§ 5 How Kubád returned from Haitál to Írán, how he had Tidings of the Birth of his Son, Núshírwán, and reascended the Throne

Kubád approached the thane's abode and saw
In every street a scattered populace,
Who all apprised him of the joyful news:—

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“Thy spouse brought forth a son to thee last night
But little less resplendent than the moon,
And may he bring good fortune to the Sháh.”
Kubád, on hearing, went within the house
In great content. They named the boy Kisrá.
Now afterwards Kubád asked of the thane:—
“From whom art thou descended, noble sir?”
He said: “From valiant Farídún who took
The kingship from the kindred of Zahhák:
Thus said my father and my mother too:—
‘We give our reverence to Farídún.’”
Kubád was pleasured yet more at the words,
And instantly resumed the royal crown.
He had a litter brought and, when his spouse
Was seated there, departed on his march;
He led the army on to Taisafún
In high displeasure with the Íránians.
Now in Írán the while the ancient chiefs
Sat with the sages and the notables.
They said: “Between these two—both Sháhs and
proud—
The matter will prove wearisome for us.
Hosts are upon their way from Rúm and Chín,
And they will cause much bloodshed in the land.”
Then one of that assembly said: “Ye chiefs,
Exalted and heroic warriors!
'Tis needful that we go out to Kubád,
Who, it may be, will not recall the past,
And bring to him Jámásp, the ten years' child,
To turn the hailstones of his wrath to pearls;
So haply we may swerve aside and 'scape
From pillaging, from bloodshed, and from war.”
All went to meet Kubád and said to him:—
“O Sháh of royal race! if thou hast hurt
Men's hearts, and they have washed their hearts and
eyes
In petulance, now act as pleaseth thee
Because the world-lord ruleth o'er the world.”
They all drew near to him in haste, afoot,
Dust-covered, and with gloomy souls. The Sháh
Forgave the evil doings of his lords,
Accepting their excuse in lieu of bloodshed;
He pardoned too Jámásp: the nobles blessed him.
He came and sat upon the royal throne:
Jámásp became his liege. Kubád bestowed
The conduct of the realm upon Rizmihr,
And gave him great advancement. By his means
The kingship was well ordered, and the world
Fulfilled with justice and prosperity.
Thus matters fared until Kisrá grew tall—
A stripling bold and lusty. Then Kubád
Entrusted to wise governors his son,
That fresh and fruitful Bough. Kubád directed
All matters in Írán and in Túrán,
And raised his crown of greatness to the sky.
Thereafter he led forth his host to Rúm,
Which proved as 'twere a lump of wax to him:
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He made a thorn-brake of those fields and fells.
Two cities asked for quarter at his hands,
One Hindíyá, the other Fárikín.
He taught the Zandavasta there, established
The Faith, and instituted Fanes of Fire,
His power, the feasts of New Year's Day and Sada.
He fixed his royal seat at Madá'in,
And wrought much good and ill. He built a city
Betwixt Ahwáz and Párs, and founded too
A hospital. He called the city's name
Arash; the Arabs call it now Hulwán.
They opened everywhere canals that flowed
A-brim, and peace and rest on earth abode.