Meantime the foolish king, having gotten the worst in the war, had sent for Rustem, who, for reconnoitring purposes, entered the Tartar camp as a spy.  There he beheld Sorab, and could not help admiring the young warrior, of whose many brave exploits he had already heard.  While thus sneaking about the enemy’s tent, Rustem was discovered by the two servants whom Tamineh had placed by her son’s side, both of whom he killed before they could give the alarm.  Thus, when Sorab and Rustem finally came face to face, there was no one at hand to point out the son to the father or inform the son of his close relationship to his antagonist.  After the war had raged for some time, Sorab challenged the Persians to a single fight, for he was anxious to distinguish himself, knowing that should he win a great triumph his father would hear of it, and inquire the origin of the youth of whom such tales were told: 

  “Come then, hear now, and grant me what I ask. 
  Let the two armies rest to-day; but I
  Will challenge forth the bravest Persian lords
  To meet me, man to man:  If I prevail,
  Rustum will surely hear it; if I fall—­
  Old man, the dead need no one, claim no kin. 
  Dim is the rumor of a common fight,
  Where host meets host, and many names are sunk;
  But of a single combat fame speaks clear."[40]

Such was the reputation of Sorab, however, that none of the Persians dared encounter him, and urged Rustem to undertake this task himself.  Fearing lest so youthful an opponent should withdraw if he heard the name of his antagonist, or that he should pride himself too greatly on the honor done him, Rustem went into battle in disguise.

On seeing a stalwart old warrior approach, Sorab felt strangely moved, and, running to meet him, begged to know his name, for he had a premonition that this was Rustem.  The father, too, seized by a peculiar feeling of tenderness for this youth, commented to himself that had he a male descendant he would fain have had him look like Sorab, and therefore tried to make him withdraw his challenge.  Notwithstanding Sorab’s eager inquiries, Rustem obstinately refused to divulge his name, and, seeing his opponent would not desist, bade him begin the fight without further ado.

  And then he turned and sternly spake aloud,—­
  “Rise! wherefore dost thou vainly question thus
  Of Rustum?  I am here whom thou hast called
  By challenge forth; make good thy vaunt, or yield! 
  Is it with Rustum only thou wouldst fight? 
  Rash boy, men look on Rustum’s face, and flee! 
  For well I know, that did great Rustum stand
  Before thy face this day, and were revealed,
  There would be then no talk of fighting more.”

For three consecutive days the battle raged, father and son proving of equal strength and skill.  But, although Sorab once overthrew Rustem, he generously stepped aside and allowed the aged warrior to recover his footing.  Several times, also, the young man proposed that they sheathe their swords, for his heart continued to be attracted to his opponent, who, fighting down similar emotions, always taunted his antagonist into renewing the fight.