Chapter 28
So Zarathustra allowed himself to fall into the power of the Sun King; and the soldiers caused him and Asha to march in their midst to the place of the skulls. And thousands and tens of thousands of people came forth to witness the proceedings; for there were many who were in sympathy with Zarathustra, as well as many against him.
And in order to restrain the multitude, the captain of the army called out many soldiers in addition to those who made the arrest. Others ran to the king’s palace, carrying the news of his arrest, and the place he had been taken to.
The king said to the heralds: Though this man shall die, it is fit that proper judgment be rendered against him, as an example before all men. Go, therefore, to the executioners, and command them to bring Zarathustra into my presence, so that I may adjudge him to death according to law.
Thus Zarathustra was brought before the king, who accosted him, saying:
By your behavior you are accused before your king, and I adjudge you to death. But so that you may be an example before the world, I will render my judgments before the heralds, who shall proclaim my words to all who desire to witness your death.
First, then, my predecessor ordered your arrest, and you did not deliver yourself to my soldiers; nor could they find you. For which you are adjudged to death.
Second. Without permission from the KING OF THE SUN, you have traveled in foreign lands, sowing seeds of dis-allegiance against the CENTRAL KINGDOM. For which you are adjudged to death.
Third. The KING OF KINGS offered a reward for your head, and the king’s soldiers were unable to find you. For which you are adjudged to death.
Fourth. In your youth you threatened to overthrow the city of Oas, the CITY OF THE SUN, and failed to make your word good, thus being a teacher of lies. For which you are adjudged to death.
Fifth. You have cut off the foreign tribute to the rightful OWNER OF THE WHOLE WORLD! For which you are adjudged to death.
Sixth. You have revived the doctrines of the dark ages, teaching of spirits and Gods, which things cannot exist, because they are contrary to nature, and contrary to the laws of the KING OF THE WORLD! For which you are adjudged to death.
Seventh. You have taught that there is an unseen Creator greater than your king; which is contrary to reason. For which you are adjudged to death.
Eighth. You did not return to Oas openly, but as a thief, and hid yourself in a chamber of the wall. For which reason you are adjudged to die in the manner of thieves, which is the most ignoble of all deaths.
Therefore, I command the executioners to take you to the den of thieves and cast you in; and tomorrow, at high noon, you shall be hung up by your feet along with the thieves, where you shall be left hanging till you are dead.
So that my judgment may appease your best friends, do you have anything to say against my decrees?
Zarathustra said: All the charges you have made against me are true today; but before tomorrow’s setting sun I will have disproved some of them. Today your kingdom is large; in two days I will be dead, and you will be dead also; and this great city will be destroyed. Even the Temple of the Sun will be split in two, and fall like a heap of rubbish.
The king laughed in derision, and then spoke to Asha, saying: You are an old fool. Go your way. So, Asha was liberated, and Zarathustra was taken to the den of thieves and cast in. Now the den of thieves was surrounded by the dens of lions that belonged to the king’s gardens; and a bridge was passed over, so that when the prisoners were within, the bridge was withdrawn. And no prisoner could escape, but would fall prey to the lions, which were fed on the flesh of the persons executed according to law.