Kubad son of Piruz

When glorious Kubad sat on the throne,
And donned the crown of majesty, he went
To Taisafun, departing from Istakhr—
The glory of the great. Now when he sat
Upon Piruz's seat he said : " Conceal
Naught from me. By bright day and darksome night
The way to me is open unto you.
The man is great who ordereth his tongue
To right discourse and seeketh not deceit,
While since he will be merciful in wrath
The best of men will welcome him as guide.
He setteth up the throne of acceptation
Within the world, receiving from the great
Just commendation. If thou keep'st thy heart

Far from revenge both great and small will praise

thee,

But when the great king is a double-dealer
His Double-dealing is a call to strife.
First hear a matter through for thus apprised
Thou wilt reply aright. When any sage
Is covetous his knowledge will not fruit ;
When he is headstrong it will be to him
Like water in a salt marsh. Furthermore
'Tis well to get a soldier's heart and bear
Reproach submissively. The rich, hard man

Is lower even than a mendicant ;
But when a foolish mendicant hath sway
His rule is simple madness. He that knoweth
His own defects will not be eloquent

On those of others. Patience is the pillar
Of wisdom : to be wroth is but to make
Oneself despised. Submission to God's justice
Will make thee rich, sincere. and honourable,
For thou art freed- from care. The body of him
That hath no greed is better than a treasure,
While that man whose viaticum is knowledge
Will die in person but in name live ever ;
So put ye all your hands to good alone,
And walk not on this whirling world for ill.

The nobles all called blessings down on him,
And showered emeralds upon his crown.
He was a youth of sixteen years, and bore
As yet but little part in government,
While Sufarai took order for the world.
Kubad ruled in the palace ; all affairs
Were managed wholly by the paladin.
He suffered no one to approach the Shah,
Who had no archmage and gave no command
Or counsel. Sufarai ruled all the land.

Thus in the cup the wine was tulip-like
Until Kubad was twenty-one years old ;
Then Sufarai came in before the king
For licence to go home and thereupon
He gat him ready with his retinue,
Struck up the drums, and started for Shiraz,
Returning to his country, full of joy,
As one that had obtained his whole desire.
All Pars was as it were a slave before him,
And, save the throne of empire, all was his.
His thoughts were these : "I have set up the Shah,
And done him homage as my sovereign,
So now if any man shall slander me
He will rebuke that man and banish him."

He levied tribute on the provinces,
On all the men of name and all the chiefs.
When tidings of his just and unjust deeds
Came from Shiraz to glorious Kubad,
The people said : " The Shah hath but the crown.
And not the troops and treasure in Iran,
Hath no authority, is not consulted!.
The World is all the slave of Sufarai."

All those that shared the secrets of Kubad
Repeated to him what the people said,
And added : " Why, exalted king ! art thou
Contented merely to be king in name ?
His Treasury is better filled than thine :
Thou shouldst release the world from his oppression.
All Pars hath grown as 'twere a slave to him,
The great men have become his thralls."

These words

Seduced Kubad's heart, which became forgetful
Of all the services of Sufarai ;.
He said : " If I shall send an army forth
He( will revolt and seek to be avenged,
I shall but use my wealth to make a foe,
While he will cause much trouble and much toil.
The people all are talking of his deeds,
Unwitting of his secret purposes.
I know not any warrior of Iran
To march against him with a host to battle."

A wise man answered thus : " Think not that he
E'er will be recognised as king. Thou hast
Both lieges and a leader of the host

That can lay hand upon the circling sky ;
So when Shapur of Rai is on the march
The heart of wicked Sufarai will rive."

The Shah took courage when he heard these words,
Forgot the merit and presumed the guilt ;

