“And also add a dozen steeds
“As swift as arrows, of Arab breeds,
“And likewise a dozen slaves, black as coals,
“With bodies of steel, and sturdy souls.
“Ansari, when all these things thou hast got,
“Thou must start on thy journey, and linger not.
“Thou must take them all with my kind regard
“To Thus, to Ferdusi, the mighty bard.”—
Ansari fulfill’d his lord’s behest,
And loaded the camels and mules with the best
And costliest presents, the value of which
Was enough to make a whole province quite rich.
In propriâ personâ he left at last
The palace, when some three days had past,
And with a general’s banner red
In front of the caravan he sped.
At the end of a week to Thus came they;
The town at the foot of the mountain lay.
The caravan the western gate
With shouts and noises entered straight.