166 
KHOSROO PURVIZ AND THE FAIR SHIRENE. 
Emperor of the Romans. He beheld her by accident, bathing 
in a clear fountain; and her celestial beauties so fired his imagin¬ 
ation and his heart, that when he afterwards became her hus¬ 
band, and monarch of Persia, he caused her image to be made, 
and placed as he had first seen her, in the midst of the crystal 
stream, “ ’mongst bending lilies bright, the fairest flower!” In 
fact, I am now in the very scene of that splendid king’s most 
romantic adventures, of his most gorgeous magnificence, and of 
the dismal extinction of all his state and power. But before I 
proceed with describing the works attributed to his commands, 
in honour of a princess whom he worshipped to idolatry, and 
wrought by the wonder of the age, the incomparable Ferhaud, 
it may not be disagreeable to my reader, to refresh his memory 
with a short sketch of the monarch’s history. 
Khosroo Purviz was born towards the end of the sixth century 
of the Christian era. He was the grandson of Noushirvan, one 
of the most virtuous of the Sassanian race of kings; and who, 
being also a magnificent prince, erected fine palaces, and great 
public buildings at A1 Maidon, (supposed to be the ancient Ctesi- 
phon,) on the banks of the Tigris, which was his usual winter 
residence. His son and successor, Hormuz III., the father of 
Khosroo Purviz, being a weak character, was dethroned by the 
commander of his armies, Baharam Choubeen; and the young 
Khosroo being defeated in a battle, wherein he opposed the 
usurper, fled for protection to Maurice, Emperor of the Romans. 
That generous sovereign not only received him with hospitality, 
but gave him the assistance of a fine army, and restored him to 
his throne. Khosroo Purviz remained the firm ally of the 
Roman empire as long as it was swayed by the venerable Mau¬ 
rice ; but when that prince was slain, he instantly declared war 