Then bade a veteran mount as swift as wind,
And, on the plea of faring forth to hawk,
Go to Shapur of Rai, cause him to mount
Forthwith upon his steed, and Summon him
From Rai to court. The messenger, who took
A spare steed, went swift as an autumn-blast
To Rai as he was bidden by the king.
The chamberlain there saw and questioned him,
Took the king's letter, went before Shapur,
Gave it, and introduced that noble horseman.
Shapur, who was descended from Mihrak,
Smiled when he read the letter of Kubad,
For Sufarai had not a foe like him
In public and in private. Thus apprised
Shapur convoked his lieges and led forth
His army in all haste to Taisafun.
When he had brought his army to the Shah
They gave him audience instantly. The world-lord,
On seeing him, received him graciously,
Caused him to sit upon the turquoise throne,
And said : "I have no portion in this crown,
Am noted 'mongst the foolish in the world.
All power is with Sufarai ; I see
But sovereignty in name. Late in the day
My body shrinketh from the weights that press
With justice or injustice on my neck.
E'en were my brother master of Iran
'Twere better than this unjust Sufarai."
Shapur replied : O king ! be not aggrieved
At heart on this account. Thou shouldest write
A letter in harsh terms to him, for thou
Hast Grace and fame, high lineage and support.
Say : " Of the crown of king of kings my share
Is travail and an empty treasure-house.
Thou takest tribute, and I bear the blame.
I will not have thee call me Shah henceforth.
Lo ! I have sent to thee a paladin
In that thy conduct causeth me to wail.'
When he shall get a letter thus conceived,
And I am there with troops prepared for fight,
I will not leave him time to wink an eye,
Or speak a word to him unless in wrath."

They called to them a scribe and seated him
Before Shapur, who said again the words
As spoken in the presence of the Shah :
The writer wrote them, grieving secretly.
Shapur, whenas the Shah had sealed the letter,
Led forth his host, then added famous chiefs,

Disbanded from the armies of the king,
And with those nobles eager for the fray
Set face toward the city of Shiraz.

When Sufarai had tidings of the matter
He marched at once, and with a mighty host —
Picked cavaliers in mail — went out to meet
Shapur. They met, and those two haughty chiefs Alighted.
from their steeds. Now when Shapur
Sat down with Sufarai they talked at large
Of projects good and ill. Shapur then gave
The letter of the king, and matters reached
A cruel, shameful pass ; the paladin,
When he had read the letter, changed his favour,
Was stunned and dark of soul. Then said Shapur,
The letter being read : " I must be plain :
The world-lord ordered that thou shouldst be

bound,

Complaining much of thee before the nobles,
And thou wilt gather, having read his letter.
That he is resolute."

The paladin

Replied : " The monarch of the world i
What toil and hardship I have borne for him,
That marching from Zabulistan with troops
I set him free from bondage by my valour,
And suffered no calamity to come
Upon him. I had influence with the Shah,

And with the chieftains of the Iranian host,
But since bonds are to be my recompense,
And my resistance will be troublesome
To thee, I ask no respite. Bind my feet :
The fetters of Kubad will profit me.
Doth he not shame before God and the host,
For I shed freely my warm blood for him ?
What time the Shah was in captivity
I swore by God a mighty oath, and said : —
My hand shall look but on my falchion's hilt,
And I will cloud the sun in fight, till I
Shall give my head or bring down from the throne
The head of Khushnawaz between the shears.'
And now he biddeth me be bound ! Is't right ?
Receive I but derogatory words ?
Still turn not aught from his commands, for know
That bonds but ornament a hero's feet."

Shapur, on hearing this, made fast the fetters,
Then bade the trumpet sound and gat to horse.
From Pars he carried Sufarai before
Kubad, who thought not of past services,
But bade men bear him to the prison-house,
Near where the madmen were, and gave command
To carry from Shiraz to Taisafun
What wealth soever he possessed — his folk,
His treasures, and the produce of his fields —
By those appointed to the treasurer.
Now when a week had passed Kubad consulted
The archmages how to deal with Sufarai,
And thus a counsellor addressed the Shah : —
" The whole of Taisafun is on his side —
Troops, courtiers, thanes, and populace alike.
If he abideth in Iran unscathed
Thou mayest wash thy hands of sovereignty.
The foeman of the Shah is best when killed,
His hater's fortune best when overturned."
Now when the Shah had heard the archmage's

counsel

He took a new course and despised the old,
Gave his command that Sufarai be slain,
The hearts of all his kindred wrung with pain.

Now when these tidings reached the Iranians : —
" He of the elephantine form is dead,"
A cry of anguish went up from Iran,
Men, women, children, all alike bewailed ;
The tongue of every one was steeped in curses,
And secret thoughts found public utterance.
Iran was all convulsed, the dust went up,
While all folk made them ready for the fight,
And thus they said : " Since Sufarai is gone
Let not Kubad's throne be within Iran."

