For seven days, the heavy curtains of the royal court were drawn shut, and none were granted audience. Queen Homay caused a golden throne to be raised, flanked by chairs of turquoise and lapis lazuli, alongside a jewel-encrusted crown and robes woven with gold and precious gems. Astrologers gathered before her, scanning the celestial spheres for an auspicious hour, which fell upon the dawn of Shahrivar in the month of Bahman. On that blessed morning, Homay summoned Darab to her presence.
As Darab approached the palace, Homay offered reverence, scattering cups of red and yellow rubies over him while weeping tears of bittersweet emotion. Embracing her long-lost son, she placed him upon the golden throne and gently set the Kayanid crown upon his brow. With deep humility, Homay sought forgiveness for abandoning him in his infancy, explaining the frailty and confusion of her youth. Darab, noble of spirit, comforted his mother, offering blessings rather than reproach.
The Chief Mobad and the grandees of the realm were convened. Homay publicly unveiled the truth that had long been shrouded in mystery: Darab was the sole true heir of King Bahman. The hall erupted in joyous acclamation as jewels were showered upon the young monarch. Entrusting the thirty-two-year legacy of her reign to her son, Homay abdicated the throne. Soon after, the humble washerman and his wife appeared; Darab bestowed upon them ten purses of gold, gem-filled goblets, and rich garments, jestingly advising the washerman to keep watch over the river in case another royal child floated by. Thus crowned and celebrated, Darab took up the mantle of the Kayanid kings.
#1
ز درگاه پرده فروهشت شاه
✦
به یک هفته کس را ندادند راه
“The King lowered the court's curtain, and for a full week, no one was granted admittance.”
#2
جهاندار زرین یکی تخت کرد
✦
دو کرسی ز پیروزه و لاژورد
“The ruler of the world prepared a golden throne, flanked by two chairs of turquoise and lapis lazuli.”
#3
یکی تاج پرگوهر شاهوار
✦
دو یاره یکی طوق گوهرنگار
“A regal crown studded with jewels, two armlets, and a gem-adorned collar were prepared.”
#4
همه جامهٔ خسروانی به زر
✦
درو بافته چند گونه گهر
“Royal garments woven all of gold, inlaid with diverse kinds of precious gems.”
#5
نشسته ستاره‌شمر پیش شاه
✦
ز اختر همی کرد روزی نگاه
“The astrologer sat before the ruler, scanning the stars to find an auspicious day.”
#6
به شهریور بهمن از بامداد
✦
جهاندار داراب را بار داد
“At dawn on the day of Shahrivar in the month of Bahman, the world-possessor granted audience to Darab.”
#7
یکی جام پر سرخ یاقوت کرد
✦
یکی دیگری پر ز یاقوت زرد
“She filled one goblet with deep red rubies, and another with shining yellow rubies.”
#8
چو آمد به نزدیک ایوان فراز
✦
همای آمد از دور و بردش نماز
“As Darab drew near the palace, Homay came from afar and bowed low in reverence before him.”
#9
برافشاند آن گوهر شاهوار
✦
فرو ریخت از دیده خون برکنار
“She showered those royal gems upon him, while tears of blood poured down her cheeks.”
#10
پسر را گرفت اندر آغوش تنگ
✦
ببوسید و ببسود رویش به چنگ
“She clasped her son tightly in a warm embrace, kissing his face and touching it affectionately.”
#11
بیاورد و بر تخت زرین نشاند
✦
دو چشمش ز دیدار او خیره ماند
“She brought him forward and seated him upon the golden throne, her eyes dazzled by his countenance.”
#12
چو داراب بر تخت شاهی نشست
✦
همای آمد و تاج شاهی به دست
“As Darab took his seat upon the royal throne, Homay approached holding the crown of kingship in her hands.”
#13
بیاورد و بر تارک او نهاد
✦
جهان را به دیهیم او مژده داد
“She brought the crown and set it upon his head, heralding his sovereignty to all the world.”
#14
چو از تاج دارا فروزش گرفت
✦
هما اندران کار پوزش گرفت
“As the crown reflected its luster upon Darab, Homay began to offer her humble apologies for past events.”
#15
به داراب گفت آنچ اندر گذشت
✦
چنان دان که بر ما همه بادگشت
“She said to Darab: 'All that has transpired in the past—consider it as blown away by the wind.'”
#16
جوانی و گنج آمد و رای زن
✦
پدر مرده و شاه بی‌رای‌زن
“'Youth, wealth, and bad counsel coincided; my father was dead, and I was a monarch lacking wise advisors.'”
#17
اگر بد کند زو مگیر آن به دست
✦
که جز تخت هرگز مبادت نشست
“'If she did wrong, hold it not against her; may you sit nowhere else but upon the throne of power.'”
#18
چنین داد پاسخ به مادر جوان
✦
که تو هستی از گوهر پهلوان
“The youth answered his mother: 'You are of the bloodline of champion heroes!'”
