s were the first to shrink from the
conflict; and then the King of Misser, ashamed of their cowardice,
rapidly advanced towards the champion with the intention of punishing
him for his temerity, but he had no sooner received one of Rustem's hard
blows on his head, than he turned to flight, and thus hoped to escape
the fury of his antagonist. That fortune, however, was denied him, for
being instantly pursued, he was caught with the kamund, or noose, thrown
round his loins, dragged from his horse, and safely delivered into the
hands of Bahram, who bound him, and kept him by his side.

Ring within ring the lengthening kamund flew,
And from his steed the astonished monarch drew.

Having accomplished this signal capture, Rustem proceeded against the
troops under the Shah of Berberistan, which, valorously aided as he was,
by Zuara, he soon vanquished and dispatched; and impelling Rakush
impetuously forward upon the shah himself, made him and forty of his
principal chiefs prisoners of war. The King of Hamaveran, seeing the
horrible carnage, and the defeat of all his expectations, speedily sent
a messenger to Rustem, to solicit a suspension of the fight, offering to
deliver up Kaus and all his warriors, and all the regal property and
treasure which had been plundered from him. The troops of the three
kingdoms also urgently prayed for quarter and protection, and Rustem
readily agreed to the proffered conditions.

"Kaus to liberty restore,
With all his chiefs, I ask no more;
For him alone I conquering came;
Than him no other prize I claim."

THE RETURN OF KAI-KAUS

It was a joyous day when Kaus and his illustrious heroes were released
from their fetters, and removed from the mountain-fortress in which they
were confined. Rustem forthwith reseated him on his throne, and did not
fail to collect for the public treasury all the valuables of the three
states which had submitted to his power. The troops of Misser,
Berberistan, and Hamaveran, having declared their allegiance to the
Persian king, the accumulated numbers increased Kaus's army to upwards
of three hundred thousand men, horse and foot, and with this immense
force he moved towards Iran. Before marching, however, he sent a message
to Afrasiyab, commanding him to quit the country he had so unjustly
invaded, and recommending him to be contented with the territory of
Turan.

"Hast thou forgotten Rustem's power,
When thou wert in that perilous hour