The Sháh then called a wise scribe and dispatched
A fair reply yet harsh in some regards.
He lauded first the paladin and said:—
“Live evermore and may thy soul be bright!
Blest be the prudent captain of the host,
The heedful and discerning warrior,

Lord of the iron mace and blue steel sword,
Who brighteneth Káwa's flag. Praise be to God,
The Worldlord, that our troops have been triumphant.
When fortune shone on thee it quickly raised
Smoke from the foe. Thou sayest first: ‘I sent
Some noble, prudent warriors with Gív
As envoys to Pírán. What good advice
I gave him! But his ill-conditioned mind
Rejected all. He would not league with me!’
A king whose officer made war on him
Gave utterance to a saw in this regard:—
‘When subjects turn from right, and do instead
Such ill as this, their lives are forfeited.’
Pírán, I knew, would not give up the struggle;
Still for past kindness' sake I did not seek
War to the death with him. Now time hath shown
That all his sympathies are with Túrán;
Afrásiyáb is all the world to him,
So strive no longer to divert his love,
For he preferreth sentiment to wisdom,
And no endeavour will bring grass from flint.
That thou didst speak the foeman fair is good;
Fair speech befitteth well the noble race.
And next, from thy description of the encounter
Between the warriors with their massive maces,
Of our good fortune, of the favouring sun
And moon, and efforts made, I am persuaded
That thy might will secure the victory;
But know that strength and courage are from God;
Acknowledge this and give Him all the praise.
And thirdly, thou hast said: ‘Afrásiyáb
Will cross the river, having marched thereto
Because Pírán hath sent to ask for aid.’
The matter is so, and we thus reply:—
‘Know, O my thoughtful sage, mine officer
Approved in all things! that Afrásiyáb
Abideth not by the Jíhún to fight
With us; the Khán is marching forth from Chín
Upon him; he is ambushed on both flanks,
Or rather, through the innumerable host,
Whose chiefs are now disposed around Túrán,
As Rustam—refuge of the warriors
On battle-days—Luhrásp and deft Ashkash,
Afrásiyáb is threatened on all sides,
And therefore marcheth to the river-bank.
If he advanceth from his present ground
He will resign his country to the foe.
And fifthly, since thou askest me for tidings
About the chieftains whom thou lovest well,
Know, and may fortune ever go with thee,
That on the road that lion Rustam took
The dust hath risen from Kashmír and Hind,
While from Khárazm, whereto the shrewd Ashkash
Went, hath gone up the battle-cry, and Shída
Defeated sought Gurganj; and where Luhrásp
Marched all the chieftains gave him passage, yielding
The Aláns as well as Ghuz which now are ours.
So if Afrásiyáb shall cross Jíhún
These noble chiefs will take him in the rear,
And leave him nothing but the wind to grasp.
He will not then advance, be well assured,
And leave to foes the towns and broad champaign,
His fair support, whate'er Pírán may urge.
He openeth not his lips by day or night
Unknown to me. May that day ne'er be blest
When he shall lead his host across the river,
And may none see the day of gloom and straitness
When he shall get the upper hand of us.
Now will I order Tús, that ardent chief,
To mount the drums, seize Dahistán, Gurgán,
And lands around, and thus exalt his head
High as the sun; ourself will follow Tús
With throne and host and elephants to aid thee.
Meanwhile confront Pírán, array thy troops,
And offer fight; Húmán and Nastíhan
Are gone; regard his hands as full of grief,
And if he challengeth our chiefs to combat
Decline not thou. If he should offer battle
Be of good courage, meet him like a lion.
Dread not a conflict with Afrásiyáb;
Take heart and turn not from him; thou wilt win
If thou hast confidence, and God, I trust,
Will favour me. Methinketh that when I
March to support you ye will have your will
Upon your foes and raise your own names sunward.”
He sent the host much greeting from Káús
And Tús. The letter with his seal imprest
He handed to Hajír whom too he blest.