From Kerman, a distinguished envoy rode swiftly toward Esfahan, where the noble grandees of Iran and the veiled royal women of Dara’s court had sought refuge. Bringing the greetings of Sekandar, the messenger recounted the tragic end of King Dara, declaring that neither friend nor foe could rejoice at such a death. Yet he offered comfort, proclaiming that Sekandar now stood in Dara’s stead to preserve the splendor and unity of Iran. He invited the royal women and Iranian lords to bring their banners and royal belongings to the ancient city of Istakhr, reassuring them that Iran remained untouched in its glory.
Thereupon, Sekandar dispatched a grand royal charter of justice to every province, governor, and wise Mobad across the empire. The letter commenced with sublime praise for the Almighty Creator—He who brought the twin realms into being through the cosmic decree of Creation, governing the revolving heavens by His absolute will. Sekandar swore by the sun that he had sought no harm against Dara, whose betrayal lay at the hands of treacherous servants who had now suffered divine retribution. He called upon all lords to bind their tongues to oaths of righteousness, promising boundless treasure, crowns, and security to those who honored their pledges. He commanded the maintenance of guarded borders and secure marketplaces, the shelter and honor of chaste maidens for the imperial court, and the immediate relief of the destitute, ascetics, and wandering dervishes. Corrupt officials who oppressed the vulnerable were warned of ultimate ruin.
Once these royal decrees were broadcast across the vast empire, a serene peace settled over the land. Sekandar marched from Kerman to the ancient throne-city of Istakhr, where he placed the magnificent Kianian crown of majesty upon his head, acknowledging the elusive and mysterious nature of Fate.
#1
ز کرمان کس آمد سوی اصفهان
✦
به جایی که بودند ز ایران مهان
“From Kerman a messenger came unto Esfahan, to the place where the grandees of Iran resided.”
#2
به نزدیک پوشیده‌رویان شاه
✦
بیامد یکی مرد با دستگاه
“Unto the veiled ladies of the King's court arrived a man of great rank and dignity.”
#3
بدیشان درود سکندر ببرد
✦
همه کار دارا بر ایشان شمرد
“He brought Sekandar's greetings unto them, and recounted all that had transpired regarding Dara.”
#4
چنین گفت کز مرگ شاهان داد
✦
نباشد دل دشمن و دوست شاد
“He said: 'At the death of just kings, neither the heart of friend nor foe can rejoice.'”
#5
بدانید کامروز دارا منم
✦
گر او شد نهان آشکارا منم
“'Know ye that today I am Dara; though he has departed into secret, I am here manifest.'”
#6
فزونست ازان نیکویها که بود
✦
به تیمار رخ را نشاید شخود
“'The goodness to come exceeds what was before; ye ought not to scratch your faces in grief.'”
#7
همه مرگ راییم شاه و سپاه
✦
اگر دیر مانیم اگر چند گاه
“'We are all bound for death, be we king or host, whether we abide here long or a brief span.'”
#8
بنه سوی شهر صطخر آورید
✦
بپیوند ما نیز فخر آورید
“'Bring your royal baggage unto the city of Istakhr, and take pride in your alliance with us.'”
#9
همانست ایران که بود از نخست
✦
بباشید شادان‌دل و تن‌درست
“'Iran remains the selfsame Iran it ever was; remain glad of heart and sound of body.'”
#10
نوشتند نامه به هر کشوری
✦
به هر نامداری و هر مهتری
“Then letters were written to every realm, unto every renowned leader and chieftain.”
#11
ز اسکندر فیلقوس بزرگ
✦
جهانگیر و با کینه‌جویان سترگ
“From Sekandar, son of the great Philip—world-conqueror and mighty against vengeance-seekers.”
#12
بداد و دهش دل توانگر کنید
✦
بر آزادگی بر سر افسر کنید
“'Enrich your hearts with justice and bounty, and place the crown of nobility upon your heads.'”
#13
که فرجام هم روزمان بگذرد
✦
زمانه پی ما همی بشمرد
“'For in the end our days shall pass away, and Time continuously counts our footsteps.'”
#14
سوی موبدان نامه‌ای همچنین
✦
پرافروزش و پوزش و آفرین
“A letter likewise was sent unto the Mobads, filled with radiance, apology, and praise.”
#15
سر نامه از پادشاه کیان
✦
سوی کاردانان ایرانیان
“The heading of the scroll read: From the Monarch of the Kians unto the wise counselors of Iran.”
#16
چو عنبر سر خامهٔ چین بشست
✦
سر نامه بود آفرین از نخست
“When the ambergris washed the nib of the Chinese reed-pen, the letter began first with divine praise.”
#17
بران دادگر کو جهان آفرید
✦
پس از آشکارا نهان آفرید
“Praise unto the Just Creator who fashioned the cosmos, creating the hidden after the manifest.”
#18
دو گیتی پدید آمد از کاف و نون
✦
چرا نی به فرمان او در نه چون
“Both worlds came into being through 'Kaaf' and 'Noon'; all is by His command, beyond 'why' or 'how'.”
#19
سپهری برین سان که بینی روان
✦
توانا و دانا جز او را مخوان
“A revolving sky such as thou beholdest—call none Mighty and Wise save Him alone.”
#20
بباشد به فرمان او هرچ خواست
✦
همه بندگانیم و او پادشاست
“Whatever He willeth comes to pass by His command; we are all His servants and He is the Sovereign.”
#21
ازو باد بر نامداران درود
✦
بر اندازهٔ هر یکی بر فزود
“From Him be blessings upon the illustrious lords, increased according to the stature of each.”
#22
جز از نیک‌نامی و فرهنگ و داد
✦
ز کردار گیتی مگیرید یاد
“'Seek naught from the deeds of the world save good name, wisdom, and justice.'”
