Khusrau then chose out sages from the host—
Chiefs veteran and practised in affairs—
And said thus: “Hail! May ye be filled with justice.
The portal of this ill-starred Turkman's hoards
Intrust I unto you. Be diligent.
The sun from yon high heaven must not pierce
The palace of Afrásiyáb, nor would I
That thence his women's voices reach the street.”
He sent out keepers for the herds that were
At large about the hold and, being kingly,
Harmed not the kindred of Afrásiyáb.
The troops marked this and clamoured: “Kai Khusrau
Hath entered in such wise that thou wouldst say:—
‘'Tis to the portal of a host!’ No thought
Of sire beheaded by the sword unjustly,
Of mother haled down naked by the hair
From throne and high place by Afrásiyáb,
Occurreth to his mind! This harmless Sháh
Was shepherd-reared and suckled by a sheep.
Why doth he not in sharp-clawed leopards' wise
Awake the Day of Doom in this man's home,
Bring to the ground his halls and palaces,
And make a bonfire of his kith and kin?”
The Sháh, apprised of all the Íránians' words,
Sent and convoked the sages, spake at large,
And said to them: “We must display not harshness,
Or praise heads void of wits. We must be just
In vengeance, and in passion think of fame,