Asfandiyár was in the desert hunting
When some one shouted that the Sháh had sent
Jámásp. He mused and laughed uneasily.
He had four noble sons, all fair of face
And doughty cavaliers, the eldest hight
Bahman,*

the second Mihr-i-Núsh, the third
Ázar Afrúz—a wary warrior—
The youngest Núsh Ázar; 'twas he that built
The Fane of Fire. Bahman said to his father,
That king of earth: “May thy head flourish ever!
My lord was laughing with a hollow laugh,
I know not why.”

Asfandiyár replied:—

“My son! one cometh to me from the Sháh,
Who is displeased with me and hath some grudge
Against his slave.”

The noble youth said: “Why?

What hast thou done against our sovereign lord?”
Asfandiyár made answer: “O my son!
I know of no offence against my father,
Unless it is that I have taught the Faith,
Have lighted sacred Fires throughout the world,
And purified it with my trenchant sword.
What can have made the Sháh's heart wroth with me?
In sooth the Dív must have seduced his heart,
For he is mad enough to wish to bind me!”
Now while Asfandiyár was thus engaged
The dust of the advancing troops appeared.
He saw it from the mountain-top afar
And, knowing that the messenger had come,

Went forth at once to meet him. When they spied
Each other on the way they both alighted
Down from their prancing steeds, and warrior
And elder fared afoot. The glorious
Asfandiyár inquired: “How is the Sháh,
That hero-king?”

The sage Jámásp made answer:—

“He is both well and happy.”

Then he kissed

The prince upon the head and gave the letter,
Informing him with frankness of the case,
And saying: “The Dív hath led the Sháh astray.”
Asfandiyár said to that man of wisdom:—
“What seemeth to thee best for me herein?
If I set out with thee to go to court
My father will entreat me scurvily,
And if I go not with his officer
I shall no longer be a loyal liege.
Devise some remedy, thou ancient sage!
I may not rest in this bewilderment.”
The sage replied: “O prince of paladins,
So young in body and so old in knowledge!
Thou knowest that the best love of a son
Is not so tender as a father's wrath.
Thou must set forward, that is mine advice,
For, whatsoe'er he doth, he is the Sháh.”
This they agreed upon and went their ways,
The messenger and the exalted prince,
Who made Jámásp alight when they had reached
A goodly seat whereafter both drank wine.
Next day Asfandiyár sat on his throne
And, when he had brought forth the muster-roll,
Entrusted all the army to Bahman,
And setting forth with certain warriors,
His girdle girt, his crown upon his head,
Back to the court-gate of the great Sháh sped.