Pírán was furious and wept with rage,
Then gripping with his legs urged on his steed,
And, with his massive mace upon his shoulder,
Launched forth like boat on stream, invoking Him
That giveth every good. Gív bode his time
Until the chief had crossed, and then, declining,
Brave leader though he was, as if through fear
The combat, fled. His foe approached, the world
Grew night-dark. Gív, when he had drawn Pírán
Afar from stream and host, flung mace on saddle
And charged “like dragon raging,” thou hadst said.
Pírán the Lion fled pursued by Gív,
Who unobserved took from the straps his lasso,
Then whirling round his arm discharged the coil,
And caught his foeman's head, dismounted him,
Drave him afoot disgraced far from the stream,
Then threw him on the ground, secured his hands,
And donned his mail. When this was done Gív took
His prisoner's flag and rode up to the bank.
The Turkmans seeing their commander's flag
Advanced to meet him as a thing of course.
There rose a shout with din of clarions,
Of pipes, and Indian bells. Perceiving this
Gív strove as 'twere a boat against the waves,
And laid his massive mace upon his shoulder,
While all the troops looked at him wondering.
Soon with reins lightly held and stirrups pressed
He filled the haughty Turkmans' heads with fear,
And with his sword, his stirrups, arms, and onset
Laid them in dust. The plain was like a mountain
Of dead, one man discomfited the host.
The chieftains turned their backs, the Lion charged
The Flock, that great host fled from Gív, who crossed
The stream again so fresh that thou hadst said:—
“He hath not dreamed of foes.” He hurried back
To cut Pírán's head off, but drave him first
Afoot, scorned, hustled, and beside himself,
In anguish, wan, and wretched to Khusrau.
Gív then dismounted, drew an??ar the prince,
And, having kissed the ground and homaged him,
Exclaimed: “This miscreant and faithless man
Is now a captive in the Dragon's jaws,
So let him now be even as the wind,
Like Siyáwush, who hearkened to his words.”
Pírán too did obeisance to the prince,
Cried with a loud voice, kissed the ground, and said:—
“O prince that seekest after understanding,
And art a shining sun among the people!
Thou knowest mine affliction, my distress,
And struggle with the king on thine account.
Prince Siyáwush had lived if I thy slave
Had been at court. By rede and artifice
I saved thee and thy mother from the Dív.
So by thy Grace and fortune grant that I
Have from this Dragon's clutch my liberty.”