News of the friendship of Mihráb and Zál
And of that noble ill-matched pair of lovers
Reached Minúchihr. The matter was discussed
Before him by the archmages. Said the Sháh:—
“A dismal time will come on us hereby.
Did Farídún purge this world of Zahhák
That at Kábul Mihráb—his seed—might flourish?

This love of Zál's must not through our neglect
Restore the drooping plant to its old vigour.
If from the daughter of Mihráb, and Zál,
The son of Sám, a sharp Sword should be drawn,
On one side he will be an alien,
And how shall antidote agree with bane?
While if he favoureth the mother's side
His head will be possessed by evil projects,
He will fulfil Írán with strife and travail
In hope to win the crown and treasure back.
What is your rede? Strive to advise me well.”
Then all the archimages blessed the Sháh,
They hailed him as the king of the Pure Faith,
And said: “Thou art more wise than we and hast
More power to act. Let wisdom be thy guide,
And wisdom's quarry is the Dragon's heart.”
The Sháh, desirous to conclude the matter,
Sent for Naudar, with lieges and great men,
And bade him: “Go to Sám the cavalier,
Ask: ‘What hath been thy fortune in the war?’
And having seen him say: ‘Come hither first,
And journey home from us.’”

Naudar set forth,

And valiant Sám, informed of his approach
Went with the paladins to welcome him
With mighty elephants and kettledrums.

Anon they met and interchanged their greetings.
The hero Sám rejoiced to see the prince,
Who gave his father's message. Sám replied:—
“I will obey and joy to look on him.”
For that day they remained the guests of Sám,
The sight of whom rejoiced the company;
They spread the board, they took the cup in hand,
And first they drank the health of Minúchihr,
Then of Naudar, and then of Sám and all
The chieftains, not forgetting any province.
The livelong night was spent in revelry,
But with the sunrise rose the din of tymbals;
The speedy dromedaries spread their wings* And toward the palace of Sháh Minúchihr
They went as bidden. When he heard thereof
He had the palace of the Sháhs prepared.
Then from Sárí and from Ámul rose din,
As when a fierce sea heaveth, for the spearmen
Marched in their mail with heavy darts, a host
That reached from range to range, with shield on shield,
Whose red and yellow blent, with tymbals, pipes,
Gongs, Arab horses, elephants, and treasures.
On such a fashion marched that armament
With flags and kettledrums on welcome bent.