38 On the Sioayamvara of the Ancient Hindus. [No. 1. 



Then the Kaisar commanded that from the men of low degree 



To the men of highest wealth and birth in Bum, 



All should come with one mind to the palace, 



If among them might be found one whom the princess approved. 



When the news spread through the city, 



To the nobles and high and low, 



All turned their faces to the palace of the king, 



Each, in his hope, full of colours and perfume. 



And the good Dihkau said to Gushtasp, 



" How long sittest thou hidden in thy cell ? 



" Come, for if thou seest the palace and its pomp, 



" Perchance thy heart may lose its burden of grief." 



When Gushtasp heard this, he rose and went with him, 



And he hastened to the palace of the king ; 



And he crept to a corner, away from the great men, 



And sat him down, full of grief and with a wounded soul. 



The attendants came forth with watchful hearts, 



Kitayun and her rose-cheeked handmaidens, 



And she slowly walked round her father's hall, 



Her wise men behind her and her maidens before. 



When from afar she beheld Gushtasp, 



She exclaimed, " My dream has lifted its head from darkness 1" 



And she decked the head of the gallant youth 



That same moment with her royal crown. 



When the wise vizier beheld her deed, 



At once he ran before the Kaisar, 



" She hath chosen a man from out the crowd, 



" In height like a tall cypress in the garden, 



" With a cheek like a rosegarden, and broad shoulders, — 



" All who look on him are lost in wonder. 



" Thou would'st say, ' he was the strength of the Almighty !' 



" But I know him not, who he is." 



Him answered the king, " God forbid that my daughter 



" Should bring shame from behind the curtain on her race. 



" If I give my daughter to a fellow like this. 



" My head will lie down in dishonour. 



" Go take her, and him too whom she hath chosen, 



