Within his royal hands. This service done,
Gíw sped against the Tartars, and full soon
Defeated and dispersed them.

On his return, Gíw expressed his astonishment that Pírán was still
alive; when Ferangís interposed, and weeping, said how much she had been
indebted to his interposition and the most active humanity on various
occasions, and particularly in saving herself and Kai-khosráu from the
wrath of Afrásiyáb after the death of Saiáwush. "If," said she, "after
so much generosity he has committed one fault, let it be forgiven.

"Let not the man of many virtues die,
For being guilty of one trifling error.
Let not the friend who nobly saved my life,
And more, the dearer life of Kai-khosráu,
Suffer from us. O, he must never, never,
Feel the sharp pang of foul ingratitude,
From a true prince of the Kaiánian race."

But Gíw paused, and said, "I have sworn to crimson the earth with his
blood, and I must not pass from my oath." Khosráu then suggested to him
to pierce the lobes of Pírán's ears, and drop the blood on the ground to
stain it, in order that he might not depart from his word; and this
humane fraud was accordingly committed. Khosráu further interceded; and
instead of being sent a captive to Káús, the good old man was set at
liberty.

When the particulars of this event were described to Afrásiyáb by
Pírán-wísah, he was exceedingly sorrowful, and lamented deeply that
Kai-khosráu had so successfully effected his escape. But he had recourse