This done they put the saddles on their steeds,
Those fleet and famous steeds, while Farangís
Assumed the helmet, and all three departed
Like wind and eagerly toward Írán,
But secretly and taking all precautions.
The thing, however, could not be concealed
A moment; one approached Pírán and said:—
“Illustrious Gív came from Írán to seek
The brave and shrewd Khusrau, and hath gone back
With him and Farangís.”

Pírán was grieved,

And trembled like the branches of a tree.
He thought: “The king's foreboding hath proved true!
What shall I say to him? My lustre now
Is darkness in his eyes!”

He chose Kulbád

And Nastíhan—a man of steel—and bade
Three hundred Turkman horse to muster dight
For war, and thus addressed them: “Hence with you,

Lose no time in your saddles, place the head
Of Gív upon a spear, hide Farangís
In dust, and bind accurséd Kai Khusrau—
The ill-starred lackland. If the miscreant
Shall cross the river what will not befall
Our land and chiefs!”

Thus went the brave young band

Commanded by two wary paladins.
The persecuted prince and Farangís,
Worn out with journeying and nights of toil,
Had laid them down to sleep, and while they slept
Gív stood on guard with angry eyes intent
Upon the road by which the band approached.
He wore his habergeon; his helm was on;
His heart was full; he was prepared to die;
And, like a valiant chief, he had his steed
Accoutred by his side in case of need.