1869.] The Nineteenth Booh of the Gestes of Prithiraj. 153 



They are carrying off Padmavati by force. 

 Drums are beat, there is saddling of horse and elephant, 

 They ran, armed, in all directions. 

 " Seize ! seize !" shouted each warrior. 

 Rage possessed the heroes and their King. 

 Where King Prithiraj was going in front 

 With all his army behind him, 

 There the horsemen advancing arrived ; 

 King meeting king, the warriors joined battle. 

 When Prithiraj the King turns rein, 

 The heavens stand still, the world-serpent shakes. 

 The chiefs and heroes all look (awful) as death, 

 Eager for blood on rushes the King. 

 The bows let fly countless arrows, 

 The deadly blades draw blood ; 



From the sweat of the wounds of the heroes on the field, 

 A thick stream flows, and dyes the sand. 

 As the warriors of the hardt smote. 

 On the field fell heads and headless trunks of the foe. 

 Couplets. 



34. The foe fell on the field of battle ; 

 Turning his face towards Dilli, 

 Having won the battle, went Prithiraj, 

 All the chiefs were glad. 



35. He took Padmavati with him. 

 Rejoicing, King Prithiraj. 

 Thereupon of the Padshah's 

 Arrival, there came a rumour. 



Poem. 



36. Of his arrival there was a rumour ; 

 Came Sahabdin, the hero, 



" To-day I will seize Prithiraj," 

 Said the Chief, loud shouting. 

 Countless warriors raged for the combat ; 

 The army formed in line ; 

 With arrows, javelins, and spears, 

 Catapults, (19) all arranged. 

 21 



