
Shapur Falls on Caesar's Sleeping Camp
From D8.1.7, Shapur Attacks and Captures Caesar. It illustrates D8.1.7.17–28 (to D8.1.7.32):
- D8.1.7.17Three watches passed; he reached the camp that night,And feared no strength of Caesar’s in the fight.
- D8.1.7.18No watchman’s cry, no drumbeat reached his ear;Nor any cockcrow could the monarch hear.
- D8.1.7.19Pavilions spread across the desert space;None dreamed Shapur would come upon that place.
- D8.1.7.20The camp was packed with soldiers everywhere;In his tent Caesar lay, drunk, free of care.
- D8.1.7.21Shapur gave rein at once to his swift steed,And led his warriors on with royal speed.
- D8.1.7.22He gripped his heavy gorz and spurred his horse;Behind him thundered all his charging force.
- D8.1.7.23The karnays and the Indian bells rang round;The clouds rang back with clashing gorzes’ sound.
- D8.1.7.24The battle cries rose loud on every side;The clash of weapons echoed far and wide.
- D8.1.7.25One would have thought the vault of heaven tore,And from the sun red drops began to pour.
- D8.1.7.26Kaveh’s bright banner blazed through smoky gloom;The violet swords flashed, heralding their doom.
- D8.1.7.27As though the air rained swords, the blades flashed bright;The world was wrapped in mist throughout the fight.
- D8.1.7.28The army’s dust concealed the mountain height;The stars drew in their skirts and hid their light.
In the picture
Previous · D8.1.6The Scattered Chiefs Kneel at the Gardener's DoorNext · D8.1.7Caesar Bows Before the Crown He Wronged
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