
Houman Scouts Rostam's Pavilion at Dawn
From B13.27, Iran and Turan Set Their Battle Lines. It illustrates B13.27.4–15 (to B13.27.16):
- B13.27.4Houman the chief went forth to scan each side,And thought what aid the Iranians might hide.
- B13.27.5“What force has come with tents across the plain,Pavilions, camp-walls, standards in its train?”
- B13.27.6He saw a turquoise tent of diba made,With many attendants round its brocade shade.
- B13.27.7Before it stood a chief’s bright flag and spear;He thought that Fortune now had shifted here.
- B13.27.8He saw another army’s camp nearby,Its moon-bright standards gleaming in the sky.
- B13.27.9There Fariborz, the son of Kavus, stayedNear Tus, with elephants and koust arrayed.
- B13.27.10Houman went troubled to Piran and said,“Today will bring us bitter toil and dread.
- B13.27.11The Iranian clamor through the night was high,And louder than before it struck the sky.
- B13.27.12So I rode out alone at break of day,And scanned the foe’s encampments in array.
- B13.27.13A mighty force from Iran has drawn near,To aid their army in the battle here.
- B13.27.14One green diba pavilion faced the field;A dragon-standard rose beside its shield.
- B13.27.15Around it Zabul shield-men formed in rings,With Kabul blades prepared for warlike things.
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