The story of Bahrām and the girl named Fitna of Chinese Turkistan.

One day the king thought well to (go and) hunt on the low plain and on the lofty hills.
He rode his “gūr-hoofed” chestnut to the plain; he dug up “gūrs”, and threw “gūrs” to the ground*873.
(Though) Jupiter may in the Bow*874 be placed, the monarch’s bow passed over Jupiter*875.
Away from those who’d ridden to the plain a troop of onagers passed towards the king.
The king stood as a lion on the spot*876, the chestnut ’neath him prancing (restively).
(Then) from the string the (king’s) hand scattered pearls; the thumbstall emptying, he filled the plain*877.
With his well-tempered sword and arrows’ steel he hurled upon the ground now fire, now game.
A haunch of onager, pure wine to hand,—a fire is wanted to (prepare) “kabābs”*878.
With such intent, one might suppose, his lance, which shed the blood of onagers, struck fire.
A lion he in throwing onagers; his awfulness struck blind the evil eye.
Those which (at first) slipped off he let not go; he hamstrung them, or followed in their track.
With him a girl of moon-like fairness rode, whose quickness kept her always at his side*879.
Fitna*880 her name, a thousand were her lures; seductive she to him seduced by her.
Fresh-faced as early Spring in paradise; with graceful gait as corn that breezes stir*881.
A piece of (sweetest) honey smeared with oil; a dish of “pālūda”*882 both fat and sweet.
Not only beautiful*883, but skilled in song, lutist, and nimble-footed dancer too.
When to the music of the lute she joined her voice she brought the birds down from the air.
The king in festive parties drinking wine, or at the hunt would ask for dance and song.
The softness of her breath*884 upon hard wounds restored to life whatever she had killed*885.
Her instrument, the harp, the arrow his: one hit the modes, the other hit the game*886.—
Some onagers appeared upon the plain, on which the monarch (quickly) pressed his steed.
When he came up with the swift onagers, a furious lion with a bow in hand,
He put the arrow to the semicirque, the thumbstall, drew the bow, the arrow loosed*887.
His arrow lighted on the onager’s hind-quarters, and his quarry kissed the earth.
(And) in a moment, of that wondrous game he killed a number, and he captured some.
The girl through coquetry and roguishness restrained herself from (giving him due) praise*888.
The king stood for a moment patiently, until an onager passed on afar.
He said, O narrow-eyed Tartarian (girl), your eyes are never open to my game*889.
(And) how (indeed) should game which (in its bulk) exceeds description enter eyes so strait?
A wild ass comes, say how shall I attack? From head to tail at what (part) shall I aim?
The sweet-lipped (girl), by natural habit stirred*890,—(she was a woman, so would idly speak),—
Said, You must do a deed to honour you*891: pin to its hoof the ear of this wild ass*892.
When the king saw the girl’s perversity, he formed a plan against her ill design.
He asked first for a cross-bow like the wind*893, then (to the cross-bow) he affixed a bolt.
He shot the bolt (then) at the quarry’s ear, which, irritated at the pain of it*894,—
Poor hapless brute, raised to (its) ear a hoof to take out from its ear the irritant.
An arrow of the king, a lightning-flash, illumed the world, and fastened ear to hoof.
When with the shaft he’d fastened hoof to head, the quarry stumbled and fell headlong down*895.
The monarch said (then) to the Chinese girl*896, I’ve gained success; what think (you of the feat)?
She said, The king has often practised this; how can a thing be hard when practised oft?
Whatever thing a man has studied (long), though it be hard (at first), it can be done.
That the king’s arrow pierced the ass’s hoof is (but from) habit, not excess of strength.
The monarch was displeased at this reply*897; the sharp-edged axe came (down) upon the tree*898.
His heart (no more) felt kindness for that moon*899; he plainly showed the anger that he felt.—
Kings when on vengeance bent should execute only (when) they’re again in better mood.
Of young gazelles they should not saddles make, nor a fur garment of a little bear*900.—
He said, If I should spare her—she’s perverse; (and) if I kill— this course is worse than that.
Brave heroes cannot slaughter women-folk, since women are not classed with combatants.
There was an officer of noble race, as lion fierce, as wolf inspiring fear.
