Page:Persian Literature (1900), vol. 1.djvu/205

 and admiration. Upon the arrival of Afrásiyáb, Ferangís hastened to him in a state of the deepest distress, and implored his clemency and compassion in favor of Saiáwush.

"O father, he is not to blame, Still pure and spotless is his name;  Faithful and generous still to me,  And never--never false to thee.  This hate to Gersíwaz he owes,  The worst, the bitterest of his foes;  Did he not thy protection seek,  And wilt thou overpower the weak?  Spill royal blood thou shouldest bless,  In cruel sport and wantonness?  And earn the curses of mankind,    Living, in this precarious state,  And dead, the torments of the mind,    Which hell inflicts upon the great  Who revel in a murderous course,  And rule by cruelty and force.

"It scarce becomes me now to tell, What the accursed Zohák befel,  Or what the punishment which hurled  Sílim and Túr from out the world.  And is not Káús living now,  With rightful vengeance on his brow?  And Rustem, who alone can make  Thy kingdom to its centre quake?  Gúdarz, Zúára, and Fríburz,  And Tús, and Girgín, and Frámurz;  And others too of fearless might,  To challenge thee to mortal fight?  O, from this peril turn away,  Close not in gloom so bright a day;  Some heed to thy poor daughter give,  And let thy guiltless captive live."

The effect of this appeal, solemnly and urgently delivered, was only transitory. Afrasiyáb felt a little compunction at the moment, but soon resumed his ferocious spirit, and to ensure, without interruption, the accomplishment of his purpose, confined Ferangís in one of the remotest parts of the palace:--

And thus to Gersíwaz unfeeling spoke: "Off with his head, down with the enemy; But take especial notice that his blood  Stains not the earth, lest it should cry aloud  For vengeance on us. Take good care of that!"