New Naqqali👑🪑😏🗣️⚖️🧠🪖👥👏⏳😠🗡️😨👥🙏👂🚫📜⚠️19 emoji · the whole poem in emoji →
In briefYazdegard is crowned, glad of his brother’s death, and promises justice while threatening the insolent. Once secure he scorns the sages, drops the old ways, answers no petitions and rules by terror. His ministers keep the state of the realm from him and turn suppliants away.
When was crowned, his heart grew proud;He called the soldiers round him in a crowd.
He set his brother’s crown upon his head,And felt delight to know his brother dead.
He spoke before the nobles of the land:“All who love justice, heed my firm command.
First offer praise to God, then let each heartRejoice in all the justice we impart.
Give honor to the wise, whose minds discern;Kill those whose hands to evil action turn.
Whoever seeks our justice shall find restFrom wrong and want that keep his life oppressed.
His station everywhere we shall increase;From greed and vengeance let the heart find peace.
Only the great and advise,The shrewd of heart, with truth before their eyes.
But he whose faults have stained his very soul,Whom wickedness makes drunk beyond control,
Who crushes helpless men beneath his feet,And lifts his neck through wealth and self-conceit,
We will resist and strip his power away,And grant the poor more favor day by day.
Who scorns our anger and, before our eyes,Makes insolence his guide, our will defies,
His neck seeks Indian steel; his body mustFind bed in earth, and rest upon the dust.
Attend my bidding; let it clear your sight,And wear your wisdom like a breastplate bright.”
The men whose hope was and sharpened bladeAll shook like willows, trembling and afraid.
Once he was firmly settled in his reign,His greatness grew; his love began to wane.
He scorned the sages; all the ancient waysOf kingship fell from use beneath his gaze.
Governors, s, and nobles great,And learned Mobadan who served the state,
Were wind to him; his soul grew dark within,And made a trade of tyranny and sin.
Love fled his soul, and justice left his reign;He answered no petitions brought in pain.
No man held any standing in his sight;At once he punished any fault outright.
The ministers who helped his fortune riseAnd raised his crown in honor in men’s eyes,
All pledged that none would speak before the throneOf that afflicted realm, or make it known.
All writhed in fear beneath his heavy hand;His terror left them lifeless through the land.
When envoys came, or subjects sought redress,And begged protection in their deep distress,
A minister, apprised of every suit,Would hasten forth to hear each one’s dispute.
With gentle voice he sent them on their way,And spoke with shame the words he had to say:
“The Shah will not attend to state affairs;No path to him is open for your prayers.
I told him all your case and every plea,But little justice governs his decree.”
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In briefIn Yazdegard’s eighth year Bahram is born under happy stars, and the astrologers foretell that the seven climes will bow to him. Fearing the father’s nature, the Mobadan urge fostering him abroad. Yazdegard gives him to Monzer, who has him nursed, schooled and horsed.
When seven years of had passed,Oppressed, the stood pale, aghast.
In , when year eight had begun,The world beheld the Faith’s returning sun.
On ’s day he had a child whose birthBore happy stars and omens bright for earth.
His father named him , and the boyFilled all his father’s heart with boundless joy.
At court were astrologers, skilled and wise;A prudent king should heed their searching eyes.
The Indian lord stood at his side,With judgment clear and wisdom as his guide.
An Iranian, , versed in that lore,Could bridle heaven with the skill he bore.
These prudent seekers of the Way drew near,Before the Shah when summons reached their ear.
They gauged the stars with astrolabes in hand,And read the Roman tables, closely scanned.
They read his hidden fortune in the sky:The child would rule the world, his station high.
The would bow beneath his might;A glad and pious king would guard the right.
They came before the Shah without delay,With charts and astrolabes in full array.
They said, “We gathered knowledge of each kind,And searched the heavens with instructed mind.
We learned that heaven loves this noble child;Its favor on his infant fortune smiled.
The seven climes shall bow before his name;His mighty reign shall win enduring fame.”
The Shah rejoiced to hear the words they bore,And gave them royal jewels from his store.
When they had left, the chiefs remained behind,With ministers and Mobadan combined.
They sat in counsel, seeking how to raiseThe child in wisdom and in righteous ways.
If he escaped his father’s evil way,He would become a just king in his day.
“If he should share that nature,” said the wise,“He will bring ruin under royal skies.
The Mobadan and s will grieve;His soul no joy or brightness shall perceive.”
Then all the Mobadan, with loyal care,Approached the Shah and laid their counsel bare.
They said, “This lively child is free from blame;No charge or slander can approach his name.
The world now rests beneath your royal hand;Each clime pays tribute, pledged to your command.
Seek out a land where learned men abound,And through their knowledge peace and ease are found.
Choose there a fosterer of honored name,Whose country blesses him for all his fame.
Let this good prince gain virtue from his guide,And let his rule spread joy on every side.”
The Shah, on hearing this, called envoys near,And sent them far beyond each known frontier.
To , to , to Chin, and distant lands,He sent his messengers with firm commands.
A chief went to the Arabs to discernWhat good or ill their country might return.
A crier went through every distant place,To seek a tutor fit for Bahram’s grace.
An eloquent and learned scribe they sought,Who read the stars and kept what he was taught.
From every clime wise Mobadan then came,Accomplished and renowned in art and name.
As each one reached the court and royal sight,He sought to guide the prince and teach him right.
He questioned them, and honored every guest,And settled them in homes from east to west.
At night went , at his side,With Arab spearmen famous far and wide.
When all these chiefs in had gathered round,They came before the Shah on royal ground.
They said, “We are your slaves who wait your will,To answer and obey your counsel still.
Such times require a noble man to raiseThe royal son in learning’s worthy ways.
To take him in and teach him what is right,And clear his heart of darkness through that light.
From Rum and Hind and Pars, men here are wiseIn measured forms and motions of the skies.
Philosophers and speakers, versed in lore,And men of practice stand before your door.
We all are dust beneath your royal feet,And guides to knowledge, if you find us meet.
Look well, and choose which one is fit for you,And who can make your purpose sound and true.”
Then Monzer spoke: “We are your slaves, your own;We live for nothing but the royal throne.
The Shah knows all our skills; within his keep,He is the shepherd, we his flock of sheep.
We ride with courage, skilled in horse and spear,More than a match for sages gathered here.
We have no readers of the stars or signs,No men who track the sky with figured lines.
Our hearts are full of love for him who reigns;Beneath us Arab horses race the plains.
We serve your son, and praise his royal name;His greatness is the glory we proclaim.”
When Yazdegard had heard what Monzer said,He weighed the matter deeply in his head.
He saw the end within the first design,And gave him Bahram, child of royal line.
The Shah commanded robes of honor brought,And raised Monzer in rank beyond all thought.
They robed the king of in the hall,Then brought his royal mount before them all.
From Yazdegard’s high court toward the plainWent camels, horses, litters in a train.
With slaves and nurses in a countless throng,The train through every marketplace stretched long.
The roads through every bazaar were hung bright,From gate to court, with color, wealth, and light.
When Monzer entered Yemen once again,The roads were thronged by women and by men.
Once he had reached his home, he searched for rareAnd noble women, capable and fair.
From Arab and Iranian houses great,He sought among the rich of honored state.
From these great houses he chose women four,Whose birth and skill were plain in all they bore.
Two Arabs, two of descent,To nurse the child with all their skill were sent.
They nursed the child and tended him four years,With careful love, protecting him from fears.
When milk had filled him out and strength now grew,They weaned him, though the task was hard to do.
They reared him delicately, day by day,Until at seven he spoke in princely way.
He said, “O chief, no suckling child am I;Do not still nurse me while my years go by.
Entrust me to the learned; do not slightMy need to learn, or leave my mind in night.”
Monzer replied, “Not yet, my prince, not yet;The hour for formal learning is not set.
When that time comes and you are fit to learn,I will not let you idly from it turn.
But play now shapes the body as it grows,And gives the child the strength the warrior knows.”
Bahram replied, “Do not suppose me slow;Though young in years, I know what I should know.
Though neck and chest are not yet fit to fight,My mind is strong and reaches toward the light.
Your years are many, but your wisdom small;You do not know my nature well at all.
Who seeks the fitting time must first discernWhich task comes first, and which must wait its turn.
If you seek out the time amiss, you findThat anxious thoughts consume your heart and mind.
Work out of season bears no fruit to claim;The head stands first within the human frame.
Teach me whatever suits a king to know,So I may learn the worth his acts should show.
True knowledge must come first; blessed is the oneWho sees the end before the work’s begun.”
Then Monzer gazed at him with deep surprise,And whispered praise to God beneath the skies.
He sent a chief on dromedary’s backTo , urging haste along the track.
The envoy found three Mobadan of renown,Accomplished, learned, esteemed within that town.
One came to teach the young prince how to write,And flood his heart’s dark corners with clear light.
The second taught the hawk and cheetah’s art,A skill to kindle gladness in the heart.
Then polo, bow, and arrow trained his hand,With wheeling swordplay, swift at his command.
He learned to turn the reins both left and right,To raise his spear and stand erect in fight.
The third instructed him in kingly arts,Administration, rule, and all their parts.
He taught him all a monarch should recall,The forms and duties needed to rule all.
When these three Mobadan reached Monzer’s court,They spoke with him at length and made report.
He placed the prince beneath their learned rule,And, learned warrior, taught him in their school.
Bahram, that royal seed, became so trainedThat every manly art was soon attained.
Whenever some new art was brought to sight,He longed to master it with keen delight.
At twelve the warrior shone as shines the sun,And every course his teachers set was done.
In books, in polo, with the hawk in flight,And cheetah, he required no further light.
In battle he could turn the reins at speed,Or charge and wheel and urge his racing steed.
He said to Monzer, “Man of honest thought,Send home the masters; all their work is wrought.”
Monzer bestowed great gifts on every one,And they returned rejoicing, duty done.
Then said the prince, “Call spearmen’s steeds to me,And let all the horsemen wheel bold and free.
them couch lances, ride before my eyes,Then name the price of any steed I prize.
Whatever horse I favor in that band,I shall pay what its owners may demand.”
Monzer replied, “Accomplished noble youth,A prince who seeks a name through skill and truth,
My keeper of the steeds is yours to guide;I, too, their master, serve here at your side.
If you must buy Arabian steeds with gold,Why trouble me to find what can be sold?”
Bahram replied, “May all your honored yearsBe filled with good and emptied of all fears.
I want a steed to spur down mountain height,That never needs the bridle drawn in fright.
When sure of foot, he must in battle flyPast lesser steeds, like wind that races by.
If any steed has not been tried before,Do not press hard or force his pace for more.”
Then Monzer ordered Numan, “Go and seekThe finest steeds for battle, swift and sleek.
Go through the desert where the spearmen ride,And bring the finest chargers far and wide.”
He hurried out and soon again returnedWith one full hundred steeds whose mettle burned.
Bahram beheld them and rode on the plain,And wheeled among them, testing heart and rein.
Yet every horse, though fleet from side to side,Seemed wingless once the prince had climbed astride.
At length he chose a chestnut broad of breast,Whose wind-like feet outstripped the tested best.
A second, branded differently, he chose,A bay, as dread as some that rose.
Its shoes flashed fire beneath its thundering tread,And from its ruddy breast fell drops of red.
Then Monzer paid what both those steeds were worth;In ’s woodland lay their native earth.
Bold Bahram took the pair with watchful care,Bright as , a blazing flare.
He kept them like fresh apples, prized and sound,Lest any harmful wind should sweep around.
One day the prince sought Monzer to implore:“O bright of mind, well versed in wisdom’s lore,
You keep me here, though cause you cannot show,And leave me burdened by this inward woe.
In every heart a hidden longing lies;No heart is free of what it hides from eyes.
Through grief a man grows yellow in the face;Through joy his body gains in strength and grace.
A fair-faced woman offers sweet relief,And comes to aid the heart in every grief.
To prince or Pahlevan in youthful might,She brings both solace and the heart’s delight.
She guides his faith and leads his soul to light;Through her, God’s faith endures, his deeds grow right.
Command that five or six fair maids appear,Like lovely suns in beauty gathered here.
Perhaps one or two will win my heart’s embrace,And bring my troubled thoughts a quiet place.
Perhaps I too may have a child one day,To ease my heart and drive some care away.
May God be pleased with me, and may men raiseMy name in every gathering with praise.”
Old Monzer heard the prince and blessed his name,And praised the words that from the young heart came.
He sent a man to seek the dealer’s stand;The man sped to his house at that command.
The dealer showed him forty maids of Rum,Each fit to grace a home and soothe its gloom.
He chose two rosy maids to call his own,Beneath whose skin lay gleaming ivory bone.
Each stood as tall and straight as cypress trees,And bore a charm that every eye could please.
One played the harp; one, tulip-cheeked, shone farIn beauty, like Yemen’s star.
Tall as a cypress, kamand-haired and fair;Old Monzer paid the price for both the pair.
Bahram laughed out and thanked him, full of cheer;His face, a gem, shone bright and clear.
He cared for polo and the hunt alone;No other work or pastime was his own.
🏇👦🐪👸🎶❤️🦌🏹🎯👸🗣️👦😠🏹🦌🩸😢🐪💥👸💀🦁🏹💀24 emoji · the whole poem in emoji →
In briefHunting with Azadeh on his camel, Bahram shoots as she dictates: the buck’s horns off, two shafts where the doe’s horns would be, then head, hoof and ear pinned together. She calls it a Div’s work; he tramples her under the camel, and never hunts with a woman again.
It happened once, without attendant train, rode out to hunt across the plain.
The Roman harpist journeyed at his side;, coral-cheeked, his joy and pride.
She was his comfort, his delight, his flame;His lips were never empty of her name.
A camel bore him when he sought the chase,With rich brocade upon its back in place.
Four stirrups hung, two down on either side;He crossed the hills and valleys far and wide.
Four jeweled stirrups graced the saddle’s fold,Two wrought of silver and two wrought of gold.
A pellet bow beneath his quiver lay;That brave youth knew each art that came his way.
Two pairs of deer appeared before his face;He smiled: “Azadeh, moon of shining grace,
When I have strung my bow before your sight,And set the bowstring in my thumbstall tight,
Which shall I shoot? The doe is young and fair;Her mate is old; choose one from that first pair.”
She said, “O lion-man, men do not showTheir warlike courage hunting deer with bow.
Make the doe male, the aged buck a doe;Then drive the camel swiftly as they go.
While deer are fleeing, let a pellet fly,And touch one creature’s ear as it runs by.
Its ear will fold, and to its shoulder cling;The itching touch will make it scratch the sting.
When it lifts up its hoof to scratch its head,Then pin head, hoof, and ear with one shaft sped.
If you can do this, then my tongue shall callYou luster of the world before them all.”
When Bahram heard the words the maiden spoke,Old sayings in his mind at once awoke.
strung his bow; the plain’s reposeGave way to tumult as its clamor rose.
Within his quiver lay a forked steel blade,A hunting shaft with twin points widely splayed.
When those deer fled, he watched the old buck bearIts pointed antlers branching in the air.
He shot the horns away with that forked dart;Amazement filled the watching maiden’s heart.
The buck now seemed a doe; its head was shornOf all the dark horns it had lately borne.
At once the hunter loosed two shafts that spedTo strike the young doe’s hornless, tender head.
Two shafts stood where her horns would rise and spread;Her breast was ruby-bright with blood instead.
He wheeled his camel toward the other two,And set a pellet in his bow, and drew.
He struck one creature’s ear; the shot was good,And pleased the hunter, as such shooting should.
The creature scratched its ear; without delay,He set an arrow, ready for his prey.
His arrow pinned its head and hoof and ear;Azadeh’s heart was troubled for the deer.
He asked, “What do you think, O moon-faced dear?”Her eyes streamed tears, a river swift and clear.
She said, “No manly deed, no human art;A foul ’s nature rules within your heart.”
Bahram reached out and flung her from her seat,And cast her headlong underneath his feet.
He drove the camel over her; its treadLeft breast and hands and harp with blood stained red.
He said, “You foolish harpist, why pursueMy failure in the task you bade me do?
Had all my strength been spent upon the strain,And had I failed, my race would bear the stain.”
He trampled her, and never as beforeTook any damsel hunting with him more.
Next week he hunted with a noble train,With hawk and cheetah ranging on the plain.
Beside a mountain stood a lion, bentUpon a , whose back it rent.
He strung his dark bow, swift to strike the prey,And nocked a shaft, three-feathered, straight away.
His shaft joined lion’s back and quarry’s heart;The lion bled above, pierced by the dart.
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In briefMonzer gathers Arab notables to judge Bahram’s prowess. Bahram rides down ostriches and plants four arrows so evenly that no hair divides the shafts. Monzer sends to Yemen for painters, has the feat worked on silk, and dispatches the picture to Yazdegard.
Another week, and rodeTo watch along the hunting road.
Monzer brought Arab men of noble name,As judges of his prowess and his fame.
Monzer desired that displayHis strength and horsemanship to them that day.
Soon ostriches appeared across the plain,Each running like a camel free of rein.
When Bahram saw them, swift as wind he flew,Like gusts that through the open country blew.
He gripped his bow; four poplar arrows layWithin his belt, made ready for the prey.
He loosed them one by one across the plain,To bring those fleeing birds among the slain.
He pierced their plumes with such exacting art,Each shaft stood level with its counterpart.
Not one lay lower by a needle’s space,Nor rose above another by a trace.
When nobles went to scrutinize each shaft,They found no hair between them, such his craft.
Monzer called blessings down upon his head,And spear-armed warriors praised the shafts he sped.
Monzer said, “King, you fill my heart with cheer,Like rosebushes when blossoms first appear.
May fortune keep your moon forever bright,Nor let your belt of power lose its might.”
When Monzer reached his palace, in his eyesBahram stood high as Saturn in the skies.
Through , seeking painters, he sent men,And called the best to gather round him then.
He bade them paint on silk Bahram Goor’s skill,And how that single shot had struck to kill.
They showed his mighty frame and camel tall,And that great shot which held their gaze in thrall.
His chest and skillful hand, the bow for stone,Deer, lion, ; all these were shown.
The ostriches, the plain, the arrows’ flightIn pitch-black paint on silk were brought to light.
Monzer dispatched a rider to the king,To , that painted silk to bring.
The envoy reached the Shah; the gathered bandOf soldiers crowded round the work in hand.
The nobles marveled at the skill displayed,And blessed Bahram for all the shots he made.
Whenever he displayed his skill, reportWas carried by swift riders to the court.
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In briefLonging for his father, Bahram rides to Istakhr with Numan and Yemeni gifts. Yazdegard lodges him well but works him like a servant. Bahram sends Monzer a secret letter of complaint; Monzer counsels patience and sends money, goods, and the handmaid Bahram loves.
The Shah longed to behold his princely son,, who shone like the sovereign sun.
That lion spoke to : “Though I stayedFor long a guest in your protecting shade,
Still longing for my father stirs my breast;It rouses me whenever I find rest.”
Monzer prepared whatever was required,With gifts from fit to be admired.
He sent Arabian steeds with golden gear,And costly treasures that a prince holds dear.
Striped cloth and Yemen falchions formed the store,With ’s gems and mines’ abundant ore.
Then , favored in the Iranian court,Went with Bahram as escort and support.
They spoke of Shahs along the road they went,Until they reached , their journey spent.
When word of their arrival reached the hall,The Shah gave ear and listened to it all.
The and shrewd-hearted sages came,To greet the son of royal blood and name.
When from afar the Shah beheld Bahram,His grace, his limbs, his height, his bearing calm,
He stood amazed to see him trained and tall,So fair in form, accomplished before all.
He welcomed him and gave him quarters near,And asked him many questions, glad to hear.
He lodged Numan in chambers fit to please,And gave the prince a palace for his ease.
He gave him handmaids, slaves, and fitting state,With servants suited to his royal fate.
He served his father closely, hour by hour,And scarcely kept one moment in his power.
A month did Numan at the court remain,Then asked to take his leave and ride the plain.
By night he called him in; the royal seatHeld both men, face to face, their talk discreet.
He said, “Monzer has labored long and hard,And raised young Bahram under watchful guard.
I owe repayment for these faithful ties;Your honor is as in my eyes.
I praise Monzer, whose counsel lights the way;He follows wisdom’s path through every day.
Yet while you linger here within my court,I know he scans the roads for your report.”
They gave him fifty thousand s, weighed,With robes of state in kingly silk brocade.
They brought ten famed steeds from the royal place,With gold and silver gear of fitting grace.
Slaves, carpets, scents, and colored stuffs they brought,With every kind of treasure skill had wrought.
produced them from the monarch’s store,And gave them all to Numan at the door.
The king bestowed his gifts with gladness shown,To each companion as his rank was known.
The Shah then wrote a letter, full and clear,To wise Monzer, whose counsel he held dear.
He thanked him for the care his son had found,And for the bond by which the two were bound.
“I shall endeavor to repay your care;I hold my head high for this son so rare.”
wrote as well: “My lot is pain;This is not what I hoped within this reign.
I never thought the Shah would treat me so,Or let his servant’s hopes be brought so low.
I am no son or servant in this place,Nor glad dependent basking in his grace.”
He told Numan what long had lain concealed,The monarch’s evil customs now revealed.
When Numan left the Iranian court behind,He came to famed Monzer with troubled mind.
Then Monzer kissed the letter; on his headHe laid the words the king to him had said.
Rejoicing in the gifts the monarch sent,He added praise to praise in his content.
The envoy spoke to Monzer, none else near,At length, what burdened Bahram’s heart with fear.
A scribe then read the second letter through;Monzer’s face turned a bitter yellow hue.
He wrote at once an answer, grave and wise:“Famed prince, keep sound judgment before your eyes.
Do not turn from your father’s proper way;Obey the Shah by night and through the day.
Accept both good and ill your king may send;Be wise, and prove your service to the end.
Through patience, great men’s troubles pass aside;Men need broad wisdom as their guard and guide.
The circling sky controls our mortal fate;We cannot stand against its love or hate.
One heart it fills with love, another bearsIts gift of strife, a face of frowns and cares.
The World-Creator formed it by His skill;We must accept the measure of His will.
From now I shall send wealth to ease your mind,Dinars and royal gems of every kind.
Do not be troubled; your distress to meOutweighs all treasure heaped from land and sea.
Ten thousand bright dinars I send this day,An offering to help you on your way.
The handmaid who once served you as your guide,Your heart’s delight in private at your side,
I send to you, to make your spirit bright,And bring your darkened soul again to light.
When you have spent these coins, do not dependUpon the Shah for further wealth to spend.
For I shall send you many more, and bringAll kinds of goods from lands where I am king.
But serve the Shah and praise him with due care;Increase your service with a patient air.
You cannot part that temper from the throne,Not even in the thoughts that are your own.”
Ten loyal Arab riders took the road;Their shrewd and fluent speech good judgment showed.
With bags of coin and that devoted maid,They reached Bahram and brought the promised aid.
Wise Bahram’s grief no longer plagued his mind;His heart grew strong and left its care behind.
From then, as Monzer counseled, he did right,And failed no more in service day or night.
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In briefCaught dozing after a day’s service, Bahram is stripped of cap and girdle and confined a year. He persuades Caesar’s envoy Taynush to obtain his release and rides back to Yemen. Yazdegard’s star-readers then foretell his death near Tus, at the spring of Sav.
One day, served in the banquet hall,Attending to the courtiers’ every call.
When night came on, his limbs had lost their strengthFrom serving through the day’s exhausting length.
He closed his eyes, still standing in his pain;His heart grew weary of that ceaseless strain.
His father saw his eyes were closed and criedIn sudden anger, casting calm aside.
He told the headsman, “Take him from my sight;No cap or girdle shall be his by right.
Confine him here, then come to me tonight;No throne befits him, nor renown in fight.”
Within the palace, with a broken heart,He spent that year from his father kept apart.
At and at , in their place,He joined the nobles near the royal face.
It happened then from drew near,As ’s envoy, come before him here.
He brought from Caesar riches, slaves, and gold,The Roman tribute gathered as of old.
The king of kings received him with due grace,And lodged him in a richly furnished place.
Bahram dispatched a message to his hand:“O shrewd and potent man of Roman land,
The Shah has no true grievance with his slave,Yet guiltless I am banished like a knave.
Ask him, for your sake, to redress my wrong,That my dry fortune may grow fresh and strong.
Send me to those who reared me; ’s careWas more than mother’s, more than father’s share.”
Taynush gave ear and won what Bahram sought,And hope to Bahram’s wounded heart was brought.
He was released from shameful bond and chain,And joy at last returned to ease his pain.
He gave the poor rich gifts before he went,And on departure all his thoughts were bent.
He called his followers and took the road;Like wind through night his marching army flowed.
He cried, “Praise God for our escape this hour,And safety from the Shah’s oppressive power.”
When he approached the king of ’s land,Men, women, children formed a greeting band.
came forth, and Monzer at their head,With loyal spearmen, riding where he led.
As Monzer neared, the light of day grew pale;The army’s dust spread out, a darkening veil.
Both chiefs dismounted there upon the plain;Bahram described his suffering and pain.
Monzer wept deeply at the prince’s tale:“What star has made the Shah’s good judgment fail?
He never walks the road that wisdom shows;I fear his deeds will bring him bitter woes.”
Bahram replied, “May he himself be gone,May no remembrance of his star live on.”
Monzer received him as an honored guest,And added further favors to the rest.
Bahram knew feast and saddle, gift and blade;On these alone his waking thoughts were laid.
The father in his palace passed the days,His son, glad on the plain, went his own ways.
Then ’s own grief and joy drew nearTheir end; his star grew dark, his fate severe.
Now Yazdegard, in fear about his reign,Called from all his wide domain.
He bade the readers of the stars look high,And each man scanned the courses of the sky.
He asked when death would end his royal might,And shroud his head and helmet from the light.
What would befall, and where would come the hourThat withered all his royal beauty’s flower?
The reader of the stars replied, “Instead,Let no such thought of death disturb his head.
But when his royal fortune falls away,The spring of will draw him on his way.
Karnay and will raise his bands,And gladly set his course toward ’s lands.
There he will die; his ears have never heardOf such a day in any spoken word.
Such knowledge brings no profit to the wise;God’s hidden secrets should escape our eyes.”
The Shah swore by of high renown,By and the yellow sun’s bright crown:
“Whether I stand in anger or delight,The spring of Sav shall never meet my sight.”
Three months rolled by beneath the heavens’ reign;Then royal blood brought turmoil in its train.
One day his nostrils bled; from every townCame skilled physicians, healers of renown.
With drugs they checked the flow; a week passed clear,Then blood ran in the next week, tear on tear.
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In briefA Mobad sends the bleeding king in a litter to pray at the spring of Sav. The bleeding stops and Yazdegard claims the cure as his own. A white horse rises from the water, stands quietly to be saddled, then kills him with one kick and vanishes into the spring.
A wise Mobad then said to him, “O king,You turned from Providence in everything.
You said, ‘I will escape the hand of death,’But death is everywhere with living breath.
Your proper course is this: by proceed,In litter borne to , and pray in need.
There bow before the holy Lord of all,And circle on that heated earth, and call.
Say, ‘I, Your feeble servant, in despair,Have set before my soul an oath’s own snare.
O righteous Judge, reveal how long I live;What span remains for You alone to give?’”
He found the counsel helpful in his pain,And ordered litters brought before his train.
Three hundred litters bore the royal load;The king set out toward Shahd along the road.
He traveled on, and constant was his grief;At times his nostrils bled, without relief.
He reached the spring of Sav; he stepped outsideHis litter, where he saw the waters glide.
He poured the water gently on his head,And called on God, by whom all good is spread.
His nostrils ceased to bleed; he ate and layAt rest with those who guided him that day.
“This was the cure,” he said. “Why longer stay?I had expected here a long delay.”
Again the flock’s great king, ignored,Claimed as his own the good that God restored.
A white steed from the water to him came,Short-legged, round-rumped, a in frame.
It came on tall and raging, lion-proud,Black-testicled and raven-eyed, and loud.
Its tail trailed at its feet; its mane rose high;Black-hoofed, it foamed, and could make lions die.
Then commanded all his band,“Surround this horse and bring it to my hand.”
The herdsman and ten horse-breakers drew near,With saddle, long coiled , and their gear.
How could the Shah perceive the Maker’s plan,Who sent that dragon-steed before the man?
It foiled the herdsman and the mounted crew;The king grew furious at what met his view.
He took the saddle and the reins, and wentIn joy toward the steed, on taming bent.
The horse stood so submissive to his will,It never moved a foot, but held quite still.
The Shah put on the bridle; still it stayed,And stood at ease while he the saddle laid.
He drew the girths and bound the saddle fast;No tremor through that great had passed.
He moved to fasten crupper at the rear;The flint-hoofed charger cried for all to hear.
It lashed both hind feet hard against his head;His head and crown struck dust; the Shah lay dead.
The dust received the body it had bred;What seek you from those seven skies instead?
You cannot flee the sky or turn its reign;To worship it is fruitless, blind, and vain.
Seek God, the refuge to whom all may fly,Lord of the sun and moon that wheel on high.
When Yazdegard was slain, the water-horseFlew like the dust and hastened to its source.
It vanished in the blue spring’s depths again;No man had seen such marvel among men.
The army’s cry, a ’s deep thrum:“O Shah, through fate to you now have come!”
The chieftains tore their garments in despair,And flung dust on their heads and in their hair.
The Mobad opened up his head and breast,His belly too, preparing him for rest.
They packed his corpse with musk and camphor white,And bound it in brocade, wrapped firm and tight.
Bright silk was wrapped about the royal dead;They placed a crown of musk upon his head.
In golden coffin, on a litter borneOf teak, he came to for men to mourn.
Such is the law of this inconstant sphere:One man rejoices; one sheds sorrow’s tear.
Upon this dark earth, even in repose,Beware the harm that heaven may impose.
Though you are meek, the world will not be tamed;So eat, then drain the cup your hand has claimed.
Faith offers better shelter than does sinTo one with power to choose the path within.
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In briefThe chiefs bury Yazdegard and swear that none of his blood shall reign. Gashasp the scribe denounces the dead king; frontier lords claim the crown and the realm falls into tumult. The council in Pars looks for a just and generous man and crowns Khosrow, an aged noble.
When that world-ruling monarch had been laidWithin the grave, Iran’s chiefs came dismayed.
The governors and s came too,With , prudent counselors and true.
They gathered all in , a mourning wave,And stood together by the monarch’s grave.
, who slew elephants astrideHis horse, and , ’s son, beside.
With , , , came one more:’s , who unhorsed foes in war.
The other chiefs of Iran, high of birth,Came too, great leaders, men of proven worth.
All those whom had cast in shameNow gathered in the city, men of name.
Gashasp the scribe, whose eloquence was famed,Addressed the gathered lords, and thus exclaimed:
“You nobles gathered here, since God first madeThe world, no king like this has cast his shade.
He dealt out death and scorn in bitter measure,From lesser men withheld advice and treasure.
No man had seen so foul a king before,Nor heard of one in ancient heroes’ lore.
No more shall one of this same race be king;To God against his dust our cries we bring.
Illustrious is his son and seed,In heart and mind and counsel, of his breed.
His speech is all of , nothing more;We will not crown a tyrant as before.”
Then all Iran’s great chiefs together swore:“No king from this same race will we restore.
No man of Yazdegard’s own blood shall takeThe crown and throne, for Iran’s future sake.”
When this was done, they rose to choose a king,One worthy of the crown and royal ring.
Then news of Yazdegard’s grim death spread wide,Among the chiefs on every distant side.
The Alan king, the army’s champion bold,, with his crown of gold,
Each cried, “The sovereignty is mine by right,From earth to Pisces in its starry height.”
The world was filled with tumult, grief, and sound,For crown and throne no ruling head had found.
Then chiefs, Mobadan, Pahlevans, and allWhose clear minds answered to the council’s call,
Met there in Pars and weighed the realm’s distress,And spoke at length of ways to bring redress.
“Who now is worthy of the royal throne?Consider who can make this task his own.
Seek one both just and generous, to wearThe royal belt upon that golden chair,
Who can allay the woes the years have piled;A kingless world is pasture, running wild.”
There lived an aged man whose heart was light,Khosrow by name, both generous and bright.
Of noble race, with riches at command,Among the wealthy men in all the land.
The nobles gave him crown and royal state,And troops from every side approached his gate.
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In briefTold that his father is dead and Khosrow crowned, Bahram mourns a month, then takes counsel with Monzer. Numan raises ten thousand Arab horsemen and harries Iran as far as Tisfoon. News of the vacant throne brings raiders from Rum, Chin, Hind and Makran.
Then was told how heaven’s frownHad turned to bitterness the royal crown.
