The Blood-Fouled Golden Basin

From E7.3, The Nobles Question Khosrow over Shirin. It illustrates E7.3.26–33:

E7.3.26
The Mobadan approached with solemn grace;The nobles sat, each in his chosen place.
E7.3.27
A servant brought a golden basin near,Whose burnished rim had shone like sunlight clear.
E7.3.28
He bore it round before the chiefs in row,Where fresh, warm blood defiled the bowl below.
E7.3.29
He set it gently by the monarch’s side;The nobles turned their faces all aside.
E7.3.30
The hall grew loud with murmurs of dismay;They watched the Shah, their courage drained away.
E7.3.31
The Shah asked, “Why, Iranians, meets my sightThis gory vessel that was pure and bright?”
E7.3.32
The Mobad said, “That gore makes men abhorThe noble gold they reverenced before.”
E7.3.33
When he had spoken, men removed it; thenThe bowl passed hand to hand among the men.