what Feridún, in his wisdom, decreed? Continue in the empire which he
appropriated to Irij, and let the Jihún be the boundary between us, for
are we not connected by blood, and of one family? Let our kingdoms be
gladdened with the blessings of peace."

When these proposals of peace reached Kai-kobád, the following answer was
returned:

"Well dost thou know that I was not the first
To wage this war. From Túr, thy ancestor,
The strife began. Bethink thee how he slew
The gentle Irij--his own brother;--how,
In these our days, thy son, Afrásiyáb,
Crossing the Jihún, with a numerous force
Invaded Persia--think how Nauder died!
Not in the field of battle, like a hero,
But murdered by thy son--who, ever cruel,
Afterwards stabbed his brother, young Aghríras,
So deeply mourned by thee. Yet do I thirst not
For vengeance, or for strife. I yield the realm
Beyond the Jihún--let that river be
The boundary between us; but thy son,
Afrásiyáb, must take his solemn oath
Never to cross that limit, or disturb
The Persian throne again; thus pledged, I grant
The peace solicited."

The messenger without delay conveyed this welcome intelligence to
Poshang, and the Túránian army was in consequence immediately withdrawn
within the prescribed line of division, Rustem, however, expostulated