“Your noble father, king among the great,Has died and borne away the royal state.
The army swore, ‘No king of that same strainShall sit upon the throne of kings or reign.
His son is like him; from his father’s seedCame skin and marrow of that very breed.’
They set a man upon the throne, and soThey hailed him king and named him Khosrow.”
When heard, he tore his cheeks in grief;His father’s death had left him no relief.
For two full weeks from rose the criesOf child and man and woman to the skies.
A month he mourned in sorrow and despair;At the new month, he decked the royal chair.
Then drew beside him; came,With Yemen’s Arabs, every rank and name.
They wept beside their Shah, their hearts aflame;Though fire was absent, grief burned all the same.
At last they loosed their tongues and spoke their mind:“O virtuous prince, most noble of your kind,
Our end is dust; no can stayOur destined end or keep the grave away.
All born of mothers die; to us, the plightOf birth is wrong, and death alone is right.”
To Monzer Bahram spoke in his dismay:“Now darkness clouds the fortune of our day.
Though fierce and merciless, the king who diedHad loved this whole broad country far and wide.
If my own race should lose the royal name,Its royal glory too will lose its flame.
They will raise dust from all this horsemen’s plainAnd leave the Arabs pits for their domain.
Consider well, assist me in this need,And mourn my father’s death in thought and deed.”
Monzer heard Bahram’s words and made his stand;With manly speech, he answered his demand.
He said, “This is my day upon the plain;My day to hunt across this broad domain.
Sit on the throne and watch; the crown is yours,With royal bracelet, while your reign endures.”
The chiefs approved what Monzer had advised,And all agreed upon the course devised.
They left his presence, ready to invade,And all prepared to launch their mounted raid.
Monzer gave Numan orders: “Ride and go,And gather lions brave against the foe.
From and the Ghassanians, raiseTen thousand men well schooled in battle’s ways.
Iran shall see who holds the royal right,With name and wealth and troops arrayed for fight.”
Numan assembled men with spear and blade,A mighty army, ready for the raid.
He bade them raid and trample through the land,While terror spread before their armed command.
Toward the salt flats shook with sound,Beneath the pounding hooves that struck the ground.
The women and the children captive fell;No helper came to ease their living hell.
The world was filled with harrying and flame,For now the throne held power only in name.
News went to and Chin, to ,To and to from troubled Iran.
“The throne of Iran stands without a king;No worthy man can bear the royal ring.”
They all prepared to raid and seize their prize,For plunder and injustice bade them rise.
Each stretched a hand to seize Iran’s domain,And rose to claim its kingship for his reign.
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In briefWorn out by the raids, the Iranians send the scribe Javanuy to Monzer. Monzer sends him on to Bahram, whose presence strikes him dumb. Monzer’s reply blames Iran for starting the quarrel, and Javanuy ends by advising that Bahram be allowed to ride into Iran as a king.
The Iranians heard the news and sought relief,And hurried to devise an end to grief.
Worn out by suffering, to find redress,They met in council over their distress.
“Their deeds have passed all bounds throughout our land;The men of and , the desert band.
We must devise some means to end this woe,And free our hearts from grief that lays them low.”
They chose a noble envoy, shrewd and clear,A fluent warrior whom courts would hear.
His name was , a scribe of fame,High-born and honored, worthy of acclaim.
They sent him forth to to conveyTheir words, and hear what he in turn would say:
“O noble lord, may all the world sing praiseOf your great name, and bless you all your days.
You are the stay of warriors everywhere;Iran and foreign lands are in your care.
The throne lacked crown and king; the frontier boreThe francolin’s rich plumage, dyed in gore.
We thought you fit to rule and guard this land,Whose worth we saw upheld by your own hand.
But now you raid us, shedding blood for spoil,And spread contention through our fields and soil.
You once shunned evil, fearing blame and shame,And dreaded curses falling on your name.
Consider: do these deeds seem good and wise?In old age, do they bring you any prize?
Another Judge reigns far above your station,Beyond the furthest bounds of contemplation.
This envoy will report what he has seen,And what he heard from men whose judgment’s keen.”
Wise Javanuy departed from the trainOf chiefs, and journeyed to the spearmen’s plain.
He gave the letter, spoke before the chief,Recalled Iran’s complaints and told their grief.
The Arab chief heard out the whole complaint,And held his answer back with calm restraint.
“O wise one, seeking justice, state your caseBefore the Shah, and meet him face to face.
Before him speak as you have spoken here;To win an answer, make your grievance clear.”
He sent a noble as the envoy’s guide;To ’s court they journeyed side by side.
When that wise envoy stood before the king,He prayed that God would bless his crown and ring.
His height and stature, neck and shoulders broughtSuch wonder that the sage stood lost in thought.
One would have said wine flowed from Bahram’s face,And musk from his dark hair perfumed the place.
That fluent man grew speechless, dazed in mind,And left the message he had borne behind.
saw the wonder in his eyes,And knew his royal splendor caused surprise.
He greeted him with kindness, showed him grace,And on the royal seat gave him a place.
Once he felt free to speak, the Shah inquired:“Why come from Iran, travel-worn and tired?
Hereafter you shall have, for all your pain,Relief and heaps of treasure as your gain.”
The envoy spoke and gave the letter, thenRecalled the words entrusted by those men.
The Shah sent him to Monzer with a guide,A sage to bear these words back at his side:
“Write him an answer,” Bahram said, “with art,And use fair words to ease the envoy’s heart.
Ask if he bears a verbal message too;Hear all he says, and answer what is due.”
Then Javanuy returned and spoke; the lightOf joy made Monzer’s face grow warm and bright.
When he had heard the words the envoy said,He framed the answer to the note he read.
“O man of wisdom, hear what I reply:All who do evil suffer pain thereby.
I heard your message and the nobles’ greeting;Now take my answer back from this our meeting.
Say this: ‘Who first brought evil to the fore,Who chose this senseless feud, and opened war?
King Bahram Goor is here, with royal grace,His lofty stature and his troops in place.
Who draws a serpent from its hole will treadWith trailing skirts by his own blood dyed red.
Had I been counselor, Iran would knowNo such affliction, injury, or woe.’”
Javanuy saw the king; his words made plainThe mind of him who sought Iran’s domain.
For throne and greatness, fortune and success,He weighed his words, his bearing, and address.
On hearing Monzer, Javanuy took holdOf one clear thought, and spoke with purpose bold:
“Great lord, who needs no other man’s advice,Whose wisdom can without such aid suffice,
If Iran’s judgment failed, its nobles bled;And many of its noblemen lie dead.
I am an old man, seeking honor still;Now let me speak, and hear me if you will.
With joy we ought to yield our native landTo you and brave Bahram with willing hand.
With hawk and cheetah make a royal round;Ride as a king upon Iran’s own ground.
Hear what the Iranians have to say;No harm need come from traveling this way.
Speak what is fitting, let your wisdom rule,And keep your distance from the witless fool.
Keep far from evil conduct, and from shame;Turn from reproach and all that brings you blame.”
Then Monzer heard and gave him gifts to bear,And sent him from the city free of care.
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In briefMonzer levies thirty thousand Arab spearmen and camps on dry ground near Jahram. He advises Bahram to feast the Iranian chiefs and hear them out before fighting. Bahram sets an ivory throne on the plain, Numan beside him with a naked blade, and receives Iran’s nobles.
, , and counselors all met,In private council where their course was set.
He chose from Arab ranks a fighting corpsOf thirty thousand spearmen trained for war.
He gave them s, wealth for all to share,And filled the chieftains’ heads with pride’s hot air.
When news of this had spread through Iran’s land,And rejoined the warrior band,
The potentates, all sunk in deep concern,Went to ’s fire-temple in their turn.
They prayed to God that battle’s threat might cease,And turn to feasts and happiness in peace.
Near , Monzer led his ranks to standUpon the waterless expanse of land.
Bahram Goor raised his royal tent; the groundWas filled with troops that gathered all around.
He said, “O counselor, you have come hereFrom to Jahram; our troops stand near.
Now army faces army on this plain;Shall we choose battle, or let parley reign?”
Monzer replied, “Invite the chiefs to dine;When they arrive, set out the food and wine.
Speak, hear their words; and if their tempers rise,Do not let anger kindle in your eyes.
Then we shall learn what thoughts their hearts proclaim,And whom they wish to give the royal name.
When that is known, we shall decide our course,And shun all strife if gentle words have force.
But if they turn to hatred, war, and spite,And show a leopard’s fury in the fight,
I shall make Jahram a sea; the sun’s blazeWill shrink to match the ’ faint rays.
I think, when folk behold your form and grace,Your stature, kindness, and your royal face,
Your wisdom, patience, counsel, and command,Your knowledge, learning, dignity so grand,
They will want none but you to claim the throne,The crown and fortune’s beauty yours to own.
But if they lose their way and seek to claimYour throne, denying you the royal name,
I and these horsemen, with our swords, will bringA day of doom to shake the world, O king.
You shall behold my frown amid the strife;For you I offer body and my life.
When they observe my countless troops in line,Their ordered ranks and every warlike sign,
And know our work is bloodshed, and our mightHas God the Just as ally in the fight,
They will elect no other, only you;The crown and throne are yours, as is your due.”
The Shah heard Monzer’s words and smiled; delightSwelled in his heart and made his spirits bright.
When sunlight climbed above the mountain height,Iran’s great men set forth in morning light.
They made their way to meet that day;A learned council formed in full array.
An ivory throne was set for him to mount;He wore a crown whose jewels none could count.
He set his court as kings of kings would do,And took his royal seat before their view.
Monzer and flanked him, and a bladeWas held by Numan, naked and displayed.
Around the tent stood Arab chiefs of rank,Encircling its enclosure, flank by flank.
Then Iran’s loyal nobles, grave and grand,Drew near its entrance in a noble band.
He bade them raise the curtain, and the callAnnounced their entry, welcoming them all.
They came to Bahram, where the crown and throneIn all their beauty to the chiefs were shown.
They cried, “Live long! May evil’s hand remainFar off, and never bring you harm or pain.”
The king of kings received them with good cheer,And set each in the rank his worth made clear.
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In briefBahram argues his hereditary right and is refused. The chiefs parade men mutilated by his father; Bahram curses his father’s dust, sets out the justice he intends, and proposes an ordeal, the crown between two chained lions. The lions are brought and chained to the ivory throne.
said, “Princes, chiefs of ripened age,Whose long experience has made you sage,
The kingship passed from sire to sire is mine;Why is its fate for you now to define?”
The Iranians cried, “Do not make us bearThe harm such kings inflict, the grief and care.
We will not have you rule; we own the land,Although the troops are yours at your command.
Your race has brought us anguish, toil, and woe;Our cold sighs never cease to rise and flow.”
Bahram replied, “Desire commands the breast;Each heart pursues the course that suits it best.
Why seek another king, with me denied,And cast my wishes wholly to one side?”
A Mobad said, “From justice none may stray;Both prince and subject must its rule obey.
Join us, and choose a Shah whom all will bless,A king to heal the realm from its distress.”
Three days they labored, seeking to decideWho should be king, with all Iran to guide.
They listed noble names, a hundred strong,To whom the crown and throne might well belong.
’s name was written with the rest;He was a king whose charm each heart confessed.
With caution they reviewed each noble name,And fifty passed the test of rank and fame.
Whether his father’s path he kept or spurned,First of the fifty, Bahram’s name returned.
From fifty names they then wrote thirty down,Iran’s choice men of honor and renown.
Among the thirty, Bahram stood ahead,A youthful Shah, the crown upon his head.
The wise narrowed these to four,And Bahram still stood foremost as before.
But when decisive judgment drew in sight,Iran’s elders then turned from Bahram’s right.
They said, “We will not have him on the throne;Too rash and headstrong has this young man grown.”
An outcry rose; the chiefs grew dark in heart,And grief and anger would not soon depart.
Then said, “For good or ill, I seekTo understand the grief of which you speak.
Why grieve at him? This king is young in years;No weight of age upon his frame appears.”
The chiefs then summoned men whose bodies boreThe wounds of ’s harsh rule before.
They gathered those whom Yazdegard had scarred,And brought them forward for the chiefs’ regard.
One lived with hands and feet cut from his frame;His trunk remained; life lingered there the same.
Another had lost ears and hands and tongue,And seemed a lifeless shape among them flung.
Another had lost shoulders; stared,Astonished at the wounds those men had shared.
One man had nails gouge out his eyes; the sightMade Monzer’s anger flare and burn outright.
Bahram grew grieved and cursed his father’s name,And to his dust addressed these words of blame:
“You sewed joy’s eyes shut, wretch, and quenched desire;Why did you burn your soul in raging fire?”
Then Monzer said, “These wrongs must not be sealed;The harm they suffered must not be concealed.
You heard the charges; answer what they bring,For harshness is not fitting in a king.”
Bahram replied, “Chiefs, veterans of the land,Whose eyes have seen and hands have held command,
You speak the truth; worse evils still remain.Well may I blame my father’s cruel reign.
I too received a sample of that pain;It cast a darkness over heart and brain.
His palace was my prison, barred and grim;Then God showed mercy; I found help in Him.
Then freed me from my father’s rule;His hook had torn my mouth; he was that cruel.
I sought in Monzer’s hand a refuge, sinceThe Shah had shown no kindness to his prince.
May no man have that temper as his own;Where it prevails, humanity has flown.
But I, thank God, have wisdom in my soul;Its fruit sustains me and preserves me whole.
I pray to Him to guide me toward the right,And lead me on the path of goodness’ light.
For every injury my father dealt,I seek to purge the guilt my heart has felt.
I am the shepherd; subjects are my sheep;Their ease and justice are for me to keep.
I live to bring my subjects joy and rest,And worship God in ways that He finds best.
I have discretion, character, and thought,Unjust kings lack the virtue I have sought.
From helplessness come baseness and deceit;Weep for the unjust king upon his seat.
From sire to sire, the kingship is my due;With wisdom, I wish well to all of you.
From , Bahram, back to ,My royal forebears, one by one, appear.
From sire to sire, my forebears lead the way;Their faith and wisdom guide me to this day.
Through King , too, my mother’s lineIs royal; wisdom is a friend of mine.
With wisdom, virtue, greatness, I commandThe horseman’s art, a brave heart, strength of hand.
I know no man who stands above my worthIn war or feast or any deed on earth.
I hold a secret treasury well stored,And famous men stand loyal to their lord.
My justice shall make all the realm increase,And every subject shall abide in peace.
Moreover, I will make a pact with you,And pledge my tongue to God, whose word is true.
Bring out the ivory throne of high renown,And set above its seat the shining crown.
Bring two fierce lions from their forest lair,And place the crown between that savage pair.
Chain one on each side; let him who would reignApproach between the two, the crown to gain.
Then let him take the crown from ivory’s height,And set it on his head by royal right.
Between the lions let him face his fate,Crown on his head, the throne beneath his weight.
We shall seek no one else, if he is justAnd pious, worthy of a people’s trust.
But if you all reject what I have said,Choose me a rival champion instead.
Where I lead on, the spears your horsemen wieldAre only thorns and brushwood in the field.
Monzer and I, with and sharpened steel,Have Arab chiefs who never turn a heel.
We shall raise dust from your enthroned king soon,And scatter heads from crowns beneath your moon.
Now answer what I said; let judgment weighThis case, and guide you on a prosperous way.”
He spoke, then rose and entered his own tent;All marveled at the challenge he had sent.
The chiefs, Mobadan, and Iranian crowdWho heard the wise Shah’s speech exclaimed aloud:
“This is God’s , not folly or deceit;No crooked purpose guides his words or feet.
He speaks no word but justice; we are rightTo let such justice fill us with delight.
Consider what he said: the lions’ glare,The royal crown and throne between the pair.
If savage lions rend him where he stands,No judge will ask his blood from out our hands.
He made this plan himself; his will was plain,Yet we shall not rejoice if he is slain.
But if he takes the crown and wins acclaim,His farr will pass beyond ’s fame.
No other man shall bear the royal name;We answer justly; that concludes our claim.”
That night passed on; at dawn the Shah arose,And took his seat as darkness reached its close.
He summoned Iran’s chiefs and had them stay,Then spoke at length of all the previous day.
The Mobadan cried, “O Shah, supremely wise,Above the sages does your wisdom rise.
What course in kingship will you then pursue,When sovereign height and power fall to you?
How will you deal with justice and with right,So fraud and falsehood vanish out of sight?”
He answered sages, warriors, chiefs of name,The men of noble deeds and honored fame:
“My gifts shall far exceed the words I say;Oppression and harsh searches shall give way.
To those whom fitness marks to hold command,I will assign their portions of the land.
By counsel shall I rule, and justice clear;Let all, secure in justice, find good cheer.
I shall share hoarded wealth with those in need,And give the poor the means on which to feed.
I first shall counsel him who does a wrong;If he repeats it, fetters bind him strong.
I shall pay soldiers promptly, full and fair,And free the sages’ hearts from fear and care.
My heart and tongue shall both be true and plain;My soul shall turn from darkness and its stain.
If one dies rich and leaves no kindred near,With wealth beyond all measure gathered here,
The poor shall have that wealth; I heap no gold,Nor let this passing house my heart enfold.
I shall seek counsel from those skill has taught,And break desire’s back through prudent thought.
I shall ask ministers when plans arise,And never scorn the counsel of the wise.
When someone seeks my justice, I shall stay,And will not send the gathered men away.
I shall give every seeker what is due,And speak a righteous judgment firm and true.
I shall chastise all evil, as kings should,And meet each wrong as royal justice would.
All-holy God bears witness over me;Upon my tongue, let wisdom’s guidance be.”
The high Mobad and elders, tried and wise,Then answered him before the nation’s eyes:
“We are your slaves and bow the head to you,To your command and will in all we do.”
Then Shah Bahram declared, “You sages, heed,In whom the realm finds counsel in its need,
If in one year my soul and wisdom fail,And these my promises become a tale,
I will renounce the crown and royal place,And sit among the luckless in disgrace.”
The sages heard his answer, every word,And the wakeful Mobadan likewise heard.
They rued their former words and sought to mendTheir fault, and bring the matter to an end.
They cried to one another, “Who could claimMore right than he to bear the royal name?
In manliness, in speech, in birth, and mind,No purer prince on earth can any find.
God fashioned him from justice; may his wayBe free of harm, and evil kept at bay.
All good will come from him; our lives will gainBoth food and justice under his domain.
If now we twist the words that we have heard,We lull our wisdom with each twisted word.
His neck and arms are peerless in their might;No man can match his stature or his height.
If he assumes his own ancestral throne,Who can surpass the greatness he has shown?
What cause has he to fear our hostile band?Before his might, we are but dust and sand.”
They said, “O favored prince, your claim is best;In you the marks of kingship find their rest.
Yet none had known your wisdom and your worth,Or purity, now shown to all the earth.
To Khosrow, sprung from ’s ancient line,We gave the kingship and its royal sign.
We swore to share the danger at his side,And face whatever fortune might provide.
But should he govern Iran, war will spread,And leave our marches desolate and dead.
One party holds Bahram in high acclaim;The other still remembers Khosrow’s name.
Your plan is right; when judgment ends the fray,The world will hear your word and will obey.
The lions’ trial will make the title clear;No claimant afterward will interfere.”
Bahram agreed; he first proposed the test,And now assented to the chiefs’ request.
Such was the custom generous kings obeyedWhen a new Shah of royal birth was made:
The high Mobad would come before him then,And bring three sages, wise, discerning men.
He seated him upon the royal throne,And blessed the seat the king would call his own.
He brought the golden crown, a gleaming thing,The source of pomp and glory for a king.
He set the Kayan crown, then gladly pressedHis own two cheeks against the monarch’s breast.
All gifts presented at the royal seatThe Shah bestowed on those who would entreat.
They gave the Mobad crown and throne to keep;Bahram left town and crossed the plain’s broad sweep.
Brave had two fierce lions chained;He gave them to the Mobad, thus restrained.
They dragged the fighting lions, wild and grim;With fear the handlers’ senses all grew dim.
At the throne’s feet they chained the lions down;Upon its ivory corner lay the crown.
All eyes were fixed on crown and ivory chair,To see how Bahram in the test would fare.
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In briefKhosrow pleads his age and lets Bahram go first. With an ox-head gorz Bahram kills both lions, takes the crown from the ivory throne and seats himself; Khosrow submits and the chiefs shower jewels. A snowbound winter passage then closes the chapter.
and Khosrow crossed the plain,And faced the lions, hearts weighed down with pain.
When Khosrow saw the crown between the beasts,He turned to speak before the gathered priests:
“Who seeks the sovereignty should first advance;Let him be first to face this royal chance.
He is still young, while I am old and weak,Too frail to face the death those lions seek.
Let him employ his youth and vigor first,And prove the claim for which his heart has thirst.”
replied, “Your answer pleases well;No just proposal would I now repel.”
He took an ox-head into his hand,While wonder spread through all the watching land.
A Mobad said, “O king of wisdom, brightWith knowledge, walking in the path of right,
Who bids you fight these lions? What rewardBeyond the crown can such a fight afford?
Do not give up your life for kingship’s sake,Or feed the fish through such a vain mistake.
No blame is ours; this venture is your own;The world’s whole heart inclines toward your throne.”
Bahram replied, “O guardian of the creed,You and the rest are blameless in this deed.
I am the man to face these lions’ might;To battle with the brave is my delight.”
The Mobad said, “Before you face that test,Seek God in prayer, and cleanse your sinful breast.”
He did as told, repenting of his sin,And cleansed his heart of all the stains within.
Then came the wise Shah, resolute of face,With ox-head gorz in hand, and took his place.
When those fierce lions saw the hero near,One snapped its chain and charged without a fear.
The king struck hard upon the lion’s head,And dimmed its eyes and left the creature dead.
He struck the second lion’s skull; it bled;From eyes to breast its blood ran dark and red.
He sat upon the ivory seat and pressedThe heart-delighting crown upon his crest.
Then Khosrow came before him, bowed his head,And to the king these words of blessing said:
“Blessed be your reign upon the royal seat;May every hero bow before your feet.
You are the Shah; we are your slaves today,And shall advance your purpose every way.
In God, the Refuge, let us seek our stay,Who guides all those who from the path would stray.”
The mighty men showered jewels on his crown,While blessings from the gathered world poured down.
In Azar, on ’s day, the cheerRose from the world and rang to heaven’s sphere.
A cloud has risen and obscured the moon;From its black heart the falling snow is strewn.
No stream, no plain, no upland meets my eye;The raven’s plumes are swallowed by the sky.
No firewood, salted meat, nor barley storeRemains till barley harvest brings us more.
Amid this gloom and dread of tax, the snowMakes earth an ivory mountain here below.
My whole estate can scarcely longer stand,Unless some faithful friend should grasp my hand.
Now hear the strangest tale I can convey;No greater wonder could my words portray.
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In briefCrowned, Bahram gives thanks and on each of his first eight days addresses the chiefs: on God and resurrection, on contentment, on defending the realm, on dealing harshly with the harsh. On the eighth he has Javanuy write to every province announcing his justice and his faith.
When was crowned and raised to reign,The sun acclaimed the Shah, and blessed his gain.
He worshipped God, the all-wise Lord on high,The watchful One who sees both earth and sky.
of victory, whose glories shine,Who orders gain and loss by His design.
Yazdan of justice, counsel, and our bread,The Guide by whom our onward steps are led.
He said, “From Him I have received this crown;From Him, who fashions fortune, thrones come down.
From Him come hope and fear; to Him I raiseMy thanks for all His goodness, all my praise.
You too should glory in Him; strive each dayTo keep His covenant and never stray.”
Iran replied, “We stand prepared to serve;From faithful service we shall never swerve.
May this crown bless the Shah; may Fortune thrive,And keep his heart and happy lot alive.”
When praise was done, they scattered gems aroundThe king, whose fame rang out with joyful sound.
said, “Chiefs experienced and wise,Who know how Fortune falls and how she flies,
We all are slaves; God is the only Lord,And He alone deserves to be adored.
I shall keep you from evil days and dread,Nor make you beg ill-wishers’ help instead.”
He spoke; they rose and gave him homage then,And blessed him with their voices once again.
They talked throughout the night till morning’s rayRevealed the sun upon its heavenly way.
At sunrise, calm, he took the royal seat;Iran’s great chiefs came forth his words to greet.
He said, “You chiefs whom favoring stars have blessed,Trust God, rejoice in Him, and find your rest.
Boast not, and root out worldly greed and pride;Let not your hearts be tangled with its tide.”
He spoke; they called the royal horse to wait,And dressed his court in fitting royal state.
Upon the third day, seated, he declared,“The rites of worship must be shown and shared.
With God’s existence let our witness stand;And let the soul learn Faith and understand.
There is resurrection, heaven, and hell;Each soul shall reap its deeds, done ill or well.
Call no man wise or faithful in his wayWho disbelieves in Reckoning’s final day.”
The fourth day, on the ivory throne, he woreThe splendid crown that he had won before.
He said, “No treasure gives me such delightAs people whose contented hearts are bright.
This passing world I do not crave or claim;I grudge not leaving power, wealth, and fame.
The other world endures; this world will fade;Shun greed and grief; by neither be dismayed.”
The fifth day, “While I rule, no man’s distress,”He said, “shall ever bring me happiness.
We seek the joys that Paradise supplies;Blessed is he whose seed of good shall rise.”
The sixth day to his subjects he then said,“May I not seek your ruin, pain, or dread.
We will protect our forces from the foe,And make ill-wishers tremble where they go.”
The seventh day, when seated, he began:“You chiefs of wisdom, wary in your plan,
With harsh men, we shall deal as harshly too;With wise men, seek a friendship firm and true.
Those cold to me shall fare with harsher fateThan with my father in his angry state.
But those who do my will shall never knowThe weight of sorrow, injury, or woe.”
The eighth day, seated in his royal seat,He called for , the scribe discreet.
He said, “To every chief in every land,Write letters bearing this our just command.
Let them be just and loving in their tone,And say, ‘Bahram sits joyful on the throne.
A lord of bounty, who will turn asideFrom crookedness, with truthfulness his guide.
His stature, justice, , and love are plain;Thoughts of the holy Judge alone remain.
He says, “I welcome loyal hearts; but crimeExcused will multiply with passing time.
I sit upon my father’s throne, and holdTo just ’s customs as of old.
However far their hearts from right may swerve,All shall receive the justice they deserve.
I shall surpass my fathers in the right,And guide you to the Faith by wisdom’s light.
I follow ’s faith, the prophet’s way,And from my fathers’ path will never stray.
I set Zardosht’s old faith before my view,And Abraham, the prophet firm and true.
Let each be sovereign in his own affairs,And guard his march and Faith with equal cares.
Rule child and wife with wisdom at your door;Blessed are the wise and pure forevermore.
I will not fill my vaults with golden gain,For hoarded treasure keeps the poor in pain.
If God grants life and Fortune’s stars still shine,And lets their favor bless this life of mine,
Another joyful letter you shall see,With lasting wealth and honor yours to be.
Our greeting goes to every king and lord,Most warmly where love binds us in accord.”’”
Then on the letters royal seals were pressed;They called the envoys forth and had them blessed.
The bore letters on their way,With wise, discerning riders in array.
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In briefMonzer pleads for the men who opposed Bahram and the king pardons them all. He feasts and loads the Arabs with gifts, makes his brother Narsi sepahbod, and then cancels ninety-three million dirhams of tax arrears and burns the ledgers. Iran celebrates at the fire-temples.
Next day, when sunrise crowned the mountain height,And sleep was broken by the morning light,
Men with whom was displeased drew near,And begged that make their grievance clear.
They said, “Plead for us, that he may forgiveOur faults, and let our shaken spirits live.
The crimes of had chilled our blood,And drowned the nobles’ hearts in fear’s dark flood.
So much foul word and deed, distress and pain,Had made our hearts grow cold toward Bahram’s reign.
We suffered long beneath his father’s hand;Hence came our coldness, which you understand.”
Monzer’s warm pleading softened Bahram’s heart;His words prevailed through all persuasion’s art.
He pardoned all who played a guilty part,For he was just and noble from the start.
He decked the royal palace richly then,And all the good and great came there again.
When they had made the royal hall ornate,They seated worthy men by rank and weight.
In every place they spread the festive board,With wine and players striking harp and chord.
Next day another crowd came to his hall;The Shah still gladly feasted with them all.
The third day brought more revelry and feast;Wine flowed, and sorrow in the palace ceased.
He told what and Monzer had done,Those stainless men through whom his crown was won.
The chiefs acclaimed the settled desert land,And praised the veterans of its Arab band.
The Shah then opened wide his treasury door,And filled the palace from its gathered store.
Gold, gems, brocade, with trappings, steed by steed,With s, fragrant scents, for every need.
To Numan and Monzer he gave the hoard,While counted out each reward.
No king could match the gifts he gave that day,Or all the pains he took to give away.
He gave the Arabs gifts, and let them go,Rejoicing in the wealth he could bestow.
He had a robe of honor brought, a mount,And ’s rich garb of high account.
They gave these gifts to Khosrow by command,And seated him in honor, high and grand.
Then Bahram stepped down from his royal seat,And went toward , there his kin to greet.
This younger brother shared his heart and mind;Their speech agreed, their purposes aligned.
He made Narsi of the force,To set the kingdom on an ordered course.
He placed the army in his brother’s care,And ruled with bounty, giving all their share.
He opened up the treasuries he held,Paid troops in s, and their gloom dispelled.
Then Bahram, friend of all, issued commandThat , learned scribe, should take his stand.
With prudent Javanuy, chief of account,He came to calculate the tax amount.
The Shah commanded them to lift the loadOf all arrears the kingdom’s people owed.
They sought the counting-house to read each scroll,And went to , master of the roll.
For he was expert in accounts and art,And knew the realm’s assessments part by part.
They summed arrears and found the total due,A mountain built from levies old and new.
They counted ninety-three million in arrears,In s, debts accrued through former years.
He cleared the debts and burned each ledger-leaf;Iran rejoiced, its people freed from grief.
When all the people learned what he had done,They praised him mightily beneath the sun.
They flocked to fire-temples, festival halls,Where New Year joy and filled the walls.
They cast sweet musk upon the sacred fire,And blessed the Shah with all their hearts’ desire.
He sent out men of knowledge far and wide,To travel through the world on every side.
He gathered exiles, scattered in his prideBy Yazdegard, in one town to abide.
He summoned them by letter to his hall,The freeborn nobles, sending word to all.
He gave each robes of honor and a place,With lands befitting each man’s rank and grace.
The nobles and all heard the cryThe royal heralds raised as they passed by.
They visited his court with open heart,Their faces bright, their former fears apart.
He sent the suitors to the Mobad’s hall,The chief of priests, to judge the claims of all.
When all the world had knelt to him, he sentA herald to the gate with this intent:
“You subjects of the watchful Shah, abstainFrom sin and sorrow, anguish, fear, and pain.
Praise him whose justice makes the earth bear fruit,And brings prosperity from shoot to root.
Take refuge from the world with God alone,For He helps all; the world is all His own.
Who heeds our word and walks our loyal way,And never turns from fealty astray,
To him increasing favors we shall show,And from our hearts both hate and greed shall go.
But those who turn from justice and rebelShall know our punishment, and know it well.
If God grants strength, and Fortune turns her gaze,And crowns our labor with her brightening rays,
We shall increase our favors all your days,And you shall answer us with words of praise.”
At these words all the people went away,With joyful hearts and faces bright as day.
The throne stood firm; joy grew throughout the land,And sorrow dwindled under his command.
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In briefAn old man tells Bahram of two townsmen, Baraham the rich miser and Lambak the generous water-carrier. The king forbids the market to buy Lambak’s water, then lodges with him three nights as a stray captain, watching him pawn his gear each day to feed his guest.
One day rode out on his way,With chosen warriors, seeking lion prey.
An old man, staff in hand, approached the king,And said, “God-fearing Shah, hear what I bring.
Within our town two men are known by name;One rich, one poor, their fortunes not the same.
the Jew, a miscreant knave,Has gold and silver, more than hearts could crave.
But bears men water and is kind,A gracious host, warm-hearted and refined.”
asked his attendants to explainThe old man’s words, and make their meaning plain.
A worthy said, “Great king of noble name,Lambak’s good words and welcome earn acclaim.
He carries water, generous and kind,With food to share and friendliness of mind.
Half of each day he bears his water round;The rest he seeks where travelers may be found.
He leaves no store behind for days unborn,But gives as though for giving he was born.
Baraham’s heart is barren, hard, and cold;His grasping nature plainly could be told.
He has great hoards of s, locked and sealed,Brocaded furnishings, and gold concealed.
Yet no one sees his bread or tastes his meat;He hates the guest who enters from the street.”
