Nauder having found that Kárun had departed, immediately followed, and Afrásiyáb was not long in pursuing him. The Túránians at length came up with Nauder, and attacked him with great vigor. The unfortunate king, unable to parry the onset, fell into the hands of his enemies, together with upwards of one thousand of his famous warriors. Long fought they, Nauder and the Tartar-chief, And the thick dust which rose from either host, Darkened the rolling Heavens. Afrásiyáb Seized by the girdle-belt the Persian king, And furious, dragged him from his foaming horse. With him a thousand warriors, high in name, Were taken on the field; and every legion, Captured whilst flying from the victor's brand. Such are the freaks of Fortune: friend and foe Alternate wear the crown. The world itself Is an ingenious juggler--every moment Playing some novel trick; exalting one In pomp and splendour, crushing down another, As if in sport,--and death the end of all! After the achievement of this victory Afrásiyáb directed that Kárun should be pursued and attacked wherever he might be found; but when he heard that he had hurried on for the protection of the shubistán, and had conquered and slain Bármán, he gnawed his hands with rage. The reign of Nauder lasted only seven years. After him Afrásiyáb was the master of Persia. AFRÁSIYÁB It has already been said that Shimasás and Khazerván were sent by Afrásiyáb with thirty thousand men against Kábul and Zábul, and when Zál heard of this movement he forthwith united with Mihráb the chief of Kábul, and having first collected a large army in Sístán, had a conflict with the two Tartar generals. Zál promptly donned himself in war attire, And, mounted like a hero, to the field Hastened, his soldiers frowning on their steeds. Now Khazerván grasps his huge battle-axe, And, his broad shield extending, at one blow Shivers the mail of Zál, who calls aloud As, like a lion, to the fight he springs, Armed with his father's mace. Sternly he looks And with the fury of a dragon, drives The weapon through his adversary's head, Staining the ground with streaks of blood, resembling The waving stripes upon a tiger's back. At this time Rustem was confined at home with the smallpox. Upon the death of Khazerván, Shimasás thirsted to be revenged; but when Zál meeting him raised his mace, and began to close, the chief became alarmed and turned back, and all his squadrons followed his example. Fled Shimasás, and all his fighting train, Like herds by tempests scattered o'er the plain. Zál set off in pursuit, and slew a great number of the enemy; but when Afrásiyáb was made acquainted with this defeat, he immediately released Nauder from his fetters, and in his rage instantly deprived him of life. He struck him and so deadly was the blow, Breath left the body in a moment's space.