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Zahhak writhed in his sleep, and felt that his liver would split with terror; he cried out, and his pillared chamber shook with the noise. His beautiful serving girls sprang up at their master’s scream, and Arnavaz said to him, “Tell me, my lord, what is troubling you; you are sleeping safely in your own house, it must be something in your soul that has terrified you. The seven climes are yours to rule, and animals, men, and demons watch over your safety.”
The king said to his womenfolk, “You will not be able to conceal what I tell you, and when you hear this wonder you will despair of my life.” Arnavaz replied, “You should tell us your secret; we might be able to suggest some remedy, since no calamity is without a remedy.” The king described his dream, and Arnavaz said 0 reply
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“You should not neglect this. But your throne rules the world, which shines with your splendor, and all its animals, men, demons, birds, and fairies pay homage to your seal ring. Summon astrologers and magicians from every province; tell them what you have seen, seek out the truth of the matter, see in whose hands your life lies, and whether it is a man, a demon, or a fairy that threatens you. When you know this, that will be the time to make plans; don’t tremble in fear at your enemies’ malevolence.” The king liked the advice of this woman, whose body was as elegant as a cypress tree, and whose face was as lovely as the stars. 0 reply
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The world was black like a raven’s wing, when suddenly light appeared above the mountains; it was as if the sun were scattering topazes in a purple sky. The king summoned eloquent and learned sages from every quarter and told them of his heart-wrenching dream.
He said, “Is it good or ill these signs portend? When will my earthly life come to an end? Who will come after me? Say who will own This royal diadem, and belt, and throne.
Reveal this mystery, and do not lie— Tell me this secret or prepare to die.”
The sages’ lips were dry, and their cheeks wet with tears. They said to one another, “If we tell him what will happen, our souls will be worthless, and if he doesn’t hear from us, we must wash our hands of life here and now. 0 reply
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” Three days went by, and no one dared speak to Zahhak; on the fourth he said, “Either be strung up on a gibbet alive or tell me my fate.” All the sages bowed their heads, and their hearts were filled with terror, their eyes with tears. One of them, a wise and prudent man named Zirak, stepped forward. Anxiety seized his heart, but he spoke out fearlessly before Zahhak: “Rid your mind of vain thoughts, since no man is born from his mother but for death. Many worthy kings have sat on the throne before you and experienced great sorrow and great joy; each of them died and left the world in another’s hands. Surround yourself with iron walls reaching to the sky, but you cannot remain here, another man will occupy your throne, and your good fortune will lie in the dust. 0 reply
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