The Shah then bade a herald cry aloud:“Go to the market; tell the gathered crowd:
‘Whoever buys from Lambak at the wellShall feel the Shah’s fierce wrath; let none rebel.’”
He waited till the sun began to fade,Then rode a swift horse through the evening shade.
Like wind he came to Lambak’s humble gate,And struck the ring, though night was growing late.
He cried, “A captain of Iran am I;I missed the Shah as darkness filled the sky.
Grant me a lodging underneath your roof;Of kindness that would be a noble proof.”
Pleased by the voice that spoke so fair and clear,Lambak rejoiced, that friendly speech to hear.
He said, “Come, ; be welcome here!May you be one the Shah holds ever dear.
Had ten companions come with you instead,Each would have been a moon above my head.”
Bahram dismounted; Lambak took the steed,And tended it with glad and careful heed.
He rubbed it down and tied the horse, then passedA cord around its neck to hold it fast.
When Bahram sat, his host ran up to bringA chessboard, which he set before the king.
He furnished all things needful with delight,And found the means to feed his guest that night.
He said, “My noble guest, put play aside;Leave chess, and eat the meal I now provide.”
When they had eaten, and their spirits soared,The host brought wine, and merry cheer was poured.
The Shah was filled with wonder at the feast,The kindly words, the cheer that never ceased.
He passed the night there; at the break of day,His host’s voice woke him as asleep he lay.
He said, “Your horse, in truth, fared ill last night;Its needs were not attended to quite right.
Stay one more day; if company would please,A friend shall come to put you at your ease.
We shall provide what may delight you all;Stay happily today within my hall.”
The king replied, “My tasks today are few;I have no pressing business to pursue.”
He took his skins and went to sell his store,But found no buyers for the load he bore.
Distressed, he pulled his shirt off, then drew nearAnd gathered to his breast his carrying gear.
He pawned his linen sash without delay,And bought fresh meat and curds and came away.
He set the pot upon the fire to boil,While Bahram marked his generous care and toil.
Lambak prepared the meal; they ate their fill,Then sat with wine in friendship and goodwill.
All night Bahram drank deep and freely poured;Wine-loving Lambak kept him at the board.
At dawn he hurried in to greet his guest,And spoke with warmth, and made this glad request:
“Be merry always; may all toil depart,And trouble never weigh upon your heart.
Spend one more day with me, and I shall holdYour company as dear as life and gold.”
Bahram replied, “God grant that I may stay,Nor lose, with such a friend, this third glad day.”
The water-carrier blessed him: “May you keepA wakeful heart, and Fortune never sleep.”
He pledged his very water-skin in trade,And on his gear a final bargain made.
He bought what he required and homeward sped,Rejoicing as he brought the meat and bread.
He said to Bahram, “Help prepare the meat;For nourishment, a man has need to eat.”
Bahram took up the meat and cut it through,Then cooked it on the fire, and made the stew.
When they had eaten, wine and cups were brought;The king of kings came first in toast and thought.
When they had drunk, he made his guest a bed,And set a candle near his resting head.
The fourth day, when the sun dispersed the gloom,Bahram awoke within the humble room.
His host approached and said, “O man of mark,You have stayed in this house, so cramped and dark.
You find no comfort here; yet if you seeNo cause to fear Iran’s Shah, stay with me.
Stay two weeks more within my mean abode,If such a wish should draw you from the road.”
Then Shah Bahram blessed him and replied,“May mirth and happiness with you abide.
Three days within this house were spent in glee,While cups were raised to kings of each degree.
Elsewhere I shall recount all you have done,To brighten heart and mind with joy thus won.
Your hospitality shall yield you fruit;Persist, and crowns and thrones may follow suit.”
Swift as the dust, he saddled up his steed,And gladly sought the chase with eager speed.
He hunted till night veiled the mountainside,Then from his group of men he turned aside.
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In briefThe same night Bahram asks lodging from Baraham, who lets him in only on terms: no food, no fodder, payment for any broken brick, and the dung swept out at dawn. The miser eats and drinks alone, lecturing his guest, who carries the droppings out in a scented silk cloth.
He slipped away and sought the miser’s door,The house of , who hoarded store.
He knocked and said, “The Shah returned from chase,But I was left behind and lost my place.
Night has come on; I cannot find the way,Nor find the Shah or troops who rode today.
If I may lodge within this house tonight,I shall disturb none till the morning light.”
A servant went to Baraham to tellWhat words the rider spoke, reporting well.
Baraham said, “Be easy; tell him so:There is no lodging here, and he must go.”
The servant carried out that curt reply:“My master will no lodging here supply.”
replied, “Go back and tell him plain:‘I mean to stay the night; I shall remain.
I ask a corner only till the day;No further claim shall on his household weigh.’”
The servant ran within and made report:“This horseman will not leave the outer court.
He will not leave tonight; though long we pleaded,He stays, and not a word of ours is heeded.”
Then Baraham replied, “Go tell him straight:‘This house is small and poor in its estate.
The Jew is poor; each night he sleeps on ground,Bare, hungry, with no comfort to be found.’”
They brought the message; Bahram answered plain,“Without a lodging, trouble will remain.
I shall sleep by your door and seek no more;That is the only shelter I ask for.”
“Brave ,” said Baraham, “I fearYour thoughtless conduct brings me trouble here.
If someone robs you while you sleep tonight,You will trouble me with your sorry plight.
If dire need drives you, enter and abide,But ask for nothing once you come inside.
I have no cloth to dry my corpse when dead,Nor shroud to wrap me for my final bed.
Your horse needs fodder; you need food; the loadOf both will fall on me and my abode.
If dung or urine from your horse should fall,Or it should break the bricks within this hall,
At dawn you shall sweep dung from off the floor,And bear it to the plain outside my door.
For broken bricks you must repay the cost,When you awake, to make good what is lost.”
Bahram replied, “I pledge my head to bearThese burdens, and perform my promised share.”
He stepped down, tied his horse with bridle tight,And drew his sword, unsheathing it that night.
He spread the felt, stretched out upon the ground;His saddle was his pillow; sleep he found.
The miser locked the door and brought out food,Then sat to eat alone in selfish mood.
He said, “O horseman, hear this ancient lore;Remember it, and keep it evermore.
The man who has the means may eat his fill;The man without must watch, and hunger still.”
Bahram replied, “I know that proverb well;The ancient sages had that tale to tell.
I heard it once; I see it here tonight,The sage’s words brought plainly into sight.”
The miser brought out wine to crown his meal;The drink increased the joy that he could feel.
He cried, “O horseman, worn by toil and care,Hear this old saying, which I now declare:
‘The man of substance keeps a happy mind,And in his wealth a he will find.
But empty pockets bring a dry-lipped plight,Like you, half-starved here in the dead of night.’”
Bahram replied, “I must not soon forgetThe marvels that within this house I met.
If wine should bring you fortune bright and clear,Bless drinker, wine, and cup that brings such cheer.”
When sunrise showed its sword above the height, rose and left the sleep of night.
He saddled up his hungry mount of gray;A saddle? No, the headrest where he lay.
Then Baraham approached and said, “O guest,You have not kept the word that you professed.
You said you would sweep up your horse’s waste;Now take it out, and do it all with haste.
I am annoyed by guests who lie and cheat;Remove the dung before you leave my street.”
Bahram replied, “Go fetch a slave instead;He shall clear dung away from where it spread.
I shall give gold to sweep up every grain,And bear the refuse out upon the plain.”
The miser said, “I have no slave for work;Take it away yourself and do not shirk.
Fling it into the ditch and keep your word;Let no charge of dishonor now be heard.”
Bahram Goor heard and chose another way;A fresh idea would guide him through the day.
Within his boot a silken cloth was pressed,With musk and fragrant spices richly dressed.
He wrapped the droppings in that silken fold,And flung them in the ditch as he was told.
Then Baraham ran out and snatched it fast,While Shah Bahram stood stunned at what had passed.
“Most upright man, should our Shah come to hearYour noble deeds, he shall hold you most dear.
The great king would secure you from all dearth,And rank you with the chiefs of highest birth.”
He left and came back to his palace hall,And planned throughout the night what should befall.
He lay down full of thought, and laughed alone;But kept the secret, letting none be shown.
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In briefIn open court Bahram sends an honest man to empty Baraham’s house. A thousand camels cannot carry the hoard. He gives it to Lambak, quotes the miser’s own proverb back at him, leaves him four dirhams to start again, and throws the emptied house open to plunder.
At dawn the Shah sat crowned to arbitrate,And let the army enter through the gate.
He summoned , who obeyed the call,And stood with folded arms within the hall.
They brought in , whose mind was bentOn malice, and whose heart held ill intent.
When he arrived, they bade him sit and stay,Then called an honest man without delay.
The Shah said, “Take pack animals in hand,And let strict justice guide what you have planned.
Go to the house of Baraham, and packWhatever hoards you find, and bring them back.”
The honest man went to the miser’s door;He found it crammed with hoard and heaped-up store.
There lay brocades, s, and robes in rows,With carpets, draperies, and silken clothes.
A caravanserai stood in the court;For all the goods, the space was far too short.
There gleamed pearls, rubies, gems of every hue,And crowns atop the bags that came to view.
The Mobad could not count the wealth amassed,And called from a thousand camels fast.
They loaded them; some goods were left behind;He drove the train away with cheerful mind.
When caravan bells sounded at the gate,The honest man went in to tell their state.
“Your gems are matched by these; yet in that holdTwo hundred kharvars still are left, all told.”
The Shah was struck with wonder at this sight,And pondered what the hoard had brought to light.
He thought, “The miser labored hard for gain,Yet gained no sustenance for all his pain.”
A hundred camel-loads of gold they made,With s, furnishings, and goods arrayed.
He gave to Lambak all this treasure bright;The water-carrier bore it from his sight.
Then called the miser back and said,“O man whose meanness makes the dust his bed,
How long did your own prophet live, you say?Why weep for so much surplus wealth today?
A horseman came and spoke these words to me,An ancient saying, plain for all to see:
‘The man who has enjoys his ample fare;The man without grows withered in despair.’
Now loose your grip on all you would not spare,And watch the water-carrier take his share.”
Of dung and cloth and bricks the monarch told,Recalling too the fabric worked with gold.
He gave four dirhams, saying, “For your part,Take these as capital to make a start.
No more befits you; let the poor be fedWith all your wealth, while you retain your head.”
He gave the goods to those whose worth was known;The miser went away with wail and groan.
He gave the house to plunder on that day;Let others have their turn to take away.
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In briefHunting, Bahram kills a lion and lioness and is feasted in the wood by the country lord Mehr Bandad. Next day Kabruy drains seven great cups at court, rides home, and sleeps drunk on the hillside, where a crow pecks out his eyes. Bahram forbids wine in Iran.
He turned his thoughts to cheetah, hawk, and chase,And rode a swift steed from the royal place.
With hawk in hand, he rode in eager quest,To hunt the game he loved and favored best.
He found a wood, a wealthy lord’s retreat,A thickly wooded place, serene and sweet.
As green as Paradise, a lovely glade,No man or beast appeared beneath its shade.
He said, “This is a place where lions dwell,Where daring warriors prove their mettle well.”
He rode and searched the woodland all around,And scanned each part of that secluded ground.
Within the wood a savage lion appeared;He saw the need for swordplay as it neared.
He shouted at the lion standing near,And strung his bow, a warrior without fear.
He shot through side and heart; the lion fell,His mate’s heart burned, and grief began to swell.
She charged at , roaring in her wrath,And struck with claws at him across her path.
He struck her middle with his sharpened blade;The beast gave up the fight beneath the shade.
An old man left the wood with words of grace;Sweet speech was ready as he neared the place.
His name was ; his heart was gladTo see the force that Bahram’s sword-stroke had.
He was a country lord who worshipped God;That wood was home, the place his footsteps trod.
With courteous words he blessed the Shah, and bowed,Approaching low, with reverence avowed.
He said, “Famed chief, may Fortune’s guiding starAttend your wishes, whether near or far.
A country lord am I, as I declare;This march, these fields, this house are in my care.
I own the ox, the ass, the grazing sheep;Those lions plunged my heart in darkness deep.
God worked through hand and hilt to end our fear,And through your thumb-ring; now our way is clear.
Stay in this wood and let me serve you hereWith milk and wine and honey for your cheer.
My lambs are yours, as many as you please,And shade and rest beneath my fruiting trees.”
The Shah dismounted, viewed the woodland scene,With running waters winding through the green.
It seemed a haven made for youth’s repose,A place of ease where pleasure ever flows.
Then Mehr Bandad brought minstrels to the glade,And village chiefs, with festive food arrayed.
He slaughtered many fattened sheep and came,A golden cup in hand, his face aflame.
When they had eaten bread, they brought the wine,With rose and fenugreek beside it, fine.
The host drank first, then poured for him, and pressedEach comfort on his seated noble guest.
When Mehr Bandad grew merry from the cup,He said, “Fair hero, Fortune lifts you up.
You seem the Shah, or else the full moon’s light,That shines upon the world at dead of night.”
Bahram replied, “Indeed, your words are wise;The King of kings designed my face and eyes.
He fashions as He wills, in every way;He neither grows nor dwindles day by day.
If I resemble the Shah in face and air,I grant this wood and dwelling to your care.”
He mounted, drunk, and rode away to restWithin his pleasant palace, wine-possessed.
He lay awake, still drunk, throughout the night,Remembering loved lips with keen delight.
He spent his time with friends in merry cheer,And told them varied tales for all to hear.
Next morning he took seat and called for wine;The captains came before him in a line.
Among them came a noble of the land,With fruit in camel-loads at his command.
With pomegranates, apples, quince in trays,With posies for the court, to win its praise.
The Shah beheld him, hailed him warm and true,And set him with the s in view.
The noble bore a name from ancient days:, as named in old phrase.
He saw the Shah, the nobles, and the feast,And felt his joy at all he saw increased.
He saw a crystal goblet filled with wine;His heart grew restless at its tempting shine.
He reached among the nobles, seized the cup,And sprang upon his feet to lift it up.
He toasted the king of kings, and made his claim:“I am a drinker; Kabruy is my name.”
Before the Shah, he drained that brimming bowl,And swallowed all its contents, full and whole.
The cup held five man; then he made this vow:“I shall drink seven here, with steady brow.
Then sober to my village I shall go;No drunken shouting shall my neighbors know.”
He drank all seven, and surpassed the rest;Among those drinkers, none could match his quest.
Then by the Shah’s permission he withdrew;Who knows what all that wine had put him through?
He left the joyful city for the plain,With heated wine alive in heart and brain.
He galloped far beyond his retinue,Toward the hills where shaded grasses grew.
He left his horse, found shelter on the ground,And slept beneath the mountain shade he found.
A black crow from the mountains then came down,And pecked his eyes, with no one else around.
His escort followed where his horse had sped,And found him at the mountain lying dead.
The black crow had pecked out his eyes that day;His horse stood there beside him on the way.
His servants wailed above him in their grief,Cursed feast and cup that robbed them of their chief.
When Bahram woke within his royal place,A well-wisher approached him face to face.
He said, “A crow has pecked out Kabruy’s eyes,Where he lay drunk beneath the open skies.”
The Shah grew pale; grief filled his heart with pain,As sorrow for Kabruy began to reign.
Then from the royal court a herald cried,“You men of and judgment, far and wide,
Let Pahlevans and craftsmen all abstain;Wine is forbidden throughout my domain.”
Thus passed a year while wine remained denied,And lips were turned from wine on every side.
Even when the Shah held feast or heard old lays,Wine stayed forbidden through those sober days.
None drank or longed for wine in feast or spree;Its color and its scent had ceased to be.
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In briefA young shoemaker fails his bride; his mother secretly gives him wine and he succeeds. Still drunk, he mounts a stray palace lion and rides it down the lane. Bahram has his pedigree searched, hears the truth from his mother, laughs, and allows wine again in measure.
Now at that time a young shoemaker wedA wealthy wife, well-known and nobly bred.
But he failed in his duty as a groom,And left his mother sunk in bitter gloom.
She grieved aloud for his distressing case,Yet had some wine stored in a hidden place.
She took her son aside and bade him drinkSeven cups, to bring his heart back from the brink.
“Tonight you may yet breach that seal so tight;No pick of felt can quarry stone outright.”
He drank the seven cups his mother gave;His manhood stiffened, and his heart grew brave.
The cups had made the young man bold and bright;He came, achieved his purpose in the night.
He sought his mother’s door in happy mood,His former helplessness at last subdued.
A royal lion had escaped its chain,And roamed in majesty along the lane.
The shoemaker was still so full of wine,He could not count his fingers in a line.
He ran and mounted on the roaring beast,And clutched its ears, not frightened in the least.
The lion had been fed and did not spring;The youth sat firm as on some harmless thing.
The keeper hurried after them in fear,With chain in hand and gathered near.
He saw the youth astride the lion, sureAs on a donkey, careless and secure.
He ran at once before the palace gate,And told the Shah this marvel, strange and great.
He swore he saw the sight with his own eyes:A prodigy beneath the turning skies!
The Shah called chiefs and to hand,And bade them trace his lineage through the land.
“Discover if his blood be rich and rare;If Pahlevan-born, such courage fits the heir.”
They questioned then his mother at great length:“Is he above his trade in birth and strength?”
His mother hurried to the Shah to speak,And told the secret he had sent to seek.
“Live happily till time itself has died;He wed but failed to satisfy his bride.
His wife declared, ‘This weakling stands alone;No seed of manhood in his flesh is shown.’
In secret, seven cups of wine I poured,Until his wilted vigor was restored.
His cheeks grew red; the felt, once limp and prone,Now raised its head and hardened into bone.
His grandfather was shoemaker by trade;The youth has followed in the path he made.
His lineage? Seven cups of vintage wine!Who dreamed the Shah would probe this blood of mine?”
The Shah laughed at the woman, then declared:“This story must be told and widely shared.”
He told the Mobad, “Wine shall be allowed;Choose well the men who drink among the crowd.
Drink so that you can mount a lion still,And keep your seat against the creature’s will.
Not like the man who, helpless on the way,Lay drunk, both eyes the black crow’s helpless prey.”
A cry rang from the gate, both loud and clear:“You golden-belted warriors, all hear:
Drink wine in measure; weigh what you intend,And look from each beginning to its end.
When wine brings joy, take care that you remainIts master, lest your body bear the strain.”
👑🏇🏘️😠👤🗣️👥⚠️🗡️💀🏚️😭👑🧠📜📨👤⚖️🏡👨🌾🌾🐄🌳👥😊🎁26 emoji · the whole poem in emoji →
In briefVexed by a village that fails to bless him, Bahram orders it destroyed. Rozbeh instead proclaims every man, woman and slave its lord, and within a year strife has wrecked it. Told to restore it, he appoints one elder, and by the third year it flourishes; he explains the lesson.
Next day at dawn the Shah took up the reinTo hunt with all his soldiers on the plain.
rode on his left; and on his rightRode , that high Mobad of insight.
They told of ’s crown and bygone days,And , whom all the world would praise.
Before them hounds and cheetahs coursed the plain,With hawks and falcons wheeling in their train.
Thus they made short the long and tedious day,While the sun climbed and burned upon their way.
Yet neither deer nor appeared;The Shah grew hot, his inward temper seared.
Troubled by heat, he turned from hunting back,And left the field along the homeward track.
He reached a settled, green, and fertile spot,With homes and cattle; want and care forgot.
The monarch, vexed and overcome by heat,Had chosen that same village for his seat.
The people came to gaze upon the king,But none pronounced the blessings they should bring.
One would have thought each villager a beast,A tethered ass that stirred not in the least.
Its folk disgusted him; he turned his face,And spoke in anger of that ill-starred place:
“Let this green village be the wild beasts’ den;Let pitch-black water turn its fields to fen.”
The Mobad understood the Shah’s intent,And turned his horse, and to the village went.
He told the folk, “This fruitful, verdant site,With men and cattle, pleased the Shah’s own sight.
Now hear the king’s command, and heed his planTo raise this village in the eyes of man.
He lifts you all to one and equal state,The lord and laborer alike in weight.
This pleasant village shall achieve renown;Each one among you wears a chieftain’s crown.
Here lord and hireling shall be counted one,With women, children, every daughter, son.
Each one is chief, and none shall bend the knee;No other master rules you: you are free.”
The settlement rang loud with joyful noise,For all were lords, and shared the lordly joys.
A woman’s word now bore a man’s full weight;The slave and hireling shared the master’s state.
The village youths grew reckless; blood was shedAs they struck off their village chieftain’s head.
They fell upon each other in the street,And blood was shed beneath their trampling feet.
Amid confusion, people fled in fear;The helpless aged stayed as ruin drew near.
No tools for work, no goods or crops remained;The settlement by ruin’s hand was stained.
Its trees were withered and its streams ran dry;The people with their beasts began to fly.
The land lay ruined, every house decayed;No work restored the wreck that strife had made.
A year passed by; and when the spring was new,The Shah went hunting where that ruin grew.
He reached the spot, once populous and bright,And saw all overturned before his sight.
The trees were withered, dwellings crushed and bare;No man or beast was moving anywhere.
The Shah turned pale, and fear of God arose;And justice stirred his heart at all these woes.
He said to Rozbeh, “What a grievous sight:This village ruined, once so fair and bright.
Go now and use my treasures to restoreThis place, and heal the harm its people bore.”
The Mobad bowed, departed, spurred his horse,And for the ruined township set his course.
He hurried through each quarter, searching round,Until an elder, lacking work, was found.
Dismounting, he saluted him, and badeThe elder sit beside him in the shade.
He said, “Old honored man, explain to me:Who wrecked this district, once so fair to see?”
The old man answered, “Once our monarch passedThrough these parts, and ruin followed fast.
A witless Mobad came along our way,With foolish counsel and a proud display.
He said to us, ‘You all are lords and free;Defer to none, whoever he may be.
Be masters all, each woman, man, and slave,And rank as great among the great and brave.’
Such were his words; the township shook with strife,With rapine, murder, blows, and wasted life.
May God reward him as his deeds are due,And send him grief and hardship through and through.
Our case grows worse; whoever sees our lotMust weep for what has vanished and is not.”
Then Rozbeh, grieved to hear the old man’s tale,Asked, “Who is chief here, where all things now fail?”
The elder said, “A chief is found where seedAnd grass bear produce for the people’s need.”
Rozbeh replied, “Be governor today;Stand like a crown and guide the proper way.
Draw gold s from royal stores to gainBoth ox and ass, provisions, tools, and grain.
Bring to the village all who lack employ;Let labor turn this ruin back to joy.
They all are subjects; you alone are chief;Let ordered rule bring comfort after grief.
Do not curse that old Mobad for his part;Those words were not the wishes of his heart.
Need helpers from the court? Then I shall send;Ask what you will, and I will be your friend.”
The elder rejoiced to hear that healing word,And from long grief his loosened heart was stirred.
He hurried home and brought the people downBeside the pool that served the ruined town.
He marked the plots and reassigned the lands,And placed the labor into willing hands.
They asked their neighbors for both ox and ass,And furnished all the plain with seed and grass.
He and his settlers labored hard and long,And planted trees to make the township strong.
One quarter flourished, green with springing corn;All eyes found joy that had been schooled to mourn.
Those who had fled with heart’s blood in their eyesReturned when healing rumors bade them rise.
They heard the white-haired chief had toiled and wrought,And back to streets and channels they were brought.
They cleared the channels; water reached the grain;Fowl, cattle, sheep, and asses filled the plain.
Across the settled fields their numbers grew,And people planted trees where ruin withdrew.
A paradise now bloomed before their eyes;The third year proved the elder’s labors wise.
The town was fully healed through patient toil,And blessing rested on that mended soil.
When joyful spring came round, the Shah bestrodeHis horse to hunt; Rozbeh beside him rode.
As they drew near the hamlet, sawA world of crops and cattle kept by law.
Tall mansions rose; the town stretched far and wide,With sheep and oxen seen on every side.
Streams and gardens, crops, and pleasure grounds,With fenugreek and tulips crowned the mounds.
On hill and dale the lambs and sheep were seen;The place was clothed in paradisal green.
The Shah said, “Rozbeh, tell what you have wrought:How was this village first to ruin brought?
And what did you expend to make it rise,With men and beasts restored before my eyes?”
The high Mobad replied, “By words it fell,And words restored it, as I now shall tell.
The Shah had said, ‘Take treasure, coin, and all,And make this verdant place to ruin fall.’
But fearing God, and fearing men’s reproof,I sought a lesson that would stand as proof.
When one heart turns to two conflicting ends,It ruins both the courses it intends.
When two men rule together in one place,The wise man stands bewildered by the case.
I told the elders, ‘No one rules you now;Let none command, and none to any bow.
Women, children, slaves, and laborers allAre lords alike in village, street, and hall.’
When lowly men became as lords instead,Down to the dust was brought the chieftain’s head.
My words brought ruin; I was free and clearOf blame, and had no wrath of God to fear.
And when at last the Shah’s compassion woke,I went and gave the wiser words I spoke.
I chose a learned elder to command,A wise, well-spoken guide to all the land.
He labored and restored the ruined part,And joy returned to every subject’s heart.
When one man ruled, all counsel turned to good;Wrong waned, and goodness flourished where he stood.
I showed them evil through a veiled display,Then opened up the door to God’s own way.
Speech, used where it belongs, is worth far moreThan all the precious gems within your store.
Let wisdom be the Shah, the tongue its might,If you would keep your spirit calm and bright.
May joy forever fill the sovereign’s heart;May ruin and all crookedness depart.”
The Shah cried, “Well done, Rozbeh! Such a mindDeserves a crown for wisdom of this kind.”
He gave one purse of gold dinars to showThe honor that such wisdom ought to know.
They fashioned him a robe of kingly thread,And raised toward the clouds his honored head.
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In briefRiding home by night, Bahram finds village girls singing by a mill. One toasts Bahram Goor and explains his name. He calls for wine, hears four maidens sing, and asks their father the miller for all four, refusing any dowry. Next morning the village learns its luck.
A week passed by; the monarch rode to chaseThe mountain game, with all his lordly race.
With then gathered at his side,A month he drank and hunted far and wide.
He reveled with his noble hunting train;Their catch passed measure on the hills and plain.
Rejoicing, back toward the town he turned;Night fell, and scarce a pathway was discerned.
The chiefs rode on together on their way,And spoke of Shahs as evening died away.
beheld a fire that lit the night,Such as a king at ’s feast might light.
The king of kings peered closely at the blaze,And saw a village, pleasant to his gaze.
A mill stood near it, and beside the flame,The village chiefs sat gathered, each by name.
The maidens feasted, gathered close and fair,With crowns of roses set upon their hair.
The minstrels sat around; the maidens sangOf royal wars until the valley rang.
Each sang in turn; their voices rose and fell;Their moonlike faces cast a lovely spell.
Their locks were curled, their voices sweet and clear,And musk seemed breathing from their presence near.
They sat ranked on the grass beside the mill,Each with a posy, bright and singing still.
Half-flushed with wine and merriment, they cried,And one gave Bahram’s toast with royal pride.
She said, “To Shah Bahram, whose is bright,Whose stature, love, and mien command the sight.
Through him the wheeling heavens hold their place;Wine seems to trickle from his glowing face.
His black hair breathes out musk; he hunts no preyBut lions and wild asses on his way.
Therefore the people name that monarch sureBy his great hunting title: .”
On hearing this, he rode toward that fair throng,And saw the moon-faced maidens ranged along.
He saw the road to town was long that night,And called for wine and friends to share delight.
They brought him wine and friends at his command,And set a crystal goblet, rich and grand.
Four maidens then, the highest of that band,Came forth together, walking hand in hand.
came, with beside,Then and in their pride.
With cheeks like spring, in stately step they drew,And sang the praises that to kings are due.
They praised the king of kings, the wise and great;Their beauty left his heart in troubled state.
He asked, “Whose daughters are you, roses bright?And why have you set this great fire alight?”
One said, “O of cypress height,So like a king in bearing and in sight,
Our father is an aged miller here,Who hunts for game upon the mountain near.
He will return now that the night has grown,For darkness makes the hunter’s path unknown.”
The miller and his men then came with game;His eyes fell on Bahram’s commanding frame.
He rubbed his face upon the dusty ground,Then stood before him, all his men around.
The Shah commanded, “Bring the old man cheer,And set a golden goblet for him here.”
He said, “Why keep these four with sunny face?Is it not time they found a marriage place?”
The old man praised him: “We have found no groom;So they have lingered in their father’s room.
They still are maidens, chaste; they claim no gold,For virtue is the only wealth they hold.
This is all I possess and all I say;No dowry stands to send them on their way.”
Bahram replied, “Give me these daughters four;Why should they wait as maidens anymore?”
The old man said, “Do not withdraw your word;Let what you promised stand as I have heard.
We have no cups, no land, no crops to store,No silver, house, or ox or ass; no more.”
Bahram replied, “No wealth need come with them;I ask no goods, no coin, no precious gem.”
The miller said, “The four shall be your wives,And serve within your chambers all their lives.
Your eye has seen whatever good or illThey bear, and still approves them by your will.”
Bahram replied, “From God, who gives us all,I take these maidens at His gracious call.”
He spoke and rose; the steeds began to neigh,And all his escort stirred to move away.
He bade the eunuchs of his train to bearThose idols to the women’s royal care.
The troops streamed through the fields throughout the night;The miller stood amazed at such a sight.
He mused all night and said then to his wife,“What moonlike lord has entered thus our life?
With such a stately form and princely grace,How did he find by night our humble place?”
She said, “He saw the fire’s distant light,And heard the daughters singing in delight.
He brought us wine and minstrels for the feast,Drawn by the merry songs that had not ceased.”
The miller said, “Advise me, O my spouse;Will good or ill come to this humble house?”
She said, “All comes from God; he saw each face,And did not ask about their blood or race.
He sought four moons, not wealth that rank could bring,Nor wished to wed the daughter of a king.
If idol-makers out in Chin saw these,Their idols would no longer hearts appease.”
They spoke of men of good and evil ways,Till sun on Raven’s back brought morning’s rays.
At dawn the village chief came hurrying near,And said, “Good fortune paid a visit here.
Your tree’s green branches now have borne their fruit;Bahram rode by here, homeward from pursuit.
He saw your fire and turned toward your gate;Your daughters now reside in royal state.
They rest secure as wives within his hall;His private chambers now receive them all.
In face and hair and carriage bright and rare,You raised them for the Shah’s own royal care.
Bahram is now your son-in-law; your nameWill spread through every country with your fame.
He gives this province to you as your part;Let grief and fear no longer press your heart.
We all are now your subjects, yours to lead;Your servants, who your least command will heed.
Give your commands; each one we shall fulfill.We are your servants, subject to your will.”
The miller and his wife, amazed, were stirredTo call on God; the village khan was heard:
“Such locks and faces, splendid in their bloom,Would draw the fourth-sphere sun down as a groom.”
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In briefA landowner’s new watercourse breaks into a buried vault. Diggers open a chamber where golden buffaloes drink at a gemmed trough, sealed with Jamshid’s name. Bahram refuses wealth not won by the sword, has it counted and given to the poor, and feasts that spring on the kings of old.
A week passed by; he hunted once again,With chiefs and and other men.
Swift as the wind, a loyal subject drew near,With spade in hand, his purpose plain and clear.
He asked the troops, “Where does abide?Where in these ranks may I approach his side?”
A Mobad then replied, “What do you seek?You cannot see the Shah. State why you speak.”
The man replied, “If I may not draw near,I will not speak before his followers here.”
They brought that seeker to the Shah’s own sight,A learned man whose words were clear and bright.
He saw Bahram and said, “O king, to youI have some private words, both strange and true.”
turned his horse’s head aside,And rode beyond the watching army’s tide.
The man said, “World-commanding Shah, attend;My words are true, and to your good they tend.
I am a countryman and landlord here;My soil, my homestead, and my crops are near.
I made new watercourses through my land,To bring more profit by my working hand.
When water gathered and the channel swelled,A sudden breach appeared where earth had held.
A wondrous clamor reached my startled ears;I cried aloud, overcome by sudden fears.
The clash of cymbals issued from the stream,A sound of treasure, not an empty dream.”
When Bahram heard, he went and saw the plain,All green with water, crops, and growing grain.
He summoned laborers with spades, to toilAnd seek the hidden riches in the soil.
He left his horse; his servants raised his tent,Amid green crops where winding waters went.
Night came; the warriors lit lamps everywhere,And kindled fires that brightened all the air.
When morning raised its banner from the deep,And burnished violet skies from waking sleep,
The workmen gathered there from every side,Like some great army in its laboring pride.
They dug that portion of the plain away,Until a yawning pit before them lay.