#23
به پیروزی اندر غم آمد مرا
✦
به سور اندرون ماتم آمد مرا
“'In the midst of victory, grief befell me; amid the celebration, mourning overtook me.'”
#24
بدارندهٔ آفتاب بلند
✦
که بر جان دارا نجستم گزند
“'By the Creator of the lofty sun, I sought no injury against the life of Dara!'”
#25
مر آن شاه را دشمن از خانه بود
✦
یکی بنده بودش نه بیگانه بود
“'That king's enemy arose from his own house; it was a servant of his, no stranger.'”
#26
کنون یافت بادافره ایزدی
✦
چو بد ساخت آمد به رویش بدی
“'Now he has received divine retribution; as he wrought evil, evil returned upon his face.'”
#27
شما داد جویید و پیمان کنید
✦
زبان را به پیمان گروگان کنید
“'Seek ye justice and make covenant; pledge your tongues unto your solemn oaths.'”
#28
چو خواهید کز چرخ یابید بخت
✦
ز من بدره و برده و تاج و تخت
“'If ye desire good fortune from the heavens, ye shall receive purses of gold, robes, crowns, and thrones from me.'”
#29
پر از درد داراست روشن دلم
✦
بکوشم کز اندرز او نگسلم
“'My luminous heart is full of grief for Dara; I shall strive never to stray from his counsel.'”
#30
هرانکس که آید بدین بارگاه
✦
درم یابد و ارج و تخت و کلاه
“'Whosoever comes unto this court shall receive coin, honor, throne, and crown.'”
#31
چو خواهد که باشد به ایوان خویش
✦
نگردد گریزان ز پیمان خویش
“'And if he wishes to abide in his own palace, let him not turn away from his covenant.'”
#32
بیابند چیزی که خواهد ز گنج
✦
ازان پس نبیند کسی درد و رنج
“'They shall receive whatever they desire from the treasury, and henceforth none shall suffer pain or harm.'”
#33
درم را به نام سکندر زنید
✦
بکوشید و پیمان ما مشکنید
“'Mint the coinage in the name of Sekandar; strive well and break not our covenant.'”
#34
نشستنگه شهریاران خویش
✦
بسازید زین پس به آیین پیش
“'Rebuild and maintain the thrones of your sovereigns henceforth according to the ancient rites.'”
#35
مدارید بازار بی‌پاسبان
✦
که راند همی نام من بر زبان
“'Leave not the marketplace without a guardian, for my name is proclaimed upon every tongue.'”
#36
مدارید بی‌مرزبان مرز خویش
✦
پدید آورید اندرین ارز خویش
“'Leave not your frontiers without a border-lord; prove your worth in this manner.'”
#37
بدان تا نباشد ز دزدان گزند
✦
بمانید شادان‌دل و سودمند
“'So that no harm may come from thieves, and ye may abide joyous-hearted and prosperous.'”
#38
ز هر شهر زیبا پرستنده‌ای
✦
پر از شرم بیداردل بنده‌ای
“'From every city send a fair maidenly attendant, chaste of heart, modest, and vigilant.'”
#39
که شاید به مشکوی زرین ما
✦
بداند پرستیدن آیین ما
“'Who is worthy of our golden palace, and knowledgeable in the customs of serving our court.'”
#40
چنان کو برفتن نباشد دژم
✦
نشاید که بر برده باشد ستم
“'Provided she be not sorrowful in her journeying; for it is not fitting that cruelty be done unto servants.'”
#41
فرستید سوی شبستان ما
✦
به نزدیک خسروپرستان ما
“'Send them unto our royal harem, into the care of our loyal servants of the king.'”
#42
غریبان که بر شهرها بگذرند
✦
چماننده پای و لبان ناچرند
“'As for strangers passing through the cities, wandering on foot with hungry lips,'”
#43
دل از عیب صافی و صوفی به نام
✦
به دوریشی اندر دلی شادکام
“'Whose hearts are pure of vice, named Sufis, happy-hearted in their poverty,'”
#44
ز خواهندگان نامشان سر کنید
✦
شمار اندر آغاز دفتر کنید
“'Place their names at the head of the needy, and record them at the opening of the register.'”
#45
هرآنکس که هست از شما مستمند
✦
کجا یافت از کارداری گزند
“'Whosoever among you is destitute, or hath suffered affliction from an official,'”
#46
دل و پشت بیدادگر بشکنید
✦
همه بیخ و شاخش ز بن برکنید
“Shatter the heart and break the spine of the oppressor; tear out his every root and branch from the very earth.”
#47
نهادن بد و کار کردن بدوی
✦
بیابم همان چون کنم جست و جوی
“Whosoever harbors evil intent or commits wicked deeds, I shall surely unearth him when I begin my search.”
#48
کنم زنده بر دار بدنام را
✦
که گم کرد ز آغاز فرجام را
“I will string up alive upon the gallows that ill-famed wretch who lost sight of his end from the very start.”
#49
کسی کو ز فرمان ما بگذرد
✦
به فرجام زان کار کیفر برد
“Whosoever transgresses our imperial command shall in the end suffer severe retribution for that deed.”
#50
چو نامه فرستاده شد برگرفت
✦
جهانی به آرام در بر گرفت
“When the letter was dispatched across the realm, the entire world was embraced in peaceful repose.”
#51
ز کرمان بیامد به شهر صطخر
✦
به سر بر نهاد آن کیی تاج فخر
“From Kerman he marched to the ancient city of Istakhr, and placed upon his head the proud Kayanid crown.”
#52
تو راز جهان تا توانی مجوی
✦
که او زود پیچد ز جوینده روی
“Seek not the hidden secrets of the universe if you can, for it swiftly turns its face away from the seeker.”