Thereafter when the Sháh's hand was extended,
When all folk wished him well, when other kings
Were subject to him, and his other lieges
Had been enriched, he chose out of Írán
Four times twelve thousand warlike cavaliers,
Brave and experienced, oped the ancient hoards
Filled by Pírúz and glorious Kubád,
Partitioned out the world in four and made
Appointments to the governments. He sent
Twelve thousand out of those illustrious men,
Shrewd cavaliers, deft wielders of the sword,
Toward the Rúman marches to safe-guard
That populous and glorious coast that troops
From Rúm might not attack Írán and lay
The country waste or any one encroach,
But be content with his own rank and fortune.
He chose moreover of the men of name
Out of Írán twelve thousand warlike horsemen
That they might march forth to Zábulistán
(They left a rose-garth for a gloomy land)
* And said to them: “If any one shall turn
Out of the way, not keeping his own place,
Restore him to the path with courteousness,
But in worse cases use the chain and pit.
Send spies about to keep you well apprised;
Ye will have need of outposts day and night,
And sleep not in your tents without a guard.”
Out of the host he called twelve thousand others,
All magnates valorous and fond of fight,
And having given to them much advice
Dispatched them to the route of the Aláns,
And charged them with the gate-way of the West
* So that no enemy might pass thereby.
He bade the chiefs: “Be watchful and God guard you.”
He chose and sent twelve thousand warriors more,
Such as were fit, to Khurásán, exhorting,
And greatly charging: “From Haitál to Chín
Let none set foot upon our land save those,
Devoted and attached to me, that are
Admitted with my knowledge and command.

In all the provinces I have full hoards
Available to all. When ye have need
Ask and live happy, prudent and secure.”
He oped his treasuries' doors and seeing drachms
With the inscription of Hurmuzd he wept,
And gave them to the poor with further gifts
When they were clothed. He cut the heads off all
The adherents of Bandwí and intimates
Of foul-mouthed Gustaham who had rejoiced
O'er his sire's murder. Having made an end
Of cursing and revenge he wisely took
A new departure, portioning in four
The night and day, which make revolving time.
At one of these four seasons an archmage
Of goodly speech attended to inform
The Sháh about the host and world's affairs,
Who, if he noticed anything amiss
Among the people or the warriors,
Would ply forthwith the skirt of justice, learn
The facts, and find a way. Another time
Was given up to song and minstrelsy,
And quiet, careless session with his lords
As mighty men should do. The third was set
Apart for prayer and praising God, the fourth
For study of the starry sky above,
Its character, its nature, and its host.
The readers of the stars then stood before him
Because they were his guides to understanding;
But during half of this night-period
He sat among the Idols of Taráz.
He also made division of each month
In four parts that life might be pleasurable:
One for the riding-ground, for archery,
And polo with some noble to record;
Or for the chase among the hills and plains
To keep himself in health, and when he left
The chase by day or night the affluent
Would decorate his route. The second part
Was given up to chess and nard and tales
Of battle, while the third was for the sages,
The scribes and story-tellers, who in turn
Narrated to him stories of the past,
While in the fourth the Sháh received the envoys
Of other potentates and wrote his answers
To those exalted chiefs. With robes of honour
The envoys, gratified and satisfied,
Would set forth from the court and journey home.
On that day too for all the provinces
He used to write out patents and bestow them
On all the chiefs. When the New Year began
At Farwardín, and sunshine in men's hearts
Relumed the Faith, he laid a treasure by,
Unknown to all his subjects, secretly.