But as a troop of pedlars, from Cabool,[22]
  Cross underneath the Indian Caucasus,
  That vast sky-neighbouring mountain of milk snow;
  Winding so high, that, as they mount, they pass 160
  Long flocks of travelling birds dead on the snow,
  Chok’d by the air, and scarce can they themselves
  Slake their parch’d throats with sugar’d mulberries—­
  In single file they move, and stop their breath,
  For fear they should dislodge the o’erhanging snows—­ 165
  So the pale Persians held their breath with fear.

  And to Ferood his brother chiefs came up
  To counsel:  Gudurz and Zoarrah came,
  And Feraburz, who rul’d the Persian host
  Second, and was the uncle of the king:  170
  These came and counsell’d; and then Gudarz said:—­

  “Ferood, shame bids us take their challenge up,
  Yet champion have we none to match this youth. 
  He has the wild stag’s foot, the lion’s heart. 
  But Rustum came last night; aloof he sits 175
  And sullen, and has pitch’d his tents apart: 
  Him will I seek, and carry to his ear
  The Tartar challenge, and this young man’s name
  Haply he will forget his wrath, and fight. 
  Stand forth the while, and take their challenge up.” 180

  So spake he; and Ferood stood forth and said:—­
  “Old man, be it agreed as thou hast said. 
  Let Sohrab arm, and we will find a man.”

[Gudurz calls on Rustum in his tent.  “Help us, Rustum, or we lose.”]

  He spoke; and Peran-Wisa turn’d, and strode
  Back through the opening squadrons to his tent. 185
  But through the anxious Persians Gudurz ran,
  And cross’d the camp which lay behind, and reach’d,
  Out on the sands beyond it, Rustum’s tents. 
  Of scarlet cloth they were, and glittering gay,
  Just pitch’d:  the high pavilion in the midst 190
  Was Rustum’s, and his men lay camp’d around. 
  And Gudurz enter’d Rustum’s tent, and found
  Rustum:  his morning meal was done, but still
  The table stood beside him, charg’d with food;
  A side of roasted sheep, and cakes of bread, 195
  And dark green melons; and there Rustum sate
  Listless, and held a falcon on his wrist,
  And play’d with it; but Gudurz came and stood
  Before him; and he look’d, and saw him stand,
  And with a cry sprang up, and dropp’d the bird, 200
  And greeted Gudurz with both hands, and said:—­

  “Welcome! these eyes could see no better sight. 
  What news! but sit down first, and eat and drink.”

  But Gudurz stood in the tent door, and said:—­
  “Not now:  a time will come to eat and drink, 205
  But not to-day:  to-day has other needs. 
  The armies are drawn out, and stand at gaze: 
  For from the Tartars is a challenge brought