V. 1435 He had four sun-like damsels; none had seen
Their faces e'en in dreams. He called those Idols
Forth from their bowers and told his purpose,
saying:—
“I am about to leave this place of sojourn,
But be not sad or sorry. Ye henceforth
Will see me not, for tired of this ill earth
I shall depart to God, the holy Judge,
And see no way whereby I may return.”
Thereat the sun-faced four became distraught,
And wailed for anguish, misery, and love;
They tore their faces, they plucked out their hair,
And broke their gay and scented ornaments,
Then as each one regained her self-control
She cried out with a lamentable voice:—
“Remove us also from this Wayside Inn,
And guide us to the attainment of this good.”
The noble Sháh made answer to them thus:—
“Ye too will go upon a way like this.
Where are the sisters of Jamshíd the worldlord?
Where are the nobles with their gloryings?
Where is the daughter of Afrásiyáb—
My mother who came hither o'er Jíhún?
Where is Túr's daughter, Máh Áfríd, whose like
None ever saw? Their beds are brick and dust;
I know not if they be in Heaven or Hell.
The talons and the teeth of Death will close
On crown and helm alike, wear which we may;
Hence one should be adorned with righteousness,
For that not even death will take from us.

Seek not to make me sorry to depart,
Because the way is bright before mine eyes.”
He cried aloud and called to him Luhrásp
To whom he spake much of the womenfolk,
And said: “These are mine Idols, and they are
The glory of my garden. Keep them here
Together in this home while thou remainest,
And when God calleth thee let not thy soul,
Through any act of thine, be shamed before Him,
Or feel itself disgraced before two kings
When thou beholdest me with Siyáwush.”
Luhrásp assented unto Kai Khusrau
In all, and answered: “How should I behold them
In their seclusion?”

Kai Khusrau then girt

His loins, and went back to the Íránian chiefs;
He said: “Go home again with all dispatch;
Let not your hearts be seared and smoked for me,
Nor feel at home with this world, for it hath
Its glooms though yet unseen. For evermore
Be ye both great and happy. Never think
Of me except for good. Be jocund all,
Rejoice in God, and when ye have to pass
Be it a day for smiles and happiness.”
Then all the nobles of the Íránian host
Bent to the ground before him, saying thus:—
“The counsels of the Sháh will we hold fast
As life itself as long as life shall last.”