Page "Alp Arslan" Paragraph 14

According to the poet Saadi Shirazi: Arslan possessed a fort, which raised at the height of Alwand, from all were those within its walls, for its roads were a labyrinth, like the curls of a bride.

From a learned traveler Arslan once inquired: " Didst thou ever, in thy wanderings, see a fort as strong as this ?".

" Splendid it is ," was the travelers reply, " but methinks not it confers much strength.

Before thee, did not other kings possess it for a while, then pass away?

After thee, will not other kings assume control, and eat the fruits of the tree of thy hope?