1859.] On the Swayamvara of the Ancient Hindus. 39 



" And their heads shall be smitten off in the palace." 



The vizier replied, " This is no such direful matter ; 



" Many a noble hath done thus before thee. 



" Thou badest thy daughter choose a husband, 



" Thou said'st not that she was to choose none but a king. 



"She sought for one who might please her heart j 



"Turn not then thy face from the path of God. 



"Such hath been the custom of thy ancestors, 



"Those proud and righteous pure ones ; 



" By this law hath Hum been established on its base ; 



" Wander not thou in a desert land.* 



" Thy words are unblessed, utter them not, 



"And stray not in a path untrodden by thee before." 



When the Kaisar heard his words, he made his resolve 



To give his peerless daughter to Gushtasp, 



But he said to her, " Go with him such as thou art, 



"Never shalt thou have treasure or crown or signet from me." 



When Gushtasp beheld this, he marvelled greatly, 



And he called to witness the Maker of the world. 



Then he turned and spake to the royal maiden, 



" Oh thou brought up in softness and delicacy, 



With a rank so lofty and a crown thine own, 



Why hath thine heart chosen such as me ? 



Thou hast chosen an outcast, and with him no treasure 



Shalt thou find, but thou must pine with him in sorrow. 



Oh seek thine equal among these nobles, 



That thy face may yet be bright before thy father." 



Xitayun made answer, " Oh jealous one, 



" Vex not thyself with the decrees of heaven ; 



" Siuce I am content with thee as my husband, 



" Why seek'st thou crown, or sceptre or throne ?" 



Then sadly walked out of the Kaisar's hall 



Kitayuu and Gushtasp with many a sigh, 



And they came to the house of the Dihkau, 



And sat them down shrinking and sad. 



* Literally " in the land of the owl." 



