As soon as they had gone the wakeful Sháh
Gave orders to the chamberlain, who closed
The curtains and sat down beside the portal,
Despairing of victorious Kai Khusrau.
The worldlord went before the Lord most high,
Entreating Him that He would be his guide,
And said: “Almighty Ruler of the heaven,
Who kindlest goodness, charity, and justice!
This sovereignty advantageth me not
Unless I am in favour with my Lord;
But whether I have acted well or ill
Bestow on me a seat in Paradise.”
Thus stood he pleading for five sennights' space
Before the presence of the Lord most high.
One night the Sháh slept not for suffering
Until the moon had risen, then he slept
But with his mind awake—that spouse of wisdom—
And dreamed that blest Surúsh thus whispered him:—
“O Sháh, the favourite of the stars and fortune,
Who much hast handled armlet, crown, and throne!

Now hast thou won thy whole desire, if thou
Art instant in abandoning the world.
Near to the throne of God, the holy Judge,
Shalt thou have place; abide not in this gloom.
Bestow thy treasures on the worthiest,
And let another have the Wayside Inn.
Thou shalt grow rich by bounteously entreating
The mendicants and those of thine own kindred.
Know that the man who hath escaped the clutch
Of misadventure, or the dragon's breath—
Each that hath suffered travail for thy sake—
Endured the toil that he might win the spoil.
Give then thy havings to the worthiest,
Because thou wilt not tarry here for long,
And choose as ruler for the throne a man
That will not hurt an ant upon the ground.*

When thou hast given away the world rest not,
Because the season of dispatch hath come
To thee. Luhrásp hath fitting excellence;
Resign to him the kingship, throne, and girdle.
The place that thou hast sought from God is thine,
Ascend without death and depart thou thither.”
He spake much else in secret to the Sháh,
Who marvelled at the message and, what time
He wakened from his slumber, all fordone,
Saw that the oratory ran with sweat!
He wept and, with his face upon the ground,
Made his thanksgiving to the Omnipotent,
And said: “If I shall pass away forthwith
I shall attain from God my heart's desire.”
He went to occupy the ivory throne,
And carried in his hand a robe unworn,
And, having donned that raiment, sat him down,
A Sháh without an armlet, torque, or crown.