Now Rustam for his part regained his palace
Where Zál beheld him in his grievous plight.
Zawára too and Farámarz shed tears,
And were consumed by sorrow for his wounds.
Rúdába, when she heard the others' cries,
Began to pluck her hair and tear her face.
Zawára came and, loosing Rustam's girdle,*

Removed his armour and the tiger-skin,
While all the skilful gathered at the door,
But Rustám bade to take them first to Rakhsh.
Shrewd Zál plucked his own hair and laid his cheeks
On Rustam's wounds, and cried: “That I should live
Hoar-headed to behold my dear son thus!”
Then Rustam said: “What booteth to bewail?
That which hath happened is by Heaven's decree.
The matter now confronting me is harder,
More fearful to my soul, for ne'er have I
Beheld the equal of Asfandiyár,
The brazen-bodied, for courageousness
In time of battle. I have roamed the world,
And wotted both of sights and mysteries.
I took the White Dív by the waist and hurled him
Down to the ground as 'twere a willow-branch.*

My poplar shafts were wont to pierce an anvil,
And scorn a shield. I often hit with them
The armour of Asfandiyár, but they
Proved thorns 'gainst stone! Again, the pards on
seeing
My sword would skulk beneath the rocks and yet
It will not cleave the breastplate on his breast,
Or e'en a bit of silk upon his head!
However oft too I excuse myself,
That I may warm that stony heart of his,
He only seeketh to disgrace me more
By words and actions full of arrogance.
Thank God! night came, and when he could not see
I 'scaped this Dragon's claws. I know not how
To seek release. Mine only course, methinketh,
Tomorrow will be to abandon Rakhsh,
And fare to where the prince will find me not.
Let him strew heads within Zábulistán:
He will grow weary of the work in time,
Though not soon sick of ill.”

Zál said: “Alas!

My son! give ear and, talking done, grow calm.
There is a way from all contingencies
On earth save death which is itself a way.
I know of one resource; use it, for I
Herein will summon the Símurgh to aid.
If for the future she will be my guide
Our lands and borders will be saved for us;
Else by Asfandiyár that brave knave's hand
Will utter ruin come upon our land.”