Section 9: The Death of Yazdgerd at the Spring

The high priest said to him: 'O king, you have strayed from the path of the Creator.' You said you would slip free from the grip of death, as the autumn wind tears the leaf from the branch. Your only cure is this: take the gentle road and travel by litter toward the spring of Soo. There, pray before the holy God; move over that warm earth with humble weeping. Say: 'I am your feeble servant, who has bound my soul with a snare of oaths.' 'Now I have come to learn where my fated hour lies, before you, the true and just judge.' When the king heard this, it pleased him, and even his illness seemed to ease. He readied three hundred litters and palanquins and set out toward the sea of the city. Night and day he stayed inside the litter, and now and then blood ran from his nose. When he drew near the spring of Soo, he stepped out from the litter and gazed at the sea. He poured a little of that water over his head and gave thanks to God for His goodness. For a while no blood came from his nose; he drank and rested with his guide. Then pride swelled in him and he said: 'What sort of custom is this? Why should I linger so long in one place?' So the shepherd king grew arrogant, since he had seen only good come to him. From the sea there rose a great white horse, its haunches round as a wild ass, its legs short. Racing, full of fury like an enraged lion, tall, with black testicles and crow-dark eyes. Its tail dragging near its feet, with mane and forelock, black-hoofed, foam-flinging, strong enough to kill a lion. Yazdgerd said to his nobles: 'Surround this beast with the troops.' The herdsman came forward with ten colt-tamers, a saddle, and a long coiled lasso. How could they know the secret hidden by God, the king, that had brought this dragon into their path? The herdsman and all the soldiers stood helpless; the shepherd king grew angry at them. At once he took up the saddle and bridle himself and approached that horse, eager and glad. The white horse grew so tame where it stood that it moved neither foot nor hoof. It took the bridle from the world-ruling king and stood calm as the saddle was set upon it. When he placed the saddle and drew the girth tight, the leaping monster did not stir from its place. But when he went behind it to tie its tail, that stone-hoofed steed broke into a roar. It bellowed and lashed a single kick to his chest; his head and crown came down into the dust. From dust he came and to dust Yazdgerd returned; what do you seek from these seven turning heavens? Since you find no escape from their turning, worshiping them holds no worth at all. Turn to God and take refuge in Him, the Lord of the wheeling sun and moon. When the king was killed, the water-horse, swift as the wind, came to that lapis-blue spring. It plunged into the water and its body vanished; no one in the world had ever seen such a wonder. A cry rose from the army like a war drum: 'O king, your fated hour has brought you to Tus.' They tore all their garments and poured dust upon their necks and heads. After that the high priest opened his body, between the flank and the crown of his head. He packed it all with camphor and musk and dried his body with fine brocade. In a golden coffin and a litter of teak, that crowned lord was carried toward Fars. Such is the way of this lofty world: when you find peace, still fear its harm. You may be at ease, but the world is not at ease with you; a name well earned is better than a full cup. Serving the faith is better than sin, when a man has risen to such a rank.