Tus Chooses the Road to Kalat

From B12.2, Tus Goes to Turkistan. It illustrates B12.2.41–52 (to B12.2.59):

B12.2.41
At length they reached a place where two roads spread:One barren, waterless, and grim with dread,
B12.2.42
The other wound by Kalat’s guarded side,Through Charam’s fertile valleys, green and wide.
B12.2.43
The elephants and koust remained there still,Awaiting Tus to speak his sovereign will.
B12.2.44
The chiefs stood waiting at the branching ways,Until the warrior came through dust and haze.
B12.2.45
Whichever road great Tus should choose that day,The army would obey and take that way.
B12.2.46
Then Tus spoke long about the desert road,Its burning sands, its thirst, its crushing load:
B12.2.47
“Though dust were ambergris beneath our tread,And musk upon the desert wind were spread,
B12.2.48
Still on so long and wearying a trackOur troops need water, rest, or strength will crack.
B12.2.49
We need green fields and forage for the steeds,A watered country suited to our needs.
B12.2.50
Through Kalat and through Charam let us ride,At Mayam camp, with running streams beside.
B12.2.51
Why choose the desert, suffering thirst and pain,And count long farsangs on the scorching plain?
B12.2.52
I rode that road in former years of war,When Gazhdaham led forth the force before.