Siavash Pleads for Sudabeh's Life

From B9.14, Siavash Intercedes for Sudabeh. It illustrates B9.14.14–25:

B9.14.14
Then the Shah asked the chiefs what law required:“What doom befits the evil she inspired?”
B9.14.15
They bowed: “Her crime can have no end but death;Such hidden evil must be paid with breath.”
B9.14.16
He ordered: “Hang her in the street today;Let no man’s pity turn this doom away.”
B9.14.17
The women wept to see her thus condemned,While grief in Kavus’s heart could not be stemmed.
B9.14.18
He tried to hide it, but his color paled,And all his inward struggle stood unveiled.
B9.14.19
The gathered court turned every face aside,As shame stripped off the remnant of her pride.
B9.14.20
Then Siavash thought: “If by his decreeSudabeh dies, what grief may fall on me?
B9.14.21
My father then will grieve when she is dead,And lay that sorrow afterward on my head.”
B9.14.22
Then Siavash spoke gently to the king:“Let not your heart be troubled by this thing.
B9.14.23
Forgive her for my sake and let her live;Perhaps wise counsel may a new path give.”
B9.14.24
The Shah, who sought some cause to show her grace,Replied: “For you, I yield and end this case.
B9.14.25
I pardon her because you ask it so;The sentence ends; now let the matter go.”