Chubina,
And not another. Then approach and tell him
What thou hast heard from me, thus saying: 'I
By good news and by blandishment will spread
A fresh snare for the foe. Thy secret purpose
Must be kept hidden. If he hear thy name
And fame. . . ! I will induce him to thy net,
Employing fair and lengthy parleyings.'

Kharrad, son of Barzin, prepared to start,
Came as the Shah had bidden and delivered
The message when he saw Bahram Chubina.
He went thence to king Sawa, to the place
Where were the elephants and troops and treasure,
And, having audience, did him reverence,
Delivering the message privily,
And adding to it every argument
To draw the army to Harat. When Sawa
Arrived and camped upon the river-bank
The outposts went forth, marked Bahram Chubina
With all his troops and, seeing that stout host,
Returned in all haste to king Sawa, saying : —
" A force hath reached the desert of Harat,
Commanded by a famous chief."

HURMUZD King

Concerned what course to take, called from the tent
The envoy of the Shah and rated him : —
" Didst not foresee, thou crafty Ahriman !
A fall from thy high station ? From the court
Of that vile Shah thou earnest to ensnare me,
And leadest forth to war a Persian host,
Encamping on the meadows of Harat ! '

Kharrad, son of Barzin, replied : " The force
Confronting thine is small. Take not its coming
In ill part ; 'tis some marchlord passing by,
Or some chief seeking shelter with the Shah,
Or merchants who have brought an escort with

them
To guard them on their way. Who would confront

thee,
Though mountains turn to seas, to seek revenge ?
I will send one to find out who or what
This traveller is."

His words rejoiced king Sawa,
Who said : "In truth that is the course to take.
We will dispatch to learn if friend or foe
They be."

Now as Kharrad, son of Barzin,
Withdrew to his own tent the night o'ertopped
The mountains, and he gat in readiness
To flee the wrath to come. At dead of night
The monarch bade Faghfur go with an escort
Forth from his father to the paladin.

That understanding youth went forth and reaching
The Iranian host dispatched a cavalier
To ask : " Who are these warriors and wherefore
March they ? "

The horseman went like dust and cried :—
" Who are your chiefs and leader, noble sirs !
And champion in the combat, for Faghfur,

Who is king Sawa's heart and eyes, would see him

Without attendance ?

Came a warrior
Forth from the troops and told Bahram Chubina
What he had heard. The captain of the host
Went from the tent-enclosure and his flag
Was reared resplendent over him. Faghfur
Of Chin, perceiving, hasted and made sweat
His prancing steed, and questioned: 'Whence art

Why haltest here ? I hear that thou hast fled
From Pars as one who being wronged shed blood."

Bahram Chubina answered : " God Forbid
That I should purpose vengeance on the Shah.
I came forth From Baghdad with this array
To fight by his command, For when the news
About king Sawa and his host reached court
He said to me : " Go forth and hold the road
With arrows, maces, spears, and scimitars.'

On hearing this Faghfur sped back to tell
His sire how matters stood. Being thus apprised,
And grown suspicious. Sawa sought forthwith
The envoy of the Shah but some one said :
" Kharrad, son of Barzin, hath fled with tears
Of blood at having come."

" How could that foe,"
Said Sawa to his son, get clear away
At night from such a countless host as this,
And wherefore have the guards been so remiss ? '
He sent thereafter to Bahram Chubina
A fluent elder, saying : '"Go and tell
This Persian : " Mar not out of foolishness
Thy reputation here, for surely thou
Must know this much — that that great king of thine
Would have thy life and therefore sendeth thee
To fight with one nigh peerless in the world.
He said to thee : " Go forth and seize their road,"
And thou unwillingly didst hear the words,
For with my troops and elephants I trample
A mountain if it cometh in my path.

Bahram Chubina, hearing what he said,
Smiled at that hasty trafficking and answered : —
" If my death be the world-lord's hidden purpose
My duty is to do what pleaseth him
Though earth shall take the measure of my height."

The messenger, returning to king Sawa,
Reported what he heard the warrior say,
And Sawa said : " Go, tell the Persian thus : —
" Why talk so much ? Why art thou in the field ?
Ask what thou wilt of me.' "

The messenger
Went to Bahram Chubina and thus spake : —
" Reveal thy purposes because my king-
Is favoured by the stars and he would have
Thee do his will."

Bahram Chubina said : —
" Say : " If thou wouldst do right act openly.
If friendship with the monarch of the world
Be secretly thy wish I will receive thee

On this march as a guest and pledge myself
To grant thee thy desires. I will bestow
On thy troops gold and silver, crowns and girdles
Upon those worthy of them. I will send
The Shah a cavalier that he may come
Half way to meet thee and. as equals do,
Provide thee provand. If thou art a friend
He will make much of thee, but if thou hast
Come hither for contention, to the deep.
And to the crocodile's maw, then thou shalt quit
The desert of Harat in such a plight
That all chiefs shall bewail thee. May a ditch
Be at thy door on thy return, may blast

Pursue and rain companion thee, for naught
But ill luck brought thee hither, being fain
That ill befall thy head." '"

The messenger
Turned back, came like the wind, and gave the

answer
Of that aspirant. Hearing it king Sawa
Was wroth with that stone-hearted opposite;
His heart was straitened at that chill response,
And thinking of it filled his cheeks with shame.
He said : " Go. take yon human div this message : —
" Thou hast no fame in war : I would not slay thee.
Such as thy Shah are servants at my court,
And set by thee my meanest slaves are chiefs.
If thou shalt ask for quarter at my hands
I will exalt thy head above the throng.
Thou shalt have many gifts from me, and all
Thy troops shall be enriched ; but one aspiring
To valour looketh not to futile words
And deeds of madness.' "

That proud monarch's envoy
Came to Bahram Chubina and delivered
Those biting words which yet were what he wished.
On hearing he informed the man : " Thy lord

Must hear my answer : " If I am so mean
That meanness covereth my head with shame,
The king of kings for his part was ashamed
To come out in his wrath to fight with thee.
'Tis through my meanness that I have marched

forth
With troops to wreck the kindred of king Sawa.
I will cut off his head and carry it
Before the Shah ; it is not worth my while
To stick it on my spear upon the road.
For me to grant thee quarter would demean thee,
But I will fall upon thee in my meanness.
Thou shalt not see me save upon the day
Of fight and followed by my dark-blue flag,
Because if thou upon that dragon glance
'Tis death ; thy head and helm shall sheath my

lance.' "

King Sawa's envoy, when he heard those words
Of stern defiance, showed his back. He went,
And told what he had heard and seen whereat
The Turks' king's head breathed vengeance and he

bade
To bring the tymbals forth and to lead out
The elephants high-crested to the plain.
The realm was darkened with the dust of hoofs,
The trumpets blared. Now when Bahram Chubina
Heard that a host had come, and plains and vales
Were yellow, red, and black, he bade his men
Mount and rode forth in armour, mace in hand.

Behind him lay Harat, before a host
Of swordsmen. He drew up the wings. The troops
Were as one heart and body. Thou hadst said : —
" The world is all cuirass ; a star is shining
On every spear.""

King Sawa viewed that field,
Its order and array, perceived that while
Bahram Chubina rested on Harat
His own position was both cramped and ill.
And thus addressed his horsemen, veterans,
And intimates: A lying messenger
Came from the Persian Leader of the folk,
And tarried till yon host had seized the city,
And left me nothing but a brake of thorns !

He ranked his army in that straitened place,
The air was indigo and earth was hidden.
Upon the right were two score thousand horsemen,
Who used two-headed darts and wielded spears,
With two score thousand on the left withal,
All archers and engrossers of the fray,
While two score thousand warriors formed the centre,
Who carried spear or sword, and two score thousand
He stationed in the rear; but many troops
Were left unused for he was cramped for room.
They placed the elephants before the line,
As 'twere a wall, and barred the way in front.
Thus circumstanced king Sawa's heart was grieved
By reason of this straitening of his host.
Thou wouldst have said : " His fortune hath fore-
shown
To him the presage of an empty throne."

Then from the champaign of Harat he sent
Again a warrior of eloquence,
A man all guileful, to Bahram Chubina
To say : " Thou hast not wedded heaven's own for-
tune :
Wilt thou not hear advice and such appeals ?
Make friends with wisdom, open thine heart's eyes.
Thou hast found two whose equals in the world
Have never yet been born of royal race ;
They shine like suns in heaven and all the year
Are clad in mail, they are so valorous.
One is myself, the lawful king of earth ;
The other is my high-born son Parmuda.
My troops are more than leaves upon the trees,
Had some the skill to number them. If I
Should reckon up my men and elephants
Thou wouldest smile at rain-drops from Spring-clouds.
There are tents, tent-enclosures, implements
Of war beyond conception ; shouldst thou count
Withal my steeds and men, my wastes and moun-
tains,
Thou wouldest marvel. All the other kings,
If worthy of such honour, are my lieges.
If seas had life and mountains feet to run
They could not carry off my treasury,
Arms, implements, and fruitage of my toils.
The glorious Great, save for thy Persian lord,
Throughout the world' acclaim me as their king,
And thy life also lieth in my hands
As well I know. If I lead on my troops
They will not let pass ant and gnat. Withal
I have a thousand barded elephants
Whose scent affrayeth horsemen. Who will come
To face me from Iran and from Turan,
And by such coming aggravate my toils ?
From this place to the gates of Taisafun
My powers extend, will stay, be amplified.
Some one hath duped thee, O mine enemy !
Some one. perchance a madman, for thou lov'st not
Thyself or else dissembles! since thine eye
Discriminateth not 'twixt good and ill.
How should such foolishness become the wise ?
Cease this contention and present thyself
Before me, and I will not keep thee waiting,
But give to thee high office and my daughter
With worship and a crown. Thou shalt receive
A lordship at our hands and suffer not
The ills that subjects bear, and when the Shah
Shall have been slain in fight, and when his crown
And throne are mine, on thee will I bestow them
With all his treasure, diadem, and goods.
Thence will I march on Rum and then the troops.
The treasure and the land, will all be thine.
Thus have I spoken for thou pleasest me,
And wisely hast thou dealt with these affairs.
Thou knowest the conduct and the art of war ;
Thy sire and grandsire held command in chief,
So what I say is not mere compliment
But pity for thy sake who hast arrayed
Thy puny force to fight with me to-day.
Thou shalt receive no further messages
If thou art retrograde to my desires.""
The envoy spake, the chieftain heard and made
A grim response : " O man of evil mark !
Among the magnates and the eminent
None reverenceth a monarch profitless
And wordy. From thy talk from first to last
I have perceived thee confident in speech.
The man whose day is ending seeketh prowess
In words not deeds. I heard thy feckless parle,
Yet my heart quaileth not for fear of harm.
As for thy saying : " I will slay the Shah,
And give thee realm and throne,' a chief once said: —
" If thou shalt drive a mendicant away
From any town is he not sure to say : —
" There I was lord ; the rest were 'neath my sway ? ':
In our affair there will not intervene
Two days of sunlight ere I shall dispatch
By this same token to the Shah thy head
Upon a spear. Again, for what thou saidest
About thy daughter, treasure, troops, and realm,
I should have thanked thee once and should have
called thee
A monarch of discernment thus to give,
Without designs upon the Iranian throne,
Thy daughter to me and with her dispatch
A gorgeous throne and goods. Then thou hadst had
Myself for friend within Iran, not fought
Against its warriors ; but now my lance
Is at thine ear and with my sword will I
Behead thee, and when thou hast gone thy pate,
Thy crown and treasure, are mine, and mine withal
Thy daughter and the fruit of thy past toils.
Thou saidest further : " I have crowns and thrones
With elephants and horsemen past compute.'
A chief said, battling in the ranks of war : —
" The longer water is denied a hound
The greater will his eagerness be found.'
The divs seduced thy heart so that thou earnest
To fight the Shah and thou wilt writhe beneath
God's chastisement and for thine evil deeds.
Again, thou sayest : " I have among my lieges
Great men possessed of crowns and coronets.
And all the cities of the world are mine.'
The age herein is witness to thy words.
To cities roads are open, lord and liege
May tramp the marches, but if thou shalt knock
Upon a city-gate thy kingship there
Will prove a brake of thorns. As For thine offer
To pardon me — a craven in thine eyes —
Thou wilt forgive me not when thou hast seen
My spear and shalt not have me as a liege.
As for thy troops, desires, and policy.
Thy mighty elephants and throne, what time
I rank mine army I account them naught,
And care no jot for all thy warriors.
Though thou art king thou utterest such lies
That thou wilt gain no glory in the world.
For what thou saidest : I approve of thee,
And would select thee as my general,'
What I approve, since reaching mans estate,
Is the approval of the king of kings.
I have allowed the king three days and when
The Glory of the Lustre of the world
Shall show, the army in Iran shall see
Thy head upon a spear before the Shah."
The messenger returned with cheeks like gall,
And fruitful, youthful fortune waxen old.
He told king Sawa what the answer was,
And at his words the monarch's visage loured.
Said the Faghfur : " What feebleness is this ?
Yon little host should rather ask our tears."
Then to the entry of the camp-enclosure
He went and bade bring forth the Indian bells,
Gongs, mighty elephants, and kettledrums,
And make heaven ebon-hued. While that famed
youth
Prepared to fight the haughty monarch mused ;
Then to his son : " Thou chosen of the troops !
Refrain from fighting till to-morrow morn."
The troops withdrew on both sides and the watch
Went from the tent-enclosures. In both hosts
They kindled fires, and rumour filled all coasts.

