When Sol had drawn its shining scimitar,
And dark night's head had vanished, rose the blare
Of trumpets from the court-gate, and such chiefs

As Tús, Gúdarz, and valiant Gív, Gurgín,
Ruhhám the Lion, Gustaham, and others,
Came to the Sháh in that famed audience-hall.
Now when they had assembled at his throne
He said to them: “I purpose to survey
The glorious realm and marches of Írán.
Go we in hunting wise and fleet a while
In happiness.”

The nobles all agreed.

The monarch of the world went forth to hunt
With Rustam, that illustrious paladin,
With Gív, Gúdarz son of Kishwád, Shápúr,
Bahrám, a wielder of the seimitar,
Gurgín, Bízhan expert in archery,
Farhád and Zanga son of Sháwarán,
And one among the fighting-men, Guráza—
A host that darkened both the sun and moon
With helmets, maces, coats of mail, and casques.
The tracks and trackless waste were like a field
Of battle with the corpses of the game.
Khusrau passed through the country of Írán,
And subsidised and peopled all the lands
That then were uninhabited or ravaged,
Or ruined by misgovernment; he found
No toil in justice or munificence.
He tarried in each city and set up
His throne as fitted fortune's favourite,
Called for his purse and cup, and with dínárs
Decked all the world; then sought another city,
Conveying with him crown and throne and wine,

Until with all the great men and the nobles
He reached at length Ázar Ábádagán;
Then quaffing wine, and urging on his steed,
Approached the temple of Ázargashasp,
Prayed in that Fane of Fire and praised the Maker.
He left in state to go back to Káús,
With whom they sat—a merry company—
Not ceasing for a moment from their mirth
Till to their heads the sparkling liquor rose,
And all went eagerly to seek repose.