Then Siyáwush wrote thus to Kai Káús
To tell him all: “Though young I want not wits.
While I have done no wrong, the world-lord's temper
Hath burned my heart within me. First Súdába
Occasioned trouble; I was forced to traverse
A mount of fire; my heart's blood bathed my cheeks,
And in the wastes the deer wept sore for me.
Then went I forth in shame and woe to face
The claws of Crocodiles. Both kingdoms now
Enjoy repose, yet is the Sháh's heart like
A sword of steel; my doings please him not,
And if I bind or loose 'tis all the same.
Since he is weary of me I will cease
To trouble him. Ne'er may his heart lack joy.
As for myself I seek the Dragon's breath
In sorrow, doubtful what the turning sky
Intendeth for me—whether hate or love.”
Then said he to Bahrám: “Now give thy name
Fresh glory in the world; I leave with thee
The baggage and the camp, the cavaliers,
The treasure, elephants, and kettledrums.
When noble Tús shall come, resign thy charge
To him, be vigilant and fortunate.”
He chose three hundred doughty cavaliers,

Had brought to him such money as he needed,
With jewels fit for kings, a hundred steeds
With golden furniture, a hundred slave boys
With golden belts, and had a reckoning made
Of weapons, beasts, and girdles. Then he summoned
The nobles, spake in many gracious words
To them, and said: “Pírán hath crossed the river,
Sent by Afrásiyáb on secret business
To me, because his people trust in him.
I go to meet him; ye must tarry here.
Look to Bahrám for orders and obey
Him loyally.”

The chiefs all kissed the ground

Before the glorious Siyáwush.

At sunset,

When air grew dark and earth ungenial,
The prince, his face obscured by tears, marched forth
Toward Jíhún with all his company.
When he had reached Tirmid, doors, roofs, and streets
Were full of scent and colour like the spring
Up to the gates of Chách: thou wouldst have said:—
“It is a bride with crown and necklaces.”
At every stage were carpets laid and viands
Prepared, the whole way to Káchár Báshí,
Where he dismounted and remained a while.
When Tús reached Balkh they told him bitter news:—
“The son of glorious Kai Káús hath gone
To join the leader of the Turkman host.”
Tús called in all the troops and marched them back

To court. The news made Kai Káús turn pale;
He mourned and heaved a deep, cold sigh; his heart
Was full of fire, his eye of tears for wrath
With Siyáwush and with Afrásiyáb;
But, doubtful if the sky would prove a friend
Or enemy, he put away his anger,
And thought no more of warfare and revenge.
On hearing: “Siyáwush hath crossed the river
With troops to us, his envoy hath arrived,”
Afrásiyáb bade all the chief estates
Go forth with kettledrums to welcome him.
Pírán chose out one thousand of his kin
To meet the prince with gifts, apprised the host,
And gat him ready four white elephants.
One bore a turquoise throne backed by a flag
Of tree-like size, surmounted by a moon;
The flag was gold-embroidered violet silk;
Upon the golden throne were three gold seats,
And each of them was covered with brocade.
There were a hundred noble steeds whose saddles
Were jewelled gold. The host, thou wouldst have said,
Was like the earth when graced by heaven's love.
When Siyáwush had heard: “A company
Hath come,” perceived the banner of Pírány,
And heard the sound of elephants and steeds,
He hurried forth, embraced Pírán, inquired
About the king and kingdom, and exclaimed:—
“Why hast thou vexed thy soul by coming hither,
O captain of the host? My heart's first wish
Was to behold thee safe and sound.”

Pírán

Kissed his fair, charming face, his head and feet,
And thus addressed the Maker: “Thou know'st all
things,
The open and the secret. Hadst Thou shown me
His soul in dreams, in sooth mine agèd head
Had been made young.”

He said to Siyáwush:—

“Now that I see thee radiant and robust
I offer praises to Almighty God.
Afrásiyáb will be a father to thee,
The chiefs this side the stream will be thy slaves.
Above a thousand of my kin will wait
On thee with earrings in their ears, my treasures
Are all thine own; be ever hale and happy.
Draw not a single breath of discontent,
For men and women are alike thy slaves,
And, if thou wilt accept my hoary head,
I too will gird my loins to do thee service.”
They went with joy, discussing divers matters,
While through the city there were sounds of harp
And rebeck; sleepy heads were roused; the soil
Was blackened with fresh musk; the Arab steeds
All spread their wings. When Siyáwush saw this
Tears rained from both his eyes, his thoughts were
troubled,
For he recalled the hocktide in Zábul
When it was decked up to Kábulistán,
And he had gone as guest to Rustam there
With all the famous men for company,
And how the folk had showered down gold and gems,
And sifted musk and ambergris o'erhead.
He thought about Írán and heaved a sigh,
His heart burned with the memories of home.

He turned his head to hide this from Pírán,
Albeit that chieftain marked the grief and pain:
He understood the thoughts of Siyáwush,
Grew sorrowful himself and bit his lips.
They lighted at Káchár Bashí to breathe
A while. Pírán scanned Siyáwush, and marked
With wondering eyes his speech, breast, neck, and
shoulders,
Invoked God's name, and said: “Illustrious prince!
Thou art the memory of sovereigns,
And hast three things that not a prince beside
Possesseth. First, thou makest men discern
The nature of the seed of Kai Kubád;
While secondly, thou hast adorned thy tongue
With such uprightness and such goodly speech;
And thirdly, one would say: ‘Thy face distilleth
Thy love on earth in showers.’”

The prince replied:—

“O venerable sage who sayest sooth,
World-famed for thy sincerity and love,
Far from unkindness and from Áhriman!
If thou wilt make a covenant with me
I know that thou wilt keep it, and will make
This land my home in love and confidence
In thee, my friend! and, if my sojourn here
Is well, I need not weep for what I did:
If otherwise command me to depart,
And point me out the way to other realms.”
Pírán replied: “Have no such thought. Since thou
Hast left Írán, in no wise hasten from us,
And lose our monarch's love. Though his repute
In this world is not good, he is a man
Of God, hath wisdom, prudence, and high rede,
And turneth not in lightness to bad ways.

He is my blood-relation*

too; with him
I have, as paladin and counsellor,
High rank, abundant treasures, thrones, and troops.
Above a hundred thousand cavaliers
Obey me here. Twelve thousand of my kinsmen
Stand day and night before me. I have land,
Flocks, lassos, bows, steeds, implements of war,
And hoarded treasure; I need no man's aid.
Let all this be thy ransom if thou wilt
Abide with us. I swear by Holy God
That I will serve thee both with heart and soul.
I will not suffer any ill to thee…
But no man knoweth high heaven's purposes.”
The prince rejoiced, his heart was freed from care.
They sat and ate, and grew like sire and son,
Then in high spirits sped along the road
To Gang—the Turkman monarch's fair abode.