The monarch summoned him in secret near, (and) said, Go, put this girl out of the way.
She’s a disturber of my house of state—to kill disturbers is in reason right.
The brave man took that girl of fairy face bound from before that monarch to his house.
He thought to end her business and to strike her head off from her body candle-like.
With tearful eyes that captivator said, Do not approve so odious an act.
If you are not a foe to self take not the blood of guiltless me upon your head.
I am the monarch’s special intimate, the one most chosen out of (all) his slaves.
So much so that at wine or at the chase no other’s been his intimate and friend.
If through an act of boldness which I did, a (wicked) “dīv”*901 has played a trick on me;
And the king, wrathful, orders punishment, do not in killing me be over quick.
Wait (but) a few short days, be patient (still), and tell the king you’ve killed me; use deceit.
If at your words the king should be rejoiced, (then) kill me; to you lawful be my blood!
But if he be afflicted at my death, you will be quite secure in life and limb.
You will escape enquiry, and I, death; a cypress free will fall not to the ground*902.
A day may come when, though I’m naught, I may in something serve you still for what you’ve done.
She spoke these words, and took her necklace off, and offered him seven rubies (as a gift):
Each one of them the tribute of a Clime; the revenue of ‘Ummān*903 half its worth.
The officer because of those true words gave up the thought of killing that fair girl.
He said, Beware of being idle (then)*904, of mentioning the king to anyone.
Say that you are a servant of this house; do work, and say for this work you’re (engaged);
(And) I will use such means as should be used, (a remedy), if fortune favour you.
They took an oath to (seal) such covenant—he from a crime escaped, and she from harm.
When in a week he came before the king, the king from him sought news of that (fair) moon.
He said, to Draco have I given the moon*905: I’ve killed her, given with tears the price of blood.
(At this) tears started to the monarch’s eyes; the officer’s (uneasy) heart was eased.—
He had a fine and flourishing estate*906, a dwelling distant from the eyes of men.
A palace too raised to the apogee*907, with waves around it from the heavenly sea*908.
A terrace-belvedere*909, raised sixty steps, was built as sitting-place upon the top.
The girl’s abode was always that (high place): to honoured ones they give an honoured place*910.
In that short space of time a cow brought forth: she gave birth to a gentle-natured calf.
That fairy-faced illumer of the world would take it every day upon her back.
She’d firmly ’neath it stand, and step by step would bear it to the summit of the house.—
The sun’s a carrier of the calf in Spring*911;—who’s seen a moon do this? Produce (the same).—
Each day that silver-limbed gazelle would bear the calf from (near) the palace to the roof.
Day after day did she adhere to this; she grew efficient keeping to the work*912.
Until the calf advanced so far that it had grown into an ox six years of age.
(And) still that rose-limbed idol carried it from near the palace to the palace-roof.
Nor did she suffer trouble from the load, since she’d become accustomed to the work.
(For) in the same proportion as the ox increased in flesh did she increase in strength.
One day that narrow-eyed one, grieved in heart, was sitting with the officer alone.
That fair one, (lovely) as a ḥūrī, took four jewels from her jewel-bearing ears.
This ready value take and sell, said she; the price of it when given in silver bring.
Buy sheep, rose-water, incense, and such fruit and wine and candles as may be required.
Prepare a banquet-hall like paradise, with wine, dessert-fruits, incense and “kabābs”*913.
When to these parts the king comes to the chase, hold to his stirrup as does victory.
Pour out your heart and study how to please, (and) for a time hold in your hand his reins.
King Bahrām has a gentle temperament; he has a noble and indulgent mind.
When he perceives your humble, earnest prayer, he’ll bow his head to your becoming raised*914.
On such a star-throned belvedere as this we’ll give him some­times wine and sometimes milk*915.
If such a business should be well arranged, the state of both of us will be upraised.
The officer left (all) the rubies there, for God had given him a thousand such.
He went and with some hidden treasures bought all things required to entertain (his guest).
Food excellent and fitted for a king: with fowls and fish, with mutton and with lamb.
To brighten the assembly fragrant wine*916; sweet drinks*917 , dessert-fruits suited to the feast.
All needful preparations did he make, till Bahrām to the hunting-field should come.