Page:Persian Literature (1900), vol. 1.djvu/264

 overthrow eighteen of them at one time. Proud of the progress he had made, he told the king that he would seize and bind eighteen of his stoutest and most experienced teachers, and bring them before him, if he wished, when all the assembly exclaimed:--"No doubt he is fully equal to the task;

"He does not seem of human birth, but wears The aspect of the Evil One; and looks  Like Alberz mountain, clad in folds of mail;  Unwearied in the fight he conquers all."

Afrásiyáb's satisfaction was increased by this testimony to the merit of Barzú, and he heaped upon him further tokens of his good-will and munificence. The vain, newly-made warrior was all exultation and delight, and said impatiently:--

"Delays are ever dangerous--let us meet The foe betimes, this Rustem and the king,  Kai-khosráu. If we linger in a cause  Demanding instant action, prompt appliance,  And rapid execution, we are lost.  Advance, and I will soon lop off the heads  Of this belauded champion and his king,  And cast them, with the Persian crown and throne  Trophies of glory, at thy royal feet;  So that Túrán alone shall rule the world."

Speedily ten thousand experienced horsemen were selected and placed under the command of Barzú; and Húmán and Bármán were appointed to accompany him; Afrásiyáb himself intending to follow with the reserve.

When the intelligence of this new expedition reached the court of Kai-khosráu, he was astonished, and could not conceive how, after so signal a defeat and overthrow, Afrásiyáb had the means of collecting another army, and boldly invading his kingdom. To oppose this invasion, however, he ordered Tús and Fríburz, with twelve thousand horsemen, and marched after them himself with a large army. As soon as Tús fell in with the enemy the battle commenced, and lasted, with great carnage, a whole day and night, and in the end Barzú was victorious. The warriors of the Persian force fled, and left Tús and Fríburz alone on the field, where they were encountered by the conqueror, taken prisoners, and bound, and placed in the charge of Húmán. The tidings of the result of this conflict