nts
Thus paused, in mutual consternation lost.

In the meantime Zuara, impatient at this delay, advanced towards the
Iranians, and reproached them for their cowardice so severely, that
Nushawer, the younger son of Isfendiyar, felt ashamed, and immediately
challenged the bravest of the enemy to fight. Alwai, one of Rustem's
followers, came boldly forward, but his efforts only terminated in his
discomfiture and death. After him came Zuara himself:--

Who galloped to the charge incensed, and, high
Lifting his iron mace, upon the head
Of bold Nushawer struck a furious blow,
Which drove him from his steed a lifeless corse.
Seeing their gallant leader thus overthrown,
The troops in terror fled, and in their flight
Thousands were slain, among them brave Mehrnus,
Another kinsman of Isfendiyar.

Bahman, observing the defeat and confusion of the Iranians, went
immediately to his father, and told him that two of his own family were
killed by the warriors of Zabul, who had also attacked him and put his
troops to the rout with great slaughter. Isfendiyar was extremely
irritated at this intelligence, and called aloud to Rustem: "Is
treachery like this becoming in a warrior?" The champion being deeply
concerned, shook like a branch, and swore by the head and life of the
king, by the sun, and his own conquering sword, that he was ignorant of
the event, and innocent of what had been done. To prove what he said, he
offered to bind in fetters his brother Zuara, who must have authorized
the movement; and also to secure Feramurz, who slew Mehrnus, and deliver
them over to Gushtasp, the fire-worshipper. "Nay," said he, "I will
deliver over to thee my whole family, as well as my brother and son, and
thou mayest sacrifice them all as a punishment for having commenced the
fight without permission." Isfendiyar replied: "Of what use would it be
to sacrifice thy brother and thy son? Would that restore my own to me?
No. Instead of them, I will put thee to death, therefore come on!"
Accordingly both simultaneously bent their bows, and shot their arrows
with the utmost rapidity; but whilst Rustem's made no impression, those
of Isfendiyar's produced great effect on the champion and his horse. So
severely was Rakush wounded, that Rustem, when he perceived how much his
favorite horse was exhausted, dismounted, and continued to impel his
arrows against the enemy from behind his shield. But Rakush brooked not
the dreadful storm, and