230 HISTaRT OF ARMENIA.
then did this unhappy nation again see her children about to plui^e their swords into each other's bosoms. On the dawn of the next day, the troops engaged with all the rancour that particularly distinguishes civil wars. The armies met like two heavily laden ships, which in a storm are driven towards each other, and both sink by the violence of the concussion. The clamour of those actually contending, the shouts that marked a partial advantage, the groans, of the dying, with the clash of the weapons and armour of the combatants, formed a scene of the greatest horror. Dara, theSeunian, and principal general of the army of Arsaces, made a gallant charge on the troops opposed to him, killing numbers with his own hand; but borne away by impetuosity, he was surrounded by a host of foes and killed. On his fall the advantage seemed to lean towards Khosrove ; the army of Arsaces becoming dis^ heartened by the loss of its best commander* Isaac, the Bagratian noble, not less brave and more skilful than Dara, after the fall of the latter, made a furious attack upon that part of the army where Arsaces was, and succeeded, after a dread* ful carnage, in putting it to flight. Arsaces with difficulty made his escape, accompanied by a small band of followers. Gaza von, the Gamsa* racan, still remained, and fought with the courage of a lion; but seconded only by a few men, and
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