When she had spoken she went out and closed all the gates from without.  David stretched himself and cried:  “Bread and wine, the Lord liveth!” and began to knock off the heads of the men of war.  He beheaded them so that the bodies flew over the walls and the heads remained lying in the court.  And he laid hold of Holbaschi, and tore out his teeth and drove them into his brow like nails.  And he bent his lance till it curved like a dog’s collar and put it around his neck.  “Now,” he said, “take yourself off and tell all to Moesramelik.  If people still remain in his country let him herd them together before I come.”

Holbaschi met the women a second time, and they were singing and dancing.  And one of them sang: 

  “Holbaschi, dear Holbaschi, went hence like a cruel wolf,
  Why come you back to us like a hunting dog? 
  Your lance lies on your neck like a dog’s collar,
  Thy mouth gapes like an open window,
  And slime flows out like curdled milk from a skin;[20]
  And whole caravans of flies buzz round it.”

[20] In Armenia, as is usual in the East, they make butter out of curdled milk; and for this reason the vessel is always covered with scum.

And Holbaschi sang: 

  “Oh, you shameless, worthless hussies,
  I thought that Sassun was a free field. 
  Think not that only rocks and clefts opposed me. 
  There new-born children are fierce devils,
  Their arrows like beams of the oil-mill;
  And like windows they tear out the mouths of their enemies. 
  All the brave lads who went with me
  Are fallen in Charaman.[21]
  In the spring its waters will bring you booty,
  Then your butter and cheese can be made.”

[21] A valley near Musch.

Now David armed himself and marched against Moesramelik.  He found a great host assembled and encamped near Sechanssar.[22]

[22] Literally, a table-like mountain.

David said:  “I promise thee not to give battle till I have eaten rice pillau in the green and red tent,” and he urged his horse forward and appeared suddenly from the west in front of the tent.  Great fright possessed the army when they perceived this rider, and Melik said, “What manner of man art thou?”

“I am the son of a western king, and I have come to help you.”

Melik pitched a tent for him, and they ate together seven days.  On the eighth day David mounted his horse, rode twice before Moesramelik’s tent, and said:  “Now, come out, I want to fight you.  How long, Moesramelik, are you going to encroach upon my inheritance?” And David cried:  “Bread and wine, God lives!” and fighting began on all sides.

Uncle Toross heard of the combat.  He tore up a poplar by its roots, threw it across his shoulder, and set out.  He halted at the upper end of the valley in which the fight was going on.  If anyone crept away David shouted:  “Dear Uncle Toross, chase him back into the valley and I will be ready for him!”