In Jesu’s stead I’m regent, by his own constraint.
You see this scroll. ’Tis evidence of what I say:
The dead Vazīr’s successorship is mine to-day!”[114]
A second captain started up, as from ambush;
Contested all those words; his own claim then did push.
Forth from his bosom he another scroll produced,
And then the people’s wrath flamed high; not soon reduced.
The other captains, too,—each his own train at back,—
Unsheathed their swords, and threatened both their skulls to crack.390
Then each one of the twelve, his sword and scroll in hand,