Next day Khusrau Parwíz prepared his throne,
And donned his crown of state. The festal board
Was spread within the rosary. “Invite,”
He said, “the Rúmans.”

Niyátús arrived

With the other Rúmans and they took their seats
Before the board with the philosophers.
Now when Khusrau Parwíz came from his throne
Of audience in the jewelled robes from Rúm,
Advanced with smiles and sat down at the board,
Bandwí came quickly, sacred twigs in hand.
The world-lord took them with intent to join
The other nobles in their muttered prayers,
* While Niyátús, on seeing that, threw down
His bread and all disordered left the board,
Exclaiming: “Muttered prayer and Cross at once
Insulteth Christ through Cæsar!”

Seeing this

Bandwí, still at the board, back-handed smote
That servant of the Cross upon the face.
Khusrau Parwíz was grieved, beholding this;
His cheeks grew like the flower of fenugreek.
He said to Gustaham: “This valiant fool
Should wrangle not when drinking. What hath he
To do with Rúman Niyátús? He recked not
His person in this quarrel.”

Niyátús,

Departing, mounted and returned half drunk
To camp. He donned his Rúman mail and thought
To mar that feast. The Rúman cavaliers,
All eager for the fray, set face to where
Khusrau Parwíz held court, and Niyátús
Sent on a cavalier of Rúman race
Withal to go like wind to him and say:—
“Bandwí, the worthless, with a back-hand blow
Smote on the cheek God's servant. Now if thou
Wilt send him to me—well. If not, expect
A tumult of the folk. Thou wilt writhe more
At me than at the slave* ambitioning
The throne of king of kings.”

Khusrau Parwíz

Was wroth on hearing this. “None should ignore
The Faith of God,” he said. “From Gaiúmart
And from Jamshíd to Kai Kubád none spake
Of Christ, and God forbid that I shall quit
My fathers' Faith, those world-lords choice and holy,
Adopt the Faith of Christ, and murmur not
A prayer at meals but be a Christian!
If thou wilt take account thou art alone:
I saw of late what Rúman prowess is!”

Then Maryam spake thus to Khusrau Parwíz:—
“I will abate the brawling of these folk.
Commit illustrious Bandwí to me,
So that the Rúmans may contemplate him
From head to foot. I will restore him whole.
None ever made a point of senseless strife.”
The king dispatched Bandwí to Niyátús,
Escorted by ten horsemen, with Maryam,
That prudent lady on whose lips good counsel
Ne'er failed. He said: “Approach thy father's brother,
And say: ‘Thou quarrelsome, ill-meaning man!
Hast thou not seen how Cæsar hath assisted
The Sháh to majesty, hath fought his battles,
Hath made affinity and league with him,
And furnished men and means and hoarded treasures?
Wilt thou destroy affinity and league,
And take away from me the Grace of Cæsar,
Who told thee that the Sháh would not abandon
His Faith on his return? Why speak raw words?
Now take Bandwí's head to thy breast and utter
No word ungracious. Give not to the winds
The toil and work of Cæsar, and God grant
That thou mayst not recall my words too late.”
She went and spake to that effect. Her cheeks
Were like a rose in bloom, and Niyátús,
Who thought her words of profit, took her counsel.
He pacified his heart about Bandwí,
And shamed on his account, at sight of him
Arose and bade his treasurer bring forth
A noble led horse and received Bandwí
With smiles and welcome, and they visited
The king together. When Khusrau Parwíz
Saw Niyátús he said: “The heart of one
Of ill condition seeketh not for good.
Bandwí hath ne'er ensued but strife and tumult:
Make not the world both dark and strait to me;
Give not the toil of Cæsar to the wind
In passion; let me have a moment's joy.
* If he hath spoken ill of thy religion
Expect not wisdom from a foolish man.”
“Expect not wisdom from a Rúman drunk,
O Sháh!” said Niyátús. “Keep thy sires' Faith,
For wise men change not such.”

When in this strain

Much talk had passed he sought his camp again.