
Afrasiab Drives Garsivaz from His Door
From B9.18, Kavus Replies to Siavash. It illustrates B9.18.21–32 (to B9.18.33):
- B9.18.21Then Garsivaz, the lion-man, drew near,And poured out bitter words before his peer:
- B9.18.22“Prince Siavash has come to Balkh in might,And stands prepared with Iran’s men to fight.
- B9.18.23Rostam commands his army in the field,With countless famous warriors armed with shield.
- B9.18.24For every one of ours stand fifty bold;Their ox-head gorzes make the bravest cold.
- B9.18.25Their infantry sweep forward like a blaze,With arrows, quivers, heavy shields they raise.
- B9.18.26Not even eagles match the speed they show;No warrior lets his head to slumber go.
- B9.18.27Three days and nights we met them blow for blow,Till men and horses staggered, spent and slow.
- B9.18.28Whenever sleep came on, a man withdrew,And left the fighting while his weariness grew.
- B9.18.29He slept, then rose refreshed from his repose,And formed the battle line anew against his foes.”
- B9.18.30Afrasiab flared up like consuming fire:“Why speak so much of sleep, as though you tire?”
- B9.18.31His glare on Garsivaz grew dark and grim,As though one stroke would cleave the waist of him.
- B9.18.32No longer mastering the rage he bore,He shouted and drove Garsivaz from the door.
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