Hurmuz succeeded to his father's throne,
And set upon his head the crown of gold,
While, thou hadst said, Pírúz was all one rage
With tears of envy mounting to his eyes.
He went incontinent with troops and treasures,
And many chiefs, to the Haitálian king,
Who was a princeling of Chaghán, a man
Of high ambition and possessed of troops,
Of treasure, and of power, hight Faghánísh.
To him Pírúz said: “O good friend of mine!
Two sons were we—the glories of the throne.
Our father gave the younger of us twain
The royal crown and, having acted thus
Unjustly, died. If thou wilt give me troops
I have myself wealth, weapons, majesty,
And might of hand.”

The monarch of Chaghán

Replied: “'Tis well, thy sire was king himself.
I will point out the way to get thy rights,
And furnish thee with troops upon these terms:
That I shall have Tirmid and Wísagird,
To which effect I hold a covenant
From Yazdagird.”

Pírúz said: “Yea, 'tis well,

And thou deservest greater sovereignty.”
The monarch gave him thirty thousand swordsmen—
A noble army of Haitálians—
Wherewith Pírúz, the Sháh, arrayed a host
That darkened sky and moon with flying dust.
He fought with king Hurmuz who could not long
Endure the strëss of war but presently
Was taken, and his father's crown and throne
Grew worthless to him. When Pírúz beheld
His brother's face he yearned for love and union,
Bade him remount and sped to grasp his hand,
Dispatched him to the palace and declared
His own conditions. Said Hurmuz to him:—
“Thank God that those who worship Him are wise.
My brother taketh from me crown and throne;
Be victory both in name*

and deed his own.”