The soldiers and the citizens agreed,
They would not bear the mention of Kubad,
But marched upon the palace of the Shah,
Vexed at his ill advisers, for redress.
These men — all malice and intent on evil —
They took, dragged from the palace, and then sought
With diligence for traces of Jamasp,

His younger brother and a noble youth.
One whom Kubad had cherished tenderly.
They chose him, seated him upon the throne,
And called down blessings on him as their Shah ;
But made Kubad's feet fast in iron fetters,
Unheedful of his Grace and noble birth.
Now Sufarai had one son well beloved,

A wise man, holy and illustrious,
A youth without offence, Rizmihr by name,
Whose fame had made his father well content.
To him the people gave Kubad in bonds,
As unto some malicious enemy,
And thought : " Through grief the loving son will take
Revenge upon the king for Sufarai."

The good Rizmihr, the worshipper of God,
Laid not his hand for ill upon the world-lord,
But did obeisance to Kubad and spake
No words to him about his evil deeds,
Whereat the world-lord marvelled much, began
To bless Rizmihr, and thus excused himself : —
" My foes have troubled much my star and moon,
But, if I find deliverance from bond,
I will reward thee for all ills endured,
For I will banish anguish from thy heart,
And cause the eyes that look on thee to shine."

Rizmihr made answer to him thus : " O king !
Let not thy soul be grieved on this account,
For when a father acted not aright
His son should bear the sorrow of his death.
As touching mine own self, I am thy slave ;
I stand before thee as a servitor,
And at thy bidding I will swear that never
Will I break off my fealty to thee."

So spake Rizmihr and as the monarch heard
His heart began to throb for very joy,
His soul regained its confidence and grew
Right joyful at the words of that wise man.
He made Rizmihr his confidant and said : —
" I will not hide my thoughts from thee. Five men
Are sharers in my secrets. None besides
Hath listened to my voice. Now we will summon
These five and ope to them our secret plan
If it appears that we have need of them,
While if from fetters thou shalt set me free
Know this — my policy shall profit thee."

The good Rizmihr, on hearing this, anon
Released Kubad from fetters. From the city
They fared forth to the plain by night, unseen
By foes, and made toward the Haitalians,
Wrung with anxiety and hurrying.
On this wise sped the seven like flying dust
Until with dizzy heads they reached Ahwaz,
And entered on their steeds that wealthy town —
A town wherein a famous chieftain dwelt.
Dismounting at the dwelling of the thane
They tarried there and breathed themselves awhile.
He had a daughter moonlike, crowned with musk,
And, when Kubad beheld her face, all wisdom
Fled from his youthful brain. He went forthwith with.
And told Rizmihr : "I have a privy word
For thee. Haste to the thane. Tell him from me : —
'This moon-faced damsel — could she be my wife ?

Rizmihr went instantly, informed the thane,
And said : " If thy fair daughter is unmated
I will provide her with a noble spouse,
And thou shalt be the master of Ahwaz'

The illustrious thane made answer to Rizmihr : —
"My pretty daughter hath no husband yet.
And, if she please thee, she is thine to give :
Give her to him that longeth after her.

The wise Rizmihr came to Kubad and said : —
" May this Moon bring good fortune to the Shah.
Thou sawest her unawares and didst approve,
Thou didst approve of her just as she was."

Kubad then called to him that fairy-faced ;
The gallant warrior set her on his knee,
And having with him one, and but one, ring—
A signet-ring whose worth was known to none —
He gave it to her, saying : " Keep this signet ;
The day will come when I shall ask for it."

He stayed a se'nnight for that fair Moon's sake,
And parted on the eighth day with the dawn,
Went to the king of the Haitalians,
Told what had chanced, the Iranians' deeds, and how
They all had girded up their loins for ill.
The king replied : " The wrongs of Khushnawaz
Have surely brought thee to this strait to-day.
On these conditions will I give thee troops,
Who are crown-wearers, every one of them,
That if thou shalt recover crown and treasure,
Chaghan, its wealth and state, its march and rule,
Shall be all mine, and thou shalt keep my terms
And stipulations."

