Now when Bahrám Chúbína was aware
That all the troops were well disposed to him
His host lit watch-fires and set lights ablaze
In every quarter. Then that Lion chose
A valiant band fit to subdue the world,
Six thousand Sabres as the leaders reckoned.
Bahrám Chúbína told them: “When the drum
Shall beat at cock-crow raise the battle-cry,
Attack and crown the nobles' heads with blood.”
Led by the three proud Turks the troops sped forth
At his command and full of spite and vengeance
Fell on the army of the king. Arose
A din of mace and sword and battle-ax,
The earth was iron and the clouds were dust.
The troops all asked: “Where is Khusrau Parwíz?
The day and victory to-day are ours.”
Khusrau Parwíz was on the hill in anguish,
His eyes were full of blood, his cheeks the hue
Of lapis-lazuli, and, till the shafts
Of dawn shot up, the clashing of the hosts
Confounded him, but when the dark night's skirt
Had vanished, and he saw the battlefield
All killed and wounded, to his chiefs he said:—
“Help and put forth your powers against the foe,
For God, the Victor, is mine aid and prop,
And now my work is blows and scimitar.”
He charged amain at those three Turks. Turks? Nay,
Three fierce and savage wolves. One closed with him,
Unsheathed his glittering glaive and sought to strike
The king upon the head; the royal rider

Put up his shield to save it, thrust beneath
The guard, and laid his foeman low. “Famed fighters!
Slack not the struggle now,” he cried, but still
His troops all turned away, abandoning
That world-aspirant shamefully who then
Said to Bandwí and Gustaham: “Hereof
I augur ill. I have no child grown up,
Or other kindred, fitted for the crown,
And if I should be slain in fight the world
Would have no king.”

Bandwí made answer thus:—

“O noble prince! may this world yearn in love
For thee. Thy troops are gone, abide not thou,
For none is left to aid thee.”

To Gurdwí

Then said the king: “Haste with Tukhár and take
The tent-enclosure, treasure, and brocade,
Crown, captives, purses, and the ivory throne,
All that thou canst, and take a thousand horse
Of those still left.”

The nobles toiled to load,

And carry off, this treasure. Then appeared
A dragon-flag; the world turned violet.
Behind the flag rode brave Bahrám Chúbína,
Who robbed the world of lustre in the fray.
He and Khusrau Parwíz encountered, both
Redoubted warriors and savage lions.
Like elephants of war they raged and smote
Each other on the head. All lion-like
Bahrám Chúbína wheeled, his weapons failed
Against the foe, and thus till set of sun
The conflict passed all bounds. Then came Tukhár
To tell Khusrau Parwíz that he had drawn
The treasure and the baggage to the bridge,
Whereat the monarch said to Gustaham:—
“We have not any helpers in the fight;
We are but ten; this is a mighty host,
And led on by a valiant paladin.
Although we have the Grace upon our side
We lack for friends, so flee we. Timely flight
Is better than affray. I may not tarry,
For I am all alone.”

The unpractised youth

Fared till he reached the bridge of Nahrawán,
Pursued all hotly by Bahrám Chúbína,
His head all vengeance and his heart all strife.
Khusrau Parwíz, when he perceived this, stopped
Upon the bridge and summoned to his presence
The veteran Gustaham. “Bring me my bow,”
He said; “'tis mine interpreter in war.”
The treasurer, who was Gustaham himself,

Produced the bow.* The valiant chieftain took it,
And robbed the air of lustre with his shafts,
Showered them like hail and pegged with each a helm
And head together. Then Bahrám Chúbína,
That Lion, charged with lasso in his hand
And Dragon under him. With lasso only
He passed behind Khusrau Parwíz who saw,
Rejoiced, strung up his bow and with a shaft
Struck on the breast Bahrám Chúbína's horse;
Its task was done. That general afoot
Despairing took his buckler while Yalán-sína
Advanced like dust and charged. The atheling,
Who knew him valiant, aimed and hurt his steed.
Yalán-sína fled from the bridge afoot,
And with him fled the rest, both old and young.
Now when Bahrám Chúbína thus withdrew
Khusrau Parwíz, swift as a dust-cloud, broke
The bridge and went to Taisafún in dudgeon,
With pain at heart and eyes fulfilled with blood.
He barred the city-gates with iron bars,
Sat down amid a multitude of cares,
From every quarter called to him the Great,
And posted sentinels at every gate.