The Nāṣirī Generations 135.2

135.2

At this point in the account of Bustam, the masters of history have two traditions, one of which is that just related. The other tradition is from the Muntakhab-i-Tarikh-i-Nasiri, which one of the great men of Ghaznin composed in the time of the Sultan-i-Ghazi, Mu'izz-ud-Din, Muhammad, son of Sam—the Almighty illumine his tomb!—which is as follows:— “When Afridun overcame Zuhak, and took the dominion from him, two brothers, his sons, reached Nihawand. The elder brother bore the name of Suz, and the younger was called Sam. The elder brother, Suz, became Amir [chief or ruler], and the younger, who was named Sam, became the Sipah-salar [leader or commander of his forces]. “Amir Suz had a daughter, and the Sipah-salar, Sam, a son; and these two cousins had, in early childhood, been betrothed to each other, and they had fixed their hearts upon each other. The Sipah-salar, Sam, died; and his son had become valiant and a great warrior, so much so, that in that day he had no equal in manliness and valour. After the decease of his father, certain envious and malicious persons arose, who slandered him to his uncle, Amir Suz, in consequence of which his uncle became irritated against him, and he determined to bestow his daughter upon the son of some one of the Maliks of the parts round about.