A clang of trump and kettledrum arose
As Tús, the illustrious captain of the host,
Arrived, and troops assembled at the court.
The Sháh unlocked his treasures and dínárs,
He sent the keys of all his magazines
Of arms, of armour, and of stuffs uncut
To Siyáwush, and said: “My house and goods
Are thine, equip thee as thou thinkest best.”
Then from his famous cavaliers Káús
Chose him twelve thousand gallant warriors,
While from the neighbourhood of Kúch and Párs,
Balúch and from the desert of Sarúch
And warriors of Gílán, he chose for war
Twelve thousand infantry and buckler-men.
All that were hero-born throughout Írán,
The gallant, wise, and noble, all who had
The stature and the years of Siyáwush,
With courage, vigilance, and self-command,
Some also of the mighty men of name—
Bahrám and Zanga son of Sháwarán,—
And five archmages of the Íránians
To bear the flag of Káwa to the field,
These he commanded to go forth together
Beyond the borders to the desert-plain:
Thou wouldst have said: “There is no room still left
On earth for horses' hoofs to stand upon.”
The flag of Káwa lifted to the sky
Shone like a moon amid the troops. Káús
Went with them past the frontier, while the dust
Raised by the host rolled swiftly. He reviewed
The warriors with their bridal bravery
Of elephants of war and tymbal-din;
The noble monarch blessed the host and said:—
“O men of name whose steps are glorious!
Good fortune be your sole companion:
May darkness fall upon your foemen's sight.
Be it yours to go with health and favouring stars,
And come back triumphing and glad.”

The prince

Then set the drums upon the elephants,
Bestrode his steed, and bade his warriors mount,
While Sháh Káús with tearful eyes went forward
One day's march with him. Then the twain embraced,
Both of them weeping like a cloud in spring.
They poured down tears of blood and cried aloud
In their distress, for as they went along
Their hearts gave witness to them that thenceforth
They should not look upon each other more.
Thus fortune ever changeth, and our gain
Therefrom is sometimes balm and sometimes bane.
Káús turned toward his throne, and Siyáwush
Marched with his warlike army from Írán
Toward Zábulistán to visit Zál
With Rustam of the elephantine form;
And there with Zál, the favourite of fortune,
He spent some time with wine and minstrelsy.
At whiles he drank with Rustam and at whiles
Consorted with Zawára, sat rejoicing
Upon the throne of Zál or drew the reed-beds.
A month so passed. Then leaving Zál he marched
With Rustam as his paladin, and warriors
Drawn from Zábul, Kábul, and Hind. Moreover
He summoned famous chiefs from every quarter
Until he reached the desert of Harát.
These furnished footmen not a few. He made
Their leader Zanga son of Sháwarán,
And marched toward Tálikán and the Marvrúd.
Thou wouldst have said: “The heaven greeteth him.”
Anon he came to Balkh, and injured none
E'en by a bitter word.*

On the other side

Bármán and Garsíwaz led on their power
As 'twere a tempest. Sipahram commanded
The rear, Bármán the van. To them there came
News of the youthful chief: “A mighty host—
Famed warriors all—hath issued from Irán.”

The captain of the host despatched by night
A messenger to tell Afrásiyáb:—
“A great and gallant host hath come. Its head
Is Siyáwush, and there are other princes.
The marshaller is elephantine Rustam,
Whose hands bear one a sword and one a shroud.
If now the monarch so commandeth me,
I will array the host and offer battle;
But do thou gather troops and tarry not,
Because the wind is blowing up the flames.”
The bearer of the tidings and his guide,
As they were bidden, urged their dromedaries
Like fire, while Siyáwush made no delay
And marched his army on like wind to Balkh.
The Íránian host drew near; it was not well
To wait an answer from Afrásiyáb,
And Garsiwáz the warrior looking round
Perceived no course except to offer battle.
So when the army of Írán came up
The fight began about the gates of Balkh,
Where in three days were two great battles fought.
The fourth day Siyáwush, the army's Lustre,
Sent infantry against each several gate;
The mighty army entered into Balkh,
While Sipahram fled o'er the stream, and then
Toward Afrásiyáb with all his men.