
Rostam's Gorz Crushes Kafur
From B14.20, Rostam Fights Kafur the Maneater. It illustrates B14.20.34–43:
- B14.20.34Bijan, the son of Giv, flew like a gale,And told the matchless chief the battle’s tale.
- B14.20.35Rostam bore down upon his stirrups then;No high or low was marked by all his men.
- B14.20.36He reached the field as if a windstorm roaredDown from black hills where storm and darkness poured.
- B14.20.37He cried to Kafur, “Dog devoid of worth,I end your war and trouble on this earth.”
- B14.20.38Kafur came rushing, fierce in his pursuit,Against the royal tree that bore such fruit.
- B14.20.39He hurled his sword as if he loosed a dart,At Rostam, who made lions quail at heart.
- B14.20.40But Rostam caught it cleanly on his shield;Kafur stood balked upon the battlefield.
- B14.20.41Kafur next flung his kamand, casting loose;Then Rostam mocked the throw as of no use.
- B14.20.42Then Rostam’s gorz descended like a stone,And crushed through helm and head and neck and bone.
- B14.20.43His brains streamed from his nostrils in a flood;Kafur fell dead and darkened earth with blood.
In the picture
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