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Afrasiab Surveys Khosrow's Array

Afrasiab Surveys Khosrow's Array

From C4.26, Afrasiab Returns with the Faghfoor of Chin. It illustrates C4.26.27–34:

  • C4.26.27
    Upon the eighth day scouts returned and toldThe enemy was near, with banners bold.
  • C4.26.28
    He set his army then in such arrayThat sun and moon looked on at their display.
  • C4.26.29
    Afrasiab saw it, and, swift to heed,Arrayed his own to answer Khosrow’s deed.
  • C4.26.30
    He told his chiefs: “This sight delights my soul;Like feast and pleasure, battle makes me whole.
  • C4.26.31
    Upon my throne I slept in happy rest;Without a fight, impatience filled my breast.
  • C4.26.32
    Long have I wandered, fugitive and worn;My head and heart for war are now reborn.
  • C4.26.33
    Is this Khosrow’s good fortune drawing near,Or does a new age in my life start here?
  • C4.26.34
    Yet I myself shall fight him on this ground,Though triumph, death, or sorrow may be found.”

In the picture

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