For the space of twenty miles, the banks of the river
were, on either side, far as the eye could reach, covered with the
variegated pavilions, the glittering standards, the flowing streamers
and twinkling pennons of the mighty host, of which Malek, the Grand
Sultan of the Seljuks, and Governor of the Caliph's palace, was chief
commander.
Such was the power assembled on the plains of Asia to arrest the
progress of the Hebrew Prince, and to prevent the conquest of the
memorable land promised to the faith of his fathers, and forfeited by
their infidelity. Before the walls of Hamadan, Alroy reviewed the army
of Israel, sixty thousand heavy-armed footmen, thirty thousand archers
and light troops, and twenty thousand cavalry. Besides these, there had
been formed a body of ten thousand picked horsemen, styled the 'Sacred
Guard,' all of whom had served in the Persian campaign. In their centre,
shrouded in a case of wrought gold, studded with carbuncles, and carried
on a lusty lance of cedar, a giant--for the height of Elnebar exceeded
that of common men by three feet--bore the sceptre of Solomon. The
Sacred Guard was commanded by Asriel, the brother of Abner.
The army was formed into three divisions.
Pages:
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181