ed at this reproof,
Replied by a foul deed--he grasped his sword,
And with remorseless fury slew his brother!

When intelligence of this cruel catastrophe came to Zal's ears, he
exclaimed: "Now indeed has the empire of Afrasiyab arrived at its
crisis:

"Yes, yes, the tyrant's throne is tottering now,
And past is all his glory."

Then Zal bound his loins in hostility against Afrasiyab, and gathering
together all his warriors, resolved upon taking revenge for the death of
Nauder, and expelling the tyrant from Persia. Neither Tus nor Gustahem
being yet capable of sustaining the cares and duties of the throne, his
anxiety was to obtain the assistance of some one of the race of Feridun.

These youths were for imperial rule unfit:
A king of royal lineage and worth
The state required, and none could he remember
Save Tahmasp's son, descended from the blood
Of Feridun.

ZAU

At the time when Silim and Tur were killed, Tahmasp, the son of Silim,
fled from the country and took refuge in an island, where he died, and
left a son named Zau. Zal sent Karun, the son of Kavah, attended by a
proper escort, with overtures to Zau, who readily complied, and was
under favorable circumstances seated upon the throne:

Speedily, in arms,
He led his troops to Persia, fought, and won
A kingdom, by his power and bravery--
And happy was the day when princely Zau
Was placed upon that throne of sovereignty;
All breathed their prayers upon his future reign,
And o'er his head (the customary rite)
Shower'd gold and jewels.

When he had subdued the country, he turned his arms against Afrasiyab,
who in consequence of losing the co-operation of the Persians, and not
being in a state to encounter a superior force, thought it prudent to
retreat, and return to his father. The reign of Zau lasted five years,
after which he died, and was succeeded by his son Garshasp.

GARSHASP

Garshasp, whilst in his minority, being unacquainted with the affairs of
government, abided in all things by the judgment and counsels of Zal.
When Afrasiyab arrived at Turan, his father was in great distress and
anger on account of the inhuman murder of Aghriras; and so exceedingly
did he grieve, that he would not endure his presence.

And when Afrasiyab returned, his sire,
Poshang, in grief, refused to see his face.
To him the day of happiness and joy
Had been obscured by the dark clouds of