At last, when all were weary, they exhumedA mass like some great mountain, long entombed.
Of mortar and of burnt brick it was made,Like Paradise concealed below the shade.
They struck the structure’s top with picks untilIts doorway showed beneath that earthen hill.
The high Mobad went through the opened door,With one companion, seeking out the store.
They found one chamber, long and wide and high,A wonder hidden from the world and sky.
Two golden buffaloes bent down to drinkBefore a golden trough with jeweled brink.
The trough held green gems mingled with the redOf precious rubies heaped within its bed.
Those buffaloes seemed Taurus brought to earth,Hollow, and filled with fruit of priceless worth.
With pomegranates, apples, quince each side;The quinces held bright pearls like drops inside.
The buffaloes had ruby eyes that gleamed,Though age had touched their heads where gold still beamed.
Around them stood gold lions, proud and grand,With s arranged on every hand.
Some creatures had bright ruby eyes inlaid,And some with crystal eyes were deftly made.
There golden pheasants, peacocks too, were seen,With gem-bright breasts and eyes of jeweled sheen.
The minister returned to tell the kingWhat wealth that hidden treasure-house would bring.
He urged the Shah, “Arise and see this store;A wealth of treasure lies behind that door.
A chamber full of jewels lies below,Whose key high heaven kept from mortal show.”
The Shah replied, “A man of might and nameWould write upon his hoard from where it came.
Go see whose name is written on the hoard,And when these riches served their ancient lord.”
The high Mobad read on the beast the sealOf Shah , whose name it would reveal.
“The buffalo bears Shah Jamshid’s own name;Its seal makes plain from whom these riches came.”
The Shah replied, “O Mobad, learned and wise,Whose knowledge reaches far beyond men’s eyes,
Why should I claim as mine this ancient store,The treasure Jamshid gathered long before?
If wealth is won without the sword and right,May kingship perish, stripped of all its might.
Bestow the whole upon the poor instead;May no misfortune fall upon our head.
My troops require no portion of this gold;Both time and earth lie open to the bold.
Yet first, as kings must, we shall count the hoard,Then sell the gems and give the poor reward.
Then gather widows from the fields and towns,And orphans marked by Fortune’s bitter frowns.
Bring impoverished men of noble name,Who have lost hope, estate, and former fame.
From ruined towns and thriving places, callThe needy; count them singly, one and all.
Give them the money, goods, the treasure whole,To bring reward to Jamshid’s parted soul.
I still am young, sound-limbed, with strength and breath;Why seek the wealth of monarchs claimed by death?
Let one tenth go to him who found this thing,And came to tell the secret to the king.
No man finds joy in days that lie ahead,Who strips the shroud and plunders royal dead.
My troops and I shall toil for what swords yield,And win renown through justice in the field.
From and Chin I shall win fame and gain; and my sharp sword shall serve my reign.
I practice no deceit, nor turn to flight;My steed and sword shall serve me in the fight.”
He turned toward his own hard-gathered store,The wealth his sweat and toil had won before.
He gathered warriors of the realm around,And gave them one full year’s pay on that ground.
That spring he held a feast of splendid cheer,And dressed his jeweled hall with royal gear.
When red wine shone in crystal cups of light,And he was glad among his friends that night,
He said, “My chiefs, you know the kings of old,Whose mighty thrones the tales of ages hold.
From down to famous ’s name,Heir to the line of ’s great fame,
And onward even to Kay ’s renown,Who set upon his head the mighty crown,
See who remains of all those mighty men,Or who can call their justice back again.
The circle of their years has passed away;Their words and reputations live today.
One had nobility; another, none;They praise or blame them for what they have done.
We all shall pass from earth and living breath;The best path shuns all evil before death.
Why should I seek the treasure handed onBy kings who left the world and now are gone?
I will not bind my heart to passing things,Nor covet wealth, nor boast the crown of kings.
If days can pass in joy, why should the wiseFeed grief beneath the turning of the skies?
If courtier or countryman should sayMy rule oppresses him in any way,
May head and crown and treasure cease to be,If any subject suffers wrong from me.”
An elder rose, named , who boreThe weight of years: one hundred sixty-four.
He said, “O just lord, tales have reached our earsOf Fereydoon and Jamshid through the years,
Of kings whose fame rose high, and some less known,Yet none like you has to such greatness grown.
No Shah like you, the humble people’s shield,Your grace of crown and greatness stands revealed.
Were all the sea as vast as is your heart,Its waves would rise with gems in every part.
From your pure soul ’s radiance flows,And dims the wit the wisest sage now shows.
Such treasure you have lavished far and wide,That high and low have seen no match beside.
When men recalled Jamshid’s majestic age,Buffalo treasure filled each ancient page.
None knew if dust concealed its hidden store,Or dragon’s breath had veiled it evermore.
But when you found it, you disdained the prize,And scorned this passing world before your eyes.
So many gems no living eye could knowLay in the boundless waters far below.
The jewels, the buffalo, the gold; all passedInto the poor’s own hands, from first to last.
May crown and girdle never leave your side;May joy, good fortune, triumph all abide.
Ink would blacken many a royal scroll,Yet fail to tell the measure of the whole.”
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In briefLodging with a merchant, Bahram asks for old cheese and almonds and is given a roast fowl and a scolding. At dawn the apprentice, blamed for overpaying, feasts him properly. Bahram rewards the youth and binds the merchant to pay him sixty dirhams twice a month.
A week passed by; rode out to chase,With quiver, arrows, and a clouded face.
The sun beat down and heated all the plain;He left the hunt and homeward turned his rein.
He took the road toward his royal seat;Some distance passed beneath his charger’s feet.
He reached a merchant’s house along the road,And saw no one about that rich abode.
He said, “Can you provide us lodging here?We shall not trouble you, so have no fear.”
The merchant helped the rider to descend,And found a place where he could rest and mend.
The Shah gave s, aching as he lay,And named the dish he wanted right away:
“Bring me old cheese and almonds, if you please;Roast them, and let my inward pain find ease.”
The merchant lacked the almonds for the dish,And thus could not fulfill the rider’s wish.
At nightfall he brought something else instead,A roasted fowl upon a tray with bread.
Bahram replied, “I asked for aged cheese,To soothe my belly and to give me ease.
I paid you dirhams, told you of my plight,Yet you have brushed aside my plea outright.”
The merchant said, “You lack all self-control,And have no wisdom to sustain your soul.
Since I have brought this roasted fowl to you,For shame, demand no other dish as due.”
Bahram said no more of the cheese he sought;He ate, regretting he had voiced the thought.
When sleeping-time arrived, he lay to rest,And said no more about his first request.
At dawn, when sunlight rose from ocean’s deep,And pitch-dark night withdrew from earth and sleep,
The wealthy merchant called his apprentice near,And spoke in anger for the youth to hear:
“That fowl was worth no dirham! Yet you paidFar more than it was worth in such a trade.
Had you bought cheaply, I would not last nightHave quarreled with this rider in such spite.
Had you bought cheese, one dang would meet the price;To keep him pleased, that little would suffice.”
The apprentice answered, “Let this quarrel cease;Charge me the fowl’s full cost, and hold your peace.
Be you and he my guests, and do not fight;Let no more blame be cast about last night.”
When Bahram rose from pleasant sleep at dawn,He sought his noble steed to journey on.
He meant to mount and ride back to his hall,And take his royal throne before them all.
The youth approached and said, “Be pleased to stay;Accept my hospitality today.”
Bahram returned, sat down again in place,And marveled at the turns of Fortune’s face.
The youth brought back two hundred eggs to share,Then told his master firmly, “Now prepare.
Roast almond kernels; set old cheese besideSoft bread, and let our guest be well supplied.
The requested this last day;Bring food and spread the board without delay.”
He told Bahram, “The fare you sought to findShall now be served with glad and open mind.
Now what you wished for shall be brought to you,With other dishes, hot and tender too.”
He hastened to the market in delight,A generous buyer, gracious and polite.
He bought lamb, almonds, sugar, fowl, and wine,Musk, saffron, and rosewater, sweet and fine.
He hurried home and spread the banquet fair,A sprightly youth, discreet and debonair.
When they had eaten, wine was brought, and firstHe served Bahram, to slake the royal thirst.
So they proceeded, cheerful and elate,And drank successive cups to celebrate.
The Shah addressed the household, bright and free:“Bahram will ask for me; drink on with glee.
Drink deep and do not move from where you sit,Until the wine has robbed you of your wit.”
He groomed his steed, and set the saddle straight,Then led him out to stand beside the gate.
He first addressed the merchant: “Do not strainSo hard, good merchant, in pursuit of gain.
For one small dang, you sold me yesterday,And cast me in a dragon’s jaws as prey.
You would have sewn your servant’s eyes up tightFor buying fowl at more than you thought right.”
He spoke and hurried to his royal seat,Where crown and throne made majesty complete.
When sunlight raised its crown in heaven bright,The realm’s protector sat enthroned in light.
He sent his chamberlain out to escortThe merchant and apprentice to the court.
One came rejoicing; one approached in gloom;Both stood before the Shah in judgment’s room.
Bahram beheld the youth and gave him a seatAmong the lords, with honor full and meet.
They brought a purse; his dark and anxious heartGrew bright with joy, and grief was forced to part.
Then to the merchant Bahram said, “Attend:You are his slave until your life shall end.
Twice every month you shall be bound to payA sum of sixty dirhams without delay.
With your own goods he shall receive the great,And make the hearts of noble men elate.”
Then to the Mobad said the Shah, “UnlessA king observes the world, he rules by guess.
How can he judge which men deserve his praise,Or tell the base from those of noble ways?”
Now, prudent listener, take this truth to heart;If you have wisdom, learn what tales impart.
Be never miserly, if you are wise,Lest shame should bring you low in others’ eyes.
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In briefBahram shoots a dragon and cuts it open to find a swallowed youth inside. Sick with its venom, he lodges with a generous wife and her grudging husband. Her cow goes dry when the king’s heart turns toward tyranny, and gives milk again when he repents; he rewards the couple.
abode a season with his lords,With wine and cups and minstrels’ sounding chords.
Spring came; the earth was Paradise remade,And tulips blazed in every sunlit glade.
All tracts grew full of game beneath the sky,While brooks like wine and milk went running by.
The deer and s paced through the dales,Or clustered where green sward adorned the vales.
The streams breathed musk; the wine in vats glowed red,Like pomegranate blossoms newly spread.
The nobles said, “O king of royal star,We long to hunt the famous Gur-e-Khar.”
He answered, “Choose a thousand from the ranks,The keenest horsemen from the royal flanks.
Bring cheetahs, hawks, and falcons to the field,And noble peregrines that game may yield.
We go to to spend a month in chase,And take our pleasure through that scented place.”
The royal hunter rode; the fertile earthIn spring’s bright splendor found a glad rebirth.
His gallant chiefs swept plain and mountain wide,For Gur-e-Khar and sheep on every side.
For two long days they scoured the country round,While Bahram’s wine-cup cheered the hunting-ground.
The third day, Sol lit up his golden crown,And poured bright splendor on the hilltops down.
The earth grew gold, and stream and upland white,As though of ivory beneath the light.
The valiant Shah went hunting and then sawA dragon like a lion, dark and raw.
Long hair from its head trailed upon the ground;Its woman-like breasts swelled, immense and round.
drew his bow with practiced art,And struck its breast with his first poplar dart.
He shot another straight against its head,And venom mingled with the blood it shed.
The king dismounted, drew his bright,And carved the dragon’s breast before their sight.
Within it lay a youth the beast had slain,Frozen in blood and venom’s livid stain.
He mourned the youth; his eyes grew dark and dim,For now the dragon’s venom worked on him.
Then dizzy, pained, and longing hard for sleep,He rode in search of water cool and deep.
He reached a settlement beside the plain,And came to one poor house in thirst and pain.
Her pitcher on her shoulder, near the placeA woman stood; from him she veiled her face.
“May I lodge here, or must I seek the road?”She said, “Brave horseman, share my poor abode.”
On hearing this, he rode his courser in;She called her husband from the house within.
“Bring straw,” she said, “and groom his noble steed;Then give it barley suited to its need.”
She swept the room and laid a mat for rest,Then set a pillow out before her guest.
With blessings on Bahram, she went away,And brought fresh water back without delay.
She scolded then her husband with a sigh:“That fool will never stir, however I try.
He sees a guest within this humble place,Yet will not move or show a decent face.
This is no woman’s work, yet I must bearA soldier’s burden through my household care.”
Bahram went forth and bathed his weary brow,Still spent from dragon-strife and hunt till now.
She brought the board with vinegar and bread,With salad, curds, and all the house could spread.
He ate a little, then lay down to rest,His face beneath a Chinese kerchief pressed.
The woman, waking, spoke then to her spouse:“O filthy knave, who slouches through the house,
You should have slaughtered one young lamb today,For this great who came our way.
He has the royal seed and kingly grace,And moonlike splendor shining from his face.
He seems Shah Bahram in his face and frame;How can you treat so great a guest with shame?”
Her mean spouse answered, “Why all this ado?No salted meat or firewood waits for you.
You bake no bread, nor spin wool through the night,As other women labor by lamplight.
You kill a lamb; he eats and rides away;What gain will come of all you spend today?
The winter cold and blast will come to you;That hardship will not spare you, coming due.”
So spoke her spouse; she would not heed his word,For she was wise, and generosity stirred.
At last a lamb was slaughtered for their guest,To meet the generous woman’s firm request.
She cooked a pot of broth above the heat,With half-dried wood to make the meal complete.
She brought a tray with eggs and watercress,A roasted leg, the best she could possess.
Bahram, when washed and done with what they gave,Still ailed, and found no sleep his strength to save.
At night she brought a gourd of wine; nearbyShe laid a dish of , sweet and dry.
The Shah said, “Woman, measured in your word,Tell me an ancient tale that you have heard.
While you recite, I drink to ease my pain,And drive my cares away from heart and brain.
I give you freedom now to speak of kings,Of Shah Bahram, the praise or blame he brings.”
The woman answered, “Yes, all things dependUpon him, from their outset to their end.”
Bahram replied, “So great you hold his fame,Yet none has found his justice worth the name.”
That spirited dame said, “Honest man, give ear;This district’s homes and folk are countless here.
Here many dwellings stand; and through the townRide many noble horsemen of renown.
Ministers, officers go passing by,And poor folk fear each careless lordly eye.
If one should call a man a thief by name,The man accused then burns in trouble’s flame.
A horseman, just to gather coins in hand,Could make a poor man wretched in the land.
Or he might smirch some honest woman’s fame,And drive her toward ruin, folly, shame.
This yields the royal treasury no worth;It only presses down the poor of earth.
This is our trouble under Bahram’s reign,And this has filled our lives with loss and pain.”
The king grew thoughtful, hearing her account,How blame against his royal name could mount.
He thought, “No one gives justice proper praise;I shall play tyrant for a span of days.
Thus love and justice may be manifest,When men have seen how tyranny brings unrest.”
He slept, tormented by such thoughts that night,His heart had turned from justice and the right.
When Sol tore through its musk-scented veil,And showed its face above the eastern vale,
The woman said, “Bring fire and pot; then pourIn water, with the gleanings of our floor.
Keep them from sunlight; watch the pot’s slow boil,While I go milk the cow, my morning toil.”
She brought the cow in from the pasture wide,And set fresh fodder down and stood beside.
She tried the udder, crying, “In God’s name,Who has no peer, no mate, no equal claim!”
She found the udder milkless, dry, and bare;Her young heart aged beneath that sudden care.
She told her husband, “Good man, hear my fear:The monarch’s heart has changed; the signs are clear.
The monarch’s heart is now a tyrant’s; seeWhat secret change has touched the world and me.”
He asked, “What makes you weep and raise this cry?”She said, “These signs before me cannot lie.
When Shahs turn unjust beneath the sky,The moon in heaven dims its silver eye.
Milk dries, and musk no longer scents the air;Adultery and usury lie bare.
The tender heart grows flint, and wolves devourThe men who cross the plain in evil hour.
The sage will flee the fool, and eggs lie deadBeneath the hens from which they should be bred.
So when the Shah grows tyrannous in heart,All earth and heaven from their order part.
This cow’s good pasture has not grown less green,Her watering-place remains as fresh and clean.
Yet now her udder fails, her lowing pained;The royal heart by injustice has been stained.”
On hearing this, the Shah repented then,And prayed to God, the righteous Judge of men:
“O You supreme, Almighty over fate,Whose judgment opens Fortune’s every gate,
If ever my heart turns away from right,Let kingly throne no longer bless my sight.”
That blessed dame, whose faith was firm and good,Once more tried milking her cow as she should.
In God’s own name she touched the teat, and prayed:“Let flow the milk that in the udder stayed.”
The milk flowed forth; the good wife cried in joy,“O God, whose works no mortal can destroy,
You have recalled the monarch from his wrong,And made his love of justice firm and strong.”
She turned then to her husband where he stood:“The king’s lost justice has come back for good.
Rejoice and laugh; this is the Maker’s boonTo us beneath the sun and fading moon.”
When milk porridge was cooked and chores were done,The good dame filled the tray at rise of sun.
Her husband hurried with the laden tray,And set it where the guest reclining lay.
Upon the tray milk porridge had been laid;How good if had instead been made!
The Shah ate somewhat, then spoke to the dame:“Take out this whip and hang it in my name.
Go, choose a branch beside the public road,Where passing winds will spare the royal goad.
Then keep your eye upon the whip and way,And mark what passing troops will do or say.”
The goodman hung it where the road ran free;Soon troops came riding past that wayside tree.
All those who saw it blessed Bahram’s renown,And offered praise to him who wore the crown.
Before the long whip, all dismounted then,And bowed before the Shah, both chiefs and men.
Both armies cried, “No seat except a throneCould fit that face or claim it as its own.”
Then filled with shame, they hastened to his side,With no excuse by which their fault to hide,
And cried, “O Shah, O ruler wise and great,Whose justice guards the crown and royal state!”
The gardener and his wife, in wonder dazed,Before his majesty their voices raised:
“Forgive our simple meal and humble cheer;We did not know the king of kings was here!
We never guessed the Shah, so high and pure,Would enter as a guest among the poor.”
“Good man, this frontier march is yours,” he said;“This land and village shall be yours instead.
Keep open house to all who seek your gate;Leave garden work and live in honored state.”
He laughed and mounted, bound for court and throne,And soon his jeweled halls before him shone.
The third day, with his troops, the Shah took horseAnd rode to hunt, along his former course.
Three hundred nobles came from Iran’s court,To join the chase and share the royal sport.
Each brought full thirty servants in his train,From Turkish lands, from , Iran’s domain.
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In briefBahram rides to the sea with elephants, hawks and cheetahs. His black falcon Toghri carries off a crane; following its bells he finds Barzin’s garden and three harping daughters, drinks, and asks for all three as brides. Later he transfixes a mating pair of Gur-e-Khars with one shaft.
Three hundred servants from the royal hallRode out with hunting gear at ’s call.
Ten camels bore fine housings of brocade,With silver stirrups richly overlaid.
Their panniers shone with gold upon the plain,As all the hunting splendor formed his train.
Ten camels bore the Shah’s own seat of state,Brocade adorned the throne of one so great.
Before them seven elephants progressed,The turquoise throne upon their backs at rest.
Its feet were gold and crystal, bright and pure,The throne itself of mighty .
Each swordsman’s thirty handsome pages rodeWith golden belts; their steeds’ gold trappings glowed.
A hundred camels carried minstrels crowned,Whose jeweled coronets flashed all around.
The falconers had eight score hawks in line,Two hundred other falcons, proud and fine.
Among them flew one bird of sable hue,More prized by Bahram than the rest he knew.
Its talons black, its beak a yellow flame,Like gold on lapis when the morning came.
They called that bird ; its eyes were red,Like goblets full of blood within its head.
The had sent that bird of grace,With throne and crown, where garnets found their place.
A golden torque with emeralds he sent,And forty bracelets for the Shah’s content.
And six and thirty earrings, finely wrought,Were numbered with the treasures that he brought.
Three hundred camel-loads from Chin came too,Three hundred rubies, fit for royal view.
Behind the falconers, cheetahs came in pride,Eight score in golden chains on every side.
They wore bright jeweled torques of royal gold,As Bahram crossed the plain in splendor bold.
Thus came the king of kings in bright array,His crown above great Jupiter that day.
The sportsmen made their way toward the sea,Where every seventh year the Shah would be.
When they drew near, fowl swarmed by bank and shoal;The tabors thundered with a mighty roll.
The falcon flew, impatient for the prey,And chased a crane that crossed its soaring way.
The crane was helpless as the raptor rolled;It struck just like a leopard, fierce and bold.
It seized its quarry, climbed the clouds anew,Then vanished like an arrow from their view.
The falconer pursued it with great care;The Shah grew vexed to lose that bird so rare.
He followed where its golden bells rang clear,Until a pleasure-ground at last drew near.
A mansion in the garden’s corner rose;The Shah rode in, his search now near its close.
The army stayed to hunt upon the plain;A few rode with the monarch from his train.
On entering, Bahram saw a garden wide,A steep slope rising by the garden’s side.
Brocade was spread across the garden ground,And slaves and wealth were gathered all around.
Amid the garden lay a pool of blue;Beside it sat an aged lord in view.
Three girls like ivory beside him shone,Each wearing turquoise crowns as bright as stone.
Their cheeks were spring, their statures tall and fair,Their brows were bows; like fell their hair.
Each held a crystal goblet, bright and clear;Bahram looked upon the maidens gathered near.
His eyes were dazzled by that radiant sight,Though grief for Toghri dimmed his heart’s delight.
The wealthy noble saw him, pale with dread,Like fenugreek when all its green has fled.
A wise old man was he, by name,Whose heart grew troubled when the monarch came.
As swift as wind he left the pool to greetThe Shah, and kissed the ground before his feet.
He said, “O monarch of the sun-bright brow,May heaven bend to serve your every vow.
I dare not ask the Shah to linger here,With two hundred horsemen in his train drawn near.
Yet if the Shah takes pleasure in my land,Barzin’s own glory rises at your hand.”
The world’s king said, “Today my Toghri fled,And vexing care about that bird has spread.
My heart grew troubled when it flew away;I chased its ringing bells without delay.”
Barzin replied, “I saw a sable bird,With golden bells, whose ringing I had heard.
Its body pitch-dark, beak and talons brightAs gold, it perched upon a walnut’s height.
Through your good fortune, it has come to hand.”The Shah then gave a servant his command.
“Go look,” he said. Like wind, the servant sped,Then cried, “Good fortune crowns the royal head.
The Toghri perches on a walnut bough;The keeper climbs to bring him downward now!”
The bird thus found, the old man praised and cried:“O king not matched by all the world beside;
May this arrival bring good fortune here,And crowned men serve you through each passing year.
Call for a wine-cup in this present hour,Then ask what pleasures lie within my power.”
The king of kings dismounted at the pool,And old Barzin grew glad beneath his rule.
Then came the chief vizier, and at his heelsThe keepers of the treasure and its seals.
Barzin brought forth red wine, a cup in hand,And drank first to the ruler of the land.
Then he brought forth a crystal cup of wine;The Shah received it, joyful and benign.
He drank beyond the measure marked around,While glad Barzin set wine-jars on the ground.
Now drunk, he told his daughters, “Hear me, all:No common chief has entered through our wall.
Shah Bahram has adorned this garden bright;Now bring your harps and songs for his delight.”
All three drew near the Shah with crowns ablaze,Their jeweled brows a marvel to the gaze.
One danced, one played upon the harp with art,The third sang sweetly to delight his heart.
While they made music, filling him with cheer,The king drained every cup they offered near.
He turned to old Barzin: “Who are these three,That feast beside you, fair as moons to see?”
Barzin replied, “O Shah, may no age beWithout your light, which blesses land and sea.
These are my daughters and my heart’s delight,Three moons that fill this garden with their light.
One is a singer; one the harp can sound;The third, a dancer, treads the measured round.
I lack no riches, Shah; enough is mine:Domains, this garden, stores of grain and vine.
My daughters bloom like gardens in the spring;O moon-faced singer, praise the world’s great king.”
The singer then took heart to sing and play,And poured her song before the Shah that day:
“O moon-faced king, you seem the moon on high;Your joyful throne is worthy of the sky.
The royal throne alone should be your seat,You whose bright face makes kingly grace complete.
Your cypress stature is the crown’s delight;The golden throne grows lustrous in your sight.
Blessed are those who see your face at day’sFirst light, and breathe the musk your hair conveys.
Your waist is tiger-slim, your arms have might,Your crown’s high outsoars the clouds in flight.
Your cheek is like pomegranate bloom in flower;Hearts laugh for love of you in every hour.
Your heart is like the sea, both broad and deep;Its bounty knows no bounds that men can keep.
Your hand is like a cloud with gifts outspread;The leopard and the lion fall down dead.
You split a hair in two with shaft and bow;Your justice makes the lion melt and flow.
When hostile armies see your kamand cast,Their hearts and brains are rent and overcast.
However mighty is their battle line,Your arm breaks all their strength by royal sign.”
Bahram Goor heard the song and drained his cup,Then turned to old Barzin with mind made up.
He said, “O noble, schooled in heat and cold,Who knows the world from youth to age grown old,
You will not find a better son-in-lawThan me, a hero-king beneath God’s law.
Bestow all three upon me as my brides;I will exalt your crown where Saturn rides.”
Barzin replied, “O king, may cup and wineForever in your royal presence shine.
Who in the world would dare so much to ask,Or find the heart to set himself that task?
If you accept me as your slave today,I will attend your throne in every way.
Then I will offer service to your crown,Your throne, your farr, your fortune, and renown.
Moreover, my three daughters are your maids,Your handmaids where the royal curtain shades.
The Shah has looked on them and finds them meet;Their moonlike beauty makes his court complete.
As teaks in stature, ivory in hue,They fit the crown and throne, both fair and true.
Now, if the monarch wishes to be told,I will declare what wealth my vaults now hold.
Clothes, carpets, stuffs, and draperies remain,Enough to load a long and laden train.
Two hundred camel-loads, or more, I own,With crowns and bracelets, torques, and royal throne.
All necklaces and ornaments I saveFor these my daughters and the joy they crave.”
Bahram replied, “Let all that wealth remain;Come, drink your wine, and free your heart of pain.”
The elder said, “These daughters, moon-faced, bright,I give by ancient rites, as is your right.
By and ’s holy way,They are but dust beneath your feet today.
All three now live to carry out your will,And serve your throne with loyal purpose still.”
The eldest daughter’s name was ;The second, , slim as a reed.
The youngest maid was lovely ;To wed all three the joyful Shah agreed.
He bade his escort form the bridal show,With four gold litters gleaming in a row.
When all three idols had been set inside,Then sixty Roman servants came beside.
They circled round the maidens on their way,And chanted blessings as they moved away.
As they departed toward the royal dome,The glorious Shah drank where the wine cups foam.
A servant hung his whip above the gate,A sign that showed his followers where to wait.
For none could know where Shah and courtiers stayed,Save by the whip’s long thong and handle laid.
Whoever saw that sign would hasten down,And bow before the token of the crown.
Bahram grew drunk as cup on cup was poured;A royal litter bore away its lord.
Back in his golden women’s house, he breathedThe amber scent with which its rooms were wreathed.
After returning, he remained one week,In feast and gifts and all the joys men seek.
The eighth day out he rode with ’s band,A thousand mighty horsemen at his command.
He saw the plain with alive,And took his bow, prepared his shaft to drive.
To God, who grants all victory, he prayed,Then watched the springtime herds across the glade.
Spring stirred the Gur-e-Khar to pair and vie;From every quarter herds came crowding by.
They met head-on and tore each other’s skin;The earth grew red beneath their savage din.
Bahram stood watching two fierce bucks contend,Until the stronger brought the fight to an end.
When that bold victor mounted on the doe,Bahram laughed to watch the pair below.
He held his war-bow ready for attack,And sent a shaft into the male’s broad back.
The driving shaft transfixed the pair outright,And buried head and feathers in its flight.
His escort marveled; all who saw it cried,And blessed the Shah, their praises multiplied:
“May every evil eye be far from you;May all your days be filled with pleasure too.
In valor you are new beneath the sun;Such kingly might and courage meet in one.
Both Shah and champion, sovereign in your might,You stand before us in your royal right.”
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In briefBahram kills two lions, hears from a herdsman of a jeweler’s harp-playing daughter, and rides alone to the house as “Gushasp.” Arezu sings to him and chooses him over the king himself; they are married by dawn. Meanwhile Rozbeh lectures the chiefs on the king’s excess with women.
The Shah urged onward through the plain,And came upon a forest’s green domain.
Before the wood two savage lions stood;He strung his bow and faced them where he could.
His arrow tore the lion’s breast and foundIts way, both point and feathers, to the ground.
Then turned his bow, devoid of fear,And shot the lioness, his skill made clear.
He pinned her breast and loins with one clean blow,Then laughed and spoke in scorn above the foe:
“That shaft lacked feathers, and its point was worn;Yet through the lioness its path was borne.”
His escort praised him: “Famous king of earth,No throne has seen a Shah of equal worth.
With featherless shafts you lions overthrow;The roots of flinty mountains too would go.”
The monarch rode in splendor through the land,And saw great flocks across a meadow stand.
He saw the shepherds fleeing in their fright,Afraid of beasts that haunted that green site.
The chief herdsman, long plagued by beasts and fear,Perceived Bahram as he was drawing near.
The Shah said, “Who has driven sheep to grazeIn such unlikely woods and dangerous ways?”
The herdsman answered, “Sir, none walks this trackSave me, who guards these flocks from beasts’ attack.
They are a jeweler’s sheep, whose wealth is known;I drove them yesterday from slopes of stone.
The owner fears the beasts despite his hoard;He has gem-loads and silver richly stored.
He owns gold, trinkets, wealth of every kind,And peace because the Shah is just in mind.
He has one daughter, skillful on the harp,With raven curls and wit both keen and sharp.
From her own hand alone he takes his wine;No richer elder in this land can shine.
How could he keep such hoards, and rest secure,But that Bahram’s just reign the land keeps pure?
The king of kings is not concerned for gold;His are not unjust or cold.
But tell me who has slain these beasts today;May God uphold the hand that cleared the way.”
Bahram replied, “A hunter brought them low,A man whose arrows never miss their foe.
He slew those gallant beasts and rode away,With seven brave riders in his bright array.
Where is the jeweler’s mansion? Show the road,And hide from us no path to his abode.”
The chief herdsman said, “Proceed; beyond this groundA thriving village, newly built, is found.
Its sounds reach to the city, borne alongNear Bahram’s palace in a tide of song.
But when the sky puts on its dark attire,He comes to feast, with music to inspire.
Remain, and you will hear the lyre’s sound,And revelry will fill the mansion round.”
Bahram then called for garments fit to wear,For royal raiment and his charger fair.
He parted from his minister and train,And eager rode alone across the plain.
said to the chiefs, “Mark where he rides:He seeks the village where his purpose hides.
He means to knock and lift the jeweler’s latch,And ask the daughter’s hand, a royal match.
He doubtless crowns her with a crown of gold,And takes her where his women are enrolled.
He will send ’s other three away,And let this newest moon command the day.
He never has enough of love’s delight;His partner flees from him in deepest night.
He has above a hundred ladies’ bowers,And spends among them all his royal hours.
A king of kings should not be ruled by this;His pleasure overwhelms his sober bliss.
A eunuch counted in the palace hallsOne hundred thirty damsels behind walls.
Each wore a jeweled crown; each, richly dressed,Had maids to serve her at her least behest.
The Shah demands his tribute far and wide;One month consumes the tribute supplied.
Alas for shoulders, breast, and height like his,A face that lights the court where glory is.
None will behold his like in strength or frame,Or in the splendor gathered round his name.
He pins two s with one clean throw,Yet lust will drain the strength such feats bestow.
Too much with women mars the strongest man;He soon will pale and weaken in his span.
His eyes grow dim, his cheeks lose all their red;His lips turn lapis-blue, his strength has fled.
The scent of women whitens youthful hair;With whitened hair, few hopes on earth are fair.
The young man’s upright back grows bent and bowed;Through lust, afflictions gather in a crowd.
Once in a month should satisfy desire;More drains the blood and dims the body’s fire.
A prudent youth should husband strength and seed,For children’s sake and future household need.
In such excess lie weariness and loss,And feebleness that turns life’s gold to dross.”
They turned back to the palace, speaking still;One said, “The sun has passed beyond the hill.”
Bahram, with one slave to mind his steed,Rode through the dark toward his hidden need.
When near the house, he caught the harp-string’s tune,And spurred his steed beneath the cooling moon.
Toward the merchant’s house he rode at speed,And knocked, invoking God in word and deed.
