Cyrus Turns His Heart from the World and Withdraws

In the fire temple of Nowbahar at Balkh, that famous king washed his head and body. Worn down by war and sick of evil, a divine glory shone upon him. The king's rich soul filled with thought because of that divine, far reaching power. He kept saying: every flourishing land, from India to Greece and Rome, I took by the strength of kingship; command and the high throne became mine. Now it is better that I seek the path and go before God, full of honor. Let my soul carry me to the place of the good, for this crown and royal throne pass away. May my soul never harbor selfish pride, nor think evil, nor hold devilish spite. Then he put on fresh white garments and went, praying, his heart full of hope. He left the palace for the place of worship, and lifted his heart from the king's throne. That famous king divided his whole realm, all of it, into two halves. One half he gave to Kavus the king, the other to Barteh, of noble lineage. Barteh had his home in the mountains, and lived as a hermit, morning and night. Kavus was the elder of the two in years, and wanted no equal in the world. In secret he sent men and had him killed, to gather the whole realm into his fist. They called him by the name Smerdis, and the common people thought he was still alive.