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Afrasiab's Women Come Before Khosrow

Afrasiab's Women Come Before Khosrow

From C4.23, Khosrow Spares Afrasiab’s Family. It illustrates C4.23.27–36:

  • C4.23.27
    The queenly matron came with daughters, bentWith grief, and burdened by their deep lament.
  • C4.23.28
    A hundred servants walked before each maid;On every head a ruby crown was laid.
  • C4.23.29
    Their ornaments were like the shining sun;Their robes were gold where woven splendors run.
  • C4.23.30
    All carried golden goblets in their hands,And trembled at the king’s august commands.
  • C4.23.31
    The women shone with musk and gold and gem,With lowered heads, shame heavy over them.
  • C4.23.32
    One hand bore censers, one held cups; the flameOf aloes, ambergris, rose as they came.
  • C4.23.33
    It seemed that Saturn, from the heavens’ height,Had strewn the earth with stars of brilliant light.
  • C4.23.34
    The royal matron came before the throne,And blessed the Shah while making sorrow known.
  • C4.23.35
    Her daughters, delicately reared and fair,Raised all their supplications through the air.
  • C4.23.36
    Together all the women wept in pain;They lived beneath their bitter fortune’s reign.

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