bat grew.

Shydah exerted his utmost might, but was unable to move his antagonist
from the ground; whilst Khosrau lifted him up without difficulty, and,
dashing him on the plain,

He sprang upon him as the lion fierce
Springs on the nimble gor, then quickly drew
His deadly dagger, and with cruel aim,
Thrust the keen weapon through the stripling's heart.

Khosrau, immediately after slaying him, ordered the body to be washed
with musk and rose-water, and, after burial, a tomb to be raised to his
memory.

When Karun reached the court of Afrasiyab with the answer to the offer
of peace, intelligence had previously arrived that Shydah had fallen in
the combat, which produced in the mind of the father the greatest
anguish. He gave no reply to Karun, but ordered the drums and trumpets
to be sounded, and instantly marched with a large army against the
enemy. The two hosts were soon engaged, the anger of the Turanians being
so much roused and sharpened by the death of the prince, that they were
utterly regardless of their lives. The battle, therefore, was fought
with unusual fury.

Two sovereigns in the field, in desperate strife,
Each by a grievous cause of wrath, urged on
To glut revenge; this, for a father's life
Wantonly sacrificed; that for a son
Slain in his prime.--The carnage has begun,
And blood is seen to flow on every side;
Thousands are slaughtered ere the day is done,
And weltering swell the sanguinary tide;
And why? To soothe man's hate, his cruelty, and pride.

The battle terminated in the discomfiture and defeat of the Turanians,
who fled from the conquerors in the utmost confusion. The people seized
hold of the bridle of Afrasiyab's horse, and obliged him to follow his
scattered army.

Kai-khosrau having despatched an account of his victory to Kaus, went in
pursuit of Afrasiyab, traversing various countries and provinces, till
he arrived on the borders of Chin. The Khakan, or sovereign of that
state, became in consequence greatly alarmed, and presented to him large
presents to gain his favor, but the only object of Khosrau was to secure
Afrasiyab, and he told the ambassador that if his master dared to afford
him protection, he would lay waste the whole kingdom. The Khakan
therefore withdrew his hospitable services, and the abandoned king was
compelled to seek another place of refuge.

THE DEATH OF AFRASIYAB

Melancholy and afflicted, Afrasiyab penetrated through wood a