When King Kay Kavus rested upon the Kianian throne, a silver-tongued courtier whispered into the monarch's ear the lore of Sudabeh, the magnificent daughter of the King of Hamavaran. Her stature surpassed the elegant cypress, her dark musk tresses flowed like a captivating lasso, and her lips dripped with honeyed sweetness. The King's heart stirred with longing, beholding in this union a match fit for the sun and the moon. Without delay, Kavus chose an elite, wise, and eloquent ambassador, dispatching him to the realm of Hamavaran to convey a royal proposal.
The Iranian envoy arrived at the court of Hamavaran and delivered Kavus's grand proclamation: that the sovereign of Iran, whose throne rests upon ivory and whose crown illuminates the world, sought an alliance through marriage. To join with the lineage of Kay Qobad was an unmatched honor that would grant Hamavaran the mighty shield of the Iranian Empire. Upon hearing these words, the King of Hamavaran felt his head grow heavy with sorrow. Sudabeh was his only child, precious beyond sweet life itself. Yet, recognizing that he lacked the forces to withstand Kavus's wrath, he swallowed his grief and chose peace over ruinous war.
The King summoned Sudabeh to his presence and revealed the Iranian emperor's demand. The insightful princess counselled her father with grace, reminding him that Kay Kavus was the supreme monarch of the earth; to ally with him was no cause for grief, but an absolute shield of security and joy. Seeing his daughter's composure and wisdom, the King of Hamavaran assented. He seated the Iranian envoy above his own nobles and sealed the betrothal in accordance with their ancient rites.
For a full week, magnificent preparations ensued. A vast caravan was assembled: three hundred handmaidens, forty royal litters, and a thousand mules, horses, and camels laden with fine silks, gold coins, and priceless treasures. Sudabeh set out toward Iran like a gleaming crescent moon. When she arrived before Kay Kavus, her extraordinary radiance left the king awestruck—her eyes like deep, sorrowful narcissi, her lips like laughing rubies. Grateful for such divine perfection, Kavus uttered the name of Yazdan, assembled his Mobads and wise counselors, and celebrated a glorious wedding according to the sacred traditions of the Kianian kings.
#1
ازان پس به کاووس گوینده گفت
✦
که او دختری دارد اندر نهفت
“Thereafter, a speaker said to Kavus that the Lord of Hamavaran has a hidden daughter,”
#2
که از سرو بالاش زیباترست
✦
ز مشک سیه بر سرش افسرست
“Whose stature is statelier than the cypress, and upon her head rests a crown of black musk,”
#3
به بالا بلند و به گیسو کمند
✦
زبانش چو خنجر لبانش چو قند
“Tall in height and her hair a captivating lasso; her tongue like a dagger, her lips sweeter than sugar,”
#4
بهشتیست آراسته پرنگار
✦
چو خورشید تابان به خرم بهار
“She is an adorned, colorful paradise, bright like the glowing sun in a joyful spring,”
#5
نشاید که باشد به جز جفت شاه
✦
چه نیکو بود شاه را جفت ماه
“It is not fitting for her to be anyone's spouse but the King's; how wondrous for the King to wed the moon!”
#6
بجنبید کاووس را دل ز جای
✦
چنین داد پاسخ که اینست رای
“Kavus's heart stirred within his chest; he replied: 'This is indeed a brilliant counsel.'”
#7
گزین کرد شاه از میان گروه
✦
یکی مرد بیدار دانش‌پژوه
“The King chose from among his assembly a vigilant, wisdom-seeking noble,”
#8
گرانمایه و گرد و مغزش گران
✦
بفرمود تا شد به هاماوران
“Precious, heroic, and deep in wisdom, commanding him to journey to Hamavaran.”
#9
چنین گفت رایش به من تازه کن
✦
بیارای مغزش به شیرین سخن
“He said to him: 'Refresh my intent before him, adorn his brain with sweet words,”
#10
بگویش که پیوند ما در جهان
✦
بجویند کار آزموده مهان
“Tell him that experienced grandees of the world seek kinship with us,”
#11
که خورشید روشن ز تاج منست
✦
زمین پایهٔ تخت عاج منست
“For the radiant sun gains light from my crown, and the earth is but the footstool of my ivory throne.”
#12
هرانکس که در سایهٔ من پناه
✦
نیابد ازو کم شود پایگاه
“Whosoever finds no shelter under my shadow, his status and power shall surely wane.”
#13
کنون با تو پیوند جویم همی
✦
رخ آشتی را بشویم همی
“Now I seek alliance with you, washing clean the face of peace,”
#14
پس پردهٔ تو یکی دخترست
✦
شنیدم که گاه مرا درخورست
“Behind your curtain is a daughter; I have heard she is fitting for my royal court,”
#15
که پاکیزه تخم‌ست و پاکیزه تن
✦
ستوده به هر شهر و هر انجمن
“Pure of lineage and pure of body, praised in every city and every assembly.”
#16
چو داماد یابی چو پور قباد
✦
چنان دان که خورشید داد تو داد
“If you gain such a son-in-law as the son of Qobad, know that the sun itself has granted you justice.'”
#17
بشد مرد بیدار روشن روان
✦
به نزدیک سالار هاماوران
“The alert and bright-souled envoy departed, reaching the ruler of Hamavaran.”
#18
زبان کرد گویا و دل کرد گرم
✦
بیاراست لب را به گفتار نرم
“He loosened his tongue, warmed his heart, and decorated his lips with soft speech.”
#19
ز کاووس دادش فروان سلام
✦
ازان پس بگفت آنچ بود از پیام
“He delivered abundant greetings from Kavus, and then recited all that was in the royal message.”
