Page:William Muir, Thomas Hunter Weir - The Caliphate; Its Rise, Decline, and Fall (1915).djvu/203

 174 plains below; and Chaldæa, even Al-Kūfa and Al-Baṣra, might be wrested from them. As on previous occasions of imminent danger, ʿOmar declared his resolve to march in person. Encamped midway between these two Cities, his presence would restore confidence; and while able from thence to direct the movements in front, his reserve would be a defence to them in the rear. But the old arguments again prevailed, and ʿOmar was persuaded to remain behind. An-Noʿmān was summoned from the campaign in Khūzistān to take the chief command. Leaving strong garrisons behind, troops were pushed forward in two columns from Al-Baṣra and Al-Kūfa. The army at Sūs, besides furnishing a contingent for the main advance, renewed its attack upon Iṣṭakhr (Persepolis), and so prevented the forces in that quarter from joining the royal standard.

Arrived at Ḥolwān, An-Noʿmān sent forward spies, who reported the enemy pitched in great force on the plain bounded by the lofty peaks of Elvand, or Arvand, to the south-west of Hamadān, but the road thus far clear. So they marched forward, and were soon face to face with the Persians on the memorable field of Nihāvend. The Muslims were 30,000 strong, one-fifth only of the enemy; weak in numbers, but strong in faith, and nerved by the presence of veterans and heroes of former fields. After two days' skirmishing, the Persians retired behind their line of fortification, from whence they were able at pleasure to issue and molest their adversaries. The Muslims at last, wearied by delay, resolved by artifice to draw them out. At Ṭoleiḥa's instance. they fell back, and on the. Persians following, wheeled round and cut them off from their return. A fierce engagement followed, and in it An-Noʿmān was slain. But the Arabs achieved at last their wonted success. Of the enemy 30,000 were left on the field; the rest fled to an adjoining hill, and there 80,000 more were slain. Of the great army but shreds effected their escape. The fate of Fīruzān gave rise to a pious proverb. He fled towards Hamadān, but finding the mountain pass choked by a caravan of honey, and losing his way, was overtaken thus and slain. Hence the saying—"Part of the Lord’s host is the honey-bee." Hamadān fell into the hands of the victorious army; and the royal treasure and jewels, deposited for safety