Now when Bahram Chubina was alone
Within his tent he sent and called the Iranians,
And with his troops took counsel for the fight
Till dark, till Turk and Persian both reposed,
And he that would might have the world for naught;
But brave Bahram Chubina still mused war,
While sleeping in his tent. That Lion dreamed
That in the fight the Turks proved valorous,
While his own troops were routed and himself,
Debarred more strife, unsuccoured and afoot,
Asked quarter of the heroes of the foe.
He woke in grief, his noble head sore troubled,
With pain and sorrow passed the hours of dark,
Arrayed himself but told to none his dream.
Just then arrived Kharrad, son of Barzin,
Who had escaped king Sawa, and spake thus : —
" What confidence is this ? Behold the snare
Of Ahriman and give not to the winds
Iranian lives but treat these nobles fairly ;
For valour's sake take pity on thy life,
For nevermore will such a task confront thee."
" Thy city," said Bahram Chubina, " yieldeth
No valour save thy sample, for all there
Sell fish from Summer-time till snow-storms come.
Thy work is net and pond : thou art no man
For spear and mace and arrow. When the sun
Shall rise o'er yon dark mountains I will show thee
How kings and soldiers fight. Thou shalt behold
Those elephants and troops of his and all
His fair presentment prostrate in the dust."
When Sol arose from Leo, and the world
Grew white as Ruman's face, the trumpet sounded,

The battle-cry went up, earth shook beneath
The horses' hoofs. Bahram Chubina ranged
His host and mounting grasped a war-worn mace.
They furnished for the right three thousand men.
All-cavaliers mail-clad and veteran.
He sent an equal number to the left,
All valiant, vengeful horsemen. On the right
Izid Gashasp, who rode through rivers, led,
And on the left Kanda Gashasp who worshipped
The glorious Azargashasp. Yalan-sina
Supported them with troops ;as a reserve.
Hamdan Gashasp was posted in the van,
A man whose horse-shoes set the reeds ablaze.

With each there were three thousand warriors.
All fighting cavaliers with hearts of stone.
It was proclaimed : " Chiefs golden crowns !
Whoe'er, though faced by lion or by pard.
Shall flee the fight, by God ! I will behead him,
And burn his useless carcase in the fire.'

On each side of the host there was a road
Whereby he might retreat. On each he raised
A bank ten cubits high. His own position
Was at the centre, and to him there came
The archscribe of the king of kings and said : —
" This is beyond thy power and thus to mock
At fortune cannot prosper. Of the troops
Upon this field we are the one white hair,
Note, on a sable ox ! No soil or stream,
Or hill is visible, so many are
The swordsmen of Turan ! "

Cried at him furiously : : " Thou recreant wretch !
Thy business is with inkstand and with paper :
Who bade thee take the number of the host ? "

The scribe approached Kharrad, son of Barzin,
And said : " Bahram Chubina and the Div
Are mates ! "

Those scribes then sought a way to flee
That they might not behold that day of doom.
They feared both king of kings and arrow-rain,
And bit their lips. On one side and afar
From those Turanian horsemen they beheld
A height precipitous and thither fared

A-tremble, saying : " We must watch the host."

They gazed upon Bahram Chubina's helm
To see how he would fight when roused. That hero,
When he had drawn his host up, left the field.
And with loud outcries, prostrate in the dust
Before his God, exclaimed : " O righteous Judge !
If in thy sight this conflict is unjust,
And thou preferrest Sawa to myself,
Give my heart rest in battle and to Sawa
His whole desire upon the Iranians ;
But if I undergo this toil for Thee,
And risk my head in fight, make jubilant
Me and my troops and by our combating
The world all prosperous."

Still praying loudly
He mounted with his ox-head mace in hand.

King Sawa thus addressed his host : " Begin
Your incantations that the Iranians
May quail in heart and eye, and no disaster
Befall yourselves."

Then all the sorcerers
Began their spells and hurled fire through the air.
Rose blast and murky cloud whence arrows showered
Upon the Iranians. Bahram Chubina
Exclaimed : Chiefs, magnates of Iran, and heroes !
Shut ye your eyes to all these magic arts,
And come all wroth to fight, for this is naught
But trick and sorcery, and they that use
Such means demand our tears."'

The Iranians shouted,
And girt their loins for bloodshed, while king Sawa
Surveyed the field, saw that the foe recoiled not
At those black arts but came on all the more,
Led by Bahram Chubina, and assailed,
Like wolf a Lamb, their left, brake it and charged,
Like one bemused. Bahram Chubina centre.
Who thence saw how his soldiers fled the foe,
Came, with his spear unhorsed three warriors,
And dashed them headlong to the ground, exclaim-
ing :—
" This is the way to fight, this is the mode,
And how to do it ! Are ye not ashamed
Before the Lord of earth, the glorious chiefs.
And nobles ? "

Then he made toward the right,
As 'twere a lusty lion famishing,
And brake the mighty force opposed to him,
So that their leader's banner disappeared.
Thence he departed to his army's centre,
To where the leader was among the troops,
And said to him : " Perdition take it all !
If this fight last the host will be dispersed !
Look out in what direction to retreat."
They went and sought ; there was not any way
Because the proper road was mounded over.
Then to that leader said Bahram Chubina : —
" There is an iron wall in front of us,
And only he that knoweth how to make
A breach therein can gain the other side,
Safe-guard himself and carry to Iran,
And to the monarch of the brave, his life.
All put your whole heart in it, shield your heads,
And ply your swords. If sleepless fortune help us
It will repay our toils with thrones and crowns.
Let none despair of God or ye may see
Your white day turn to gloom."

King Sawa thus
Harangued his chiefs : " Advance the elephants
Before the host, attack in force, and make
The world both dark and narrow to our foes."

Bahram Chubina from afar beheld
The elephants, was grieved, unsheathed his sword,
And thus addressed his captains : " Warriors famed
String up your bows of Chach and helm ye all.
Now by the life and head of this world's king,
The chosen of the lords and crown of chiefs,
Let every one that hath artillery
String up his bow perforce and let him fix
His arrows, fashioned out of triple wood,
Whose points are keen for blood, upon the trunks
Of yonder elephants, then out with mace,
On to the fight, and slay your enemies."

The chieftain strung his bow and set a casque
Of steel upon his head. He made his bow
As 'twere a cloud in Spring and showered arrows
Before the host : the soldiers followed him.
The stars were dimmed by pointed, feathered shafts.
They pierced the elephants' trunks, and dale and
plain
Grew like a pool of blood. The elephants
Turned from the smart and fled the battlefield.
Now when the elephants were smitten thus
They trampled their own troops. The Iranian host
Came on behind and earth grew like the Nile.
All was confusion ; many died ; ill fortune
Had all its will of them. There was a spot,
A pleasant place, behind that stricken host
Where, on a golden throne, fierce Sawa sat.
He saw his army like an iron mountain
In flight with heads all dust and souls all gloom.
While from behind enormous elephants
Beyond control were trampling down the troops.
He wept for wherefore should his army flee ?
And mounting his bay Arab fled himself
In dire dismay. Bahram Chubina came
Pursuing like an elephant run mad.
A lasso on his arm, a bow in hand, ;
And shouted To,, his troops : " Illustrious men !
Ill fate hath marked them out. Rain swords on
them.

And quit you in the fight like cavaliers."

He reached the hill where erst king Sawa sat
Crowned on a throne of gold, beheld him thence
Upon his mighty lion of an Arab,
And sped forth like a tiger o'er the waste.
He chose an arrow with a glittering point,
Plumed with four eagle's feathers, took in hand
His bow of Chach and laid the deer-hide thong
Within his thumb-stall, straightened his left arm,
And bent his right. The bow twanged as he loosed
The shaft and pierced king Sawa's spine, who came
Down headlong to the dust ; the ground beneath him
Was soaked with blood. Of that great host the king
Bediademed was gone, gone golden throne,
And golden crown.

Such deeds the turning sky
Doth, showing neither love nor enmity.
Joy not in lofty throne and greatly fear,
What time thou feel'st secure, disaster near.

The brave Bahram Chubina came and dragged
The corpse face downward wallowing in the dust,
And severed that crowned head while none of all
Its kindred came anear. When the Turks found
Their king the corpse lay headless on the road.
All wailed ; cries filled the earth : the air resounded,
And he that was the son of Sawa said : —
" This is God's doing, for unsleeping fortune
Is with Bahram Chubina."

Multitudes

Died in the strait defiles. The elephants
Trod many under foot ; not one in ten
Of all that host escaped. They perished crushed
Beneath the elephants or were beheaded
Upon the battlefield, and when nine hours
Of that ill day had gone the Iranians saw-
No enemy alive save prisoners bound,
Their souls and bodies pierced with grief and shafts.
The route was strewn with bards and helms whose

heads
Were suffocate therein, with Indian swords,
With arrows and with bows dropped by the foe
On all sides. Earth was like a sea of blood
With slain, and everywhere were saddled steeds.

Bahram Chubina went his rounds to learn
Who had been slain upon the Iranian side ;
Then said he to Kharrad, son of Barzin : —
" Give me thine aid to-day and ascertain
What slain Iranians it is ours to mourn."

He went through all the tents. One man of wor-
ship
Was missing in the host — a chieftain named
Bahram, who was the son of Siyawush,
A valiant prince, a magnate of Iran.
Descended from a captain of the host.
Like one insane Kharrad went forth in quest
Of traces of him, moving many a form
Of slain and wounded men but found no sign.
The captain of the host was grieved thereat.
And cried : "Alas! thou prudent warrior!"

