When Zál, that loyal liege, had heard the Sháh
He kissed the ground, then springing to his feet
Spake out, and said: “O monarch of the world!
Let me disclose to thee my heart's desire.
What for Írán's sake Rustam hath achieved
In combats, travails, and campaigns thou knowest.
When Kai Káús went to Mázandarán—
A lengthy march of many toilsome leagues—
And when the dívs had put him into ward,
Together with the proud Gúdarz and Tús,
Then matchless Rustam, having heard thereof,
Went to Mázandarán in haste alone.
Through desert and through gloom, midst dívs and
lions,
Enchanters and fierce dragons, in distress
And toil he cut his way, and reached the Sháh;
He rent the White Div's flank, he tore the reins
Both of Púlád,*

son of Ghundí, and Bíd,
And plucked off Sanja's head. His war-cry reached
High heaven. Káús went to Hámávarán,
And there folk made him fast in heavy bonds
With Tús, Gúdarz, and Gív—those gallant hearts
And wary warriors. But matchless Rustam
Marched thither with a mighty host and chieftains,
The chosen of Írán and of Zábul,
And freed Káús, Gúdarz, and Gív and Tús.
When Rustam slew Suhráb—a son unmatched
Mid high and low alike throughout the world—
When waging battle for Káús, the Sháh,
He wept in agony for months and years;
And when he fought Kámús in after-times
His valour sent the dust up to the clouds.
However I might speak about his acts
The tale of them would never reach and end.
Now if the Sháh is tired of crown and throne
What leaveth he this loyal lion-heart?”
“His actions,” such was Kai Khusrau's reply,
“On our behalf, his fightings and his toil,

Who knoweth save the almighty Lord of Heaven—
He that revealeth justice, peace, and love?
Yet Rustam's fame is manifest to all,
And he hath none to match him in the world.”
He ordered that a scribe should come to him
With paper, musk, and spicery. They wrote
A patent from the monarch of the earth,
The exalted Kai Khusrau, the pure in Faith,
For elephantine Rustam, that brave chieftain,
Praised for his valour in all companies,
The foremost of the world, a lord thereof,
A chieftain, vigilant, and valiant,
A conquering leader and the Light of hosts,
Assigning him the province of Nímrúz.
They sealed the patent with the golden signet,
As was the usance of just Kai Khusrau,
Who gave the deed to him, commending him,
And saying: “May the earth be blessed in Rustam.”
Then to the chieftains that had journeyed thither
With Zál, the son of Sám the cavalier,
And astrolabes upon their bosoms bare,
He gave robes, gold, and silver—each his share.