Turanian chiefs, offered
to challenge any one of the enemy to single combat: but Aghriras
objected to it, not wishing that so valuable a hero should run the
hazard of discomfiture. At this Afrasiyab was very indignant and
directed Barman to follow the bent of his own inclinations.

"'Tis not for us to shrink from Persian foe,
Put on thy armour, and prepare thy bow."

Accordingly the challenge was given. Karun looked round, and the only
person who answered the call was the aged Kobad, his brother. Karun and
Kobad were both sons of Kavah, the blacksmith, and both leaders in the
Persian army. No persuasion could restrain Kobad from the unequal
conflict. He resisted all the entreaties of Karun, who said to him--

"O, should thy hoary locks be stained with blood,
Thy legions will be overwhelmed with grief,
And, in despair, decline the coming battle."
But what was the reply of brave Kobad?
"Brother, this body, this frail tenement,
Belongs to death. No living man has ever
Gone up to Heaven--for all are doomed to die.--
Some by the sword, the dagger, or the spear,
And some, devoured by roaring beasts of prey;
Some peacefully upon their beds, and others
Snatched suddenly from life, endure the lot
Ordained by the Creator. If I perish,
Does not my brother live, my noble brother,
To bury me beneath a warrior's tomb,
And bless my memory?"

Saying this, he rushed forward, and the two warriors met in desperate
conflict. The struggle lasted all day; at last Barman threw a stone at
his antagonist with such force, that Kobad in receiving the blow fell
lifeless from his horse. When Karun saw that his brother was slain, he
brought forward his whole army to be revenged for the death of Kobad.
Afrasiyab himself advanced to the charge, and the encounter was
dreadful. The soldiers who fell among the Turanians 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 Karun fell back upon Dehstan, and communicated
his misfortune to Nauder, who lamented the loss of Kobad, even more than
that of Sam. In the morning Karun again took the field against
Afrasiyab, and the conflict was again terrible. Naud