Howbeit the man himself appeared anon.
A key to that locked door, and with a Turk
Red-haired, cat-eyed, and. as thou wouldst have said,
With heart all wrung with rage. Bahram Chubina
Cried when he saw Bahram : " Ne'er be it thine
To wed the dust ! " then of that foul Turk asked: —
O thou hell- hell-visaged, banned from Paradise!
What man art thou ? What is thy name and birth,
For she who bare thee will have cause to weep ? '

He said : " A warlock I. I meddle not
With manhood and with manliness but help
My chief in battle when things reach a pass.
And make him dream of what will hearten him.
I gave thee that ill dream last night bring
on thy head, but I must seek for means
More potent for my sorcery hath failed.
Ill-fortune hath recoiled upon my head,
And all my toil is wedded to the wind.
If I get quarter from thee thou hast gained
An all-accomplished friend."

On hearing this
Bahram Chubina mused, his heart was troubled,
His visage wan. Anon he said : " This man
Might prove of service in the stress of fight,"
But said again : " What did king Sawa profit
Through this dark-dealing warlock ? All good things
Descend from God on fortune's favourites,"
Then bade cut off his head and robbed of life
His feckless form, which done Bahram Chubina
Stood up and said : " O just and upright Judge I
From Thee are greatness, victory, the Glory,
High place, the diadem of king of kings,
Distress and joy. Blest is the warrior
That followeth Thy way."

The archscribe came,
And spake thus : " Valiant Faridun, Bahram,
And Nushirwan ne'er saw one like to thee,
O lusty paladin ! Possessed art thou
Of lion's courage, counsel, and device.
May no calamity befall thy life.
Through thee the cities of Iran all live,
And all the paladins are but thy slaves.
Through thee the exalted throne hath been exalted,
And every liege escaped mishap. Thou art
A chieftain and a chieftain's son, and blest
Is she that brought forth such a child, for thou
Art glorious by birth and enterprise,
A king all absolute in Grace and wisdom.'"

Then the Shah's paladins and men of might
Dispersed themselves and left the scene of fight.

When night had curled its locks and sent thereby
The eye to sleep, and when the Ebon Veil
Appeared, the world had respite from the drum.
Meanwhile the wheel of heaven turned apace
In view of darksome night and hurried on
Till from the deep a Golden Vessel rose,
And travail waxed and slumber fined away.
Then came the captain of the host and sent
Some one to bid his comrades good at need : —
" All those that have been slain among the chiefs,
War-cavaliers and captains of the Turks,
Each leader of the folk, behead and set
Behind the heads of all of them that were
Those warriors' diadem a flaunting Flag.'"

He had the captives and the heads collected,
And carried from the field, then called a scribe
And spake at large of that famed, countless host,
The movements and the day's vicissitudes.
The battle and the divers stratagems
That he had used against so vast a foe,
The toils and fighting of the Iranians,
And how no horsemen loosed his belt all day.
When he had written to the Shah he chose
A courier from the troops, first put upon
A lance the head of Sawa, then bade bear
The standard of that monarch and the heads
Of those chiefs of Turan and cavaliers
Of Chin withal upon a dromedary
With all speed to the Shah. The prisoners,
And whatsoever spoil there was he kept
Intact within Harat until the king
Should make his pleasure known. He sent withal
Experienced horsemen to escort the heads,
And to obtain permission from the Shah
To march against Parmuda with the host.
The dromedary started, and a guide
Led on the cavaliers who toiled and trod
The way that quickly they might see the Shah,
And greet him from the paladin and chiefs.

Upon their side the Turks all destitute
Went horseless, weaponless, and baggageless,
And both their cavaliers and those of Chin
Returned toward Turan. Now when the news
Came to Parmuda he put off his crown,
While from the Turks arose a grievous wail ;
The day was bitter for those chiefs ; all heads
Were full of dust, all eyes of tears, and none
Ate or reposed or slumbered. Then he summoned
The warriors and, weeping his heart's blood,
Inquired of them : " Why did that countless host
Prove impotent upon the day of battle ? '

A counsellor replied : " We held the foe
To be but weak, but none will see in time
Of action such another cavalier
As brave Bahram Chubina. Not one man
For every century of ours had he,
Yet not a youth of his brave troops was wounded,
For God directed him ! I might say more,
But thou hast heard enough."

On this Parmuda
Reflected on Bahram Chubina's deeds,

Was wroth, turned pale of cheek, and was resolved

In his distress of heart to battle on.
A hundred thousand of the host remained —
All men of name and ready for the fray.
He led his army plain-ward from the camp
Toward the Jihun in order to avenge
His noble father on Bahram Chubina.

What time the letter of that paladin
Came to the Shah of ardent soul that world-lord
Was sitting on his throne and holding forth
Concerning his own fortune to the court : —
" Strange ! that no tidings of Bahram Chubina
Have reached our court ! What say ye, and hence-
forth
What shall we do ? We must advise thereon."

Now as he spake the words the chamberlain
Came from the gate and brought the king of kings
The glad news ; " May the Shah rejoice for ever !
Bahram Chubina hath prevailed o'er Sawa,
And grown the lustre of the world in fight."

At once the Shah called in the messenger
Sent by Bahram Chubina, seating him
Above the nobles present, and inquired
Concerning host and paladin and those
Illustrious and glorious warriors.
The messenger replied : " Exalted Shah !
The battle went as thou didst wish. Mayst thou
Live ever happily and joyously.
For thy foe's fortune hath grown old. The heads
Both of king Sawa and his younger son

Him whom his father used to call Faghfur

Are at thy gate on spears — a sight for all
The city."

Hearing this, the king of' kings
Rose, quickly) bowed, and standing in God's presence
Said: O Thou righteous Guide ! Thou hast des-
troyed
Our foes, Thou Fashioner of sun and moon !
Great was my wretchedness and my despair
What time the foe came headlong from his throne !
'Twas neither chieftain nor the warrior-host
That did this, but God's goodness to His slave."

Then from the treasures that his sire had left
He had a hundred thousand drachms brought forth,
With one third first gave largess to the poor.
But the more part to his own servitors,
And sent the Fanes of Fire another third,
There to be given over to the priests
To grace the Feasts of New Year and of Sada.

With what was left men sought out and repaired
The ruined sites and caravansaries
In desert places, rendering the roads
Secure and easy. He remitted imposts
For four years to the poor, and subject kings,
And then had letters written to each province,
To all the nobles, thus : " Bahram Chubina
Hath triumphed o'er the foe and with his sword
Cut off king Sawa's head."

The Shah next passed
Two weeks in prayer : then when the world's light

rose
He called the envoy of the paladin,
And seated him rejoicing 'mongst the lords ;
Then wrote an answer instantly and set
A tree within the garth of majesty.
Sent too a silver throne and golden boots.
And wealth of all sorts. All that lay between
Haital and the great river he bestowed
On that bold paladin and bade : " Distribute
Spoil ta'en on way and waste among the troops
Except king Sawa's private property ;
Let that be sent to court. This done, make war
Upon Parmuda till he is o'erthrown."

Hurmuzd sent gifts too to the Iranians,
Confirmed by letters written to each city.
They gave the messenger a robe of honour.
And called thereafter for the nobles' steeds.
Bahram Chubina, when the envoy came,
Joyed well content and gave the troops much booty.
Except the wealth pertaining to king Sawa,
The impure of heart; this he dispatched with horse-
men,
Famed veterans of his kin, who bore it all
To court what while the chieftain went his way.
He and his army, to renew the fray.

Parmuda, when news came : " Bahram Chubina
Is seeking for the throne of empire," held
A stronghold hight Awaza where he joyed
Secure. Therein he stored whate'er he had
Of money, jewels, and of other treasures,
And passing with his army o'er Jihun
Proceeded proudly to the seat of war.
The hosts drew near for battle, dallying not
Upon the march, and chose a fitting field
Two Stages Out of Balkh. Between the hosts

Two leagues of plain lay suitable for fight.
The next day brave Bahram Chubina went
To view Parmuda's warriors. Parmuda
Looked, saw him, and chose out upon the waste
A steep height and there ranged his host until
The plain was full. Thence he beheld a power,
Whose aspect dazed the desert, and in front
Bahram Chubina with his warlike head
Exalted to the sky, was grieved and spake,
Addressing his own troops : " A mighty lion
Is fitting mate for this protagonist !
One cannot see the sum of his array,
But would not care to fight with them. The leader
Is proud and fierce. The dark dust under him
Will turn to blood. At night, when it is dark,
Make we a camisade and banish care
And terror from our hearts."'

Now when Parmuda
Returned to camp he canvassed schemes for fight,
And said : " It is an excellence of theirs
That though their troops are few their horse are

splendid,
And in the chief degree of warriors,
Well armed, and have for chief Bahram Chubina,
A man to whom spears are as thorns and weeds,
With heart elate at conquering king Sawa,
And drunk with gore ; yet by the Maker's aid
I will require from that huge Mountain-mass
The vengeance owing for my father's blood."

Now when Bahram C'hubina left Iran
To fight the Turks a reader of the stars
Said : " Stir not on the Wednesday of each week,
Or harm will follow, and thy whole emprise
Prove profitless."

Between the hosts there lay
A garden bordered by the battlefield,
And on the Wednesday of the week at dawn
Bahram Chubina thither went and said :—
" We will be glad to-day."

They carried thither
Rich carpetings ; he took wine, meat, and minstrels,
And coming to that garden revelled there.
Now when a watch of darksome night had passed
The outposts brought Parmuda the report : —
" Bahram Chubina revelleth in the garden."

The chieftain chose among his warriors
Six thousand cavaliers, all valiant men,
And sent them forth without lights to surround
The garth and take the Iranian chiefs. Now when
Bahram Chubina was aware thereof,
And of the plan and purpose of Parmuda.
He thus addressed Yalan-sina : " O chieftain !
Break us a passage through the garden-wall."

Bahram Chubina and Izid Gashasp,
With other warriors, mounted on their steeds.
They issued from the breach ; -who knoweth how
Those warriors issued ? At the garden-gate
Arose the clarion-blare : the chieftain charged.
They quickly made a second breach and smote
The foe. Bahram Chubina, dart in hand,
And half bemused, assailed them. Few escaped him.
So eager was his drunken head for blood !
As when smiths hammers meet the steel so rang
The chieftains' blows, and trunkless heads were

strewn
Between the garth and king Parmuda's camp.

Now when Bahram Chubina had returned
To his own camp he planned a camisade,
And, midnight past, girt up his loins and led
His powers against the foe. Among the Turks
There was no scout that saw him. When he reached
His fighting-ground the blare of trumpets rose.
Roused in the darkness by the clarions' din
The warrior Turks leaped up. and such a shout
As would have split a mighty lions ears.
Ascended. None knew who another was
Amid the lengthy lances and the gloom.
The Iranians made their swords Flash fire and set
The earth and air ablaze. Of those brave Turks
But few were left ; the stones were coralline
With blood. Like flying dust the leader fled,
Dry-mouthed and livid-lipped, and thus it was
Till dawn began to breathe and sombre night
Drew in its skirts, and then the Iranian chief
O'ertook the foe and roaring like a lion
Cried to Parmuda : " O thou runaway !
Mix not henceforth with warriors. Thou'rt no man
Of battle but a very child : 'tis fit
Thou suck thy mother's milk."

The king replied :—
" How long, O ravening lion ! wilt thou be
Thus keen for bloodshed ? Crocodiles in water,
And pards on land, grow satiate with the blood
Of heroes in the fight. Will naught sate thee ?
Methinketh that thou art a ravening lion,
Thou who hast stricken off king Sawa's head —
A man beloved through life by circling heaven —
And slaughtered so his troops that sun and moon
Feel ruth for them, while as for me who am
That valiant king's memorial, know that thou
Hast slain me too with sheer distress. We all
Are mother-born for death and have surrendered

Our necks thereto since remedy is none.
I flee ; thou followest but wilt not take me
Till my time come. If sword in hand I turn
Upon thee either of us may be slain.
Be not so hasty and so hot of head,
For that becometh neither chief nor host.
Now will I fare to mine own tent and there
Seek to retrace my steps. I will indite
A letter to the king in fashion such
As fortune maketh needful, and if he
Accept me and protect me from attack
I will become a bondslave at his court,
And wholly banish lordship from my heart.
Put from thee war and strife. Thou earnest to
fight ;
Now feast in all good will."

