Húmán on reaching his encampment gnashed
His teeth as wild boars do. When morning came
He mounted on his steed, like some fierce lion,
And, taking with him an interpreter,
Approached the Íránian host. His heart was full
Of fight, his head of vengeance on Khusrau.
Grief made the world seem narrow to Pírán
On learning that his brother had gone forth
To battle, and in deep distress of heart
He called to mind some sayings of his sire's:—
“The wise deliberateth every way,
And hasteth not to mingle in a fray;
The fool exhibiteth both dash and go
At first, but in the end thereof is woe.
Although the tongue within a brainless head
Should shower pearls none would be profited.”
“I know not,” said he, “what Húmán will gain
By showing so much temper in this fight.
May God, the Judge of all the world, assist him,
Because I see not any help besides.”
Now when Húmán, the son of Wísa, bent
On challenging the brave, drew near to where
Gúdarz, son of Kishwád, lay with his host,
The captain of the watch encountered him.
The outpost—horsemen of Írán and all
Suspicious—came to the interpreter,
And asked: “Why doth this eager warrior
Display himself as freely on the plain
As he had been a herald and yet carry
A mace in hand and lasso at his saddle?”
He said: “The time for sword and mace and bow
Hath come, for this famed, lion-hearted man
Desireth to encounter you in fight.
He is the head of Wísa's sons, Húmán
By name; his seabbard is the lion's heart.”
Now when the Íránians saw his mace, equipment,
And royal stature, all their spear-armed hands
Refrained from action through that chieftain's Grace.
All turned from him to the interpreter,
And said: “Go tell Húmán our words in Turkman:—
‘We have no purpose to contend with thee
For want of leave to combat from Gúdarz;
But to the famous leader of our host
The way is open if thou seekest battle.”
They told Húmán at large about the chiefs
Of that proud host, told who the soldiers were,
And who commanded on the left and right.
The outpost sent a cameleer in haste
To tell Gúdarz: “The leopard-like Húmán
Hath come to combat with the paladin.”
Húmán passed by the outpost, came apace
Toward Ruhhám, and shouted lustily:—
“Son of the chief whose fortune is discreet!
Ply now thy reins upon this battlefield
Between the hosts arrayed. Thou dost command
The left wing and thou art the Lions' Claws,
A guardian and a captain of Írán;
Thou shouldest fight me. Be the where thy choice—
Stream, mountain, desert. If not, Gustaham
And Furúhil perchance will charge together.
Who will fight me with sword, spear, massive mace?
Whoever cometh, fortune will make earth
Reel under him. Pards' hides and lions' hearts
Burst in the battle when they see our sword.”
Ruhhám replied: “O famous warrior!
Among the Turkmans we considered thee
As wise; but thou art other than we thought,
For thou hast come alone upon this field
To brave a host, and weenest that no swordsman,
Nor any cavalier, can be thy match.
Recall to mind a saying of the Kaians,
And, being snared by wisdom, save thy neck:—
‘No need for him who leadeth an attack
To settle by what road he will go back.’
All whom thou challengest by name are keen
For fight but, since the general of the Sháh
Hath not so bidden, will not volunteer.
If thou art fain to combat warriors
Why dost thou not accost the paladin?
Get licence for the combat from Gúdarz,
And then ask us to prove our readiness.”
Húmán said: “Ply me not with fond excuses,
But take a spindle and put down the spear;
Thou art not one for war, no cavalier.”