登陆注册
19648300000067

第67章 THE DEFEAT OF AFRASIYAB(2)

Then they did as Byzun desired. And they fought with swords and with arrows, with maces also and with fists, and sore was the struggle and weary, and the victory leaned unto neither side. And they strove thus from the time of dawn until the sun had lengthened the shadows, and Byzun was afraid lest the day should end in doubt. Then he sent up a prayer unto Ormuzd that He would lend unto him strength. And Ormuzd listened unto the petition of His servant. Then Byzun caught Human in his arms and flung him upon the ground, and he beat out his brains, and he severed his head from off his trunk, that the murder of Saiawush might be avenged. Then he gave thanks unto God, and turned him back unto the camp, and he bore aloft the head of Human. And the army of Iran, when they beheld it, set up a great shout, but from the ranks of Turan there came the noise of wailing. And Piran was bowed down with grief and anger, and he commanded the army should go forth and fall upon the Iranians.

Now there was fought a battle such as men have not seen the like.

And the earth was covered with steel, and arrows fell from the clouds like hail, and the ground was torn with hoofs, and blood flowed like water upon the plains. And the dead lay around in masses, and the feet of the horses could not stir because of them. Then the chiefs of the army said among themselves-"If we part not these heroes upon the field of vengeance, there will remain nought when the night is come save only the earth that turns, and God, the Master of the world."

Yet they withdrew not from the combat until the darkness had thrown a mantle over the earth, and they could no longer look upon their foes.

Now when the earth was become like unto ebony, the leaders of the hosts met in conference. And it was decided between them that they should choose forth valiant men from their midst, and that on the morrow the fate of the lands should be decided by them. For they grieved for the blood that had been spilled, and they desired that the hand of destruction be stayed. So when the morning was come they chose forth their champions, and ten men of valour were picked from each host, and Piran and Gudarz led them out unto the plain. Now on each side of the plain uprose a mountain. So Gudarz said unto his comrades-"Whosoever among you hath laid low his adversary, let him mount this hill and plant the flag that he hath won upon its crest, that the army may learn whom we have vanquished."

And Piran spake unto his men in like manner. Then the ten drew up and faced one another, and each man stood opposed to the adversary that he had chosen. Now Friburz was the first to begin combat, and he was opposed unto Kelbad, the kinsman of Piran. And he rode at him with fury, and he laid him low with his bow, and he galloped with joy unto the mountain and planted the standard of Kelbad upon its crest. Then when it was done, Gew came forward to meet his adversary, and he was placed over against Zereh, the man whom Kai Khosrau hated because he had severed the head of Saiawush from its trunk. And Gew was careful not to slay him, but he threw his cord about him and caught him in the snares and bound him. Then he took from him his standard, and led him bound unto the mountain. And there followed after him Gourazeh, and he too laid low his foe and planted his flag upon the crest of the hill. And likewise did all the champions of Iran; and when the ninth hour was ended there waved nine standards from off the hill, and none remained to fight save only Piran and Gudarz the aged. Then Gudarz girded him for the combat, and for a mighty space they wrestled sore, but in the end Gudarz laid low the power of Piran.

Now when the Iranians beheld the standard of Piran planted aloft amid those of his champions, they were beside themselves for joy, and they called down the blessings of Heaven upon the knight. Then a messenger was sent to bear the tidings unto Kai Khosrau, and he took with him Zereh that the Shah might with his own hand sever that vile head from off its trunk. And Kai Khosrau rejoiced at the news, and he rode forth that he might visit his army. But when he beheld the body of Piran he wept sore, and he remembered his kindness of old, and he grieved for the man that had been to him a father. Then he commanded that a royal tomb be raised unto Piran, and he seated him therein upon a throne of gold, and he did unto him all reverence. But when it was done he aided his army to beat back the men of Turan yet again, and he caused them to sue for peace. And when they had brought forth their armour and piled it at the feet of Kai Khosrau, he bade them depart in peace. Then he returned with joy unto his own land, and he gave thanks unto God for the victory that was his. But he knew also that the time of peace could not be long, and that Afrasiyab would dream of vengeance.

同类推荐
  • Flame and Shadow

    Flame and Shadow

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 复阴

    复阴

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 劝发菩提心文

    劝发菩提心文

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Her Prairie Knight

    Her Prairie Knight

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 文殊师利宝藏陀罗尼经

    文殊师利宝藏陀罗尼经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 双狼戏烟

    双狼戏烟

    本文两狼、一深闺小女,结局一女两男。想看深情小戏的,请进!喜欢双胞胎的,请进!想看两狼如何相争的,请进!
  • 开仙界

    开仙界

    九鼎出世,九龙浑天!“吾,业世龙凰,为灭龙神一脉而来!”死气逆冲,阴阳错乱!“吾,死亡之神,为得死神之源而来!”一轮黑日,照耀轮回!“吾,死国冥王,为杀圣魔之子而来!”神威浩荡,天无昼夜!“吾,弃天之帝,为夺创世圣器而来!”一剑,斩碎了天!“我,龙神一脉传人、死神转世、圣魔之子、创世三神之一在此,相杀吗?”
  • 邪王盛宠:腹黑小医妃

