The Sháh spake afterward to Zál, and said:—
“Now gird ye, every one of you, your loins,
Thou, Rustam, Tús, Gúdarz and Gív and all
The others that are men of name and courage!
Bear ye the camp-enclosure from the city
Out on the plain with our victorious standard;
Take thither all the tents and the pavilions
To furnish an encampment; there assemble
The chieftains' flags, the elephants, and troops,
And make a splendid feast-stead.”

Rustam did

As said the Sháh. They brought the camp-enclosure
Forth to the plain, and all the Íránians
Girt up their loins to do as they were bidden.
The earth was filled with tents from hill to hill—
Tents white and sable, violet and blue—
While Káwa's flag was in the midst and made
The world look yellow, red, and violet.
They pitched Zál's tent-enclosure on the plain
Hard by the Sháh before the army. Rustam,
The paladin, was stationed on the left
With shrewd chiefs from Kábul. In front were Tús,
Gúdarz, and Gív, Bízhan the warrior,

And brave Gurgín, and, in the rear, Shápúr
With Gustaham and nobles in attendance.
The king of kings sat on the golden throne,
With ox-head mace, on one side Zál and Rustam—
A stately Elephant and Lion grim—
Upon the other Tús, Gúdarz, and Gív,
Gurgín, Farhád, and valorous Shápúr,
While every eye was fixed upon the face
Of Kai Khusrau to know what he would say
About the host. He raised his voice and said:—
“Ye famous men of action! every one
That is possessed of rede and wisdom knoweth
That good and ill will pass away alike;
We all must go, and this world passeth too:
What need for all this travail, grief, and care?
'Tis well to go now while we have our troops,
We must not go as though impuissant;
For us the bull is still within its hide,
And elsewhere are reward and retribution.
Be all of you in fear of holy God,
And put no confidence in this dark earth,
Because the day of each of us will pass,
And time is reckoning our every breath.
From glorious Húshang to Sháh Káús
Of all that had the throne, the crown, and Grace
Naught but the name remaineth to the world,
And no one readeth rescripts from the dead.
Of them full many showed ingratitude,
And trembled for their error in the end.
A bondslave am I even as they were;
And striven though I have with pains, and I
Have striven and endured exceeding toil,
I realise that here is none abiding.
Now from this Wayside Inn have I uprooted
My heart and soul, and lifted them o'er care
And toil; now have I won my whole desire,
And turned my back upon the Kaian throne.
To every one that hath borne toil with me
Will I give treasure equal to his wish,
And speak to God, who heareth what is good,
For them whom I approve. I give the Íránians
My treasures and mine implements of war.
To every prince among you I will give
A province. Of my purses, slaves, and steeds
Have I bethought me; I produce a list
And now bestow them, for I go my way,
And clear my heart of this obscurity.
Put forth your hands in gladness to the feast,
One sennight eat and drink, and pray that I
May quit this Wayside Hostel and abide
Afar from toil.”

When he announced his purpose

The warriors were all astound at him,
And one among them said: “The Sháh is mad,
And wit is as a stranger to his heart!
I know not what will come to him, or where
The crown and throne will find repose!”

Anon

The warriors departed band by band;
Plains, dales, and mountains were all troops. The sounds
Of piping and of neighing steeds ascended
Above the very sky, as thou wouldst say;
Thereat the spirits of the Íránians rose,
And for one week none thought of griefs and woes.