With all his chiefs, I ask no more;
For him alone I conquering came;
Than him no other prize I claim.”
So Kaikous was liberated from his prison, and Sudaveh with him, together with all the illustrious heroes imprisoned with them in the mountain fortress. And so great was their joy that continually they sang the praises of Rustem, the King’s Pehliva, who so quickly had caused light to shine upon a dark place and hope to spring up where despair had been. And not alone were the Persians in extolling their hero, for behold! the three Kings were so impressed with the mighty prowess of Rustem that gladly they sware a new allegiance unto the Shah, marching with the army upon its return journey into Iran, in order to go out against Afrasiab.
And the army, thus made strong, behold, when the Shah was come safe home again unto his land, he sent a message unto Afrasiab, commanding him to quit the country he had so unjustly invaded. Yea, and he twitted the King upon his previous adventure with Rustem, saying unto him:
“Hast thou forgotten Rustem’s power,
When thou wert in that perilous hour
By him o’erthrown? Thy girdle broke,
Or thou hadst felt the conqueror’s yoke.
Thy crowding warriors proved thy shield,