A kindly handmaid asked, “Who knocks so late?Why pound so hard upon my master’s gate?”
Bahram replied, “At dawn the Shah’s arrayRode to the hunting-grounds to spend the day.
My horse went lame; I fell behind the line,And now no escort sees this trail of mine.
Here, in this thoroughfare, thieves lie in wait,To seize my steed and harness at the gate.
Therefore I need your shelter and your aid,Before this night has left me robbed and frayed.”
The handmaid told her lord, “A man asks grace;He fears for horse and harness at our place.
He says his horse and golden harness hereWill tempt a thief; he seeks relief from fear.”
answered, “Open, let him stay;Have I not seen a guest before today?”
The maid made haste to open wide the door:“Come in, my son, and be afraid no more.”
The Shah stepped in and saw on every sideAttendants standing ready, far and wide.
He said within himself, “O God alone,You guide me to the good that You have shown.
May I be just in conduct evermore,And keep covetousness from my door.
Let arrogance not be my ruling creed;Let justice govern every act and deed.
Let all my subjects’ hearts rejoice and sing,And live in dignity beneath their king.
If knowledge and my justice grow in worth,My memory will shine beyond the earth.
May all my subjects, like this jeweler, hearThe harp and revelry without a fear.”
On entering that lofty hall he sawThe jeweler’s daughter and was held in awe.
The noble, seeing him, rose up and bowed,And hailed the guest with welcome warm and proud.
“Good evening, noble ,” he said;“May all your foemen’s hearts be filled with dread.”
The host spread out a mat of woven pile,And set a cushion, greeting him the while.
He gazed with joy upon his guest’s bright face,Then ordered food brought forth with fitting grace.
A sumptuous board was spread with hot and cold,With dishes worthy of the great of old.
One faithful servant then secured the steed,And gave it lodging, grooming, rest, and feed.
Elsewhere they lodged Bahram’s attendant well,And showed him courtesies no words could tell.
They set a lower seat for Mahiyar,Who sat beside his guest, the hidden star.
He then addressed his guest, sincere and warm,And spoke with honest heart, in kindly form:
“Brave Pahlevan, you are my guest tonight;My life and soul are yours by friendship’s right.
When we have eaten, we must drink, then sleep;Dark night is deep, and royal wines we keep.
When you have drunk your measure, take your rest;At dawn return to service, honored guest.”
Bahram replied, “Who finds, in darkest night,A host whose welcome shines with such delight?
We must be ever grateful to our God;The thankless always walk beneath His rod.”
The handmaid, awed to see the guest’s bright mien,Brought bowl and ewer and a napkin clean.
Their hands were washed; then came the wine-cup’s turn,And mirth and peace began in hearts to burn.
The handmaid brought a flagon and strong wine,With cups and flowers of fenugreek in line.
The noble first reached out, took up the cup,Then drank, and washed it clean, and raised it up.
With musk and rosewater he cleansed the bowl,And gave Bahram the cup that cheered the soul.
He said, “What is my boon-companion’s name?Let friendship bind us in a loyal claim.
I take Bahram the Shah as surety here,That we shall share the cup in loyal cheer.”
The king laughed heartily and then replied,“ is what men call me far and wide.
I came here, drawn by harp-song through the night,Not merely seeking lodging till the light.”
His host replied, “This daughter of my soulUplifts my head and makes my gladness whole.
She is my cupbearer, and she sings too;She scatters care when grief comes into view.”
The maiden’s name was , his light;She served his wine and was his heart’s delight.
He told that cypress, “Bring your harp in here;Before Gushasp, our Pahlevan, appear.”
The harpist came before the monarch’s face,Like ’s star in stately grace.
She said, “O mighty Pahlevan, whose frameBefits a man who bears a kingly name,
Know that this feasting house belongs to you;My father is host and treasurer too.
May all your darkest nights be blessed instead;Above the rain-cloud may you raise your head.”
He said to her, “Sit down, take up the harp;Let song begin at once, both sweet and sharp.
Tonight old Mahiyar shall be a youth,And pledge his soul to fellowship and truth.”
The harpist clasped her harp and, with rare skill,Played the Magians’ chant, and all grew still.
As silken chords rang out through all the room,An odor came as jasmine comes in bloom.
She sang to Mahiyar, her noble sire,And plaintive music trembled from the wire:
“You stand, a cypress by the flowing stream;Your locks, once musk-dark, now like camphor gleam.
Your tongue is warm, your heart has love of peace;May hardship never from your foeman cease.
Let wisdom be the nourishment you prize;Your nature, like ’s, great and wise.
I wait upon you as a handmaid true;Called Arezu, I joy in guests like you.
Our guest has made me joyful as a kingWhose troops, triumphant, news of conquest bring.”
Her first song done, she turned her eyes his way,And sang to plaintive chords a second lay:
“Sincere and brave, high-starred, whose peer is none,Who has not seen Bahram should see the sun
Of your bright face, and find his image here:The Pahlevan all cherish and revere.
At court, you are the only match for him,A cypress tall, your waist reed-like and slim.
You have a pheasant’s carriage, lion’s heart,And elephantine strength in every part.
Full two s in war you fling your spear;Your cheeks like pomegranate blooms appear.
Who washed those blossoms red in wine’s bright glow?Your arms like camel thighs in power show.
You trample Mount beneath your feet;Your strength can cast that mountain from its seat.
I see no man to rival you in strife;May Arezu serve you faithfully through life.”
Her skill in harp and song, her charm and ease,Her stature, beauty, art, and power to please,
So worked on Bahram that one might have saidHis joys had fled, and longing ruled instead.
When Mahiyar grew drunk before his guest,Bahram addressed his friend with frank request:
“Give me your daughter, let her be my own,And praise shall crown you when the deed is known.”
Mahiyar asked her, “From this warrior here,What marriage gift would please you, daughter dear?
See if he pleases you, and if it is wellFor you to go with him where fortunes dwell.”
Arezu replied, “Good father, hear me say:If you would give me to a man today,
Gushasp alone is fit to be my mate;Why turn to Bahram for a different fate?”
Her words displeased her father, and he saidTo Bahram, “Warrior whom all foemen dread,
Regard her form and judge if she will suit:Her skill, discretion, knowledge, branch and root.
See whether she is pleasing to your heart;True sight is better than conjecture’s art.
She is accomplished and no beggar maid;I speak the truth; no false account is made.
If all my gems were counted and weighed out,They would surpass the Shah’s own bags, no doubt.
Be not too swift; tonight take rest instead,And, if you must, more wine to warm your head.
Great men make no agreements over wine,Especially for brides of noble line.
Wait till the sun has climbed the eastern sky,And noble men awake with watchful eye.
We then will call far-seeing elders near,Detached and learned, to judge the compact clear.
Such night-time business is no proper way;Fereydoon’s custom calls for light of day.
It is ill-omened, wedding over wine,Or sealing contracts before the sun can shine.”
Bahram replied, “This omen-talk is wrong;Do not draw omens when the heart is strong.
This harpist pleased me deeply in the night;So deem the matter fortunate and right.”
The father said, “Arezu, say what is true:Do looks and manners both approve him too?”
She said, “I do approve him, heart and mind;Since first I saw him, I have been inclined.
Complete the work; trust God to be our guide;No heavenly feud hangs where we reside.”
Her father answered, “You are now his wife;Know you are joined beneath the law for life.”
He gave her then to Bahram as his bride;By dawn the marriage bond was sealed and tied.
The Shah’s attendant hung the royal whipAbove the gate, with jeweled thong and grip.
Arezu went to her chamber, while aroundThe sleeping village lay without a sound.
Mahiyar went to plan with eager zealFor Pahlevan Gushasp’s next morning meal.
He told a servant, “Bolt the doors, then takeA fattened lamb and dress it for his sake.
No board should lack a lamb when guests arrive;Choose one well-fed, the fattest still alive.
Wait on Gushasp; when he wakes, draw near,And bring him ice with foaming, cooling beer.
Bring camphor and rosewater in a bowl,To scent his chamber and delight his soul.
I am as drunk as I was late last night;This old gem-seller cannot bear wine’s might.”
He spoke, drew up his cloak around his head,And sought the rest that wine bestows in bed.
When sunlight raised its crown above the skies,And earth like shining ivory met all eyes,
With shields and double-headed spears in hand,The troops came seeking Bahram through the land.
The escort gathered round the jeweler’s gate,As though it were the Shah’s own court of state.
All who recognized the whip drew near,And bowed before it with submissive fear.
The porter saw the vast assembled crowd,The swordsmen and the spearmen calling loud.
He ran and roused his sleeping lord from rest,And sobered him with news that struck his breast.
He said, “Rise up; shake off your drunken sleep.Take heed: this is no hour for slumber deep.
The world’s king came to this poor house to stay;Here you caroused and drank the night away.”
The jeweler’s heart beat wildly at the word;He cried, “What say you? What have you heard?
How have you traced the footsteps of the king?”Then truth descended with a sudden sting.
He sprang up from the bedclothes with a shout,And scolded hard the porter in his doubt.
“These are not words of wisdom or of age;What dream has made you speak in such a rage?”
The slave replied, “Experienced man, attend:Who made you monarch of Iran, my friend?
So vast a crowd has gathered at your gateThat no man could pass through, however great.
Each man who comes salutes our screen; they allBow as though in the king of kings’ own hall.
At dawn, before the sun began to shine,The guest’s attendant hung a jeweled sign.
A whip of gold and gems above our gate;Now hill and dale have sent their men to wait.
Around that jeweled whip the people press;Rise now, before the crowd brings more distress.
Do not let wine confuse your mind or face;The king himself is hidden in this place.”
The shrewd old man was troubled in his breast:“Why did I drink before so great a guest?
Why did I let my daughter serve the wine,When such a guest had come beneath this sign?”
To Arezu’s own chamber then he drew,And said, “My gracious Moon, I speak to you.
It was Bahram, the king of kings, last night,Who came disguised and entered out of sight.
Returning from the chase, he turned his rein,And entered here across the darkened plain.
Rise now and don brocade of Roman thread;Set last night’s crown upon your moonlike head.
Make him an offering worthy of his state:Three royal rubies of surpassing weight.
When you behold his sunlike face, stand low,And let your folded arms your reverence show.
Keep your eyes lowered; do not stare his way;Hold him as dear as life and breath each day.
Answer meekly when he questions you;Let every word be modest, clear, and true.
I shall not come unless the Shah commands,And gives me place among his courtly bands.
I sat beside him as though I were his peer;I wish that I had disappeared from here.
In drunkenness I matched myself with him;Wine makes the minds of every man grow dim.”
Just then a slave came hurrying to say,“The Shah, that ardent spirit, wakes today.”
When Bahram woke, refreshed from restful sleep,He went to bathe where garden waters sweep.
He prayed before the sun, with trust in God,Then crossed the fragrant garden’s morning sod.
Returning to the hall in royal state,He bade a servant bring the wine, not wait.
He heard his retinue had come that day,And bade them turn and take the road away.
He called Arezu, whom his heart desired;She came with wine and gifts as he required.
A handmaid bore her crown and earrings bright;Arezu bowed and kissed the ground outright.
The Shah smiled: “Where were you? You went away,And left me drunk, alone with wine to stay.
Your harp and song are all I ask of you;Let women’s gifts go elsewhere, as they do.
Come sing to me of chase and royal fight,Of spearhead-blows and war in armored light.”
He said, “Where is the jeweler? We were oneIn wine together till last night was done.”
His daughter called her father when she heard,Amazed the Shah recalled each drunken word.
Mahiyar came with arms across his breast,Before the sunlike king, a humble guest.
He cried, “O Shah, O chief, O wise and great,May all the world turn toward your crown and state.
The man who drinks the cup of folly needsTo guard his tongue and curb his reckless deeds.
I erred through ignorance, not evil will;Distressed, I fear you think my mind is ill.
Grant pardon, make my face and fortune bright;I stand, a foolish slave, before your sight.”
Bahram replied, “The wise give no beliefTo drunken words, nor hold them cause for grief.
If wine brings sorrow, let that drinker fleeIts very scent and color, and be free.
I saw no ill behavior in you here;Now listen to Arezu’s music clear.
Let song excuse you; raise the cup today,And leave tomorrow’s troubles far away.”
Mahiyar kissed the ground and spread the board,And fetched the nobles gathered near his lord.
Arezu saw the strangers and withdrew,Her brow drawn tight among the guests so new.
She stayed until the sky was clothed in night,And stars around the moon came into sight.
Called back, Arezu took a golden seat,And sang of chase and war in accents sweet.
“O fearless king, the lion, put to shame,Will leave the woods on hearing your great name.
Shah, victor, breaker of the battle-line,Tulip on jasmine makes your features shine.
No earthly ruler matches you in height;Your face outshines the moon in heaven’s light.
When armies see your helmet in the fight,Their hearts and minds are torn apart by fright.
Their senses fail them, and they cannot knowThe heights above them from the depths below.”
When they had eaten, wine had made them glad,And cup on cup renewed the joy they had.
Then Rozbeh came with pomp to greet his lord;They lodged him by the gate, with bed and board.
They brought a litter, forty eunuchs too,All moon-faced, for the bride’s departure due.
Their Roman faces shone like rich brocade,And all the countryside seemed newly made.
A jeweled crown adorned the maiden’s head;Toward ’s bower Arezu then sped.
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In briefAfter a month in camp, with game so plentiful that dealers ride out from town to buy it, Bahram goes ahead alone and asks lodging of a town’s chief man. Farshidvard, in a dung-fouled hall, pleads poverty, refuses him food, bedding and water, and weeps him out of doors.
With , left his men that day,And rode toward his wives in glad array.
He passed the night, then rode at dawn to chase;His troops spread out through every road and place.
For one full month they camped upon the plain,With tents and royal pavilions in their train.
They swept the field for game on every side;At night, no man from wine or music shied.
There all was game and flesh, with harp and lyre,And round the plain they kindled many a fire.
They burned both green and dry wood in the blaze,While dealers came from town through dusty ways.
They tarried there to trade with Bahram’s men;The plain grew bright with buyers once again.
A quarter bought the hunters’ gain:Ten gazelles and one from the plain.
Whoever needed meat for child or guestTook home both game and waterfowl, the best.
On loaded asses game was borne away;When one month passed, the Shah could brook no stay.
He yearned for wives and court, and turned his horse,And led his people on the homeward course.
So thick the dust, no traveler saw the road;Through these driving clouds the horsemen all rode.
They sped until the cheeks of day grew blue,Like lapis lazuli in evening’s hue.
The Shah observed a town before his sight,With houses, roads, bazaars, and fading light.
He bade the troops and baggage take the road,And stayed alone to seek a night’s abode.
He asked, “Where is the chief man of this place?”Then made toward him with a searching face.
He saw a shattered entrance, low and wide;Its owner came and bowed there at his side.
The Shah inquired, “Whose ruin is this here?Why stands it in such plight for all to peer?”
The master said, “It is mine; evil luckHas been my guide; its mire has held me stuck.
I have no cattle, clothing, food, or store;No strength, no means to earn a morsel more.
You saw me first; now see my house’s state,More fit for curse than blessing at its gate.”
The Shah dismounted, looked about the place;His limbs grew weak to see its sorry case.
The house was vaulted, large, yet everywhereSheep-droppings fouled the floor and tainted air.
He said, “Bring me a seat where I may stayAnd rest, kind host, from riding all this way.”
The other said, “Why mock your host with jest?Had I fine drapes, they would content my guest.
But I have neither food nor carpet spread,No clothing fit to lay beneath your head.
Pray lodge elsewhere; in poverty I dwell;This place serves neither guest nor master well.”
The Shah said, “Fetch a cushion, I request,That I may sit awhile and take my rest.”
He answered, “I have nothing here at all;Would you have bird’s milk brought at once on call?”
Bahram replied, “Bring warm milk, if you can,And soft bread too, O hospitable man.”
The other said, “Pretend that you have fed,Then bid farewell and leave this place instead.
Had I one loaf, I would not lie half-dead;Yet life itself is better far than bread.”
Bahram asked, “If you have no sheep, explainHow droppings fill this vaulted house and plain.”
“It is late,” he said, “your questions but confuse;My wearied mind can neither think nor choose.
Seek out a house where matting can be spread;Its owner will be glad to give you bed.
Why stay with one whom Fortune has passed by,Who sleeps on leaves beneath the darkened sky?
You have a golden sword and stirrups bright;You should not lodge where thieves may prowl at night.
For thieves and lions haunt these hulks of stone;A lord like you should not lodge here alone.”
The Shah replied, “If thieves should steal my blade,No claim against you for it will be made.
Give lodging for tonight; this is my plea.”The owner said, “Expect no aid from me.
No stranger finds a bed beneath my roof.”The Shah replied, “Why treat me with reproof?
Still, you will give me water, I suppose,O noble man, before the night shall close.”
The householder replied, “Did you not spyThe pool, two arrow-flights and more nearby?
Drink there and take whatever water you will;Why seek it from this poor man’s dwelling still?
Have you not seen how age has ended toil,And weakness bends me toward my native soil?”
Bahram replied, “If you possess no might,Do not provoke a soldier to a fight.
Enough of this; set all your tricks aside.Speak plainly now: what name is yours?” he cried.
He answered, “; no land I own,No clothes, no food, no sleep have I yet known.”
Bahram replied, “Why not exert your will,And seek, with such a name, to eat your fill?”
The master said, “The Giver may end my woe;He knows how long my ruined life should go.
If you would quit my house, I would rejoice,And offer thanks to God with lifted voice.
Why did you come into this empty place?May you know neither greatness, wealth, nor grace!”
He spoke, then wept until his cries arose;The Shah fled from the uproar of his woes.
He laughed and left the old man’s poor abode;His escort followed as he took the road.
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In briefA thorn-cutter tells Bahram that Farshidvard is the region’s richest man and its hungriest. Bahram sends Behruz, a scribe and a hundred riders with the grubber to inventory the flocks; the scribes cannot finish the count. The king orders the whole of it distributed to the poor.
When left that well-known town behind,Before him lay a bramble brake entwined.
A man was seen who gripped an axe to clearThe tangled thorns that spread before him here.
The monarch left his retinue and came,And hailed the grubber with a fitting name:
“O foe of brambles, tell me clearly now:Who ranks the highest in that town, and how?”
He answered, “, a greedy man,Whose greed denies him food and sleep’s brief span.
He has perhaps a hundred thousand sheep,And camels, steeds, and asses more to keep.
The earth is filled with all his hoarded gold;Yet may the earth receive his body cold.
His lot is hunger, nakedness, and pain;No child, no kin, no friend relieves his strain.
A captive in the grip of greed and need,His wasted body starves for lack of feed.
If he sold all his farmland for its worth,His house could brim with gems drawn from the earth.
His shepherds feast on meat in milk, at ease;He eats but millet bread with humble cheese.
He never owned two coats at once in life;He is his own oppressor, scourge, and strife.”
The Shah said, “Though his numbers none can trace,Where does he pasture them in such a place?
Where roam his camels, sheep, and coursers fleet?Where are his herds, and where is their retreat?”
The grubber said, “It is not far from here;Those camels, sheep, and cattle are his, I fear.”
gave the grubber bright s,And said, “This day shall soften all your scars.”
He called a brave horseman, by name,Who from the ranks of his own escort came.
He sent a hundred horsemen at his side,All free of fear and doubt, all proved and tried.
He chose a scribe as well, an honest man,A skilled accountant fit to count and scan.
He told the grubber, “You grubbed thorns before;Now reap the gold that waits in hidden store.
One hundredth of the wealth shall be your own;Lead these my men to where the hoard is known.”
The grubber’s name was the bright,A stalwart man of stately form and height.
Bahram bestowed on him a noble steed,And said, “Ride with the wind and take the lead.”
Called Light of Hearts, he shone with fortune’s blaze,And now the whole world brightened in his rays.
He led the troop across both hill and plain,Past countless flocks that whitened every lane.
Ten camel caravans filled that domain,Each with a keeper in that wealthy train.
Each caravan was led by a cameleer,Who tended all the camels gathered here.
Twelve thousand cattle next the scribe enrolled,For milk and plowing, kept in herdsmen’s fold.
Full twenty thousand steeds and camels spread;The meadows withered underneath their tread.
Three hundred thousand camel-loads were storedOf curds upon the mountains, hoard on hoard.
There jars of butter filled pits in the ground;Fresh curds and dried lay heaped in mounds around.
Height, slope, and level held wealth past account;Yet none had ever reckoned its amount.
Behruz then prepared his words to write,And praised almighty God, the Source of light.
He praised the All-victorious, All-feeding One,Then Bahram, king beneath the turning sun.
He said, “O monarch, joy of all who live,Your justice passes all that kings can give.
Your silence leaves the treasury to pay;In all things, measure is the better way.
The Shah should live in joy without an end,Yet none are served by what this man could spend.
A wretch named Farshidvard lives here concealed,Unknown at feast and on the battlefield.
He fears not God or Shah, and gives no thanksFor wealth that fills his hills and riverbanks.
He spreads his wealth across these hills unseen,Yet lives deprived, impoverished, and lean.
Your justice seems injustice in this case;Do not count counsel as my own disgrace.
From all this wealth establish royal stores,A treasury to fill those guarded doors.
By the third year, the treasury would stand;I summoned scribes to count at my command.
On Mount I settled them to write,Yet still the sum escapes their pens and sight.
Though writers’ backs are bent, they cannot sayHow much this miser hid from open day.
Besides, men say that underneath the groundStill greater stores of gold and gems are found.
Here in the mountains I await command,With both eyes fixed upon the royal hand.
My salutation to the Shah; may heLive long, the crown of all the world to me.”
He sent a swift-paced camel on the road,To bear the letter to the Shah’s abode.
When Bahram read it, grief disturbed his mind;Tears filled his eyes; his brows were deeply lined.
He called for silk of Chin and Roman quill,And bade a scribe draw near and use his skill.
He first gave thanks to God, the knowing Guide,Whose and kingship rule on every side.
“If I be just, I must not crush this man,Whose wealth through neither theft nor blood began.
He has not stolen, nor caused others wrong;But thanklessness has ruled his heart too long.
He lacked the fear of God, and kept strict guardOn treasure that made soul and body hard.
What use are wolf or sheep upon the plain,If they bring strife and trouble without gain?
What use are gems or stones beneath the ground,When neither food nor clothing can be found?
We shall not build our treasury from woe,Nor fix our hearts on fleeting things below.
vanished, too is gone,With and , whose fame from old was drawn.
and Kay have passed away,With mighty kings whose names survive today.
My father too, who filled my heart with pain,Was neither just nor generous in his reign.
None of these mighty men remains in sight;No one can strive with God’s eternal right.
Collect this wealth and give it all away;Take nothing for yourself as spoil or pay.
Give to all those who hide their needs in shame,And wait in vain for help to ease their flame.
Give old men past all work, despised by thoseWhose wealth has sealed their hearts against their woes.
Give those who spent their all and breathe cold sighs,And men of name whom poverty denies.
Give traders stripped of friends and means their share;Give orphans gold and silver, and their fare.
Give women who have neither spouse nor dress,No craft, no work, no refuge from distress.
Bring radiance to the lives of souls so poor;Let wealth bring light and make their footing sure.
Return then to the city from the store;Live free of any need for treasure more.
Leave Farshidvard the dinars he concealed;Spare him the pain their loss would have revealed.
What are his gems and dinars more than clay,When in the grave he must be laid away?
May turning heaven walk with you as friend;Walk justly and with prudence to the end.”
The Shah’s seal marked the letter to be sent;The courier turned, and back to Behruz went.
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In briefIn a spring pleasance Bahram tells his counselors that he has lived thirty-eight years, will give two more to pleasure, then turn to God. He rides to Jaz, kills lions with blade and khanjar against advice, and proclaims penalties for theft and for crops damaged by his men.
set up his seat of royal stateWithin the pleasance, bright at springtime’s gate.
As he commanded, there the throne was laidBeneath a tree whose blossoms filled the shade.
They brought the wine and cups, a merry throngOf chiefs and minstrels bearing gifts of song.
The king addressed his counselors: “We findOur joy in fellowship with humankind.
Though we have stature, mien, and noble frame,We face the lonely tomb without acclaim.
Death wipes away the records of our day,And brings our halls and palaces to clay.
The king and beggar, when their lives are through,Take but the good name earned by what they do.
Whatever men have earned by toil must stayBehind them when at last they pass away.
Enough if praise of us remains behind;The crown and girdle pass to other kind.
You need uprightness, innocence, and grace,So joy may bring no harm and no disgrace.
Already thirty-eight full years have passed;How many days of joy have fled so fast.
But once a man has lived through forty years,The thought of death within his heart appears.
If one white hair appears among the black,The joys of youth begin to turn their back.
When musk turns white as camphor, musk is spent;Such camphor ill becomes the crown’s intent.
Two years more I will spend in feast and sport,Then, strength half-broken, seek God’s higher court.
In rough cloth I will stand before His face,And give Him thanks forever for His grace.
For I have passed my days with crown and joy,And tasted all the pleasures kings employ.
With rose, pomegranate, apple, quince, and wine,Let golden goblets never fail to shine.
When apples take the garnet’s crimson glow,And skies the leopard’s dappled markings show,
When fragrant blossoms flourish all around,And solace in the crimson wine is found,
When air is pleasant, neither hot nor cold,Earth fresh, and water blue through fields unrolled,
When furs in ’s chill our limbs enfold,Then I to will ride, as kings of old.
I will hold royal hunting on that field,And leave a lasting memory through its yield.
The grows thick of neck; its hideBears tiger’s hues, a lion’s heart inside.
No dogs or cheetahs need that lengthy ride,Nor hawks and falcons carried at our side.
That place is fit for and bow and chase;No hour shall pass without the hunter’s race.
The plain I saw near Jaz was thick with reeds,Like spear-shafts rising where the hunter speeds.
There we shall find the lion in his den,And hunt, if time allows, with mounted men.”
He paused till had massed its clouds,Then troops from every quarter came in crowds.
From every clime an army keen for strifeSet toward Iran’s monarch, lord of life.
He chose among them noted chiefs for chase,And gathered mounted swordsmen to the place.
A full ten thousand horsemen, swords in hand,He carried with him toward the hunting land.
They brought pavilions, tents, enclosures wide,With beasts and shelters moving at his side.
Before Bahram, the laborers rode ahead,And dug fresh wells along the route they led.
They fitted wheels above the wells they made,To draw the water for the army’s aid.
The Shah came later with his royal mien,And saw the hunting ground, both wide and green.
He saw the plains alive with Gur-e-Khar,And heard the lions roaring from afar.
He said, “Here lies the quarry I would claim,Where lions prowl, and woods are full of game.
Drink wine tonight and let your spirits soar,While meat and merry cheer attend our store.
Then take your rest until the dawn grows bright,And Sol, the world’s great luster, ends the night.
Our scimitars shall fell the lions first,Those savage terrors in their roaring thirst.
We shall clear lions from the wood, then eatThe Gur-e-Khar my shafts bring down for meat.”
He stayed that night, and when the morning shone,He reached the forest with his men alone.
A lion, full of Gur-e-Khar, drew near,And strode before the monarch without fear.
Brave Bahram said, “Although I have my bow,And skill enough to lay that monster low,
I will assail this lion with my blade,So no man calls me coward or afraid.”
He donned a coat of wool, soaked through, as guard,And sprang upon his charger, riding hard.
When that great dragon-lion saw him near,It reared and struck its claws in rage and fear.
It sought to smite the charger on the head;The warrior spurred his horse ahead instead.
He struck the lion’s head; its mate took flight,And fled before the monarch’s dreadful might.
He clove the lion through with one swift blade;The forest beasts beheld him, sore afraid.
Another lion roared and faced his foe;His mate lay nursing little cubs below.
Bahram’s sharp struck the lion’s neck,And left its severed head beside the wreck.
One said to him, “O sun-faced Shah of might,Have you no mercy on yourself in fight?
This wood is full of lions and their young,With nursing cubs from savage mothers sprung.
Be wary now, however bold you feel;By Mehrgan their young run close at their heel.
Three s mark this forest’s full extent;Though one whole year in hunting lions were spent,
The world would still have lions left to slay;Why lay such labor on yourself today?
When first you took the throne, the compact stood:You fought the lions for your royal good.
Now you are Shah, and all the world is yours;Why still fight beasts behind these forest doors?
You came for Gur-e-Khar and bowman’s play,Not lion-strife to wear your strength away.”
The Shah replied, “Old sage, let dawn arrive,Then Gur-e-Khar and shaft shall come alive.
No mounted chief has earned a lasting nameThrough bow and arrow as his only claim.
If we would give to manhood all its due,The gorz and sword must win us honor too.”
The Mobad said, “Had ten such men as youGone into battle, steadfast, tried, and true,
Then and Chin would kneel in full defeat;Wise men would ship their goods in swift retreat.
Far be the evil eye from such a ;May rose and feast attend you where you are.”
Then with and his captains near,The Shah rode from the woods to shouts of cheer.
As he rode home, the troops acclaimed their king:“Long may you rule with crown and signet ring!”
That then reached his royal tent;He sent his escort off with his consent.
He washed away the sweat of hunt and heat;A trusty steward made his tent complete.
They cleared the thorns and swept the royal floor;Musk, camphor, and rosewater they would pour.
They scattered musk where Bahram planned to sleep,And golden tables stood in ordered keep.
They dressed the tables with the garden’s bloom,And lamb and other dishes filled the room.
When eating ended, Shah calledFor one great crystal cup that all enthralled.
A fairy-faced cupbearer brought it near,And placed it in the just king’s hands with cheer.
He said, “Great , whose fortune’s fireMade old men young, established our empire.
We are his servants, if we earn that name;He was the source from which our greatness came.
In fight and feast, at counsel and at board,Give none but him the title of true lord.
When came forth from Roman land,He wrecked Iran with harsh and ruthless hand.
He slew thirty-six kings; their curse still liesUpon that brutal man beneath the skies.
The earth condemns his evil to this hour,While ’s good name keeps all its power.
May only good from me, and never hate,Proceed throughout the world and every state.
Bring me a herald, strong of voice and bearing,To circle through the camp, my edict sharing.
Let him proclaim through desert, road, and way:Whoever steals another’s goods today,
Be they rich gems, brocade, or sable furs,Or worthless chaff where ’s pasture stirs,
Turned backward on his horse, in shameful plight,Shall ride between two guards in all men’s sight.
With ankles bound beneath his mount, he goesTo , where sacred fire glows.
Before the sacred fire he shall bow low,And worship God, to whom all thanks we owe.
His goods shall go to those he robbed, to payFor what he took and hurt along the way.
If any horse should damage planted grain,Or fruit trees suffer from a rider’s rein,
That rider spends a year behind the doorOf prison, whatsoever rank he bore.
Our hunt has brought enough of toil and strain;Let no town suffer hardship in our train.”
From Jaz and Barkooh merchants came with wares,And made the camp like Chin’s great market fairs.
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In briefBefore his nobles Bahram drives an arrow through a buck so that neither point nor feathers show, and cleaves a female Gur-e-Khar in two. He rings three hundred beasts’ ears with gold engraved with his name and frees them, holds open court for the poor, then returns to feasting.
Next day, when sun displayed its golden crown,The Shah rode forth to hunt down.
The soldiers strung their bows across the plain;The Shah himself rode in the rearward train.
He said, “Let every archer hunting gameDraw back his bow and take a steady aim.
The shaft should strike behind and pierce the chest,And prove the archer’s mastery at its best.”
A replied, “O king of grace,Look through the ranks assembled in this place.
Among your friends or foes, no hand is knownTo match the strength that you possess alone.
May head and crown live ever; when you wieldThe bow, the , the sword, our spirits yield.
Your royal and stature bring us shame;Our hands grow weak, and none can take his aim.”
The Shah said, “God has given me this skill;What strength has save through Heaven’s will?”
He urged and neared a buck at speed;Then loosed his shaft while racing on his steed.
The arrow struck exactly as he meant;Through haunch and breast its deadly passage went.
When it fell dead, the golden-belted came,And marveled at the shot and praised his name.
They could not see the arrow’s point or vane;Both lay concealed within the creature slain.
The warlike Pahlevans praised what they saw,And one addressed the Shah in wondering awe:
“O king, may evil never venture near;You are a horseman; we ride asses here.
We lack the skill that donkey riders show;Beside their art, our own stands far below.”
The Shah replied, “That arrow was not mine;The All-conqueror granted force divine.
No man beneath the sky is more forlornThan one whom God abandons to His scorn.”
He spurred his horse, which seemed to soar from view,As though on wings of the it flew.
A female Gur-e-Khar stood in his track;Her foal had gone ahead; she lingered back.
