Since matchless Rustam's life hath ceased to be
I will present another history.
When fortune's face grew louring to Gushtásp
He called Jámásp before the throne, and said:—
“Time hath inspired in me so much remorse
About the matter of Asfandiyár
That all my days are passed unjoyously,
And I am troubled by the vengeful stars.
Now after me Bahman will be the Sháh,
With Bishútan as confidant. Reject not
Bahman's behests, but serve him loyally,
And be his guide in every circumstance,
For he is worthy of the crown and throne.”
The Sháh then gave Bahman the treasury-key,
And, sighing deeply, said: “My work is over;
The floods have overtopped me. I have sat
As Sháh for six score years and never seen
My peer; and now do thou bestir thyself,
Be just to every one and, being just,
Exempt from grief. Make glad and keep the wise
Near thee, but make the world dark to thy foes,
And follow right for that ne'er causeth loss.

I who have undergone much pain and travail
Resign to thee throne, diadem, and treasure.”
He spake, his lifetime ended, and his past
Bare*

no more fruit. They made a charnel-house
Of ebony and ivory, and hung
His crown above his throne. He had his share
Of treasure and of toil, and, after joying
In sweet and antidote, found bane at last.
If such is life whence do its pleasures spring?
Death equaleth the beggar and the king.
Enjoy thy having, shun ill-enterprise,
And hearken to the sayings of the wise.
My fellow-travellers have gone while I
Remain and tell at large of days gone by.
Each traveller hath reached his place of rest,
And, if he sought the good, achieved his quest.
Let virtue, virtue only, grasp thy hand
That thou mayst list to those that understand.
The doings of Bahman I now essay,
And will recount thee things long passed away.