#20
چو بشنید ازو شاه هاماوران
✦
دلش گشت پر درد و سر شد گران
“When the King of Hamavaran heard it, his heart filled with pain and his head grew heavy with sorrow.”
#21
همی گفت هرچند کاو پادشاست
✦
جهاندار و پیروز و فرمان رواست
“He mused: 'Though he is the sovereign king, world-ruler, victorious, and commanding,”
#22
مرا در جهان این یکی دخترست
✦
که از جان شیرین گرامی‌ترست
“I have only this one daughter in the world, who is dearer to me than sweet life itself.”
#23
فرستاده را گر کنم سرد و خوار
✦
ندارم پی و مایهٔ کارزار
“Yet if I send the messenger away cold and insulted, I lack the wealth and army for warfare.”
#24
همان به که این درد را نیز چشم
✦
بپوشم و بر دل بخوابیم خشم
“It is better that I close my eyes to this pain and lull anger to sleep in my heart.'”
#25
چنین گفت با مرد شیرین سخن
✦
که سر نیست این آرزو را نه بن
“Thus he spoke to the sweet-tongued envoy: 'This desire has neither head nor base,”
#26
همی خواهد از من گرامی دو چیز
✦
که آن را سه دیگر ندانیم نیز
“He demands from me two precious things, beyond which I know no third treasure:”
#27
مرا پشت گرمی بد از خواسته
✦
به فرزند بودم دل آراسته
“My security was in my wealth, and my heart was illuminated by my child.”
#28
به من زین سپس جان نماند همی
✦
وگر شاه ایران ستاند همی
“No life shall remain within me after this, if the King of Iran takes her away.”
#29
سپارم کنون هرچ خواهد بدوی
✦
نتابم سر از رای و فرمان اوی
“Yet I surrender all he demands to him; I shall not turn my head from his decree.'”
#30
غمی گشت و سودابه را پیش خواند
✦
ز کاووس با او سخنها براند
“He became sorrowful and called Sudabeh before him, speaking to her of Kavus's words.”
#31
بدو گفت کز مهتر سرفراز
✦
که هست از مهی و بهی بی‌نیاز
“He said to her: 'From that exalted monarch, who is free from all need of greatness and virtue,”
#32
فرستاده‌ای چرپ‌گوی آمدست
✦
یکی نامه چون زند و استا به دست
“A smooth-spoken messenger has arrived, bearing a letter like Zand and Avesta in his hands,”
#33
همی خواهد از من که بی‌کام من
✦
ببرد دل و خواب و آرام من
“Demanding you against my will, stealing my heart, sleep, and tranquility.”
#34
چه گویی تو اکنون هوای تو چیست
✦
بدین کار بیدار رای تو چیست
“What do you say now, what is your desire? What is your alert counsel in this matter?'”
#35
بدو گفت سودابه زین چاره نیست
✦
ازو بهتر امروز غمخواره نیست
“Sudabeh said to him: 'There is no alternative to this; today there is no better guardian than him.”
#36
کسی کاو بود شهریار جهان
✦
بروبوم خواهد همی از مهان
“One who is the monarch of the world desires land and alliance with the noble.”
#37
ز پیوند با او چرایی دژم
✦
کسی نشمرد شادمانی به غم
“Why be gloomy over an alliance with him? No wise person exchanges joy for sorrow.'”
#38
بدانست سالار هاماوران
✦
که سودابه را آن نیامد گران
“The Lord of Hamavaran realized that Sudabeh did not view the proposal with distress.”
#39
فرستاده شاه را پیش خواند
✦
وزان نامدارانش برتر نشاند
“He called the King's messenger forward and seated him above his noble chiefs.”
#40
ببستند بندی بر آیین خویش
✦
بران سان که بود آن زمان دین خویش
“They bound a covenant according to their rites, in the manner of their religion of that era.”
#41
به یک هفته سالار هاماوران
✦
همی ساخت آن کار با مهتران
“For a whole week, the Lord of Hamavaran arranged the wedding preparations with his nobles.”
#42
بیاورد پس خسرو خسته دل
✦
پرستنده سیصد عماری چهل
“Then he brought forth the grieved princess, with three hundred handmaidens and forty litters,”
#43
هزار استر و اسپ و اشتر هزار
✦
ز دیبا و دینار کردند بار
“A thousand mules, horses, and camels were laden with silk, brocade, and golden coins.”
#44
عماری به ماه نو آراسته
✦
پس پشت و پیش اندرون خواسته
“Litters decorated like the new moon, with treasures moving before and behind them.”
#45
یکی لشکر آراسته چون بهشت
✦
تو گفتی که روی زمین لاله کشت
“An army arranged like paradise, as if the entire face of the earth grew tulips.”
#46
چو آمد به نزدیک کاووس شاه
✦
دل آرام با زیب و با فر و جاه
“When she arrived before King Kavus, a comfort to the heart adorned with grace, splendor, and majesty,”
#47
دو یاقوت خندان دو نرگس دژم
✦
ستون دو ابرو چو سیمین قلم
“With two smiling rubies, two gloomy narcissi, and eyebrows like two silver pens,”
#48
نگه کرد کاووس و خیره بماند
✦
به سودابه بر نام یزدان بخواند
“Kavus looked and was left spellbound, reciting the name of Yazdan over Sudabeh.”
#49
یکی انجمن ساخت از بخردان
✦
ز بیداردل پیر سر موبدان
“He formed an assembly of the wise, white-haired ancient Mobads,”
#50
سزا دید سودابه را جفت خویش
✦
ببستند عهدی بر آیین و کیش
“He deemed Sudabeh worthy to be his spouse, binding a covenant according to their custom and creed.”