
Father and Son Clash with Gorz
From B8.18, Rostam and Sohrab Meet in Combat. It illustrates B8.18.2–11:
- B8.18.2They chose a narrow field, hard-packed and tight,And drove short spears together in the fight.
- B8.18.3Their points were shattered and their shafts were shorn,Then both turned reins to left as shafts were torn.
- B8.18.4Then wheeling round, with Indian blades they closed,And sparks like lightning from their weapons rose.
- B8.18.5Their blades rang out like thunder, stroke on stroke,As if the Day of Doom upon them broke.
- B8.18.6Then each took up the gorz with crushing might,And bent the iron in the press of fight.
- B8.18.7Their horses’ bargostvans all fell and tore,While jowshans ripped beneath the blows they bore.
- B8.18.8Their chargers reeled beneath the iron hail,The riders strained, their battered jowshans frail.
- B8.18.9Their jowshans rent, their strength turned into pain;Both hands and arms grew weak beneath the strain.
- B8.18.10With sweat-drenched limbs and mouths all choked with dust,Their tongues cracked dry beneath the battle’s thrust.
- B8.18.11At length they parted, wearied to the bone,The father in grief, his son with courage flown.
In the picture
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