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SOHRAB AND RUSTUM
(1853)

And the first gray of morning filled the east,

And the fog rose out of the Oxus stream. But all the Tartar camp along the stream Was hushed, and still the men were plunged in sleep;

Sohrab alone, he slept not; all night long 5 He had lain wakeful, tossing on his bed; But when the gray dawn stole into his tent,

He rose, and clad himself, and girt his sword,

And took his horseman's cloak, and left his tent;

And went abroad into the cold wet fog, 10 Through the dim camp to Peran-Wisa's

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"Thou know'st me, Peran-Wisa! it is I.
The sun is not yet risen, and the foe
Sleep; but I sleep not; all night long I lie
Tossing and wakeful, and I come to thee.
For so did King Afrasiab bid me seek
Thy counsel, and to heed thee as thy son,
In Samarcand, before the army marched;
And I will tell thee what my heart de-
sires.

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But of a single combat fame speaks clear." Go, I will grant thee what thy heart de

He spoke; and Peran-Wisa took the hand

Of the young man in his, and sighed, and said:

"O Sohrab, an unquiet heart is thine! 65 Canst thou not rest among the Tartar chiefs,

And share the battle's common chance with us

Who love thee, but must press for ever first,

In single fight incurring single risk,

To find a father thou hast never seen? 70 That were far best, my son, to stay with us Unmurmuring; in our tents, while it is

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Of scarlet cloth they were, and glittering Come down and help us, Rustum, or we

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And with these slaughterous hands draw

sword no more."

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And clad himself in steel; the arms he

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chose Were plain, and on his shield was no device,

He spoke and smiled; and Gudurz made | Only his helm was rich, inlaid with gold,

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And, from the fluted spine atop, a plume Of horsehair waved, a scarlet horsehair plume.

So armed, he issued forth; and Ruksh, his horse,

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Followed him, like a. faithful hound at heel

Ruksh, whose renown was noised through all the earth,

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