He struck the beast and clove it clean in two;His blade cut through her middle, straight and true.
The chiefs and sworded nobles reached his side,And saw that stroke with wonder, awe, and pride.
A sage exclaimed, “What swordsmanship is here!May evil never cross this monarch’s sphere.
No likeness has he but the moon on high;All chiefs beneath his royal Fortune lie.
The heavens bow beneath his scimitar,And lower than his arrow flies each star.”
The troops behind him cleared the plain of game;Then Bahram gave command to mark his name.
He bade them fashion rings of shining gold,And grave his royal name for all to hold.
He ringed the creatures’ ears and let them go,That all the world his royal name might know.
Three hundred beasts he loosed to range the waste,Each ringed, as royal quarry to be chased.
A herald rode among the troops to say:“Give all these Gur-e-Khars as gifts away.
Let merchants take them freely from the plain;Let no man sell his quarry here for gain.”
From and from chiefs of they broughtAbundant furs and brocades richly wrought.
He took their gifts and bade their taxes cease;Though they could pay, he granted them release.
Their poor and laborers grew rich thereby,Through royal bounty poured beneath the sky.
Many gained crowns and thrones by his command;He came back from the chase into the land.
A week he passed in mirth among his men,Then held his open court and judged again.
It was his custom on the riding groundTo sit where troops and suppliants gathered round.
A herald sought the needy everywhere,And voiced the king’s decree for all to share:
“You seekers of your rights,” the herald cried,“From men, seek God, and let Him be your guide.
If through our rule you lie in pain tonight,Or have no share of wealth, come claim your right.
Come to the king upon the riding ground;Perhaps your Fortune shall be newly found.
If one is old, past work, and weak with years,Or young but crippled by disease and tears,
If any of the people lives in debt,And whom relentless creditors beset,
If children have been left without a sire,Yet will not beg although their needs are dire,
Or if their mothers hide their need from sight,And bear their secret poverty at night,
Or if some wealthy man has died and leftYoung children by a faithless guard bereft,
An overseer who sets his heart on gold,Whom neither shame nor fear of God can hold,
Conceal from me no matter of this kind;I will not have the poor conceal their mind.
I will make poor men wealthy, free from fear,And those who hide their need may seek me here.
The straying I will lead to Faith, and saveThe poor from debts that drag them toward the grave.
If officers of mine commit a wrong,And rob the fatherless though weak or strong,
I will hang the unjust alive for allTo see how those who wrong the helpless fall.”
Then royal treasure flowed through open doors;The poor grew wealthy from the royal stores.
The Shah, grown wise, left hunting grounds behind,And reached Baghdad with gladness in his mind.
The haughty chiefs came forth before his sight,Both kin and strangers, men of lordly might.
He bade the army turn and ride away,And sought the palace where he meant to stay.
They decked the golden bower for delight;The handmaids called for musk and wine that night.
The idols sang and made their harp strings ring;They cleared the hall of strangers for the king.
With harp and wine and pipe and singing sound,Their music seemed to bless the air around.
In every chamber, dancers every nightPerformed to keep the monarch’s spirit bright.
Two weeks he spent in mirth and opened wideHis treasury, and all who came supplied.
He scattered largess, then to rode,And crowned himself: the jeweled circlet glowed.
He unlocked ’s bower, and richly dressedThe idols’ chambers, furnished with the best.
He gave the women s from his store,Then found their furnishings required more.
If one lacked crown or throne of ivory white,The monarch grumbled at that sorry sight.
He bit his lip at in disdain,And spoke of tribute from ’s domain.
“The tribute paid by and Khazar’s landI give these women by my own command.
Bring ass-loads of dinars; let taxes flowFrom and , the sums they owe.
Such poor provision in the women’s wingIs never worthy of Iran’s great king.”
They spread brocade and raised new tax in lands,And gathered wealth through royal officers’ hands.
Thus for a while he lived in ease and peace,And felt the toil and strife of warfare cease.
His days were spent in hunting and in feast;His joy with every passing day increased.
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In briefWord spreads that Bahram neglects his frontiers, and the Khan of Chin invades. The nobles rage while the Shah keeps hunting and secretly arms. He leaves Narsi as regent and rides toward Azargashasp, and the frightened nobles send the Khan a letter of submission.
Soon through and the tidings ran,Through Chin, Turan, and every settled span:
“The heart of Shah is given to sport;He heeds no man and keeps no guarded court.
He has no outposts and no sentries near;No s are posted on the frontier.
For love of sport he lets all matters drift,And knows no more where worldly dangers shift.”
When Chin’s ambitious Khan these tidings heard,He paid his troops, and all his army stirred.
From Chin and from he raised a force,And marched on Iran by the eastern course.
No one gave thought to Bahram’s strength that day;And , too, brought troops into array.
When Iran heard of Caesar’s troops arrayed,And Chin’s advancing troops, all grew afraid.
Then all the chieftains, gathered from the land,Came full of wrath before Bahram’s command.
With rage and bitterness they bluntly cried,“Your glorious Fortune turns its face aside.
The heads of kings should be intent on war;Your heart seeks feast and chase forevermore.
The crown and throne are worthless in your eyes;Iran, the troops, and treasure you despise.”
The ruler answered those who showed the way,The gathered round in dismay:
“My helper is whose hand has wroughtThe world, more wise than all the sages taught.
By that great Sovereign’s power, I shall holdIran secure against the wolves grown bold.
With Fortune, troops, the sword, and wealth to spend,I will bring this land’s suffering to an end.”
He went on with his sport; the nobles wept,Their eyes ran blood while he his pleasures kept.
The people said, “His conduct breeds dismay;The hearts of righteous men will turn away.”
Yet Bahram’s heart stayed vigilant and wise,Though inward trouble darkened both his eyes.
In secret he prepared his men and gear,While none on earth could make his purpose clear.
All Iran looked upon him in dismay;Their hearts were torn by what they saw each day.
They lost all hope of him; in their despair,Their lives and households scarcely claimed their care.
Then word arrived that Chin’s invading bandHad crossed the border into Iran’s land.
He called high-minded to court,And spoke of Khan and troops in grave report.
This Gostaham, chief Pahlevan in fight,A minister, took joy in battle’s might.
Then came to standWith Mehr at his command.
Both Bahram and joined in the roll,With and , stout of soul.
Two rulers came, their power widely known,One lord of , one called his own.
Their hearts grew glad upon the battle day;Dad Barzin ruled; would all obey.
and joined the gathered band;Grim came too at his command.
Six thousand men he chose, all tried in war,Whose wisdom matched the strength of arms they bore.
To , brother of the Shah, secureIn faith and power, loyal, just, and pure,
He gave the Pahlevans, the throne and crown,To guard the treasury and realm’s renown.
Narsi, gracious, faithful, noble, wise,Accepted charge beneath the watchful skies.
He led his chosen soldiers on their wayTo without delay.
Since Bahram took from so small a band,Both great and common folk misread his hand.
They thought, “Shah Bahram flees the coming fight,And seeks in secret flight.”
When Bahram turned his face toward sacred Fire,An envoy came from Caesar, grave and dire.
Narsi received the Roman with due grace,And lodged him nobly in the palace place.
The troops sought out the high Mobad, to learnThe Shah’s intent, and voice their grave concern.
They said, “He left his throne; our Fortune fell.Why does he not store wealth as kings know well?
He pours out gold on every town and farm,And lets his youth slip by, and sees no harm.
The townsfolk and the soldiers have dispersed;Each grasps at power, and serves himself the first.”
At length, when every argument was spent,They planned an embassy with this intent:
“Send someone to the ,” they said,“Before his plundering troops bring further dread.
Perhaps our land may yet endure this blow,Though he who ruled it now has fled the foe.”
Narsi replied, “This counsel leads to shame;The world could scarcely cleanse so foul a name.
Shall I ask quarter of Chin’s Khan, and yieldIn shame before we even take the field?
My men and elephants will clothe the plain;Strong fighters, arms, and treasure still remain.
Their s could raise dust from fire; why fearBecause the Shah took few and left us here?
Why have your thoughts turned evil in your breast?Think ill, and ill will bring your homes no rest.”
The Iranians heard, but answered in dismay,“With very few, Shah Bahram rode away.
Must we not yield our hearts to grief and fear,When Chin’s great Khan in arms is drawing near?
Our land will lose both scent and hue in war;The foe will trample field and town and store.
They will crush troops and Narsi where they stand;We must save life and home throughout the land.”
A learned Mobad, sincere and pure of heart,Was skilled in counsel and the speaker’s art.
was the man the people choseTo bear their words before the eastern foes.
They penned the Khan a craven letter, fraughtWith words of servile fear and anxious thought.
“Your slaves are we; we bow before your will,And seek your pleasure, loyal, humble still.
We send the goods that grow in Iran’s plain,With gifts and tribute, so that peace may reign.
We bring our tribute, for we have no powerTo stand against the Turks in battle’s hour.”
Thus from Iran the blessed Humayi went,With chosen nobles on their mission bent.
He gave the Khan their message, word by word;Relief and pride were stirred by what he heard.
Humayi spoke of Bahram’s flight in fear,His troops in swift retreat as foes drew near.
The noble Khan, elated, proud, and grand,Addressed the Turkish chiefs at his command:
“We saddled heaven!” so the Khan exclaimed;“The turning sky is ours, bridled and tamed.
Who ever took Iran without a fight,As we have done through patience and foresight?”
The Khan gave gifts of worth in rich array,With Chinese silver, gold s that day.
He wrote, “May wisdom walk beside the pure;I grant the pact that honest men assure.
When with my troops I reach , I will bringThe land the colors of a pheasant’s wing.
Through justice, wisdom, fragrance in my reign,Then milk shall flow with water on the plain.
I shall await Iran’s appointed gold,And tribute from its chiefs, its lions bold.
I shall come to Marv and there abide,Lest marching troops consume the countryside.”
The envoy hurried back at eager pace,And bore the answer through Iran’s broad space.
Then Chin’s lord brought his troops to Marv, and highThe riders’ dust rose black against the sky.
When he had rested, feasting filled his thought;No one recalled Bahram or what he wrought.
At Marv no rest or sleep by night was found,For harp and lyre poured out continual sound.
The troops lay scattered, none assigned to guard;No sentry watched the road or outer yard.
No one expected war or sudden fray;All lived in wine and sport, in feast and play.
The Khan watched for their tribute, but delayInflamed his heart with anger day by day.
But Bahram kept his watch against the foe,To guard his troops from any sudden blow.
His spies roamed wide; their vigil never slept,While he in readiness his army kept.
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In briefLearning that the Khan lies feasting at Marv, Bahram marches a light column across northern Iran, surprises the Turkish camp at Kashmihan at dawn, and takes the Khan captive with three hundred chiefs. He pursues the fleeing for thirty farsang and divides the spoil.
The news reached : was where they lay,The Khan and all his troops in vast array.
From he led his men away,No baggage train to hinder or delay.
Each man had two strong horses for the road;Their Roman helms above their armor showed.
In cuirasses, their weapons all complete,They hurried like the wind on tireless feet.
From to rode the force,Like mountain torrents rushing on their course.
Then onward through the lands he passed,And bore his nobles’ hardship to the last.
He reached the town of with his men;An upright guide went on before them then.
Through mountains, waterless and trackless ground,Through night and far into the day they wound.
He posted lookouts through the light of day,And guards by night to watch along the way.
No pheasant flew as fast as he drew nearTo Marv; a scout brought news for him to hear:
“The Khan is heedless of affairs,” he said;“The hunt at fills all his head.
He thinks of nothing else by night or day;His counselor is , they say.”
Bahram rejoiced to hear the runner’s word;His weariness was gone, his spirit stirred.
One day he rested there, till man and steedWere fresh again for sudden battle’s need.
Then, rested, to Kashmihan’s field he pressed;At dawn the sun rose crowned above the crest.
The karnays filled each ear with cries of might;And colored banners filled each warrior’s sight.
The uproar rose from all the hunting ground;Both king and army heard the mighty sound.
The uproar split the lion’s ears; the soilRan red with blood amid the battle’s toil.
One might have said, “The clouds are hailing stone,”Or, “From the moon a rain of blood is thrown.”
Roused from his hunt, the Khan was caught that day; took him captive in the fray.
Three hundred noble chiefs from Chin were caught,Then bound to saddles and as captives brought.
From Kashmihan to Marv the Shah pressed on,His horses lean, their flesh by hard rides gone.
At Marv they slew the men of Chin they found;He chased those fleeing from the killing ground.
For thirty he pursued their flight;Behind him followed through the fight.
Back at the hunting ground, he shared the spoilAmong the troops who bore the battle’s toil.
Victorious over Chin, he raised his face,And knew all his success was Heaven’s grace.
God grants both good and evil strength to rise,And rules the sun and moon within the skies.
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In briefBahram crosses the river, breaks the Turkish army beyond it, and accepts tribute and hostages when their chiefs plead for the guiltless. He raises a stone pillar to mark the frontier, forbids crossings without his consent, and crowns Shahra king of Turan.
At , rested men and horse,Till both were fresh and strong to hold their course.
He chose for his next attack,And set his feet upon the warlike track.
One day and night brought to his sight;He sought no chase, but only war and fight.
At night’s first watch he crossed the river wide,Then ’s desert stretched on every side.
When air grew golden with the rising sun,And lapis night from heaven’s robe had run,
The dust grew dark as any falcon’s wing;Through Mai and Morgh advanced the conquering king.
He broke the Turkish army in his ire;Their fields and country blazed with spreading fire.
Stars sought the moon’s skirts in that headlong flight;Fathers trod over sons amid their fright.
The Turkish chieftains, captains in the war,Came humbly, all on foot, from battle’s roar.
With humbled hearts before they cried,“O Shah, whose Fortune walks at heaven’s side,
O mighty one, first noble of the earth,Above all other lords in rank and worth,
The Khan betrayed the covenant he made;Let not the guiltless perish by the blade.
Such tyranny does not become the great;Demand our tribute, but avert our fate.
Why strike the heads of those who did no wrong?Our tribute is your due, O king most strong.
Our women and our men now bow to you;We fight for you; our service shall be true.”
The Shah felt pity for their grief and cries;With wisdom’s hand he sewed up anger’s eyes.
In thought, that man of God restrained his bands,And checked the bloodshed raging through the lands.
When royal mercy soothed their fear and dread,Their hearts grew calm, and all their turmoil fled.
The chief of chiefs approached, his pledge made clear:They would pay heavy tribute every year.
He took the tribute they agreed to pay,And hostages before he turned away.
To Farab he returned in cheerful guise,A smile upon his lips, light in his eyes.
He paused and let his troops rest there a week,Then called the potentates of Chin to speak.
He raised a pillar built of plastered stone,To mark the frontier by his will alone.
To cross to Iran, Turks and would needThe Shah’s consent before they could proceed.
He made the stand as boundary line,The realm’s clear limit by his royal sign.
Among the troops was , wise in fame,A man of rank, success, and honored name.
He made him king of Turan; at its height,His throne was crowned with moonlight, gleaming bright.
When Shahra took the silver seat of state,His hung at his waist; his gifts were great.
He set the golden crown upon his head;Through all Turan the joy of crowning spread.
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In briefBahram writes Narsi an account of the victory; Iran rejoices, and the nobles who had written to the Khan beg pardon through Narsi and are forgiven. The Shah worships at Azar Abadagan, scatters largess at Istakhr, repairs roads and bridges, and returns to Tisfoon.
When Turan’s affairs had reached their settled end,The Shah’s heart eased; his troubled mind could mend.
He wrote of all the Turkish war,And all his troops had done, and all they bore.
It opened thus: “I offer humble praiseTo God, who rules the worlds through all their days;
of victory, of sovereign might,Of Saturn, Mars, and Moon’s mysterious light;
The great and low are under His command;Whatever comes is subject to His hand.
From far Chin’s borders now I send this scrollTo Narsi, brother faithful, heart and soul.
This letter, penned on painted silk, I sealFor all our chiefs and for the common weal.
Those absent when we faced the Khan in fightMust hear from those who witnessed every sight.
His army was so vast, one might have saidIts dust had smeared the sky with pitch outspread.
The ground became a sea of blood and dead;His evil Fortune failed, his glory fled.
The turning sky grew weary of his reign;The Khan was taken fighting on the plain.
I bring him bound, with blood that fills his eyes;Upon a camel, sick at heart, he lies.
The necks of all the proud are bent in fear;Their tongues are mild, their hearts are burned and sere.
Those who were enemies now tribute pay;The erring men have turned toward the way.
My troops and I, whom friends now long to greet,Shall turn back home, with victory complete.”
The camels, wind-foot, foaming as they passed,Rushed onward like the roaring tempest’s blast.
When that swift letter reached Narsi’s hand,He shared his joy with all across the land.
The high Mobad and warriors gathered near;Through all Iran rose cries of joy and cheer.
All listened closely to the triumph tale;The guilty nobles grew ashamed and pale.
Their fault before the Shah weighed on each breast;They sought the Mobad, humbled and distressed.
They said, “The and evil counsel ledOur feet from wisdom where dark falsehood spread.
We strayed in blindness from the royal way;Now shame has turned us back to truth today.
With such a force, who could anticipateThat God Himself would open heaven’s gate?
It is a marvel past all prudent thought,Beyond what learned men and sages wrought.
In your reply, recounting foul and fair,Include our plea: ask him our lives to spare.
Although the chiefs have sinned and broken trust,The glorious Shah is generous and just.”
Narsi agreed and said, “So will I write,To free the Shah’s heart from revenge and spite.”
At once he wrote an answer to the king,Disclosing fair and foul in everything.
He said, “Iran’s great men, oppressed by fear,For home, child, wealth, and country gathered here.
They sought protection from Chin’s Khan, when trustIn Shah and realm had crumbled into dust.
It was not enmity, offense, or strife;No other king was dearer to their life.
Now if the conquering king of kings forgives,He makes their dark night day, and each heart lives.
They chose me advocate to plead their case,And ask that you forgive them to their face.”
A worthy Mobad, called by name,Went gladly on the mission when it came.
He reached the monarch and, as he was told,Recounted every matter, new and old.
The Shah received his message with content;His anger cooled, his wrath at last was spent.
From , , , and then,The chieftains came with tribute, gifts, and men.
Before the Fire’s worshipper they bowed;With , joined the crowd.
From year to year, all those with wealth to bringCame bearing tax and tribute to the king.
When fire-temple and feast had been arrayedFor New Year’s Day and ’s bright parade,
The Shah approached fair ,With nobles and the chosen men of Iran.
At , before the sacred blaze,The Mobadan raised hymns in solemn praise.
He gave the temple servants gifts of pride,And toward began his homeward ride.
That city was the glory of the kings,Where fame and sovereign Fortune spread their wings.
From ox-hide sacks and sheepskins borne before,Upon the elephants he scattered store.
Full many a heavy ’s weight was weighed,Of gold and silver for the crowd displayed.
Part was in silver, part in gold s,Bright coin beneath auspicious turning stars.
He brought out leather skins and spread them wide;Then poured the silver on them, gratified.
If, traveling, he saw a broken bridge,Or caravanserai by road or ridge,
His officers received his clear command:Repair them from the treasury of the land.
He laid on no one hardship for the deed;The Shah’s own wealth would answer public need.
On poor folk and on workers earning bread,He lavished s where their need had spread.
For widows and for orphans in their grief,He weighed out silver, granting them relief.
To those too old for work or battle’s call,He gave support and raised the frail from fall.
On noble-born men passed by wealthy eyes,He lavished wealth and helped their fortunes rise.
To travelers who hid their want from view,He gave with open hands to see them through.
He gave a treasury to those in need,And looked for good to do in every deed.
All booty he divided with his men,And never dreamed of gathered riches then.
He called a pious Mobad to his sideTo bring the crown of Chin in all its pride.
They hung the Khan’s own crown, a radiant prize,In Azargashasp before the faithful’s eyes.
Then he departed to ’s seat,Where Narsi dwelt with counselors discreet.
All chiefs and governors of Iran cameTo meet the Shah beneath the flags of fame.
When Narsi saw that crowned and royal head,He left his horse, awed by the banners spread.
With great men and Mobadan at his side,He bowed before in humbled pride.
Bahram bade him remount and held him long,Then took the golden throne amid the throng.
The chiefs stood girded in the monarch’s sight;He gave the needy wealth to ease their plight.
He opened prisons, freed sad hearts from pain,And filled the age with justice in his reign.
He held a feast, and gave each welcome guestA robe of honor at his own behest.
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In briefAt a feast Bahram dictates a long edict to his officials: justice for the oppressed, seven years without taxes, relief for debtors, schooling for children. Heralds carry it through the provinces, and spring is proclaimed a holiday. He then sends Narsi to govern Khorasan.
Upon the third day, when the nobles dined,A scribe was called and set where kings reclined.
When wine had warmed the monarch’s heart with cheer,He wrote with joy, his purpose bright and clear.
The letter praised the One whose knowledge blessedThe cleansed soul, setting wisdom in the breast.
made wisdom his abiding friend,And strove through toil his kindness to extend.
He knew that every good from God had sprung,And sought the wisdom praised by every tongue.
He made the sages friends, and came to knowThat only justice makes true blessings flow.
He never knocked where evil keeps its gate,Nor bent his mind to malice, fraud, or hate.
“If any man complains of those who rule,Of chiefs or captains trained in war’s harsh school,
The pit or gibbet waits for men so found,Or death, their bodies cast upon the ground.
Endeavor to make others’ burdens light,And bring the grieving heart release from night.
The world has stayed with none, nor will remain;Be just, offend no man, and ease his pain.
I am myself the pattern of my creed,And call all men to righteousness in deed.
For many armies came against my reign,While I went forth with little strength and train.
Yet those who once were enemies in warAre now my friends, and stand as foes no more.
One noble lord, the , I bound,Who ruled with crown and signet, world-renowned.
I took him captive; Turkish fortune died,And holy God brought triumph to my side.
My foemen’s heads were humbled into dust;Let service be my work, my purpose just.
For seven years no tax shall weigh them down;No subject, peer, or dweller of the town.
I write in , that ancient speech,That chiefs and officers may learn and teach.
Let them uphold the righteous rule of old,And never seek to wrong for gain or gold.
Send me the names of all throughout your landsWho live in grief and want with empty hands.
I shall provide for each and ease his need;Let no one suffer want through wrongful greed.
And if there are some men of noble birthWho still recall their better days on earth,
Relieve them too with treasure from your hoard,Till dignity at home is theirs restored.
Exalt the wise; let learned men arise,And set their counsel high before your eyes.
The debtors, empty-handed and distressed,Who meet with scorn and everywhere are pressed,
Pay from my treasury the debts they owe,And let the records all their names now show.
Pray God to keep our hearts both firm and trueTo faith and custom in the things we do.
Rejoice in this command; protect the small;Be kind to those beneath you, one and all.
Do not despise your slaves; like you, they standBefore God’s judgment, subject to His hand.
Let those with means send children to be taughtBy teachers rich in knowledge and in thought.
Make rich their spirits with the wealth of lore,And crown their heads with wisdom evermore.
Keep hands far off from other people’s gain;Be free from fault, and let God guide your reign.
Be diligent; break not the pledge you swore,And root out evil till it lives no more.
Tear up its stumps, its suckers, and its roots,And gather no dark harvest from its shoots.
Make God your refuge; heed His word above,And pledge your souls as hostages to love.
Harm neither neighbors nor the men of weight,The nobles and the wealthy in the state.
Whoever, once obscure, begins to claimA mastery beyond his former name,
Do not call such a man exalted now;His greatness soon to low estate shall bow.
All you with wealth, withhold not from the poor;Do right, seek holiness, and keep faith sure.
Break not the hearts and backs of those who plead;Misfortune follows every wrongful deed.
God’s grace attend that pure and noble soul,Whose warp and woof make human kindness whole.”
The shining silk was rolled; with musk he wetHis pen to write the heading he would set.
He dipped his pen and formed the heading clear:“The monarch of the world, to all who hear,
The heart of justice, knowing good and ill,The lord of pardon, grace, and royal will,
, all-bounteous king of kings,Whose justice spreads beneath the heavens’ wings,
To frontier lords and all beneath his rule,To wise and warlike chiefs of judgment cool.”
Then runners, horsemen, cameleers made hasteTo bear the royal letter through the waste.
When every province, chief, and lord had heard,All praised the Shah and blessed his pious word.
They said, “Thanks be to God, whose will has crownedA pious monarch, just and world-renowned.”
Then all the women, men, and children pouredAcross the open plain, a joyous horde.
In every land their quiet prayers would riseFor that just king beneath the turning skies.
Then all prepared to feast and called for wine,With harps and minstrels in a glad design.
Half of the day they feasted in delight;The other half they labored until night.
When spring arrived, the heralds cried at dawnBefore the court where royal signs were drawn:
“Let those with substance eat and give away,And count their food a blessing every day.
Let all the poor come straight to treasury doors,And take their portion from the royal stores:
Five weighed-out s each shall now receive,With three full mans of old wine, when they leave,
Wine bright as gold or pomegranate bloom,To lift the heart and sweeten every room.”
The world made ready for delight and cheer;Through town and hamlet, joyful cries rang clear.
Two gold s bought each sweet willow wreath,While flowers bloomed in radiant light beneath.
One dirham bought a lone narcissus spray;No buyer grieved to pay that price that day.
The old grew young at heart in joy’s new light;The springs ran milk, their waters flowing white.
The Shah thanked God to see the world made glad,And spoke to of the he had:
“Depart from here with signet ring and crown;’s realm is yours in field and town.
Cause it to flourish; cheer our subjects’ hearts;Be just in every place and all your arts.
Within this passing world, let grasping cease;Let others live secure and be at peace.
Our father’s wrongs made him convulse and shake,As naked men in autumn’s chill would quake.”
He had a robe of honor made, and drainedHis treasure-stores of all that they contained.
He said, “May God protect you on your way,And may the sun’s high throne be yours each day.”
Two weeks the journey took; then Narsi came,And ruled Khorasan in his brother’s name.
A week had passed since Narsi left behindThe court; the Shah, serene and clear of mind,
Commanded that the high Mobad appear,With certain nobles summoned to draw near.
The Shah addressed him: “’s case drags on;His envoy waits, though many days are gone.
What sort of man is he? What place is rightFor him when weighed by wisdom’s searching sight?
For wisdom sets the troubled spirit straight,And guides a man through fortune, rank, and fate.”
The high Mobad replied, “Blessed be your reign,O Shah, whose farr preserves your royal gain.
He is advanced in years, discreet and wise,With modest bearing and discerning eyes.
His speech is good, his voice is soft in tone;In Plato’s school his learned mind was known.
He is both wise and learned, nobly born;He came from with pride and lofty scorn;
Now, like a winter snake, his vigor quails;His cheek is yellowed and his courage fails.
His servants look like sheep when hounds draw nearUpon a hunting day, subdued by fear.
Now mild, now harsh, he looked on us with scorn,As though no worthy man here had been born.”
Bahram Goor answered what the Mobad said:“God grants the crown and makes its glory spread.
If He has made my darkened fortune bright,And crowned my cause with victory and might,
Yet Caesar too descends from royal seed,A mighty king, imperial in deed.
From he springs, whom once crowned;In that descent his royal roots are found.
He acts with manly prudence, thinks things through,Nor turns to madness as the Khan would do.
At court we shall call Caesar’s envoy near,And learn if what he says is sound and clear.
Then I will send him home with honor shown,For I still need men’s service round my throne.
One serves in war and brings the troops to fight;One brings a golden crown for feast and rite.
I must acknowledge what these men are worth;Great men befriend the noble of the earth.”
The Mobad praised him warmly: “May you liveWhile heaven turns, with joy in all you give.
May good alone flow from your lips, and mayThe men of name on earth your will obey.”
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In briefCaesar’s aged envoy is received at last and puts seven questions to the court. The high Mobad answers them all in a single speech, and next day sets questions of his own, which the Roman answers. Each praises the other, and the envoy grants Iran’s claim to tribute.
Next day, when sunlight showed its golden crown,And rays streamed from the vaulted heavens down,
The monarch of the world sat crowned at court,And bade the Roman come and make report.
That aged sage, experienced in speech,With measured mind and memory’s ample reach,
Bowed, arms folded and head bent low, beforeThe royal throne, then knelt upon the floor.
received him well and bade him sit,And set him on a turquoise throne most fit.
He said, “You have remained in this domain;Has gazing on this land become a strain?
The war against the Khan, which came so near,Withheld the care I owed you, honored seer.
But now our case has changed, and you have stayedBeyond due bounds, by war and time delayed.
Speak now; whatever message you convey,We shall reply with counsel here today.”
The ancient envoy praised the king and said,“May earth and time still keep your crowned head.
Each wise king takes delight in what is heardFrom sages nearer God in thought and word.
Those bent on evil darken their own day;Your justice lights the world’s imperial way.
Among the chiefs of earth you stand as best,Its sovereign Shah, in every virtue blessed.
Your tongue is balance; gems of speech it sifts,Whose worth outweighs the gold of royal gifts.
In knowledge, counsel, sense, and you shine,And every conquering art has crowned your line.
You have pure wisdom and a holy mind,And rule with mastery of the highest kind.
I serve your servant, though from I came;I bring you ’s greeting in his name:
‘May head and throne and crown secure remain,And Fortune guard you through your lasting reign.’
And further, I am ordered by commandTo ask seven questions of your learned band.”
The Shah replied, “Proceed; the honored prizeBelongs to eloquence before the wise.”
He called the high Mobad and sages near;His lips grew cold at what he feared to hear.
“What hidden things,” he thought, “will Rum require?What seven riddles does this man desire?”
The Mobad came with men of learned fame,Great masters versed in every branch and name.
The spokesman then revealed what Caesar sought,And put to him the questions he had brought:
“What do you call ‘within,’ and what ‘without’?Explain these terms and leave no room for doubt.
What is above, and what below is found?What thing is lowly? What can know no bound?
What thing bears many names in every land,Yet everywhere holds sway by its command?”
The high Mobad replied, “Do not rush thought;Hold fast the path that understanding taught.
O man of wisdom, lend your careful ear;One answer makes the whole inquiry clear.
As for ‘without’ and ‘within,’ this is plain:Heaven is without; within, the air’s domain.
Above is God’s own sovereign farr and might,Whose marvels stand revealed before our sight.
God’s being knows no boundary or end;Through knowledge you may seek to comprehend.
Above is Paradise; beneath, Hell’s flame;Who fears not God has chosen guilt and shame.
Now for the thing with many names on earth,Whose power gives the rule of monarchs birth:
Wisdom has many names, O ancient sage,And wisdom guides the monarch and the age.
One calls it love; another calls it trust;Without it, men cause pain and are unjust.
The eloquent call wisdom truthful speech;The fortunate, the cleverness they reach.
At times it is forbearance under strain,At times the guarded secrets we retain.
So various are the names that wisdom bears,They pass beyond the count that learning dares.
Know nothing stands above it in the end;It is chief good, protector, guide, and friend.
Through wisdom we seek mysteries concealed,Which to our eyes have never been revealed.
Now hear what may be called a lowly thing,And weigh the answer that my words will bring.
The stars that glitter in the vaulted skyAre more than sight can number from on high.
The heavens lie beyond our mortal scale,Measureless, where all reckonings fail.
What slight account can mortal reckoning showOf heaven’s count and all the years that flow?
A man beholds an arrow in its flight,And marvels as it passes through his sight.
Yet you would count the stars that nightly gleam;What task more lowly could your mind esteem?
This much I know; if more you wish to show,The Maker’s wisdom holds more than we know.”
When Caesar’s spokesman heard, he kissed the ground,And praised the Shah, whose farr was world-renowned.
He said, “Ask God no greater gift than this:The world is yours, with all its royal bliss.
The heads of all the great are in your hand;No king like you was dreamed in any land.
All high-born nobles praise your royal state,While your wise minister is wisdom’s gate.
In knowledge he outstrips the learned wise;The sages bow before his searching eyes.
All philosophers are slaves to him;Before his wisdom, every lamp grows dim.”
Bahram heard this and let his joy shine through;Within his heart, his merriment now grew.
Ten bags of s from the royal storeHe gave the priest, with robes, a steed, and more.
Then Caesar’s envoy left the king that day,And to his lodging turned upon his way.
When sunlight spread its hand across the sky,The king of kings sat on his gold throne high.
The Roman envoy came to court again,The high Mobad beside him, with the men.
With joy before the king of kings they stood,Discussing many matters grave and good.
The high Mobad said, “Sage of honored name,What harm should set our grieving hearts aflame?
What is so harmful that all hearts should weep?What loss brings grief too bitter and too deep?
And what is useful to the world below,By which men rise in honor as they go?”
