ABSTRACT
Then tidings reached Bandwí and Gustaham : “ The Grace of kingship Is darkened.”
All the captives loosed their bonds, And sent forth one to ascertain and learn What warriors’ kept the portal of the Sháh,
C. 1865 And having learned rebelled, threw off restraint, And broke from ward ; shouts rose that shook the
plain; The garrison were left remediless. Appeared Bandwí and Gustaham in mail With troops in arms. The cavaliers forthwith,
All unabashed, rode hot-foot to the court,1 And gallant Gustaham harangued the troops :— “ This is no trivial case, for if ye join With us ye must ban reverence for the Sháh. If ye will all gird up your loins in vengeance For those Íránian chiefs, because Hurmuzd Hath turned upon the innocent, henceforth Hail him not, Sháh ; we will requite his deed, And turn for him the waters of Írán To colocynth. We will direct your course, And set a new Sháh on his throne. If ye Show weakness we will leave Írán to you : A corner of the world will do for us, And thither with our comrades will we go.”
