When tidings reached the gallant Sháh: “The Lion
Hath come back from the Wood victorious;
Bízhan is free from prison and from bonds,
And from the clutches of his dragon-foe;
The army of Túrán is overthrown,
The foe's whole purpose foiled,” he went rejoicing,
And fell upon his face, before the Maker.
Whenas Gúdarz and Gív received the news
They hasted to the conquering Sháh. A shout
Went up, troops mustered, and the tymbal-players
Set forth, the trumpet sounded at the gate,
The soldiers shouted. All the riding-ground
Was black with chargers' hoofs, the kettledrums
Roared through the city, horsemen proudly pranced,
And mighty elephants tusked up the earth.
Before the army went the drums and horns,
Gúdarz and Tús came after with the standard.
Upon one side were pards and lions chained,
Upon the other were brave cavaliers.

In such wise the victorious Sháh commanded
The troops to go to meet their paladin.
They set forth on their journey troop on troop;
The earth was mountain-like with warriors.
When they distinguished Rustam from the rest,
Gúdarz and Gív alighted, as did all
The other mighty men and Rustam also,
To whom both young and old did reverence.
Gúdarz and Gív saluted him and said:—
“O thou illustrious and valiant chief!
May God be thy protection now and ever,
May sun and moon both circle to thy wish.
Of thee the lion learneth to be bold,
Of thee may heaven weary nevermore!
Thou hast made all our kindred slaves to thee
Through whom we have recovered our lost son.
Thou hast delivered us from pain and grief,
And made us all thy servants in Írán.”
The chiefs remounted and approached in pomp
The palace of the monarch of the world,
And, when that chief—the refuge of the host—
Drew near the city of the king of kings,
The Sháh himself,—the warden of the troops
And crown of chiefs—went out to welcome him.
When Rustam by the pomp knew that the Sháh
Had come, he lighted and did homage, grieved
That Kai Khusrau had come so far. The world-lord
Took Rustam in a close embrace and said:—
“Thou Stay of chieftains and thou Soul of honour!
As glorious as the sun are all thy gests,
And thine achievements broadcast through the world.”
Then quickly taking by the hand Bízhan,
Who was abashed before his Sháh and sire,*

The matchless Rustam brought, presented him,
Rose to his feet, and made the bent back straight.
Thereafter he delivered to the Sháh
A thousand captives from Túrán in bonds.
The monarch blessed him lovingly and said:—
“May heaven ever favour thy desires,
May thy hand flourish, may thy heart rejoice,
And thy pure body 'scape all hurt from foes.
How blest is Zál, who will bequeath the world
A Memory like thee! Blest is Zábul,
Whose milk hath nourished such undaunted heroes.
Blest is Írán, blest are its warriors,
Possessing such a paladin as thee;
Yet is my fortune higher than them all
In having such a servant of my throne.
Thou art Írán's crown and the chieftains' stay,
And lacking thee I care not for the world.”
Then said the monarch of the world to Gív:—
“The Almighty's purposes toward thee are good,
Who hath restored to thee by Rustam's hand
Thy son, thy well belovéd, and in triumph.”
Gív blessed the Sháh and said: “Live and rejoice
As long as time shall be, may thy head flourish
Through Rustam ever, and may he possess
The heart of glorious Zál with happiness.”