On hearing: “Glorious Siyáwush hath come,”

Afrásiyáb descended to the street
Afoot with girded loins right eagerly.
The prince beholding him got off his horse
And ran to meet the king. The two embraced,
And kissed each other's head and eyes. Then said
Afrásiyáb: “Now evil is asleep
Throughout the world; henceforward war and tumult
Will cease; the deer and pard will drink together.
The world was troubled by brave Túr, but now
Our realms are sick of strife; while they were filled
With turmoil the world's heart had no repose;
Peace is restored by thee; the age hath rest
From battle and hot blood, all in Túrán
Are now thy slaves, all hearts are full of love
For thee; in soul and body I am thine;
Pírán the general is thy kinsman too.
I will regard thee with a father's fondness,
And ever show to thee a face all smiles.”
Then Siyáwush with many blessings answered:—
“May justice be the fortune of thy race.
Praise to the Lord, the Maker of the soul,
From Whom are peace and battle and revenge.”
The monarch, hand in hand with Siyáwush,
Sat on the throne of might, and as he gazed
Upon the prince, said: “None can equal him
On earth in stature, looks, and kingly Grace.”
Then to Pírán: “Káús is old and witless
To lose sight of a son so tall and gifted
As this. I marvelled, when I first beheld him,
How any man with such a son could look
At aught besides.”

He made choice of a palace,

Laid cloth of gold for carpets, set a throne
Of gold with feet like heads of buffaloes,
Bedecked the palace with brocade of Chín,
And furnished it throughout, then bade his guest
Go thither and abide in full content.
When Siyáwush arrived before the hall
Its dome reached Saturn, he went in and sat
Upon the golden throne, his wise soul wrapped
In thought, until the monarch's board was spread,
And he was summoned; there they talked together,
And entered on a course of happiness.
The banquet o'er they went with harp and minstrel
To hold a drinking-bout. They sat and quaffed
Until the world grew dark and heads became
Bemused with wine, then Siyáwush went home
With glee, and in his cups forgot Írán.
Afrásiyáb gave heart and soul to him,
And could not sleep for thinking. That same night

He said to Shída:*

“When the morn shall come,
And Siyáwush hath risen, go to him
With mine own kinsmen and the paladins
Of highest rank, take with you noble steeds
Caparisoned with gold, and other gifts.”
Accordingly the warriors presented
To Siyáwush gold coins and royal gems
With courteous greetings, and the king too sent
Him many gifts. Thus was one sennight spent.