Zál sped like bird on wing or ship at sea
And all that heard of his approach went out
To welcome him with joy. The palace rang
With shouts: “Zál hath succeeded and returned.”
Sám met him joyfully and held him close

Embraced. When Zál had disengaged himself
He kissed the ground and told his news. Anon
Sám, seated on his splendid throne with Zál,
Blithe-hearted and in great content, began
To tell about the matter of Síndukht,
And kept his countenance: “A woman named
Síndukht brought me a message from Kábul,
And made me promise not to be her foe.
I granted all that she was pleased to ask—
First that the future monarch of Zábul
Shall have the Beauty of Kábul to wife,
And next that we will go and be her guests
To heal all sores. Now she hath sent to say:—
‘All things are ready, scented and adorned.’
What answer shall we send high-born Mihráb?”
Then Zál blushed ruby-red from head to foot
With sudden joy, and said: “O paladin!
If it seem good to thee send on the troops
And let us follow and discuss the matter.”
Sám smiled at Zál, aware of his desire,
For he could talk of nothing but Rúdába,
And got no sleep at nights for thinking of her.
Sám bade to sound the gongs and Indian bells
And have prepared the royal tent-enclosure.
He sent a cameleer, a valiant man,
To advertise the lion-like Mihráb:—
“The chieftain is upon his way with Zál
And elephants and troops escorting them.”
He went with speed and told Mihráb, who joyed;
His cheeks grew ruddy as the cercis-bloom.
He sounded trumpets, mounted kettledrums,
And furnished forth his army like the eye
Of chanticleer. Huge elephants and minstrels
Made earth a Paradise from end to end.
What with the many flags of painted silk
Of divers colours, sound of pipes and harps,
The blast of trumpets and the din of gongs,
One would have said: “It is a festival,
The Resurrection or the Last Great Day.”
Thus went Mihráb till he encountered Sám,
He then dismounted and approached on foot.
That paladin of paladins embraced him
And asked if all were well. Mihráb began
To compliment both Sám and Zál, then like
The new moon rising o'er the mountain-tops
He mounted his fleet steed and set a crown
Of gold and jewels on the head of Zál.
Conversing of the past they reached Kábul.
What with the clang of Indian bells, the sounds
Of lyre and harp and pipe, one would have said:—
“The roofs and doors make music. Times are changed!”
The horses' manes and forelocks ran with saffron
And musk. Then with three hundred female slaves
With girded loins, each with a cup of gold
Which brimmed with musk and gems, Síndukht ap­proached,
And all blessed Sám and showered forth the jewels.
Each person present on that happy day
Had treasure to the full. Sám smiled and asked:—
“How long wilt thou conceal Rúdába thus?”
Síndukht replied: “If thou wouldst see the Sun
What is my fee?”

Sám answered: “What thou wilt:

My treasures, crown, throne, country—all are thine.”
They sought the chamber arabesqued with gold,
Where all was jocund Spring, and Sám, entranced,
Struck dumb, and dazzled, viewed the moon-faced maid.
At last he said to Zál: “Thou lucky youth!
God greatly helped thee when this glorious Sun
Set her affections on thy face. Thy Choice
Is choice indeed!”

By Sám's desire Mihráb

Approached to execute the legal contract.
They placed the happy couple on one throne
And scattered emeralds and carnelians.
Her coronet was wrought of gold and his
Of royal gems. Mihráb produced and read
The inventory of his daughter's dowry
Till one had cried: “'Tis more than ear can hear.”
Sám was confounded when he realised
The treasures, and invoked the name of God.
Then hall and city revelled for a week,
The palace was a Paradise in raptures,

And neither Zál nor coral-lipped Rúdába
Slept for a sennight either day or night;
Then going to the palace from the hall
They spent three weeks in joy, while all the nobles
With armlets on stood ranked outside. One month
Elapsed and Sám departed to Sístán.
Zál spent a happy week in getting ready
Steeds, howdahs, litters; for Rúdába's use
A curtained couch. Síndukht, Mihráb, and all
Their kin set off first for Sístán, glad-hearted,
With minds at ease and lips all praise to God,
Who giveth good, and there arrived triumphant,
Illuminating earth with joy and laughter.
Sám had a feast prepared. Three days were spent
In revelling, then while Síndukht remained
Mihráb returned attended to Kábul,
While Sám gave up the realm to Zál and led
His army westward 'gainst the Kargasárs,
With flaunting flag and favouring auguries.
“I go,” said he, “because those fields are mine,
Though not men's hearts and eyes. I have the patent
From Minúchihr. ‘Have and enjoy,’ he said.
I fear me that the miscreants will rebel,
The dívs above all of Mázandarán.
I give to thee, O Zál! this state, this realm,
And glorious crown.”

Sám of the single blow

Departed, leaving Zál upon the throne,
A happy husband holding festivals,
And when Rúdába sat beside her spouse
He placed a crown of gold upon her brows.