The return of the defeated Kulbád excited the greatest indignation in
the breast of Pírán. "What! three hundred soldiers to fly from the valor
of one man! Had Gíw possessed even the activity and might of Rustem and
Sám, such a shameful discomfiture could scarcely have happened." Saying
this, he ordered the whole force under his command to be got ready, and
set off himself to overtake and intercept the fugitives, who, fatigued
with the toilsome march, were only able to proceed one stage in the day.
Pírán, therefore, who travelled at the rate of one hundred leagues a
day, overtook them before they had passed through Bulgharia. Ferangís,
who saw the enemy's banner floating in the air, knew that it belonged to
Pírán, and instantly awoke the two young men from sleep. Upon this
occasion, Khosráu insisted on acting his part, instead of being left
ignominiously idle; but Gíw was still resolute and determined to
preserve him from all risk, at the peril of his own life. "Thou art
destined to be the king of the world; thou art yet young, and a novice,
and hast never known the toils of war; Heaven forbid that any misfortune
should befall thee: indeed, whilst I live, I will never suffer thee to
go into battle!" Khosráu then proposed to give him assistance; but Gíw
said he wanted no assistance, not even from Rustem; "for," he added, "in
art and strength we are equal, having frequently tried our skill
together." Rustem had given his daughter in marriage to Gíw, he himself
being married to Gíw's sister. "Be of good cheer," resumed he, "get upon
some high place, and witness the battle between us.

"Fortune will still from Heaven descend,
The god of victory is my friend."

As soon as he took the field, Pírán thus addressed him: "Thou hast once,
singly, defeated three hundred of my soldiers; thou shalt now see what