When nine months had elapsed, and jocund spring
Resumed its tints, men said to Kai Káús:—
“Thou hast had fruit of that auspicious Moon:
A glorious infant hath appeared, and now
Thou well mayst set thy throne above the clouds.
A babe of fairy-form is born to her,
In visage like an idol of Ázar,*

With face and hair unheard of heretofore,
And all the folk are talking of the child.”
The world-lord named him Siyáwush, and gave
The rolling heaven praise because of him;
Yet they that read the purpose of the sky,
Its good and evil and its when and how,
Saw that the stars were hostile to the boy,
And grieved because they saw his fortune sleeping.
They turned to God for refuge, warned the Sháh
About the fortune of his son, and showed
The path to take, aware that he would suffer
From good and bad. Anon came peerless Rustam

Before the Sháh and said: “Mine be the task
To rear this child that is so lion-like;
Since thy retainers are not competent
There is no nurse on earth for him like me.”
The monarch, having pondered much thereon,
Entrusted little loath his heart and eyes—
This atheling, the child so loved by him—
To Rustam's charge, who bore him to Zábul
And lodged him in a rosary, instructed
The youth in riding, arehevy, the use
Of lasso, stirrups, reins, and other gear,
To hold his court, his feasts, and drinking-bouts,
To follow game with falcon, hawk, and cheetah,
To judge in causes, and to rule the kingdom,
Make speeches, combat, and lead forth a host:
All these accomplishments did Rustam teach him,
And took abundant pains which bore their fruit,
For Siyáwush became a peerless prince,
And, as time passed, grew tall and captured lions.
One day he spake to noble Rustam thus:—
“Desire to see the Sháh hath come on me.
Much travail and heart-burning hast thou borne
To teach me all a king's accomplishments:
My father must examine the result
Of elephantine Rustam's tutelage.”
The lion-hearted hero made all ready,
And sent posts everywhere. Of horses, slaves,
Gold, silver, signets, falchions, crowns, and girdles,
And various stuffs and linings, he produced
Whate'er he could himself or got elsewhere.
On this wise Rustam furnished forth the youth,
For all men's eyes were fixed on Siyáwush,
And also journeyed with him lest the Sháh
Might be offended. As their custom was
The folk put decorations everywhere
In their desire to please the paladin,
The townsmen mingled gold and ambergris,
And showered them on the travellers' heads for joy,
The world grew full of mirth and precious havings,
Each mansion's door and roof were decked, the feet
Of Rustam's Arab steeds trod drachms. Men saw
None mournful in Írán; throughout the line
Of march steeds' manes dripped saffron, musk, and wine.