Said Kubad while smiling
At him who thus dictated terms : "I never
Will give that land a thought and, when thou wishest,
Will send thee troops in numbers numberless.
What is Chaghan that I should look that way ? "

When they had made their pact the Haitalian king
Unlocked his treasury and gave Kubad
Dinars and arms, and two score thousand swordsmen,
All famed as warriors and cavaliers.
Thus to Ahwaz from the Haitalians went
Kubad ; the whole world rang with that event.

Kubad approached the thane's abode and saw
In every street a scattered populace,
Who all apprised him of the joyful news : —
" Thy spouse brought forth a son to thee last night
But little less resplendent than the moon,
And may he bring good fortune to the Shah."

Kubad. on hearing, went within the house
In great content. They named the boy Kisra.
Now afterwards Kubad asked of the thane : —
" From whom art thou descended, noble sir ? "

He said : " From valiant Faridun who took
The kingship from the kindred of Zahhak :
Thus said my father and my mother too : —
We give our reverence to Faridun.' '

Kubad was pleasured yet more at the words,
And instantly resumed the royal crown.
He had a litter brought and, when his spouse
Was seated there, departed on his march ;
He led the army on to Taisafun
In high displeasure with the Iranians.

Now in Iran the while the ancient chiefs
Sat with the sages and the notables
They said : " Between these two— both Shahs and

proud —

The matter will prove wearisome for us.
Hosts are upon their way from Rum and Chin,
And they will cause much bloodshed in the land."

Then one of that assembly said : " Ye chiefs ;
Exalted and heroic warriors!
'Tis needful that we go out to Kubad,
Who, it may be, will not recall the past,
And bring to him Jamasp, the ten years' child,
To turn the hailstones of his wrath to pearls ;
So haply we may swerve aside and 'scape
From pillaging, from bloodshed, and from war."

All went to meet Kubad and said to him : —
" O Shah of royal race ! if thou hast hurt
Men's hearts, and they have washed their hearts and

eyes

In petulance, now act as pleaseth thee
Because the world-lord ruleth o'er the world."

They all drew near to him in haste, afoot,
Dust-covered, and with gloomy souls. The Shah
Forgave the evil doings of his lords,
Accepting their excuse in lieu of bloodshed ;
He pardoned too Jamasp : the nobles blessed him.
He came and sat upon the royal throne :
Jamasp became his liege. Kubad bestowed
The conduct of the realm upon Rizmihr,
And gave him great advancement. By his means
The kingship was well ordered, and the world
Fulfilled with justice and prosperity.

Thus matters fared until Kisra grew tall —
A stripling bold and lusty. Then Kubad
Entrusted to wise governors his son,
That fresh and fruitful Bough. Kubad directed
All matters in Iran and in Turan,
And raised his crown of greatness to the sky.
Thereafter he led forth his host to Rum,
Which proved as 'twere a lump of wax to him :
He made a thorn-brake of those fields and fells.
Two cities asked for quarter at his hands,
One Hindiya, the other Farikin.
He taught the Zandavasta there, established
The Faith, and instituted Fanes of Fire,
His power, the feasts of New Year's Day and Sada.
He fixed his royal seat at Mada'in.
And wrought much good and ill. He built a city
Betwixt Ahwaz and Pars, and founded too
A hospital. He called the city's name
Arash ; the Arabs call it now Hulwan.
They opened everywhere canals that flowed
A-brim, and peace and rest on earth abode.

Then there arose a man by name Mazdak,
Learned, eloquent, judicious, and commanding,
Of noble birth, a trafficker in knowledge,
And brave Kubad gave ear to him. This man
Became the king of kings' chief minister,
The treasurer and the guardian of the treasure.
Then famine visited the world through drought,
A famine that afflicted great and small ;
No sign of snow appeared upon the sky,
And none saw snow or rain-fall in Iran.
At length the nobles of the world begged bread
And water at the portal of Kubad.
Mazdak returned them this reply : " The Shah
Will manifest to you a way of hope,"
Then came himself in haste before the king,
And said to him : " O upright Shah ! I fain
Would question thee upon a point if thou
Wilt condescend to answer."
Eloquent

Kubad replied : " Say on and make my lustre
Fresh in the world."

