And to work also. The life and soul of the fifteen, he kept them going by jokes and quips and the singing of songs. Aye! even when storm and snow came with blinding force and they all expected to meet death together. Then it was that, ahead of all, Babar's full mellow voice rang out in such ballads as:
THE HAND OF THE THIEF
The bog was black outside Kazân,
now it is red!
Last night there came a rich car-wân,
Blood has been shed!
Now Adham-Khân was over-lord,
Judging the right
Of quarr'l betwixt the Black-Sheep-Horde
And they of the White.
"Oh! Adham-Khân avenge the wrong,
Thou art the head."
"My hand holds fast the skirt that's long,"
Smiling he said.
Then rose in wrath young Zulfikâr,
Girt on his sword.
"Now show I him in full durbâr
Right is the Lord."
He saddled steed and rode away
Over the sand,
His hauberk rattling roundelay,
God at his hand.
And Adham-Khân, he sat in state
Holding his court.