lso
that the garrison had been put to the sword. Leading on the remainder of
his troops he now came in contact with Isfendiyar and his two hundred
and sixty warriors, and a sharp engagement ensued; but the coming up of
Bashutan's force on his rear, placed him in such a predicament on every
side, that defeat and destruction were almost inevitable. In short,
Kahram was left with only a few of his soldiers near him, when
Isfendiyar, observing his situation, challenged him to personal combat,
and the challenge was accepted.

So closely did the eager warriors close,
They seemed together joined, and but one man.
At last Isfendiyar seized Kahram's girth,
And flung him to the ground, and bound his hands;
And as a leaf is severed from its stalk,
So he the head cleft from its quivering trunk;
Thus one blow wins, and takes away a throne,
In battle heads are trodden under hoofs,
Crowns under heads.

After the death of Kahram, Isfendiyar issued a proclamation, offering
full pardon to all who would unite under his banners. They had no king.

The country had no throne, no crown. Alas!
What is the world without a governor,
What, but a headless trunk? A thing more worthless
Than the vile dust upon the common road.
What could the people do in their despair?
They were obedient, and Isfendiyar
Encouraged them with kind and gentle words,
Fitting a generous and a prudent master.

Having first written to his father an account of the great victory which
he had gained, he occupied himself in reducing all the surrounding
provinces and their inhabitants to subjection. Those people who
continued hostile to him he deemed it necessary to put to death. He took
all the women of Arjasp into his own service, and their daughters he
presented to his own sons.

Not a warrior of Chin remained;
The king of Turan was swept away;
And the realm where in pomp he had reigned,
Where he basked in prosperity's ray,
Was spoiled by the conqueror's brand,
Desolation marked every scene,
And a stranger now governed the mountainous land,
Where the splendour of Poshang had been.
Not a dirhem of treasure was left;
For nothing eluded the conqueror's grasp;
Of all was the royal pavilion bereft;
All followed the fate of Arjasp!

When Gushtasp received information of this mighty conquest, he sent
orders to Isfendiyar to continue in the government of the new empire;
but the prince replied that