In royal helm and sweat-soaked tiger-skin
He sought, intent on fight, the chief Arzhang,
And shouted in the middle of the host;
Thou wouldst have said: “The hills and seas are
rent!”
The dív Arzhang came leaping from the camp
At that tremendous shout, while Rustam spurring
Came on him like Ázargashasp, grasped boldly
His head and ears and neck, then lion-like
Tore off his head and flung it at his troops.
The dívs' hearts burst in terror at the sight
Of Rustam's iron mace, and son and sire,
Forgetting land and crops, went oft pell mell,
While Rustam drew his vengeful scimitar
And cleared the neighbourhood. At set of sun
He made all speed back to Mount Ispurúz,
Untied Ulád, and, as they sat beneath

The lofty tree, asked how to reach the city
Where Sháh Káús was, and then hurried on
Led by Ulád afoot. When he arrived
Rakhsh gave a thundering neigh, which Kai Káús,
Who heard it, understood and told the Íránians:—
“Our evil days are all but over now;
I heard the neigh of Rakhsh; it made my heart
And spirit young. Thus neighed he in the wars
Of Kai Kubád against the Turkman king.”
The soldiers said: “His mind hath gone through
hardship,
And he hath lost his wisdom, sense, and Grace!
Thou wouldest say: ‘He talketh in his sleep.’
But in these grievous bonds we can do naught;
In good sooth fortune hath abandoned us.”
Anon that ardent lover of the fray,
The elephantine chief, approached Káús,
And all the noble paladins—Gúdarz,
Tús, gallant Gív, Bahrám the Lion, Shídúsh,
And Gustaham—flocked round while Rustam wept
Right sorely, did obeisance to the Sháh,
And asked about his longsome toils. Káús,
Embracing him, inquired concerning Zál,
And all his travail, then said privily:—
“Let not these sorcerers get sight of Rakhsh,
For when the White Dív is apprised: ‘Arzhang
Is dead and Rustam is with Kai Káús!’
The valiant dívs will gather, earth will teem
With them, and then thy toils will bear no fruit.
Seek the White Dív's abode, exert thyself
With sword and arrow; holy God may aid thee
In bringing to the dust these sorcerers' heads.
O'er seven mountains must thou pass, and troops
Of dívs throng everywhere. At length a cavern
Of frightful aspect will appear before thee,
A fearsome place, as I have heard: the approach
Is held by warrior-dívs equipped like pards
For fight. That cavern is the White Dív's home;
He is the hope and terror of his troops.
May'st thou have strength to put an end to him
Because he is that army's chief and stay.
My soldiers' eyes are blinded by their griefs;
I am in darkness too. Our leeches trust
To blood extracted from the White Dív's vitals,
In which regard a wise physician said:—
‘Let three drops of his blood descend like tears
Upon the eyes and it will banish blindness.’”
He made him ready, and in setting forth
Spake thus to the Íránians: “Be alert,
For 'tis the White Dív that I go against—
That Elephant of war, full of resource,
And compassed by a host of warriors.
If he shall catch my body with his noose
A shameful sorry plight will long be yours,
But if the Lord and my good star shall aid me
Our country and our throne will we restore,
And this our royal Tree shall fruit once more.”