Catapults Against Shurab

From D13.12, Anooshirvan Seizes the Roman Forts. It illustrates D13.12.1–11:

D13.12.1
Thus marched the Shah until his army cameTo mighty fortress Shurab, a fort of fame.
D13.12.2
The Shah beheld the fortress rising high,With men, war gear, and stores beneath the sky.
D13.12.3
Its stone foundations sank through waters deep;Its walls rose to the clouds, immense and steep.
D13.12.4
The troops besieged it, yet they could not traceA path of entrance to the guarded place.
D13.12.5
From four sides catapults began to poundThe fortress walls and bring them to the ground.
D13.12.6
From every quarter came the breath of doom;No refuge remained, no road, no gate, no room.
D13.12.7
As through the sky the sun pursued its flight,The walls sank flat, once raised to such a height.
D13.12.8
The warriors’ cries and dust rose ever higher,Up to the moon with billowing smoke and fire.
D13.12.9
The stronghold filled with heads from bodies torn,And headless trunks lay scattered, gashed, and worn.
D13.12.10
The cries for quarter and the women’s screamsRose over tabiras in broken streams.
D13.12.11
Great men renowned for wealth and battle mightWere bound on elephants, a captive sight.