The Fallen Quince

From E8.1, Shiruyeh Takes the Throne. It illustrates E8.1.82–93:

E8.1.82
In Chinese silk they wrapped the mouth and chin,As ancient rites required of men within.
E8.1.83
They bowed before the Shah, their heads bent low,And stood a long while there before him so.
E8.1.84
Upon his jeweled throne the Shah reclined;There sheep and wolves in woven gold were twined.
E8.1.85
With gems and gold the figures shone arrayed;His mattress lay beneath yellow brocade.
E8.1.86
He leaned against a cushion lapis-blue,A quince in hand, while grief within him grew.
E8.1.87
When he beheld those chiefs of wisdom bright,He roused himself and prayed to God for light.
E8.1.88
He set the quince upon the cushion down,Then greeted both the envoys of the crown.
E8.1.89
The quince slipped from the cushion, smoothly round,Rolled down across the couch and reached the ground.
E8.1.90
Ashtad ran forward, wiped away the dust,And laid it on his head in loyal trust.
E8.1.91
Khosrow turned his face from Ashtad’s place,So he would neither see nor scent its trace.
E8.1.92
They set the quince again upon the throne,And stood aside, uncertain, still as stone.
E8.1.93
The falling quince alarmed the captive king;He found no happy omen in the thing.