
Sohrab Finds the Fortress Empty
From B8.11, Sohrab Takes the White Fortress. It illustrates B8.11.5–13:
- B8.11.5The gates stood open; Sohrab entered through,No battle-ready warrior met his view.
- B8.11.6His army entered, searching court and hall,But Gazhdaham was nowhere found at all.
- B8.11.7For in the night the fortress chiefs had fled,With Gazhdaham, who rode out at their head.
- B8.11.8A secret passage ran beneath the ground,Unknown to every foe encamped around.
- B8.11.9Both guilty men and those without a stainCame forth to Sohrab, hoping life to gain.
- B8.11.10Each sought some means by which his life might last,And begged for mercy till the danger passed.
- B8.11.11He searched the halls for Gordafarid’s face,But found no sign of her in any place.
- B8.11.12For love and bond had rooted in his heart,And from his thoughts her image would not part.
- B8.11.13“Alas,” he said, “the shining moon is gone;Beneath a cloud her radiant face withdrawn.”
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