
Afrasiab Surveys Khosrow's Array
From C4.26, Afrasiab Returns with the Faghfoor of Chin. It illustrates C4.26.27–34:
- C4.26.27Upon the eighth day scouts returned and toldThe enemy was near, with banners bold.
- C4.26.28He set his army then in such arrayThat sun and moon looked on at their display.
- C4.26.29Afrasiab saw it, and, swift to heed,Arrayed his own to answer Khosrow’s deed.
- C4.26.30He told his chiefs: “This sight delights my soul;Like feast and pleasure, battle makes me whole.
- C4.26.31Upon my throne I slept in happy rest;Without a fight, impatience filled my breast.
- C4.26.32Long have I wandered, fugitive and worn;My head and heart for war are now reborn.
- C4.26.33Is this Khosrow’s good fortune drawing near,Or does a new age in my life start here?
- C4.26.34Yet I myself shall fight him on this ground,Though triumph, death, or sorrow may be found.”
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