When the days of Darab came to a close and the lamentations of mourning subsided, his fiery and youthful son, Dara, ascended the Kianian throne, placing the sublime crown upon his head. Dara was a sharp-tongued, resolute, and uncompromising monarch whose heart raged with ambition and whose speech cut like a honed blade. Sitting upon the royal seat, he gathered the chieftains and commanders, delivering a stern, commanding address. He declared that no rebellion would be tolerated, that those who defied his absolute will would face swift execution, and that supreme authority over all lands belonged solely to his crown.
Promptly, Dara summoned his wise scribe and dictated stern, dagger-sharp edicts to rulers in every quarter of the known world. The decrees warned that any lord who strayed from his command would feel the head-severing edge of the royal saber. Following this display of iron will, Dara unlocked his father’s vast hereditary treasuries. He distributed silver coins, gold dinars, armored caparisons, brawling coats of mail, and heavy maces among his legions, heaping rewards upon his soldiers and assigning frontier provinces to tested, veteran commanders.
The renown of Dara's fierce power and lavish bounty resounded across continents. Emissaries flocked to his court bearing rich tribute and taxes from India, Rome, and the Khaqan and Faghfur of China, none daring to challenge his sovereignty. Furthermore, Dara ordered the construction of a magnificent city named Noshad in the realm of Ahvaz. He extended royal benevolence to the impoverished, granted foundations to seekers of fortune, and established his reign upon pillars of absolute authority and lavish splendor.
#1
چو دارا به دل سوک داراب داشت
✦
به خورشید تاج مهی برفراشت
“When Dara bore grief in his heart for Darab, he raised the crown of majesty unto the sun.”
#2
یکی مرد بد تیز و برنا و تند
✦
شده با زبان و دلش تیغ کند
“He was a sharp, youthful, and fiery ruler, beside whose tongue and heart the sword seemed dull.”
#3
چو بنشست برگاه گفت ای سران
✦
سرافراز گردان و کنداوران
“When he sat upon the throne, he said: 'O chieftains, exalted proud ones, and valiant warriors!'”
#4
سری را نخواهم که افتد به چاه
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نه از چاه خوانم سوی تخت و گاه
“'I wish no head to fall into a pit, nor will I summon anyone from the pit unto the throne.'”
#5
کسی کو ز فرمان من بگذرد
✦
سرش را همی تن به سر نشمرد
“'Whoever shall transgress my command, his body shall no longer count his head as part of him.'”
#6
وگر هیچ تاب اندر آرد به دل
✦
به شمشیر باشم ورا دلگسل
“'And if anyone harbours defiance in his heart, with my sword I shall cut his heart asunder.'”
#7
جز از ما هرانکس که دارند گنج
✦
نخواهم کسی شاددل ما به رنج
“'Save for us, whoever holds wealth—I will not suffer anyone to rejoice while we endure toil.'”
#8
نخواهم که باشد مرا رهنمای
✦
منم رهنمای و منم دلگشای
“'I desire no advisor to guide me; I am the sole guide and the cheerer of hearts.'”
#9
ز گیتی خور و بخش و پیمان مراست
✦
بزرگی و شاهی و فرمان مراست
“'Sustenance, distribution, and covenant are mine to give; greatness, kingship, and command belong to me.'”
#10
دبیر خردمند را پیش خواند
✦
ز هر در فراوان سخنها براند
“He summoned the wise scribe before him and spoke abundant words on every matter.”
#11
یکی نامه بنوشت فرخ دبیر
✦
ز دارای داراب بن اردشیر
“The blessed scribe penned a letter on behalf of Dara, son of Darab, son of Ardashir.”
#12
بهر سو که بد شاه و خودکامه‌ای
✦
بفرمود چون خنجری نامه‌ای
“To every corner where a king or sovereign ruled, he ordered a letter written, sharp as a dagger:”
#13
که هرکو ز رای و ز فرمان من
✦
بپیچد ببیند سرافشان من
“'Whoever turns away from my counsel and command shall witness my head-severing blade.'”
#14
همه گوش یکسر به فرمان نهید
✦
اگر جان ستانید اگر جان دهید
“'Harken entirely to my royal decree, whether you take life or give up your life.'”
#15
سر گنجهای پدر برگشاد
✦
سپه را همه خواند و روزی بداد
“He opened the gates of his father's treasuries, summoned all the army, and bestowed stipends.”
#16
ز چار اندرآمد درم تا بهشت
✦
یکی را بجام و یکی را به تشت
“From four gates silver coins poured in up to eight, distributed by goblets and by basins.”
#17
درم داد و دینار و برگستوان
✦
همان جوشن و تیغ و گرز گران
“He bestowed silver, gold dinars, armored caparisons, as well as coats of mail, swords, and heavy maces.”
#18
هرانکس که بد کار دیده سری
✦
ببخشید بر هر سری کشوری
“To every veteran leader of battle, he granted the governance of a realm.”
#19
یکی را ز گردنکشان مرز داد
✦
سپه را همه چیز باارز داد
“To each of the proud chieftains he assigned borderlands, granting valuable treasures to all the host.”
#20
فرستاده آمد ز هر کشوری
✦
ز هر نامداری و هر مهتری
“Envoys arrived from every realm, dispatched by every renowned lord and sovereign,”
#21
ز هند و ز خاقان و فغفور چین
✦
ز روم و ز هر کشوری همچنین
“From India, the Khaqan, and the Faghfur of China, from Rome, and likewise from every realm.”
#22
همه پاک با هدیه و باژ و ساو
✦
نه پی بود با او کسی را نه تاو
“All brought gifts, tributes, and taxes in obedience, for none had the strength or footing to defy him.”
#23
یکی شارستان کرد نوشاد نام
✦
به اهواز گشتند زو شادکام
“He constructed a noble city named Noshad, and in Ahvaz the people became joyful through his deed.”
#24
کسی را که درویش بد داد داد
✦
به خواهندگان گنج و بنیاد داد
“To those who were poor he granted justice, bestowing wealth and foundations upon those who sought.”