The Banners of the Host

The riders reached the mountain ridge; the army poured in, wave upon wave. Thirty thousand shield-bearers and spearmen, all hungry for the fight of battle. Horsemen and foot soldiers with golden belts, every one bearing a sword, every one a spear. So many golden helmets and golden banners, golden maces and golden boots. You would think no gold was left in the mine, that a cloud had risen and rained down jewels. From the crash of drums between the two mountains, even the vulture's heart grew weary in the sky. He said: now name the banners of the great lords; tell me and hide nothing at all. He asked him: that banner shaped like an elephant, those riders and those violet-gleaming swords, who among the army commands such gear and such array? When Tokhar heard his words, he answered: my king, that is the guard behind Tus the commander, whose fury in the fight is fierce. Behind him is another banner, its emblem bright as the shining sun. That is your father's brother, glorious and blessed, the commander named Fariborz, son of Kavus. Behind him a great banner bearing the moon, with many bold warriors and a mighty champion. Call his name Gostaham son of Gazhdaham, before whom the elephant trembles to the bone. Behind him a long banner bearing a wolf, with many battle-ready men around him. Beneath it stands Zangeh son of Shavaran, with the brave, the champions, and the heroes. A banner with the figure of a servant like the moon, its body ruby-red, its curls of black silk. Bizhan son of Giv drives it forward, the one who splashes blood up to the sky. A banner whose emblem is a tiger, before which the lion's very spine breaks. The champion Shidush holds it aloft, moving into place like a mountain rising. There is the boar banner with a boar's figure, an army skilled with the lasso and ready for war. A banner whose emblem is a buffalo, the host behind and the spearmen in front. Know that it belongs to the famous Farhad, one you might say stands equal to the heavens. A banner whose figure is a dark grey wolf, the sign of the great commander Giv. A banner bearing a lion in gold, which Gudarz son of Keshvad carries at its head. A banner with a leopard and a boar's figure; behind it comes Rivniz, proud and content. A banner whose emblem is a gazelle, where Nastuh son of Gudarz stands with his troops. A banner marked with a wild ram belongs to Bahram, son of Gudarz of the line of Keshvad. They are all lion-hearted men, champions and riders; to name each one would take too long. When he had told, one by one, the marks of the heroes to Forud, that prince of kings, Forud looked over the great and the lesser men, and with joy his face bloomed like a flower.