When Delaray, the noble Queen of Iran, heard the words of Iskandar's letter, a cold, burning sigh issued from her soul. Her eyes wept tears of blood for Dara, who now lay beneath the dark earth. She summoned a wise scribe to her presence, and while shedding tears upon her cheeks, dictated a response rich in wisdom and profound discourse.
The letter commenced with praise for the Almighty Creator, the Sovereign Lord of all existence, followed by a reflection upon the turning sphere of heaven, which brings forth strife, peace, and love alike. Delaray wrote that for years they had sought the Glory of Dara and adorned their speech with his name; yet now that his allotted time had passed and the crown of his throne had turned into the wood of a coffin, she wished Iskandar greatness, victory, and supreme kingship over the world.
The sagacious queen acknowledged Iskandar's swift justice upon Janushyar and Mahyar—the traitors who had spilled the blood of their lord—affirming that whoever sheds their master's blood shall not long endure under the sun. Furthermore, Delaray welcomed Iskandar's proposal of marriage to her daughter, Roshanak, stating that both Roshanak and the royal house bowed their heads to his command and wisdom. She added that letters had already been dispatched to the grandees and noble Parthian warriors of Iran, proclaiming that Dara's command was now Iskandar's command, and no soul should turn away from his covenant.
Then Delaray bestowed rich robes, purses of gold, and treasures from the royal vaults upon the messenger. When the Roman envoy returned to Iskandar and recounted the grandeur of the Iranian court, its ancient customs, and the gracious response of the Queen, it was as though King Dara himself still reigned upon the throne. Overjoyed by these joyous tidings, Iskandar, in perfect peace and triumph, placed the radiant Crown of the Kianians upon his head.
#1
دلارای چون آن سخنها شنید
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یکی باد سرد از جگر برکشید
“When Delaray heard those words, she drew a cold sigh from her heart.”
#2
ز دارا ز دیده ببارید خون
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که بد ریخته زیر خاک اندرون
“She wept blood from her eyes for Dara, who was now buried beneath the dust.”
#3
نویسندهٔ نامه را پیش خواند
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همه خون ز مژگان به رخ برفشاند
“She called the scribe of the letter forward, shedding all her tears upon her cheeks.”
#4
مر آن نامه را خوب پاسخ نوشت
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سخنهای با مغز و فرخ نوشت
“She wrote a fine response to that letter, penning words filled with wisdom and grace.”
#5
نخست آفرین کرد بر کردگار
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جهاندار دادار پروردگار
“First, she gave praise unto the Creator, the Sovereign Lord and Nurturer of the world.”
#6
دگر گفت کز کار گردان سپهر
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کزویست پرخاش و آرام و مهر
“Then she spoke of the revolving heavens, from which come strife, peace, and love.”
#7
همی فر دارا همی خواستیم
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زبان را به نام وی آراستیم
“She wrote: 'We once desired the royal glory of Dara, and adorned our tongues with his name.'”
#8
کنون چون زمان وی اندر گذشت
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سر گاه او چوب تابوت گشت
“'Now that his time has passed, the head of his throne has turned into the wood of a coffin.'”
#9
ترا خواهم اندر جهان نیکوی
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بزرگی و پیروزی و خسروی
“'I wish you goodness in the world, greatness, victory, and royal sovereignty.'”
#10
به کام تو خواهم که باشد جهان
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برین آشکارا ندارم نهان
“'May the world be according to your desire; I conceal nothing behind this manifest truth.'”
#11
شنیدم همه هرچ گفتی ز مهر
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که از جان تو شاد بادا سپهر
“'I heard all you said in loving warmth; may the heavens rejoice in your soul.'”
#12
ازان دخمه و دار وز ماهیار
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مکافات بدخواه جانوشیار
“'Regarding that tomb, the gallows, Mahyar, and the retribution of the traitorous Janushyar...'”
#13
چو خون خداوند ریزد کسی
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به گیتی درنگش نباشد بسی
“'When anyone spills the blood of their lord, their delay in this world shall not be long.'”
#14
دگر آنک جستی همی آشتی
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بسی روز با پند بگذاشتی
“'And as for your seeking peace and spending many a day in wise counsel...'”
#15
نیاید ز شاهان پرستندگی
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نجوید کس از تاجور بندگی
“'Servitude does not come from kings, nor does anyone seek bondage from a crown-wearer.'”
#16
به جای شهنشاه ما را توی
✦
چو خورشید شد ماه ما را توی
“'You stand in the place of our Shahanshah; now that the sun has set, you are our moon.'”
#17
مبادا به گیتی به جز کام تو
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همیشه بر ایوانها نام تو
“'May nothing exist in the world save your desire, and may your name endure forever upon the palaces.'”
#18
دگر آنک از روشنک یاد کرد
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دل ما بدان آرزو شاد کرد
“'Furthermore, regarding what you mentioned of Roshanak, it gladdened our heart with that wish.'”
#19
پرستندهