One night the king spake thus to Siyáwush:—
“To-morrow morning let us play at polo;
I hear that none among the warriors
Can face thy mall on thine own ground.”

“O king!”

Said Siyáwush, “be fortunate and ever
Beyond the reach of ill! Kings look to thee
For teaching; who surpasseth thee? Day shineth
When I behold thee, from thee I accept
Both good and ill.”

Afrásiyáb replied:—

“My son! be ever glad and conquering.
Thou art a prince, the glory of the throne,
A royal crown and backbone of the host.”

They went out laughing to the Ground at morn
In gallant trim. Then said Afrásiyáb
To Siyáwush: “Let us be opposites,
Select our partners, and make up our sides.”
He answered: “What will hand and mall avail?
I cannot play against thee. Take some other
As thine antagonist, I am thy partner—
One of thy horsemen on this spacious Ground.”
The monarch was delighted at his words,
Esteeming those of others only wind.
“Nay, by the life and head of Sháh Káús,”
Said he, “thou shalt be friend and opposite.
Display thy prowess to the cavaliers,
So that they may not say: ‘He chose amiss,’
But give thee praise while I laugh out with wonder.”
Then Siyáwush replied: “'Tis thine to bid:
The cavaliers, the Ground, and malls are thine.”
Afrásiyáb selected for his side
Kulbád,*

Púlád, Pírán, Jahn, Garsíwaz,
With Nastíhan the gallant, and Húmán,
Who would drive balls from water. Then the king
Sent over to the side of Siyáwush
Rúín, illustrious Shída, and Arjásp
The mounted Lion, and Andarímán
The doughty cavalier.*

Said Siyáwush:—
“Ambitious king! will any of these dare
To face the ball? They side with thee, while I
Shall have to play alone and watch them too.
So with the king's leave I will bring to help me
A few Íránian players on the Ground

In order that both sides may play the game.”
The monarch heard the words, gave his consent,
And from the Íránians Siyáwush chose seven
Well skilled. The tymbals sounded, dust arose,
While what with cymbal-clash and clarion-blare
Thou wouldst have said: “The ground is all a-quake!”
Afrásiyáb hit off and drove the ball
Up to the clouds just as it should be struck.
Then Siyáwush urged on his steed and smote
The ball, or ever it could reach the ground,
So stoutly that it disappeared from sight.
Thereat the exalted monarch bade his men
To give another ball to Siyáwush,
Who as he took it kissed it, and there rose
A flourish from the pipes and kettledrums.
He mounted a fresh steed, threw up the ball,
And drove it out of sight to see the moon.
Thou wouldst have said: “The sky attracted it.”
There was not on the ground his peer, and none
Had such a beaming face. The monarch laughed,
The nobles grew attentive and exclaimed:—
“We never saw a rider like this chief!”
The famous monarch said: “Of such a kind
Is each one gifted with the Grace of God;
But Siyáwush hath bettered all report.”
The attendants set a throne beside the Ground,
The monarch beaming sat down with the prince,
And told the company: “The Ground and balls
Are at your service.”

Then the Íránians played

A match with the Túránians. Dust flew up
With shouts as these or those bore off the ball;
But when the Turkmans played too angrily
In their endeavours to obtain a goal,
And when the Íránians intercepted them
So that the Turkmans' efforts were in vain,
Displeased with his own people Siyáwush
Cried to them in the olden Persian tongue:—
“Is this a playground, or would ye cause strife
In our dependent and precarious state?
When ye are near the limits look aside
And let the Turkmans have the ball for once.”
His horsemen rode more gently after this
And did not heat their steeds, then as the Turkmans
Were shouting for a goal Afrásiyáb
Perceived the purpose of the words, and said:—
“I have been told by one of mine own friends
That Siyáwush hath no peer in the world
For archery and might of neck and shoulder.”
Thereat the prince uncased his royal bow;
The monarch, having asked to see it first
That one of his own kin might prove its strength,
Regarded it with wonder, and invoked
Full many a royal blessing, then presented
The bow to Garsíwaz the sworder, saying:—
“Bend thou this bow and string it.”

That malignant

Failed, to his great amazement. Siyáwush

Took back the bow and sitting on his knees
Bent it and strung it, smiling. Said the king:—
“With this one might shoot over sky and moon!
I too in days of youth had such a bow,
But times are changed, and no one in our lands
Would dare to grasp this bow when war is toward,
Save Siyáwush, and he with such a chest
And arms would wish none other on his charger.”
They placed a target on the riding-ground,
And Siyáwush, who challenged none to shoot,
Bestrode his wind-foot charger like a dív,
Gripped with his legs, and shouted as he went.
In sight of all the chiefs his arrow hit
The bull's eye. Then he set upon his bow
Another shaft, of poplar wood, four feathered,
And in the same course hit the second time.
Next wheeling to the right he hit the target
Just as he would. This being done he flung
The bow upon his arm, approached the king,
And lighted from his steed. The monarch rose:—
“Thy skill,” said he, “is witness to thy race.”
Returning to the lofty palace thence
They went with happy hearts as bosom-friends;
There took their seats, arranged a drinking-bout,
And summoned skilful minstrels to attend.
They quaffed no little wine, grew glorious,
And drank the health of Siyáwush. The king
While sitting at the board arranged a gift—
A horse and trappings, throne and diadem,
Uncut stuffs, such as none had seen before,
Gold coins, and silver coins in bags, turquoises,
With many girl and boy slaves, and a cup
Which brimmed with shining rubies. Then the king
Commanded to count up those precious gifts,
And certain of the dearest of his kinsmen
To bear them to the house of Siyáwush.
Thus said he to his troops: “In everything
Regard the prince as if he were your king.”