Now, when the host thus answered, those two chiefs—
Lahhák and Farshídward—arose. They knew:—
“'Tis not their time for war, the troops are right:—
A flock without a shepherd perisheth.”
They bade the rest farewell and then they took
The longsome desert route, with flag in hand,
With hearts all grief and eyes all tears of blood.
They journeyed with ten noble cavaliers—
Brave warriors and ready for the fray.
Upon the road were horsemen of Írán—
An outpost-party and a gallant one.
The Turkmans charged, the outpost held its ground,
Strife rose unlooked for, earth grew tulip-like
With blood. Of those Íránians eight were slain—
Brave men and Lions on the day of battle—
While of the Turkmans none escaped with life
Except those two illustrious warriors,
Who went—a gallant pair—upon their way,
Like Lions, on their journey through the waste.
Then from the look-out cried the Íránian watch:—
“Ye nobles and ye gallant fighting men!
Two chieftains with ten noble cavaliers
Have issued from among the Turkman host;
They have engaged our outpost and have mixed

The earth with blood. Two Turkmans with their arms
Have ridden off, and eight of ours are slain.”
Thereat Gúdarz said: “These must be Lahhák
And Farshídward, gone with their necks unbent
And hearts as yet unbroken by the fight;
If from Írán they journey to Túrán
Loss will assuredly befall our host;
Let him that seeketh honours from the Sháh
Now set upon his head a Rúman helmet,
Pursue Lahhák and Farshídward, and send
The dust up from them with his scimitar.”
Not one among the Íránians volunteered,
For they were spent, their reins were galled with iron,
Save Gustaham, in fight a lion grim,
Who said: “O thou who dost deserve a throne!
On going forth to combat with the Turkmans
Thou gavest me the drums, the camp-enclosure,
And chief command. While others sought renown
I had no share. Now will I compass fame
Herein, go forth, and take them in my toils.”
Gúdarz rejoiced and smiled on Gustaham;
His cheeks grew fresh, care left him and he said:—
“The sun hath given thee a happy fortune!
A Lion thou, thy prey the onager.
Go forth, God give to thee His help, and may
Three hundred like Lahhák become thy prey.”