
Esfandiyar Shoots the Horned Wolves
From C7.2, The Wolves of the First Stage. It illustrates C7.2.57–65:
- C7.2.57He donned his war coat; then his night-dark steedWas saddled for the prince to take the lead.
- C7.2.58He neared the wolves; what wolves! Their monstrous heightMade each a mighty elephant in sight.
- C7.2.59The wolves beheld his breast, his neck, his waist,His warrior grip, his iron gorz well placed.
- C7.2.60Like grim mad elephants, keen for the fight,They rushed from open plain with savage might.
- C7.2.61The hero strung his bow; his battle cryWas like a roaring lion’s, fierce and high.
- C7.2.62He rained his arrows from his practiced handsOn those two Divs that came from savage lands.
- C7.2.63His steel-tipped arrows struck them, flight by flight;Both beasts were wounded, weakened in the fight.
- C7.2.64He drew his watered blade and checked the rein,His head bent low; the beasts were weak with pain.
- C7.2.65He cut their heads off, slashed their flesh; their bloodRan through the dust and turned the ground to mud.
In the picture
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