English
The Enemy Slips Away in the Night
When half the dark night had passed, the sky above the mountains grew still.
The Turkish commander loaded up the baggage and handed out helmets and armor to all his troops.
He ordered a vanguard of ten thousand mounted Turks in full battle-gear.
Afrasiab said this to his army: 'Once I have crossed to the far side of the river,
follow close behind me, one after another; at the Oxus do not stop to count the boats or the passing hours.'
In the dark night Afrasiab and his army crossed the Amu and left the water behind.
Across the land, by road and off it, the pavilions and tents stood empty of troops.
When dawn broke from the west, the scouts saw no army on the plain.
A messenger came with the news to the king: 'The enemy king has quit this battlefield.
The whole plain is nothing but tents and pavilions; I see not a single horseman of the foe.'
When Khosrow heard this, he ran to the ground, offering praise before the pure God.
He said: 'O radiant Creator, ruler of the world, ever-watchful, sustainer of all,
You gave me glory, crown, and strength; You blinded the heart and eyes of my enemy.
Drive the tyrant from this world, and let him waste away all his years in fear.'
When the sun raised its golden shield, the night drew its turquoise veil back over its head.
The king of the world sat on the ivory throne and set that heart-brightening crown upon his head.
The army came before him in praise: 'May this king, worthy of the throne, live forever.'
This army was made rich beyond need by the spoils the king of China's forces left behind.
Everyone kept saying: 'What a disgrace, that he fled with his whole army, his horns and war-drums,
and in the dark night, thanks to men of high rank, such a famous prize was given up for nothing.'
The watchful king spoke to them: 'O renowned men of the army of Iran,
for a king, an enemy is better dead, but if he flees the battle and turns away, that too is well.
Since the Victorious One granted us splendor, greatness, and the imperial crown,
praise Him throughout the world; when night comes, offer Him your prayers.
For whomever He wishes to make wretched, He seats some worthless man upon the throne.
This striving and questioning of yours has no point, for against His justice no servant has any standing.
I will stay on this battlefield for five days; on the sixth, the day of Hormozd that lights the world,
we will march the army from here, for he stirs up vengeance and we seek it in return.'
In these five days on that battlefield, the army of Iran searched out its slain.
The Iranians washed the dust from their dead and made for each one a fitting tomb.