A literary history of Persia

144 THE SASANIAN PERIODShdhndma."Then did the King perceive plain that the maidenWith Ardashir had fled, his favours scorning.Thereat his heart was stirred into dire anger,And, on his chestnut horse hastily mounting,Called he his horsemen bold out on the war-trail,And on the southward road forth like a fire flamed.On the road came he to a fairtownship,Wherein were many men and countless cattle.Of them demanded he whether at day-breakAny had heard the beat of horses' hoof-strokes,Or had beheld a pair riding right hotly,One on a snow-white steed, one on a black barb.Answered one, 'Yea, hard by on the road here,Forth to the plain fared two with their horses,And at the horses' heels galloped a wild sheep,Which, like the horses, hurled dust-clouds behind it*Then quoth King Ardawan to his adviser,'What was this mountain-sheep which ran behind them?''Answered the other, That Royal SplendourWhich, by his lucky star, leads him to lordship.If now this sheep should o'ertake him in runningNaught there is left us saving long labour.'There then King Ardawan hastilyhalted,Rested, refreshed him, then hastened onward.After Prince Ardashir hotly they hurried,At their head Ardawan with his adviser.(Fifteen couplets, II. 10-24, omitted.')When of the day had passed half, and the world-lightUp to the midmost point heaven had measured,Saw he again a fair hamlet and fragrant,Where, too, the village-folk hastened to meet him.Thus quote the King once more unto their head-man,'Tell me, these riders, how passed they your hamlet?''Thus quoth the head-man : Lord of fair fortune,Born 'neath a lucky star, cunning in counsel !What time the sun in high heaven was paling,And night was spreading her purple vestment,