Now on the sixth week Zál and Rustam came
In discontentment and distress of heart.
The Íránians when they were advised thereof
Made haste, heart-broken too, to go to them.
When Rustam had appeared in sight with Zál,
Together with the prowest archimages,
All those who were the kinsmen of Zarasp
Urged on their steeds to go and welcome them,
While all the nobles with the golden boots
Advanced with Káwa's standard. When Gúdarz
Reached matchless Rustam tears ran down his cheeks;
The faces of the advancing troops were wan;
All hearts were seared and troubled for Khusrau.
The Íránians spake to Zál and Rustam thus:—
“The Sháh hath erred by counsel of Iblís.
The audience-chamber is completely thronged,
But none beholdeth him by night or day.
They ope the door of audience once a week,
And thither go we but, O paladin!
Quite other now is Kai Khusrau than when
Thou usedst to behold him bright and happy
Of soul. The straight-stemmed Cypress-tree is bent,
The red Rose hath the colour of the quince.
I know not that the evil eye hath seen him,
Or why his rosy face is withered so,
Unless the Íránians' fortune hath grown dim,
Or stars have brought on him this decadence;
Or whether 'tis the fear of holy God
That causeth in his heart such melancholy;
Or if the Dív hath made him err and wrecked
Once and for all the world.”

Brave Zál replied:—

“The Sháh hath grown aweary of the throne.
There are such things as health and suffering,
Distress and gladness too have each their time.
Have not your heart so greatly sorrowful,
For sorrow casteth down the blithest soul.

We will speak much to him and counsel him,
And by our counsel bring his star success.”
The wayfarers made haste to court. The curtain
Was drawn aside. They were admitted gladly
In order due—Zál, elephantine Rustam,
Tús and Gúdarz and all their company,
And then Gurgín, Bízhan, and Gustaham
With all the warriors of their retinue.
The king of kings, when he beheld Zál's face,
And heard the voice of Rustam at the curtain,
Rose to his feet in wonder from the throne,
And standing greeted Zál and clasped his hand.
As for the wise men from Zábul, Kannúj,
Dambar, and from Kábul, he greeted each,
And courteously entreated them, assigning
To each his place and to the Íránians
The highest. Zál did reverence and spake thus:—
“Live happily while month and year endure!
Of all the famous chiefs that we can call
To mind from Minúchihr to Kai Kubád,
As well as Zav, son of Tahmásp, Káús—
Great men and Sháhs whose steps were fortunate—
And Siyáwush, who was as mine own son,
Endowed with stature, dignity, and Grace,
None have I seen with Grace, renown, and wisdom
Such as the Sháh's, and may he reign for ever
Victorious, intrepid, just, and wise.
Thou hast pervaded all the world with justice,
And come again in triumph and in joy.
What king but is as dust beneath thy feet?
What bane for which thy name is not a cure?
Received have I some most unwelcome news,
And thereupon have made all haste to come.
One from Írán declared: ‘The conquering Sháh
Hath bid the audience-chamberlain to leave
The curtain down and hide our monarch from us.’
I like an eagle or a ship at sea
Have come in all haste, since the Íránians grieve,
That I might ask the monarch of the world
About the secret matter on his mind.
The readers of the stars, the mighty men
Whom I saw chief within their provinces,
Have come with Indian tablets from Kannúj,
Dambar, and Margh and Mái to ascertain
The secret of the sky, and why the Sháh
Withdraweth his affection from Írán.
Now all well-being resteth on three things,
With which the throne of royalty is safe;
The three are treasure, toil, and valiant men:
Without them glory, rule, and fight are not.
A fourth is that we offer praise to God,
And make our prayers before Him night and day,
Because He is His servant's succourer,
One who restraineth the injurious.
We will bestow much wealth upon the poor,
Though it should cost us what we value most,
That He may make thy spirit bright again
With wisdom for the armour of thy brain.”*