Now when Suhráb had gone old Gazhdaham
Called for a scribe to write to Kai Káús,
Then hurried off a speedy messenger
And, having praised the Sháh, reported thus:—
“A mighty host of valiant warriors
Attacketh us, led by a paladin,
Whose years do not exceed twice seven at most,
In stature taller than a lofty cypress,
And in his aspect like the shining sun.
His breast is lion-like, his mien is stately.
I have not looked on such a hand and mace

Within Írán. Whenas he brandisheth
His Indian scimitar it shameth him
To fight mere seas and mountains. Rattling thunder
Is no match for his voice, or for his arm
Our trenchant sword. No peer within Írán
Or in Túrán hath he. This chief is named
Suhráb, and feareth not dív, elephant,
Or lion; thou mayst say: ‘'Tis surely Rustam,
At least some hero sprung from Narímán!’
The brave Hajír rode out to challenge him,
But, as I saw, no longer kept his seat
Than while a warrior might wink an ??ye,
Or seent go up a nostril to the brain.
Suhráb unhorsed him to his great amazement.
He is not hurt, and they have spared his life,
But he is sorry and hath got his skinful
Of anguish. Many Turkman cavaliers
Have I beheld, but never heard of one
With such a seat. God grant he grapple not
With one of us between the battle-lines;
I would have none, e'en though a Mount of flint,
Meet him upon the plain. The earth would pity
That Mount if he should charge it in the fight,
And if the Sháh shall stop to breathe, march forth
No host, and set no ambuscade, consider
The Glory of Írán as gone, the world
As panic-stricken by this warrior's sword-point,
Since he is Strength itself he will despoil us,
And none can grapple with him hand to hand,
Or ever saw so skilled a rider. ‘He,’
Thou wouldest say, ‘is Sám the cavalier.’
We cannot fight this eager warrior
With such a mace grip, and dexterity.
Know that the fortune of our warriors noddeth,
And that his greatness reacheth to the sky.
To-night we pack the baggage and withdraw,
For if we tarry we shall make no fight,
To say no more; these walls will not withstand
One at whose rush a lion turneth laggard.”
The letter sealed he called a messenger,
And said: “Be out of sight of them by dawn,”
And having sent the letter on its way
Prepared to follow it without delay.