Thence he departed to his camp-enclosure.
They cleared the place of strangers, Bishútan

Came to Asfandiyár, and they discussed
The war. That warrior said: “We might assail
This hold in vain for years unless indeed
I take upon me to demean myself,
And try a stratagem against the foe.
Be thou upon the watch here night and day,
And guard the army from the enemy.
A man, I ween, is held in high esteem,
And worthy of a realm and lofty throne,
Who feareth not a host of enemies
In battle, pard on mount or crocodile
In water, but proceedeth now by craft
And now by force, whiles mounting, whiles descending.
I shall approach the hold in merchants' guise,
And none will know me for a paladin.
All craft will I employ and con all lore.
Dispense not thou with watchmen and with scouts,
And never let thy vigilance relax.
If in the day the watch shall spy a smoke,
Or in the night a bonfire like the sun,
The Lustre of the world, then be assured
That 'tis my doing, not my foeman's ruse;
So order thou the army and march hence,
With coat of mail, with helm, and massive mace;
Set up my flag without delay and take
Thy station at the centre of the host;
Charge with the ox-head mace, and bear thee so
That folk will hail thee as Asfandiyár.”
He called the head-man of the cameleers,
Caused him to kneel to Bishútan, and said:—
“Bring me a hundred beasts with ruddy hair,
Beasts fit to carry burdens, sound and strong.”
Ten of these beasts he loaded up with gold,
Upon five more he put brocade of Chín,
Another five had various kinds of gems,
A golden throne and massive crown. He brought
Forth eighty pairs of chests, whose fastenings
Were all concealed from sight, and therewithal
Made choice of eight score of his mighty men—
Such men as would not make his purpose known—
And, having hidden them within the chests,
Bound on the baggage and set forth. He bade
Some twenty of his nobles skilled in sword-play
To take the conduct of the caravan,
And turned these nobles into cameleers.
With slippered feet, a blanket thrown about him,
And freighted with the jewels, gold, and silver,
The chieftain went in haste toward the hold,
And journeyed in the guise of chafferers.
He led the way, and when the sound of bells
Rose from the caravan the chiefs inside
The hold grew ware of it, held talk at large,
Were all a-gog, and said: “A merchantman,
Who selleth a dínár's worth for a drachm,*

Hath come.”

The dealers and the nobles went;

To buy, and asked the owner: “What hast thou
Of use within these bales?”

He made reply:—

“The first thing is for me to see your king,
And show my wares to him. When he commandeth
I will display them to your eyes.”

He loaded

One of the camels and himself proceeded.
To see how he could make his market quickly.
He took a goblet filled with royal gems,
And many a piece of gold to give in largess,
Some signets set with ruby and with turquoise,
A steed, and ten bales of brocade of Chín.
He draped the goblet in a piece of silk,
Perfumed throughout with musk and spicery,

He donned a dress of beautiful brocade,
Sought for an introduction to Arjásp,
And at the interview strewed gold, and said:—
“May wisdom mate with kings! A merchant I:
My sire was Turkman and my mother Persian.
I purchase from Túrán, bear to Írán,
And also to the desert of the brave.
I have with me a caravan of camels,
And deal in stuffs, in clothes, and furniture,
In jewels, crowns, and other valuables.
I left my goods outside the hold, assured
That all are safe with thee. If thou wilt let
The cameleers conduct the caravan
Within the hold thy fortune will protect me
From every ill, and I shall sleep beneath
The shadow of thy love.”

Arjásp replied:—

“Be happy and secure from every ill;
No one shall do thee hurt within Túrán,
Nor when thou goest to Máchín and Chín.”
At his command they gave Asfandiyár
Within the Brazen Hold a spacious dwelling—
A warehouse with a mansion at its back*

—
And thither brought the baggage from the plain
That he might make the warehouse a bázár,
And keep his goods in safety. They departed,
And led the camels, after loading them.
A shrewd man asked: “What is inside the chests?”
A cameleer replied: “Our wits, for we
Must carry them themselves.”

Asfandiyár

Prepared the warehouse, decking it to look
Like flowers in spring. On all side buyers sprang up,
And there was busy trafficking within it.

The night passed by. At dawn Asfandiyár
Went to the palace to the king, there kissed
The ground before him, praised him much, and
said:—
“I and my cameleers have made all haste
To bring the caravan and baggage in,
And there are crowns and bracelets suitable
For an exalted king, so let him bid
His treasurer inspect my stock, for all
The warehouse is in order. I shall be
Content if he will take what seemeth best;
The king's part is acceptance and the merchant's
Excuse and praise.”

Arjásp smiled, showed him favour,

Assigned him a more honourable seat,
And asked: “What is thy name?”

He said: “Kharrád,

A merchant, traveller, and well to do.”
The king replied: “O noble man! concern not
Thyself with more excuses. Ask no longer
For audience through the chamberlain, but come
Before me when thou wilt.”

He then inquired

About the labours of the road, Írán,
The Sháh, and host. Asfandiyár replied:—
“My journey hath been five months' pain and toil.”
The king said: “In Írán what tidings were there
Both of Asfandiyár and of Gurgsár?”
He said: “My gracious lord! folk speak of them,
Each as his fancy is: ‘Asfandiyár,’
Said one, ‘is in revolt for injuries
Inflicted by his sire.’ Another said:—
‘He is advancing by the Seven Stages
In haste to fight Arjásp; he will attempt
War with Túrán and boldly seek revenge.’”
Arjásp replied with smiles: “No man of age
And knowledge of the world would talk like that!

If vultures e'en approach the Seven Stages
Then call me Áhriman and not a man.”
The warrior heard and, having kissed the ground,
Came from the palace of Arjásp rejoicing,
Then opening the noted warehouse-doors
He filled the hold with din of chaffering,
And seemed so occupied that he deceived
The eyes of all. Scarce for dínárs took he
The worth of drachms and traded recklessly.