trength, which thus
Sunk me to nothing. Iron is his frame,
And marvellous his power; peace, peace, alone
Can save us and our country from destruction.

Poshang, considering the luckless state of affairs, and the loss of so
many valiant warriors, thought it prudent to acquiesce in the wishes of
Afrasiyab, and sue for peace. To this end Wisah was intrusted with
magnificent presents, and the overtures which in substance ran thus:
"Minuchihr was revenged upon Tur and Silim for the death of Irij.
Afrasiyab again has revenged their death upon Nauder, the son of
Minuchihr, and now Rustem has conquered Afrasiyab. But why should we any
longer keep the world in confusion--Why should we not be satisfied with
what Feridun, in his wisdom, decreed? Continue in the empire which he
appropriated to Irij, and let the Jihun 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-kobad, the following answer was
returned:

"Well dost thou know that I was not the first
To wage this war. From Tur, thy ancestor,
The strife began. Bethink thee how he slew
The gentle Irij--his own brother;--how,
In these our days, thy son, Afrasiyab,
Crossing the Jihun, 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 Aghriras,
So deeply mourned by thee. Yet do I thirst not
For vengeance, or for strife. I yield the realm
Beyond the Jihun--let that river be
The boundary between us; but thy son,
Afrasiyab, 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Poshang, and the Turanian army was in consequence immediately withdrawn
within the prescribed line of division, Rustem, however, expostulated
with the king against making peace at a time the most advantageous for
war, and especially when he had just commenced his victorious career;
but Kai-kobad thought differently, and considered nothing equal to
justice and tranquillity. Peace was accordingly concluded, and upon
Rustem and Zal he conferred the highest honors, and his other warriors
engaged in the late conflict also experienced the effects of his bounty