Now when Pírán returned from Hind and Chín
All men were talking of the glorious city,
For, founded on the auspicious day of Ard,
Siyáwushgird was famed throughout Túrán.
He heard of palace, orchard, garden, hall,
Plain, streamlet, hill, and dale, and longed to see
What Siyáwush had done with that fine site.
Pírán took with him all his retinue—
A thousand wise and valiant warriors—
Men fit to share with him in the rejoicings.
On his approach the prince went with the host
To welcome him. Pírán on catching sight
Of Siyáwush alighted, as did Siyáwush,
Who clasped him closely. Coming to the city
They went around what erst had been a thorn-brake,
But then lamp-bright with palace, hall, and pleasance.
The chief Pírán went everywhere, invoked
Full many a blessing on the prince, and said:—
“If Grace and royal height and wisdom too
Were not thine own in this thine undertaking
How could results like these have been achieved?
Be this thy monument among the brave
And noble till the Resurrection-day,

And may thy sons and sons' sons live rejoicing—
World-lords triumphant and magnanimous.”
Pírán surveyed part of that jocund city,
Then reached the hall and grounds of Siyáwush,
And in high spirits and ambitious hopes
Proceeded to the home of Farangís.
The daughter of the king met, greeted him,
And proffered him a handsel of dínárs.
When, seated on the throne, he looked around,
And saw the crowds of servants standing by,
He uttered many words of thankfulness,
And praised the Maker; then they fell to feasting
With wine, cup-bearers, meats, and minstrelsy,
And thus they passed a sennight wine in hand,
Now blithe and joyous-hearted, now bemused.
On the eighth day Pírán produced the presents
Brought from abroad, and other fitting gifts
Of rubies, royal jewelry, dínárs,
Brocade, crowns all inlaid with precious stones,
And steeds with golden furniture, the saddles
Of poplar-wood, their pummels leopard-skin.
He gave a coronet to Farangís,
With earrings, bracelets, and a jewelled torque,
Then went upon his way toward Khutan
In order to attend his sovereign.
On reaching home he spake thus to Gulshahr:—
“Whoe'er hath seen not jocund Paradise,
And known what things Rizwán*

hath planted there,
Should see this splendid place, this paradise
Of thrones and palaces, where Siyáwush,

The wise and glorious, sitteth like the sun
Inside the palace of the blest Surúsh.
Allow thyself the pleasure of a visit;
The lord is goodlier than his city; thou
Wouldst say: ‘He lighteth up the Occident!’
See Farangís—all loveliness and lustre,
As 'twere a two weeks' moon beside the sun.”
Swift as a bark that speedeth o'er the sea
He went thence to Afrásiyáb, and told
What he had done, what tribute he had brought,
How he had battled in the land of Hind,
And laid ill-doers' heads upon the dust.
The monarch asked how Siyáwush had prospered,
And of his city, province, crown, and throne.
Pírán replied: “Whoever shall behold
The springtide-gaiety of Paradise
May in good sooth mistake this place for that,
And this illustrious monarch for the sun.
I saw a city such that none will see
Its like on earth in Chín or in Túrán.
What with its wealth of gardens, halls, and streams,
Thou wouldst have said: ‘There wisdom mixed with
mind!’
One must dismiss fault-finding where is naught
To blame. When from afar I saw the palace
Of Farangís 'twas like a hoard of jewels
As bright as light. If now Surúsh should come
From Paradise he would not have the Grace,
The majesty, the common sense, the splendour,
And ordered usance of thy son-in-law,
Who is as good as thy glad heart would wish.
Both realms too rest from strife and stir, like men
Restored to reason. Mayst thou ever have
The rede of princes and the heart of sages.”
The monarch gladdened at the words on hearing
That this his Bough of promise was in bearing.