There was a sound behind him, a very strange sound
of wrestling andblows.
If we continue the fight, we mustsoon be
overwhelmed.
Ru knew him also and shouted:Halt, Lord
Rasa!
Then he rose and departed from the tent, leaving
Nefra abashed and yetindignant.
That is, he dragged once or twice, then let them
be,muttering:Faith!
Then do you not understand that sometimes it is
right that one manshould offer himself up for many?
Bid the archers shoot, for thus would I die,rather
than in torment. You speak of the priests of the Dawn as wizards. Meanwhile, not so
very far away, a desperate battle raged.
Then do you not understand that sometimes it is
right that one manshould offer himself up for many?
Come, bear me hence for I am hurt and
cannotwalk.
But whence come you in thischariot, and why? At
least they rushedon while Temu, flung to the bottom of the chariot, dragged at
thereins in vain. Aroar of triumph went up from the Babylonians, but the doomed
Shepherdswere silent. Yet, when you could have escaped, why did youfly away, as I
saw you do?
For the rest, let them judge as they will of me,
whofollow my own light. But whence come you in thischariot, and why? Give up to me
the Prince Khian who is with you,and you and your soldiers may go free.
Swiftly Anath whispered into Khiansear:The danger
is great. I am the Prince Khian, and you, Friend, know mewell. Ru knew him also and
shouted:Halt, Lord Rasa! Then the horses,directed of Heaven, came on
here.
With this oath I bought the lives of those
men.
He shut his eyes, making his soul ready
todepart.
Why should it beguessed, seeing that outposts rode
ahead of them to give warning ofany danger? They werenot many, for the Babylonian
pursuit had been sharp and capturedthousands. Yet hedrives his chariot over four of
them and pierces the fifth throughwith his spear.
They werenot many, for the Babylonian pursuit had
been sharp and capturedthousands.
Prince, he cried as he galloped, the gods are
against me and Ithink that our end is near.
Get you down tothe Underworld and there learn
generalship, if you may. Then Temu, who had been the Princes companion in his
captivities andflights, was called upon. Of course, Son, that is the danger, since
no one can tell what awoman will or will not do.
Ru saw him fall and leaped into the water, swimming
with greatstrokes. She smote with her sword and the blow fell uponhis thick
headdress.
At theedge of the gateway platform he stopped,
clinging to the seat in whichKhian was bound. Rest while you may, for I fear that it
will benecessary to awake you early.
With this oath I bought the lives of those men.