a mother, the absolute necessity of going on without delay, and pointed
out to him the meadow in which some of Afrásiyáb's horses were to be met
with, particularly one called Behzád, which once belonged to Saiáwush,
and which her father had kept in good condition for his own riding. Gíw,
therefore, went to the meadow, and throwing his kamund, secured Behzád
and another horse; and all three being thus accommodated, hastily
proceeded on their journey towards Irán.

Tidings of the escape of Kai-khosráu having reached Afrásiyáb, he
despatched Kulbád with three hundred horsemen after him; and so rapid
were his movements that he overtook the fugitives in the vicinity of
Bulgharia. Khosráu and his mother were asleep, but Gíw being awake, and
seeing an armed force evidently in pursuit of his party, boldly put on
his armor, mounted Behzád, and before the enemy came up, advanced to the
charge. He attacked the horsemen furiously with sword, and mace, for he
had heard the prophecy, which declared that Kai-khosráu was destined to
be the king of kings, and therefore he braved the direst peril with
confidence, and the certainty of success. It was this feeling which
enabled him to perform such a prodigy of valor, in putting Kulbád and
his three hundred horsemen to the rout. They all fled defeated, and
dispersed precipitately before him. After this surprising victory, he
returned to the halting place, and told Kai-khosráu what he had done.
The prince was disappointed at not having been awakened to participate
in the exploit, but Gíw said, "I did not wish to disturb thy sweet
slumbers unnecessarily. It was thy good fortune and prosperous star,
however, which made me triumph over the enemy." The three travellers
then resuming their journey:

Through dreary track, and pathless waste,
And wood and wild, their way they traced.