And took his horseman's cloak, and left I came among the Tartars and bore arms, his tent, I have still served Afrasiab well, and shown, And went abroad into the cold wet fog, 10 Through the dim camp to Peran-Wisa's With a clay fort; but that was fallen, and To meet me, man to man: if I prevail, now The Tartars built there Peran-Wisa's tent, A dome of laths, and o'er it felts were spread. And Sohrab came there, and went in, Where host meets host, and many names and stood are sunk; And when 'tis truce, then in Afrasiab's From their black tents, long files of horse, towns. they streamed: To counsel: Gudurz and Zoarrah came, And Feraburz, who ruled the Persian host Second, and was the uncle of the King; These came and counselled, and then Gudurz said: "Ferood, shame bids us take their challenge up. 175 Yet champion have we none to match this youth. He has the wild stag's foot, the lion's heart. But Rustum came last night; aloof he sits And sullen, and has pitched his tents apart. Him will I seek, and carry to his ear 180 The Tartar challenge, and this young man's name. Haply he will forget his wrath, and fight. Stand forth the while, and take their challenge up." So spake he; and Ferood stood forth and cried: "Old man, be it agreed as thou hast said! 185 Let Sohrab arm, and we will find a man." He spake; and Peran-Wisa turned, and strode Back through the opening squadrons to his tent. But through the anxious Persians Gudurz And played with it; but Gudurz came and stood Before him; and he looked, and saw him stand, And with a cry sprang up, and dropped the bird, And greeted Gudurz with both hands, and said: "Welcome! these eyes could see no better sight. 205 What news? but sit down first, and eat and drink." And I to tarry with the snow-haired Zal, My father, whom the robber Afghans vex, And clip his borders short, and drive his herds, And he has none to guard his weak old age. 235 There would I go, and hang my armor up, And with my great name fence that weak old man, And spend the goodly treasures I have got, And rest my age, and hear of Sohrab's fame, But Gudurz stood in the tent-door, and And leave to death the hosts of thankless said: kings, 240 |