Time passed, the Sháh still joyed in Siyáwush,
Till as they sat one day Súdába entered,
Beheld the prince's face, and grew distraught.
Her heart throbbed, “she is wasted to a thread,”
Thou wouldst have said, “or ice before the fire.”
She bade one go by stealth to him and say:—
“'Twould cause no wonder if thou shouldest visit
The royal bower anon.”

The envoy went,

But noble Siyáwush was wroth and said:—
“Entice me not. I am no chamberer,
Or given to romances and intrigues.”
Another day at dawn Súdába sought
The Sháh and said: “O ruler of the host!
The sun and moon have never seen thy peer,
Or any like thy son. Let all the world
Rejoice in him; so send him to thy bower
To see his sisters and thy favourites.
Tell him: ‘Go visit oft thy sisters there,
Whose hearts are full, whose cheeks are wet, with
yearning.’
Then will we pay him worship, give him gifts,
And bring the tree of service into fruit.”
The Sháh replied: “Thou sayest right; thou hast
A hundred mothers' love for him.”

He called

For Siyáwush and said: “The blood within
Our veins, and love, will show themselves; moreover
God hath so made thee that thou art beloved

Of all beholders, given thee pure birth;
None e'er was mother-born as pure as thou;
But what availeth blood-relationship
To those who see thee only from afar?
Thy sisters and Súdába, in affection
A mother to thee, are within the bower.
Go now and visit those secluded ones,
And stay awhile that they may do thee honour.”
The prince beheld his father with amazement,
Then mused awhile and strove to clear himself,
Suspecting that his father sought to prove him;
For Kai Káús was knowing and smooth-tongued,
Wise, shrewd of heart, and ready to distrust.
The prince was troubled, communed with himself,
And in the end determined.

“If,” he thought,

“I go Súdába will talk much with me,”
Then said: “The Sháh hath given me a patent,
A throne, and crown. From where the lofty sun
Arising maketh dust a thing of price
No king resembling thee in goodness, knowledge,
Demeanour, and pursuits, e'er donned the crown.
Point me the way to sages, men of leading,
And chiefs approved; or show me how to handle
Spear, mace, or bow and arrow, midst the foe;
Or be it king-craft and court-usages,
Or feast and harp, or wine and revellers;
But in the women's quarters of the Sháh
What shall I learn? Shall women point the way
To knowledge? Yet if so the Sháh commandeth
My custom henceforth is to visit them.”

The Sháh replied: “Be happy, O my son!
May wisdom rest upon thee! I have heard
But seldom such fair words. Thy brain will grow
Since thou art thus amenable. Dismiss
All ill surmises from thy heart, away
With trouble, and enjoy thyself. Look in
Upon the children just for once: perchance
It will divert them somewhat.”

“I will go,”

Said Siyáwush, “to-morrow and perform
The Sháh's command. Behold I stand before thee
Devoted, heart and soul, to do thy bidding.
As thou requirest so will I behave,
Thou art the world-lord; I am but a slave.”