Heaven turned, some days elapsed, and then one went
And told the Íránian monarch: “Faríburz,
Son of Káús, approacheth.”

Sháh and chiefs

Went out to welcome him with trumpets, tymbals,
And many troops. When Faríburz drew near,
And caught sight of the Sháh, he kissed the ground,
And offered many praises, saying thus:—
“O Sháh of goodly fortune! may high heaven
Be glad of heart through thee and may the world

Thrive through thy justice,” then gave Rustam's letter.
The king of kings perused it, marvelling
At what the chief reported of that fight,
Inspected prisoners, camels, elephants,
And wounded men, and, having ridden apart,
Put off his royal cap, got off his steed,
And, wallowing in the dust before his God,
Exclaimed: “O holy Ruler of the world!
The oppressor wrought on me oppressively,
And made me fatherless—all grief and anguish;
But Thou didst free me from my pains and woes,
And give me crown and realm. Both earth and time
Became my slaves, the world my treasury;
I offer thanks to Thee, not to the host,
But grant me one thing—spare me Rustam's life.”
This done, he passed before the elephants,
And captives whom he sent to join the wretched
In ward, then bade to bear with all dispatch
The booty to the treasurer and make ready
A pleasant dwelling for the Khán of Chín.
He spent a day in writing his response,
And set a new Tree in the garth of greatness.
He first praised God, the Author of his triumph,
“The Master of the sun and turning sky,
From Whom are war, alliances, and love,
Who hath set up the heaven and graced the earth
With night and day, Who giveth unto this
So dark a fortune, and to that the throne
That he deserveth. Grief and gladness come
From Holy God—the Source of courage, awe,
And reverence,” then said: “O paladin!
Be ever pure in body, bright in soul.
All that thou spakest of have reached the court—
The prisoners, the elephants, the crowns,
Brocade of Chín, the thrones of ivory,
Arabian steeds, and torques, and diadems,
With camels in great plenty, tapestries,
And wearing-stuffs, and showers of offerings,
To grace our hocktides, feasts, and festivals.
What man could wish to meet thee in the fight
Unless he was already sick of life?
Now of thy toils among Túránian foes,
By night and day upon the field, I had
Continual news, yet opened not my lips,
But night and day before all-holy God
Presented broken-hearted my petitions.
He that hath Rustam for his paladin
May well continue young; heaven hath no servant
Like thee, and may it tender still thy fortune.”
The gracious letter being done, and sealed
By Kai Khusrau, he bade to be prepared
A robe of honour, belts, horse-furniture,
A hundred crisp-locked slaves with golden girdles,
A hundred noble horses with gold trappings,
A hundred camels laden with brocade
Of Chín, a hundred more with tapestries,
Two rings of shining rubies and a crown
Of state compact of gold and lustrous pearls,
A suit of royal raiment worked in gold,
With armlet, torque, and golden belt, and presents—
A treasure in themselves—for every chief.
He sent to Faríburz a blue steel sword,
A mace, a golden crown, and golden boots,
And bade him go to Rustam and say thus:—
“We must not pause to rest or eat or sleep
In fighting with Afrásiyáb. Perchance
Thy lasso yet may take that great king's head.”
So Faríburz resumed his journeying,
Such was the pleasure of the Íránian king.