The Building of Sursan

From E1.3, Anooshirvan’s Wisdom and Sursan. It illustrates E1.3.13–24:

E1.3.13
He built a city in the style of Rum,Two farsangs broad, where gardens came to bloom.
E1.3.14
A river flowed along the city’s side,With fields and meadows opposite, spread wide.
E1.3.15
Within that city rose his royal seat,A palace where the king and court would meet.
E1.3.16
Its vaults were worked in silver and in gold,With precious stones in patterns rich and bold.
E1.3.17
He raised a dome of ebony and teak,With ivory worked, and hardwoods rare to seek;
E1.3.18
With elephant-bone inlaid, carved rich and high,To catch the light and dazzle every eye.
E1.3.19
From Rum and Hind he summoned craftsmen skilled,Whose hands could shape whatever they had willed.
E1.3.20
All those who learned their masters’ craft and artWere brought to work with skill of eye and heart.
E1.3.21
The famous artists of Iran came too,With Nimruz craftsmen, masters tried and true.
E1.3.22
He gathered them within that city’s bound,Where workshops rose as craftsmen gathered round.
E1.3.23
The prisoners brought from Barbar and from Rum,He settled each and gave them house and room.
E1.3.24
The Shah, the glory of the realm and crown,Made beauty flourish all throughout the town.