Attended by the lords with golden girdles
Zál led the way and, when he saw Káús
Rejoicing on the throne, approached the state
With downcast eyes and folded arms, then said:—
“O worldlord, who art mightiest of the mighty!
Throne hath not heard of, nor crown seen, thy peer,
Revolving heaven hath heard not of such fortune,
As thine. Be victor all thy years and glad
With heart all wisdom and with head all justice.”
The famous Sháh received Zal graciously,
And, giving him a seat upon the throne,

Asked him about the toil of that long journey.
About the chieftains and exalted Rustam.
He answered: “Ever live and conquer, Sháh!
We all are blithe and brightened by thy fortune,
And have our heads exalted by thy throne.”
He then began his well considered speech:—
“O monarch of the world: thou well deservest
To have the throne and crown of mighty men.
Thou art the memory of Sháh Farídún,
And may this age ne'er rob thee of its love,
Now I have heard grave tidings that the Sháh
Hath some design upon Mázandarán.
None of thy mighty predecessors thought
Of such a journey. Minúchihr in dying
Left here much wealth and many palaces;
So too did Zav, Naudar, and Kai Kubád
(How many a chief our memories recall
With massive maces and with mighty hosts!)
Yet they attempted not Mázandarán—
The home of warlock-dívs and under spells
Which none hath power to loose; so give not thou
Men, wealth, and money to the winds. That land
Can not be conquered by the scimitar,
Nor will it come to hand through wit and treasure.
To go or ??'en to think of going thither
Is held unlucky! Thou must not invade
Those parts because no Sháh hath thought it good,
Who if less great than thou was still God's slave:
Then do not for the sake of covetise
Plant with the blood of such a famous head
A tree whose growth and fruit will prove a curse,
And break the precedents of former Sháhs.”
Káús replied: “I need thy views hereon,
But nathless I in courage, Grace, and treasure
Surpass Jamshíd and Farídún as well
As Minúchihr and Kai Kubád, who never
Made mention of Mázandarán; my heart
And host are greater, and the world is 'neath
My trenchant scimitar. The world was won
When thou didst brandish thine; let it see ours.
I shall go thither, snare them all, maintaining
The credit of myself and scimitar,
Then tax them heavily or leave all dead,
So vile and wretched do I hold that crew
Of dívs and sorcerers, and thou wilt hear
That carth is void of them. Do thou and Rustam
Be regents of Írán and slumber not.
God is my Helper and the prince of dívs
My quarry. Since thou wilt not go with me
Bid me not dally on my throne.”

Zál heard,

And baffied answered: “Thou art Sháh, and we
Are slaves who speak in love and, right or wrong,
Must move and breathe according to thy will.
I have relieved my heart as knowledge prompted.
No one can root out death, sew up the eyes
Of destiny with needles, or escape
From want by abstinence; in this regard
E'en princes must submit. May this bright world
Prove prosperous to thee, and mayst thou never
Have reason to recall these words of mine;
May thine own doings cause thee no remorse,
And be thy heart and Faith and rule resplendent.”
Grieved that the Sháh would go Zál took his leave
In haste, and as he left the monarch's presence
Both sun and moon were darkened in his eyes.
The gallant nobles—Tús, Gúdarz, Bahrám,
And Gív—went with him, and Gív said to Zál:—
“May God direct us! Were Káús not Sháh
I should esteem him naught. May greed, death, want,
Be far from thee, foes' hands too short to reach thee.

Where'er we be or go we hear thy praises,
And next to God trust thee who hath so toiled
For us.”

Thus Gív. Zál, clasping to his heart

The warriors, made ready to depart.