How Rustam and Suhráb returned to Camp

They parted and the air's face gloomed. SuhrábAmazed the circling sphere. Thou wouldst have said:—"Heaven fashioned him of war; he ceaseth notA moment from the fray; his form is brazen,His charger iron, and his spirit wondrous."

Suhráb when night fell joined his troops. His loinsWere galled with battle but his breast was iron.Thus spake he to Húmán: "This day the sunArose and filled the world with war and strife.How fared ye with this gallant cavalierWho hath a hero's heart and lion's claws?What did he say and do? He proved my match!How fared my troops with him? I hold him peerless,Though old a Lion bent on war and strife."

Húmán replied: "Thou bad'st us tarry here.Just as we had made ready for the fieldA warrior came and challenged us to combat,Confronting all this mighty armament.Thou wouldst have said: 'He cometh fresh from wineTo venture all alone on such a struggle.'He raised the dust of war on every sideAnd slaughtered many warriors of our camp,Then turning round departed at full speed."

Suhráb said: "He hath slain no man of markWhile I have slaughtered many Íránians,And puddled with their blood the ground to clay,While ye looked on. However, none opposed me;'Twas well none did, for had a lion comeHe would not have escaped my massive mace.What is a tiger, pard, or mighty lionConfronting me who with my spearpoint bringFire from the clouds? When warriors beholdMy visage in its wrath their mail is shivered.To-morrow morning ere it is high dayIt will be seen which is the better man,And by the Maker's name—the only God—I will not leave a foe alive. Now spread weThe board with meat and wine, and cheer our hearts."

When Rustam reached the host he questioned Gív:—"What did Suhráb the daring warrior?"

Gív answered: "We ne'er saw one fight like him.He rode up to our centre spear in hand,And raging; there he challenged Tús, who wolf-likeCame forth and mounted. When Suhráb beheld himAdvancing with his lance he roared as 'twereA lion in its rage, and with bent maceStruck Tús upon the breast a mighty blowThat made his helm fall off. Tús turned and fled.Then many others fought but none prevailed,For only Rustam can contend with him.I kept the good old rule of one to one.When no more single challengers went forthWe let him have the field all to himself,Whereat he left the centre for the rightAnd flourished in his glory here and there."

Now Rustam sorrowed at the words of GívAnd went to Sháh Káús, who seated himUpon the throne. Then Rustam told the SháhAbout Suhráb, his stature, and his mien:—"None ever saw one of his tender yearsSo brave and lion-like. In height he reachethThe stars; the earth can not support his bulk;His arms and thighs are camel-like and larger.With sword and shaft, with lasso and with mace,We proved each other lustily in all waysUntil at last I said: 'Ere now have IPlucked from the saddle many a warrior,'And laying hold upon his leathern beltI put the buckle to a mighty strain,And fancied: 'I shall raise him from his saddleAnd hurl him like the rest to dust.' But thoughThe mountain-tops were rocking in the blastThat chieftain would not rock upon his seat,And so I quitted him, for it was late,The night was very dark, there was no moon;But we intend to meet again to-morrowTo wrestle. All I can I will, but know notWhich will prevail. Still we shall learn God's purpose,For victory and conquest are from HimWho is the Maker of the sun and moon."

Then Kai Káús replied: "God rend our foesIn pieces! I will pray to Him to-nightFor victory o'er this vile, malignant Turkman,Pray that thy withered hopes may spring afresh,And that thy fame may reach the sun."

Then Rustam:—"Thy Grace will speed thy liege's whole desire."

He went depressed and vengeful to his camp.To him Zawára came with downcast soul,And said: "How fared the paladin to-day?"But Rustam first would eat, then washed his heartOf care and charged his brother, saying thus:—"Be vigilant and cautious. When I goAt dawn to fight that Turkman warriorLead out mine army and bring forth my flag,My throne, and golden boots, and be beforeMy tent when bright Sol riseth. If I proveVictorious in the fight I shall not loiterUpon the battlefield, while if the matterHave other ending make no lamentationAnd be not downcast. Let not any of youGo on the field or prosecute the war,But go hence to Zábulistán to Zál,Console my mother for my God-sent fate,And say to her: 'Set not thy heart upon me,And be not always mourning for my death.No one abideth in this world for ever,Heaven had no pretext left to spare me longer.I have slain lions, pards, dívs, crocodilesEnough, and razed full many a wall and stronghold,While no man had the upper hand of me,Though he that mounteth on his steed and chargethIs simply knocking at the door of death.What though a man outlive a thousand yearsOne road and one event are for us all.Bethink thee of Jamshid the exalted Sháh,And Tahmúras the Binder of the Dív.There was no monarch like them here below,And yet at last God took them. As the earthRemained not theirs I too must pass away.'When she hath been consoled thus say to Zál:—'Abandon not the monarch of the world,Fight for him valiantly and do his bidding.We all, both young and old, are doomed to die;No one abideth in this world for ever.'"

They rested after half the night had goneIn talk about Suhráb and him alone.