Page:Persian Literature (1900), vol. 1.djvu/172



The valiant Gíw was sentinel that night, And marking dimly by the dubious light, A warrior form approach, he claps his hands, With naked sword and lifted shield he stands, To front the foe; but Rustem now appears, And Gíw the secret tale astonished hears; From thence the Champion on the Monarch waits. The power and splendour of Sohráb relates: "Circled by Chiefs this glorious youth was seen, Of lofty stature and majestic mien;  No Tartar region gave the hero birth:  Some happier portion of the spacious earth;  Tall, as the graceful cypress he appears;  Like Sám, the brave, his warrior-front he rears!" Then having told how, while the banquet shone, Unhappy Zind had sunk, without a groan; He forms his conquering bands in close array, And, cheer'd by wine, awaits the coming day.

When now the Sun his golden buckler raised, And genial light through heaven diffusive blazed, Sohráb in mail his nervous limbs attired, For dreadful wrath his soul to vengeance fired; With anxious haste he bent the yielding cord, Ring within ring, more fateful than the sword; Around his brows a regal helm he bound; His dappled steed impatient stampt the ground. Thus armed, ascending where the eye could trace The hostile force, and mark each leader's place, He called Hujír, the captive Chief addressed, And anxious thus, his soul's desire expressed: "A prisoner thou, if freedom's voice can charm, And dungeon darkness fill thee with alarm,  That freedom merit, shun severest woe,  And truly answer what I ask to know!  If rigid truth thy ready speech attend,  Honours and wealth shall dignify my friend."

"Obedient to thy wish," Hujír replied, "Truth thou shalt hear, whatever chance betide; For what on earth to praise has better claim?  Falsehood but leads to sorrow and to shame!"

"Then say, what heroes lead the adverse host, Where they command, what dignities they boast;  Say, where does Káús hold his kingly state,  Where Tús, and Gúdarz, on his bidding wait;  Gíw, Gust'hem, and Báhrám--all known to thee,  And where is mighty Rustem, where is he?  Look round with care, their names and power display  Or instant death shall end thy vital day."

"Where yonder splendid tapestries extend, And o'er pavilions bright infolding bend,