was quite enough for treachery to work upon; and as soon as the dispatch
was sealed, Gersíwaz conveyed it with the utmost expedition to
Afrásiyáb. Appearances, at least, were thus made strong against
Saiáwush, and the tyrant of Túrán, now easily convinced of his
falsehood, and feeling in consequence his former enmity renewed,
forthwith assembled an army to punish his refractory son-in-law.
Gersíwaz was appointed the leader of that army, which was put in motion
without delay against the unoffending youth. The news of Afrásiyáb's
warlike preparations satisfied the mind of Saiáwush that Gersíwaz had
given him good advice, and that he had been a faithful monitor, for
immediate compliance, he now concluded, would have been his utter ruin.
When he communicated this unwelcome intelligence to Ferangís, she was
thrown into the greatest alarm and agitation; but ever fruitful in
expedients, suggested the course that it seemed necessary he should
instantly adopt, which was to fly by a circuitous route back to Irán. To
this he expressed no dissent, provided she would accompany him; but she
said it was impossible to do so on account of the condition she was in.
"Leave me," she added, "and save thy own life!" He therefore called
together his three hundred Iránians, and requesting Ferangís, if she
happened to be delivered of a son, to call him Kai-khosráu, set off on
his journey.

"I go, surrounded by my enemies;
The hand of merciless Afrásiyáb
Lifted against me."

It was not the fortune of Saiáwush, however, to escape so easily as had
been anticipated by Ferangís. Gersíwaz was soon at his heels, and in the
battle that ensued, all the Iránians were killed, and also the horse
upon which the unfortunate prince rode, so that on foot he could make