Page:Persian Literature (1900), vol. 1.djvu/211

 of so much valor. Perceiving the wearied state of the two warriors he pushed forward Rakush, and called aloud to Pílsam:--"Am I not the person challenged?" and immediately the Túránian chief proceeded to encounter him, striking with all his might at the head of the champion; but though the sword was broken by the blow, not a hair of his head was disordered.

Then Rustem urging on his gallant steed, Fixed his long javelin in the girdle band Of his ambitious foe, and quick unhorsed him; Then dragged him on towards Afrásiyáb, And, scoffing, cast him at the despot's feet. "Here comes the glorious conqueror," he said; "Now give to him thy daughter and thy treasure, Thy kingdom and thy soldiers; has he not  Done honour to thy country?--Is he not  A jewel in thy crown of sovereignty?  What arrogance inspired the fruitless hope!  Think of thy treachery to Saiáwush;  Thy savage cruelty, and never look  For aught but deadly hatred from mankind;  And in the field of fight defeat and ruin." Thus scornfully he spoke, and not a man, Though in the presence of Afrásiyáb, Had soul to meet him; fear o'ercame them all Monarch and warriors, for a time. At length Shame was awakened, and the king appeared In arms against the champion. Fiercely they Hurled their sharp javelins--Rustem's struck the head Of his opponent's horse, which floundering fell, And overturned his rider. Anxious then The champion sprang to seize the royal prize; But Húmán rushed between, and saved his master, Who vaulted on another horse and fled.

Having thus rescued Afrásiyáb, the wary chief exercised all his cunning and adroitness to escape himself, and at last succeeded. Rustem pursued him, and the Túránian troops, who had followed the example of the king; but though thousands were slain in the chase which continued for many farsangs, no further advantage was obtained on that day. Next morning, however, Rustem resumed his pursuit; and the enemy hearing of his approach, retreated into Chinese Tartary, to secure, among other advantages, the person of Kai-khosráu; leaving the kingdom of Túrán at the mercy of the invader, who mounted the throne, and ruled there, it is said, about