When news reached Sekandar that the host of Dara was on the move, he advanced to meet them, until merely two leagues separated the opposing armies. Sekandar gathered his noble council, and having pondered their words, resolved upon a daring scheme: he would guise himself as his own ambassador and enter Dara's camp to weigh the Iranian king's resolve and military strength. Adorning himself in a royal gem-encrusted belt and golden robe, he mounted a noble steed with a gold-trimmed saddle and a golden-sheathed sword, accompanied by ten fluent and wise Roman knights. At break of dawn, he approached Dara’s presence, dismounted, and paid homage. Imperial Dara summoned him forward, seating him near the throne. The Iranian nobles were awed by his stature, radiance, and commanding grace.
Standing before the king, Sekandar delivered his message with eloquent praise, declaring that he sought no war with Iran nor desired its soil, but wished only to travel the earth and behold its wonders in peace—yet if Dara insisted on battle, he would not shrink from the clash of steel. Struck by his majestic speech and regal demeanor, Dara suspected that this messenger was none other than Sekandar himself. With sharp cunning, Sekandar replied that the Roman ruler possessed too much wisdom to act as his own envoy. appeased, Dara invited him to the grand banquet.
During the feast, whenever a golden goblet of wine was served to Sekandar, he drained it and slipped the cup into his cloak. Observant cupbearers alerted Dara, who questioned the envoy. Sekandar smoothly answered that in Roman custom, the goblet belongs to the envoy who drinks from it. Amused, Dara smiled and presented him with a goblet heaped with gems and red rubies. But fate intervened: the very tribute-collectors who had previously been sent to Rome entered the hall and instantly recognized Sekandar, revealing his identity to Dara. Sensing danger as twilight deepened into night, Sekandar slipped out to the pavilion courtyard, leaped onto his charger, and spurred away into the darkness with his men. Though Dara dispatched a thousand horsemen in pursuit, Sekandar eluded them in the murky night. Returning safely to his camp, he displayed the royal goblets as omens of ultimate victory, rallying his generals for the grand battle ahead.
#1
سکندر چو بشنید کامد سپاه
✦
پذیره شدن را بپیمود راه
“When Sekandar heard that the army was approaching, he set forth on the road to meet them.”
#2
میان دو لشکر دو فرسنگ ماند
✦
سکندر گرانمایگان را بخواند
“Two leagues remained between the two armies; Sekandar summoned his noble councilors.”
#3
چو سیر آمد از گفتهٔ رهنمای
✦
چنین گفت کاکنون جزین نیست رای
“Having heard enough from his guides, he said, 'Now no counsel remains but this alone.'”
#4
که من چون فرستاده‌ای پیش اوی
✦
شوم برگرایم کم و بیش اوی
“'That I go before him disguised as an envoy, to weigh his strength, his worth, and his mind.'”
#5
کمر خواست پرگوهر شاهوار
✦
یکی خسروی جامهٔ زرنگار
“He called for a belt laden with royal jewels and a magnificent coat woven with thread of gold.”
#6
ببردند بالای زرین ستام
✦
به زین اندرون تیغ زرین نیام
“They brought a charger adorned with a golden harness, and bound a sword in a golden scabbard to the saddle.”
#7
سواری ده از رومیان برگزید
✦
که دانند هرگونه گفت و شنید
“He chose ten Roman horsemen skilled in every art of discourse and counsel.”
#8
ز لشکر بیامد سپیده دمان
✦
خود و نامداران ابا ترجمان
“At the break of dawn, he rode out from his host, accompanied by his nobles and interpreters.”
#9
چو آمد به نزدیک دارا فراز
✦
پیاده شد و برد پیشش نماز
“As he approached Dara, he dismounted and bowed low in reverence before him.”
#10
جهاندار دارا مر او را بخواند
✦
بپرسید و بر زیر گاهش نشاند
“Imperial Dara summoned him forward, inquired after him, and seated him beside his throne.”
#11
همه نامداران فروماندند
✦
بروبر نهان آفرین خواندند
“All the grandees stood in wonder, silently praising his noble bearing.”
