To this the King:--"Rejoice we then to-day, And on the morrow marshal our array." The monarch quick commands the feast of joy, And social cares his buoyant mind employ, Within a bower, beside a crystal spring,[27] Where opening flowers, refreshing odours fling, Cheerful he sits, and forms the banquet scene, In regal splendour on the crowded green; And as around he greets his valiant bands, Showers golden presents from his bounteous hands;[28] Voluptuous damsels trill the sportive lay, Whose sparkling glances beam celestial day; Fill'd with delight the heroes closer join, And quaff till midnight cups of generous wine. Soon as the Sun had pierced the veil of night, And o'er the prospect shed his earliest light, Káús, impatient, bids the clarions sound, The sprightly notes from hills and rocks rebound; His treasure gates are opened:--and to all A largess given; obedient to the call, His subjects gathering crowd the mountain's brow, And following thousands shade the vales below; With shields, in armor, numerous legions bend; And troops of horse the threatening lines extend. Beneath the tread of heroes fierce and strong, By war's tumultuous fury borne along, The firm earth shook: the dust, in eddies driven, Whirled high in air, obscured the face of heaven; Nor earth, nor sky appeared--all, seeming lost, And swallowed up by that wide-spreading host. The steely armour glitter'd o'er the fields,[29] And lightnings flash'd from gold emblazoned shields; Thou wouldst have said, the clouds had burst in showers, Of sparkling amber o'er the martial powers.[30] Thus, close embodied, they pursued their way, And reached the Barrier-fort in terrible array. The legions of Túrán, with dread surprise, Saw o'er the plain successive myriads rise; And showed them to Sohráb; he, mounting high The fort, surveyed them with a fearless eye; To Húmán, who, with withering terror pale, Had marked their progress through the distant vale, He pointed out the sight, and ardent said:-- "Dispel these woe-fraught broodings from thy head, I wage the war, Afrásiyáb! for thee, And make this desert seem a rolling sea." Thus, while amazement every bosom quell'd, Sohráb, unmoved, the coming storm beheld, And boldly gazing on the camp around, Raised high the cup with wine nectareous crowned: O'er him no dreams of woe insidious stole, No thought but joy engaged his ardent soul.