the midday sun
But when the hosts of the barbarians charged them , they must reel before the charge , and at length fly headlong down the pass as though in fear . And he himself would lead the flight in his chariot , and where he led there they should follow . So the horsemen rode through the pass and formed their squadrons on the plain beyond . Now the foe drew nigh , and a glorious sight it was to see the midday sun sparkling on their countless spears . Of horsemen they had no great number , but there were many chariots and swordsmen , and spearmen , and slingers beyond count . They came on by nations , and in the centre of the host of each nation sat the king of the nation in a glorious chariot , with girls and eunuchs , holding fans to fan him with and awnings of silk to hide him from the sun . Now the Wanderer hung back behind the squadrons of horsemen as though in fear .