The Camel Sinks at the Crossroads

From C8.5, Esfandiyar Marches to Zabul. It illustrates C8.5.3–10:

C8.5.3
He marched until two roads appeared ahead;The elephants and troops no farther sped.
C8.5.4
One road led on to Gombadan, and oneBent off toward Kabul, where its course would run.
C8.5.5
The foremost camel sank upon the ground,As though it and the earth were joined and bound.
C8.5.6
The driver struck its head; his staff blows rained,The caravan stood still, its march detained.
C8.5.7
The prince received the omen with alarm,And feared the sign foretold approaching harm.
C8.5.8
He bade them kill it, hoping ill would stayWith it, and farr would never turn away.
C8.5.9
The warriors struck its head off where it lay,And then the star turned back that very day.
C8.5.10
Though troubled by the omen he had known,He scorned the baleful star its sign had shown.