#19
نباشد شگفت ار دل آید به جوش
✦
به یک بد تو چندین چه داری خروش
“'It is no wonder if the heart boils with emotion; why raise such a clamor over a single mistake?'”
#20
جهان‌آفرین از تو خشنود باد
✦
دل بدسگالانت پر دود باد
“'May the Creator of the World be pleased with you, and may the hearts of your ill-wishers be consumed with smoke!'”
#21
ز من یادگاری بود این سخن
✦
که هرگز نگردد به دفتر کهن
“'Let these words remain as a lasting memory from me, one that shall never grow ancient in the scrolls of time.'”
#22
برو آفرین کرد فرخ همای
✦
که تا جای باشد تو بادی به جای
“Blessed Homay praised him, praying: 'So long as the world endures, may you stand firm in your domain.'”
#23
بفرمود تا موبد موبدان
✦
بخواند ز هر کشوری بخردان
“She commanded the Chief Mobad to gather the wise men from every country and province.”
#24
هم از لشکر آنکس که بد نامدار
✦
سرافراز شیران خنجرگزار
“Along with all the renowned figures of the army—the exalted, dagger-wielding lions of battle.”
#25
بفرمود تا خواندند آفرین
✦
به شاهی بران نامدار زمین
“She ordered them all to chant blessings upon the reign of this illustrious ruler of the earth.”
#26
چو بر تاج شاه آفرین خواندند
✦
بران تخت بر گوهر افشاندند
“When they had pronounced blessings upon the king's crown, they scattered precious jewels over the throne.”
#27
بگفت آنک اندر نهان کرده بود
✦
ازان کرده بسیار غم خورده بود
“She then revealed that which she had kept hidden, over which she had suffered long and bitter grief.”
#28
بدانید کز بهمن شهریار
✦
جزین نیست اندر جهان یادگار
“'Know ye all that in this world, there is no heir or memorial left of King Bahman save for him!'”
#29
به فرمان او رفت باید همه
✦
که او چون شبانست و گردان رمه
“'All must obey his royal command, for he is the shepherd and the heroes are his flock.'”
#30
بزرگی و شاهی و لشکر وراست
✦
بدو کرد باید همی پشت راست
“'To him belong greatness, kingship, and the army; upon him all must place their trust and support.'”
#31
به شادی خروشی برآمد ز کاخ
✦
که نورسته دیدند فرخنده شاخ
“A cry of joy resounded throughout the palace as they beheld this newly sprouted, blessed branch of royalty.”
#32
ببردند چندان ز هر سو نثار
✦
که شد ناپدید اندران شهریار
“They brought such immense tribute from every side that the monarch was completely hidden beneath the gifts.”
#33
جهان پر شد از شادمانی و داد
✦
کسی را نیامد ازان رنج یاد
“The world was filled with joy and justice, and no one remembered past sorrows or trials.”
#34
همای آن زمان گفت با موبدان
✦
که ای نامور باگهر بخردان
“Homay then addressed the Mobads, saying: 'O noble and wise elders of pure lineage...'”
#35
به سی و دو سال آنک کردم به رنج
✦
سپردم بدو پادشاهی و گنج
“'That which I ruled with labor for thirty-two years, I now hand over to him—both kingship and treasure.'”
#36
شما شاد باشید و فرمان برید
✦
ابی رای او یک نفس مشمرید
“'Be joyful and obey his decrees; count not a single breath as rightful without his counsel.'”
#37
چو داراب از تخت کی گشت شاد
✦
به آرام دیهیم بر سر نهاد
“When Darab rejoiced upon the Kayanid throne, he set the royal crown serenely upon his head.”
#38
زن گازر و گازر آمد دوان
✦
بگفتند کای شهریار جوان
“The washerman and his wife came running, calling out: 'O noble young monarch!'”
#39
نشست کیی بر تو فرخنده باد
✦
سر بدسگالان تو کنده باد
“'May your royal seating be blessed, and may the heads of your enemies be severed!'”
#40
بفرمود داراب ده بدره زر
✦
بیارند پرمایه جامی گهر
“Darab ordered ten purses of gold to be brought, along with a precious goblet filled with jewels.”
#41
ز هر جامه‌ای تخته فرمود پنج
✦
بدادند آنرا که او دید رنج
“He commanded five bolts of every fine garment to be given to the one who had endured hardship for his sake.”
#42
بدو گفت کای گازر پیشه‌دار
✦
همیشه روان را به اندیشه دار
“He said to him: 'O tradesman washerman! Keep your soul ever alert in thought,'”
#43
مگر زاب صندوق یابی یکی
✦
چو دارا بدو اندرون کودکی
“'Perchance you may catch another chest from the river, carrying a child like Dara inside!'”
#44
برفتند یک لب پر از آفرین
✦
ز دادار بر شهریار زمین
“They departed with lips overflowing with blessings from the Creator upon the monarch of the world.”
#45
کنون اختر گازر اندرگذشت
✦
به دکان شد و برد اشنان به دشت
“Now the washerman's star of fortune had set; he returned to his shop and carried soap-wort to the fields.”