Bahram Chubina,
On hearing this, turned back, for that curst foe
Had grown so gracious. When the troops had
rested.
And come to king Parmuda's camp, they fared
About the field, cut off the chieftains heads.
And heaped them till the pile grew mountain-like :
The hero's men of name called it Bahram Tal.
Whate'er they saw of horsemen's equipage,
And other booty, they assembled there.

Bahram Chubina wrote the king letter
About Parmuda and his countless host,
Narrating "all that hath befallen us
Both from the Turks and from their warlike king,
Whose heart was eager to avenge his sire.
And who departed to Awaza hence.'"

Parmuda, on his side, made fast the hold.
And sat down deep in thought, while in pursuit
Came countless troops and circled it about :
But though so many leaguered it none knew
Parmuda's plans. Bahram Chubina said :—
The toils of war are better than delay,
And so he told Yal-an-sina to choose
Three thousand of the horsemen on the field,
And further that Izid Gashasp should call
To horse four thousand warriors of the troops.
He bade behead forthwith all whom they found,
Thus haply from the hold the king to draw
When all the waste a-stream with blood he saw.

Bahram Chubina stayed before the hold

Three days but sent at sun-rise on the fourth

This message to Parmuda as the chief
Both of the realm and race : " O noble king
Of Chin and of the Turks ! why hast thou chosen
To occupy this stronghold ? Where are now
King Sawa's passion to possess the world,
And all his treasure, power, and elephants,
His armour for the steeds and ardent chiefs ?
Where are thy witchcraft and thy sorcery
That now thou dost seclude thyself ? Time was
When all the Turks'domain was not enough
For thee, thy father peerless in the world.
Now womanlike thou sittest in this hold,
With full heart, beating thine own head. Undo
The castle-gate, seek quarter, ask of me
To plead for thee before my king. Dispatch
Thy treasures of dinars and all thy purses
From this hold plain-ward or if thou keep them
Keep not the realm for kings despise dinars.
Myself will intercede for thee at court
Because I am the champion of Iran ;
Thee will I make chief of all chiefs and treat thee
Above thine aims and thine imaginings.
Now if thou hast some hidden policy,
One that will make thy gloomy prospects bright,
Confide in me ; since thine affairs are thus
Be not thou distant. I have given thee quarter,
As thou dost know, and opened thee a way
To 'scape by, else thou hadst been lifeless now,
As is thy sire, and seen not son or kindred :
But if thou hast companions for the fight,
With treasure and abundance of dinars,
Exert thyself herein and take revenge,
For troops are not to seek where there is treasure."
The messenger arriving told his message,
Which when Parmuda, the ambitious, heard
He answered : " Say : " If so thou canst forbear
To search out this world's secrets. Thou perchance
Hast made too bold therewith because thy toils
Have brought forth fruit ; yet in thy victory
Joy not ; though thou art young the world is old.
The secret of the turning sky is known
To none : it never showeth us its face.
To mock becometh not a general.
I too had soldiers, elephants, and drums,
But heaven above is practised in deceit.
So couple not thy heart with arrogance.
My sire-, the world-lord, that discerning man.
Whom thou beheldest on the day of fight,
Had earth as bondslave of his horse's hoofs.
And heaven revolved according to his will ;
Yet sought he what it was not his to seek.
And turned not from his wrongful purposes.
His prowess is o'erlaid by ridicule.
And enemies bemock him from afar.
As for thy saying that thy host exceedeth
The revolutions of the sun and moon
In sum. and that thy steeds and elephants

Seem grass-seeds scattered by a wind-mill's sails,
All that will pass away and thou withal
Wilt cease to joy and to illume the world.
Fear sharp fate's vengeance yet it may infuse
Some of its bane in this thine antidote.
When one hath made a trade of shedding blood,
And harassing the hearts of enemies,
Men will shed his blood also by the token
That he hath shed the blood of other chiefs.
Wreck though thou mayst the country of the Turks
Still in the end they will exact revenge.
If I shall come to thee forthwith I fear
That thou wilt make an end of me. Thou art

A slave ; I am a king. Shall I abase me
Before a thrall ? I will not come to battle
Without a host or those that wish me well
Will call me mad ; but it is no disgrace
For me to ask for quarter from thy Shah
In mine extremity. When that is done
The hold, the treasure, and the men are thine ;
Thy wishes will be law in this famed land.'
The messenger returned with this reply :
Bahram Chubina was rejoiced thereby.

They wrote a letter that might bear good fruit
To that victorious and exalted Shah :—
" The Khan of Chin is suppliant for quarter ;
He is beleaguered by Bahram Chubina,
And needeth a safe-conduct under seal ;
The news thereof will be a feast to him.
Now since the suppliant is the Khan of Chin,
Fall'n from such dignity to wretchedness.
The king of kings should pity one whose worship
Hath passed away.""

Now when the letter reached
The Shah he cloudward raised his glorious crown.
He sent and summoned the Iranians,
And set them by the famous throne of kingship,
Bade read the letter and strew gems upon

The reader, saying : "I thank my God and praise

Him
Three watches of the night in that the Khan
Of Chin is now our subject and high heaven
Our crown. He raised his head to touch the sky.

And thought himself the monarch of the world ;
But now this leader who attacked our coasts
Is made the slave of one still mightier,
And so the Turks' chief and the prince of Chin
Is offering his homage unto us.
Praise to the Ruler of the sun and moon.
The Source of this supremacy of ours.
Do ye too offer praise to God and be
More instant in the practice of all good."

He called the envoy of the paladin,
Gave him a long and gracious interview,
Called for a girdle set with royal gems,
A kingly robe of honour and a steed
With trappings decked with gold and every buckle
Bejewelled. To the messenger withal
He gave dinars, a purse, and much beside
To be a present to that prudent man,
Whom he held chief' among the paladins,
Bade come a scribe and had a letter written
On silk : " Parmuda Khan is mine ally.
And in all regions under my protection.
God is the witness to this deed and seal ;
His slaves are we and He is Lord."

He wrote
An answer also to that world-aspirant,
A letter all good will like Paradise,
And said : " Dispatch Parmuda to my court
With all observance but without his host.
The booty that thou tookest from his troops —
A service which thou didst right zealously —
Send thither too, whate'er of it is worthy.
The Maker aideth thee. Spy out the foe,
And if he hath a stronghold let thy guards
Seize and consume it through thy glorious fortune,
And world-illuming presages. If thou

Hast need of further troops they shall be thine,
And there shall be addition to thy treasures.
State thy demands in writing ; we will send
Whatever troops are needed. In thy letter
Name those Iranians that have acted well
In thine esteem ; their toils shall be rewarded.
Thy troops the guardians of the march shall be ;
The crown of paladins I give to thee."
Now when this letter reached the paladin
That famous chieftain's heart grew young ; the

letter
Astounded him. He sent and called the Iranians,
And showed the Shah's gifts ; all that saw them

blessed him.
He showed the Iranians too all that Hurmuzd
Had written of them. The warriors acclaimed ;
Thou wouldst have said : " Earth's surface shook."

He sent too
The honourable safe-conduct for Parmuda,
Giv'n by the monarch, to the hold to him ;
His darkened soul grew bright. With many blessings
Upon the king he left his famous fortress,
And leaving to Bahram Chubina all
The wealth therein made ready to depart.
Descending from the hold the proud Parmuda
Bestrode his charger swift as flying dust,
And set forth with his troops without regard
To bold Bahram Chubina who chagrined

Thereat, and though his captive was a king,
Sent after him in and had him brought afoot.
And running in the presence of the troops ;
Then said to him indignantly : " Are such
Your manners in Turan and Chin — to go
Without leave asked of me ? Sheer folly this !

Parmuda said : "Once I was raised o'er folk,
But now am humbled and a suppliant.
Cast vilely from the zenith of my power.
To-day withal thou art not generous
In bringing me before thee, evil one !
Now that I have the letter of safe-conduct
I purpose going to the king. Perchance
He will receive me brother-like; misfortune
May grow more light to me. What wouldst thou

more ?
I have surrendered fortune, home, and goods."

Bahram Chubina raged with flashing eyes
In indignation at Parmuda's words.
And struck him in excitement with a whip —
Behaviour only fit for miscreants.
They bound Parmuda's feet forthwith and made
A scanty tent his prison. Said thereat
Kharrad, son of Barzin : " This paladin
And wisdom are not mates ! "

He sought the archscribe,
And said : " This mighty paladin possesseth
Not one gnat's wing of wisdom I so he taketh
No heed of any one, and we must go,
And say to him : " This is remediless.'
His temper is his great calamity."

The two departed to Bahram Chubina
With pallid cheeks and counsel on their tongues,
And told him : " Thou hast given to the winds
Thy toil ! Oh ! be that noble head of thine
Unfilled with fire ! "

Ware of his foul behaviour,
That into water had been flung brick
Already dried, he in his penitence
Released the Khan and was in great concern.
He sent the Khan a steed with golden trappings,
And Indian falchion with a golden scabbard,
Moreover went forthwith to him to make
His dark soul bright, there tarried till the Khan
Had armed and mounted on a speedy steed,
And then escorted him upon his way,
Perceiving that the prince's visage loured.
When it was time to part Bahram Chubina
Told him : " Thou hast a secret grudge against me ;
Yet, though it be so, tell it not the Shah ;
No credit will result to thee therefrom."'

The Khan replied to him : " It is of fortune
That I complain ; I leave it all to God.
I am not such an one as would desire
To speak in many words of other men ;
Still if thy monarch hath no news hereof
He is not worthy of his high estate.
It was the turning sky that fettered me ;
I tell not of ill usage from a slave."

Thereat Bahram Chubina paled ; he writhed,
But with an effort swallowed down his wrath,
And thus returned reply : " An instance this
Of what the famous nobles used to say : —
" Forbear thine utmost seed of ill to cast,
For time will give thee fruit thereof at last.'
To what end did I deck for thee my heart,
Attempt to do thee kindness in the world.
And wrote its lord a letter hiding all
Thine own shortcomings ? '

"That,"" the Khan rejoined.
" Is past, and all the past hath turned to wind.
By God ! I do not owe thee any grudge,
Or cherish in my heart the former strife.
Thy kindness hath been greater than this wrong,
And thou didst guide me on the way to good ;
But just as there is insolence in war.
So is there courtesy in time of peace.
And if the two are all the same to thee
Thy wisdom out of question is but small.
And when a leader is too wise to take
His lord's commands then evil will befall him.
Moreover one should tread God's path and purge
All darkness from the heart. 'Twere well For thee
To say no more for past ill is but wind."
On hearing this Bahram Chubina said:

Methought 'twould out. but no mishap will come
Of thy complaint for I will hide it up
With painted silk. On thine arrival say
Whate'er thou wilt ; "twill minish not my lustre."

The Khan said : " Every king that taketh not
Account of good and ill, but passeth over
His slave's misdeeds in silence, be assured
Is witless, and when malcontents afar
Allies or other kings observe this thing
They will term thee unseemly and light-headed,
And him the foolish monarch of Iran'

Bahram Chubina paled, and when Kharrad,
Son of Barzin, had taken note thereof
He feared that wrathful and bloodthirsty man
Would hurl Parmuda from his steed to dust.
And said : " O general of the Shah ! repress
Thy wrath and quit that path because the Khan
Saith well, so list to him and think no ill,
For had cool words ne'er passed the hearts of neither
Would have been pained."

" This ill-conditioned one,"
Bahram Chubina said. " would join his sire."

