Rostam Rides Into the Camp

From C8.13, Esfandiyar Makes Excuse to Rostam. It illustrates C8.13.1–9:

C8.13.1
Like some great elephant, he climbed astride;Rakhsh’s loud neigh rang out two farsangs wide.
C8.13.2
He hurried toward the river and the men;The troops pressed close to gaze on him again.
C8.13.3
All hearts chose love for him as on he came;They cried, “He seems like Sahm, that chief of fame.
C8.13.4
He sits, an iron mountain, on that steed;Rakhsh seems like Ahriman in strength and speed.
C8.13.5
Should he oppose an elephant, its headWould have dark indigo upon it spread.
C8.13.6
The king must have a mind bereft of light,To send such farr and prowess into fight:
C8.13.7
The moonlike prince, Esfandiyar the great,Against this chief, to meet a deadly fate.
C8.13.8
Goshtasb grows more greedy for his gold,More proud of seal and crown as he grows old.”
C8.13.9
Esfandiyar came forth to show respect,And gave the welcome Rostam could expect.