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Afrasiab Drives Garsivaz from His Door

Afrasiab Drives Garsivaz from His Door

From B9.18, Kavus Replies to Siavash. It illustrates B9.18.21–32 (to B9.18.33):

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

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