Vis and Ramin

360 VISEAMIANI
separation. He to whom Fate has given by lot the desire
of his heart, why should he remember the woes of
or take care of himself ?
a lover
When they had rejoiced in being together two months,
411 and had [ had their share of the joy of the world, spring
came. Kamin said to Vis :
" It is no longer proper for us to be thus. It is better
immediately to appear and to see Shah Moabad before I am
discovered."
The discreet Eamin bethought himself of a plan. He
went down from the castle at midnight and travelled half
a day's journey. Then at dawn he turned back and
directed his steps towards the city of Marav. Openly he
came along the high road and entered the city gates alone.
As befitted one coming from afar, he showed himself to all
in a weary state and dusty. He came as a traveller to the
gate of the palace. Then they said to Shahinshah : "The
sun of glory is come forth upon the earth ; Ramin the
beautifier of the earth is come, his face like the full moon
and his form like the cypress, 1 wearied by the length of
the road and cold, and behold he stands at the gate."
Shahinshah rejoiced, as was just ; he commanded, and
Ramin came before him. He did homage and laid his face
on the earth, paid his compliment ; Shahinshah pleasantly
greeted and kissed him. Then he asked news of Ramin.
He told him of the trials of the long road, and said :
"Exalted, 2 renowned, and just king! May thy name
be above all monarchs and kings, and may thy foes be
beneath thy feet ! May your 3 name be lofty up to heaven,
412 and may your fate be renownedly victorious !
| One needs a
heart like adamant 4 in hardness and more than an iron-
stone 6 mountain to bear not seeing thee and absence from
your service. I have been to some extent brought up in
your bosom, I have life from you, and I have such great
1 Saro. 430.
2
Maghali.
3
Note here and elsewhere the mixture of singular and plural in the
personal pronoun.
4 Andamati. 5 Maghniti, 104.