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se I could have finished him then and

there。 Being this close to his curly hair； to the nape of his neck—which

might’ve invited an insulting slap at another time—and to his ugly ears

enraged　me　all　the　more。　“I’m　using　all　my　restraint　to　keep　from　doing　away

with　you　this　instant；”　I　whispered　into　his　ear　as　if　divulging　a　secret。

That he listened to me like an obedient child without making a peep

pleased　me：　“You’ll　recognize　this　legend　from　the　Book　of　Kings；”　I　whispered。

“Feridun　Shah；　in　error；　bequeaths　the　worst　of　his　lands　to　his　two　older　sons

and the best； Persia； to Iraj； the youngest。 Tur； bent on revenge； dupes his

younger brother； Iraj； of whom he is jealous； before he cuts Iraj’s throat； he

grabs his hair just as I am doing now and lies on top of him with all his

weight。　Do　you　feel　the　weight　of　my　body？”

He　gave　no　answer；　but　from　his　eyes；　which　stared　blankly　like　those　of　a

sacrificial lamb； I could tell that he was listening； and I was struck with

inspiration：　“I’m　not　only　faithful　to　Persian　styles　and　methods　in　painting；

but　also　in　beheadings。　I’ve　also　seen　another　version　of　this　much　loved　scene

that　describes　Shah　Siyavush’s　death。”

I　explained　to　Black；　who　listened　silently；　how　Siyavush　made　preparations

for avenging his brothers； how he burned down his entire palace； all his

belongings and property； how he forgivingly parted from his wife； mounted

his　steed　and　went　to　war；　how　he　lost　the　battle　and　was　dragged　by　his　hair

along　the　ground　before　being　laid　out　facedo