" A man," Mazdak rejoined,
Is bitten by a snake his : " Life is passing ;
Another man hath got the antidote
Whereof the bitten can obtain no share.
What then should be the guerdon of the man
That hath it ? Money will not purchase it."

The Shah replied : " He is a murderer,
And should be slain to avenge the other's blood
Before my gate whenever the pursuer
Shall take him."

Hearing this Mazdak went forth
To those petitioners and told them thus : —
" I have discussed the matter with the Shah.
Wait till the dawn, and I will show you how
To right yourselves."

They went away, returning

At dawn with stricken hearts in deep affliction.
Mazdak, when he beheld those chiefs from far,
Ran from the portal to the Shah and said : —
" O thou victorious Shah and eloquent,
Unsleeping, and the glory of the throne !
Thou gavest me an answer, when I spake,
And by that answer oped my bolted door,
So now with thy permission I will speak
A word to guide thee."

" Speak," the Shah replied,
" Lock not thy lips because thy words will help me."

Mazdak said : " Noble king ! suppose a man,
Whom thou hast bound, but they withhold from him
All food until he dieth, thus perforce
Surrendering sweet life. Now how should one
Be punished who had bread yet left that captive
In destitution ? Will the great king say : —
" This man was wise and holy ? '

Said the Shah :—

" Rend such to pieces, for through his neglect
He is a murderer."

On hearing this
Mazdak, when he had kissed the ground, went forth.
And from the portal thus harangued the crowd : —
" Go to the magazines where grain is stored,
And help yourselves while if the owners ask
Its value give them gold."

His own possessions
Within that city he gave up to pillage
In order that all folk might have their share.
Then all the hungry rabble fared in haste
To plunder every magazine of corn,
Owned by the citizens or by Kubad,
Who had none left to bless themselves withal.
The officers, when they perceived this, went
Before the watchful world-lord and thus said : —
" The mob have sacked the Shah's own granaries,
But all the fault recoileth on Mazdak."

Kubad bade call that man of eloquence,
And talked with him about the pillaging.
Mazdak replied : " Mayst thou be fortunate,
And may thy words be wisdom's daily food.
I only told the wretched market-folk
The words which I had heard the monarch speak.
I asked the Shah about the snake and poison,
And of the man who had the antidote
The Shah returned this answer to his servant
Concerning him that had and him that sought it :—
" If any die of snake-bite in the city.
Unhelped by one who hath the remedy,
For such they shall require that niggard's blood.'
The Shah's authority must not be slighted.
Bread is the antidote for hungry men—
An antidote not wanted by the full.
If thou art one that judgest right, O Shah !
Shall not the corn in store be put to use ?
To hunger have a multitude succumbed,

Whose deaths are due to idle granaries."
Kubad was much affected by the words :
These righteous words aroused his brain to action.
Then, questioning Mazdak and hearing him,
The Shah perceived him learned in heart and brain
In all things that the prophets, the archmages —
Those righteous dealers — and the great had spoken.
The teaching of Mazdak perverted him,
And exercised unbounded influence.
The multitude came thronging to Mazdak —
The many that had wandered from the way :
He said to them : " The man of empty hand
Is equal to the man possessed of wealth.
No one should have a superfluity,
The wealthy is the warp, the poor the woof ;
To right the world all men must have sufficient ;
The rich man's plenty is abominable ;
The women, goods, and houses are for all ;
The empty-handed and the rich are one.
I will take order that the holy Faith
Be manifest, the lofty from the low.
Whoever is of other Faith than this,
The malison of God is on that div."

He treated mendicants, both old and young,
As though they were the equals of himself,
He took from this man and bestowed on that ;
The archmages were astonied at his doings.
Kubad himself gave ear and was converted,
And of all things was joyful in his words.
He set Mazdak at his right hand although
An archimage unknown to all the host,
And unto him the mendicants resorted
With those that earned a living by their toil ;
His Faith began to flourish in the world,
And no one dared to seek revenge on him,
The rich renounced the things that made them glad,
And gave to mendicants what wealth they had.

It happened that Mazdak at dawn one day
Went from his house and came before the Shah,
And thus he said : " Of those that hold our Faith,
As well as of our lieges pure of heart,
A crowd of chiefs are at the door ; shall I
Admit them or shall they depart ? "

Kubad,

On hearing, bade the chamberlain admit them,
Whereat Mazdak said to the noble Shah : —
" This house is narrow and the crowd is great,
In sooth the audience-hall will hold them not ;

Let the Shah go and see them on the plain."

