Then Siyáwush sat on the ivory throne,
And hung the crown above it. He considered
Whom he should send, what man of courteous speech

Whose words had scent and hue, a cavalier
Of valour and a favourite with the Sháh.
Then Rustam said: “On such a topic who
Would dare to speak? Káús is still the same,
His petulance increaseth: what if I
Approach him and make this dark matter clear?
I will rend earth at thy behest. I see
In going naught but good.”

Then Siyáwush

Rejoiced, and spake no more of messengers,
But sat with Rustam and discussed the matter,
Then called a scribe and had a letter written
On silk. There first he praised the Judge from whom
He had his fortune, strength, and excellence—
“The Lord of understanding, time, and power,
The Nourisher of wisdom in the soul.
None can transgress His ordinance. The man
Who disobeyeth Him can look for naught
But loss, for He is Author both of wealth
And right. From Him who fashioned sun and moon,
Who illustrateth fortune, throne, and crown,
Be blessings showered upon our sovereign—
The lord of earth, the chosen of the great,
Whose purview reacheth all things good and ill:
May his tall form be wisdom's pedestal.
I came to Balkh this jocund spring, rejoicing;
But when Afrásiyáb had news of me
The sparkling liquor darkened in his cup:
He saw that he was in a strait; the world
Was black and fortune fallen. His brother came

With gifts and many fair slaves richly dight
To me to seek protection from the Sháh.
Afrásiyáb will yield the crown and throne
Of kings, content with his own realm; observe
His station; never tread Írán's dark soil;
But wash all strife and vengeance from his heart,
And send as hostages a hundred kinsmen.
Great Rustam now hath come with this request—
That as the Sháh's face is a pledge of love,
He will show love toward Afrásiyáb.”
The peerless Rustam reached the royal court
In fitting state with flag and retinue,
While loyal Garsíwaz with all dispatch
Went to the presence of Afrásiyáb,
Gave him a full account of Siyáwush,
And said: “He hath no match among the kings
For beauty, mien, address, and common sense,
Good feeling, modesty, and energy:
Brave, affable, a gallant cavalier—
‘His breast is wisdom's home,’ thou wouldest say.”
The monarch smiled and said: “To scheme, my friend!
Is better than to fight. The dream alarmed me,
Foreboding, as I saw, my fall from power;
So in distress I turned to artifice
In order to relieve me of my woe:
I schemed to work with coin and treasury;
Thus everything hath turned out well for me.”