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Bijan Is Cast into the Pit under Akvan's Stone

Bijan Is Cast into the Pit under Akvan's Stone

From C2.10, Bijan Is Put in Bonds. It illustrates C2.10.1–12 (to C2.10.20):

  • C2.10.1
    Afrasiab commanded: “Garsivaz, obey;Prepare a pit where light shall lose its way.
  • C2.10.2
    Draw both his hands in chains, his throat in hold,And clamp a Rumi bond, bridge-arched and cold.
  • C2.10.3
    Make all secure with heavy rivets fast,Then headfirst down to black despair be cast.
  • C2.10.4
    Shut sun and moon forever from his eyes;Take elephants where Akvan’s great stone lies.
  • C2.10.5
    That stone the Piltan raised from ocean deep,And cast in Chin’s far wilds for fate to keep,
  • C2.10.6
    That stone shall now avenge me on this man;Bring elephants and all the force you can.
  • C2.10.7
    The stone above Arzhang’s dark dungeon-doorShall seal him in and hide him evermore.
  • C2.10.8
    Then leave him there to madness, grief, and night,And ride to Manijeh’s palace in your might.
  • C2.10.9
    Go sack the palace of that wanton maid,Whose shameless choice has made her honor fade.
  • C2.10.10
    Strip her of crown and fortune, head and all,And speak these words, and let my anger fall:
  • C2.10.11
    ‘Accursed, wretched girl, unfit to wearThe royal crown or breathe the royal air,
  • C2.10.12
    You have abased my head among the great,And dragged my royal crown through scorn and hate.’

In the picture

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