In Seïstan, with Zal, his father old, Whether that his own mighty strength at last Feels the abhorr'd approaches of old age, Or in some quarrel with the Persian King. There go! Thou wilt not? Yet my heart forebodes Danger or death awaits thee on this field. Fain would I know thee safe and well, though lost To us; fain therefore send thee hence, in peace 89 To seek thy father, not seek single fights In vain; but who can keep the lion's cub From ravening, and who govern Rustum's son? Go, I will grant thee what thy heart desires." So said he, and dropp'd Sohrab's hand, and left His bed, and the warm rugs whereon he lay; And o'er his chilly limbs his woollen coat He pass'd, and tied his sandals on his feet, And threw a white cloak round him, and he took In his right hand a ruler's staff, no Light men and on light steeds, who only drink The acrid milk of camels, and their wells. And then a swarm of wandering horse, who came From far, and a more doubtful service own'd; The Tartars of Ferghana, from the banks. Of the Jaxartes, men with scanty beards 1 frozen Nearest the Pole, and wandering Kirg- Of pride and hope for Sohrab, whom they hizzes, Who come on shaggy ponies from Pamere; These all fil'd out from camp into the plain. And on the other side the Persians form'd; loved. 159 But as a troop of pedlars, from Cabool, Cross underneath the Indian Caucasus, That vast sky-neighboring mountain of milk snow; Crossing so high, that, as they mount, they pass First a light cloud of horse, Tartars they Long flocks of traveling birds dead on the |