Now when these tidings reached the Íránians:—
“He of the elephantine form is dead,”
A cry of anguish went up from Írán,
Men, women, children, all alike bewailed;
The tongue of every one was steeped in curses,
And secret thoughts found public utterance.
Írán was all convulsed, the dust went up,
While all folk made them ready for the fight,
And thus they said: “Since Súfarai is gone
Let not Kubád's throne be within Írán.”
The soldiers and the citizens agreed,
They would not bear the mention of Kubád,
But marched upon the palace of the Sháh,
Vexed at his ill advisers, for redress.
These men—all malice and intent on evil—
They took, dragged from the palace, and then sought
With diligence for traces of Jámásp,
His younger brother and a noble youth,
One whom Kubád had cherished tenderly.
They chose him, seated him upon the throne,
And called down blessings on him as their Sháh;
But made Kubád's feet fast in iron fetters,
Unheedful of his Grace and noble birth.
Now Súfarai had one son well beloved,
A wise man, holy and illustrious,
A youth without offence, Rizmihr by name,
Whose fame had made his father well content.
To him the people gave Kubád in bonds,
As unto some malicious enemy,
And thought: “Through grief the loving son will take
Revenge upon the king for Súfarai.”
The good Rizmihr, the worshipper of God,
Laid not his hand for ill upon the world-lord,*