Vis and Ramin

THE DEATH OF VIS AND RAMIN 395
as I live I will heap earth on my head, and sit with torn
collar. At this present I do not slay myself wholly, because
however long I may exist, I shall be more sorely tried than by
death. Nor should an ill deed be done to flee from old age. 1
My heart is full of woes and mine eyes (are full) of blood. . . .
Patience is the glory of an old man. In a time of such exces-
sive grief that glory of patience befits him. ... All griefs
are mended by patience, though I no longer expect joy.
Sadness for thee oppresses me tightly with a collar, and I
cannot bear love. I cannot escape from the thought of
thee, and I cannot restrain my hands from thy service ;
nor by mine eyes without thee do I expect to find joy. As
long as I live I shall burn in thoughts of thee. How can I
speak thy true praise since I no longer have wit, and my
tongue is bound?
He lamented
Not even now can I endure thine absence !"
2
piteously, and He reared a fine
wept unceasingly for Vis.
3
sepulchre seemly to her with gold and
lapis lazuli, 4 and for himself too. Then he spoke thus as
"
to his following her : I who am also a corpse mourn this
day." Near her, too, he built a fire- worshipping temple, 5
and its head reached to the clouds, and it was strong not
to be destroyed till eternity. Day and night in there he
censed sweet oil and perfumes.
called his eldest son, Khorshed, the grandees, and 456
| He
the troops. And he set Khorshed on the royal throne,
placed the crown on his head, girt a sword about his loins,
blessed him as king, and called his name Khuasrov. Thus
he spoke :
"Eighty and three years have I been a happy monarch.
Now have I given thee my belongings and the throne, that
ruling may beseem and befit thee too. God make thee
happy. Thou art a young man, and thy fate is young too.
Bring not shame upon Vis, thy mother, nor upon me. Do
what thou hast seen me do, that I may not judge thee when
1 Suicide. Cf. R. f 728, etc. Motehkmida, 890, 41 1
Samarkhavi. * Lathvardi, R., 984, 1265, 1821.
Satzetzkhlc sakhli BaloUavad fire-house for prayer
Khuatrov, 461.