Having subdued the spearmen of the surrounding marches, King Dara turned his mighty host toward the prosperous realm of Rum to extend the dominion and sovereign glory of Iran. In those days, Rum was ruled by King Philip, a monarch renowned for his wisdom and counsel, unto whom even the ruler of Sus deferred. When intelligence reached Philip that the son of Queen Homay was advancing with an uncounted army, the memories of ancient wars stirred within his heart. Forthwith, he summoned from Amorium the finest warlords and armored champions of his realm to make a desperate stand.
Upon the plains of Amorium, the two colossal armies collided. For three days, a furious war raged beneath a cloud of dust, as spears shattered and swords bit through steel helmets. But when the light-bringing sun crested the horizon on the fourth morning, fortune abandoned the forces of Rum. Philip and his host broke ranks and fled in utter disarray, casting away their heavy helms and shields to hasten their escape. The Iranian cavalry swept through the enemy camp, taking captives, women, and children, while many a Roman warrior fell beneath the rain of arrows and blades. Barely two-thirds of the shattered Roman army managed to reach the fortified walls of Amorium, with the lances of Iran pressing hard upon their backs.
Entrenched behind the high ramparts of Amorium, the defeated Romans cried out for mercy. Realizing the futility of further resistance, Philip dispatched an eloquent and wise envoy to Dara, bearing vast wealth: purses of coin, precious slaves, and two caskets brimming with royal jewels. The envoy delivered Philip's solemn message, pleading for peace: 'O Great King, let us turn the end of this cruel battle into a joyful banquet. You are a king and the son of a king; if Amorium is my seat, the whole world is yours. Act as befits a majestic sovereign and spare our land.'
King Dara assembled his chieftains and sages to deliberate upon the offer. The nobles praised Dara's wisdom and revealed that Philip possessed a daughter named Nahid—a maiden of sublime grace, tall as a cypress, with a visage like springtime and a beauty surpassing the radiant idols of China. They counseled that marrying this royal princess would seal a lasting peace. Hearing this, Dara instructed the envoy to inform Philip that peace would be granted only if Princess Nahid were given to him as a bride, accompanied by a monumental annual tribute from Rum.
When the messenger returned, Philip and his commanders rejoiced, deeming it an immense honor that the Shahanshah of Iran should become their son-in-law. Philip agreed to the terms, binding his kingdom to yield an annual tribute of one hundred thousand solid gold eggs—each weighing forty mithqals and studded with precious gems—to the Iranian treasury. Philosophers, scholars, and bishops prepared the royal princess for her journey. Nahid was set upon a golden litter guided by learned monks and high bishops, accompanied by ten mule-loads of Roman brocade, three hundred camel-loads of rich furnishings, and sixty beautiful maidens carrying golden goblets filled with crown jewels. The chief bishop delivered the noble bride to Dara, who then turned his victorious banners back toward Iran, entering Pars in triumph to wear the grand crown of Kianian kingship.
#1
شد از جنگ نیزه‌وران تا به روم
✦
همی جست رزم اندر آباد بوم
“He marched from the war with the spearmen unto Rum, seeking battle throughout that prosperous land.”
#2
به روم اندرون شاه بدفیلقوس
✦
کجا بود با رای او شاه سوس
“In Rum reigned King Philip, by whose counsel even the ruler of Sus guided his path.”
#3
نوشتند نامه که پور همای
✦
سپاهی بیاورد بی‌مر ز جای
“They wrote a letter telling that the son of Homay had mobilized an unnumbered host.”
#4
چو بشنید سالار روم این سخن
✦
به یاد آمدش روزگار کهن
“When the commander of Rum heard this word, the days of old returned to his memory.”
#5
ز عموریه لشکری گرد کرد
✦
همه نامداران روز نبرد
“From Amorium he gathered a host, all the renowned warriors of the day of battle.”
#6
چو دارا بیامد بزرگان روم
✦
بپرداختند آن همه مرز و بوم
“As Dara drew near, the nobles of Rum abandoned all those borderlands before him.”
#7
ز عموریه فیلقوس و سران
✦
برفتند گردان و جنگاوران
“From Amorium marched Philip and his chiefs, champions and fierce combatants all.”