The Khan said : " Wrong me not. Reft as I am
Of mine own father I may well die young.
All those that in the world are like thyself,
With heads all dust-cloud and with hearts all fume.
Imagine ill, accord to none, but raise
Themselves by craft and cruelty. I fear not
The king of kings ; from him bale or relief
Is well. He is my peer among the great.
And not a slave malignantly disposed
Towards me, but is gentle, wise, high-born,
And greatly mindful of the men of name.
I charge thee by the soul and by the head
Of Shah Hurmuzd that thou return forthwith.
Give me no more replies and insolence ;
Say naught and hear naught."

When Bahram Chubina
Heard he returned to camp in vengeful mood,
And thus that proven warrior harangued
The prudent chiefs : " Kharrad, son of Barzin,
And those wise men, the archscribe and arch-
mages,
Shall write a letter to the world's king, telling

All that hath passed in public and in private."

The general said further to the chief
And other archimages : " Men of wisdom !
Depart hence to the hold, be diligent,
Companion with the wind and ascertain
What quantity of wealth is hoarded there."

With fearful hearts the scribes set forth. From
dawn
Until three watches of the night had passed
They blacked much paper but they had not done.
There was not room to move for precious things,
Hoards of the era of Afrasiyab,
And of Arjasp, so ancient yet unspent.
Gold coins and jewels won from sea and mine
By favour of the sky : such were the treasures
Within Awaza hold world-famous Then.
Among" the goods of Siyawush came first
A belt with jewelled buckles and such earrings
As no one high or low besides possessed.
Which Kai Khusrau had given Luhrasp and he
Thereafter gave them to Gushtasp. Arjasp
Gat them and stored them there, none knoweth
when.
They wrote a list of all the precious things
That were laid up within the treasury,
But no one in the world, astrologer,
Or noble prince had knowledge of the sum.
Bahram Chubina sent a scribe, a man
Shrewd, eloquent, and mindful, who collected
The booty from the hold and battlefield.
There were a pair of earrings in the spoil.
And pair of boots with patterns formed by gems ;
The stuff was interwoven with gold threads
Bestrung with precious stones. There were withal
Two gold-embroidered curtains from Yaman,
Whereof each one was seven mans in weight.
Now through presumption and perversity
The captain of the host, contemplating
No scrutiny, put secretly aside
The pairs of boots and curtains of Yaman,
And made no entry of them in his list.
He then gave orders to Izid Gashasp
That he and all his cavaliers should mount,
Select a thousand warriors from the host,
And take the booty to the monarch's gate.
The warriors having mounted on their steeds,
Izid Gashasp bore off that mass of spoil,
And full of joy and merriment they took
A hundred caravan-loads to Iran.
Iranian horsemen closed the long array,
The Khan with his own nobles led the way.

With treasure, gifts, and troops the Khan drew near
The monarch of the world who heard and mounted
With crown on head and mace in hand, and thus
Came to the gate. When from the porch he saw
The visage of the Khan he paused to note
If at the sight of him that prince and troops
Would light down from their steeds. Parmuda

watched,
Full of concern, if he would turn away,
Then, mounted still, came with the archimage,
Izid Gashasp, whereat the Shah, the world-lord,
Bestirred him with his troops. The Khan alighted
And hastened toward the Shah, without delay
Remounting his black Arab, while the Great King
Abode not with Parmuda in the porch,
And rode his fleet steed off ; but when the Khan
Was following, the keeper of the curtain
Laid hold upon his reins forthwith. Parmuda
Alighted instantly and manifested
His own diplomacy by that submission.
Now when the Khan approached the royal throne
The king of kings received him with all favour,
And having welcomed set him in the presence,
Repenting of the past hostility.
They lodged him fitly in the pleasant palace
Prepared for him and brought whate'er he needed.
A scribe was charged to lodge the retinue
Hard by. The Shah, on hearing of the wealth
Brought by Parmuda, sent it to the park,
And charged therewith the keeper of the camels.
The eighth day. when Parmuda was refreshed
From all his toils, the Shah ordained a feast.
And. when the Khan was seated at the board
At court and in the presence of the world-lord,
Bade bring the camel-loads before the chiefs.
One counted up the porters; that
There were ten thousand hired. The next, at dawn,
Hurmuzd had wine set forth and took his seat,
And from the park came fifty thousand bales
As well as parcels on the porters' backs.
The baggage filled a hundred treasuries.
The Shah, when his task was achieved, bade bring
Before the presence publicly a bale
Of stuffs, bejewelled earrings, and a girdle
Compact, thou wouldst have said, of gold and gems.
These he bestowed with many words of praise
Upon the messenger who kissed the ground.
While from the banquet-hall arose acclaim :
Victorious be the Shah." He at that time
Said to his confidant Izid Gashasp : —
" What seest thou in Bahram Chubina's exploit ?
He maketh war to cease right manfully."
The scribe Izid Gashasp replied : " O Shah,
Who art observant and of ardent, mind !
When at a feast the theme is such know there
Will likewise be but ill-conditioned fare."
The Shah became suspiciously inclined
On hearing this ; misdoubtings filled his mind.

Then came a lusty camel-post and brought
This letter from the archscribe : " May the world-
lord
Be ever joyful and his head and crown
For ever present in his servant's thoughts.
Know that there were two curtains of Yaman
Among the spoil, boots decked with gems uncut,
The earrings too of noble Siyawush,
Who left us wisdom as his monument,
And these the paladin bare off with him
No marvel since he underwent the toil."

Hurmuzd said to Parmuda : " Tell me all
That thou didst see hereof."

The fallen king
Confirmed the scribe's report. The haughty Shah
Was wroth thereat and said : " Bahram Chubina
Doth err, uplifting to the moon his head.
For one thing he hath struck the Khan of Chin —
An act the outcome of an evil nature —
And then would nothing but these earrings serve
His turn ? Perhaps he hath become a king.
His toil hath turned to wind and all his knowledge
And justice have become corrupt."

This said.
He called the Khan and having seated him
Upon the famous throne they feasted there
Till night spread out her musky tresses black.
Then said the Shah : " If thou wilt league with me
Thou shalt partake my honey."

As he sat
He grasped the Khan's hand, and Parmuda mar-
velled.
The Shah proceeded : " Swear to me afresh,
And make a new departure, not to break
With me or with the nobles of this folk
On thy return.'

Parmuda swore forthwith : —
" By shining daylight and night azure-dim,
By God who hath of right supremacy,
The Artificer of Jupiter and Venus,
The great Shah's crown and throne. Azargashasp,
The signet and the diadem, the Khan
Shall not grow alien from the Shah in heart,
And vex him not in aught."

This sworn, they rose
And sought their couches.

When the yellow sun
O'er-topped the mountains, ;and the kings awoke,
The noble Shah prepared a present — ware
Of gold and silver, horses, coronets,
Of girdles gemmed and golden, armlets, torques,
And earrings, Arab steeds with golden trappings,
And Indian scimitars with golden sheaths.
Dispatched them to the Khan, consorted with!) him
Two stages and the more part of the third,
And having bidden him farewell returned.

The paladin, on hearing of the gifts
Presented by the monarch of the world,
And how the Khan was coming back rejoicing,
Rode forth to meet him with the Iranian chiefs.
He stored provisions where the Khan would pass
In town and village, station, hill, and plain,
And hurried on in shame at his ill temper
To make excuse in person. When he saw
Parmuda he did reverence but the Khan
Proved wholly adverse, would accept of naught
That he had brought of provand, purse, or slave,
And on the way ignored him utterly.
Bahram Chubina fared three stages thus,
And not once did Parmuda call for him.
Upon the fourth the Khan sent one to say :—
" Return for thou hast toiled enough."

Thereat
Bahram Chubina left him and in wrath
Set face toward Balkh where he abode in dudgeon,
Repenting of his acts with aching heart.
Withal the world-lord was displeased with him,
And fumes of anger filled the monarch's soul
First at that outrage to the Khan wherein

Bahram Chubina had done shamefully.
And next that he had dared to lay his hand
On certain of the spoil without command.

The king then wrote thus to Bahram Chubina : —
" Unconscionable div ! perceiv'st thou not
That all our excellencies are from God,
And yet thou sittest on the vault of heaven ?
Hast thou forgot my pains, troops, toil, and treasure ?

Thou keepest not the way of paladins,
But raisest thy head skyward. Thou hast turned
From my behest and acted otherwise.
Here is the robe of honour meet for thee,
Agreeable and appropriate to thine acts."'

The Shah, when he had sealed this, ordered one
To bring him a black distaff-case with distaff
And cotton, much unworthy gear, withal
A blue silk shift, red drawers, and yellow coif,
Chose an ignoble messenger to match
"With that unseemly gift and said: "Convey
These to Bahram Chubina. Say to him :

O worthless miscreant ! thou didst bind the Khan,
And gloat upon great men's mishaps, but I
Will fetch thee from thy seat and hold thee naught
Henceforth.' "

The messenger, these words in mind.
Departed with the gift and went like wind.

Whenas Bahram Chubina saw the present
Sent with the letter he endured in silence.
He thought : " This is my guerdon ! So the Shah
Is now my foe though he hath not devised
This wrong but mine ill-wishers slandered me.
The world-lord is the master of his slaves,
And if he putteth me to shame 'tis well.
I did not think that enemies of mine
Had access to the Shah. Since I left court
In haste with but few troops all men have witnessed

My deeds, my sorrows and my toils and hardships.
If these toils are rewarded by a shame

That is the portion of the infamous

I will complain of circling heaven to God

For having docked me thus of all its love."'
He called upon the Judge that giveth good,

Then, having donned the red and yellow garb.
And set before him the black spindle-case,
And all the other things sent by the Shah.
He summoned to him all the mighty men.
The nobles of the monarch of the world.
These came forth from the army)' to the chief.
Whose gloomy soul was full of anxious thoughts.
They came, both young and old, were all astound,
And mused, on seeing their paladin so clad.
He said : " A robe of honour from the Shah !
Ye saw and heard of what I did and how
I combated with my two-headed dart.
The Shah despaired about the royal throne ;

The world was dark and I illumined it.
I have put on me this repugnant garb
According to the exalted king's command.
The Shah is world-lord and we are his slaves,
Our hearts and souls are full of love for him.
What are your views, ye witnesses ! herein ?
What answer make we to the king of earth ? '

All cried : " Famed paladin and worshipful !
If this be thy worth with the Shah the troops
Are dogs at court ! Note what the ancient sage
Observed at Rai when angry with Ardshir : —
I grow averse from archmage and Shah's throne
When he regardeth not my weal and woe.'
How canst thou seek for honour from a man
That honoureth not thee ? "

He said : " Forbear :
The Shah is source of honour to his troops ;
His slaves are we ; he giveth, we receive."
The Iranians said : " We will not arm hence-
forth ;
We will not have him in Iran as Shah.
Or, as our general, Bahram Chubina."

They spake and went forth from his presence,
left
The palace of the chieftain for the plain.
But he refrained his lips and at the most
Gave only prudent counsels to the host.

Two weeks passed, then Bahram Chubina left
His palace for the waste. In front of him
There was a forest furnished well with trees —
The very place for lucky revellers.
Upon the mead he saw an onager,
And none will see a fairer one. He followed
At leisure, heating not his steed. Appeared
Within that woodland-chase a narrow path,
Which when that gallant onager had traversed
A pleasance next was seen upon the plain.
Bahram Chubina, marking this, proceeded
Until a splendid palace came in sight.
Led by the onager he turned and rode
Thereto; behind him was Izid Gashasp,
To whom he gave his fleet steed's reins and said: —
" May wisdom ever be thy mate," then entered
The porch alone. Izid Gashasp the while
Abode without and held the noble steed.
Behind him hurrying came Yalan-sina
Armed on a swift horse. Brave Izid Gashasp
Said : " Lion ! enter thou and find out whither
Our chief, the heroic captain of the host,
Our succourer, hath gone."

