ABSTRACT
And that the world was black with horsemen's dust, Chose from those Rúmans five-score thousand men, All famed in battle, requisitioned arms, War-steeds and drachms, and thus much time elapsed. He had one daughter Maryam hight, wise, grave, Well counselled and resolved, and later on Brought forth such stores of bridal bravery That e'en the speedy baggage-beasts grew slowGold trinkets, jewels that a king might wear, Gems, gold-embroidered raiment, carpetings, Brocade of Rúm with golden patterns wrought Upon a ground of silk, torques, bracelets, earrings, And three most costly and bejewelled crowns. He had four gilded litters too made ready, Their curtains decorate with royal gems, And forty others made of ebony
All jewelled like the eye of chanticleer. Then came three hundred moon-faced waiting-maids All colour and perfume, five hundred slave-boys Intelligent and bright with ornaments Of gold and silver, forty Rúman eunuchs Fay-faced, illustrious, attractive, men, And four of the philosophers of Rúm, Wise, learned and famed. He gave them their
instructions, And privily withal charged Maryam To be obedient, order her desires, To do her duty, to be bountiful, As to her food and how to bear herself. There was, as reckoned in the Rúman way, More than three hundred millions' worth1 of goods. To every envoy at his court he gave A crown inlaid with jewels, robes withal, Steeds and dínárs and much of all things fitting. He bade write to the Sháh on painted silk :— “ Well may they raise their necks up to the moon, These subjects of the Sháh ! No man more courteous Than Gustaham hath sprung from small or great. Is there a champion like the chief Shápúr To act as arbiter ? Bálwí withal Can keep a secret for he would not sell His folk for aught, while none though he live long Will see one like Kharrád, son of Barzín, Whom God created to solve mysteries. C. 1926 He is as bright and faultless as the sun, Divine in rede and deed.”
