History of the Parsis : including their manners, customs, religion and present position : with coloured and other illustrations : in two volumes

18 HISTORY OF THE PARSIS. [CHAP. I.

est us; it is for thee to choose either Islam or tribute, or else war unto death.”

“Tf I entertained no regard for your character of deputies,” replied Yazdezard, “I would instantly deprive you of life.” Uttering these words, he ordered a bag full of earth to be brought, and ironically alluding to the tribute the envoys had ventured to demand, he said to them, “This is all you will get from me. Return to your general; inform him that Rustam will, in a few days, go to bury him with his whole army in the trench of Kadesia.” Then he added, “Let this bag be placed on the shoulders of the chief of the deputation, and let the men be pushed out from the gates of Madayn.” Asim Amin hastened forward to receive this load, and, far from feeling humbled by taking it, he lifted it on his head with an air of satisfaction, which appeared to Yazdezard to be a mark of stupidity. The Arabs had scarcely departed when Rustam, having been informed of the details of the conference and of the manner in which it terminated, immediately understood the presage which had excited the joy of Asim. He sent persons | to run after the deputies, in order to take from them the earth which they were carrying away as a pledge of future success. They had, however, proeressed so far that all pursuit was vain, and when they reached their camp Asim, depositing the bag before

his general, exclaimed, ‘ The soil of Persia is ours!”