Thence they departed to the hall of Rustam,
Discussing as they went what course to take.
When Rustam had perused the monarch's letter
He was o'erwhelmed at what Khusrau had said,
And all the praises that the worldlord Sháh
Gave to his famous captain of the host.
Then Rustam said to Gív: “I will dispatch,
And ready me to go as he commandeth.
I know how thou hast laboured, thine achievements,
And thy concernment in all enterprise.
How mighty is thine influence with me,
Who hast wooed war on every battlefield,
Alike in the revenge for Siyáwush,
And in the war against Mázandarán!
Thou hast borne travail too in coming hither,
And faring by a route so arduous.
I joy exceedingly to look upon thee
Although I am concerned about Bízhan.

I cannot bear to see thee in such grief,
And fortune-stricken. As the Sháh commandeth
In this his letter I will take the road,
And also out of my concern for thee
Will undertake the matter of Bízhan,
Will do my best and, if All-holy God
Shall leave my body and my soul together,
I will not grudge Bízhan life, troops, and treasure.
I gird me in God's strength and by the fortune
Of our victorious worldlord. I will rescue
Bízhan from bondage and from darksome pit,
And will re-seat him on the famous daïs.
Abide with me three days in joy, quaff wine,
Be free from care, for no division parteth
My house from thine, and thou and I are one
In treasure, soul, and body.”

At his words

Gív sprang up, kissed his hands and head and feet,
Applauded him, and said: “O man of name,
Endowed with strength and manhood, worth and
fortune!
Mayst thou have ever thus the heart and strength
Of elephants and archimages' prudence.
Thou dost partake all excellence, and so
Hast cleansed my heart from rust.”

When Rustam saw

Gív's heart content, and felt himself assured
That all would turn out well, he told his steward:—
“Set out the board and call the chiefs and sages.”
Then Farámarz, Zawára, Zál, and Gív
Sat at the banquet of the valiant chief.

Cup-bearers and musicians with their harps
Came to the hall of jewelled tracery;
The handles of the goblets blushed with wine,
The harps descanted and the cups went round.
Carousing thus in Rustam's palace Gív
Abode three days and made no haste to leave.