As for Gurgsár his portion was chagrin
About those fierce wolves and Asfandiyár,
Who bade the prisoner be brought before him.
They brought him quaking, with his face all tears.
The prince bestowed on him three cups of wine,
And asked: “What wonder shall I next behold
By thine account?”

He answered thus the chief:—

“O monarch crowned and leonine of heart!
Upon the next stage lions will assail thee,
Such as no crocodile would dare encounter;
The lusty eagle, valiant though it be,
Will fly not in their path.”

Asfandiyár

Laughed with light heart, and said: “O feckless Turk-man!
Tomorrow thou shalt see a valiant man
Address the lion with the scimitar.”
When night grew dark the monarch gave command,
And they resumed the march. He led the host
Apace amid the gloom, blood in his eyes,

Despite at heart, and when the sun had doffed
Its dusky cloak and donned brocade of gold
He reached the station for the brave—the plain
Where he must fight the lions. He commanded
That Bishútan should come to him, advised him
At large, and said: “I go to fight in person,
Committing this exalted host to thee.”
He went his way, and drawing near the lions
Turned all the world to darkness in their hearts.
There were a lion and a lioness,
And bravely both came forth to fight with him,
The lion first. He smote it with his sword;
Its face grew coral-hued; 'twas cloven from head
To midriff, which appalled the lioness,
Yet, like her mate, she came on savagely.
The chieftain smote her on the head, which fell
And rolled upon the sand. Her paws and breast
Were tulip-hued with blood. He bathed himself
And, looking to all-holy God alone
As his Protector, said: “O righteous Judge!
Thou hast destroyed these creatures by my hand.”
Meanwhile the troops came up, and Bishútan
Surveyed the lions' breasts and limbs while all
Acclaimed Asfandiyár. That valiant leader
Thereafter went to his pavilion where
They served to that pure prince delicious fare.