“The forests are void of game, and I have neither bow nor arrows. But behold my sunny crown and my golden girdle!—only, they are not for thee!”
Now the King smiled at this reply, and once more he questioned, this time as to the milk given by the flocks.
But KaiKhosrau, shaking his head sadly, replied:
“The tiger-cats are black—black as thy beard! and verily they are not good for playmates, for they have prickly paws.”
Then Afrasiab put yet a third question, saying:
“O noble youth! What is the name of thy father?”
But KaiKhosrau, frowning, said:
“The dog ventureth not to bark when a lion threateneth. But alas! there are no lions now.”
Then Afrasiab, questioning yet again, said:
“O Valorous Youth, desirest thou not to go forth unto the land of Iran that thou mayest be avenged of thy foes?”