The world-illuming chief heard at Nímrúz:—
“A wail ascendeth from Írán, the death

Of Siyáwush hath shocked the world, Káús
Hath thrown dust on his crown and rent his robes!”
When matchless Rustam heard his senses fled;
A wail rose from Zábul, Zál tore his cheeks,
And scattered dust upon his crown and shoulders.
Thus passed a week in heaviness and mourning,
But on the eighth day rose the trumpet-blast,
And at the gate of elephantine Rustam
Troops gathered from Kashmír and from Zábul.
Blood in his eyes and vengeance in his heart
He marched toward the court of Kai Káús.
On coming near Írán he rent his robe
Of office, swearing by the Almighty Judge:—
“I will not rest from arms and war or wash
Dust from my face, whereat we need not grieve,
Till I have taken vengeance for the prince,
And brought our foes' heads to the shears. My crown
Shall be a casque, my cup a scimitar,
My net the leathern lasso on mine arm,
Until I take for our young prince's death
Revenge upon that Turkman dark of soul.”
All dust from head to foot he came before
The throne of Kai Káús and said to him:—
“The noxious weeds that thou hast sown, O king!
Are fruiting now! Thy passion for Súdába,
And thine ill bent, have robbed thee of thy Crown,
And now thou seest clearly that thy seat
Is on the ocean's waves. A heavy loss
Hath come upon Írán through the distrust
And disposition of a cruel Sháh.
For one who is the ruler of people
A shroud is better than a woman's bidding.
A woman's talk hath murdered Siyáwush,
And blest is she who is as yet unborn.
Among the Sháhs there was not one like him,
As great, as noble, and as reticent.
Alas for that tall stature and that face,
That face that had the mien of majesty!
Alas for that so famous sovereign,
For time will never look on such another!
'Twas ever spring when he was on the throne;
At feasts he used to be the crown of kings,
In fight a Pard, a Tiger, and a Lion:
None ever saw a man so deft of hand.
Now, while I live, I give up heart and brain
To execute revenge for Siyáwush.
Ne'er shall I fight dry-eyed, and like my heart
The whole world shall endure the fiery smart.”