#12
ز دیدار آن فر و فرهنگ او
✦
ز بالا و از شاخ و آهنگ او
“Marvelling at his royal splendour and wisdom, his towering stature and majestic voice.”
#13
همانگه چو بنشست بر پای خاست
✦
پیام سکندر بیاراست راست
“No sooner had he taken his seat than he stood again, delivering Sekandar's message with eloquent precision.”
#14
نخست آفرین کرد بر شهریار
✦
که جاوید بادا سر تاج‌دار
“First he showered blessings upon the monarch, saying: 'May the crowned head endure forever!'”
#15
سکندر چنین گفت کای نیک‌نام
✦
به گیتی بهرجای گسترده کام
“'Sekandar says: O renowned king, whose sovereignty is spread across the world,'”
#16
مرا آرزو نیست با شاه جنگ
✦
نه بر بوم ایران گرفتن درنگ
“'I have no desire for war with the King, nor to linger upon the soil of Iran.'”
#17
برآنم که گرد زمین اندکی
✦
بگردم ببینم جهان را یکی
“'My sole intent is to journey across the earth, to behold the world with my own eyes.'”
#18
همه راستی خواهم و نیکویی
✦
به ویژه که سالار ایران تویی
“'I seek only truth and goodness, above all since thou art the lord of Iran.'”
#19
اگر خاک داری تو از من دریغ
✦
نشاید سپردن هوا را چو میغ
“'Yet if thou deny me passage across the earth, one cannot tread upon the air like a cloud.'”
#20
چنین با سپاه آمدی پیش من
✦
نه آگاهی از رای کم بیش من
“'Thou hast advanced with an army against me, unknowing of my true intent.'”
#21
چو رزم آوری باتو رزم آورم
✦
ازین بوم بی‌رزم برنگذرم
“'Yet if thou seekest battle, I shall fight thee; I will not leave this realm without combat.'”
#22
گزین کن یکی روزگار نبرد
✦
برین باش و زین آرزو برمگرد
“'Appoint a day for battle, stand firm upon it, and turn not away from this desire.'”
#23
که من سر نپیچم ز جنگ سران
✦
وگر چند باشد سپاهی گران
“'For I shrink not from war with mighty kings, however vast their host may be.'”
#24
چو دارا بدید آن دل و رای او
✦
سخن گفتن و فر و بالای او
“When Dara beheld his courage, his sharp mind, his eloquent speech, and his radiant stature,”
#25
تو گفتی که داراست بر تخت عاج
✦
ابا یاره و طوق و با فر و تاج
“It seemed as though another Dara sat upon an ivory throne, adorned with armlets, collar, crown, and glory.”
#26
بدو گفت نام و نژاد تو چیست
✦
که بر فر و شاخت نشان کییست
“He said to him: 'What is thy name and lineage? For upon thy royal height rests the mark of kings.'”
#27
از اندازهٔ کهتران برتری
✦
من ایدون گمانم که اسکندری
“'Thou art far exalted above common envoys; I suspect thou art none other than Sekandar!'”
#28
بدین فر و بالا و گفتار و چهر
✦
مگر تخت را پروریدت سپهر
“'With such splendor, stature, voice, and visage, surely the heavens raised thee for the throne.'”
#29
چنین داد پاسخ که این کس نکرد
✦
نه در آشتی و نه اندر نبرد
“Sekandar answered: 'No king hath ever done such a thing, neither in peace nor in war,'”
#30
نه گویندگان بر درش کمترند
✦
که بر تارک بخردان افسرند
“'That envoys at his gate should be lacking—men who are like crowns upon the heads of the wise,'”
#31
کجا خود پیام آرد از خویشتن
✦
چنان شهریاری سر انجمن
“'That such a monarch and leader of the assembly should become his own ambassador!'”
#32
سکندر بدان مایه دارد خرد
✦
که از رای پیشینگان بگذرد
“'Sekandar possesses such depth of wisdom that his intellect excels that of the ancients.'”
#33
پیامم سپهبد بدین گونه داد
✦
بگفتم به شاه آنچ او کرد یاد
“'The commander gave me this message, and I have conveyed to the King all that he commanded.'”
