WHEN Kai Kubád acceded to the throne,
And donned the jewelled crown, chiefs such as Zál,
Káran the warrior, Kishwád, Kharrád,
And valorous Barzín, flocked round and scattered
Gems over that new crown. They said: “O Sháh
Prepare to fight the Turkmans.”

Hearing this

He went, reviewed his host, and on the morrow
Marched forth while shouts rose from his tent-enclosure.
Then Rustam armed and like an angry elephant
Sent up the dust, the troops arrayed their ranks,
And girt their loins for bloodshed. On one wing
Mihráb the master of Kábul was stationed,
Upon the other doughty Gustaham.
Káran the warrior was in the centre
With bold Kishwád the shatterer of hosts,

While Rustam led the van with chiefs and heroes,
And Zál and Kai Kubád as their supports.
Here there was fire, there storm, while Káwa's standard
Amid the van made earth red, violet,
And yellow, and the seated world was like
A wave-tossed barque upon the sea of Chín.
The deserts and the dales were carpeted
By shields on shields, the falchions gleamed like lamps,
And all the world became a sea of pitch
Whereon a hundred thousand tapers burned.
Thou wouldst have said: “The sun hath lost its
way
Frayed by the trumpets' blare and warriors' shouts!”
The hosts encountered, none knew van from rear.
Káran o'erthrew ten warriors at each charge;
Now wheeling to the left, now to the right,
And seeking to wreak vengeance on all sides,
He made earth mountain-like with slain, astounding
The bravest Turkmans. Seeing Shamásás,
Who raised the war-??ry lion-like, he charged,
Unsheathed his sword, smote his foe's head, and
shouted:—
“The fan ed Káran am I,” while Shamásás
Sank to the ground and perished in a breath.
The manner of this ancient sky is so,
At whiles like arrow and at whiles like bow!