Thus saith the storying minstrel: Kai Khusrau
One morn adorned his Rose-bed like the spring.
Such chieftains as Gúdarz, Tús, Gustaham,
Barzín son of Garshásp, sprung from Jamshíd,
With Gív and with Ruhhám the veteran,
Gurgín and sage Kharrád sat with the Sháh,
And drained the goblet to the king of kings
Right merrily. One hour of day had passed
When there arrived a herdsman from the plain,
Who came before Khusrau, first kissed the ground,
And then addressed that Sháh of glorious race:—
“An onager hath come amongst the herds,
And seemeth like a dív escaped from bond!
Thou wouldest say: ‘It is a savage lion!’
He breaketh our steeds' necks; he is in colour
As 'twere the sun itself; thou wouldest say:—
‘The sky hath washed him in a bath of gold.’
Drawn from his neck and reaching to his tail
There is a line as black as musk. If thou
Wouldst judge by his round haunches and his feet
Thou wouldest say: ‘He is a noble steed.’”
Khusrau, aware that 'twas no onager,
For onagers surpass not steeds in strength,
And having heard that people near the stream,
Where this man used to turn the herds to graze,
Made much complaint about Akwán the dív,
Said to the hind: “This is no onager,
And I have knowledge of it. Go thy way.”
He then addressed the chiefs: “Ye paladins,

With Grace and state! we need one lion-fierce
Among yourselves to go on this emprise.”
He scanned the warriors but found none to please
him,
For only Rustam son of Zál could help
In such a cause, and so Khusrau prepared
A letter couched in just and loving terms,
And gave it to Gurgín son of Mílád,
To whom he said: “Bear to the son of Zál
My letter, go like smoke both night and day,
And slumber not within Zábulistán.
Greet Rustam much and lovingly from me,
Say to him: ‘Live while heaven itself shall last,’
And add when he hath read the letter through:—
‘My Grace is all from thee, aspiring chief!
Show us thy face, arise, and come. When thou
Hast read the letter stay not in Zábul.’”
Gurgín departed like a rushing wind,
Or onager in terror for its life,
And gave the letter when he reached the chieftain,
Who heard, obeyed, and went to court in state,
There kissed the ground before the throne and blessed
The imperial fortunes, saying thus: “O Sháh!
Thou calledst me, and here am I girt up
To do thy will. Be might and goodness thine.”
Khusrau, on seeing Rustam, welcomed him,
Gave him a seat upon the royal throne,
And afterward spake thus: “O paladin!
Mayst thou live ever glad and bright of soul.
This day is blessèd since I look on thee:
My fortunes all depend on thy shrewd mind.
A work is toward, O elephantine one!
For which I summoned thee of all the mighty,
So that, if thou distaste not my command,
Thou mayest gird thee to win crown and treasure.
A hind hath said: ‘An onager hath come
Among the herds.’”

The Sháh told o'er the tale,

And added: “Now, O matchless one, make ready
And undertake this further enterprise.
Go, and in dealing with it have a care,
For it may be malicious Áhriman.”
“Through thy good fortune,” Rustam made reply,
“Now whether it be lion, dív, or dragon,
The servant of thy throne is not afraid;
It shall not 'scape my scimitar's sharp blade.”