    邪王盛宠:腹黑小医妃

    来自现代的呆萌吃货小兽医,因为送了一次盒饭,就华丽丽的穿越了,真是世界之大无奇不有……某日,白草草仰天长啸,神啊!你咋能这样对我啊!你让我穿越就穿越吧,我认还不行!可为嘛会穿越到一个不受宠的废柴傻王妃身上……要啥啥没有,饭都吃不饱,我的发财梦,我的美男梦啊……逆天空间,呆萌兽宠,绝世神兵,华丽医术,银针在手,天下我有。要问什么本领强?腹黑,吃货,耍流氓……且看爆笑穿越的她如何华丽逆袭。只不过这身后,何来惹来这么多桃花飘……某日,白草草大叫,大哥你至于么,我不就是蹭了蹭饭拿了点财,又顺便劫了点色,你至于追我半个大陆啊!某男邪笑……
  • 红楼之痴颦泪

    红楼之痴颦泪

    她一片冰心,无处惹尘埃,虽然风风雨雨早已瘦了朱颜,冷月的光华中她还可以坦然,还可以勇敢面对一世悲欢。她唯独无法面对的是缘尽的遗憾。如果上天不让她那么早走,她是否甘愿一次次泪洗红妆,甘愿让青丝变白发,只为了守住今生难忘的爱,相许的心,只为了纷乱的思绪中那太多的放不下。叹人间,琴断指伤,再燃尽那旧诗行,空留月影倚靠着一面孤单的墙。将来,谁还会走进一个寂静的黄昏,轻抚着竹上的斑斑泪痕,再忆起当年这葬花的凄惘?
  • 天才神医在都市

    天才神医在都市

    他是极品无敌大神医!开服药就治好了病,扎下针就治好了腰,吹口气就美好了容。乡野少年来到都市,各种诱惑能否一一抵住。木秀于林风必摧之,正邪两道都有人要置他于死地!!男人的世界胜者为王,面对挑战,他只有问鼎天下,站到世界的巅峰,将对手一个个踩在脚下!
  • 好课是这样炼成的

    好课是这样炼成的

    本书关注有效课堂的基本原理与方法,从教学设计、课堂资源、学习方式、教学模式、课堂互动、课堂伦理、多媒体辅助教学、课堂管理等十个专题讲解课堂教学的基本思路。
  • 修罗狂少

    修罗狂少

    无限好书尽在阅文。
  • 标杆集(心灵鸡汤系列书)

    标杆集(心灵鸡汤系列书)

    本书饱含温馨的情感,采集了大量充满启迪的心灵故事,情意浓浓,至真至醇,如涓涓细流冲涤你尘封的心,给你心灵的滋养;如母亲温暖的手轻轻抚慰你的胸膛,给你心灵的深深慰藉。它能让心如明镜,照见你曾经的倩影,让你获得片刻休息欣赏自己;它能让你情如种子勃发,慢慢长成片片树阴,遮挡你的风风雨雨。人生如斯,还有谁如此情真意切地牵挂着你?
  • 鬼物

    鬼物

    王可人在夜里总是被一个男鬼抚摸,还是抚摸全身,包括那样的私密。桃木剑,剪刀,五帝钱,可是对那鬼却没有一点作用。找了风水先生才得知,那是她冥婚的老公。她不就是在几年前帮着别人拆了一个鲁班锁的盒子,伤了手,血沾上了那盒子里是红色纸衣服吗?那竟然是冥婚的聘礼。王可人就这么被扯进了一场延续了几十年的阴谋之中。岑家几十年的秘密,金子零子没有胆量继续探寻的谜底,就让王可人来完成。曲天,岑祖航,这个被魏华炼化过的鬼,带着王可人游走在一座座凶宅之中。--情节虚构,请勿模仿
  • 惊世狂妃王妃万岁万万岁

    惊世狂妃王妃万岁万万岁

    一花一世界,一叶一追寻。一生一世一双人,又是谁追寻谁的脚步呢?一袭红衣倾天下,一双红瞳魅天下,她是几万年前,掌管芸芸众生的圣皇。惊世美女,人人匍匐于脚下,只为她一眼扫过。她是草包,废物,花痴女人人鄙夷,可又有谁知道她们是同一人。他,身份成迷,冷傲绝世,俯瞰苍穹。可又有谁知道他等待万年只为了等待那个让他动心已久的绝世女子。万年前的掌控者,万年后的痴情神秘美男子,两者之间的碰撞,当她碰上他,天才碰上天才,美女碰上美女,碰,碰,碰,且看,他们究竟会擦出怎样的火花呢?