Then Rustam bade those chieftains, those mace-
wielders,
Those dealers out of death, to gird themselves
At dawn what time the officer on duty
Came to the gate. At daybreak, when the cock crew,
They bound the drums upon the elephants,
While Rustam came forth like a lofty cypress,
Mace in his hand and lasso on his saddle.
He left the royal portal with his troops,
And called down blessings on the land. The chiefs
Went first, the soldiers followed, and all took
Their lives in hand, their guides were spears and
arrows,
And every hand had been imbrued in blood.
When Rustam reached the marches of Túrán
He picked out all the chiefs, then bade the troops:—
“Abide here cheerfully, move not unless
All-holy God deprive me of my life,
Be dight for battle and prepared for bloodshed.”
Thus in those marches of Írán he left them,
And went, he and the chiefs, towards Túrán.

He doffed his mail and donned a merchant's dress,
The warriors undid their silver girdles,
And he arrayed them all in woollen robes.
They fared toward Túrán—a caravan
All scent and colour. There were eight fine steeds,
One Rakhsh, the others were the warriors' mounts,
Ten camels bearing bales of jewelry,
And five score bearing soldiers' uniforms.
The waste rang like the horn of Tahmúras
With bells and shouting. Rustam journeyed on
Until he reached the city of Pírán,
For there was one in those Túránian marches
Belonging to that chief, but he himself
Was at the chase; his palace was unguarded.
Now when he came back from the hunting-field
The matchless Rustam saw him on the road,
And having covered over with brocade
A golden goblet filled with precious stones
Gave it and therewithal two splendid steeds,
With saddles made of gold adorned with jewels,
To the attendants, and preceding them
Strode to Pírán's throne swiftly, did obeisance,
And said: “O prince whose fortune and whose prowess
Are famous in Irán and in Túrán!
Thy Grace and crown are peerless, for thou art
King's minister and glory of the throne.”
Pírán, so God ordained it, knew not Rustam,
But questioned him and said: “Whence art thou?
Speak!
What man art thou and wherefore hast thou come?”
He said: “I am thy subject. God assigned me
A cistern in thy city. I have measured
A long and grievous journey from Írán
To traffic in Túrán. I sell and buy,
And deal in every sort of merchandise.
My soul hath good assurance of thy love,
Such was the power of hope within my heart!
If now the paladin will take me 'neath
His wing I will buy cattle and sell jewels.
Through thy just dealing none will do me hurt,
The cloud-rack of thy love rain gems upon me.”
Then Rustam offered him before the lords
The cup of royal gems, and splendid Arabs
With coats too sleek to hold the wind-borne dust.
This wealth with many a blessing Rustam gave,
And fairly clinched the matter. When Pírán
Beheld the jewels in the brilliant cup
He praised and welcomed Rustam, seating him
Upon the turquoise throne, and said: “Depart
Content and enter with all confidence,
For I will lodge thee near me; be at ease
About thy goods, thou hast no foeman here.
Go fetch thy wares, seek buyers on all sides,
Make my son's house thy home, and be to me
As 'twere a kinsman.”

Rustam answered thus:—

“I will abide here with my caravan,
O paladin! What goods I have are thine,
And 'twill be well with me be where I may,
But in that I have jewels of all kinds,
And must not lose one, by thy conquering fortune
We will remain outside in great content.”
Pírán replied: “Go then and choose thy place,
And I will station guards for thy defence.”
So Rustam chose a house, appointed it,
And filled the warehouse with his goods and packs.
News spread: “A caravan out of Írán
Hath visited the noble paladin,”

And buyers everywhere pricked up their ears
When tidings reached them of those jewel-merchants.
Those that would buy brocade or stuffs or gems
Departed toward the court-gate of Pírán,
And when the sun arose the world to grace
The warehouse had become a market-place.