#8
دو رزم گران کرده شد در سه روز
✦
چهارم چو بفروخت گیتی فروز
“Two heavy battles were fought in three days; on the fourth morning, as the world-illuminator shone forth...”
#9
گریزان بشد فیلقوس و سپاه
✦
یکی را نبد ترگ و رومی کلاه
“Philip and his army fled in rout, none retaining helmet or Roman headgear.”
#10
زن و کودکان نیز کردند اسیر
✦
بکشتند چندی به شمشیر و تیر
“They took women and children as captives, and slew many with sword and arrow.”
#11
چو از پیش دارا به شهر آمدند
✦
ازان رفته لشکر دو بهر آمدند
“When they reached the city before Dara's advance, only two-thirds of that host remained.”
#12
دگر پیشتر کشته و خسته بود
✦
پس پشتشان نیزه پیوسته بود
“The rest lay slain or wounded behind, with spears continuously thrust at their backs.”
#13
به عموریه در حصاری شدند
✦
ازیشان بسی زینهاری شدند
“In Amorium they took refuge in a fortress, and many among them sought quarter.”
#14
فرستاده‌ای آمد از فیلقوس
✦
خردمند و بیدار و با نعم و بوس
“An envoy arrived from Philip—wise, vigilant, loaded with bounties and greetings.”
#15
ابا برده و بدره و با نثار
✦
دو صندوق پرگوهر شاهوار
“With slaves, bags of coin, gifts of homage, and two chests filled with royal gems.”
#16
چنین بود پیغام کز یک خدای
✦
بخواهم که او باشدم رهنمای
“Thus ran the message: 'From the One God I pray that He may be my guide,”
#17
که فرجام این رزم بزم آوریم
✦
مبادا که دل سوی رزم آوریم
“That we may turn the end of this war into feast, and let not our hearts lean toward strife.”
#18
همه راستی باید و مردمی
✦
ز کژی و آزار خیزد کمی
“All must be truth and humanity, for from deceit and injury cometh only loss.”
#19
چو عموریه کان نشست منست
✦
تو آیی و سازی که گیری بدست
“Though Amorium is my royal seat, thou comest and so ordainest to take it into thy hand.”
#20
دل من به جوش آید از نام و ننگ
✦
به هنگام بزم اندر آیم به جنگ
“My heart boileth for name and fame, yet when banquet is fitting, I enter into conflict.'”
#21
تو آن کن که از شهریاران سزاست
✦
پدر شاه بود و پسر پادشاست
“'Do thou that which is worthy of monarchs; thy father was king, and thou art king.'”
#22
چو بشنید آزادگانرا بخواند
✦
همه داستان پیش ایشان براند
“When he heard this, he called the noblemen, and recounted all the speech before them.”
#23
چه بینید گفت اندرین گفت و گوی
✦
بجوید همی فیلقوس آب روی
“'What see ye,' he said, 'in this discourse? Philip seeketh to preserve his honor.'”
#24
همه مهتران خواندند آفرین
✦
که ای شاه بینادل و پاک‌دین
“All the chieftains sang praises, saying: 'O King of clear vision and pure faith,”
#25
شهنشاه بر مهتران مهتر است
✦
ز کار آن گزیند کجا در خور است
“The King of Kings is sovereign over chieftains; he chooseth from deeds that which is fitting.”
#26
یکی دختری دارد این نامدار
✦
به بالای سرو و به رخ چون بهار
“This renowned ruler hath a daughter, tall as a cypress and with a face like spring,”
#27
بت‌آرای چون او نبیند به چین
✦
میان بتان چون درخشان نگین
“An idol-adorner such as China seeth not, a gleaming jewel in the midst of idols.”
#28
اگر شاه بیند پسند آیدش
✦
به پالیز سرو بلند آیدش
“If the King beholdeth her, she will please his eye—a tall cypress in the royal garden.'”
#29
فرستادهٔ روم را خواند شاه
✦
بگفت آنچ بشنید از نیکخواه
“The King called the envoy of Rum and spoke to him what he had heard from his well-wishers.”
