§ 20 How Gushtásp returned to Balkh

The famous Kaian, the triumphant Sháh,
Went from the battlefield toward his throne,
And bade Nastúr: “Tomorrow at the dawn
Conduct the army toward our glorious realm.”
That chosen chieftain had the tymbals sounded
At daybreak, and the army packed the baggage.
They turned back to the country of Írán,
Stout-hearted and prepared to fight again.
They passed by no one either killed or wounded,
But bore the wounded to Írán and gave them
To skilful leeches. Now on his return
The monarch of the world bestowed Humái,
His glorious daughter, on his eldest son,*


And gave illustrious Nastúr the host,
According to the usage of the Persians,
Gave him ten thousand of that noble race,
World-questing horsemen, wielders of the lance,
Gave him command, and said: “O gallant spearman!
Go forth against the monarch of the Turkmans,
Pass through Áyás and through Khallukh, and slay
All that thou takest to avenge thy sire.”

V. 1541
The Sháh supplied whate'er Nastúr required,
Not taking either count or reckoning,
And thereupon Nastúr led forth the host,
While Sháh Gushtásp sat on his throne and state,
And, placing on his head the Kaian crown,
Gave audience unto all the host. He opened
His treasury and decked the troops with wealth,
Gave cities to the chieftains, sovereignties
And dignities to those deserving them;
He passed none over, gave to each his due,
And after that dismissed them to their homes.
Then mounting on his throne for secret conclave,
And sitting on the seat of king of kings,
He bade inaugurate a Fane of Fire,
And use for fuel Indian aloe-wood.
They made the floor thereof pure gold throughout;
The dust was ambergris, the fuel aloe.
He fashioned all by rules of art, he called
The place “The Mansion of Gushtásp,” and made
Jámásp its archmage. To his governors
He wrote: “The Lord hath not abandoned us,
For He hath turned our night's gross murk to day,
And given us conquest to our full content.
Arjásp was shamed, we triumphed. Who can know
To do this save the Maker of the world?
On hearing of the victory of your Sháh
Present your tribute to the priests of Fire.”
When Cæsar, King of Rúm, received the news:—
“The Sháh hath conquered and Arjásp is worsted,”
He sent an embassy with precious gifts
Of slave-boys and of steeds caparisoned;
The king of Barbaristán and kings of Hind
Sent tribute too as did the kings of Sind.