#34
بیاراستندش یکی جایگاه
✦
چنانچون بود درخور پایگاه
“Then they prepared a place of honour for him, suited to his dignified rank.”
#35
سپهدار ایران چو بنهاد خوان
✦
به سالار فرمود کو را بخوان
“When the ruler of Iran laid out the banquet table, he commanded his marshal to invite the envoy.”
#36
چو نان خورده شد مجلس آراستند
✦
می و رود و رامشگران خواستند
“When the meal was done, they arranged the feast, calling for wine, harps, and minstrels.”
#37
سکندر چو خوردی می خوشگوار
✦
نهادی سبک جام را بر کنار
“As Sekandar drank the sweet wine, he subtly drew the golden goblet to his side and kept it.”
#38
چنین تا می و جام چندی بگشت
✦
نهادن ز اندازه اندر گذشت
“Thus several rounds of wine passed, and his keeping of the cups exceeded all measure.”
#39
دهنده بیامد به دارا بگفت
✦
که رومی شد امروز با جام جفت
“The cupbearer came to Dara and said, 'Today the Roman envoy has wedded himself to the goblets!'”
#40
بفرمود تا زو بپرسند شاه
✦
که جام نبید از چه داری نگاه
“The king ordered that they ask him why he kept the wine-goblets for himself.”
#41
بدو گفت ساقی که ای شیر فش
✦
چه داری همی جام زرین به کش
“The cupbearer asked him, 'O lion-like warrior, why do you tuck the golden goblet into your cloak?'”
#42
سکندر چنین داد پاسخ که جام
✦
فرستاده را باشد ای نیک‌نام
“Sekandar answered, 'O noble master, the goblet belongs by custom to the messenger!'”
#43
گر آیین ایران جز اینست راه
✦
ببر جام زرین سوی گنج شاه
“'If the tradition of Iran is otherwise, then return the golden cup to the royal treasury.'”
#44
بخندید از آیین او شهریار
✦
یکی جام پرگوهر شاهوار
“The monarch smiled at his royal custom and ordered a goblet filled with regal gems to be given to him.”
#45
بفرمود تا بر کفش برنهند
✦
یکی سرخ یاقوت بر سر نهند
“He commanded that they place it in his hand, crowned with a brilliant red ruby.”
#46
هم‌اندر زمان باژ خواهان روم
✦
کجا رفته بودند زان مرز و بوم
“At that very moment, the Roman tribute-collectors, who had previously journeyed from that region,”
#47
ز خانه بدان بزمگاه آمدند
✦
خرامان به نزدیک شاه آمدند
“Came out from their lodgings to the banquet hall, walking gracefully into the king's presence.”
#48
فرستاده روی سکندر بدید
✦
بر شاه رفت آفرین گسترید
“The envoy caught sight of Alexander's face; he approached the king and offered lavish praises.”
#49
بدو گفت کاین مهتر اسکندرست
✦
که بر تخت با گرز و با افسرست
“He said to Dara: 'This is the great Alexander himself, who sits upon the throne with mace and crown!”
#50
بدانگه که ما را بفرمود شاه
✦
برفتیم نزدیک او باژخواه
“When your majesty commanded us, we went to him as tribute-demanding messengers.”
#51
برآشفت و ما را بدان خوار کرد
✦
به گفتار با شاه پیکار کرد
“He flew into a rage, treated us with contempt, and defied the king in his speech.'”
#52
چو از پادشاهیش بگریختم
✦
شب تیره اسپان برانگیختم
“'When I fled from his realm, I spurred my steed into the dark night.'”
#53
ندیدیم مانندهٔ او به روم
✦
دلیر آمدست اندرین مرز و بوم
“'We saw no one like him in Rome; he has now arrived full of audacity in this land.'”
#54
همی برگراید سپاه ترا
✦
همان گنج و تخت و کلاه ترا
“'He harbors designs against your army, as well as your treasure, your throne, and your crown!'”
#55
چو گفت فرستاده بشنید شاه
✦
فزون کرد سوی سکندر نگاه
“When the king heard the envoy's words, he fixed his gaze even more intently upon Alexander.”
#56
سکندر بدانست کاندر نهان
✦
چه گفتند با شهریار جهان
“Alexander realized in secret what had been reported to the monarch of the world.”