The envoy said, “The wise are strong and great;The foolish sink beneath a ruined fate.
The body of the fool is worse than clay,Unworthy of the good that lights the day.
You spoke of foolishness and wisdom’s claim;I think my answer meets the question’s aim.”
The Mobad said, “Think well and understand;Do not take fish from water onto land.”
The envoy said, “O man approved by all,One may cite sages when their precepts call.
But if you know another answer, speak;For knowledge lifts the fame that wise men seek.”
The Mobad said, “Think deeply; let words riseFrom thought and mind before the tongue replies.
The death of him who did least harm brings painAnd loss beyond all others we sustain.
Yet men may well rejoice when villains die,Though death is common under every sky.
This is true profit; that is bitter woe;Let wisdom judge the difference we should know.”
The Roman gave assent to what he heard;He smiled, approving every measured word.
He bowed low to the Shah, and warmly spoke:“How richly blessed Iran, its land and folk!
How blessed the people with a king like you,And such a Mobad, wise in all you do.
If you ask Caesar’s tribute, that is fair;Your sage commands the world with wisdom rare.”
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In briefBahram loads Caesar’s envoy with gifts and dismisses him, then apportions lands and offices among his chiefs. He speaks to the Mobadan of his father’s injustice, of death that spares no one, and pledges to repay from his own treasury any loss his officers or thieves inflict.
The envoy’s words made ’s spirit sing;His heart grew fresh as blossoms in the spring.
The envoy left the presence of the king,And night arose beneath its sable wing.
Night spread its veil, with musk and amber spun,Its folds concealed the face of the bright sun.
The turning vault of heaven would not sleep,But roused the drowsing heads from slumber deep.
At dawn the sun poured forth its golden light;Bahram awoke from softly passing night.
The chamberlain unlocked the audience door;The king sat down on gold, as once before.
He ordered robes of honor to be made,And had the envoy summoned, well arrayed.
He gave him silver, gold, and horses, tackedWith trappings; rich brocades in bundles packed.
Dinars, gems, musk, and spices he bestowed,Beyond the dreams that in the envoy glowed.
Then, free of ’s affairs, the Shah took heedOf all the matters that his troops would need.
By his command the high Mobad came through,With nobles gathered round, a chosen few.
The Shah apportioned lands among the brave,And s, steeds, and signet rings he gave.
He gave the chiefs their headgear and their seat,With crowns and provinces, their rule complete.
He filled the world with justice; everyoneRejoiced in him and praised what he had done.
He spurned unjust men, gifts and warmth denied;Then spoke to the at his side:
“You worshipful, pure-hearted sages, mark:The world keeps many memories, bright and dark.
Of Shahs both just and unjust it can tell,Whose hands pursued the works of Heaven or Hell.
Those kings reached out in tyranny and greed;Their bodies lost all comfort through the deed.
The world was frightened by those men of blame;The hearts of all the good were split with shame.
All hands were stained by wrongful words and deeds,And none pursued the path where worship leads.
None ruled his wife or children in those days;The righteous grieved, and all men took s’ ways.
The Div’s work has prevailed in every part;Fear of almighty God left every heart.
The source of virtue and the hand of wrong,The gate of wisdom, sought by men lifelong,
Are bound alike to kings of high estate;Both right and wrong from them originate.
My father stretched his hand toward unjust ways;He was not holy, wise, or fit for praise.
Do not find strange his acts: a rusting stainHad touched the shining steel of heart and brain.
Recall and in their pride,Who sought the foul Div’s counsel as their guide.
My father followed through that darkening stream,And never cleansed his soul with wisdom’s gleam.
His subjects writhed beneath his harsh command;His cruelty slew many in the land.
Now he is gone; his evil name remains,And from no tongue a blessing he obtains.
Yet let our blessing on his soul descend;May hatred never make his spirit bend.
Now I am seated where he sat and reigned;His road to Paradise is surely gained.
I ask almighty God for strength to doIn private and in public what is true:
To treat my subjects well, with mercy just,And, pure in deed, make musk of earth’s dark dust.
So when my body into dust is cast,No victim pulls my skirt for wrongs long past.
You too must wear the robe of justice bright,With heart washed clean of every crooked spite.
For none is born but he must die one day,Iranian, Arab, Roman; mortal clay.
Death charges lion-like; before its claws,No neck withdraws, and none can break its laws.
It makes the rending lion into prey,Nor can the dragon’s body slip away.
Where are the heads and crowns of kings of kings?Where are the chiefs once praised for mighty things?
Where are the riders, proud in rank and birth?I see no trace of them upon the earth.
Where are the fair ones who gave chiefs delight?Their cheeks are under shrouds and out of sight.
Know this: all those beneath the burial dustAre wed to earth; keep hands both clean and just.
Let none of us give evil ways command;By God, who placed the within my hand,
Who gave me crown and kingship, rank and might,And raised my royal station to its height,
If any officer, unjust and bold,Should wrong a man for earth one hand could hold,
I will consume his body in the fire,Or hang him high to shame his dark desire.
If in night watches some thief steals awayA poor man’s quilt, I will his loss repay.
I will supply brocade from store instead,And wash the mourner’s grief from heart and head.
If any sheep is taken from the foldBy dark of night or snowstorm’s bitter cold,
I will give in its place a noble steed,Nor ask for thanks when I have met the need.
If, fighting foes, a should bearA grievous wound that calls for healing care,
I will send treasure for a year’s supply,And let no grief upon his children lie.
Praise then the Judge whose knowledge holds in viewAll good through endless ages, old and new.
Let none lay hand on water or on fireSave the wise serving God’s desire.
Spare all draft oxen serving in the field,Unless, worn out, they have no more to yield.
Do not kill cows that still bring calves to birth,Lest all prosperity forsake the earth.
Deliberate in all things with men of lore,And break the hearts of youthful folk no more.
Avoid the drunkenness that shames old age;Such conduct stains the elder and the sage.
Keep far from judgments by which the Div sways;Seek not a feast upon your battle days.
If I demand their tribute, I disown of all and this, my ivory throne.
Since , my father, ruled amiss,I sow the seeds of justice, aimed at bliss.
May God in mercy pardon all his ill,And lift his soul to Paradise at will.
Do not offend against your God; prepareIn age to leave this world with proper care.
If God, the righteous Judge, approves our way,Let not the future trouble you today.
Let all your hearts rejoice in what I do,And freely to the sacred Fire turn too.”
The chiefs heard well, then wept to know his worth,And hailed him as the king of all the earth.
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In briefA vizier warns that Shangul of Hind is raiding toward Iran. Bahram has a letter written demanding tribute, then carries it himself in the guise of an envoy. He reaches Ghanooj, is admitted to the crystal-roofed hall, and delivers his own message to Shangul.
A wise wazir arose in council-hall,And spoke of justice, clear before them all.
“O king of justice, evil men no moreMake earth afraid as in the days before.
Our borders now are free from war’s distress,Yet famed persists in wickedness.
From to Chin’s remotest lands,He fills the roads with many robber bands.
He reaches toward Iran with ill intent;Let swift and prudent counsel now prevent.
You are the Shah; he only governs ,Why should he tax both distant Chin and ?
Consider this, and search his hidden aim;Let no new harm arise from Shangul’s claim.”
The Shah, on hearing this, in thought withdrew;The world became a forest to his view.
He answered, “I will act without a word;By no one shall my secret plan be heard.
I will observe his army with my eyes,His kingship, court, and throne beneath disguise.
I will approach him as an envoy sent,While none in Iran knows my true intent.
O holy Mobad, write to Hind’s great kingOf love and hatred, and the claims they bring.”
His pious minister and scribe withdrew,With those whose help was needed, just a few.
They studied all the matter, weighed it well,With page, musk ink, and pen their thoughts to tell.
They wrote a letter rich with counsel’s seed,With praise of God and warnings fit to heed.
It opened thus: “May God His blessing bringTo those who seek it from creation’s King.
He rules what is and is not, He alone;All things are paired; no peer to God is known.
Of every gift that God bestows below,No light exceeds what wisdom can bestow.
No greater gift can bless the heart or mind;It guides both king and subject, all mankind.
The man whom wisdom gladdens in his breastWill not choose evil as his worldly quest.
Who chooses good will not regret or shrink;From wisdom’s stream the wicked cannot drink.
Through wisdom men escape disaster’s pain;May no one ever suffer in its chain.
Wisdom’s first mark is this: to fear all wrong,And know oneself through all one’s lifetime long.
Then with the eye of wisdom search the earth;For wisdom gives the crown of kings its worth.
It decks the chiefs; the wise know wrong from right,Pursue the just, and turn from evil’s blight.
You know not your own measure or your place;You plunge your soul in blood to your disgrace.
Since I am monarch of the age, the weightOf good and ill lies with my royal state.
With you as king, how little right remains;On every side, some fault or failing reigns.
It is not kingly to conduct such raids,Or join the evil-hearted in their trades.
Your father’s father served; your father tooWas slave before the Shahs who held their due.
None of our kings allowed Hindustan’s landTo fall behind in tribute or command.
Now mark the fortune of Chin’s Khan, who roseAgainst Iran, and failed before his foes.
He lost as spoil the wealth his army brought,And writhed beneath the evil he had wrought.
I see you set upon that selfsame course,With like perversity and kindred force.
Now I have arms and treasures for the war;My loyal troops stand ready by the score.
You cannot stand before my gallant men;No in Hind will save you then.
You trust your strength too much; how can it beYou bring your narrow stream against the sea?
Behold, I send an envoy to your side,Of knowledge, eloquence, and noble pride.
Send tribute, or in folly choose to fight;Prepare for war and draw your girth-straps tight.
May blessings rest on those whose lives uniteThe threads of wisdom and of what is right.”
When air had dried the ink upon the sheet,The scribe then folded it, the work complete.
He then addressed it, naming king and crown,And ’s rule, which struck all evil down:
“From , who worships God on high,Whose rule extends beneath the spacious sky,
Who took the crown from In month , upon the day of ,
Chief of the marches, guardian of the realm,Whose hand directs the crown and steers the helm,
To whom and their tribute bring,This letter goes from king to distant king,
To Shangul, lord of Hind, this word I send,Whose bounds from ’s stream to Sind extend.”
The monarch sealed the letter and, disguisedAs one who hunts, told none what he devised.
None in the army knew the Shah’s intent;With him, his noblemen alone now went.
Toward Hindustan he rode with all his band,Past ’s waters, in the sorcerers’ land.
When Shangul’s palace rose before his sight,The audience hall stood splendid in the light.
Its gate and curtain rose before the sky;The lofty palace seemed to climb on high.
There at the gate were arms in full array,And every sign of splendor on display.
Horsemen and elephants stood ranked in lines,With bells and karnays sounding royal signs.
Bahram stood amazed and deep in thought,Then spoke to those who kept the gate he sought:
“I am an envoy to this court today,Sent by conquering Bahram from far away.”
The chamberlain then passed behind the screen,And told the king what stranger had been seen.
They raised the curtain at Shangul’s command,And brought the envoy in with honor grand.
Bahram advanced with stately step and care,And saw a chamber crystal-roofed and fair.
As he drew near, he saw Shangul, crowned high,With royal majesty that filled the eye.
The throne stood raised on gold and crystal bright,Its gleaming supports flashing back the light.
The silver facing, worked with gold, was setWith gems on every side, a jeweled net.
Bahram beheld the brother seated low,A crown of jewels upon his head aglow.
The minister sat near the royal seat;The king’s son stood before it on his feet.
The Shah drew near, bowed low, and paused awhile,Then loosed his tongue in courtly, measured style.
“As envoy, on this silk a letter I bring,Writ in for Hind’s mighty king.
It comes from Bahram, who stands first in might,And worships God, the source of truth and right.”
When Shangul heard the words Bahram had said,They placed a golden seat for him ahead.
They seated him; then from the outer gateHis comrades entered in their ordered state.
Then Bahram said, “Exalted king, command;May good and greatness flourish in your hand.”
“Proceed,” said Shangul. “Speak your message clear,For heaven blesses words that all may hear.”
“That Shah is sprung from kings of noble birth,Whose equal no one’s mother bore on earth.
That prince, the state’s high glory, strong and sure,Through justice turns each bane into a cure.
All potentates pay tribute at his court;The lion is his quarry and his sport.
When battle calls, the scimitar in hand,He pours a sea of blood across the sand.
His bounty falls like springtime’s cloud-borne rain,While gold and s earn his deep disdain.
To Hind’s great king, as envoy, I conveyHis silk-writ words in Pahlavi today.”
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In briefShangul turns yellow at the letter and answers with a long boast of his treasures, elephants and kinsmen, hinting that only custom saves the envoy’s life. Bahram sets out his Shah’s terms: a contest of wise men, or a hundred Indian horsemen against one Iranian.
The king, on hearing, asked to see the scroll,And marveled at that chief of kingly soul.
The scribe read out the letter, word by word;The king turned saffron-yellow as he heard.
He said, “O man of eloquence, take care;Speak without haste; of harshness too beware.
Your Shah lays claim to greatness in his pride;You follow in his footsteps, stride for stride.
If one demands that pay tribute due,I will not yield, nor change to suit his view.
Does he rely on troops or treasured store,Or ravage towns and realms by force of war?
An eagle, I see kings as cranes in flight;They are but dust before my ocean’s might.
No wise man wars against the stars on high,Nor wins renown by striking at the sky.
True worth is better than vainglorious speech,Which makes the wise despise the boasts you preach.
No strength, no wisdom, city, or domain;Mere talk is all the kingship you retain.
My whole domain is one vast hoard, amassedBy all my fathers through the ages past.
I have a vault for man and steed;My treasurer unlocks it at our need.
Its key needs elephants to bear its weight;If even they can haul a load so great.
Count all my swords and all my jowshans, thenThe stars seem few beside the arms of men.
The earth could scarcely bear my crown and pride,My elephants and armies spread out wide.
A thousand times a thousand call me king;A million voices thus my praises sing.
Mine are the gems of mountains and of seas;The world receives its wealth and ease from these.
My aloeswood and musk in plenty flow;My camphor stores and ambergris still grow.
All cures for those who suffer, those who ail,Grow in my land, whose riches never fail.
Gold, silver, jewels fill my stores of state;And eighty gold-crowned kings upon me wait.
My land has mountains, seas, and chasms wide;No foul there could reach the other side.
From to Iran’s far boundary line,From to Chin’s sea, the chiefs are mine.
From watch-posts in through Hind and Chin,No name but mine is heard in all between.
All praise my crown, and each in service grows;My fame through every guarded border flows.
Within my women’s bower, ’s child,The daughter of Chin’s lord, prays blessings mild.
By her I have a son of lion heart,Whose sword can tear the mountain’s breast apart.
Since Kay and Kay of old,No king has cared to challenge what I hold.
Three hundred thousand warriors shout my name,Twelve hundred kinsmen too uphold my fame.
They all are trusted, wholly mine to lead,My kin by ancient blood in word and deed.
Their war-cry makes the jungle lions gnawTheir claws in dread, subdued by fear and awe.
Were there a precedent for kings to slayAn envoy in their wrath upon the way,
I would divide your head and trunk in two,And let your garments wail aloud for you.”
replied, “Since you are great, O king,Sow no harsh seed from which fresh wrong may spring.
My Shah declared, ‘Repeat these words from me:Let wisdom guide you; from the foul Divs flee.
Now bring two men of learning from your court,Whose fluent tongues can answer this report.
If one of them surpasses one of oursIn counsel and in wisdom’s searching powers,
Then I will leave your realm in peace to stand;Wise men hold reason high in every land.
Or choose a hundred horsemen fit to fight,Who wield their heavy gorzes with full might.
Let them fight one of us; when worth is shown,Your valor and your worth will then be known.
If thus your worth is proved, we will demandNo tribute from the borders of your land.’”
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In briefShangul puts the embassy off and holds a feast. Wrestlers perform; Bahram asks leave to try them and breaks a champion’s bones. Next morning at the polo ground he strings a Kayanian bow and shatters the mark with a single shaft, and the Indians call blessings on him.
When heard, he answered with a frown,“Such words befit no warrior of renown.
Remain awhile, relax, and take your ease;Why parley on in words that cannot please?”
They made a splendid hall for royal cheer,And rested till the noon drew near.
When heaven’s crown had reached its height of light,The feast stood ready, sumptuous and bright.
The king’s command had furnished all the hall,And zealous servants hastened at his call.
When at his word the royal board was laid,Shangul gave orders to a waiting aide:
“Go call Iran’s envoy, whose tongue is fine,Though new to such affairs, to come and dine.
Bring all his comrades too, and seat them whereAmbassadors receive appointed care.”
Bahram came quickly, sat before the bread,Reached forth his hand, but not a word he said.
When food was done, they turned themselves to wine,And called for harps to make the banquet shine.
The food was sweet with musk; beneath them layRich cloths of gold brocade in bright array.
When lords grew merry from the flowing bowl,And anxious cares released each noble soul,
King Shangul called two mighty men to stand,Both strong wrestlers, fit to face a ’s hand.
The noble athletes entered, bold and proud,And tied their wrestling cloths before the crowd.
The two young men began to twist and strain,Each striving for a hold he could maintain.
Bahram took up a crystal cup of red;The wine had sent its fumes into his head.
He said, “O king, permit me now to bindMy wrestling cloth, and clear my wine-filled mind.
Let me contend with men of strength and might,Lest drunken folly mar the feast tonight.”
Shangul laughed out and to the envoy said,“Throw down these men, and let their blood be shed.”
When Bahram heard, he rose before them all,And stooped his upright body in the hall.
As lions seize a at bay,He gripped his waist and dashed him to the clay.
His bones were broken; pale, he lay; amazed,The king on Bahram’s height and shoulders gazed.
In Indian speech he called on God; and thenHe judged him stronger far than forty men.
When all were drunk with sweet wine, full of cheer,They left the hall where gems shone bright and clear.
The heavens wore their musk-dark silk; the boardWas cleared, the long repast’s last cup was poured.
Then all laid down their heads in slumber deep,And mighty warriors too gave way to sleep.
When musk-dark veils gave way to morning gold,And in the sky the sun rose bright and bold,
The king rode to the polo ground that day,His mallet in his hand, intent on play.
His servants bore his bow and shafts behind;He rode awhile for sport and ease of mind.
He bade Bahram mount up at his command,And take a bow in hand.
Bahram replied, “Iran’s horsemen are here,O king, and long to join your sport and cheer.
They long for archery and polo’s play;Let your command permit their sport today.”
Shangul replied, “The bow and arrow standThe main supports of every horseman’s hand.
With limbs like yours, that neck, that powerful frame,String up your bow and vindicate your fame.”
strung the bow and urged his steed;He gave the gallant horse its rein for speed.
He loosed his thumb; one shaft flew to the mark,And shattered it as lightning splits the dark.
The sportsmen and the warriors, one and all,Called blessings down on him with joyful call.
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In briefShangul, reading farr in his guest’s stature and archery, guesses he is the Shah’s brother; Bahram denies it and asks leave to go. The king has his minister offer land, office and wealth, and press for a name. Bahram calls himself Barzvi, and Shangul resolves to destroy him.
, suspicious, scrutinized his guest,And pondered what his stature might attest.
“This , this height, this archery,” he thought,“Are not the skills a common envoy brought.
No Indian, Turk, or noble could displaySuch signs of farr as mark this man today.
Whether Shah-born or noble in his line,I should call such a man a brother mine.”
He smiled and said, “High prince of noble birth,Accomplished in the arts that prove your worth,
You are the Shah’s own brother; this I knowBy bounty, strength, and mastery of the bow.
You bear the royal farr, the lion’s might;You are a famous champion, bold in fight.”
replied, “O king of , refrainFrom treating royal envoys with disdain.
I am no Shah, nor ’s own seed;To call him brother is a wrongful deed.
A stranger sent from Iran comes to you,No sage, no seeker after learning true.
Dismiss me, for the road before me lies,And I must not displease the Shah’s stern eyes.”
Shangul replied, “Do not insist, but hear;I still have matters meant for your own ear.
You should not be so eager to depart;A hasty going prospers no man’s heart.
Remain with us, and let your cares decline;If aged wine displeases, take new wine.”
He with his trusted minister withdrew,And said, “I have a secret word for you.
If he is not of Bahram’s royal breed,And does not other s exceed,
That fact would startle every wise man’s heart;We must not trust the words he chose with art.
Address him courteously; persuade him, ‘Stay;No cause requires you leave today.’
Go speak to him with guile, but gently, too;My words may frighten him; he may heed you.
Yet better far that you should speak instead,And use calm words to guide his heart and head.
Say this: ‘The king of Hind now holds you high;Your worth has gained new honor in his eye.
If you remain and aid his subtle mind,The fairest march of Hind will be assigned:
A land of endless spring, whose rivers pourThe scent of roses on each flowering shore.
The fortunate do not leave Ghanooj’s ground,Where twice a year the fruiting trees are crowned.
There treasures, gems, and gold s abound;Where money flows, few grieving hearts are found.
The king is kind; your face will bring him cheer,And make him smile, for he has held you dear.’
Then ask his name when you have played your part;The knowledge of it will delight my heart.
If he should settle here, his farr would raiseOur kingdom’s worth and bring it greater praise.
We will make him chief of our troops, and placeThis province in his charge with royal grace.”
The king’s experienced minister then went,Found Bahram, and revealed the king’s intent.
He showed the road of favor, wealth, and fame,Then asked him clearly to declare his name.
Without that name no answer would suffice;Bahram grew pale and weighed the best advice.
At length he said, “Do not disgrace me so,And shame me in both kingdoms, high and low.
I will not quit the Shah for any store,However want may press me at the door.
The teachings of our Faith forbid that road;Our laws and customs all reject that load.
Whoever turns against his rightful crownThrough treason earns dishonor and falls down.
No man of wisdom longs for added gain;With us, both good and evil pass like rain.
Where now is of crown and might,Whose strength once held the back of time upright?
Where now is , the famed in fight,And Kay , whose glory shone so bright?
You know in part Bahram’s great strength and worth,The young, ambitious Shah, the pride of earth.
If I defied his will, his wrath would spread,And rain a ruined world upon my head.
He would leave Hind no field, no height, no strand,And bear to Iran dust from Wizard-land.
My better course is homeward, to appearBefore the conquering Shah, whom all revere.
If you would know my name, call me ;My king and parents gave that name to me.
Report to King Shangul these words I say:Beneath an alien rule, too long I stay.”
The minister received his firm reply,And told the king the truth without a lie.
Shangul frowned darkly: “He has strayed; my artShall end his days and still that valiant heart.”
Within that realm there dwelt a wolf so high,Its bulk blocked winds that traveled through the sky.
The lions fled its woodland in dismay;The vultures from the heavens flew away.
Its roar filled Hind with clamor, dread, and fear;It deafened even those most keen of ear.
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In briefShangul sends Bahram against a monstrous wolf in a nearby wood. His companions beg him not to try; he answers that God fixes the place of a man’s death, kills the beast with arrows and khanjar, and sends the head back by cart. Shangul thinks next of the dragon.
said, “Valiant man, this task is oneThat by your strength and courage can be done.
Beside my city lies a wood I dread;A wolf within it leaves the lions dead.
It tears out lions’ hearts and leopards’ hides;A ’s savage force in it abides.
Let this be yours: go face that wolf in fight,And pierce its hide with every shaft of might.
If from this beast our troubled land is freed,Your lofty will give the rest we need.
Thereafter, in my judgment and esteem,Your honor through this noble court shall gleam.
Your station shall be raised, and men shall tellOf you through and Chin, and praise you well.”
True answered, “I shall need a guide;Then, by God’s strength, when I have reached its side,
You shall behold its hide all soaked in blood,Its fury humbled in a crimson flood.”
Shangul supplied a guide who knew the ground,And where the bloodthirsty beast could be found.
With that kind guide, Bahram went on ahead,Toward the wood where that fierce wolf was fed.
The guide described its lair along the way,Its height and breadth, the bulk its limbs display.
He showed the place, then turned and journeyed back;Bahram went onward down the woodland track.
A few Iranians followed for the fray,With belts drawn tight and courage in array.
But when they saw its snout, the ground belowSeemed sinking at the terror of that foe,
They cried, “O Shah, do not attempt this deed;You pass beyond what courage should concede.
No man has fought with mountains or with stone,Though you are brave, and all your might is known.
Say to Shangul, ‘This deed cannot be done;I lack my Shah’s command to face this one.
I fight when ordered, so that when he hears,He may advance my rank among my peers.’”
Bahram replied, “If God assigns my dustTo Hind, who can reverse His judgment just?
How could I die elsewhere than He assigns?Such mysteries remain in God’s designs.”
That valiant youth then strung his bow for death;One might have thought he scorned his mortal breath.
He charged the wolf in anger; on he sped,His heart prepared for death that lay ahead.
He gripped his bow for fight,And drew a shaft to speed its flight.
He poured his arrows like a storm of hail,Until the wolf began to faint and fail.
When Bahram saw the beast’s last strength was low,He drew his , putting down his bow.
He cut its head clean off and spoke in prayer:“In God’s name, who has neither mate nor pair.
of all has freely granted meThis farr and might that all the world may see.
By His command the sun above burns bright,And fills the turning sky with royal light.”
He sent for carts and oxen to conveyThe wolf’s head from the woodland where it lay.
They brought the head; with brocade richly spread,Shangul adorned the hall where guests were fed.
The king sat crowned, in all his royal pride,And seated honored Bahram at his side.
The chiefs of Hind and Chin’s great horsemen raisedTheir joyful din, and he was loudly praised.
The lords brought offerings, saying, “None beforeHas done a deed so bright in mortal lore.
Its brilliance overwhelms the seeing eye;No other deed can claim a place so high.”
Shangul felt joy and grief that ebbed and flowed;His face now shone, now dark dismay it showed.
There was a dragon, haunting land and main,Now in the sea, now basking on the plain.
Its breath drew mighty elephants inside,And stirred the waters of the Nile’s broad tide.
Shangul then spoke to his companions wise,His clever confidants with guarded eyes:
“This lion-hearted envoy makes me glad,Yet often, thinking of him, I grow sad.
If he remained, he would support my hand,At , chief of troops at my command.
But if he leaves for Iran’s broad domain,Bahram will raze Ghanooj and all its plain.
With such a servant to so great a king,Ghanooj would lose the color of its spring.
All night I mused, until my course grew clear:I send him where the dragon spreads its fear.
He cannot hope to flee that deadly foe;No man can charge my rule with guilt or woe.
For if he chooses dragons for his fight,His death will seem the wager of his might.”
He summoned Bahram, praised the men of fame,And spoke of heroes worthy of their name:
“God, Author of the soul, has led you here,From Iran’s realm to ’s frontier,
To purge the ills that burden all our folk,As men of name have done, and cast the yoke.
A task of pain and hardship lies ahead,At first all toil, but gain when it is sped.
When you have done this, do not pause or roam;With my approval, take the road back home.”
Bahram replied, “I will not turn aside,But faithfully perform what you decide.
Unless the heavens turn my fortune ill,I shall perform whatever you may will.”
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In briefShangul promises Hind’s tribute if Bahram will rid the land of a dragon that lives by sea and shore. With thirty Iranians he rides to the water, sews the beast’s mouth with arrows and cuts through its heart. The head is carted to the throne, and Shangul pales.
then said to : “In my reign,A dragon brings my people grief and pain.
It roams both land and sea with furious will,And even fierce s are its to kill.
Devise some way to free from this plight;Its tribute then shall be Iran’s by right.
The country will consent to this accord,With aloe-wood and gifts from every hoard.
Swords, goods of every kind, and tribute tooWill all be sent to Iran’s Shah with you.”
Bahram replied, “Great king, whose sovereign handMakes law throughout the breadth of Hind’s broad land,
By God’s will, I shall slay this beast of dread,And rid the earth of its destructive tread.
But first I must be shown where it has lain;The way to reach it you must now explain.”
Shangul dispatched a guide to show the way;Bahram set out without the least delay.
With thirty armed Iranians in his train,He rode toward the sea across the plain.
He reached the water, where his eyes could traceThe dragon writhing in that darkened place.
He saw its furious form and burning eyes,Where fire flashed out beneath the darkened skies.
Iran’s brave nobles cried aloud in fear;Their troubled hearts grew faint as they drew near:
“Do not confront it as the wolf you slew;This dragon brings a deadlier fight to you.
Do not leave Iran mourning for its king,Nor give your foes the joy your death would bring.”
The bold Bahram replied, “My life I giveTo God the Just, by whose command I live.
If I am doomed to perish by this beast,My span will not be shortened in the least.
Nor can mere courage lengthen what is due;What God has written must at last come true.”
He strung his bow and chose his shafts with skill;Their tips bore milk and poison mixed to kill.
He loosed them thick while wheeling through the fight,And turned his horse now left and now to right.
With steel-tipped shafts he sewed the dragon’s mouth,Whose venom scorched the brambles north and south.
Four further shafts he drove into its head;Its blood and venom mingled as they spread.
The dragon weakened under arrow-rain,And all the ground ran dark with gore and bane.
Then lightly Bahram drew his watered blade,And through the dragon’s heart a passage made.
With sword and battle-ax its neck he cleft;Upon the earth its lifeless frame he left.
He drew its head by cart before the throne;To Shangul there the dragon’s head was shown.
“May God bless Iran, where such horsemen grow,Who ride to meet a dragon as their foe!
His stature, limbs, and shoulders all proclaimThat none except his Shah can match his frame.”
But Shangul sat in anguish and in dread;At Bahram’s deeds, the color from him fled.
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In briefShangul asks his council how to have the envoy killed; a sage forbids it. Instead he offers his daughter and command of his troops. Bahram, seeing a lion caught in a fox’s net, consents, chooses Sapinud from the three princesses, and a week of feasting follows.
When night came on, he summoned one sage wise,With friends and strangers, men of practiced eyes.
He said, “This man who comes in ’s nameBears mastery and mighty strength of frame.
He will not stay, though I have plied each art;I tried all means; he still resolves to part.
If he returns to Bahram’s royal side,And stands where Iran’s conquering troops abide,
He will belittle all my men and sayThat has not one horseman fit for fray.
My foe may raise his head at what is said;This envoy must be killed; I want his head.
In secret I intend to have him slain;What course would you advise? Make counsel plain.”
The sage replied, “O king, do not bring griefUpon your heart through such a dark belief.
To slay an envoy of a royal courtIs senseless; spurn a deed of such a sort.
No thoughtful man would choose so dark a way;O king of Hind, dismiss this thought today.
Among great rulers, this would stain your name;A chief owes to his people his acclaim.
An army out of Iran will quickly come,With Shah Bahram, whose wrath will strike us dumb.
Not one of us would then escape the blow;Do not forsake the good you ought to show.
This man delivered us from dragon’s breath;His toil deserves not recompense by death.
He slew the wolf and dragon; let him live,For life, not death, is what you ought to give.”
When heard, his heart grew dark with doubt;He sat, confounded, turning it about.
So passed the night; at dawn he sent a manTo summon Bahram for his secret plan.
When they had met apart, and none was by,No minister stood near, no watchful eye,
He said, “O joy of hearts, your wealth is great;Seek nothing more; be pleased with your estate.
I mean to give my daughter now to you;My deeds shall prove the words I speak are true.
When this is done, remain with me and stay;You have no leave to take the homeward way.
I shall put all my troops at your command,And grant you royal power throughout the land.”
Bahram was struck with wonder at the word;Thoughts of his throne, birth, shame, and battle stirred.
“I cannot fight him here and hope to win;No shame will come from taking him as kin.
No shame will follow if I take this bride;Her hand may save my life here at his side.
Perhaps I will once more see Iran’s soil;Too long we have remained in foreign toil.
As matters stand, the lion is held fast,Caught in the fox’s net so slyly cast.”
He said to King Shangul, “I give consent;I will obey your word and its intent.
Yet choose a daughter; let me see her face,And offer praise for all her charm and grace.”
The king of Hind rejoiced at his reply,And Chinese silks adorned the palace high.
Shangul’s three daughters entered like the spring,With scents and colors fit to grace a king.
He said, “Prepare to see a wondrous sight,A beauty fresh with grace and royal light.”
went and saw the splendid hall,And moon-faced maidens standing one and all.
He chose one radiant as spring renewed,The maiden known at court as .
All grace and modesty, all charm and wit,She seemed for royal fortune fashioned fit.
To Bahram Shangul gave his daughter bright,A cypress, like a smokeless candle’s light.
His richest treasury he opened wide,And gave its key to that fair moon-faced bride.
He called Bahram’s companions to attend,And richly honored each man as a friend.
He gave them gold, with s and s,With camphor, aloe, ambergris in jars.
He decked the hall with jewels for the feast;’s famed men came, from great to least.
