As soon as tidings came to Sháh Bahrám:—
“The Khán and his great host are all at Marv,”
He led his soldiers from Ázargashasp,
Each with two horses but no baggage-train.
With Rúman helmet, morion, and cuirass
He hurried on like wind by day and night,
His soldiers rushing like a mountain-stream,
And reached Ámul by way of Ardabíl.
Departing thence he marched on to Gurgán,
Enduring all the chieftains' toil and pain,
And thence came to the city of Nisá;
One from Bisá preceded him as guide.

O'er mount and waterless and wayless tracts,
At times unwonted, through the night till morn,
He marched and had the watch out night and day.
Thus swifter than a pheasant*

in its flight
He drew toward Marv. A runner from his scouts
Arrived and told: “The Khán attendeth not
To state-affairs but followeth the chase
At Kashmíhan with wicked Áhriman
As minister.”

Bahrám rejoiced to hear it;

His travail seemed but wind. There for a day
He rested and, when steed and Sháh and troops
Were all refreshed, reached Kashmíhan. At dawn,
What time the Lustre of the world arose
Above the hills, all ears were filled with blast
Of trumpet and all eyes with glint of flag-tops,
The din of battle went up from the chase,
And filled the ears of Sháh and troops. The clamour
Split mighty lions' ears. Thou wouldst have said:—
“The clouds are hailing,” wouldst have said: “The
moon
Is raining blood,” so sanguine was the dust
Upon that battlefield! The Khán, aroused
And dazed, was ta'en by Khazarwán. Withal
Three hundred of the noblemen of Chín
Were captured and fast bound on saddle-back.
The Sháh advanced on Marv from Kashmíhan,
Thin as a reed with riding for so long.
The few of Chín that yet remained at Marv
They slew. He followed up the fugitives
For thirty leagues; behind him was Káran
Of Párs. Returning to the hunting-ground
He gave the booty to the troops. When thus
He raised his head in triumph over Chín
He recognised in all the power of God,
Who to his other good had given the boon
Of might, and is the Lord of sun and moon.