Page:Persian Literature (1900), vol. 1.djvu/119

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THE SHÁH NÁMEH

85

Then Rustem valiantly urged Rakush towards the Túránian army, and called out aloud. As soon as Afrásiyáb beheld him, he inquired who he could be, and he was told, “This is Rustem, the son of Zál. Seest thou not in his hand the battle-axe of Sám? The youth has come in search of renown.” When the combatants closed, they struggled for some time together, and at length Rustem seized the girdle-belt of his antagonist, and threw him from his saddle. He wished to drag the captive as a trophy to Kai-kobád, that his first great victory might be remembered, but unfortunately the belt gave way, and Afrásiyáb fell on the ground. Immediately the fallen chief was surrounded and rescued by his own warriors, but not before Rustem had snatched off his crown, and carried it away with the broken girdle which was left in his hand. And now a general engagement took place. Rustem being reinforced by the advance of the king, with Zál and Mihráb at his side—

Both armies seemed so closely waging war,Thou wouldst have said, that they were mixed together.The earth shook with the tramping of the steeds,Rattled the drums; loud clamours from the troopsEchoed around, and from the iron graspOf warriors, many a life was spent in air.With his huge mace, cow-headed, Rustem dyedThe ground with crimson—and wherever seen,Urging impatiently his fiery horse,Heads severed fell like withered leaves in autumn.If, brandishing his sword, he struck the head,Horseman and steed were downward cleft in twain—And if his side-long blow was on the loins,The sword passed through, as easily as the bladeSlices a cucumber. The blood of heroesDeluged the plain. On that tremendous day,With sword and dagger, battle-axe and noose,^[1]He cut, and tore, and broke, and bound the brave,Slaying and making captive. At one swoopMore than a thousand fell by his own hand.

Zál beheld his son with amazement and delight. The Túránians left the fire-worshippers in possession of the field, and retreated towards the Jihún with precipitation, not a sound of drum or trumpet denoting their track. After halting three days

↑ Herodotus speaks of a people confederated with the army of Xerxes, who employed the noose. “Their principal dependence in action is upon cords made of twisted leather, which they use in this manner: when they engage an enemy, they throw out these cords, having a noose at the extremity; if they entangle in them either horse or man, they without difficulty put them to death.”—Beloe’s transl. Polymnia, Sec. 85.

[1] Herodotus speaks of a people confederated with the army of Xerxes, who employed the noose. “Their principal dependence in action is upon cords made of twisted leather, which they use in this manner: when they engage an enemy, they throw out these cords, having a noose at the extremity; if they entangle in them either horse or man, they without difficulty put them to death.”—Beloe’s transl. Polymnia, Sec. 85.

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