Afrásiyáb had news: “Suhráb hath launched
His ship, a host hath gathered unto him.
Although his mouth still savoureth of milk
His mind is set on shaft and scimitar;
His sword will purge the earth, and now he seeketh
To fight Káús. He feareth none. Why more?
His prowess hath shown higher than his birth.”

Now when Afrásiyáb had heard these words
They pleasured him, he laughed and showed his joy.
Then from the valiant captains of the host—
Those that were wielders of the massive mace—
He chose two chiefs; Húmán was one, the other
Bármán; no laggards they when Lions strove.
He gave to them twelve thousand valiant troops,
And said: “Be this your secret policy:
The father must not recognise his son
By any ties of instinct, love, or race;
So, when the twain encounter, in good sooth
The matchless Rustam will be put to it.
It may be that this lion-man will slay him.
Then will we press Káús, seize on Írán,
With Rustam gone, and settle with Suhráb
Some night by binding him in endless sleep;
While should he perish by his father's hand
That hero's heart will never cease to burn.”
Those two shrewd paladins went to Suhráb,
Preceded by a present from the king—
Ten steeds caparisoned, ten mules of burden,
A turquoise throne with ivory steps, a crown
Of amber tipped with pearls—and took a letter
Of adulation to the noble youth:—
“If thou shalt seize the Íránian throne the age
Will rest from strife. We are not far apart;
Írán, Túrán, and Samangán are one.
I send thee troops enough, sit on the throne
And don the crown. Túrán hath no such leaders
And brave hearts as Húmán and as Bármán,
Whom I dispatch to thee as guests, to be
At thy command, to fight, if thou wouldst fight,
And make the world strait to thine enemies.”
Now when Suhráb was ware of their approach
He girt his loins and with his grandsire went
Like wind to meet Húmán, rejoiced to see
Such troops. Húmán for his part was amazed
To see the neck and shoulders of Suhráb,
Then gave to him the letter of the king,
The gifts, the horses, and the mules of burden,
And with Bármán delivered the king's message,
Now when the atheling had read the letter
He beat the ?? and led forth the host,
Earth was all troops and clamour, neither lion
Nor crocodile could fight him. Thus he led
The host toward Írán, burned everywhere
The cultivated parts, and left all bare.