28 

 GORD-AFRID AND SOHRAB. 



EXTRACTED FROM A PAPER ON PERSIAN POETRY, 

 BY MR. NATHANIEL HOWARD. 



SoHRAB, a young warrior, the legitimate, but as yet the unac- 

 knowledged son of the celebrated Rostum, conducting the Turanian 

 armies against Iran, is opposed in his progress, at the " White 

 Fortress," by the formidable Hujir, whom the youthful hero 

 meets in single combat, and, after a hard struggle, overthrows. 

 Gord-afrid,* a warlike princess and spectatress of the combat, is 

 plunged in the greatest distress at the discomfiture of the cham- 

 pion, and resolves to wreak vengeance on the youthful conqueror. 

 After the overthrow of Hujir, the poet proceeds thus : — 



Fair Gord-afrid, the martial maid, 



This sad discomfiture surveyed. 



Saw her bold Champion captive made, 



And shed a bitter flood of woe : 

 Sighs from the royal maiden came. 

 And, though keen anguish shook her frame, 

 It kindled in her breast a flame 



To wreak prompt vengeance on the foe. 



She sobbed, as if her heart would break ; 

 While like a tulip blushed her cheek: 

 What can she do ? In beauteous haste 

 Her fair round limbs in mail she braced ; 

 Her head a Grecian helmet f graced. 



Mounting her charger, onward pranced 

 The warrior maid. Poised in her hand 



A dazzling light her javelin glanced. 



Floating before the Turan band, 



A falcon in her flight she came : 



" Champions ! if any bear that name, 

 Give me," she cried " in single fight, 

 A war-devoted, generous knight. 



Who in the lists of arms has thriven : — 

 Will none the blow of valour deal t 

 Of all who grace your lines of steel 



Will none accept my challenge given ? " 



The youthful Hero thus defied. 

 Was wroth, and bit his lips of pride : 



* Gord-afrid literally signifies Warrior-bom. 



t Firdausi frequently mentions the " Grecian helmet." 



