Page:Persian Literature (1900), vol. 1.djvu/177

Whom canst thou send to try the desperate strife?
  What valiant Chief, regardless of his life?
  Where now can Fríburz, Tús, Gíw, Gúdarz, be,
  And the world-conquering Rustem, where is he?"

  No prompt reply from Persian lip ensued--
  Then rushing on, with demon-strength endued,
  Sohráb elate his javelin waved around,
  And hurled the bright pavilion to the ground;
  With horror Káús feels destruction nigh,
  And cries: "For Rustem's needful succour fly!
    This frantic Turk, triumphant on the plain,
    Withers the souls of all my warrior train."
  That instant Tús the mighty Champion sought,
  And told the deeds the Tartar Chief had wrought;
  "'Tis ever thus, the brainless Monarch's due!
  Shame and disaster still his steps pursue!"
  This saying, from his tent he soon descried,
  The wild confusion spreading far and wide;
  And saddled Rakush--whilst, in deep dismay,
  Girgín incessant cried--"Speed, speed, away."
  Rehám bound on the mace, Tús promptly ran,
  And buckled on the broad Burgustuwán.
  Rustem, meanwhile, the thickening tumult hears
  And in his heart, untouched by human fears,
  Says: "What is this, that feeling seems to stun!
  This battle must be led by Ahirmun,[38]
  The awful day of doom must have begun."
  In haste he arms, and mounts his bounding steed,
  The growing rage demands redoubled speed;
  The leopard's skin he o'er his shoulders throws,
  The regal girdle round his middle glows.[39]
  High wave his glorious banners; broad revealed,
  The pictured dragons glare along the field
  Borne by Zúára. When, surprised, he views
  Sohráb, endued with ample breast and thews,
  Like Sám Suwár, he beckons him apart;
  The youth advances with a gallant heart,
  Willing to prove his adversary's might,
  By single combat to decide the fight;
  And eagerly, "Together brought," he cries,
  "Remote from us be foemen, and allies,
  And though at once by either host surveyed,
  Ours be the strife which asks no mortal aid."

  Rustem, considerate, view'd him o'er and o'er,
  So wondrous graceful was the form he bore,
  And frankly said: "Experience flows with age,