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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
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