Kubad commanded that his throne be brought,
Brought from the royal palace to the waste,
And there a hundred thousand Mazdakis
Proceeded joyfully before the Shah,
And thus Mazdak addressed the king of earth : —
" O thou above all knowledge and acclaim !
Know that Kisra accepteth not our Faith,
But is it fit that he should turn therefrom ?
We must obtain from him an undertaking
In writing to give up his evil course.
There are five things that turn men from the right,
And e'en the sage can add no sixth. Now these
Are anger, vengeance, jealousy, and need ;
The fifth is greed, which is predominant,
And if thou conquer these five divs the way
Of God will be made manifest to thee.

From these five things it cometh that our women
And wealth work havoc with the good religion,
But will not meddle more if thou wilt keep it
Intact. The twain cause jealousy, greed, need,
While anger and revenge conspire with them,
And thus the Div perverteth wise men's heads :
The twain should be a common property."

This spoken, by the hand he grasped Kisra,
What while the Shah looked on in wonderment.
The noble prince in wrath withdrew his hand,
And turned his eyes in anger from Mazdak,
To whom Kubad said smiling : " Why art thou
Concerned for the religion of Kisra ? "

Mazdak rejoined : " The way of righteousness
Is not in him. He is not of our Faith."

The Shah then questioned of Kisra and said : —
" What way is there except the good religion ? "

Kisra replied : " If I shall have the time
Allowed me I will prove this theory false.
When both the fraud and falsehood shall appear
My truth will show out more conspicuously."

Mazdak rejoined : " Thou askest of the Shah —
The lustre of the world — how many days ? "

He said : "I ask a period of five months.
The Shah shall have his answer in the sixth
On all points."

They agreed and so departed.
The exalted Shah returned to his own palace.
Kisra dispatched a man to every quarter
To look for sages and auxiliaries.
An envoy went to Khurra-i-Ardshir
To cause the old Hurmuzd to come to court,
While from Istakhr came Mihr-Azar of Pars
With thirty friends. These seekers after knowledge
Held session and discussed the case at large,
And then these men of lore and ancient sages
Presented their conclusions to Kisra,
While he, when he had heard, went to Kubad,
Discoursed with him about Mazdak, and said : —
" The time now hath arrived when I would make

Investigation of the good religion.
If then Mazdak be right, and if the Faith
Delivered by Zarduhsht shall prove in fault.
I will accept the true Faith of Mazdak,
And make my soul's choice his, for when the way
Of Faridun, of Esdras, and of Christ,
And all the Zandavasta, shall prove wrong,
And when the doctrine of Mazdak shall stand,
The world must take him for its only guide.
If, on the other hand, his words are false,
And he ensueth not God's holy way;
Then turn thee from the pathway of his Faith,
Put far from thee this sorry Creed of his,
And give him with his followers to me ;
God grant that none of them keep brain and skin.

He took as witnesses Rizmihr. Kharrad,
Bihzad, Bandwi, and Fara'in, and thence
Departed to his palace and observed
The righteous covenant that he had made.
At dawn, what time the sun displayed its crown,
And earth was like a sea of ivory,
The world-king's son, that man of eloquence,
Set forth with chieftains and with archimages.
They went together to the royal palace.
Their speech was fluent and their quest the Way.
That youth — the Joy of hearts — came to Kubad,
And oped the case, whereon an archimage

" O seeker after wisdom ! thou hast framed
A new religion in the world and made
Community of women and of goods.
How will a father recognise his son,
The 'son in like wise recognise his father ?
When every man is equal in the world,
And great and little are no more discerned,
Who then will serve, and how can any rule ?
Who then will labour for us, thee and me,
And how shall good men be discerned from bad ?
When one shall die to whom will appertain
His house and goods when toiling slave and Shah
Are equal ? This will desolate the world ;
Such evil must not come upon Iran.
When all are masters who will be the servant ?
When all have treasure who be treasurer ?
None of the leaders of the Faith spake thus,
And thou art mad although thou hidest it.
Thou leadest all mankind to Hell, and thou
Accountest not all evil-doing wrong."

