Khusrav and Farhod; Farhod’s death

The son of Khusrav Parviz, ruler of Ajam and Arab lands, was unfit to be king; wanting another child, the shah, on the advice of his vizier Buzurg Ummid, sends envoys to Mehinbonu to ask for Shirin. Mehinbonu, thinking of the state’s interest, is inclined to agree, but Shirin, who loves Farhod, firmly refuses and says she will never agree, even if forced. Mehinbonu invents an excuse to Khusrav – that Shirin’s nature is like a boy’s and she goes about with bow and hunting; when envoys are sent again and again, Khusrav grows furious and marches on Armenia. Farhod alone stops his army, lets none of the soldiers near the fortress, and reproaches Khusrav, asking whether this is the way of love. Unable to win by force, Khusrav catches him by a trick and starts a debate: in the questions Farhod guards his love like life itself, chooses love over the country Khusrav offers, and answers that in love shah and dervish are equal.