Yalan-sina
Made for the palace with an anxious heart
To seek the chief. He saw it and its hall
Magnifical : its like he had not seen
Or heard of in Iran. Upon one side
Thereof there was a cupola whose top
Was viewless through its height and under it
A throne of gold with steps begemmed. The throne
Was covered with brocade of Rum in patterns
Picked out with jewels on a ground of gold.
Upon the throne there sat a lady crowned.
Of cypress-height and with a face like Spring.
Beside it was a seat and thereupon

The captain of the host while many slaves,
Idols fay-faced and blooming, were around.
On seeing Yalan-sina the lady bade
A handmaid : " Hasten to yon lion-heart,
Fair mate, and say : " Thou mayst not enter here.
Stay with thy comrades. He will come anon,
But go thou first. As from Bahram Chubina
Speak this and ease them as to his return."

She sent some also to his retinue
To bring the warriors' horses to the stalls,
And take good care of all their equipage.
The gardener unlocked the garden-gate
By hest of that fair hostess, and they set
About the garden victuals past conceit.
Whenas the warriors had eaten bread
They led the chargers to the place assigned.
Bahram Chubina, when he left the lady,
Spake thus : " May Jupiter espouse thy crown.'
She answered : " Be victorious and ever
Of patient heart and wise. Go thou ! the throne
And the Iranian diadem are thine.
The world shall be set straight by thee, so win it
By might and sword from dark dust to the stars.'"-

Now when he came forth from that garth of roses
Thou wouldst have said : 'He weepeth blood ! '

So changed
Was he in temper and in talk that thou
Hadst said : " He raiseth to the Pleiades
His head."

Anon the onager appeared :
The chieftain followed after on his steed,
And it was so that till he cleared the forest
The onager still served him as a guide.
He went back to the city from the chace,
But spake not of the matter to the host.
Kharrad. son of Barzin. regarded him
And said thus : " O thou chief that speakest sooth !

What was this marvel seen and heard by none
That happened in the chace '.' '

The paladin

Vouchsafed no answer but in dudgeon sought

The palace, and none else dared ask : What might
This matter mean, this vision of delight ? "

The next day, when the uplands silvered over,
And when yon yellow shining Lamp appeared,
Bahram Chubina spread a carpeting

Made of brocade of Chin, and thou hadst said

That earth had turned to sky. Throughout the

palace
He ranged gold seats and cushions of brocade
Of gold. They placed a golden ante-throne
Whereon the captain of the host sat down,
Then held a session like the king of kings,
And placed upon his head the crown of greatness.
The archscribe marked Bahram Chubina's con-
duct,
And, knowing him to be both bold and strong,
Went and retailed his knowledge, sight or hearsay,
Before Kharrad, son of Barzin, who listened.
Knew that his own toils had been vain, and said :—
" Take not this lightly, O thou noble scribe !
This king of kings of ours hath played the fool
In sending as a gift the distaff, case
Not knowing that this battle-loving Lion
Would thus revolt. We must not talk of this,
But when 'tis midnight fare forth to the Shah,
And say : " Bahram Chubina's heart is set
Upon the crown ; the seat too under him
Is ivory.' "

They canvassed all the case,
And made a shift to flee, prepared the pretext,
And fled from Balkh by night. The chief, informed
Thereof, and knowing well their clear, shrewd minds,
Said to Yalan-sina : " Go in pursuit
Of those two dotards with a hundred horse."
He overtook the archscribe, raged at him,
As 'twere a wolf, took from him all he had,
And brought him back made fast in heavy bonds,
Back to Bahram Chubina so that he
Might slay the innocent. The paladin
Said : " Doer of div's work ! why didst thou quit me
Without my leave ? "

" O paladin ! " he answered.
" Kharrad, son of Barzin, made me afraid.
He said : " We may not tarry : thy delay
Will please those only that speak ill of thee,
For when the heroic captain of the host.
Bahram Chubina, holdeth court as Shah
There is a fear lest thou and I be slain
Save we return.' "

Bahram Chubina said : —
" Just so : one must consult o'er good and ill."

He then restored and with advantages
From his own treasures what the scribe had lost,
Then said to him : " Go thou and ponder o"er
Thy conduct in this case and (flee no more."

Kharrad, son of Barzin, for his part rode,
Escaping notice, till he reached the Shah,
To whom he told his news, suppressing naught,
Of wood and meadow, course of onager,
Strait pathway and Bahram Chubina's sojourn ;
Told of the palace and the jewelled throne.
The slave-girls and the lady with the crown :
He told whatever he had seen and heard.
The Shah mused at the tale, laid it to heart,
And sighed as he remembered what the archmage
And fortune-teller had said : " Bahram Chubina
Will turn him from thy throne."
Forthwith he summoned
The high priest, set Kharrad, son of Barzin,
Within the room and said to him : " Relate
The adventures of thy journey."

Thus enjoined
He oped his lips and told it all. The Shah
Said to the high priest : " What importeth this ?
We must consult at large. The onager
That led him through the wood, the palace seen
Amidst the wilderness, the lady crowned
Upon the golden throne, the slaves in waiting
As on a queen — the account is like a dream
Suggested by old tales ! "

The high priest thus
Made answer to the monarch of the world : —
" Beneath that onager there was a div
Who sought to lead Bahram Chubina wrong,
And make perverseness show within his heart.
The palace, be assured, was sorcerer's work,
The lady on the throne an impious witch.
Who on this wise to hearten him the more
Displayed the crown and throne of majesty.
All eager and bemused he went from her :

Be sure that he will ne'er come back to hand.
His heart was wounded by thy distaff-case,
And going to that div-witch made it worse.
It was not well to send the ignoble robe
To one so overweening, for thereby
The Iranians were estranged and ceased to trust
The king of kings. So now devise a scheme
To bring the army back to court from Balkh."

The king repented having acted so
About the cotton and the gaudy dress,
And asked Kharrad, son of Barzin : " What say
The troops there of that lady ? "

He replied : —
"As for that crowned lady, all the troops
Call her, O king ! " Bahram Chubina's Luck,'
Which will be very great and glorious."

The king, on hearing, greatly feared the ills
That fortune had in store. Ere long there came
One from the paladin, the cavalier,
And brought a frail of swords with points all bent.
He set them down before the Shah who looked
Upon that iron gear, bade break the swords.
Replace them in that ill-conditioned frail.
And then return them to Bahram Chubina :
No word was spoken but the intent was clear.
Bahram Chubina oped the frail, beheld
The long swords snapped at point and then replaced,
And, wayward as he was. grew full of thought.
He called the Iranians round the frail and said: —
"Behold the king's gift ! Underrate it not.
It meaneth that this host is little worth,
And not the head of one of us will 'scape."

The troops thought much of what the Shah had
done.
And of their paladin's address. They said : —
"One day our monarch sendeth us as gifts
A distaff and a gaudy robe; anon
He giveth broken swords — a present worse
Than striking or abuse. Ne'er be such Shah
Upon the throne ! May none remember him.
And if again the offspring of Gashasp —
Bahram Chubina — ride on that court's dust
Then may they perish, skin and marrow both,
He and his worthless sire ! '

The chieftain heard,
Saw how Hurmuzd had vexed the host and said : —
" Be vigilant and let your minds be clear
Because Kharrad, son of Barzin, hath told
Our secrets to the king. Let each consult
His safety and conspire with me to-day.
If I send none to watch our enemies
Regard my days as done, my soldiers slain."

He spake and took new order : mark and muse.
He scattered horsemen through the realm lest letters,
Sent by the king, should reach the Iranians,
And they should arm themselves to fight for him,
And so it was that till a time had gone
A royal letter was perused by none.

Bahram Chubina summoned then the chiefs,
And told them many secrets. There were present
Hamdan Gashasp and the archscribe, Yalan-sina,
Renowned and strong, with valorous Bahram,
The son of Siyawush, and that wise chief,
Kanda Gashasp. With these he held debate,
For they were Lions and men of war, and then
Harangued that fierce host, which was all astray,
Thus : " Famous chiefs whose counsel all require !
The Shah is wroth with us without a cause,
And so hath turned away from what is right.
What will ye do ? What is the remedy ?
'Tis useless to shed tears upon the past.
Whoe'er hath hid his anguish from the leech
Hath showered from his lashes tears of blood,
And trifles grow in moment when we keep
Our secrets from the men of understanding.

I have myself my privy griefs and I
Will tell them to the sages of the world.
Ye all are conversant with these affairs,
And so can testify to what I say.
We left Iran by order of the Shah
With but few troops, though eager to engage,
And none, though long his life, will see a foe
More numerous. Now if the Turk Parmuda.
Had. with king Sawa, marched upon Iran
It would not have been worth a piece of wax,
And later they would have attempted Rum ;
But on Parmuda and king Sawa came
A marvel such as none within the world
Had seen, and though we bare much toil ourselves
We left them neither elephants nor treasure.
The Shah hath laid up wealth anew, grown rich,
And yet he is enraged against the host
Though all the business hath been done for him.
And he is franchised through no toil of his
In such a coil what shift shall I employ
To set my head ;at ease ? Do ye too all
Shift For yourselves. What is your remedy
For such a wound ? I have discharged my heart,
And freed my soul. Respecting weal or woe
If' ye are ware of any means now speak."
He proved with these words, for he feared, the host.
Behind his curtains that famed paladin
Possessed a sister, one of ardent soul,
And that wise lady's name was Gurdya,
Of fairy-visage and his heart's delight.
Now she, on hearing from behind the veil
Her brother's words, was angered ; her heart flared.
With much to say and full of instances
She came forth to that conclave, and her brother
Kept silence, when he heard her voice, from word
And answer, and the Iranians too were silent

For fear of harm. Thus Gurdya addressed
The troops : " Illustrious men who seek for guidance !
Why do ye hold your peace and check your spleen ?
Ye are the warrior-chieftains of Iran,
Wise, prescient lords. What see ye in this matter ?
What game play ye upon this scene of blood ? '

Then said Izid Gashasp, the cavalier : —
" Memorial of the mighty ! were our tongues
Sharp swords they would take flight before the sea
Of thine advice. Thine acts are all of God,
Brave, learned, and wise. We need not fight like

pards
With all the world. Let no one seek my counsel
Henceforth because my lore hath reached its bound.
If ye will fight I too will bear a hand.
And cavalierly counter cavaliers,
While if the paladin is pleased with me
Methinketh that I shall be young for ever."

Bahram Chubina, hearing him thus speak,
Saw that he dealt with both sides. Then he marked
Yalan-sina and said : " What thinkest thou ? '

Quoth he: "Brave chief! the walker in God's way
Will be wise, famed, and learned, will have his will
In all and, winning victory and Grace.
Will haste not to do ill for that would turn
A blessing to a curse and circling heaven
Be vengeful towards him. God hath given thee
Grace, fortune, troops withal, wealth, prowess, throne ;
If thou art grateful He will send thee more,
But through ingratitude the heart will ache."

Then said Bahram Chubina to Bahram : —
" Wise friend and prudent mate ! what sayest thou
About this seeking after throne and treasure ?
Will majesty result or pain and grief ? '

He laughed that such a case should be discussed,
Then tossing up his finger-ring replied : —
" As long as this remaineth in the air
So long shall it be servant to the Shah :
Yet he is great ; despise him not for none
Should under-estimate the diadem'

Said to Kanda Gashasp Bahram Chubina :
" O thou sword-wielding and steed-spurring Lion !
What seest and sayst thou touching this affair
Of ours ? Do we deserve the royal throne ? '

That cavalier replied : " O thou that art

The memory of heroes in the world !
There was an archimage at Rai who said :

The wise and lucky man to whom 'tis given
Once to be king his soul will soar to heaven.'
So aiming at the treasure of the king
Is better than to be long years a slave."

