Since that last fight disastrous to Túrán
The troops were sorry and dispirited,
Sons with wan cheeks lamented for their sires,
And brothers were in grief for brothers slain;
Thus were they full of mourning and in dudgeon:
High heaven loured above them. When Pírán
Perceived that all his host was as a flock
Rent by a ravening wolf he called the chiefs,
And spake at large: “Experienced warriors,
Worn, young and old alike, with combating!
What majesty, what rank and dignity,
Are yours in presence of Afrásiyáb!
Ye have a name for glory and success,
Ye had the world at will, but now, because
Defeated once, ye will not fight at all!
Know that if we retreat in cowardice
The lusty leaders of Írán will come
With massive maces in pursuit, and lord
And liege see none of us alive again.
Now put away these terrors from your hearts,
And bear your griefs with equanimity.
There is a saying current with archmages:—
‘It is the part of God to conquer always.’

As for the world 'tis full of ups and downs,
And such that we walk fearfully therein.
This host that now attacketh fled from us
Erewhile. Let all of you that have regard
For country and for child, for life and kindred,
Gird them for vengeance on the Íránians.
Gúdarz hath made a compact with me, saying:—
‘I will make choice of chieftains from the host,
Then let us set our champions face to face,
Allowing both the armies to repose.’
If he shall keep his compact, and produce
His chieftains at their stations, be it so;
Or if he shall advance to fight in force
We will go forth with eagerness to battle.
Then if we give our heads up to the sword
There is a day for birth, a day for death;
Or if not I will set their heads on stakes;
The turn of fortune may be either way.
I will behead the man that disregardeth
These words of mine.”

At once the warriors answered:—

“O paladin of great Afrásiyáb!
Though from of old thou hast had throne and treasure
Still hast thou chosen travail for our sakes,
Girt up thy loins before us like a slave,
And givest son and brother to be slain.
Why then should we, thy slaves, avert our heads?”
They spake and left the presence of Pírán,
And every one made ready for the fray.
They spent the livelong night in taking order
For all things as their prudent chief had bidden.
At dawn the sound of trump and pipe arose
Before his tent-enclosure, and the chiefs
Were in the saddle with their bows and arrows.
Thou wouldst have said: “Earth maketh for itself
An iron veil of horseshoes.” Then Pírán

Said to Lahhák and Farshídward: “Great chiefs!
The safety of the army of Túrán
Must be your care upon this battlefield.
Set ye a watchman on the mountain-top
To watch by day and count the stars. If ill
Should come upon us from the turning sky,
And it shall wholly cease to favour us,
Be ye not hasty to engage in battle,
But fall back swift as smoke upon Túrán,
Since none, or few, except yourselves are left
Of Wísa's seed, for all the rest are slain.”
With bitter tears and heart-felt grief they clasped
Each other to the breast and then departed
With lamentations on their several ways.
Pírán the chief, full of revenge, rode out
Upon the field and raised his battle-shout.