Then came a lusty camel-post and brought
This letter from the archscribe: “May the world-lord
Be ever joyful and his head and crown
For ever present in his servant's thoughts.
Know that there were two curtains of Yaman
Among the spoil, boots decked with gems uncut,
The earrings too of noble Siyáwush,
Who left us wisdom as his monument,
And these the paladin bare off with him
* No marvel since he underwent the toil.”
Hurmuzd said to Parmúda: “Tell me all
That thou didst see hereof.”

The fallen king

Confirmed the scribe's report. The haughty Sháh
Was wroth thereat and said: “Bahrám Chúbína
Doth err, uplifting to the moon his head.
For one thing he hath struck the Khán of Chín—
An act the outcome of an evil nature—
And then would nothing but these earrings serve
His turn? Perhaps he hath become a king.
His toil hath turned to wind and all his knowledge
And justice have become corrupt.”

This said,

He called the Khán and having seated him
Upon the famous throne they feasted there
Till night spread out her musky tresses black.

Then said the Sháh: “If thou wilt league with me
Thou shalt partake my honey.”

As he sat

He grasped the Khán‘s hand, and Parmúda mar­velled.
The Sháh proceeded: “Swear to me afresh,
And make a new departure, not to break
With me or with the nobles of this folk
On thy return.”

Parmúda swore forthwith:—

“By shining daylight and night azure-dim,
By God who hath of right supremacy,
The Artificer of Jupiter and Venus,
The great Sháh's crown and throne, Ázargashasp,
The signet and the diadem, the Khán
Shall not grow alien from the Sháh in heart,
And vex him not in aught.”

This sworn, they rose

And sought their couches.

When the yellow sun

O'er-topped the mountains, and the kings awoke,
The noble Sháh prepared a present—ware
Of gold and silver, horses, coronets,
Of girdles gemmed and golden, armlets, torques,
And earrings, Arab steeds with golden trappings,
And Indian scimitars with golden sheaths,
Dispatched them to the Khán, consorted with him
Two stages and the more part of the third,
And having bidden him farewell returned.
The paladin, on hearing of the gifts
Presented by the monarch of the world,
And how the Khán was coming back rejoicing,
Rode forth to meet him with the Íránian chiefs.
He stored provisions where the Khán would pass
In town and village, station, hill, and plain,
And hurried on in shame at his ill temper
To make excuse in person. When he saw
Parmúda he did reverence but the Khán
Proved wholly adverse, would accept of naught
That he had brought of provand, purse, or slave,
And on the way ignored him utterly.
Bahrám Chúbína fared three stages thus,
And not once did Parmúda call for him.
Upon the fourth the Khán sent one to say:—
“Return for thou hast toiled enough.”

Thereat

Bahrám Chúbína left him and in wrath
Set face toward Balkh where he abode in dudgeon,
Repenting of his acts with aching heart.
Withal the world-lord was displeased with him,
And fumes of anger filled the monarch's soul

First at that outrage to the Khán wherein
Bahrám Chúbína had done shamefully.
And next that he had dared to lay his hand
On certain of the spoil without command.