And Kai Khosrau said- "The tiger-cats are dangerous and have mighty claws.

And Kai Khosrau said- "The tiger-cats are dangerous and have mighty claws." Then Afrasiyab put to him yet a third question, and he asked of him- "What is the name of thy mother?" And Kai Khosrau answered and said-" "The dog ventureth not to bark when a lion threateneth him." Then Afrasiyab asked him yet again whether he desired to go forth into the land of Iran and be avenged upon his enemies.

And Kai Khosrau answered and said- "When a leopard appeareth, the heart of a brave man is torn with fear." And Afrasiyab smiled at these answers and questioned him no further.

And he said unto Piran- "Restore the boy unto his mother, and let him be reared with kindness in the city that Saiawush hath builded, for I behold that from him can no harm alight upon Turan." When Piran heard these words he hastened to remove Kai Khosrau from the court, and his heart was glad because of the danger that had passed by. So Kai Khosrau was reared in the house of his father, and Ferangis spake unto him of Saiawush and of the vengeance that was due.

And she instructed him concerning the heroes of Iran and their deeds of prowess, as she had learned them from Saiawush her lord. In the mean season Kai Kaous had learned of the death of Saiawush his son, and a mighty wailing went forth throughout the land of Iran, so that even the nightingale in the cypress was silent of her song, and the leaves of the pomegranate tree in the forest were withered for sorrow.

And the heroes that stood about the throne of Kai Kaous clad themselves in the garb of woe, and bare dust upon their heads in place of helmets. And Rustem, when he learned of it, was bowed to the earth with agony, and for seven days he stirred not from the ground, neither would he let food or comfort come near him. But on the eighth he roused him from the earth, and caused the trumpets of brass to be sounded into the air.

And he assembled his warriors, and marched with them into Iran, and he came before Kai Kaous and demanded audience. Now when he was come into the presence-chamber he found the Shah seated upon his throne. He was clothed in dust from his head unto his feet, because of his grief. But Rustem regarded it not, and straightway reproached him, and said- "O King of evil nature, behold the harvest that is sprung from the seed that thou didst sow!

The love of Sudaveh and her vile intents have torn from off thy head the diadem of kings, and Iran hath suffered cruel loss because of thy folly and thy suspicions.