le.

Fled Shimasas, and all his fighting train,
Like herds by tempests scattered o'er the plain.

Zal set off in pursuit, and slew a great number of the enemy; but when
Afrasiyab was made acquainted with this defeat, he immediately released
Nauder from his fetters, and in his rage instantly deprived him of life.

He struck him and so deadly was the blow,
Breath left the body in a moment's space.

After this Afrasiyab turned his views towards Tus and Gustahem in the
hope of getting them into his hands; but as soon as they received
intimation of his object, the two brothers retired from Iran, and went
to Sistan to live under the protection of Zal. The champion received
them with due respect and honor. Karun also went, with all the warriors
and people who had been supported by Nauder, and co-operated with Zal,
who encouraged them with the hopes of future success. Zal, however,
considered that both Tus and Gustahem were still of a tender age--that a
monarch of extraordinary wisdom and energy was required to oppose
Afrasiyab--that he himself was not of the blood of the Kais, nor fit for
the duties of sovereignty, and, therefore, he turned his thoughts
towards Aghriras, the younger brother of Afrasiyab, distinguished as he
was for his valor, prudence, and humanity, and to whom Poshang, his
father, had given the government of Rai. To him Zal sent an envoy,
saying, that if he would proceed to Sistan, he should be supplied with
ample resources to place him on the throne of Persia; that by the
co-operation of Zal and all his warriors the conquest would be easy, and
that there would be no difficulty in destroying the power of Afrasiyab.
Aghriras accepted the offer, and immediately proceeded from his kingdom
of Rai towards Sistan. On his arrival at Babel, Afrasiyab heard of his
ambitious plans, and lost no time in assembling his army and marching to
arrest the progress of his brother. Aghriras, unable to sustain a
battle, had recourse to negotiation and a conference, in which Afrasiyab
said to him, "What rebellious conduct is this, of which thou art guilty?
Is not the country of Rai sufficient for thee, that thou art thus
aspiring to be a great king?" Aghriras replied: "Why reproach and insult
me thus? Art thou not ashamed to accuse another of rebellious conduct?

"Shame might have held thy tongue; reprove not me
In bitterness; God did not give thee power
To injure man, and surely not thy kin."
Afrasiyab, enrag