The good Rizmihr, on hearing this, anon
Released Kubád from fetters. From the city
They fared forth to the plain by night, unseen
By foes, and made toward the Haitálians,
Wrung with anxiety and hurrying.
On this wise sped the seven like flying dust
Until with dizzy heads they reached Ahwáz,
And entered on their steeds that wealthy town—
A town wherein a famous chieftain dwelt.
Dismounting at the dwelling of the thane
They tarried there and breathed themselves awhile.
He had a daughter moonlike, crowned with musk,
And, when Kubád beheld her face, all wisdom
Fled from his youthful brain. He went forthwith,
And told Rizmihr: “I have a privy word

For thee. Haste to the thane. Tell him from me:—
‘This moon-faced damsel—could she be my wife?’”
Rizmihr went instantly, informed the thane,
And said: “If thy fair daughter is unmated
I will provide her with a noble spouse,
And thou shalt be the master of Ahwáz.”
The illustrious thane made answer to Rizmihr:—
“My pretty daughter hath no husband yet,
And, if she please thee, she is thine to give:
Give her to him that longeth after her.”
The wise Rizmihr came to Kubád and said:—
“May this Moon bring good fortune to the Sháh.
Thou sawest her unawares and didst approve,
Thou didst approve of her just as she was.”
Kubád then called to him that fairy-faced;
The gallant warrior set her on his knee,
And having with him one, and but one, ring—
A signet-ring whose worth was known to none—
He gave it to her, saying: “Keep this signet;
The day will come when I shall ask for it.”
He stayed a se'nnight for that fair Moon's sake,
And parted on the eighth day with the dawn,
Went to the king of the Haitálians,
Told what had chanced, the Íránians' deeds, and how
They all had girded up their loins for ill.
The king replied: “The wrongs of Khúshnawáz
Have surely brought thee to this strait to-day.
On these conditions will I give thee troops,
Who are crown-wearers, every one of them,
That if thou shalt recover crown and treasure,
Chaghán, its wealth and state, its march and rule,
Shall be all mine, and thou shalt keep my terms
And stipulations.”

Said Kubád while smiling

At him who thus dictated terms: “I never
Will give that land a thought and, when thou wishest,
Will send thee troops in numbers numberless.
What is Chaghán that I should look that way?”
When they had made their pact the Haitálian king
Unlocked his treasury and gave Kubád
Dínárs and arms, and two score thousand swordsmen,
All famed as warriors and cavaliers.
Thus to Ahwáz from the Haitálians went
Kubád; the whole world rang with that event.