Seven beauteous images there hung,
each one connected with a realm:
Fûrak, the Raja’s daughter fair;
more than the moon’s her beauty rare.
Yaghmâ-Nâz, daughter of the Khâqân,
charmer of Chîn and Turkestan.
Khwârazmshâh’s daughter, Nâz-Parî:
a graceful, strutting partridge she.
The Slav kings daughter, Nasrîn-Nûsh,
a Chinese Turk in Grecian dress.
The Maghreb’s princess, Âzaryûn,
a sun like day-increasing moon.
Wise Qaysar’s daughter, fair Humây,
noble in name and nature she.
Kisrâ’s daughter, of Kaykâvûs’ line,
fair as a peacock, Durr-Sitî named.
One hand had drawn these seven forms,
by one cord in a circle hung,
Each, with a thousand beauties bright,
kindled the gem of vision’s light.
…………………………………………
He on those idols smiling sweet,
they all adoring, as was meet:
And o’er his head, in skilful script,
the name of ‘Bahrâm Gûr’ was writ:
‘Such is the seven stars’ decree,
that such a conqueror come to be.
Seven princesses from seven realms
shall he embrace, like single pearls.
Not we ourselves this seed have sown:
what the stars showed us, we have shown.
We but the example show; ’tis God
alone, we say, Who’ll bring it forth.’
When Bahrâm had this legend read,
at the sphere’s spell he stood in dread.
Love for those princesses so fair
His heart invaded, hair by hair.