#30
بدو گفت رو پیش قیصر بگوی
✦
اگر جست خواهی همی آب روی
“He said to him: 'Go tell Caesar, if thou desirest to seek thy honor,”
#31
پس پردهٔ تو یکی دختر است
✦
که بر تارک بانوان افسر است
“Behind thy curtain is a daughter who is a crown upon the heads of ladies,”
#32
نگاری که ناهید خوانی ورا
✦
بر اورنگ زرین نشانی ورا
“A picture-maiden whom thou callest Nahid, sitting upon a golden throne.”
#33
به من بخش و بفرست با باژ روم
✦
چو خواهی که بی‌رنج ماندت بوم
“Bestow her upon me and send her with the tribute of Rum, if thou desirest thy realm to remain unharmed.'”
#34
فرستاده بشنید و آمد چو باد
✦
به قیصر بر آن گفتها کرد یاد
“The envoy heard and came like the wind, recounting those words before Caesar.”
#35
بدان شاد شد فیلقوس و سپاه
✦
که داماد باشد مر او را چو شاه
“Philip and his host rejoiced that the Shah should be his son-in-law.”
#36
سخن گفت هرگونه از باژ و ساو
✦
ز چیزی که دارد پی روم تاو
“He spoke diverse words concerning tribute and tax, of that which Rum could bear to render.”
#37
بران بر نهادند سالی که شاه
✦
ستاند ز قیصر که دارد سپاه
“They agreed upon an annual tribute that the King should receive from Caesar who commanded the host:”
#38
ز زر خایهٔ ریخته صدهزار
✦
ابا هر یکی گوهر شاهوار
“One hundred thousand molded eggs of gold, each set with a royal gem,”
#39
چهل کرده مثقال هر خایه‌ای
✦
همان نیز گوهر گرانمایه‌ای
“Each egg weighing forty mithqals, along with precious jewels of great worth.”
#40
ببخشید بر مرزبانان روم
✦
هرانکس که بودند ز آباد بوم
“He distributed gifts among the wardens of the marches of Rum, to whoever belonged to that prosperous land.”
#41
ازان پس همه فیلسوفان شهر
✦
هرانکس که بودش ازان شهر بهر
“Thereafter, all the philosophers of the city, whoever possessed wisdom in that realm,”
#42
بفرمود تا راه را ساختند
✦
ز هر کار دل را بپرداختند
“He commanded that they prepare the road and free their hearts from every other care.”
#43
برفتند با دختر شهریار
✦
گرانمایگان هریکی با نثار
“They set forth with the King's daughter, each noble carrying gifts of tribute.”
#44
یکی مهر زرین بیاراستند
✦
پرستندهٔ تاجور خواستند
“They fashioned a golden litter and sought royal attendants to escort her.”
#45
ده استر همه بار دیبای روم
✦
بسی پیکر از گوهر و زر بوم
“Ten mules loaded with Roman brocade, decorated with many figures of gold and local gems.”
#46
شتروار سیصد ز گستردنی
✦
ز چیزی که بد راه را بردنی
“Three hundred camel-loads of woven carpets and coverings were prepared, along with whatever supplies were fitting for the journey.”
#47
دلارای رومی به مهد اندرون
✦
سکوبا و راهب ورا رهنمون
“The Roman beauty sat enclosed within a litter, guided on her way by senior bishops and monks.”
#48
کنیزک پس پشت ناهید شست
✦
ازان هریکی جامی از زر بدست
“Sixty handmaidens followed behind Nahid, each bearing a goblet of pure gold in her hand.”
#49
به جام اندرون گوهر شاهوار
✦
بت‌آرای با افسر و گوشوار
“Within those goblets lay royal gems, while the maiden was adorned like a statue with crown and earrings.”
#50
سقف خوب رخ را به دارا سپرد
✦
گهرها به گنجور او برشمرد
“The bishop delivered the fair-faced maiden to Dara, and counted out the precious jewels to his treasurer.”
#51
ازان پس بران رزمگه بس نماند
✦
سپه را سوی شهر ایران براند
“Thereafter, he lingered no longer upon that battlefield, but marched his army towards the land of Iran.”
#52
سوی پارس آمد دلارام و شاد
✦
کلاه بزرگی بسر بر نهاد
“Heart-eased and joyful, he arrived in Pars, placing the crown of supreme grandeur upon his head.”