#57
همی بود تا تیره‌تر گشت روز
✦
سوی باختر گشت گیتی‌فروز
“He waited quietly until the day turned dark and the world-illuminating sun sank toward the west.”
#58
بیامد به دهلیز پرده‌سرای
✦
دلاور به اسپ اندر آورد پای
“He came to the vestibule of the grand tent, and the brave warrior mounted his horse.”
#59
چنین گفت پس با سواران خویش
✦
بلنداختر و نامداران خویش
“He then addressed his companions—his fortunate and renowned horsemen—”
#60
که ما را کنون جان به اسپ اندرست
✦
چو سستی کند باد ماند به دست
“'Our lives now depend on the speed of our horses; if they falter, we are left with nothing but empty wind!'”
#61
همه بادپایان برانگیختند
✦
ز پیش جهاندار بگریختند
“They all spurred their swift-footed steeds and fled from the presence of the world-ruler.”
#62
چو دارا سر و افسر او ندید
✦
به تاریکی از چشم شد ناپدید
“When Dara no longer saw his head and crown, Alexander had vanished from sight into the darkness.”
#63
نگهبان فرستاد هم در زمان
✦
به نزدیکی خیمهٔ بدگمان
“He dispatched guards immediately toward the pavilion of that suspected guest.”
#64
چو رفتند بیداردل رفته بود
✦
نه بخت چنان پادشا خفته بود
“When they arrived, the vigilant warrior was gone; yet the fortune of such a king was not asleep.”
#65
پس او فرستاد دارا سوار
✦
دلیران و پرخاشجویان هزار
“Then Dara sent a thousand horsemen—brave and battle-eager warriors—in pursuit.”
#66
چو باد از پس او همی تاختند
✦
شب تیرهٔ بد راه نشناختند
“They rode like the wind behind him, but in the dark, ill-fated night, they lost the trail.”
#67
طلایه بدیدند گشتند باز
✦
نبد سود جز رنج و راه دراز
“They only sighted the enemy vanguard and turned back; their effort yielded nothing but fatigue and a long journey.”
#68
چو اسکندر آمد به پرده‌سرای
✦
برفتند گردان رومی ز جای
“When Alexander safely reached his pavilion, the Roman champions rose to meet him.”
#69
بدیدند شب شاه را شادکام
✦
به پیش اندرون پرگهر چار جام
“In the night, they saw their king joyful, with four jewel-studded goblets set before him.”
#70
به گردان چنین گفت کاباد بید
✦
بدین فرخی فال ما شاد بید
“He spoke thus to his warriors: 'May you thrive! May our joyful sign bring happiness through such auspicious fortune!'”
#71
که این جام پیروزی جان ماست
✦
سر اختران زیر فرمان ماست
“'For these goblets omen the victory of our spirit; the highest stars are now subject to our command!'”
#72
هم از لشکرش برگرفتم شمار
✦
فراوان کم است از شنیده سوار
“'I also took full count of his army; his horsemen are far fewer than what was rumored.'”
#73
همه جنگ را تیغها برکشید
✦
وزین دشت هامون سر اندرکشید
“'Unsheathe your swords for battle, and sweep across this vast plain!'”
#74
چو در جنگ تن را به رنج آورید
✦
ازان رنج شاهی و گنج آورید
“'When you endure hardship in battle, from that labor you shall win kingship and treasure!'”
#75
جهان آفریننده یار منست
✦
سر اختر اندر کنار منست
“'The Creator of the world is my ally; the zenith of the stars is within my grasp!'”
#76
بزرگان برو خواندند آفرین
✦
که آباد بادا به قیصر زمین
“The nobles showered praises upon him, crying: 'May the earth flourish under Caesar's rule!'”
#77
فدای تو بادا تن و جان ما
✦
برینست جاوید پیمان ما
“'May our bodies and souls be sacrificed for you; upon this rests our eternal covenant!'”
#78
ز شاهان که یارد بدن یار تو
✦
به مردی و بالا و دیدار تو
“'Which among kings would dare be your equal in valor, in stature, and in majestic presence?'”