the son of Lohurasp, and descended from Kai-kaus, was one of
the first to engage; he killed many, and was at last killed himself.
After him, his brother Shydasp was killed. Then Bishu, the son of
Jamasp, urged on his steed, and with consummate bravery destroyed a
great number of warriors. Zarir, equally bold and intrepid, also rushed
amidst the host, and whether demons or men opposed him, they were all
laid lifeless on the field. He then rode up towards Arjasp, scattered
the ranks, and penetrated the headquarters, which put the king into
great alarm: for he exclaimed:--"What, have ye no courage, no shame!
whoever kills Zarir shall have a magnificent reward." Bai-derafsh, one
of the demons, animated by this offer, came forward, and with
remorseless fury attacked Zarir. The onset was irresistible, and the
young prince was soon overthrown and bathed in his own blood. The news
of the unfortunate catastrophe deeply affected Gushtasp, who cried, in
great grief: "Is there no one to take vengeance for this?" when
Isfendiyar presented himself, kissed the ground before his father, and
anxiously asked permission to engage the demon. Gushtasp assented, and
told him that if he killed the demon and defeated the enemy, he would
surrender to him his crown and throne.

"When we from this destructive field return,
Isfendiyar, my son, shall wear the crown,
And be the glorious leader of my armies."

Saying this, he dismounted from his famous black horse, called Behzad,
the gift of Kai-khosrau, and presented it to Isfendiyar. The greatest
clamor and lamentation had arisen among the Persian army, for they
thought that Bai-derafsh had committed such dreadful slaughter, the
moment of utter defeat was at hand, when Isfendiyar galloped forward,
mounted on Behzad, and turned the fortunes of the day. He saw the demon
with the mail of Zarir on his breast, foaming at the mouth with rage,
and called aloud to him, "Stand, thou murderer!" The stern voice, the
valor, and majesty of Isfendiyar, made the demon tremble, but he
immediately discharged a blow with his dagger at his new opponent, who
however seized the weapon with his left hand, and with his right plunged
a spear into the monster's breast, and drove it through his body.
Isfendiyar then cut off his head, remounted his horse, and that instant
was by the side of Bishu, the son of the vizir, into whose charge he
gave the severed head of Bai-derafsh, and the armor of Zarir. Bishu now
attir