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Father and Son Clash with Gorz

Father and Son Clash with Gorz

From B8.18, Rostam and Sohrab Meet in Combat. It illustrates B8.18.2–11:

  • B8.18.2
    They chose a narrow field, hard-packed and tight,And drove short spears together in the fight.
  • B8.18.3
    Their points were shattered and their shafts were shorn,Then both turned reins to left as shafts were torn.
  • B8.18.4
    Then wheeling round, with Indian blades they closed,And sparks like lightning from their weapons rose.
  • B8.18.5
    Their blades rang out like thunder, stroke on stroke,As if the Day of Doom upon them broke.
  • B8.18.6
    Then each took up the gorz with crushing might,And bent the iron in the press of fight.
  • B8.18.7
    Their horses’ bargostvans all fell and tore,While jowshans ripped beneath the blows they bore.
  • B8.18.8
    Their chargers reeled beneath the iron hail,The riders strained, their battered jowshans frail.
  • B8.18.9
    Their jowshans rent, their strength turned into pain;Both hands and arms grew weak beneath the strain.
  • B8.18.10
    With sweat-drenched limbs and mouths all choked with dust,Their tongues cracked dry beneath the battle’s thrust.
  • B8.18.11
    At length they parted, wearied to the bone,The father in grief, his son with courage flown.

In the picture

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