Kubad, when he had heard the archmage's words,
Was wroth and then gave sentence on the case.
The illustrious Kisra supported him,
The impious one grew full of fear at heart,
While all the people there assembled cried : —
" Let not Mazdak remain before the Shah ;
He hath made havoc of the Faith of God ;
Let him not tarry at this famous court."

The Shah became abhorrent from that Faith,
The heads of all its chiefs grew full of care.
He gave up to Kisra Mazdak forthwith
With all that held that doctrine and that way —
As many as three thousand men of name.
The king at that time thus addressed his son : —
" Do with those chiefs as seemeth good to thee,
And henceforth mention not Mazdak."

Kisra

Had at his court a pleasure-ground whose wall
Was higher than a crow could fly. Around
The circuit of that wall he dug a trench
Wherein he set those men at intervals.
They planted them like trees and firmly fixed
Their feet aloft, their heads below. Kisra
Addressed Mazdak on this wise : " Visit thou
The entrance of my noble garth. The seed
That thou hast scattered all this while hath brought
Fruit forth to thee, O thou insensate one !
Thou shalt see trees such as none e'er beheld,
Or heard described by shrewd men heretofore."
Mazdak went, oped the portal of the garden.
And thought maybe to see fruit-bearing trees,
But seeing what he did he gave a cry,
And then all consciousness abandoned him.

Kisra gave orders for a lofty gibbet
To be set up and at the top to fasten
A twisted lasso. Thereupon he hung

That impious wretch head-downwards and alive.
And after slew him with a shower of arrows.
If thou art prudent follow not Mazdak.!

The chiefs felt reassured about their wealth.
Their women, children, and their pleasances.

Kubad remained ashamed for many days,
And cursed Mazdak, gave mendicants much largess
And offered gifts before the Fane of Fire.
He gladdened at Kisra exceedingly
Because that Bough of his bare fruit of gems.
From that time forth the father sought alway
The son's advice and heard what he would say.

Now when Kubad had reigned for forty years
The grief of death's day came upon his heart.

He had a writing fairly drawn on silk
In that befitting and engaging script,
And first he offered praise to that just Judge,
" Who gave us Faith, accomplishment, and wisdom,
Whose word is certain, whatsoe'er He saith,
Alike in secret things and manifest.
None hath beheld His height of sovereignty,
And His elect ne'er are contemptible.
All ye that see the writing of Kubad !
Give heed but to the counsel of the wise,
I have bestowed the honourable throne
Upon Kisra. Fair fortune will be his
When I am dead. May God accept my son,
And may his foes' hearts be fulfilled with smoke.
By this our signet-ring we do require
Of archimages, chiefs, and other subjects
That ye in no wise shall transgress his bidding,
But joy in him and fill your treasuries."

He set his golden signet on that writing,
And placed it with the archmage Ram Barzin.
Kubad had come to four-score years and yet,
Old as he was, he did not wish for death.
Is any in the world content to die
Since no man knoweth what will come thereby ?
He died and left the world as his bequest ;
His travail, ease, and pleasures passed away.
Who profiteth by what he hath amast
Since empty-handed go he must at last ?
They draped the body with brocade and called
For rose and musk, for camphor and for wine.
They made for him a royal charnel-house,
A golden throne and crown of majesty.
They set the Shah upon the throne of gold,
Barred up the way thereto for evermore,
And thenceforth looked not on him. Thus he passed
O'er this world, as thou mightst have said, like wind !
How canst thou trust then in this ancient sky
Since it will end thee irremediably ?

The mourning being o'er, the high priest spread
The royal document upon the throne,
The magnates and archmages of Iran,
And all the famous sages, met in conclave,
The document was read before them all,
And with rejoicing they enthroned the heir.

Now when Kisra ascended his new throne
The people hailed him as their new-made Shah,
Called praises down on him as sovereign,
And time and earth submitted to his sway.
His throne revived the world, and at the stream

The sheep drank water with the wolf. Folk said :—
" May this Shah live for ever. May his Grace
Surpass Jamshid's."

His goodness and his justice,
His institutions, Faith, and far-famed knowledge
Were such that people called him Nushirwan,
For love and signet were both young with him.

The story of Kubad is at an end,
And henceforth to Kisra my thoughts I bend.