News reached Farúd: “The bright sun's face is dark-ened

By dust raised by the feet of elephants
And camels; earth is like the river Nile.
Thy brother's army marcheth from Írán
Against Túrán for vengeance, purposing
To take the road that leadeth to Kalát.
I know not where their battlefield will be.”
The inexperienced youth on hearing this
Grew very sore of heart and dark of soul.
He came down from the hold, unbarred the gate,
And going forth surveyed the lofty mountain.
At his command they brought in all the camels,
The sheep, and horses; none remained on waste
Or hill; he drove them all toward Mount Sapad
And toward Ambúh, returned, secured the gate,
And mounted on a rapid-footed steed.
When from Mayam the sound of drums arose,
And from Charam dust-clouds like ebony,
Jaríra, gazing from the castle-roof,
Felt her heart throb in terror of that host.
To her, his mother, came the young Farúd,
And said: “O chief of ladies! from Irán
A host hath come with elephants and tymbals,
And Tús the general is in command.
What sayest thou? What is the course to take?
We must prevent him from attacking us.”
Jaríra said to him: “O warrior!
Be all thy days as fortunate as this!
Thy brother is the new Sháh of Írán:
A world-lord shrewd is Kai Khusrau, and he
Well knoweth both thy name and native worth.
One father's blood and bone are in you both,
And Siyáwush was peerless in the world.
Well may the age applaud him! At the outset
Pírán gave me to him; he would not else
Have sought a Turkman spouse. Thus thy descent
On both sides is illustrious and royal.
Now, since thy brother seeketh to avenge,
And vindicate, the soul of Siyáwush,
Thou shouldst be foremost in the race for vengeance,
In making ready and exacting it.
Don Rúman mail and go with raging heart,
And shouts of battle ringing in thy head,
For, since he seeketh vengeance on your grandsire,
Thy part should be revenge, not policy,
In that this grief may well make leopards wail,
And crocodiles come groaning from the river.
The birds too and the fishes in the water
Call curses down upon Afrásiyáb,
For in the whole world not one sovereign
That girdeth girdle is like Siyáwush
In prowess, manhood, fortune, and high birth,
In glory, weight, intelligence, and justice.
Thou art the son of that world-famous chief,
Art of the Kaian seed and look'st it too!
Thou must gird up thy loins then to avenge
Thy sire and prove thy birth and native worth.
See who the leader is of yonder host,
Show hospitality, invite the lords,
And set upon the tables wine and gifts
Of scimitars, of helmets, of horse-armour,
Of coats of mail, and Indian swords. Thy brother
Is wealth sufficient for thee in this world.
Shall such just vengeance fall to aliens?
At this conjuncture lead his troops thyself,
New in revenge as he is new in reign.”
Farúd said: “Which of them must I address
Since I must have some helper 'mid these men,
These men so haughty on the day of battle,
Because I know not one of them by name?
How shall I send them greeting and a message?”
Jaríra answered: “In the dust afar
Raised by the host look for two cavaliers,
Bahrám and Zanga son of Sháwarán.
Search for the blazons of these two great heroes,
For thou and I have nothing hid from them.
Oh! may thy head and name survive for ever,
And may the soul of Siyáwush be bright!
He and these twain were never separable,
They were his lords, he was their over-lord.
Go with Tukhár, but with no further escort,
And do not in thy heart misprize my words:
When thou shalt ask about the chiefs and warriors
The brave Tukhár will point them out, for he,
Well knowing all the Íránians, great and small,
Will show thee sheep and shepherds.”

“Noble lady!”

Replied Farúd, “thy rede enlighteneth
Thy kin and folk.”

A watchman from the look-out

Came, told Farúd about that host, and said:—
“The mountains, vales, and plains are filled with troops,
And thou wouldst say: ‘The sun is put in duress!’
The expanse of rock up to the castle-door
Is all flag, elephant, and warrior!”