§ 18

How Parmúda came before Hurmuzd with the Treasures sent by Bahrám Chúbína

C. 1841

With treasure, gifts, and troops the Khán drew near
The monarch of the world who heard and mounted
With crown on head and mace in hand, and thus
Came to the gate. When from the porch he saw
The visage of the Khán he paused to note
If at the sight of him that prince and troops
Would light down from their steeds. Parmúda watched,
Full of concern, if he would turn away,
Then, mounted still, came with the archimage,
Ízid Gashasp, whereat the Sháh, the world-lord,
Bestirred him with his troops. The Khán alighted
And hastened toward the Sháh, without delay
Remounting his black Arab, while the Great King
Abode not with Parmúda in the porch,
And rode his fleet steed off; but when the Khán
Was following, the keeper of the curtain
Laid hold upon his reins forthwith. Parmúda
Alighted instantly and manifested
His own diplomacy by that submission.
Now when the Khán approached the royal throne
The king of kings received him with all favour,
And having welcomed set him in the presence,
Repenting of the past hostility.
They lodged him fitly in the pleasant palace
Prepared for him and brought whate'er he needed.
A scribe was charged to lodge the retinue
Hard by. The Sháh, on hearing of the wealth
Brought by Parmúda, sent it to the park,
And charged therewith the keeper of the camels.
The eighth day, when Parmúda was refreshed
From all his toils, the Sháh ordained a feast,
And, when the Khán was seated at the board
At court and in the presence of the world-lord,
Bade bring the camel-loads before the chiefs.
One counted up the porters; on that day
There were ten thousand hired. The next, at dawn,
Hurmuzd had wine set forth and took his seat,
And from the park came fifty thousand bales
As well as parcels on the porters' backs.

C. 1842
The baggage filled a hundred treasuries.
The Sháh, when his task was achieved, bade bring
Before the presence publicly a bale
Of stuffs, bejewelled earrings, and a girdle
Compact, thou wouldst have said, of gold and gems.
These he bestowed with many words of praise
Upon the messenger who kissed the ground,
While from the banquet-hall arose acclaim:—
“Victorious be the Sháh.”

He at that time

Said to his confidant Ízid Gashasp:—
* “What seest thou in Bahrám Chúbína's exploit?
He maketh war to cease right manfully.”
The scribe Ízid Gashasp replied: “O Sháh,
Who art observant and of ardent mind!
When at a feast the theme is such know there
Will likewise be but ill-conditioned fare.”
* The Sháh became suspiciously inclined
On hearing this; misdoubtings filled his mind.