The Khatoon's Stratagem

From E1.9, Anooshirvan Sends for the Khan’s Daughter. It illustrates E1.9.35–43:

E1.9.35
Yet troubled by the weight of this affair,He sought the queen, his heavy heart to bare.
E1.9.36
He sat beside her, troubled in his heart,And spoke with grief of what would make them part:
E1.9.37
“If to the Shah our daughter is denied,War’s dragon stirs upon the border side.”
E1.9.38
The Khatoon wept, by bitter thoughts possessed,Then wove a stratagem within her breast.
E1.9.39
She said: “Four other maids of slave-stock dwellWithin our bower, and they are fair as well.
E1.9.40
Deck those four maidens out in crowns and gold,With every jewel dazzling to behold;
E1.9.41
My daughter we shall clothe in plain array,With unadorned and humble robes of gray.
E1.9.42
The Shah’s old sage will pass the plain one by,And choose the brightest to enchant his eye.”
E1.9.43
In talk like this they passed the night away,Until the sun climbed up the mountain way.