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The half-drunk captains fingered them curiously, but the eyes from the throne scarcely regarded them. "These are your priests," said the Khakan "Let them talk with my priests and then go their own way. I have little concern with priestcraft." Then Aimery spoke, and the Greek with many haltings translated.
The clamor of the cavalry, and the clash of spears and swords, resounded afar. The air became as dark as the visage of an Ethiopian, and the field was covered with several heads, broken armor, and the bodies of the slain. Amidst the conflict Rustem called aloud to the Khakán:
Every town laid waste, Soldier and peasant, husband, wife, and child, Sharing the miseries of a ravaged land!" With tears in his eyes and a heavy heart, Pírán repaired to the Khakán, who, after some discussion, permitted him in these terms to go and confer with Rustem. "Depart then speedful on thy embassy, And if he seeks for peace, adjust the terms, And presents to be sent us.
So the Caliph took ink-case and reed-pen and wrote as follows, "In the name of Allah, the Compassionating, the Compassionate! The bearer of these presents is Nur al-Din Ali, son of Fazl bin Khakan the Wazir. As soon as they come to thy hand divest thyself forthright of the kingly dignity and invest him therewith; so oppose not my commandment and peace be with thee."
Quoth the Wazir, "Know, O my lord, that I went out this day to the slave-market to buy me a cookmaid, when I saw there a damsel, never in my life long saw I a fairer; and I designed to buy her for our lord the Sultan; so I asked the broker of her and of her owner, and he answered, "She belongeth to Ali son of Al-Fazl bin Khakan.
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