Sarv, the sovereign of Yemen, summoned Fereydun's noble envoy, Jandal, and spoke words of immense honor and reverence. Acknowledging the supreme authority of the King of Iran, he declared his complete submission to Fereydun's will. Yet, opening his heart, Sarv confessed that just as Fereydun held his three sons as the supreme jewels of his life, so too were his three pristine daughters the light of his eyes and the crown of his heart. Though he would gladly surrender his eyes, his fertile plains, and the throne of Yemen at Fereydun's request, he set forth a single, wise imperative: the three royal princes must journey in person to the realm of Yemen. Only by beholding their countenance, measuring their wisdom, and taking their hands in solemn pledge would he bestow his daughters upon them according to ancient rites.
Upon hearing these conditions, Jandal bowed reverently before the throne and returned to Iran with praises on his lips. When Fereydun received the envoy's report, he summoned his three beloved sons and revealed the secret match he had forged. He recounted the virtues of the King of Yemen and his three unpierced pearls, warning his sons that Sarv was a monarch of profound intellect and formidable shrewdness. Fereydun imparted solemn counsel: they were to enter Yemen adorned with virtue, piety, eloquent speech, and unyielding truth, remaining unblinded by worldly wealth. The three noble princes absorbed their father's wisdom with open hearts, exiting his presence thoroughly prepared in mind and spirit for the fateful journey.
#1
فرستادهٔ شاه را پیش خواند
✦
فراوان سخن را به خوبی براند
“He summoned the king's envoy before him and spoke many eloquent and gracious words.”
#2
که من شهریار ترا کهترم
✦
به هرچ او بفرمود فرمانبرم
“Saying: 'I am but a humble servant to your monarch, obedient to whatever he commands.'”
#3
بگویش که گرچه تو هستی بلند
✦
سه فرزند تو برتو بر ارجمند
“'Tell him that though you stand exalted in greatness, your three sons are precious beyond measure to you.'”
#4
پسر خود گرامی بود شاه را
✦
بویژه که زیبا بود گاه را
“'A son is indeed dear to a king, especially when worthy of the royal throne.'”
#5
سخن هر چه گفتی پذیرم همی
✦
ز دختر من اندازه گیرم همی
“'I accept every word you have spoken, and measure it by the love I bear for my own daughters.'”
#6
اگر پادشا دیده خواهد ز من
✦
و گر دشت گردان و تخت یمن
“'If the King should demand my eyes, or the plains of my champions and the throne of Yemen,'”
#7
مرا خوارتر چون سه فرزند خویش
✦
نبینم به هنگام بایست پیش
“'I would hold them less precious than my three daughters when the time of need arises.'”
#8
پس ار شاه را این چنین است کام
✦
نشاید زدن جز به فرمانش گام
“'So if this be the King's desire, none may tread except by his royal command.'”
#9
به فرمان شاه این سه فرزند من
✦
برون آنگه آید ز پیوند من
“'By the King's command, these three daughters of mine shall leave my lineage and protection,'”
#10
کجا من ببینم سه شاه ترا
✦
فروزندهٔ تاج و گاه ترا
“'Only when I behold your three royal princes, the illuminators of your crown and throne.'”
#11
بیایند هر سه به نزدیک من
✦
شود روشن این شهر تاریک من
“'Let all three come to me, so that this dark city of mine may become radiant with light.'”
#12
شود شادمان دل به دیدارشان
✦
ببینم روانهای بیدارشان
“'My heart shall be made joyful by seeing them, and I shall behold their vigilant spirits.'”
#13
ببینم کشان دل پر از داد هست
✦
به زنهارشان دست گیرم به دست
“'I shall see whether their hearts are filled with justice, and take their hands in solemn protection.'”
#14
پس آنگه سه روشن جهان‌بین خویش
✦
سپارم بدیشان بر آیین خویش
“'Then I shall entrust my three bright world-beholders to them according to our sacred rites.'”
