The Nāṣirī Generations 299.2

299.2

When this unworthy remark reached that sovereign of Musalmans, Barka Khan, he entered into his khargah alone, fixed a rope round his own neck, firmly secured the door of the khargah with a chain, and stood up ; and with the most entire humility, and most perfect submission, he began to weep and groan, and say : O God ! if the Muhammadan faith and the laws of Islam are true, do me justice against Surtak.” For the space of three nights and days, after having performed his religious duties, he continued, in this manner, to groan and lament, and to supplicate, until, on the fourth day, when Surtak, the accursed, arrived at that place of encampment, the hour of his death came. The Most High God afflicted him with bowel complaint ; and he went to hell. Some [persons] related on this wise, that, on Mangu Khan perceiving signs of sedition upon the brow of Surtak, he despatched confidential persons, secretly, so that they administered poison to the accursed Surtak, and he departed to hell.