A literary history of Persia

326 THE GREAT PERSIAN HERESIARCHSwhere he sought hospitality from the jazir'of the place, who, holdingJawidan in light esteem, passed him on to the mother of Babak,bidding her entertain him. And she, by reason of poverty andstraitened means, had no food [to set before him], wherefore sherose up and kindled a fire, being unable to do more than this [forhis entertainment], while Babak waited upon his servants and beasts,and tended them, and gave them water to drink. And Jawidan senthim out to buy for him food and wine and fodder, and when hebrought him these things, he conversed and talked with him, andfound him, nothwithstanding his detestable character, and thoughhis tongue was cramped by outlandish speech, of good understanding,and saw him to be a cunning rogue. So he said to Bibak's mother," Oh woman, I am a man from the mountain of al-Badhdh, where Ienjoy consideration and opulence, and Ineed [the services of] thisthy son, wherefore give him to me, that Imay take him with me,and make him my agent over my farms and estates, and I will sendthee his wages, fifty dirhams every month." She replied, "Thouseemest well-intentioned, and the signs of opulence are apparent inthee, and my heart feels confidence in thee ;take him with thee,therefore, when thou departest.""' Then Abu 'Imran came down from his mountain against Jawidan,and fought with him, but was routed and slain by him. And Jawidanreturned unto his mountain, bearing a wound which caused himanxiety, and abode in his house three days, and then died. Now hiswife had conceived a passion for Babak, who had yielded to herguilty desires, and so, when Jawidan died, she said to him, " Verilythou art strong and cunning ; Jawidanis dead, and I have not mentionedthis to any one of his followers. Prepare thyself for to-morrow,when I will assemble them before thee, and will inform them thatJawidan said ' I desire to die this : night, and that my spirit shouldgo forth from my body, and enter into the body of Bibak, andassociate itself with his spirit. Verily he will accomplish for himselfand for you a thing which none hath heretofore accomplished andwhich none shall hereafter accomplish for; verily he shall take posessionof the earth, and shall slay the tyrants, and shall restore theMazdakites, and by him shall the lowest of you become mighty, andthe meanest of "you be exalted.' And Babak's ambition was arousedby what she said, and he rejoiced thereat, and prepared himself toundertake it.1According to the Muhitu'l-Mnhit this word has in 'Iraq the specialsignification of one chosen by his fellow-villagers to entertain officialguests quartered on the village.