He said moreover: “Thou shalt see my prowess,
But I must have a charger swift of foot
With hoofs of steel flint-shattering, in strength

Like elephants, in flight like birds, in water
Like fish, and on the land like deer, to bear
My warrior-breast and neck, mine ax and mace:
I must be mounted to encounter foes.”
His mother's head rose o'er the shining sun
At hearing this. She bade the herdsman bring
His herds of horses for Suhráb to choose
A charger. So they gathered to the city
The herds that wandered over hill and desert,
And when some large-limbed, lusty steed appeared
Suhráb flung round its neck the leathern noose,
Then laid his hand upon the beast to prove it
And made it grovel. Thus his might broke down
Full many a noble steed; he could not find
One adequate, and grieved. At length a warrior
Approached the elephantine youth and said:—
“I have a colt—one of the breed of Rakhsh—
In strength a lion and as fleet as wind.
He is as 'twere a valley-treading mountain
And skimmeth like a bird along the waste.
In strength and swiftness he is like the sun:
None ever saw so fleet a roan. Beneath
The stamping of his hoofs the Bull-fish*

quaketh;
His leap is like the lightning; on the mountains
He goeth like the raven; on the water
Like fish and water-fowl; upon the desert
Like shaft from bow, pursuing and o'ertaking
The enemy.”

Suhráb laughed out for joy,

And when they brought to him that glossy charger

Both proved it and approved it, coaxed, caressed,
Then saddled it, and mounted. He appeared
Like Mount Bístún; his spear was pillar-like,
He said: “Since I have gotten such a steed
I must ride forth at once and turn the day
Of Kai Káús to gloom.”

He made him ready

To fight the Íránians, and a host assembled.
He then approached his grandsire, asking leave
To go, and help in going: “I am fain
To seek Írán and see my glorious sire.”
Thereat the king provided him with arms
Of every kind, thrones, diadems, and casques,
Steeds, camels, belts, gold, gems, and Rúman jerkins.
He marvelled at that youth of tender age
And freely gave a royal equipage.