very different kind, gave a banquet to his warrior friends, in
celebration of the triumph.

When the intelligence of the overthrow and death of Kámús and the Khakán
of Chín, and the dispersion of their armies, reached Afrásiyáb, he was
overwhelmed with distress and consternation, and expressed his
determination to be revenged on the conquerors. Not an Iránian, he said,
should remain alive; and the doors of his treasury were thrown open to
equip and reward the new army, which was to consist of a hundred
thousand men.

Rustem having communicated to Kai-khosráu, through Fríburz, the account
of his success, received the most satisfactory marks of his sovereign's
applause; but still anxious to promote the glory of his country, he
engaged in new exploits. He went against Kafúr, the king of the city of
Bidád, a cannibal, who feasted on human flesh, especially on the young
women of his country, and those of the greatest beauty, being the
richest morsels, were first destroyed. He soon overpowered and slew the
monster, and having given his body to be devoured by dogs, plundered and
razed his castle to the ground. After this he invaded and ravaged the
province of Khoten, one of the dependencies of Túrán, and recently the
possession of Saiáwush, which was a new affliction to Afrásiyáb, who,
alarmed about his own empire, dispatched a trusty person secretly to
Rustem's camp, to obtain private intelligence of his hostile movements.
The answer of the spy added considerably to his distress, and in the
dilemma he consulted with Pírán-wísah, that he might have the benefit of
the old man's experience and wisdom. Pírán told him that he had failed
to make an impression upon the Persians, even assisted by Kámús the
Kashánian, and the Khakán of Chin; both had been slain in battle, and
therefore it would be in vain to attempt further offensive measures