#15
چو آید بدیدار ایشان نیاز
✦
فرستم سبکشان سوی شاه باز
“'And when the longings of love are met, I shall swiftly send them back to the King.'”
#16
سراینده جندل چو پاسخ شنید
✦
ببوسید تختش چنان چون سزید
“When Jandal, the eloquent speaker, heard this answer, he kissed the throne as befitted royal protocol.”
#17
پر از آفرین لب ز ایوان اوی
✦
سوی شهریار جهان کرد روی
“With lips overflowing with praise for the palace, he set his face toward the monarch of the world.”
#18
بیامد چو نزد فریدون رسید
✦
بگفت آن کجا گفت و پاسخ شنید
“When he arrived before Fereydun, he recounted all that had been said and the answer he received.”
#19
سه فرزند را خواند شاه جهان
✦
نهفته برون آورید از نهان
“The King of the world summoned his three sons, bringing forth that which was kept hidden.”
#20
از آن رفتن جندل و رای خویش
✦
سخنها همه پاک بنهاد پیش
“He placed before them the whole account of Jandal's mission and his own royal counsel.”
#21
چنین گفت کاین شهریار یمن
✦
سر انجمن سرو سایه فکن
“He spoke thus: 'This ruler of Yemen is the head of the assembly, a shade-casting cypress.'”
#22
چو ناسفته گوهر سه دخترش بود
✦
نبودش پسر دختر افسرش بود
“'He has three daughters like unpierced pearls; he has no sons, and these daughters are his crown.'”
#23
سروش ار بیابد چو ایشان عروس
✦
دهد پیش هر یک مگر خاک‌بوس
“'Should Surosh himself behold brides such as these, he would perchance kiss the dust before each one.'”
#24
ز بهر شما از پدر خواستم
✦
سخنهای بایسته آراستم
“'For your sake, I sought them from their father and arranged all necessary words.'”
#25
کنون تان بباید بر او شدن
✦
به هر بیش و کم رای فرخ زدن
“'Now you must journey to his presence and take counsel auspiciously upon every matter, small or great.'”
#26
سراینده باشید و بسیارهوش
✦
به گفتار او برنهاده دوگوش
“'Be eloquent and exceedingly watchful, keeping your ears tuned to his every word.'”
#27
به خوبی سخنهاش پاسخ دهید
✦
چو پرسد سخن رای فرخ نهید
“'Answer his speeches graciously, and when he inquires, offer blessed wisdom.'”
#28
ازیرا که پروردهٔ پادشا
✦
نباید که باشد به جز پارسا
“'For one reared by a king ought to be nothing less than righteous and pure.'”
#29
سخن‌گوی و روشن دل و پاک‌دین
✦
به کاری که پیش آیدش پیش‌بین
“'Eloquent, enlightened of heart, pure of faith, and foresighted in whatever task confronts him.'”
#30
زبان راستی را بیاراسته
✦
خرد خیره کرده ابر خواسته
“'Adorned with the tongue of truth, not allowing wealth to dazzle or bewilder wisdom.'”
#31
شما هر چه گویم ز من بشنوید
✦
اگر کار بندید خرم بوید
“'Listen to whatever I tell you; if you put my words into action, you shall prosper.'”
#32
یکی ژرف‌بین است شاه یمن
✦
که چون او نباشد به هر انجمن
“'The King of Yemen is a deep and profound observer, unmatched in any royal gathering.'”
#33
گرانمایه و پاک هرسه پسر
✦
همه دل‌نهاده به گفت پدر
“The three noble and pure sons all gave their hearts fully to their father's counsel.”
#34
ز پیش فریدون برون آمدند
✦
پر از دانش و پرفسون آمدند
“They stepped out from Fereydun's presence, brimming with knowledge, wisdom, and nobility.”
#35
بجز رای و دانش چه اندرخورد
✦
پسر را که چونان پدر پرورد
“For what else is fitting for a son who has been nurtured by such a father, save wisdom and righteousness?”