Thou wretch of demon-birth, thou knowest not thy father's name! and yet thou comest to wage war against me! Art thou not ashamed to look upon the king of Túrán after what he has done for thee?" Barzú replied: "Although thou didst protect me, thou spilt the blood of Saiáwush and Aghríras unjustly. When I ate thy salt, I served thee faithfully, and fought for thee. I now eat the salt of Kai-khosráu, and my allegiance is due to him." He spoke, and raised his battle-axe, and rushed, Swift as a demon of Mázinderán, Against Afrásiyáb, who, frowning, cried:-- "Approach not like a furious elephant, Heedless what may befall thee--nor provoke The wrath of him whose certain aim is death." Then placed he on the string a pointed dart, And shot it from the bow; whizzing it flew, And pierced the armor of the wondering youth, Inflicting on his side a painful wound, Which made his heart with trepidation throb; High exultation marked the despot's brow, Seeing the gush of blood his loins distain. Barzú was now anxious to assail Afrásiyáb with his mace, instead of arrows; but whenever he tried to get near enough, he was disappointed by the adroitness of his adversary, whom he could not reach. He was at last compelled to lay aside the battle-axe, and have recourse to his bow, but every arrow was dexterously received by Afrásiyáb on his shield; and Barzú, on his part, became equally active and successful. Afrásiyáb soon emptied his quiver, and then he grasped his mace with the intention of extinguishing his antagonist at once, but at the moment Húmán came up, and said: "O, king! do not bring thyself into jeopardy by contending against a person of no account; thy proper adversary is Kai-khosráu, and not him, for if thou gainest the victory, it can only be a victory over a fatherless soldier, and if thou art killed, the whole of Túrán will be at the feet of Persia." Both Pírán and Húmán dissuaded the king from continuing the engagement singly, and directed the Túránians to commence a general attack. Afrásiyáb told them that if Barzú was not slain, it would be a great misfortune to their country; in consequence, they surrounded him, and inflicted on him many severe wounds. But Rustem and Ferámurz, beholding the dilemma into which Barzú was thrown, hastened to his support, and many of the enemy were killed by them, and great carnage followed the advance of the Persian army. The noise of clashing swords, and ponderous maces Ringing upon the iron mail, seemed like The busy work-shop of an armorer; Tumultuous as the sea the field appeared, All crimsoned with the blood of heroes slain.