Part 17: Kavus Returns in Triumph

When Kavus reached the city of Iran, the sky vanished behind the dust his army raised. The clamor rose up to the sun; women and men came before him, shouting for joy. They dressed all the cities of Iran for celebration, calling for wine, music, and singers. The whole world was made new by the new king; a new moon had risen over Iran. When he sat on the throne, victorious and glad, he threw open the ancient treasuries. He summoned those who dispense the daily bread and set them at the court to hand out gold. A cry went up at the door of the mighty one; the great captains of the army gathered. All of them came before the king with joy, approaching that renowned royal court. The great warrior came, crown on his head, and took a seat on the throne near the king. The lord of the earth, worthy of him, prepared a robe of honor with words of praise. A throne of turquoise with a sheepskin covering, and a royal crown studded with jewels. A suit of gold-woven imperial cloth, with an armband, a torque, and every mark of glory. A hundred moon-faced maidens with golden belts, a hundred with musk-dark hair, radiant and lovely. A hundred horses with saddles and golden fittings, a hundred black-maned mules with golden bridles. Their loads were all royal brocade, from China, from Rome, and from Persia. They also carried a hundred sacks of gold coins, along with dyes, perfumes, and goods of every kind. A ruby cup filled with pure musk, and another of turquoise filled with rosewater. A letter written on silk, scented with musk, ambergris, aloeswood, and fragrance. He handed all this to the world-illuminating commander, granting him afresh the whole land of the south. So that after the reign of King Kavus, no one else would wear the crown on that throne, except the famed Rustam, son of Zal, master of the sword and the mace. Then the king blessed him, saying: may the court never see itself without you. May the hearts of the crowned kings warm to you; may your soul be full of modesty and honor. Rustam bowed low, kissed the throne, prepared to depart, and packed his gear. The sound of drums rose up through the city, bringing a share of joy to everyone. Rustam, son of Zal, set out, and the king took his seat, lighting the world with justice and right ways. He sat joyfully on the golden throne and shut the door on cruelty and injustice. He parceled out the land among the nobles, once he had returned from Mazandaran. At that time he gave the command of the army to Tus, telling him: drive all evil out of Iran. Then he gave Isfahan to Gudarz, granting him full authority and rule over that region. After that he turned to joy and wine, having worked many bold deeds upon the world. With the sword of justice he struck the neck of grief; no thought of death came to his heart. The earth grew full of greenery, water, and dew; the world was adorned like the garden of paradise. It grew rich through justice and safety, and the hand of the demon was bound from evil. Word spread through the world that King Kavus had seized that crown and throne from Mazandaran. All were left in wonder, that King Kavus had achieved such greatness. Everyone, bearing gifts and offerings, lined up in rows at the king's gate. The world became adorned like a paradise, full of justice and heaped with wealth. Now the war of Mazandaran has come to an end; next I bring forward the war with Hamavaran.