Now when the bright sun made the distance clear,
And showed its face from heaven to all the land,
The prince went from his palace to the Ground
To play at polo. Garsíwaz came up
And drove the ball, which Siyáwush pursued
And caught it fairly with the polo-stick,
While his opponent only found the dust.
The ball struck by the prince was seen no more:
Thou wouldst have said: “The sky hath drawn it up!”
Then to his eager followers he said:
“I leave the ball and sticks and Ground to you.”
Whenas the warriors came upon the Ground
The Íránians in the tussle took the ball,
While Siyáwush rejoiced at their success,
And looked as 'twere a noble cypress-tree.
He bade a golden throne be set and contests
With javelins to take place, both princes sitting
Upon the throne to watch the combatants.
The cavaliers rushed on the Ground like dust
And, dart in hand, began to strive for honour.
Then Garsíwaz spake thus to Siyáwush:—
“O king renowned, the Memory of kings!
Thy prowess is still greater than thy birth:
Vouchsafe to let the Turkmans witness it:

Display before them just for once what thou
Can'st do in javelin-play and archery.”
The prince, who laid his hand upon his breast
At this, arose and mounted on his horse.
They bound together coats of mail five thick—
Coats any one of which would tire a man—
And set them up at one end of the Ground,
While all the troops stood looking. Siyáwush
Took up a royal spear wherewith his father
Fought in Mázandarán and slaughtered lions.
He went upon the Ground, this spear in hand,
And plied his reins like some mad elephant.
He pierced the coats of mail and bore them off,
The links and joints alike had given way.
The charge thus made he raised his spear erect
And flung the coats of mail about at will.
Then valiant Garsíwaz and other horsemen
Went on the Ground with their long javelins,
And many gathered round those coats of mail,
But found not one whose fastenings had not yielded.
The prince then called for four shields of Gílán,
With two cuirasses also of bright steel,
And likewise for his bow and poplar shafts.
With six thrust through his belt and three in hand
He set another on his bow and gripped
His saddle firmly. Then in sight of all
He shot the ten shafts, piercing every time
The shields and both cuirasses. Old and young
Applauded and invoked the name of God.
“Thou hast, O prince!” said Garsíwaz to him,
“No equal in Írán or in Túrán.
Come now! Let us two go upon the Ground
Before this company, there let us grasp
Each other's leathern belt as warriors
Would do in battle. I have not a peer
Among the Turkmans, thou wilt see few steeds
Like mine, and thou in the Íránian host
Art matchless both in prowess and in stature.
If I shall take thee from thy charger's back,
And throw thee to the ground, acknowledge me
Superior both in prowess and in might,
While if thou layest me upon the earth
I wheel no more upon the battlefield.”
But Siyáwush made answer: “Speak not thus.
Thou art a prince, a Lion of the fray;
Besides thy charger is a king to mine,
Thy helmet is Ázargashasp to me.
Make choice of some one else out of Túrán
To strive with me, but not by way of fight.”
Then Garsíwaz: “O seeker of renown!
No harm will come of pastime such as this.”
But Siyáwush replied: “It is not well:
I cannot fight thee. Two opposed in sport
Fight on in earnest; anger filleth them
Although they smile. Thou art the monarch's brother,
And tread'st the moon beneath thy horse's hoofs;
I will perform thy bidding but not break
Our good relations by an act like this.
Call from thy friends some Lion of the fray,
Let him be mounted on this swift-paced steed,
And if thou art resolved that I should fight,
And lay the heads of proud ones in the dust,
I will endeavour not to be disgraced
Before thy presence, O illustrious prince!”
Ambitious Garsíwaz was flattered, smiled,
And thus addressed the Turkmans: “Noble men!
Who is there fain to make his mark on earth?
Who will be matched with Siyáwush and lay
The chief of all the nobles in the dust!”
The Turkmans heard him and their lips were locked.
At length Gurwí the son of Zira said:—
“I am prepared to fight if Siyáwush
Hath no antagonist.”

The prince's face

Was full of frowns and sternness at the words,
But Garsíwaz said unto him: “O prince!
No warrior in our host can match Gurwí.”
Then Siyáwush: “I hold it but a trifle
To fight with any noble but thyself:
Two warriors should be chosen out of these
To strive with me upon the battlefield.”
There was another noble hight Damúr,
Who had no equal in Túrán in strength.
He, when he heard the words of Siyáwush,
Came and made ready swift as smoke for fight.
They wheeled about, and Siyáwush began
By snatching at the girdle of Gurwí,
And holding by the buckle lifted him
And flung him on the plain, but used no mace
Or lasso. Then he turned upon Damúr
And, catching him about the neck and body
In firm embrace, unhorsed him with such ease
That all the chiefs were lost in wonderment.
The prince thus bore him safe to Garsíwaz;
Thou wouldst have said: “He carrieth a bird!”
Then, having lighted down and disengaged,
He sat down laughing on the golden throne;
But Garsíwaz was wroth at that exploit;
His heart was sullen and his che??k was pale.
They hied them homeward from their golden seats,
“Raised,” thou hadst said, “o'er Saturn in the ascendant,”
And all the famous men and fortunate
Assembled for a week with harp and wine.
Upon the eighth day they prepared to go,
And Siyáwush in spite of what he kn??w
Yet wrote a letter to Afrásiyáb,
Full of submission and kind interest,
And gave unstinted gifts to Garsíwaz;
Anon the Turkmans left that noble city
Rejoicing, and conversed about the land
And most accomplished prince; but Garsíwaz

The vengeful said: “Mishap hath come to us,
For from Írán the king hath summoned one
Who causeth us to sit in blood disgraced.
Fierce Lions like Damúr and like Gurwí—
Both battle-loving warriors—became
Thus abject, helpless, and contemptible
When clutched by one foul-hearted cavalier.
He will push matters further, and I fail
To see in our king's actions head or tail.”