§ 36 How Kai Khusrau returned in Triumph

When news of Kai Khusrau, of his success,
And of God's Grace upon him, reached Írán

V. 762
The world was in amazement that the prince
Had won that Grace and greatness; all the chiefs
Went forth with joy and brought him offerings.
Prince Faríburz approached him with a band
Of warriors from Írán as 'twere a mountain,
And seeing him gat off his rose-red steed,*


Whilst brave Khusrau alighted from his black.
The uncle kissed the nephew on the face,
And, having set for him a throne of gold
Inlaid with turquoise, seated him thereon,
And joyfully saluted him as Sháh.
Then Tús approached him, bringing Káwa's flag,
The drums, and golden boots, and, having kissed
The ground, surrendered them to Kai Khusrau,
And said: “See who deserveth in the host
The drums, gold boots, and Káwa's glorious flag.
Give them to him: I merit them no more:
Mine errors cannot hope for aught but life.”
Thus he apologised, abandoning
His foolish enterprise. The conquering prince
Received him well, placed him upon the throne,
And said: “For Káwa's standard, for the post
Of paladin, and for the golden boots,
I see none fitter in the host than thee,
Thine is the office and the rank is thine;
I have no wrath against thee in my heart,
Thou needest not to tender an excuse;
Thou didst not wish to have an alien Sháh.”
The atheling both shrewd and fortunate
Departed thence upon his way to Párs,
And Kai Káús, when he received the news:—
“The youth of lucky steps hath come,” went forth
With cheeks like cercis-bloom to welcome him:
The old man's heart grew young with happiness.

V. 763
Khusrau beheld his grandsire from afar,
And smiled; his heart was throbbing with delight;
He went afoot and offered reverence.
His grandsire, fain to look on him, embraced him
With smiles and praises well deserved, and said:—
“The Lion hath returned victorious,
Confounding his opponents' hearts and eyes.”
They sought the palace and the world-lord's throne—
His who had made the diadem his own.