Kaus and his warriors returned to
Persia, where splendid honors and rewards were bestowed on every soldier
for his heroic services. Rustem having received the highest
acknowledgments of his merit, took leave, and returned to his father Zal
at Zabulistan.

Suddenly an ardent desire arose in the heart of Kaus to survey all the
provinces and states of his empire. He wished to visit Turan, and Chin,
and Mikran, and Berber, and Zirra. Having commenced his royal tour of
inspection, he found the King of Berberistan in a state of rebellion,
with his army prepared to dispute his authority. A severe battle was the
consequence; but the refractory sovereign was soon compelled to retire,
and the elders of the city came forward to sue for mercy and protection.
After this triumph, Kaus turned towards the mountain Kaf, and visited
various other countries, and in his progress became the guest of the son
of Zal in Zabulistan where he stayed a month, enjoying the pleasures of
the festive board and the sports of the field.

The disaffection of the King of Hamaveran, in league with the King of
Misser and Sham, and the still hostile King of Berberistan, soon,
however, drew him from Nim-ruz, and quitting the principality of Rustem,
his arms were promptly directed against his new enemy, who in the
contest which ensued, made an obstinate resistance, but was at length
overpowered, and obliged to ask for quarter. After the battle, Kaus was
informed that the Shah had a daughter of great beauty, named Sudaveh,
possessing a form as graceful as the tall cypress, musky ringlets, and
all the charms of Heaven. From the description of this damsel he became
enamoured, and through the medium of a messenger, immediately offered
himself to be her husband. The father did not seem to be glad at this
proposal, observing to the messenger, that he had but two things in life
valuable to him, and those were his daughter and his property; one was
his solace and delight, and the other his support; to be deprived of
both would be death to him; still he could not gainsay the wishes of a
king of such power, and his conqueror. He then sorrowfully communicated
the overture to his child, who, however, readily consented; and in the
course of a week, the bride was sent escorted by soldiers, and
accompanied by a magnificent cavalcade, consisting of a thousand horses
and mules, a thousand camels, and numerous female attendants. When
Sudaveh descended from her litter, glowing