Explore "Shahnameh" by Abolqasem Ferdowsi on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Yazdegerd rejoiced at his brother's unhappy death, taking his crown and placing it on his own head. All those who had lived by the sword and mace trembled like willow trees; Yazdegerd's rule over the world became more secure, and his benevolence faded away as his authority increased. Wise men meant nothing to him, and his royal obligations were forgotten; lords of the marches, champions, scholars, and learned priests-all were like so much wind to him, and his dark soul gave itself over to tyranny. Justice and kindness were cancelled from his heart, and he granted no man his requests. He respected no one's rank, and faults were elaborately punished. His ministers, whose task was to increase his power and glory, agreed among themselves never to tell the king of the country's true condition; they all shrank from him in terror and lived in fear for their lives.
As soon as the chamberlain heard that envoys had come to see the king, or that subordinates had arrived at court seeking help, he hurried to reassure them with kind and gentle words. Later he said, "The king is not in the mood for work, and you cannot have an audience with him. I have told him of your requests, and he will act appropriately."