Now when the sun rose o'er the mountain-tops,
And scattered jewels on night's pitchy back,
A shout rose and the din of clarions
As matchless Rustam led his army forth.

They marched against Afrásiyáb with cheeks
All tearful for the death of Siyáwush.
The king, on hearing that a host pursued him,
Led by the matchless chief intent on vengeance,
Marched his own forces to the sea of Chín;
The broad expanse of earth was narrowed to him.
He went across the sea to where he would,
And thus addressed Pírán: “Advise me well
What should be done about this wretched boy;
Because if Rustam take and carry him
Off to Írán, they will enthrone and crown
This dív-begotten as Sháh. Convey him hither,
Bestir thyself, and slight not my command.”
Pírán replied: “We must not rashly slay him,
But I will take such order that the king
Shall praise his faithful slave. Fetch we the youth,
And fix his residence within Khutan.
We must not give occasion to ill-doers
Eternally to blame our sovereign.”
The king replied: “O master of wise rede!
Thou art my guide to good. Use all dispatch;
'Tis not a matter that will brook delay.”
Pírán at once sent off a prudent man
Of noble birth to fetch the prince. The envoy
Made haste and sped like smoke, for so the chieftain
Had bidden. When he came before Khusrau,
And saw the young man's Grace and majesty,
He gave unstinted praise, did reverence,
And tarried long delivering his message
In fitting language fittingly received.
Khusrau, bewildered, sped to tell his mother:—
“Afrásiyáb hath sent and summoned me
Down to the sea! What shall we do? Perchance
We yet may make a shift to save our lives.”
They talked together and discussed it much,
But found no remedy. They had to go,
And set off, though unwillingly, in haste.
They mourned and wept and cursed Afrásiyáb
Until they reached Pírán, who, when he saw
Khusrau, descended from his throne, inquired
About the tedious journey courteously,
And full of praises set the prince beside him.
As for those things whereof Khusrau had need,
Provisions, raiment, carpetings, pavilions,
Tents, steeds, Pírán provided him with all,
Then went to king Afrásiyáb and said:—
“O king of wisdom, Grace, and glory! I
Have brought the little boy that hath the Grace;
What further orders hast thou for me now?”
The king said: “Send him from the sea of Chín
So that the chiefs may find no trace of him.”
Pírán performed his task without delay,
And sent like smoke the youth upon his way.*