For three days Siyáwush wept bitterly
By reason of this treacherous turn of fate.
The fourth night as the prince lay fast asleep,
Clasped to the breast of moon-faced Farangís,
He shuddered, woke in fright, and cried as 'twere
A maddened elephant. The fair one clung
To him, exclaiming: “For love's sake, O king!
What aileth thee?”

When he called out they lit

The lamps and kindled aloe-wood before him,
And ambergris. The lady asked again:—
“O prudent prince! what sawest thou in sleep?”
Then Siyáwush made answer: “Tell not thou
This dream of mine to any of the folk.
My dream was this, O silvern Cypress-tree!
I saw a mighty river stretching far,
And on the further bank a mount in flames;
The river-side was held by men in mail.
On one side was the swiftly rolling fire—
A fire whereby Siyáwushgird was burned.
Here fire, there water, while Afrásiyáb
Stood right before me with his elephants.
He looked upon me with a louring face,
And blew the already fiercely burning flames.”
The lady answered him: “It bodeth well,
Unless thou slumberest for this one night.”
Then Siyáwush assembled all his guards
And posted them about the court and hall;
He mounted in full armour, sword in hand,
And sent out scouts upon the road to Gang.

Whenas the more part of the night had passed
There came a scout on horseback from the waste,
Who said: “Afrásiyáb with many troops
Appeareth in the distance, pressing forward.”
Then came a messenger from Garsíwaz,
Who said: “Gird up thy loins to save thy life.
My words have proved to be of no avail,
I see black smoke although I see no fire:
Consider now what course thou shouldest take,
And how thou mayest best dispose thy troops.”
But Siyáwush, who knew not the design,
Believed in Garsíwaz. Then Farangís
Said: “O wise king! take no account of us.
But mount upon a courser fleet of foot,
And trust not to the country of Túrán.
I fain would see thee in security
Abiding here, but save thyself and flee.”