Thus heaven revolved awhile, then changed its favour.
The day came when Shápúr, although possessed
Of crown and treasure, dreaded what might be,
And, when two watches of the night had passed,
Called his astrologers and asked concerning
The imperial throne and weal and woe to come.
The astrologers brought forth their astrolabes,
And cast his prospects of repose and rest,*

To see if ill would reach, or Grace divine
Grow greater with, the Sháh. This seen, they said:—
“Great king, world-lord, of ardent heart and pure!
A grievous, painful task confronteth thee,
But what none dareth tell.”

Shápúr replied:—

“O learnéd men and seekers of the way!
By what device can this be made to pass
From me, and mine ill star not tread me down?”
The astrologers made answer: “None, O Sháh!
By courage and by knowledge can escape

The revolution of the restless sky;
We cannot strive with it; what is to be
Will happen all, past doubt.”

The noble Sháh

Rejoined: “God is our refuge from all ill,
For He created circling heaven above,
Created strength and weakness.”

He spread out

His justice through the realm and for a while
Was glad and free from trouble. Having rendered
The whole land prosperous he greatly yearned
To visit Rúm and see the state of Cæsar,
His army, treasury, and puissance.
He told his minister, a paladin
Both just and prudent, of his secret purpose,
But hid it from all other folk, and added:—
“Administer the realm with equity,
For that will make you glad.”

He had prepared

Ten caravans of camels—noble beasts;
There was a chief to every caravan.
He loaded thirty camels with dínárs,
The rest with jewels and brocade. He left
The peopled parts and journeyed full of care
Till he arrived in Rúm and saw a suburb
Where dwelt both thanes and citizens. He entered
The dwelling of a man of means and asked:—
“Can I have lodging here?”

With many greetings

The goodman said: “Receive we not such guests?”
Shápúr abode that night, ate, and gave presents,
Receiving back the blessings of the thane.
At morn he packed and went to Cæsar's palace,
Like wind, and coming to the chamberlain
Saluted him and gave him gifts, who asked:—
“Who art thou? Say, because thou art a king
In limbs and looks.”

Shápúr replied: “Not I.

I am a Persian, a religious man,
And with my merchandise have come from Jaz.
I have a caravan of silks and linens,
And came to court in hope to be received
By Cæsar. If among my merchandise
Aught liketh him, or of my gems and arms,
Let him accept such from his slave and place them
Among his treasures. This will please, not grieve, me.
The rest I shall sell boldly in reliance
On his protection, purchase what I need
In Rúm, and bear it to Írán.”

The elder

Went and told Cæsar, who bade raise the curtain,
And granted audience. When Shápúr approached
The presence he gave praises as was fitting,
While Cæsar, gazing on him, liked him well,
Bade spread the board, and put all strangers forth.
There was in Rúm a native of Írán,
A man of much experience, but withal
Injurious, oppressive, and accursed,
Who said to Cæsar: “O exalted one!
List to my news in secret: this great merchant,
Who taketh our dínárs for his brocade,
Is, I assert, Shápúr, the king of kings,
In speech, in countenance, in Grace, and bearing.”
When Cæsar heard he was amazed, looked black,
And set a watch, but kept the matter close,
And scanned Shápúr as he arose bemused.
The guard came up, and said: “Thou art Shápúr,
Son of Narsí, disguised.”

They carried him

Off to the women's house and bound his hands;
None 'scapeth from the net of bale by valour.
What booteth to consult astrologers
Since all their calculations naught availed?
They lit a candle by the drunken man,
And vilely sewed him up in ass's hide.
All said: “The wretch hath gained an ass's skin,
And lost a throne!”

There was a dark, strait cell

Whereto they bare, and whereinto they flung,
That luckless one forthwith and locked the door.
Now Cæsar gave the custody of key,
And of that captive wrapped in alien hide,
To his own wife, and told her: “Give him bread
And water lest his soul may pass too soon.
If he survive awhile he will perceive
The worth of throne and crown, and none that is not
Of Cæsar's race will covet Cæsar's throne.”
She locked the cell. Her own home was elsewhere.
She had for treasuress and confidant
A moon-faced girl, Íránian by descent,
Who knew her lineage from sire to sire,
And Cæsar's wife put in her charge the key,
And brave Shápúr fast ín the ass's skin,
Whom Cæsar left thus straitened, and that day
Led forth his host. Now when he reached Írán
His army drew the falchion of revenge,

And bore off many captives. Their brave foes
Had none to aid them, and Írán was stripped
Of men and women, children and all havings,
Both great and small. No news came to the host
Of Sháh Shápúr alive or dead. Írán
Fled before Rúm, the land was void of folk,
While countless others had a Christian call,
And flocked before the bishops, one and all.