The king's spies had been watching Farhad from afar, and they immediately sent a report that Farhad had completed his work before the canal was finished. The Shah was very much alarmed, thinking that Farhad would most probably win Shirin's love, and that after his having done all this for her, Shirin would not be his. When he told this to his confidants one among them said, "Sire, you are the king, Farhad is a workman. What comparison between heaven and earth? I will go, if it be the pleasure of your Majesty, and will finish him in a moment." "Oh, no," said the Shah, "Shirin will see the stain of his blood on me, and will turn her back on me for ever." One among the king's servants said, "It is not difficult for me, my Lord, to bring the life of Farhad to an end without shedding a single drop of blood." "That is much better", said the Shah.