Wouldst thou have reign'd had Rustem's valour failed When the White Demon raged in battle-fray, Wouldst thou have lived had Rustem lost the day?" Then to his friends: "Be wise, and shun your fate, Fly the wide ruin which o'erwhelms the state; The conqueror comes--the scourge of great and small, And vultures, following fast, will gorge on all. Persia no more its injured Chief shall view"-- He said, and sternly from the court withdrew. The warriors now, with sad forebodings wrung, Torn from that hope to which they proudly clung, On Gúdarz rest, to soothe with gentle sway, The frantic King, and Rustem's wrath allay. With bitter grief they wail misfortune's shock, No shepherd now to guard the timorous flock. Gúdarz at length, with boding cares imprest, Thus soothed the anger in the royal breast. "Say, what has Rustem done, that he should be Impaled upon the ignominious tree? Degrading thought, unworthy to be bred Within a royal heart, a royal head. Hast thou forgot when near the Caspian-wave, Defeat and ruin had appalled the brave, When mighty Rustem struck the dreadful blow, And nobly freed thee from the savage foe? Did Demons huge escape his flaming brand? Their reeking limbs bestrew'd the slippery strand. Shall he for this resign his vital breath? What! shall the hero's recompense be death? But who will dare a threatening step advance, What earthly power can bear his withering glance? Should he to Zábul fired with wrongs return, The plunder'd land will long in sorrow mourn! This direful presage all our warriors feel, For who can now oppose the invader's steel; Thus is it wise thy champion to offend, To urge to this extreme thy warrior-friend? Remember, passion ever scorns control, And wisdom's mild decrees should rule a Monarch's soul."[24] Káús, relenting, heard with anxious ear, And groundless wrath gave place to shame and fear; "Go then," he cried, "his generous aid implore, And to your King the mighty Chief restore!"