The insidious King sees well the tempting hour, Favouring his arms against the Persian power, And thence, in haste, the enterprise to share, Twelve thousand veterans selects with care; To Húmán and Bármán the charge consigns, And thus his force with Samengán combines; But treacherous first his martial chiefs he prest, To keep the secret fast within their breast:-- "For this bold youth must not his father know, Each must confront the other as his foe-- Such is my vengeance! With unhallowed rage, Father and Son shall dreadful battle wage! Unknown the youth shall Rustem's force withstand, And soon o'erwhelm the bulwark of the land. Rustem removed, the Persian throne is ours, An easy conquest to confederate powers; And then, secured by some propitious snare, Sohráb himself our galling bonds shall wear. Or should the Son by Rustem's falchion bleed, The father's horror at that fatal deed, Will rend his soul, and 'midst his sacred grief, Káús in vain will supplicate relief." The tutored chiefs advance with speed, and bring Imperial presents to the future king; In stately pomp the embassy proceeds; Ten loaded camels, ten unrivalled steeds, A golden crown, and throne, whose jewels bright Gleam in the sun, and shed a sparkling light, A letter too the crafty tyrant sends, And fraudful thus the glorious aim commends.-- "If Persia's spoils invite thee to the field, Accept the aid my conquering legions yield; Led by two Chiefs of valour and renown, Upon thy head to place the kingly crown." Elate with promised fame, the youth surveys The regal vest, the throne's irradiant blaze, The golden crown, the steeds, the sumptuous load Of ten strong camels, craftily bestowed; Salutes the Chiefs, and views on every side, The lengthening ranks with various arms supplied. The march begins--the brazen drums resound,[16] His moving thousands hide the trembling ground; For Persia's verdant land he wields the spear, And blood and havoc mark his groaning rear.[17] To check the Invader's horror-spreading course, The barrier-fort opposed unequal force; That fort whose walls, extending wide, contained The stay of Persia, men to battle trained. Soon as Hujír the dusky crowd descried, He on his own presumptuous arm relied, And left the fort; in mail with shield and spear, Vaunting he spoke--"What hostile force is here? What Chieftain dares our war-like realms invade?" "And who art thou?" Sohráb indignant said, Rushing towards him with undaunted look-- "Hast thou, audacious! nerve and soul to brook The crocodile in fight, that to the strife Singly thou comest, reckless of thy life?" To this the foe replied--"A Turk and I Have never yet been bound in friendly tie; And soon thy head shall, severed by my sword, Gladden the sight of Persia's mighty lord, While thy torn limbs to vultures shall be given, Or bleach beneath the parching blast of heaven."