Bahrám son of Gúdarz said to the chief:—
“This matter shall not be concealed from us.
I will go forth to do as thou hast said,
And scale the mountain-top.”

He struck his steed,

And went full of surmise toward the height.
Farúd said to Tukhár: “Who is this man
That cometh hither with such insolence?
Good sooth! he taketh no account of us
At all, but cometh up the steep apace!
He rideth a bay charger with a lasso
Hung in his saddle-straps.”

The counsellor

Replied: “He is not one to treat with rudeness.
I know him not by token or by name,
But take him for a kinsman of Gúdarz.
When Kai Khusrau departed from Túrán
He took a helmet of Afrásiyáb's;*

It is methinketh on that horseman's head,
And he hath royal mail to correspond.
He must be of the kindred of Gúdarz;
So let us ope our lips and question him.”
Bahrám, when he came nearer to the crest,
Cried as a cloud might thunder: “Who art thou
Upon the mountain-top? Dost thou not see
Yon countless host, or hear their clamouring
And din of drums? Or art thou not afraid
Of Tús their watchful leader?”

Then the prince:—

“Thou wast not rudely treated: be not rude.
Good words, O veteran! Let no harsh challenge
Pollute thy lips. Thou art no warlike lion,
And I am not a desert-onager;
We are not to be treated in this fashion.
Thou art in no way my superior
In courage or in manliness or strength,
While as for head, foot, hand, heart, brain, and wits,
Tongue speaking fluently and eyes and ears—
See if I too possess them and, if so,
Forbear to threaten in thy foolishness.
If thou wilt answer I will ask thee somewhat,
And shall rejoice if thou advise me well.”
Bahrám said: “Ask away! Thou art in heaven
And I am on the earth.”

“Who is your leader,”

Inquired Farúd, “and wherefore make ye war?”
Bahrám said: “Tús is leader for he hath
The drums and Káwa's flag. Of warriors
There are Gúdarz, Ruhhám, and Gív, Shídúsh,
Gurgín, Farhád the valiant, Gustaham,
With Zanga son of Sháwarán, and chief
Of all the clan of fighting-men—Guráza.”
Farúd returned: “Why nam'st thou not Bahrám,
And leavest thus the matter incomplete?

In him of all the offspring of Gúdarz
We most rejoice, and yet thou nam'st him not!”
Bahrám replied to him: “O lion-man!
Who spake to thee in such wise of Bahrám?”
Farúd said: “From my mother heard I of him.
She said to me: ‘Now when the host approacheth
Meet it and summon forth Bahrám, and also
A noble, Zanga son of Sháwarán,
Because they are thy father's foster-brothers,
And thou mayst well inquire for news of them.’”
Then thus Bahrám: “O fortune's favourite!
So thou art Fruit of that Imperial Tree!
Thou art Farúd, young prince! Live long and happy!”
He answered: “Yea, I am indeed Farúd:
The fallen Cypress hath put forth a Shoot.”
Bahrám rejoined: “Display to me thy person,
Display to me the mark of Siyáwush.”*

Thereat Farúd showed to Bahrám his arm.
A mole of ambergris on rosy flesh
Was there—a picture such as none on earth
Could skill to limn with compasses from Chín.
Bahrám perceived: “He cometh from Kubád
Through Siyáwush,” then blessed him, did obeisance,
And scaled the lofty steep. The prince dismounted,
Sat on a rock, rejoicing, and thus said:—
“Exalted, shrewd, and Lion of the fight!
Were my two eyes to see my sire alive
In sooth it would not be a greater joy
To me than to behold thee glad and happy,
Accomplished, wary, and a paladin.

I came upon this mountain-top to ask
About the heroes of the Íránian host,
And learn who are their chief and men of name.
I will provide a feast such as I can,
Will entertain their paladin with joy,
Give many gifts of horses, maces, belts,
And scimitars, then march forth seared of heart
Before the host against Túrán for vengeance.
The quest befitteth me who am fierce fire
When mounted on my saddle in the combat.
Be pleased to ask the paladin to come
With glad heart to the mountain, there to spend
A week that we may well advise together.
Upon the eighth day, when the tymbal soundeth,
And Tús the general mounteth on his steed,
I will make ready to avenge my father,
And, in the anguish of my heart, provide
A conflict which shall teach the warrior-lion,
While vultures' feathers testify aloft,
That 'tis no common noble of the world
Who girdeth him for vengeance such as this.”
Bahrám replied: “O prince young and accomplished,
And valiant cavalier! I will report
Thy words to Tús, and kiss his hand while urging
Compliance. Still our chieftain is not wise,
His head and brains brook not good counselling.
He is accomplished, rich, and nobly born,
But nameth not the Sháh. When Gív brought
home
That glorious one, Tús was provoked with him,
Gúdarz, and Gív, supported Faríburz,
And said: ‘I am descended from Naudar:
The kingship of the world is rightly mine.’
He very well may disregard my words,
And in his anger quarrel with myself.
If any one but I shall come to thee
Let him not look upon thy head and helmet.
Tús said to me: ‘See who is on the summit,
But ask him not what he is doing there.
To talk with sword and mace will be enough,
For why should any one be there to-day?’
When he is calm I will return to thee
With good news and conduct thee to our host,
Rejoicing; but if any one approach
Except myself put little faith in him.
More than a single horseman will not come
To thee, such is our noble leader's rule.
Consider well what is the wisest course,
Take refuge in the hold and quit this spot.”
Farúd took from his belt a turquoise mace
With golden haft. “Accept of this,” he said,
“A keepsake from me; it will prove of service.
If Tús the general be well-disposed
We will have merry hearts and great content,
And I will furnish further other things,
Steeds, sells, gold, crowns, and royal signet-rings.”