Vis and Ramin

144 VISRAMIANI
also is tearful for thee, like me. As long as he could he
roamed the lands for thee, and God alone knows what
woes he saw, what hunger and thirst he bore ; and now he
is come home again and greatly longs for thee. The sight
of thee is the balm for his woe. He has 'sworn faithfully
to me that he will do thee no harm, and will forgive thee
all thy sins. Henceforth he will love thee as his own
soul, and will hold thee in higher honour than his second
brother. Thus thou shalt be lord 1 and commander 2 of his
hosts, and Vis will be mistress 1 at home, and queen, and
Moabad will think well of both, in word and deed, kind-
hearted, 3 and fulfilling your wishes. Now do not, after thy
wont, wonder ; fear not, come, trust me. Thou canst not
rejoice abroad, if thou hast all the gold
of the world.
Since the lordship of Khuarasan will fall to thee, why
hast thou chosen such 4 a house elsewhere? 5 However
164 much grief thou seest there, |
it cannot magnify thee as if
thou wert without sorrow here. If God has given thee
a jewel easily, why shouldst thou seek a pebble 6 with
difficulty!"
She ended this letter, and then sent it off. When
Ramin saw the courier he was afraid, and asked tidings
of Moabad's mother. Then when he read the letter he
rejoiced at the oath and hope, and immediately went forth
from the city of Re and set out for the city of Marav. He
put Vis in a palanquin, 7 like a precious jewel in a crown.
Although Vis was behind a curtain, she shone forth like the
full moon ; having enjoyed the desire of her heart, she had
grown so plump and her beauty had so much increased
that none could set forth her praise. 8
Vis's beauty had
increased a hundredfold in the six months Ramin had
spent in joy by her side.
When they came to Marav and Moabad saw them, he
i 2
Patroni, 71.
Amirspasalar, 105.
3 *
Lmobieri, 173. B., 1132. Dari (?).
6 Samizs (?). The text is evidently corrupt, and this word is un-
intelligible.
Cenjaa, 169.
7 Cubo, 47, 183.
8 Keba, 145.