Wherever there were horses running wild
Their keepers drove them to the camp in herds.
The Sháh commanded: “Let the lasso-throwers—
The warriors brazen-bodied in the fight—

Catch these swift Arab chargers in the noose.”
Anon the conquering world-lord took his seat
With mace in hand upon the throne of gold,
Unlocked his treasury of dínárs, and said:—
“The treasures of the great should not be hidden.
In times of strife and fighting for revenge
They look with scorn on treasure and dínárs;
So all our wealth and thrones will we bestow
Upon the brave, to make our Tree fruit sunward,
And why delay since treasure helpeth them?”
A hundred pieces of brocade of Rúm
With jewelled patterns on a golden ground,
With beaver-skins, gold raiment, and a goblet
Of royal gems—he had these brought. “Behold,”
Said he, “the price set on the worthless head
Of that fierce Dragon, murderous Paláshán,
Now made commander by Afrásiyáb*

That he may slumber while that chieftain watcheth.
Who in our camp will bring his head and sword
And steed to dust upon the day of battle?”
Bízhan the son of Gív sprang to his feet
Forthwith, he undertook to slay that Dragon,
And carried off the stuffs and cup of gold,
With all the jewels, blessing Kai Khusrau,
And saying: “May this crowned head live for ever!”
Then went back to his seat retaining still
The goblet with the jewels in his hand.

The Sháh then bade his treasurer to bring
Two hundred robes of gold embroidery
With beaver-skins, brocade, rich painted silk,
And two slaves rosy-cheeked with girded loins,
And thus he said: “These presents will I give,
And will confer more favours on, the man
That bringeth unto me, or to the chieftains
Assembled here, the crown worn by Tazháv,
Which crown Afrásiyáb set on his head,
And hailed him as a high-born son-in-law.”*

Again Bízhan the son of Gív arose,
Who had a hand far reaching in the fight,
And seized upon the presents and the slaves
While all assembled wondered; he exclaimed:—
“May earth be prosperous under Kai Khusrau!”
Then sat down gladly giving many thanks.
The Sháh commanded and the treasurer
Brought out ten slave-boys with their girdles on,
Ten steeds of rapid pace with golden bridles,
And ten veiled maidens in their bravery;
The watchful ruler of the people said:—
“These steeds and all these Beauties are for one
Who, when Tazháv hath fled, need not possess
A lion's heart. Tazháv hath by his side
In battle one whose voice would tame a leopard,
A slave with cheeks like spring, of cypress-stature,
With reed-like waist and with a pheasant's gait,
A Moon-face, Ispanwí by name, a Jasmine
In visage, heart-alluring, breathing musk.
Her captor must not strike her with the sword,
For swords are not for such a cheek as hers,
But noose her waist and take her to his bosom.”
Bízhan smote on his breast and volunteered
Again. He drew anigh the all-conquering Sháh,

Began to laud the monarch of the world,
And supplicate the Maker. The great king
Rejoiced in him and spake thus: “Famous chief!
May paladin like thee ne'er help our foes,
Ne'er may thine ardent soul and body part!”
Then said the world-lord to the treasurer:—
“Bring forth ten golden beakers from the hoard,
And let them put pastilles therein; bring also
Ten goblets of pure silver brimmed with jewels,
One topaz goblet filled with musk, and one
Of turquoise, one of lapis-lazuli,
With emeralds and carnelians showered therein,
Mixed with rose-water and with musk; ten boy-slaves
With belts, and ten fine steeds with golden bridles.
These are,” he said, “for him who, having strength
To fight Tazháv upon the day of battle,
Shall bear his head off from the stricken field,
And bring it to the warriors of the host.”
Then Gív son of Gúdarz smote on his breast,
And undertook to fight that paladin,
Whereat they brought those noble slaves and gifts,
And set them in array in front of him.
He called down many blessings on the Sháh,
And said: “May crown and signet ne'er lack thee.”
The Sháh commanded then the treasurer:—
“Set out ten golden trays before the throne,
And mix in them dínárs and musk and jewels;
Set too ten Fairy-faced with crowns and girdles,
Two hundred beaver-skins, brocade of gold,
Ten girdles, and a royal diadem.
This is for him,” he said, “that grudgeth not
His labour for the sake of fame and treasure.
Let such depart hence to the Kása rúd,
And there salute the soul of Siyáwush.
He will behold a mighty pile of fire-wood,
Whose height is greater than ten lassos' length.
It is a pile raised by Afrásiyáb
Upon the spot whereat he crossed the river.
He wished that none should pass there from Írán
Túrán-ward. Some bold warrior must go hence,
And make the Kása rúd a sheet of flame,
So that if e'er it be the seene of fight
The wood may prove no cover for the foe.”
Again Gív spake: “This is my quarry; mine
Shall be the task to set the pile a-blaze.
I fear not combat if the foe shall come,
But will invite the vultures to a feast.”
The Sháh bestowed on Gív those goods as well,
And said to him: “Famed chieftain of the host!*

May this bright crown ne'er lack thy sword. So be it.
Oh! may the Brahman never lack the Idol!”
He ordered: “Let the treasurer produce
Forthwith a hundred divers-hued brocades,”
Chose from his hoards a hundred lustrous pearls—
“All drops of water frozen,” thou wouldst say—
And brought out from the women's bower five handmaids,
Whose heads and tresses were concealed by crowns.
He said: “This is a present meet for one
Whose wisdom is the king of his pure mind—
A daring, prudent man and eloquent,
Who turneth not from lions in the fight—
If he will carry to Afrásiyáb
A message, weeping not for dread of him,
And will convey his answer back to me.
Who of this noble company will dare?”
Gurgín son of Mílád held forth his hand,
And gat him ready for that enterprise.
The Sháh bestowed on him the slaves, the robes
Of gold-embroidery, and royal gems.
He called down blessings on the Sháh and said:—
“May wisdom wed the soul of Kai Khusrau!”

Whenas earth's face grew black as raven's plumes,
And when night's Lamp rose o'er the hills, the Sháh
Went to his palace, and his mighty men
Departed, each one to his home again.