They walked into the banquet hall with cheer,And gathered, glad to find the monarch near.
A week they sat in joy, with wine in hand,And gladness filled the gathered noble band.
With Shah Bahram, fair Sapinud shone bright,Like wine that fills a crystal cup with light.
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In briefFaghfoor of Chin hears of the envoy’s marriage and his killing of wolf and dragon, and writes inviting him to visit freely. Bahram answers in anger: the titles Faghfoor claims belong to Bahram Goor alone. He praises his own Shah, declines the gifts and the visit.
News reached the mighty , king of Chin:“A man of from Iran now is seen.
He reached ’s high court in envoy’s guise,Of hero stock, with valor in his eyes.
Shangul has given him his child to wed;Her crown would brush the moon above her head.”
The mighty Faghfoor wrote to then,And set this lofty heading with his pen:
“From him who rules the world with sole command,The head of nobles over every land,
The crown of chiefs, to Iran’s envoy famed,Whose worth in distant courts is widely named,
Who reached with thirty at his side,Your fame has spread through lands both far and wide.
I have received accounts of you, great man,Your wisdom, prudence, counsel, strength, and plan.
I hear how firm you stand in every field,With steadfast heart that never learns to yield.
The wolf and that notorious dragon laySlain by your sword; they could not get away.
That bride is kin to me; one tiny moleIs worth the realm of , entire and whole.
You raised your head on high by such a tie,Joined with a mighty king beneath the sky.
Great is your Shah in Iran, whose renownGrows through his servant’s bride, the moon’s own crown.
With royal leave you took the road that ledTo Ghanooj, where a moonlike bride you wed.
Now hasten here to me and be my guest;Remain as long as suits your own behest.
My eyes will brighten when they look on you;Your counsel will become my breastplate too.
Depart at will; no bond will make you stayWithin my realm when you would go away.
With robes of honor, wealth, and joyful cheer,Go well supplied, with all your comrades near.
No shame will touch you if you come as guest;No quarrel with your Shah disturbs my rest.
Do not be slow in coming to my side;When you would leave, depart in honored pride.”
The letter reached Bahram; his anger stirred.He called a scribe to pen his answering word.
Within the garden of revenge he sowedA tree of hate, as forth his answer flowed.
The letter opened: “I received your news;It seems that Chin alone informs your views.
For you addressed your letter in this way:‘From him whom all the realms of earth obey,
Earth’s monarch, towering over all the rest,Above the greatest chiefs, above the best.’
Your words are false; the grandeur you proclaimIs not an ancient greatness I would name.
alone is king of kings;We know no other lord of earthly things.
No man recalls a monarch such as he,In courage, knowledge, farr, and pedigree.
I call him victor, ruler of the earth,Above all other kings in rank and worth.
And as for what you said about my deed,And toil endured in Hind through warlike need,
That was the star of Shah Bahram, whose nameShines with his farr and majesty and fame.
Such deeds belong to heroes Iran has known;They count fierce lions lighter than a stone.
They know their God, are one in heart, and praiseNo stars for all the good that crowns their days.
When King Shangul bestowed his child as bride,My valor won that honor at his side.
Shangul is great; his courage guards the fold,And drives the wolves from sheep with spirit bold.
He deemed it good to bind his house to me,And gave his worthy daughter, fair and free.
Again, you said, ‘Arise and seek my hall;I will guide you, whatever may befall.’
The Shah sent me to Hind; shall I then goTo Chin for painted silks and outward show?
Were I to choose a course so far aside,My king would not approve that turning tide.
You offer gifts; God made me free to liveWithout the goods that other men might give.
For Bahram’s gifts I give him grateful praise,And pray three watches through my nights and days.
I take your praise, beyond my rightful due;Bahram shall hear the praise that came from you.
May God send blessings woven without end,Whose warp and weft no skies can comprehend.”
He sealed the letter with his signet-ring,And sent his answer back to Chin’s great king.
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In briefSapinud has learned who her husband is. Bahram tells her he means to flee; she times the escape by her father’s forest festival and excuses him from it as sick. They ride out at night, and Bahram swears a caravan of Iranian merchants who recognize him to silence.
When with King ’s daughter stayed,She knew him as the king the world obeyed.
Her tears would never cease for love of him;She watched his face while all the world grew dim.
Her father heard how deep their love had grown,And cast aside the doubts his heart had known.
One day they sat together, at their ease,And spoke of weighty things and things that please.
Then Shah Bahram addressed her: “You are true;I know you wish me well in all I do.
I will reveal a secret to your ear;Keep it close-locked, and let no soul draw near.
I mean to quit the land of ;Will you consent to flee with me to Iran?
I will take you with me, but none must knowAmong this folk which road we mean to go.
In Iran, I enjoy a higher state;The Maker aids me with His so great.
Should you go with me, wisdom guides your will;Your choice will guard your honor from all ill.
In every place your title shall be queen;Your father shall kneel where your throne is seen.”
She said, “Exalted man, let wisdom guideYour steps; do not cast prudent thought aside.
The best of women is the wife whose graceKeeps smiles forever on her husband’s face.
Though my pure soul recoil at your command,I will not turn from what your will has planned.”
Bahram replied, “Then shape a hidden way,But speak to no one of the coming day.”
She said, “O you who merit crown and reign,With Fortune’s aid, a path we shall obtain.
Nearby, my father holds a sacred feast;Within the woods he gathers great and least.
They deem that place auspicious, set apart;An idol stands there, fashioned by their art.
The forest lies some twenty away;Before the idols men must weep and pray.
That place is made for hunting ;’s horsemen feast there, riding far.
The king and army fill that forest ground;No other man may cross its guarded bound.
Then go, if you are minded to depart;Live long, still young in spirit and in heart.
Wait five days more; when morning lights the skies,And on the sun’s bright crown you set your eyes,
When from the city he has gone away,Make ready then to take the homeward way.”
He told his wife, “Prepare, and tell no one;Our road is chosen; let the deed be done.”
The festive ground was readied, tent by tent;The nobles rose, and from the city went.
When King Shangul prepared to take the road,Fair approached his high abode:
“ is sick and begs to be excused;Let not the royal favor be refused.
He says, ‘A banquet ill accords with pain;Forgive your servant if he must remain.’”
Shangul replied, “Let no sick man be pressed;The ailing should be left in peace and rest.”
At dawn he left Ghanooj to reach the fair;When night came, Bahram said, “Now, wife, prepare.”
He donned his , mounted as he planned,With strapped and held firm in hand,
Then helped Sapinud mount and breathed a prayer,God’s name a murmur on the midnight air.
Bahram rode out and neared the river’s flow,Where merchant caravans were camped below.
The merchants were Iranians, men who boreThe risks of land and sea from shore to shore.
They knew him, and he bit his lip in dread;He feared the news of who he was might spread.
He would not let them bow before his face;His comrades must not know his royal place.
He told the merchants, “Keep your lips sealed tight;On this depend our profit, loss, and flight.
For if this secret spreads through Hindustan,A sea of blood will cover soil of Iran.
Great is the man who keeps all secrets sound,Whose hand stays open while his tongue is bound.
By solemn oath I bind your tongues from speechUntil again the royal throne I reach.
Swear, ‘We shall not forsake King Bahram’s way,Nor ever let his secret see the day.’”
When they had bound themselves by that strict vow,The Shah’s deep care was lifted from his brow.
He said, “This trust I place with you is dear;Guard it like life, and heed the words you hear.
If through my loss the throne should lose its king,Armed troops from every side will ruin bring.
They will leave neither merchant, king, nor peer,Nor army, throne, or crown surviving here.”
When they perceived the danger drawing near,Their cheeks grew wet with many a loyal tear.
They said, “May all our lives your ransom be;May youth and kingship keep you safe and free.
If this royal secret ever came to light,Our country would be drowned in bloody fight.
Who dares conceive a scheme so ill-advised,And cast away the wisdom once he prized?”
The Shah praised all the merchants, one and each,Whose faith and honor passed the reach of speech.
He reached the riverbank without delay,Where moored beside the reeds a ferry lay.
He loosed the skiff upon the rolling tide,And placed fair Sapinud secure inside.
They crossed the stream before the night was done;At dawn they reached the bank beneath the sun.
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In briefA rider brings Shangul word; he gallops from the feast, crosses the water and abuses his daughter. Bahram warns him what thirty Iranians would do, then promises him honor and his daughter a queen’s rank. Shangul lays down his turban, embraces him, and the two feast.
A horseman rode from with the taleThat Shah had fled beyond the pale.
received it from the loyal scout,And from the feast, like fire, came charging out.
He hurried on until he reached the tide,And saw brave Bahram on the farther side.
He saw fair the Shah beside;Grief turned his heart to wrath he could not hide.
He crossed the river, wrathful, dark of face,And poured abuse upon her in that place.
“O shameless girl, you crossed the river wide,As bold as lions, with this fraud at your side.
You seek Iran, concealed from me; you chooseIts ruins, with a paradise to lose.
Now you shall feel my javelin strike a blow,Since from my side you chose in stealth to go.”
Bahram replied, “O man of evil mind,Why ride as though your wits were left behind?
You have seen how I stand in sport and war;My cup and sword were both well proved before.
A hundred thousand Indians in the frayCount less than one lone rider in my way.
Myself and thirty horsemen at my side,All mailed, with Persian blades, would crush your pride.
We will fill Indian eyes with flowing blood,And spare no soul if wrath becomes a flood.”
Shangul knew well that he had spoken true;His prowess and his valor stood in view.
Yet he replied, “I set my kin apart,And placed you over children in my heart.
I held you like a crown, my highest prize,And dearer than the sight within my eyes.
I gave the bride whom you yourself had sought;The right is mine, and yours the wrong you wrought.
For loyalty you paid me back with shame;Has faithfulness been answered so with blame?
What shall I say? I held you as my son,And thought you wise in all that you had done.
Now you have grown a horseman, bold and great,And think yourself a man of high estate.
What has an Iranian heart to do with trust?It answers yes, while meaning turns to dust.
You were a lion’s cub, washed for your gainIn nurses’ heart’s blood, cleansing every stain.
Once fangs and claws had grown, the beast would riseAgainst the hand that fed it before men’s eyes.”
Bahram replied, “You know me; why, then, blameMy heart as false, and brand me with that name?
No blame can follow from the path I chose;No stain of treachery from my conduct grows.
I rule Iran and Turan far and wide;I am the brave men’s pillar and their guide.
I will repay you, strike your foemen down,And seat you as a father near my crown.
I will not vex your realm with tribute’s claim;Your child shall rise to queenly rank and fame.
She shall be luster of the western land,And crown of women, honored by my hand.”
Astonished, King Shangul laid his turban by,And spurred toward the Shah with lowered eye.
He reached the Shah and begged him to forgive,Then clasped him, overjoyed to see him live.
In joy he spread the banquet board again,And brought the cup, and cheered his fellow men.
Then Bahram told Shangul what lay concealed,And what the men of Iran had revealed.
He told what deeds and counsels led him through,And who had shown him what he ought to do.
When drinking ended, both rose from the board,And each asked pardon of the other lord.
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In briefThe two kings swear to keep faith and part. Bahram is met by his son Yazdegard, by Narsi and the Mobad, and resumes his throne with a speech on justice and the fear of God. At Azargashasp he gives to the poor, and Sapinud is received into the faith.
The two kings joined their hands that solemn day;One served ; one served the gods of clay.
They pledged, “From this day on, we shall not strayFrom truth or turn our hearts from wisdom’s way.
We will uproot the hidden roots of guile,Keep faith, and heed what sages teach the while.”
embraced his daughter as he left;They clung together, woven warp and weft.
The two kings quickly turned their backs and went,Their rancor cast to dust with full consent.
One took dry land, one sought the river’s flow;Both glad at heart and eager now to go.
When tidings came from , heralds cried,“The Shah returns, his army at his side.”
They decked the roads and cities as they chose,And musk and saffron everywhere arose.
They scattered money too along the way,To greet the Shah with splendor on that day.
All bowed their heads and praised the Shah aloud,Their hearts turned toward him in the gathered crowd.
When , the young prince, heard, he ralliedThe scattered army, and at once they sallied.
With and the high Mobad beside,He rode with sages to the Shah in pride.
When Yazdegard drew near, his father foundHis son with face pressed low against the ground.
His brother Narsi and the Mobad came,With dust upon their cheeks and hearts aflame.
Their hearts bloomed like spring flowers newly grown,As he returned to his forefathers’ throne.
Thus Shah came back into his hall,And gave to God his soul and body all.
He rested when the world grew dark; revealedAbove, the moon shone like a silver shield.
When daylight tore the robe of night apart,The world’s Light rose and brightened every heart.
The king of kings sat crowned in golden state,Gave audience, silent, grave, and sedate.
The nobles came, the learned men of lore,And princes of the empire filled the door.
Then rose the righteous Shah, serene and bold,And from the throne his royal counsel told.
He first praised God, Creator of all things,Then gave the counsel that true wisdom brings.
He said, “Revere the Almighty, in whose sightThe hidden and the manifest are bright.
Praise Him, and lift to Him your prayer at night,For He gives victory, power, and light.
Yazdan is Lord of sun and moon on high;All fortune moves beneath His watching sky.
All you who seek the path toward heaven’s gate,Avoid the deeds that darken man’s estate.
Where justice, bounty, righteousness are found,The heart turns free from guile and loss profound.
Let no man fear me, though his wealth increaseIn hills of gold and silver without cease.
Expel all fear from out your hearts today,And seek increase of good in every way.
The peasant and the noble are the sameWhen I sit judge and weigh each deed and name.
If I have given crown and throne to one,Know God, just rule, and Fortune willed it done.
And thus, God willing, will my heart grow bright,And Fortune smile upon my throne with light.
By this I shall increase your blessed state,And guide you all toward Fortune’s open gate.
I will not strive to fill my treasury more,Nor scatter those who gather at my door.
I will store justice, that, when I am dust,My soul may find its joy among the just.
Whoever bore oppression from my men,Officials, kin, or warriors, now and then,
Yet told me nothing, hiding knavish wrong,Has shared the crime by silence held too long.
I call on God to judge the man who shroudsThe shining moon behind concealing clouds.
But if your will is different, speak it clear,For each man’s nature shapes the hopes held dear.
Speak freely; tell me what you wish to earn,That your old longings may to life return.
Attend to me, and do what I command,And find your souls’ peace underneath my hand.”
Thus spoke the Shah, then sat in royal might;The crown of greatness shone with boundless light.
The nobles praised him: “May your crown endure;May signet, throne, and fortune stand secure.
When wisdom guides a king whom fortunes bless,His realm and throne take pride in his success.
But in you, courage, knowledge, , and worthAre greater than the royal throne on earth.
In greatness, noble nature, royal race,The world recalls no king to fill your place.
To bless you is a duty on us all;Each one of us stands ready at your call.
To God we offer thanks for all you do,And tell the freeborn men our thanks to you.
This throne is yours by merit, earned through might,Through justice and through victory in fight.
You raised the dead from dust by justice shown,By generous speech and bounty freely sown.
May God Almighty ever be your shield,And Fortune’s star its light forever yield.”
The mighty men and sages left with song,Then Shah Bahram with troops moved soon along.
He reached , the sacred Fire,And gave the poor their every heart’s desire.
He gave them gold and gems, but gave still moreTo those who hid the poverty they bore.
A priest of ’s Fire held spraysOf sacred twigs and murmured words of praise.
The Shah brought to learn the creed;The priest then taught the faith in word and deed.
With pure clean water and the Good Faith’s grace,He washed the dust and tarnish from her face.
He opened up the prisons, freed the bound,And scattered silver coins to all around.
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In briefHearing from Sapinud of the Iranian court, Shangul obtains a fresh treaty and comes with seven Indian kings, elephants and tribute. Bahram meets him at Nahravan and feasts him; Shangul sees his daughter enthroned, hunts a month with the Shah, and deeds Ghanooj to him after his death.
From , received reportOf Shah and life within his court.
He longed to journey to Iran, and gazeOn Sapinud, the Shah’s queen, crowned with praise.
He sent a learned Indian, grave and wise,An envoy skilled in speech and courtly guise.
He sought a fresh agreement from the throne,To keep at home, a record of his own.
The Shah had one prepared, both just and right;Its words like sun in Paradise shone bright.
The Shah himself had penned each written lineIn , a pledge of his design.
To Shangul’s court the envoy went, and gained, where jeweled splendor still remained.
On reading all that Shah Bahram had sent,Shangul prepared at once with firm intent.
From all his kith and kin he hid his plan;No word escaped before the march began.
Seven great kings rode with him in his train,Escorting Shangul through the plain.
The kings of , , and rode,Their rank and fortune in their bearing showed;
The lord of , in royal state,And ’s monarch, powerful and great;
The prince of , honored and renowned,And ’s king, with gold and glory crowned.
All sought high honor, all wore crowns of gold,With torques and earrings wrought in royal mold.
With mighty elephants and bells that rang,They rode beneath their parasols; gongs sang.
Their silver, gold, and gems flashed everywhere;Peacock-plumed parasols moved through the air.
Their elephants wore housings rich in braid,And long lines of bright offerings were displayed.
They brought the Shah such tribute, rich and vast,That gold s seemed worthless as they passed.
Thus King Shangul and seven kings of mightWent stage by stage in royal splendor bright.
When they approached Iran, a shining band,With precious equipage on every hand,
The Shah, informed that they were drawing near,Arrayed his troops to welcome them with cheer.
The chiefs of every city went ahead,To greet those kings where royal pathways led.
His wisdom old, his fortune young and bright,The Shah rode out, alert, with keen foresight.
He rode as far as ’s broad land,And brought his nobles under his command.
The two exalted kings approached; each oneWas famed, illustrious, fortune’s favored son.
They both dismounted when they met that day,And exchanged greetings in the royal way.
They both embraced before the assembled crowd,While shining retinues stood tall and proud.
Their followers dismounted rank by rank;The plain rang joy from river-road to bank.
Much speech of high and low affairs arose,When those two kingdoms joined as friends, not foes.
They both remounted, and their famous men,Their honored troops, took up the road again.
A golden throne was readied in the hall,With royal fabrics spread across it all.
He spread a board an arrow’s flight in length,With roasted lamb and fowl to give them strength.
When food was done, they decked the hall with flowers,And scent and color filled its courts and bowers.
He set out wine and bade the minstrels play,And filled the cups in glittering array.
The handmaids and the slave-boys stood around;Throne, hall, and palace seemed by heaven crowned.
The cups were crystal, gold the trays that boreSweet musk and incense through the palace door.
The wine-server wore shoes with jewels bright,And on his head a gold crown caught the light.
King Shangul gazed around him, all amazed,And pondered as the golden goblets blazed:
“Is this Iran a paradise in bloom,Where friends breathe musk through every garden-room?”
Then to the Shah in confidence he cried,“Let me behold my daughter at your side.”
Bahram commanded eunuchs in his trainTo lead the king where she might ease his pain.
That noble king went with them, and he foundAnother palace like spring’s blossoming ground.
He saw her on an ivory throne, arrayedIn royal splendor, with her crown displayed.
He pressed her cheek to his and kissed her head;Through tears and whispers, joy between them spread.
The fair one wept for him with equal woe;He rubbed his hands, admiring all the show.
He said, “Behold this paradise displayed;You left a foul and wretched house of shade.”
The gifts he brought with him, the treasures stored,The crowns, the slaves, the gems in many a hoard,
The priceless raiment, costly beyond thought,He gave to her with all the wealth he brought.
That joyful home became like spring in bloom;Then he returned to Bahram’s banquet-room.
When lords grew merry with the flowing bowl,Shangul withdrew to rest, and eased his soul.
When musk-dark veils appeared across the sky,With stars like leopard-spots before the eye,
The feasters, drowsy, sank into repose;While servants stood on guard in ordered rows.
So passed the night until that cup of gold,The sun, arose for all eyes to behold.
It cast away its dusky robe of gloom,And spread the plain with topaz-colored bloom.
Then valiant Shah Bahram rode out that day,With kings of Sind and Sandali, for prey.
With cheetahs, hawks, and falcons trained to fly,They hunted through the fields beneath the sky.
For one full month no sorrow touched their breast;No pain or weariness disturbed their rest.
They turned their faces from the hunting plain,And hastened back to feast with all their train.
Through hunt and feast and polo’s merry round,Shangul beside the Shah was always found.
At length, when many joyful days were spent,The Indian king made ready, homeward bent.
He sought his daughter with a loving heart,And stayed with her a while before his start.
He called a slave-boy, ordered pen and sheet,Then chose his words in musk-black ink, discreet.
He wrote in Indian script a formal deed,In Pahlavi’s manner, clear for all to read,
First praising Him who cleansed the world of pain,And spread out justice over every plain,
Who gave the Fiend black lies and loss to bear,And showed the face of righteousness laid bare:
“I gave my daughter Sapinud as wifeTo Shah Bahram; may kingship bless his life.
Long live the Shah; may every noble standIn service to his throne and his command.
When I depart this world and yield my breath,Let Bahram rule Ghanooj upon my death.
Obey this king, and honor my desire:When I am dead, convey me to the fire.
Give him my treasure, realm, and palace all,My throne and crown, when death shall make me fall.”
He gave to Sapinud the deed he made,In Indian script on silken cloth displayed.
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In briefShangul goes home laden with gifts. Bahram, warned by astrologers that he has sixty-three years, has his treasury counted, finds it enough, and abolishes the land tax. Reports of idleness and bloodshed follow; he appoints judges, briefly restores a levy, and orders relief for ruined farmers.
remained two months in Iran’s land,Then sent a noble seeking the Shah’s command.
He asked permission to depart for home,With counselors who served beneath his dome.
The king of kings allowed the Indian lordTo seek by plain and river ford.
He bade a wise Mobad select the primeOf Iran’s treasures, gathered over time:
Dinars and gems, bright silver, thrones, and gold,Crowns, swords, and girdles, brocade fold on fold,
Uncut rich stuffs and gifts beyond all count,Such wealth as royal treasuries could mount.
For Shangul’s suite he furnished each degreeWith steeds and Chinese brocade fair to see.
He sent them happy, honored, and content,And three full stages with Shangul he went.
Besides those gifts, provisions he suppliedUntil they reached the Indian frontier’s side.
When Shah returned, he sat in peaceUpon the throne, yet grief refused to cease.
He mused on death and Fortune’s evil blowUntil his heart ached and his face sank low.
He called a scribe, a Mobad wise and famed,A grave, high-born vizier whom all acclaimed.
He told him, “Reckon all my treasure-hoard:Its gold, gems, cloth, and every robe it stored.
Astrologers have warned me to prepare;Their prophecy is heavy now to bear.
They said, ‘Your life will last three score of years;The fourth shall bring your death and mourners’ tears.’
I answered, ‘First, for twenty years I liveIn joy, and let delight its green shoot give.
The next I will make just the world I hold,With open hand and secret gifts of gold.
No corner of my realm shall know neglect;I will provide for all whom I protect.
The third I will in prayer before Him stand;Perhaps He will direct my heart and hand.’”
The astrologers had named three score and three,What those last years might bring, none could foresee.
The prophecy had filled his heart with pain,Though heaps of treasure graced his royal reign.
How blessed the man, devout, who lives at ease;Still more the king who knows such joys as these.
The treasurer heard and went to count the store,And labored hard through every guarded door.
He toiled until the count was all enrolled,Then gave the minister the sum in gold.
The minister came near the Shah, and toldThe sum with reverence, in words controlled:
“For twenty-three full years, in very deed,You will have wealth enough for every need.
I counted food and largess, and the payOf famous troops arrayed in bright display,
For envoys whom the distant monarchs send,And those your realm’s renowned men here commend.
For all these years, your treasury is filledWith silver, gold, and goods your Fortune willed.”
Bahram heard this and pondered what was said,Too wise to grieve for days not yet ahead.
He answered, “Put aside your hesitation;Three days comprise the world’s entire duration.
Three days: first yesterday, now passed away;Tomorrow, still to come; and then today.
Today I will not bow beneath dull care;With ivory throne and wealth enough to share,
I will exact no property tax more;Let no collector knock at any door.”
He ordered that no land tax more be laidOn great or small, and all its claims be stayed.
In every city he chose men to keepA watch, and rouse the heedless from their sleep,
And curb all strife, from which no profit springs,But only pain and dark, destructive things.
He gave wise the boon they sought,Their food and clothing from the treasury brought,
With draperies and every payment due,Then charged them with the work they had to do:
“Hide nothing from me, whether good or ill;Report the truth according to your skill.
Judge men’s disputes, and ask no fee or prizeFrom those whose quarrels come before your eyes.
Report both good and ill with all due speed;Let no dark plot of wicked men succeed.”
The Mobadan spread through the realm to learnEach good and evil deed at every turn.
Those sages governed all beneath command,Yet letters came from every troubled land:
“Through bounty, idleness, and swollen wealth,Men’s minds have lost their balance and their health.
Such strife and bloodshed fill the realm with hate,That youths no longer honor rank or fate.
Their hearts are filled with every reckless thing,But no regard for priest or Shah or king.”
When letters of this kind reached Bahram’s sight,The news of bloodshed struck his heart with fright.
In every province he chose men of care,Wise officers whom knowledge made aware.
He gave them food and clothing from his store,And furnishings, that they should need no more.
For six full months he kept the ledgers true,And took from every subject silver due.
He called the silver ‘tax’; in royal state,Collectors took it, men of rank and weight.
Six months he took, then six returned the flow;Collectors found no profit there to show.
In this way he restrained the men of warFrom bloodshed and from evil evermore.
Again his agents wrote: “Your bounteous reignHas bred disorder through excessive gain.
Wealth brings no tax to pay, but breeds dispute;Within their minds fresh quarrels now take root.
Instead of calm, they have grown harsh and cruel;All now are quarrelsome and hard to rule.”
When had read that letter through,His heart was troubled by the deeds he knew.
He chose a , just, of judgment sure,For every province, guarding rich and poor.
He ordered, “Judge by God’s decree all thoseWho shed men’s blood or righteous law oppose,
That all may find their means of livelihood,And turn their hearts from harm toward what is good.”
Much time passed by; the monarch sent his wordTo those whose truthful reports he had heard.
He asked those truthful men in every land,“What harms the realm, and mars what I have planned?”
They answered, “Through the monarch’s gifts today,No man observes old rule or proper way.
No thought or care for tilth or toil remains,Though men derive their worth from fields and grains.
We see the draft oxen wander loose at will,While weeds and herbage choke the farm and hill.”
The Shah replied, “Until the sun stands highAt noon, let no one put his labors by.
The day’s remaining half is made for rest;Who scorns this measured rule is folly’s guest.
If any lacks fruit, seed, or oxen sound,Be kind and help him till his fruitful ground.
Supply his needs from out the royal store,That want may burden no one anymore.
If weather causes loss to field or grain—No man can rule the weather or the rain—
Or locusts strip the earth and leave it plain,And sweep away the green, and none remain,
Pay from the treasury: let loss be healed;Let every province hear my laws revealed.
On burial grounds and lands that bear no yield,Or any plot that lies a fallow field,
Whether the owner’s rank be high or low,No tax shall fall; let all my servants know.
If any agent takes a coin from these,Though he be one I raised to wealth and ease,
I will entomb alive the man so found;Let him possess no home above the ground.”
The royal seal confirmed the Shah’s command;Swift camel couriers spread it through the land.
👑✍️📜📨👥🎶🚫😢👑🌍📨👑👥🎶🐂🌾🎁⏳👥🍞🚫🐂🫏🎻🧭25 emoji · the whole poem in emoji →
In briefBahram asks his sages who suffers; the poor answer that they have wine but no roses and no music. He sends to Shangul for ten thousand Luri lute-players and settles them with oxen, asses and seed-wheat. Within a year they have eaten it all and taken to the road.
Thereafter wrote to every sage,And sent his questions on the written page.
He clothed the poor and asked, “Throughout my land,Who lives at ease, whom does distress command?
Who now is penniless, in want and need?Speak truth to me, and hide no word or deed.
Tell me how matters stand throughout the earth,And guide my heart toward wisdom, light, and worth.”
Replies came back from sages of the realm,From noble chiefs who held the kingdom’s helm:
“The face of earth is prosperous; it teemsWith constant blessings, like abundant streams.
Save that the poor complain of Fortune’s wrong,And of the Shah, whose arm is just and strong.
They say, ‘The rich wear roses while they dine,And hear the lute while drinking fragrant wine.
But as for us, they count us not as men;We drink, but hear no strains of music then.
No rose is ours, no lute beside the bowl;The wealthy tend the pleasures of their soul.’”
The Shah laughed heartily at this report,And sent a camel-post to ’s court.
He wrote, “O king, whose generous gifts are famed,Let ten thousand skilled Luris now be named.
Choose men and women who can play the lute;Let all be masters of that skilled pursuit.”
When they arrived, the Shah received the folk,And gave to each an ox to bear the yoke.
An ass he gave to each for loads to bear,And bade them farm the land with skill and care.
His officers gave wheat enough to sow,A thousand loads, to make their harvest grow.
“They shall use ox and ass to work the field,And sow this wheat to make the harvest yield.
Besides, they shall make music for the poor,And ask no fee, that pleasure may endure.”
The Luris ate the wheat and oxen too;A year passed; pale of face, to him they drew.
The Shah said, “Yours was not the farmer’s toil,To scatter seed and reap the fruitful soil.
Your asses still remain; now load and sing,And make the silken strings of music ring.”
Thus, seeking bread, they wandered on their way,And roamed as thieves by night as well as day.
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In briefIn his sixty-third year Bahram tells his Mobad that the drained treasury no longer concerns him. He hands Yazdegard the throne and its regalia, sleeps, and is found dead in the morning. Iran mourns forty days, and Ferdowsi laments the king and then his own poverty.
Thus sixty-three full years had passed away,And none was like within his day.
At New Year came his counselor of state,A Mobad, wise and learned and grave, and great.
He said, “Great king, your treasury is drained;Declare your will, and it shall be ordained.
The prudent look to us for revenue;They wait to learn what course we shall pursue.”
The monarch answered, “Take no further pain;I am past all the world’s desire and gain.
Return the world to Him who made the skies,Who saw the circling heavens first arise.
The heavens turn, while God abides on high,And guides us both to good as years pass by.”
That night he slept; at early morning’s hour,Great throngs of troops came toward the royal tower.
The chosen lords assembled at his call,And approached within the hall.
Before the lords, he gave his son the throneOf ivory, crown, torque, bracelets; all his own.
He cast aside the crown and all its show,And turned his soul to God, content to go.
He hastened to resign the world’s affairs,And went to sleep when night dismissed his cares.
When morning’s sun rose glorious overhead,The Mobad’s heart grew heavy with its dread.
“The Shah still sleeps,” he thought, oppressed by fear;“Perhaps he shuns the burdens waiting here.”
Then Yazdegard came to his father’s side;The moisture in his mouth with terror dried.
Bahram, with faded cheeks, lay cold and dead,Upon the golden brocade richly spread.
The day of grief returns as days before;Do not consume your heart through greed for more.
At death, the heart of stone and iron fails;No worldly striving helps when Fate prevails.
Be harmless, kind, humane in every vein,If you would spare yourself the past’s sharp pain.
Gone was Bahram, his stature and his might;None in Iran could match his arm in fight.
No king like him has died; may God forgiveHis sins, and let his soul in radiance live.
Yet no delay could stay the appointed day,When Shah ’s term had passed away.
For forty days, the new Shah wept in woe;The troops wore black and blue their grief to show.
They laid the mighty monarch in his tomb;It seemed that wounded justice shared his doom.
I tell anew his bounty and his worth;Let none recall him ill upon this earth.
The sun and moon, bright Venus, Saturn’s light,Will see no equal of his crown and might.
Woe for that royal face, that height, that !Woe for that hand and , that lofty star!
He decked the crown and throne in bright array,And made great and Chin their tribute pay.
Yet when he passed, he left as poor and bareAs one whose bread and water were his care.
The king and pauper take the selfsame road,And scant provisions form their final load.
Why envy kings their sovereignty and might?No lengthy reign can keep its end from sight.
Blessed the pious mendicant and wise,Though harsh words from the world before him rise.
For when he dies, his honored name will last,And men recall his goodness from the past.
His portion lies in heaven’s blessed place,And honor waits for him before God’s face.
But I am left in misery and dread,My goods to Hell against my will have sped.
No hope in heaven shines upon my sight;My empty hands have lost both worlds outright.
If I can gather thought from grief and pain,My song shall now tell of Yazdegard’s reign.
Next in the poemD11 · Short Reigns and a Crisis with KhoshnavazOr read the notes on D9 and D10, or see Bahram Goor’s page.