
Bijan and Gostaham Break the Ring
From B13.14, The Iranians Make a Night-Attack, Tus, Giv, Rohham Are Surrounded but Are Saved. It illustrates B13.14.49–60:
- B13.14.49“Iran will perish!” Then rose the koust’s sound,With gopal blows from Iran’s waiting ground.
- B13.14.50But Giv and Tus returned not from the plain;Shidush and Gostaham cried out in pain.
- B13.14.51The lion Gostaham said: “Tus too longHas fought where gorz and sword strike fierce and strong.”
- B13.14.52Guraza said to brave Bijan: “Our chiefHas labored long in battle without relief.”
- B13.14.53Then from the plain the koust began to sound;Air darkened, earth grew ebony around.
- B13.14.54The warriors hastened toward Tus’s cry;Blood stained the field beneath the darkening sky.
- B13.14.55They came behind the foe with their gorz raised,And struck with heavy blows as fury blazed.
- B13.14.56Tus knew that help had reached the deadly field,And roared like koust above the sword and shield.
- B13.14.57His rein grew light; the stirrup heavy lay,His fallen fortune rose from low that day.
- B13.14.58Rohham and Giv, who heard Bijan’s brave voice,Became like lions and made hearts rejoice.
- B13.14.59Thus fought they on until the night had fled,When light above the mountains rose and spread.
- B13.14.60Then they recalled their men and drew them back,Toward rocky heights along the mountain-track.
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