The Sháh the eighth day sat upon the throne
Without his armlets, mace, and golden helm,
And since the time when he must pass was near
They oped the portal of the treasury,
Which done he made Gúdarz, son of Kishwád,
His mandatary, saying: “See to all
The world's affairs—the public and the secret.
There is a season for amassing wealth
With labour, and a time for lavishing.
Look to the ruined caravansaries,
As well as to the bridges on our borders;
The dried up cisterns, those within Írán
And those constructed by Afrásiyáb;
The children motherless, the womenfolk
That have no husbands and are destitute,
With those that come to want in their old age;
Moreover close not thou the treasury's door
To such as strive to hide their sufferings.
Bestow and live in fear of evil days;
See to the cities that are lying waste—
The lurking-dens of leopards and of lions.
Next as to places where the Cult of Fire
Prevailed, but which are waste and priestless now,
As well as every one in indigence,
Who in his early days gave liberally,

And all the wells grown old and waterless,
Make all these flourish through this hoard of gold
And silver. Think drachms vile; remember death.”
As to the treasure which was called “The Bride,”
Stored by Káús within the town of Tús,
He bade Gúdarz: “Give it to Gív, to Zál,
And to the lord of Rakhsh.”

He reckoned up

His wardrobe and bestowed the whole on Rustam.
The armlets also and the chieftains' torques,
The massive maces and the coats of mail,
He gave to Gustaham—a just award.
Then, choosing from the steeds and saddlery,
He gave a herd of horses highly bred,
And then at large, to Tús the general.
He gave Gúdarz his gardens, rosaries,
And certain palaces the which he named.
The body-armour that he treasured so—
That precious armour worn in his campaigns—
He had bestowed complete on gallant Gív
What time he grew aweary of the throne.
A palace, camp-enclosure with the tents,
Pavilions, stalls, and horses he presented
To Faríburz, son of Káús, as well
As coats of mail and helms and Rúman casques.
A torque which was more bright than Jupiter,
Together with two radiant rings of ruby,
Engraven with the worldlord's name and known
Throughout the world, “These,” said he to Bízhan,
“Receive as a memorial of me,
And sow not any seed but that of good.”
Then said he to the Íránians: “My time
Approacheth, and I long afresh to go;
Make your requests of me for what ye need,
For this assembly must be broken up.”
The chiefs were overcome by grief, they wept,
And burned in anguish for the king of kings.
“To whom now will the Sháh,” inquired they all,
“Bequeath the crown as his memorial?”