Húmán, departing toward the centre, sped
To the other wing. With his interpreter
To Faríburz, like furious elephant,
He came and shouted: “Wretch, degraded one!
Erst horsemen, elephants, and golden boots
Were thine with Káwa's flag, but on the day
Of battle thou didst yield them to the Turkmans.
Íránian chieftains hold thy manhood cheap.

Thou wast the leader; but hast been reduced,
And shouldest wear the girdle of a slave.
As brother of the noble Siyáwush
Thou rankest o'er thy chief. I am from Túr,
King of Túrán, perchance in composition
Thine equal. Since thou art of worth to challenge
Thou shouldst prepare for fight; so now for once
Come forth with me upon the battlefield
That we may wheel in presence of the hosts.
Thou wilt be famous to the shining sun
Through meeting me. If thou wilt not, so be it.
See where Zawára and Guráza are;
Bring to encounter me some warrior
That hath a name among the Íránians.”
Then Faríburz replied: “Forbear to fight
The rending lion; days of battle end
For this in triumph, and for that in woe.
When thou hast conquered, fear calamity,
Because high heaven keepeth not one stay,
And angry men bring things to such a pass
As to lay desolate their own old home.
The king deprived me of the flag, 'tis well.
He gave to whom he would the elephants
And host. Since Kai Kubád, in Kaian wars,
If any one hath donned the crown of power,
And girt himself to make earth prosperous,
It is the chief Gúdarz, son of Kishwád,
Who ever fighteth foremost. His forefathers
Have been the chiefs and champions of the Sháhs,
And through his mace no doubt thy leader's day
Will end. 'Tis for Gúdarz to give command.
If he shall bid me fight with thee, and leecheth
The sear upon my heart, thou shalt behold
How I will raise my head from shame to heaven
Upon the battlefield.”

Húmán replied:—

“Enough! I see thee great in talk. What fighter
Hast thou e'er hurt when girded with that sword?
Contend then with that despicable mace;
On helm and breastplate it will leave no trace.”