
Houman Taunts the Iranians on Hamavan
From B13.12, The Turanians Besiege Hamavan. It illustrates B13.12.59–70 (to B13.12.71):
- B13.12.59The dust of Houman’s army veiled the day;The lookout cried: “Turan now comes this way!
- B13.12.60Up to the darkened clouds their dust was blown;A mighty army came, its strength now shown!”
- B13.12.61Tus donned his jowshan, ready for the fight;The horn and koust rang out with all their might.
- B13.12.62Iranian horsemen gathered rank on rank,Around the mountain’s foot and stony flank.
- B13.12.63Their swords and gorz and spears in every hand,Like lions round the bright Kaviani standard stand.
- B13.12.64Then Houman called to Tus and Gudarz: “YouWith koust and elephants came marching through.
- B13.12.65You came to raid Turan and win renown,But fled like hunted game when war bore down.
- B13.12.66Routed, exhausted, broken in the fight,Have you no sense of shame before this sight?
- B13.12.67Do food and rest and sleep await in stone?Can rock and mountain make such comforts known?
- B13.12.68Tomorrow when the sun crowns every height,I will make Hamavan a sea outright.
- B13.12.69I shall drag you from this mountain land,And bind your hands in coils of my kamand.
- B13.12.70I shall send you bound to Afrasiab’s side,Without food, rest, or sleep, your hands still tied.
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