Then to Gúdarz said Rustam: “Famous hero
Of ardent soul! bear for me to Káús
A message, tell him what hath chanced, and say
Thus: ‘With a dagger have I pierced the reins
Of my brave son. May Rustam's life be short!
If thou at all art mindful of my deeds
Let thy heart feel for me in my distress.
Of that elixir in thy treasury,
Which hath the power to make the wounded whole,
Send somewhat graciously to me forthwith,
Together with a cup of wine. My son,
By thy good fortune, may recover yet,
And stand like me a slave before thy throne.’”
The chieftain came like wind and gave the message.
The Sháh said: “Who hath lustre in my sight
Exceeding that of elephantine Rustam?
I do not wish him ill but honour him

Exceedingly, yet, if I send the elixir,
Suhráb—an elephantine chief—will live,
Will strengthen Rustam's back, and doubtlessly
Bring ruin on myself. If at his hands
I suffer shall I not avenge myself?
‘Who is Káús,’ thou heardest him once say,
‘And if he be the Sháh who then is Tús?’*

Who in this wide world hath such neck and limbs
And Grace? How will he stand before my throne,
Or march beneath the banner of the Sháhs?
He gave me his abuse and took away
My credit with the troops. If his son liveth
A pinch of dust is all that I shall get.
Art thou of high rank and experience
And hast not heard the language of Suhráb:—
‘I will behead a thousand in Írán
And hang Káús alive upon the gibbet?’*

If he surviveth great and small will quake.
To cherish foes is to invite contempt.”
Thereat Gúdarz returned like smoke to Rustam,
And said: “The evil nature of the Sháh
Is like a colocynth in constant fruit.
He hath no equal in the world for harshness,
And never helpeth any one in trouble.

Go unto him in person, be thy part
To bring the light to his benighted heart.”