"I'm Al-Kurajan, and my name is known * To beat all who in wold or in city wone! How many a soldier my sword at will * Struck down like a cow on the ground bestrown? How many a soldier I've forced to fly * And have rolled their heads as a ball is thrown? Now I'll drive and harry the land Irak[FN#15] * And like rain I'll shower the blood of fone; And lay hands on Ghanb and his men, whose doom * To the wise a warning shall soon be shown!"
The host fared on twelve days' journey and, while they were still marching, behold, a great dust cloud arose before them and walled the horizon and the whole region. So Kurajan sent out scouts, saying, "Go forth and bring me tidings of what meaneth this dust." They went till they passed under the enemy's standards and presently returning said, "O King, ver
