Part Four

On the dark night, Gushtasp took a swift black horse and saddled it for the road. He put on a robe of Roman gold brocade and hung a phoenix plume from his crown. He gathered up as many gold coins and royal jewels as he would need. He set off from Iran toward Rome, his heart set on a throne, his soul searching for the way. When his father learned that Gushtasp had gone, he was thrown into turmoil and his joy was cut short. He summoned Zarir and all the wise men and spoke to them at length about Gushtasp. He said to them: this lion of a man means to seize a crowned head and lay it low. What do you see, and what remedy do you have? You cannot take this lightly. The wise priest said: this fortunate one knows that crown and throne are precious in the hands of true men. No one ever had a son like Gushtasp, nor has anyone among the famous ever heard of such a one. You must send men out in every direction, brave nobles who can come to the rescue. If he comes back, do not be harsh; seek honor and do not keep company with greed. For the crown of kings has seen many like you, and its love never stays fixed on anyone. Give Gushtasp a realm of this world, and set a famous crown upon his head. Apart from the renowned champion Rustam, we see no rider in the world to match him. In stature, in bearing, in learning and wit, no ear has ever heard of one so renowned. Lahrasp sent out a number of nobles, and they began to search the whole world. They went and came back with no hope, for they had returned under an unlucky star. The blame in this fell to Lahrasp, while the grief and bodily suffering fell to Gushtasp.