Bahman stayed in Zábulistán, enjoying
The hunting-field and wine among the roses,
While Rustam taught that enemy of his
To ride, to quaff, and play the monarch's part,
In all things holding him above a son,
And, night and day, embracing him with smiles.
Now when performance was allied to promise,
And when Gushtásp had no door of revenge
Still open, Rustam wrote in deep distress
Of all the matter of Asfandiyár.
The letter first called blessings down on those
Who take excuses and forego revenge,
Then “God is witness” he went on to say,
“And Bishútan herein hath been before me,
How much I pleaded with Asfandiyár
That so he might abandon thoughts of fight.
I offered*

him my treasure and my realm,
But he preferred all trouble for himself.
His fate was such that when it stood revealed
My heart was filled with pain and love withal.
Heaven turned above us to the destined end,
And Destiny regardeth none. Bahman,
The atheling, is with me now and he
Outshineth even mine own Jupiter.
I have instructed him in kingly parts,
And paid the debt of thy son's last request
With wisdom. If the Sháh will undertake
To pardon me, and to forget the past,
All—soul and body—that I have are his,
Both crown and treasure and both brain and skin.”
Whenas this reached the monarch of the world

He was perturbed in presence of his lords,
And Bishútan came forth to testify,
Repeating all the words that Rustam used,
His grief, his counsel, and his last appeal,
And goodly offer of his realm and treasure.
The famous Sháh was reconciled to Rustam,
And ceased thenceforth to inflame his heart with sorrow.
He wrote forthwith a letter in response,
He set a tree within the garth of greatness,
And said thus: “From the circle of high heaven
What time calamity is imminent
Can any keep it back by circumspection
Though much inclined to wisdom? Bishútan
Hath told me what thy real intentions were,
And by thy goodness thou hast touched my heart;
But who escapeth from the turning sky?
A wise man dwelleth not upon the past;
Thou art as ever thou hast been or better;
Thou art the lord of Hind and of Kannúj.
Ask whatsoever thou desirest more
By way of throne and signet, sword and casque.”
As bidden by Gushtásp the messenger
Conveyed that answer quickly. It rejoiced
The famous paladin who felt his heart
Released from care.

Meanwhile young prince Bahman

Grew into lofty stature; he was wise,
Instructed, masterful, and shone with more
Than royal Grace and state. Jámásp, aware
That both for good and ill the sovereignty
Would come upon Bahman, said to Gushtásp:—
“O Sháh most worshipful! regard Bahman.
He hath the teaching that his father wished,
And hath arrived at man's estate with lustre;

But he hath tarried long abroad, and none
Hath read to him a letter from thyself.
Thou shouldest write to him a letter like
A tree within the garth of Paradise.
What other memory is left to thee
To banish sorrow for Asfandiyár?”
This thing seemed good to Sháh Gushtásp who gave
Command to glorious Jámásp, and said:—
“Indite me now a letter to Bahman,
And one to glory-loving Rustam, saying:—
‘Thank God, O paladin of paladins!
That thou hast made us glad and cleared our mind.
Our grandson, who is dearer than our life,
Is more renowned for wisdom than Jámásp,
And hath acquired with thee both skill and counsel,
Send of thy favour home.’”

That to Bahman

Ran thus: “When thou hast read this quit Zábul,
For we desire to see thee; so make ready,
And tarry not.”

Shrewd Rustam, when the scribe

Had read the letter to him, was rejoiced.
Of what he had within his treasury—
Surtouts and daggers made of watered steel,
Bards, bows and arrows, sparths and Indian hangers,
Fresh aloes, camphor, musk, and ambergris,
Gold, silver, jewelry, brocaded stuffs,
With raiment in the piece, slaves of ripe age
And unripe, golden girdles, silvern bridles,
And two gold cups a-brim with precious stones,
All these he gave Bahman, and they that bore them
Accounted for them to his treasurer.
The matchless Rustam journeyed with Bahman
Two stages, then dispatched him to the Sháh.
The face of Sháh Gushtásp was dim with tears
What time he gazed upon his grandson's face.
He said: “Thou art Asfandiyár himself,

Thou art like no one in the world but him.”
The Sháh bestowed on him the name Ardshír,
On secing what great courage he possessed.*

He was a stalwart warrior, strong of hand,
A wise man, well-instructed, and devout,
And with his fingers dressed beside his legs
His fists extended lower than his knees.*

The Sháh awhile made proof of him and marked
His bearing. On the field, at feast, and chase
He proved a warrior like Asfandiyár,
And never tried the patience of Gushtásp,
Who ever gazed upon him with emotion,
And said: “The World-lord gave him unto me,
Gave him to me because I was in trouble.
May my Bahman live evermore since I
Have lost my noble, brazen-bodied son.”
The conflicts of Asfandiyár are o'er;
May our Sháh's head live on for evermore,
His heart from travail ever be at rest,
And may the age conform to his behest,
Glad be his heart, his crown uplifted high,
And round his foe's neck may his lasso lie.