21
Track'd her footsteps as she journey'd forwards,
Overtook her in the darksome forest—
Murder'd her—and all her treasures plunder'd.
When the Khan of Tatary, Kublya, heard it—
When he heard the fate of his belov'd one—
From his wide-spread kingdom he assembled
Armies—and he onward led his armies
Towards the setting of the sun at even.
When the monarchs of the western nations
Learnt the Tatar Khan was marching thither—
Marching 'gainst their thickly-peopl'd countries—
They agreed that each should help the other.
So they all assembled mighty armies,
Armies ready for the fierce encounter,
Led them forth upon the open country,
There encamp'd—and waited for the tatars.
Kublay calls around him his enchanters,
Sorcerers and magicians, seers and sages;
Bids them prophesy—and tell the issue
Of the struggle to the tatar emp'ror.
So the sorcerers, and the seers, and sages,
