As soon as Kai Khusrau had passed the river
He banished banqueting, repose, and sleep,
And, when he had transported all his troops
Across, he sent this proclamation forth:—
“Let no man be in terror at our coming,
But offer prayer for us to holy God.”
He gave great largess to the mendicants,
Especially to those who welcomed him.

He thence departed to the march of Sughd,
And saw a novel world—the home of owls.
Upon that country too he lavished treasure
In eagerness for its prosperity,
And, whereso'er he halted, cavaliers
Came seeking quarter. Tidings reached Khusrau
About the doings of Afrásiyáb
And of his army: “Kákula is with him
With reinforcements like huge lions loose.
He is by race from Túr, revengeful, injured,
And seeketh all occasions for a fight.
Afrásiyáb hath sent some troops to Chách,
For he would seek the Íránian throne and crown,
And many with Tawurg toward the desert,
Where all are hostile to the Sháh, to hold
The road against the Íránians.”

Kai Khusrau

Was not perturbed, for wisdom ruled his thoughts.
The troops from Barda' and from Ardabíl
He ordered to approach by companies,
To march before him, and return the number
Of leaders, frontier-chiefs, and archimages.
They marched; their general was Gustaham,
A man who never blenched where Lions fought.
Khusrau next bade the army of Nímrúz
To march with Rustam, burner up of chiefs,
On fiery camels and to lead their chargers;
Then, changing from their camels to their steeds,
To make a joint and sudden night-attack
Upon the foe. So both these crown-adorners
Marched forth, one to the desert, one toward Chách.
The Sháh continued for a month in Sughd—
A district well affected to himself—
Gave to his troops their pay and rested them,
And sought occasion both for fight and fame.
He gathered all the warriors skilled in leaguers
To aid him and dismayed the evil-doers.

Thence proudly, girdle-girt, and dight for battle
He led a host from Sughd and from Kashán;
The world was lost in wonderment at him,
And tidings reached the Turkmans: “Kai Khusrau,
The aspiring Sháh, hath come in quest of vengeance.”
Then all of them took refuge in their holds;
The world was full of bruit and turbulence.
Anon the Sháh harangued his host and said:—
“In that our task is different to-day,
As for the Turkmans who submit themselves,
And in their hearts repent of making war,
Fight not against them, and shed not their blood.
Lead none the way to evil, but if any,
Whose vengeful heart remaineth recusant,
Shall seek to strive against you with a host,
Then bloodshed, harrying, and combating
In any quarter are permitted you.”
A shout rose from the army of Írán,
And all obeyed the orders of the Sháh;
The warriors went up against the holds,
Against all holds held by ambitious chiefs,
And razed the walls. No dwelling-place was left,
No slaves or cattle, nothing good or bad.
He traversed in this way a hundred leagues,
Depopulating stronghold, hill, and plain.
He marched to the Gulzaryún, explored
The land with guides, and saw a world like gardens
In spring, the dales, wastes, hills, and earth all fair,
The mountains stocked with game, the plains with
trees—
A world for favoured folk. He sent out scouts
And spies to learn whate'er was left to know.
They pitched the youthful monarch's camp-enclosure
Beside a stream. The worldlord took his seat
Upon the golden throne with his famed lieges,
And held at night a feast till day. The dead
Rose from the dust!

Upon the other side

Afrásiyáb at Gang, by day and night,
Spake with his wise, experienced, prescient nobles,
And said: “Now that the fee hath reached our couch
How is it possible to rest at Gang?”
They answered: “Since the enemy is nigh
We see no course except another battle:
It is not well to yield with such a host.”
With this they left the presence, and all night
Prepared their forces for the coming fight.