‘No good. They have been waging a great war seven years here for a girl, and the soldiers are dying of hunger.’
And he said, ‘Go and call them to me.’
The soldiers came, and he bought bread and brandy, and they drank and ate; and he said to the Armenian, ‘I, if I choose, I will cut that army to pieces.’
The Armenian went to the emperor. ‘Emperor, a king’s son is come, and has boasted that he by himself will cut that army to pieces.’
‘Call him to me.’
‘What is this you’ve been boasting? will you cut that army to pieces?’
‘I will.’
‘If you do, I will give you my daughter, and give you one half of my kingdom.’
And he, when he went to battle, waved to the right hand, and slew one half of the army, and he waved to the left hand, and slew the other half. And he came home, and the emperor gave him his daughter, and made a marriage.
‘Ask him what strength is his, that he slew so great an army.’[26]