conflict. The struggle lasted all day; at last Bármán threw a stone at
his antagonist with such force, that Kobád in receiving the blow fell
lifeless from his horse. When Kárun saw that his brother was slain, he
brought forward his whole army to be revenged for the death of Kobád.
Afrásiyáb himself advanced to the charge, and the encounter was
dreadful. The soldiers who fell among the Túránians could not be
numbered, but the Persians lost fifty thousand men.

Loud neighed the steeds, and their resounding hoofs.
Shook the deep caverns of the earth; the dust
Rose up in clouds and hid the azure heavens--
Bright beamed the swords, and in that carnage wide,
Blood flowed like water. Night alone divided
The hostile armies.

When the battle ceased Kárun fell back upon Dehstán, and communicated
his misfortune to Nauder, who lamented the loss of Kobád, even more than
that of Sám. In the morning Kárun again took the field against
Afrásiyáb, and the conflict was again terrible. Nauder boldly opposed
himself to the enemy, and singling out Afrásiyáb, the two heroes fought
with great bravery till night again put an end to the engagement. The
Persian army had suffered most, and Nauder retired to his tent
disappointed, fatigued, and sorrowful. He then called to mind the words
of Minúchihr, and called for his two sons, Tús and Gustahem. With
melancholy forebodings he directed them to return to Irán, with his
shubistán, or domestic establishment, and take refuge on the mountain
Alberz, in the hope that some one of the race of Feridún might survive
the general ruin which seemed to be approaching.

The armies rested two days. On the third the reverberating noise of