Then to the archscribe said Bahram Chubina: —
" Old wolf ! unclose thy lips."

The archscribe kept
His lips still shut awhile and sat amid
A crowd of thoughts, then said : " Whoe'er shall seek
His wish in fitting fashion will attain it.
For time's stretched hand is long. Know that no

pains
Can shun whatever God will have to be."

Then said the chieftain to Hamdan Gashasp : —
" O thou well versed in fortune's rise and fall !
Whatever thou shalt utter in our presence
Shall be as wind and, like wind, hurt thee not.
Advise us in this case, this test of good
And evil fortune'

Great Hamdan Gashasp
Thus spake : " Prized by the great ! why dost thou

dread
Ills not yet come and question of the crown
Of kingship ? Act and leave the rest to God.

Why reach out for the date if thou dost fear

The thorn ? A people's Head hath never rest ;

His mind is fearful and his body weary.""

The sister of the captain of the host
Writhed at their words and grew o'ercast of soul,
Yet spake she naught in this debate from eve
Till midnight. Then Bahram Chubina said : —
" What thinkest thou of this assembly's words,
Fair lady ? "

Gurdya made no reply ;
The counsels of the chief displeasured her.
Thereafter she addressed the archscribe thus : —
" O man maleficent like some old wolf !
So thou conceivest that the crown and throne,
Host and addition and the might of fortune
Were in the world no objects of desire
To any famous chiefs of generous bent
Though kingship easier is than servitude ! "
Such sentiments as thine demand our tears.
Take we the precedents of former Shahs,
And hear the sayings of those greater ones."

The archscribe made response : If rede of mine
Obtain not with thee speak and do whatever
Thou art advised and follow thy heart's lead."

Then likewise to self-willed Bahram Chubina
His sister spake and said : " They are not good,
Thy knowledge and thy counsel, and thy steps
Are tending toward deceit. Full many a time
Hath the Shah's throne been void and yet no chief
Cast any look upon it. It was theirs
To guard the world by valour, not to have
An eye upon the throne. They did not aim
Thereat but girt their loins to serve. They sought
Their sovereigns' weal and rendered hearty service.
They were no strangers to the throne and crown,
But worthy of their greatness by descent.

I speak first of the case of Shah Kaus,

Who would have searched the mysteries of God,

Have summed the stars and trod heaven's circling

dome
But fell despised and wretched at Sari
Through his perverseness and ill bent, and yet
Gudarz and Rustam, who was paladin.
Did not take dudgeon, and thereafter when
Kalis went to Hamavaran.- and folk
Bound him in heavy fetters, none essayed
The throne but manifested warm regret.
So when the Iranians said to Rustam : " Thou
Art worthy of the throne,' he cried against
The speaker : " Be thy mate the narrow charnel !
Shall I be on the throne of gold, I lie Shah
Bound ? Perish kingship rather ! Perish crown !
He chose out of Iran twelve thousand men.'
World-taking cavaliers on barded steeds.

And freed Kaus and Giv, Gudarz and Tus,
From that captivity. Then when Piruz
Was slain and for the Iranians all was lost,
While Khushnawaz emboldened by affairs
Was seated on the alluring throne in peace,
Came Sufarai, the scion of Karan,
In order to restore the throne of power.
When his success was manifest the nobles
Went from Iran to hail him as their Shah,
And make a subject monarch of the earth.
He told them : 'Tis unseemly. Majesty
And crown are for the Shah. Although Kubad
Is little he will grow ; we may not put
The wolf within the lion's wood. To make

A Shah without blood royal is to give
His kindred to the winds.' Now when Kubad
Reached manhood he perceived that Sufarai
Deserved the crown and, led by miscreants' words,
Slew him who was the backbone of the state.
The folk thereafter put Kubad in fetters,
That horseman bold, that hero of the race
Of kings, and gave him to Zarmihr, the low-born,
That he might take revenge for his own sire.
Zarmihr saw none else worthy of the crown
And throne of kingship, so he freed Kubad
In order that he might assert his claim
Without delay. No subject dared aspire
Though many were entitled by their birth.
When from the Turks one hight : " King Sawa ' came
To seek the seal and crown the glorious Maker
Ordained that he should perish in Iran.
Since by God's Grace and by Thy hand so great
An action was by thine own thumbstall wrought
Thou wouldest have the empire ! Know that thou
Wilt lose thy life. Yalan-sina curvetteth,
Exclaiming : " I will set up a new king—
Bahram Chubina, offspring of Gashasp —
And make my name remembered.' Nushirwan.
The understanding Shah, found in old age
His lost youth in Hurmuzd whom all the magnates
Of this our realm support. Support, say I ?
Are all his bondslaves and his underlings.
He hath three hundred thousand cavaliers,
All paladins, all famed, and all his slaves,
Obedient to his will, yet chose he thee
By virtue of his high prerogative,
Ennobled all thine ancestors and granted
Revenge upon their foes. Wilt thou repay
His good with ill ? Know 'twill recoil on thee.

Design not evil, brother ! It will bring
Ill on thine own head. Make not greed the lord
O'er wisdom else the sages will not call Thee
A man of piety. Although a woman,
Far younger than my brother, yet I give
A man's advice. Oh ! fling not to the wind
Thy fathers" deeds and mayst thou not recall
My words to mind."

The assembly marvelled at her.
The chieftain bit his lips as well aware

That what she said was just and that she sought
The path of right. Yalan-sina replied :-
" O noble lady ! in this company
Forbear to treat of Shahs because Hurmuzd
Will soon pass and the paladin enjoy
The throne of majesty. Now since the Shah
Is what he is in prowess count thy brother
Already as the monarch of Iran,
And if Hurmuzd affect the royal crown
Why sendeth he a distaff as a gift ?
The paladin is such a lion-man
That at the terror of his sword earth quaketh,
And had his sword remained undrawn Hurmuzd,
Iran and Sham had perished, and to '.send him
The present of a distaff and of cotton !
Fie on a king so Faithless ! Talk no more
About Turk-born Hurmuzd. May all that race
No longer be ! To count from Kai Kubad
This stock hath had the crown and throne of

gold
A thousand years. Now it is at an end.
So name them not or give Khusrau Parwiz
A thought : his mention is not worth a mite,
And those that are the princes at his court
Will be thy brother's subjects who will place
At his word their lord's feet in heavy bonds.'
" The Black Div spreadeth out," said Gurdya
A net upon thy path. Destroy us not,
Both soul and body. I perceive in thee
But wind and vapouring. Our sire was march-
lord
At Rai and thou wouldst have us seek the throne.
Now thine incitement of Bahram Chubina,
And putting into tumult all our kindred,
'Will give our race's travail to the wind,
And through thy words, thou base-born underling !
Yea ! lead him on and fill our quiet times
With turbulence ! "
She spake and then withdrew
In tears with heart grown alien from her brother,
While all those present said : "This saintly lady,
Our eloquent, clear-minded counsellor,
Hath spoken, thou wouldst say, just like a book,
And is in wisdom greater than Jamasp."
Howbeit the thing displeased Bahram Chubina,
Who was in dudgeon at his sister's words,
And through long musing his distempered heart
Showed him the throne of kingship in his dreams.
He said : " By toil alone aspirants win
This fleeting world."
He bade to spread the board.
And call for wine and harp and minstrelsy.
He told the minstrels : " Let your song to-day
Be of heroic deeds. I will not hear
Aught but the story of the Seven Stages ;
So while we revel sing the part wherein
Asfandiyar went to the Brazen Hold,
And of the game he played in that campaign."
They drank much wine to him and cried : " May
Rai
Be prosperous since such a chief as thou
Ariseth thence, and may God fashion more
Like thee."

At night they went their several ways :
The heads of all those topers were a-daze.

Whenas the rising sun shot Forth its beams.
And darksome night turned sickly at the glow,
The chief Bahram Chubina, that bold Wolf,
Bade the archscribe attend. They wrote the Khan
A letter that was worthy of the Artang,
Perfumed, illuminate and illustrate: —

For- -grief', while asking pardon for mine acts.
My heart is full of sighing and remorse.
Henceforth I will not hurt thy country, land,
Or marches through regard for thee: and I,
If I become the monarch of the world.
Will be to thee as 'twere a younger brother.
Wash vengeance from thy heart and thou shalt know-
No difference between Iran and Chin.
Take not to heart the past for God forgiveth
His slave. A thousand blessings on thy helm,
Upon thy sword and thy world-conquering hand."
He spake much to the same effect. The envoy
Was in amaze at him, then trod earth's face,
And bore the message to the Khan of Chin
By whom a gracious answer was returned :—
" I for my part term thee magnanimous."
He sent Bahram Chubina gifts that cheered
The heart.

This matter done, Bahram Chubina
Formed other plans, unlocked his hoarded treasures,
Gave his troops drachms, steeds, slaves, and privily
Aimed at the seat of sovereignty. He chose
Among the host a paladin, one fit
To be the prince of Khurasan, bestowed
That land on him with Nishapur and Balkh,
Marv and Harat, and troops withal, then went.
From Balkh to Rai, full of solicitude,
Upon the glorious Khurdad of Dai :
Took thought of great and small, then bade his men
Set up a mint and issue coins that bore
The superscription of Khusrau Parwiz.
He gave to merchants shrewd and plausible
Of speech, and fitted for the ticklish task.
Sacks of these new-coined drachms and said : ; Buy

up
Whatever ye can get in Taisafun
Of costly Rum brocade with silken figures
Upon a ground of gold."

He meant to bring
That coinage to the notice of the king.

Bahram Chubina chose a prudent envoy,
Strong as the blest Surush. He wrote withal
A blustering letter and discoursed at large
About Parmuda and king Sawa's host,
How he and his own troops had fought, the gift
That had been given to him by the Shah-
That woman's coif and that black distaff-case —
Then said thus : " Thou wilt never more behold

me
E'en in a dream so draw thy fish-hook up.
While thine illustrious, high-fortuned son,
Khusrau Parwiz, is seated on the throne
At his command will I make mountains plains,
And deserts like Jihun with foemen's blood.
Young though he be still he is fit to rule.
And faithful, not a faithless one like thee.
I have accepted him as king of kings,
And will henceforth be man to none beside."

His wish was that the king should put to death
The son) though innocent because he feared
Khusrau Parwiz, a young and charming prince.
The fortune-favoured envoy reached Baghdad

With men of name from Rai. Hurmuzd grew pale
As fenugreek when he received the letter.
Anon accounts of that new coinage reached him.
Which added grief to grief. He writhed, suspected
His son, and spake thus to Ayin Gashasp :—
"Khusrau Parwiz hath grown so bold that he
Fain would revolt ; moreover he hath struck
A brand-new coinage ! Could he hold me cheaper ? '

Ayin Gashasp replied : " Be course and charger
Ne'er seen without thee. Though Khusrau Parwiz
Is thine own son he should be bound for this."

Hurmuzd made answer: 'Presently will I
Remove this upstart."

That ambitious lord

Thus answered him : " May none prevail without
thee."

They called one privily by night and set him
Before the Shah who said : " Perform my bidding,
And rid earth's surface of Khusrau Parwiz."

He said : " I will, and charm love from my
heart,
So let the Shah assign me from his store
Bane, and some dark night when Khusrau Parwiz
Is drunken I will drug his wine. This way
Is better than to shed his blood."

