They set off on the tedious journey, one
Led by desire, the other by revenge.
Bízhan, the refuge of the host, alighted
Between two forests after one day's march.
He and Gurgín enjoyed two days with hawk
And cheetah in those meadows of Irmán.
On hearing that that marriageable maid
Had come, and decked the whole waste like the eye
Of chanticleer, Gurgín informed Bízhan,
And told him of the minstrelsy and feasting,
Whereat “Now will I,” thus Bízhan responded,
“Go forward and examine from a distance
The scene and manner of the Turkmans' revels;
Then with my polished spear-head lifted skyward
Will I turn rein. We shall advise the better,
As feeling more assured, when we have seen.”
He bade the treasurer: “Bring the crown that used,
Worn by my sire, to light the banquet-hall,
Because our way is banquet-ward. Bring likewise
The earrings and the torque that Kai Khusrau
Bestowed on me, and Gív's bejewelled armlet.”
He donned a glittering tunic made in Rúm,
And stuck an eagle's feather in his crown.
They put the saddle on his steed Shabrang
While he bade bring the girdle and the signet
That marked the paladin, and having mounted
Went to the spot in haste.

He reached the forest,

His heart preoccupied with its desires,
He drew anigh that Fair's pavilion,
Desire contending in his heart the while,
And went beneath a lofty cypress-tree
For shelter from the sun. The plain, with all
Its sounds of harp and song gave, thou hadst said,
His soul a welcome. When the fair one saw
The visage of the chieftain from her tent—
The cheeks as 'twere Canopus of Yaman,
Or jasmine blossoming mid violets—
Whilé on his head he wore the crown that marked
A chief of paladins, and all his breast
Blazed with brocade of Rúm, the maiden yearned
For love of him, who came in quest of love,
And sent her nurse as envoy, saying thus:—
“Go 'neath the boughs of yonder lofty cypress,
And find out who he is—yon moonlike one.
Can it be Siyáwush returned to life,
Or else a fairy? Question him and say:—
‘How hast thou come and who hath brought thee
hither?
Art thou of fairy-birth or Siyáwush
That thou dost fill our hearts with love for thee,
For thou hast lit a raging fire of love,
Unless the Resurrection be upon us,
Because for years have I been holding revel
Upon these meads each spring, and we have seen
None in this pleasance; but I now see thee,
O noble Cypress! and it is enough.’
Say to him: ‘Whether thou art man or fairy
Come to our festival. I have not looked

On aught resembling thee, O moon-faced one!
Inform us of thy name and whence thou comest.’”
The nurse, when she had come and done obeisance,
Gave him Manízha's message, and his cheeks
Bloomed like the rose. He saw his wish achieved,
And answered thus: “I am not Siyáwush,
Or fairy-born, sweet-spoken messenger!
But from Írán—the country of the free.
Bízhan am I, the son of Gív, and came
All keenly thence to battle with wild boars.
I took their heads and threw them by the way
To bear their tushes to the Sháh; but hearing
About this pleasance did not hurry back
To Gív, son of Gúdarz, if so good fortune
Might show me though but in a dream the face
Of her—the daughter of Afrásiyáb;
And now I see that all the plain is decked
With treasures like an idol-house in Chín.
If thou wilt show me kindness I will give thee
A crown of gold with earrings and a girdle,
And thou shalt lead me to yon lady fair,
And bring her heart to love me.”

She returned,

And bore the secret to Manízha's ear:—
“His countenance and mien are such and such,
In such and such wise hath the Maker made him.”
Manízha sent an answer back forthwith:—
“What seemed a fancy is within thy grasp,

For now come to me with thy noble gait,
And shed a light on this dark soul of mine.
Mine eyes will brighten at the sight of thee,
Vale, plain, and tents will turn to rosaries.”
With neither heart nor ear for aught beside
Her words he followed and she acted guide.*