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When the combatants closed, they struggled for some time together, and at length Rustem seized the girdle-belt of his antagonist, and threw him from his saddle. He wished to drag the captive as a trophy to Kai-kobád, that his first great victory might be remembered, but unfortunately the belt gave way, and Afrásiyáb fell on the ground.
Three times thirteen decades from that, and we are at 631. "Kai-Kobad the great and Kai-Khusru," all three strong kings and conquerors. When Chosroes II was killed in 628, after a war with Heraclius that began brilliantly and ended in disaster, the empire practically fell: split up under several pretenders, to be an easy prey for the Moslems a few years later.
When Kai-kobád and Alberz mountain strayed, I drew him thence, and gave a warrior's aid; Placed on his brows the long-contested crown, Worn by his sires, by sacred right his own; Strong in the cause, my conquering arms prevailed, Wouldst thou have reign'd had Rustem's valour failed When the White Demon raged in battle-fray, Wouldst thou have lived had Rustem lost the day?"
The young man, delighted with the information, immediately discovered himself, acknowledged that he was Kai-kobád, and then Rustem respectfully hailed him as the sovereign of Persia. The banquet was resumed again And, hark, the softly warbled strain, As harp and flute, in union sweet, The voices of the singers meet.
There they awhile remained and when the sun Went down, and night had darkened all the sky, The champion joyfully pursued his way, And brought the monarch to his father's house. Seven days they sat in council on the eighth Young Kai-kobád was crowned and placed upon The ivory throne in presence of his warriors, Who all besought him to commence the war Against the Tartar prince, Afrásiyáb.
No sooner had Kai-káús heard this description of the country of Mázinderán than he determined to lead an army thither, declaring to his warriors that the splendor and glory of his reign should exceed that of either Jemshíd, Zohák, or Kai-kobád.
The walls were decorated with the likenesses of Kai-kobád, of Kai-káús, Poshang, Afrásiyáb, and Sám, and Zál, and Rustem, and other champions of Persia and Túrán. When completed, it was a gorgeous retreat, and the sight of it sufficient to give youthful vigor to the withered faculties of age. And yet Saiáwush was not happy!
This strange ambition never fired the souls Of by-gone monarchs mighty Minúchihr, Always victorious, boundless in his wealth, Nor Zau, nor Nauder, nor even Kai-kobád, With all their pomp, and all their grandeur, ever Dreamt of the conquest of Mázinderán! It is the place of demon-sorcerers, And all enchanted.
Kai-kobád having been raised to the throne at a council of the warriors, and advised to oppose the progress of Afrásiyáb, immediately assembled his army. Mihráb, the ruler of Kábul, was appointed to one wing, and Gustahem to the other the centre was given to Kárun and Kishwád, and Rustem was placed in front, Zál with Kai-kobád remaining in the rear.
Kai-kobád then moved towards Persia, and establishing his throne at Istakhar, he administered the affairs of his government with admirable benevolence and clemency, and with unceasing solicitude for the welfare of his subjects. In his eyes every one had an equal claim to consideration and justice. The strong had no power to oppress the weak.
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