The son,
Unwitting that his ruin was proposed,
Sat in his palace gloriously, intent
On charming Idols and on pleasant wine,
And ignorant of all. A chamberlain
Heard of the plot, banned appetite and sleep,
Sped to Khusrau Parwiz and made all clear.
He, hearing that the monarch of the world
Was plotting secretly to slay him, fared
From Taisafun by night, and thou hadst said :—
" He vanished from the world." He did not give
His priceless head away but reached apace
Azar Abada gan. When tidings came
To all the chiefs — the marchlords of that province : —
" Khusrau Parwiz, aggrieved against the king,

Hath fled with some few cavaliers," those mag-

nates
Sought for the traces of that well loved prince ;
All went, both troops and chiefs, to make him

Shah.
They said : " O prince ! crown, throne, and helm

befit thee,
And from Iran and desert of the spearmen
As many of the swordsmen and brave leaders,
As thou mayst wish, will come to thee. Thy

Grace
Will lead the army on. Fear no disaster.
But live great, glad, and well beloved. Although
Three hundred thousand horsemen of Iran
Shall mount the saddle to discomfit thee
We all will give our bodies to be slain
For thy sake and will honour those that fall."

He said : " I fear the Shah and folk, ye chiefs !
Unless ye come before Azargashasp,
And take great oaths to assure me that henceforth
Ye will be loyal to me : then will I
Abide here in all confidence and fear
Not Ahriman."

The warriors, when they heard
His words, all set forth for Azargashasp.
They took the oath that he desired, protesting:—
We hold thy love as precious as our eyes."

Assured about the chiefs he secretly
Sent agents everywhere to learn what said
His father of his flight and purposed next.

The Shah, on hearing that Khusrau Parwiz
Had fled, sent hastily to put Bandwi
And Gustaham in bondage as suspects ;
Both were the uncles of Khusrau Parwiz
Upon the mother's side and heroes bold.
All others of his kin beside these two
They also haled to ward without to-do.

Then to Ayin Gashasp thus spake the Shah : —
" I lack advice and sorrow is my mate.
Now that my son hath gone how shall we treat
Bahram Chubina, that slight, self-willed slave ? '

Ayin Gashasp sought an expedient
To make his counsel gracious and replied : —
" Exalted Shah ! Bahram Chubina oft
Hath spoken of me and of all things he
Desireth most my blood for I was first
To vex him privily, and to dispatch me
In fetters to him may prove serviceable."

The Shah made answer : " This is not my work,
But miscreant Ahriman's. I will dispatch
A host ; be thou its leader and prevail ;
But send him first one of our counsellors
To learn his purpose. Fortune, if he seeketh
Power, crown, and throne, will turn from him at last,
While if he shall remain a loyal liege
"'Twill be the better for him in the end.
Him will I give a portion of the world,
And set upon his head the heroes' crown.
The world hath scarcely such a warrior,
But, though like Rustam, he is still my thrall.
Inform me of his doings every whit ;
Proceed with diligence ; cut short the way."

The order given by the prudent Shah
Ayin Gashasp obeyed.

There was a captive,
And fellow-citizen of his, within
The royal prison, eager for release.
On hearing that in Gashasp, the horseman,
"Was going to the War he sent to say : —
" O battle-loving warrior ! I am
Thy fellow-citizen and now in prison.
Thou art acquainted with my quality.
I, if thou wilt but beg me from the king.
Will fare with thee on this campaign and risk
My life before thee when I am released
From this strait prison-house."

Ayin Gashasp
Thereat sent to the monarch of the world
A man in haste to say : " There is in bonds
A fellow-citizen of mine in fear
And peril who will go with me if now
The Shah will grant him pardon for my sake."
The Shah replied : " How should this useless wretch
Fight in the front of thee ? Thou pleadest for
A murderer, a scamp, and thief! Dost thou
Look for reward Still I have now no choice
Though 'twere the greatest of calamities."

He gave Ayin Gashasp that man compact
Of ill. that villain, thief, and murderer,
And then Ayin Gashasp led forth the host.
And marched like wind as far as Hamadan,
Where he encamped and asked : " Is any one
Skilled in astrology or presages
Within this noble city ? "

All replied :—
Our readers of the stars shall come before thee,
And earn thy praise."

An old, officious townsman
Came bustling up and said : " There is a dame
Both old and rich here, and thou mightest say : —
" She is the stars' eye.' What she saith is so ;
Her prophecies will surely come to pass.""
Ayin Gashasp, on hearing this, dispatched
One with a horse for her and when she came
He asked her how the Shah fared and of him
Who led the host, then added : Bring thy lips
Close to mine ear and tell me if my soul
Will quit my swarthy body in its bed,
Or wounded by the weapon of a foe ? "

While thus he spake of secrets to the crone
With voice so low that none could overhear them
The man for whom he had obtained release,
And taken as companion on the journey.
Approached and, as he passed by that sage dame,
Looked at the general and went his way.
The ancient dame inquired : " What man is that ?
A blow of his will make one weep for thee.
Thy dear life lieth in his hand, and may
He perish, skin and marrow ! "

At Her words
Ayin Gashasp recalled a former presage,
Which he had heard from readers of the stars
But had forgotten. Thus it ran : " Thy fate
Shall be in thy companion's hand — a man
Both mean and poor — who will go far with thee,
And in return for friendship shed thy blood."

He gave her presents and dismissed her quickly.
But could not sleep or eat for care. He wrote
A letter to the Shah : " The man whom I
Send back should not have been released for he
Is worse than dragon's spawn, and so the Shah
Informed his slave who lacked the imperial Grace.
When this man cometh bid the ill-disposed-

Behead him. instantly."

He wrote and set
His seal thereon. When it was dry he called
His fellow-citizen, much lauded him,
Bestowing gifts and many hearty blessings.
Then said : " Convey this letter unperceived
And quickly to the monarch of the world. -
Bring his reply to me with all dispatch.
And see that thou remain not with the king.'"

The young man took the letter from the chief;
His mind was all surmises at that mission,
And thus he said : " I have endured enough
Of prison, heavy bonds, and want of food ;
But God delivered me from my distress,
From grief, affliction, and mine evil fortune ;
Yet now that I return to Taisafun
My blood and marrow seethe."

He journeyed sadly
Awhile, then broke the Letter open, read it.
And marvelled at the process of the world.
He said : " My neighbour begged my life and urged :
'The act is worthy of the prince." so how
Should he be now insistent for my blood
Unless some dream hath moved him to this ill ?
But now to bloodshed he shall see the way.
And rest from travail and endeavouring!"

He turned back musing, went as swift as wind,
And on arrival found the chief alone.
Ayin Gashasp was seated in his tent,
Without attendant, scimitar, and steed
Absorbed in thinking on the king and all
That fortune might inflict upon himself.
Now when his neighbour came within his tent
Ayin Gashasp knew that he proposed bloodshed.
The murderer drew his scimitar ; the chief
Implored him much and said : " Deluded one !
Did not I beg thy lost life from the Shah ? '

The other answered : " Granted. What have I
Done that thou shouldst deal ill with me ? "

He smote
That noble chief across the neck, determined
His fighting and his feasting, and bore off
His bloody head unnoticed from the tent.
Let him that seeketh honour never be
Alone, in war-time more especially.

The miscreant left the murdered in his blood,
Sped to Bahram Chubina and exclaimed : —
" See thy foe's head — the man's who sought to harm

thee !
He marched against thee, knowing not thy purpose."

Bahram Chubina asked : " Who is it ? Who

Will mourn this head ? "

He said : " Ayin Gashasp,
The cavalier, who left the court for war."

Bahram Chubina said : " The man was good,
And he had come from court to reconcile
The Shah and us, and thou hast ta'en his head
While sleeping ! Now will I requite thee so
That folk shall sore bewail thee."

He bade set
A gallows at the door in sight of all,
And gibbeted the wretch alive, thus rousing
The hearts of evil-doers. Many horsemen
Brought by Ayin Gashasp from court sought out
Bahram Chubina when their chief had perished,
While many others sought Khusrau Parwiz,
And some the Shah. A flock will stray just so
Un-herded on a day of wind and snow.

When tidings reached the king of that famed hero,
A Gashasp, he shut the gate of audience
For grief; none saw him too with wine in hand ;
He could not rest or eat or sleep ; his eyes
Were full of tears. At court the talk ran much
Upon the Shah and his secluded state.
One. said : " Bahram Chubina seeketh fight,
Desirous of the throne of majesty."

Another said : " Aggrieved against the Shah
Khusrau Parwiz is marching on Iran."

Confounded at the case the warriors
Each held a different view, and as the bruit
Arose from Taisafun the monarchy
Lost credit while its servants' heads were full
Of grief and wrath, preferring curse to blessing.
Few troops remained about the gate; the world
Grew strait to the Shah's heart.

Then tidings reached
Bandwi and Gustaham : " The Grace of kingship
Is darkened."

All the captives loosed their bonds,
And sent forth one to ascertain and learn
What warriors' kept the portal of the Shah.
And having learned rebelled, threw off restraint,

And broke from ward ; shouts rose that shook the

plain ;
The garrison were left remediless.
Appeared Bandwi and Gustaham in mail
With troops in arms. The cavaliers forthwith,
All unabashed, rode hot-foot to the court,

And gallant Gustaham harangued the troops : —
" This is no trivial case, for if ye join
With us ye must ban reverence for the Shah.
If ye will all gird up your loins in vengeance
For those Iranian chiefs, because Hurmuzd
Hath turned upon the innocent, henceforth
Hail him not, Shah ; we will requite his deed,
And turn for him the waters of Iran
To colocynth. We will direct your course,
And set a new Shah on his throne. If ye
Show weakness we will leave Iran to you :
A corner of the world will do for us,
And thither with our comrades will we go.'

The whole throng at the words of Gustaham
Began to curse the Shah's peace and exclaimed :—
" Down with a king that sheddeth his son's blood ! '

The troops thus heartened fired the palace-gate,
Made entry of the imperial hall, and reached
The presence of the Shah, that man of Grace.
When they had ta'en his crown and flung him head-
long
Down from his throne they set upon his eyes
The searing irons, and the radiant Lamps
Were darkened. Then they suffered him to live,
And gave his treasure shamefully to spoil.

Such are the doings of the exalted sky !
Affect not thou this Wayside Hostelry,
Wherefrom we have our whiles of wealth and woe,
And in the end must quit them both and go.
The hundredth and the hundred thousandth year
As soon as they are numbered disappear.
The man by whom good fortune would be won
Must speak no evil and must list to none.

Then Gustaham sent to Azargashasp
One with two roadsters to Khusrau Parwiz
In haste by night with tidings from Iran.
The messenger approached the youthful Shah
(The moon was one night old) and told what he
Had heard of or had seen in that revolt.
The young prince paled like flower of fenugreek,
And cried : " Whoever quitted) wisdom's ways,
Obeying impulse through his lack of knowledge,
And fearless of the process of high heaven,
His life will profit not. If I found pleasure
In this thy tale of ill my food and sleep
Would turn to fire, but though, what time my father
Set hand to blood, I could no longer dwell
Within Iran yet I am still his slave,
And hearken to his words."

All seared at heart
He marched his host as swift as fire for fear
Lest that world-winner, great Bahram Chubina,
Should get the start of him, and so he led
His men from Barda' and from Ardabil,
Troop after troop, while from Armenia
A power sped with the Shah's son swift as wind.
As soon as tidings of him reached Baghdad : —
" The claimant of the throne of might hath come,"
The folk were all contented, and thereby
The atheling accomplished his desire.
The great men of the city — those that shared
The general joy — went out to welcome him,
Then going to the dwelling of the Shah
Discoursed at large, and he approved their words.
They set an ivory throne upon the dais
With golden torque and with a sumptuous crown
That many a Shah had worn : it had beheld
No lack upon the state. Khusrau Parwiz
Made entry of the city mournfully,
And visited his father with a sigh.