The prince one day arriving from the plain, was walking through Khavarnaq gay of mood.

He saw a secret room with fastened door, which by the keeper had been overlooked.

The prince had not set foot within that room, nor had the courtiers or custodians.

He said, Why is this room locked up, and where the keeper of it; where too is the key?

The keeper came (and) gave the prince the key. The prince unlocked the door and saw the room.

A room saw? Nay, a treasure-house*⁶⁹⁰, through which the gazer’s eyes would dealers be in gems.

The pictures of that fine abode of art*⁶⁹¹ excelled a hundred Chinese picture-rooms.

They on the walls of that apartment*⁶⁹² showed all that the finest workmanship could show.

In it were finely painted seven forms, each one connected with a certain Clime:

Fūrak, of India’s Rājā*⁶⁹³ daughter, first, in face more lovely than the moon when full.

(Then) Yaghmā-Nāz, the Khāqān’s*⁶⁹⁴ daughter fair, disturber of Tarāz and China’s belles*⁶⁹⁵.

The king of Khvārazm’s daughter Nāz-Parī*⁶⁹⁶, graceful as mountain-partridge in her gait.

The king of Saqlāb’s daughter Nasrīn-Nūsh*⁶⁹⁷, a Turk of Greek dress decked by Chinese art*⁶⁹⁸.

The king of Maghrib’s*⁶⁹⁹ daughter Āẕar-Gūn, a sun like to the daily waxing moon.

The wisdom-gifted Qaiṣar’s*⁷⁰⁰ daughter, next, august, and named Humāy, Bird August.

The Kisrá’s*⁷⁰¹ daughter of Kā’ūs’s race, named Dursitī, and ḥūrī-like in grace.

Within one circle by a cord hung up these seven had been all together limned*⁷⁰².

In each of them were countless beauties (seen) to light the essence of the light of sight*⁷⁰³.

A face was limned so handsome in the midst that ’twas as kernel, whilst the rest were shell.

A parrot on his sugar plumes had dropped*⁷⁰⁴, and “galia” o’er his moon had drawn a line*⁷⁰⁵.

His head exalted like a cypress’s; his crown was (formed) of silver, gold, and gems.

Towards him were turned these seven beauties’ eyes; each one had given her heart to love of him.

He giving to those beauties pleasant smiles; they all before him (as) devoted slaves.

The painter*⁷⁰⁶ of his face and form had writ above his head the name of Bahrām Gūr;

(Adding), Such is the Seven Planets’ rule that this world-conqueror, when he appears,

Shall take like precious pearls unto his breast seven monarchs’ daughters from the Seven Climes.

We have not sown this seed (know) of ourselves; we’ve written what the planets have declared.

’Twas writ, I’ve spoken, that he might observe the formula, but God it is who acts.

Prince Bahrām having read this strange account, remained in wonder at the heavens’ spells.

The love of those fair girls (in picture seen) completely and entirely*⁷⁰⁷ filled his heart.

Libidine percitis equabus et equo vehementia rapto; a lion-like young man and seven brides—

Should not desire to gain one’s wish be great? Should not the heart cry out to gain its aim?

Although that formula made fierce attack, his joy (at once) increased a hundredfold,

Since it ensured a long and happy life, and gave him hope of gaining his desire.—

For the conciliation of a man all that which makes him hopeful has effect.—

When the prince left the room he locked it up, and gave the key to its custodian.

He said, If I should hear that anyone (dare) for a moment (to) unlock this door,

I’ll have his blood shed even in this room: I’ll have his head suspended from his neck.

In all the household, man or woman, none (dared ever) give a glance towards that room.

From time to time when overcome with love, the prince went towards that door (with) key in hand.

The door he opened, entered paradise, and on those finely painted pictures gazed.

Before the water there like one athirst, in longing for it he would fall asleep.

Whilst he was out his wish was for the chase, that room, on his return, his solacer.