English
Part 16: The Capture and Punishment of Mahuy
Once Bijan had set his whole army in order, he laid an ambush against the Iranians' foe.
Mahuy understood, and from the center of the field he charged out roaring through the middle of the ranks.
Bijan watched and saw his banner, and knew that Mahuy meant to slip away and escape.
He ordered Barsam to move the troops he commanded aside from the center of the field.
So that Mahuy of Sur would not take fright at the battle and flee at once toward the Oxus.
Do not let him slip your sharp gaze, he said, for we will deal with him another way.
When Barsam of China saw the banner, he drew his men aside from the main army.
Mahuy galloped on toward the sands of Farab, his face full of fury, his lips full of curses.
Bijan overtook him at the sands of Farab, pressed hard in the stirrups and rushed forward.
When he came level, face to face with Mahuy, he showed his courage and drew his dagger.
He seized him by the belt, tore him from the saddle, and threw him easily to the ground.
He dismounted, bound Mahuy's hands, flung him down before him, and climbed back into the saddle.
At that moment Mahuy's own men arrived, and the whole plain filled with their clamor.
They said to Barsam: do not carry this man off, his neck should be struck with the axe here and now.
He answered: that is not the way, nor is Bijan unaware of this raid.
Just then word reached Bijan that the secret quarry had been caught.
The world-seizing Mahuy, deranged of mind, full of malice, godless, a king-slayer.
When Bijan heard this he rejoiced; he swelled with pride and was freed of his worry.
They pitched a canopy over the soft sand, and Mahuy came on like a hot wind.
When the guilty man saw Bijan's face, all reason vanished from his brain.
He stood like a body without a soul from terror, and scattered the loose sand over his own head.
Bijan said to him: you of vile stock, may no one ever have a servant like you.
Why did you kill that just king, the master of victory and the throne?
King upon king for generations, himself a sovereign, a memorial to the world from Nushirvan's line.
He answered: for one who has done evil, nothing awaits but death and reproach.
For this crime, strike off my head now and cast it down before this assembly.
He feared that Bijan would flay off his skin and drag his body through blood in vengeance.
The brave man read his hidden thought, and for a while he delayed his reply.
Then he answered: I will act in such a way as to drive this hatred out of my heart.
With this manliness, this wisdom, judgment and temper of yours, you came to desire the crown and throne.
He cut off Mahuy's hand with his sword and said: this hand has no equal in wickedness.
When he had cut off the hand, he said: cut off his two feet as well, so he stays right here.
He ordered his ears and nose cut off and crushed, then mounted his own steed.
He commanded: hold this man here on the hot sand until sleep comes over him from his shame.
A herald went round the whole army, passing by the door of every tent.
Crying: you servants who would slay your lord, do not stir up trouble anywhere without cause.
May whoever, like Mahuy, showed no mercy to the king's life, never see the throne, and may he be gone like the wind.
Mahuy's three young sons were in the army, and all three had shared his throne and crown.
There in that very place a fire was kindled, and the father and all three sons were burned.
No one of that seed was left in the world, and whoever saw a survivor drove him off.
The great men curse that whole house, their hearts full of rancor for the killing of the king.
May curses be upon him and may he never exist, the one who does not rightly send curses on him.
Now after this comes the age of Umar; when he brought his faith, the pulpit replaced the throne.