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