26
FIRDUSI
the spot, immediately recognized him, and awakening him to a sense of this new misfortune, secured the despairing and agonized wanderer, and sent him to Zohák.
He saw a person sleeping on the ground,
And knew that it was Jemshíd. Overjoyed,
He bound his feet with chains, and mounted him.
Upon a horse, a prisoner.
What a world!
No place of rest for man! Fix not thy heart,
Vain mortal! on this tenement of life,
On earthly pleasures; think of Jemshíd’s fate;
His glory reached the Heavens, and now this world
Has bound the valiant monarch’s limbs in fetters,
And placed its justice in the hands of slaves.
And knew that it was Jemshíd. Overjoyed,
He bound his feet with chains, and mounted him.
Upon a horse, a prisoner.
What a world!
No place of rest for man! Fix not thy heart,
Vain mortal! on this tenement of life,
On earthly pleasures; think of Jemshíd’s fate;
His glory reached the Heavens, and now this world
Has bound the valiant monarch’s limbs in fetters,
And placed its justice in the hands of slaves.
When Zohák received intelligence of the apprehension of his enemy, he ordered him to be brought before the throne that he might enjoy the triumph.
All fixed their gaze upon the captive king,
Loaded with chains; his hands behind his back;
The ponderous fetters passing from his neck
Down to his feet; oppressed with shame he stood,
Like the narcissus bent with heavy dew.
Zohák received him with a scornful smile,
Saying, “Where is thy diadem, thy throne,
Where is thy kingdom, where thy sovereign rule;
Thy laws and royal ordinances—where,
Where are they now? What change is this that fate
Has wrought upon thee?” Jemshíd thus rejoined:
“Unjustly am I brought in chains before thee,
Betrayed, insulted—thou the cause of all,
And yet thou wouldst appear to feel my wrongs!”
Incensed at this defiance, mixed with scorn,
Fiercely Zohák replied, “Then choose thy death;
Shall I behead thee, stab thee, or impale thee,
Or with an arrow’s point transfix thy heart!
What is thy choice?”—
“Since I am in thy power,
Do with me what thou wilt—why should I dread
Thy utmost vengeance, why express a wish
To save my body from a moment’s pain!”
Loaded with chains; his hands behind his back;
The ponderous fetters passing from his neck
Down to his feet; oppressed with shame he stood,
Like the narcissus bent with heavy dew.
Zohák received him with a scornful smile,
Saying, “Where is thy diadem, thy throne,
Where is thy kingdom, where thy sovereign rule;
Thy laws and royal ordinances—where,
Where are they now? What change is this that fate
Has wrought upon thee?” Jemshíd thus rejoined:
“Unjustly am I brought in chains before thee,
Betrayed, insulted—thou the cause of all,
And yet thou wouldst appear to feel my wrongs!”
Incensed at this defiance, mixed with scorn,
Fiercely Zohák replied, “Then choose thy death;
Shall I behead thee, stab thee, or impale thee,
Or with an arrow’s point transfix thy heart!
What is thy choice?”—
“Since I am in thy power,
Do with me what thou wilt—why should I dread
Thy utmost vengeance, why express a wish
To save my body from a moment’s pain!”
As soon as Zohák heard these words he resolved upon a horrible deed of vengeance. He ordered two planks to be brought, and Jemshíd being fastened down between them, his body was divided the whole length with a saw, making two figures of Jemshid out of one!
