Now, when Hajír had left the presence, Khusrau

Took counsel with a scribe. The Sháh's great love
Toward his troops turned all his thoughts to war.
He said thus: “If Afrásiyáb bestir
Himself and cross the river he will drive
My troops back; my course is to go myself.”
Thereat he called to him the head of all
The scions of Naudar, commanded him
To lead a host to Dahistán forthwith,
To occupy the whole waste of Khárazm,
Watch o'er Ashkash upon the day of battle,
And enter into combat like a pard.
Then from the court of Tús the tymbals, trumpets,
And kettledrums resounded, chief and host
Marched forth, and earth was hidden by the horse-hoofs.
“The circling sun,” thou wouldst have said, “stood still,
Frayed by those cavaliers!” Tús marched two weeks,
And light departed from the sun and moon,
While news about the Sháh's own movements spread,
For, when Tús left, Khusrau prepared to march,
With five score thousand of the chosen chieftains,
Toward Gúdarz with elephants and drums,
The Grace and crown and throne of king of kings.
Hajír sped proudly on before Khusrau,
Glad, with a robe of honour, and in favour;
Thou wouldst have said: “He rolleth up the earth.”
As he approached the camp the clarions blared,
And all the golden-girdled chiefs went out
To welcome him. In presence of Gúdarz
He told of his reception by the Sháh,
What graciousness and interest were shown,
What magnanimity and statesmanship,
Spake of the Sháh's affection for his troops,
And how his face cleared when he heard the message.
Hajír then gave the letter of Khusrau,
With greetings from the nobles, to Gúdarz,
Who, hearing of the monarch's graciousness,
And having pressed to his own eyes and face
The letter, broke its seal and handed it
When open to a scribe to read to him.
The chieftain called down blessings on the Sháh,
And kissed the ground on hearing his commands,
Spent all the night consulting with his son,
And took his seat at dawn for audience.
Then all the men of name throughout the host
Came helmed before the throne, anon Hajír
Produced the letter of the glorious Sháh,
And gave it to a scribe who read it out.
Gúdarz brought into camp all steeds at grass,
And bade the quarter-masters do their office,
Allowing them the keys of all his hoard
Of mail, dínárs, gold casques, swords, crowns, and girdles;
For since the moment for revenge had come
He poured that wealth out on the host till horse
And foot were furnished; thus an army gathered
As 'twere a mountain; earth shook at the tramp
Of wind-foot steeds, the hearts of lions quaked
At troops so whelmed with iron, gold, and silver.
He bade them to prepare for strife and give
Their hearts and ears to compassing revenge.
They marched past their brave chief by companies—
A mountain-mass of men—while he reviewed them,
Saw earth obscured and heaven azure-dim,
And said thus: “From Jamshíd's days until now
None hath arrayed the like with steeds and arms,
Gold, silver, elephants of war, and Lions.
Hence with God's aidance will I ride to Chín.”
This said he called the noble and the wise
To entertain them at a drinking-bout
With harp and pipe, and with the men of might
Discussed the manner of the coming fight.