Page:Persian Literature (1900), vol. 1.djvu/107

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THE SHÁH NÁMEH
73
And, in despair, decline the coming battle.”But what was the reply of brave Kobád?“Brother, this body, this frail tenement,Belongs to death. No living man has everGone up to Heaven—for all are doomed to die.—Some by the sword, the dagger, or the spear,And some, devoured by roaring beasts of prey;Some peacefully upon their beds, and othersSnatched suddenly from life, endure the lotOrdained by the Creator. If I perish,Does not my brother live, my noble brother,To bury me beneath a warrior’s tomb,And bless my memory?”

Saying this, he rushed forward, and the two warriors met in desperate conflict. The struggle lasted all day; at last Bármán threw a stone at his antagonist with such force, that Kobád in receiving the blow fell lifeless from his horse. When Kárun saw that his brother was slain, he brought forward his whole army to be revenged for the death of Kobád. Afrásiyáb himself advanced to the charge, and the encounter was dreadful. The soldiers who fell among the Túránians could not be numbered, but the Persians lost fifty thousand men.

Loud neighed the steeds, and their resounding hoofs,Shook the deep caverns of the earth; the dustRose up in clouds and hid the azure heavens—Bright beamed the swords, and in that carnage wide,Blood flowed like water. Night alone dividedThe hostile armies.

When the battle ceased Kárun fell back upon Dehstán, and communicated his misfortune to Nauder, who lamented the loss of Kobád, even more than that of Sám. In the morning Kárun again took the field against Afrásiyáb, and the conflict was again terrible. Nauder boldly opposed himself to the enemy, and singling out Afrásiyáb, the two heroes fought with great bravery till night again put an end to the engagement. The Persian army had suffered most, and Nauder retired to his tent disappointed, fatigued, and sorrowful. He then called to mind the words of Minúchihr, and called for his two sons, Tús and Gustahem. With melancholy forebodings he directed them to return to Irán, with his shubistan, or domestic establishment, and take refuge on the mountain Alberz, in

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