
Spring Largesse and Willow Wreaths
From D10.23, Bahram Instructs His Officials. It illustrates D10.23.55–63:
- D10.23.55When spring arrived, the heralds cried at dawnBefore the court where royal signs were drawn:
- D10.23.56“Let those with substance eat and give away,And count their food a blessing every day.
- D10.23.57Let all the poor come straight to treasury doors,And take their portion from the royal stores:
- D10.23.58Five weighed-out dirhams each shall now receive,With three full mans of old wine, when they leave,
- D10.23.59Wine bright as gold or pomegranate bloom,To lift the heart and sweeten every room.”
- D10.23.60The world made ready for delight and cheer;Through town and hamlet, joyful cries rang clear.
- D10.23.61Two gold dinars bought each sweet willow wreath,While flowers bloomed in radiant light beneath.
- D10.23.62One dirham bought a lone narcissus spray;No buyer grieved to pay that price that day.
- D10.23.63The old grew young at heart in joy’s new light;The springs ran milk, their waters flowing white.
Previous · D10.22The Khan's Crown Hung at AzargashaspNext · D10.24The Mobad Answers Caesar's Riddles
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