§ 35 How Pírán gave his Daughter to Siyáwush

One day Pírán conversed with Siyáwush
And in the course of talk said: “In this land
What man surpasseth thee? Our monarch's love
Doth make him talk of thee e'en in his sleep.
Know that thou art to him as jocund spring,
His idol, and the solace of his griefs.
Great art thou and the son of Kai Káús;
Thy many virtues raise thee to the moon;
Yet since thy sire is old, and thy heart young,
See that thou lose not the imperial throne.
Thou art a king both here and in Írán—
A noble monument of former monarchs—
Yet see I none, among thy blood-relations,
That looketh on thee with abundant love!
Throughout Túrán I find none fit to be
Thy peer, thy partner, or antagonist.
Thou hast no brother, wife, or sister; thou
Art like a single rose-branch in a coppice.
Look for a consort worthy of thyself,
And cease to sorrow and regret Írán;
It will be thine when Kai Káús is dead,
And thine will be the crown and warriors' throne.
The curtains of the king conceal three maidens,
All richly dight, such that the moon itself
Perforce must gaze upon, and Garsíwaz

V. 606
Hath also three of noble race on both sides
Through Fárídún related to the Sháh,
With crowns and high estate. I too have four—
Slaves if thou wilt. The eldest-born—Jaríra—
Unmatched among the fair shall be thy handmaid.”
Then Siyáwush: “I give thee thanks. Henceforth
Regard me as thy son. She is the meetest
Because for me alliance with thy house
Is best. She will rejoice my soul and body:
I want none else; herein thou layest on me
A life-long obligation.”

When Pírán

Left Siyáwush he hasted to Gulshahr,
And said: “Prepare Jaríra's wedding outfit
In favour of the exalted Siyáwush.
Shall not we joy to-day when we receive
The grandson of Kubád as son-in-law?”
Gulshahr led forth her daughter, having set
A coronet upon the maiden's head,
Arrayed her with brocade, gold, drachms, dínárs,
Adorned and scented her like jocund spring,
And then presented her to Siyáwush.
They thus espoused her to the prince, and set her
Like a new moon upon the throne. None knew

V. 607
What wealth she brought, how many golden seats
Inlaid with gems. When Siyáwush beheld
Her face she pleased him, and he laughed for gladness.
He joyed in her by night and day; his heart
Forgot Káús.

Thus heaven revolved awhile,

And ever as time passed the atheling
Increased in rank and favour with the king.