
Pilsam Holds Off Four Champions
From B7.3, Pilsam Battles the Iranians and Alkus’ Battle. It illustrates B7.3.30–38:
- B7.3.30Then Giv beheld how dim the field had grown,And roared like thunder crashing over stone.
- B7.3.31He came, a lion raging in the fray,And forced a path through fighters in his way.
- B7.3.32He joined the others pressing hard as one,And four closed round that chief beneath the sun.
- B7.3.33Yet Pilsam did not yield nor once give ground,But met them headlong where they closed him round.
- B7.3.34Now sword, now heavy gorz, Pilsam struck on,Till strength from all four champions’ arms was gone.
- B7.3.35Then Piran saw his brother in distress,And rushed from center through the battle’s press.
- B7.3.36He came to aid him, shouting as he flew,Boiling and roaring, closer still he drew.
- B7.3.37He cried: “O Giv, no honor can be won;What fame is gained when four assail but one?
- B7.3.38What glory lies in four against one man,A lion-hearted champion in the van?”
In the picture
Woodcut panels, identity sheets and banners © 2026 New Naqqali LLC, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0: share and adapt them for non-commercial use, with credit to New Naqqali. Rights & permissions.
New Naqqali
