Afrásiyáb said to the prince: “Come with me
Some day a-hunting to refresh our hearts,
And banish all our troubles in the chase.”
“Whene'er thou wilt,” he answered, “whereso'er
Thy heart disposeth thee to lead the way.”
One day they went. The king took hawks and
cheetahs,
And many of Írán and of Túrán
Of all conditions hastened to the meet.
The prince spied onager upon the plain,
And, sped from his companions like the wind,
With reins held lightly and feet firmly pressed
He galloped o'er the hollows and the hills,
And, having cloven an onager in halves,
Made them the silver and his hands the scales,
And found the two sides equal to a grain.
The king and all his train watched eagerly,
Exclaiming: “What a noble swordsman this!”
And one man to another called and said:—
“Ill from Írán hath come on us erewhile,
And our brave leaders have been put to shame:
Now is the time to fight against the Sháh.”
But Siyáwush still chased his onagers
And spread destruction over all the plain.
He galloped over valley, hill, and waste,
Employing arrow, spear, and scimitar.

Where'er he went he piled a heap of game,
And killed enough for all the company.
Thence to the palace of Afrásiyáb
They took their way with gladness in their hearts.
The monarch in his pleasures and his griefs
Held intercourse with none but Siyáwush,
Confided not in Jahn and Garsíwaz,
Or other such; he took no joy in them,
But passed with Siyáwush his days and nights
In merriment. Thus while a year went by
They shared all griefs and pleasures equally.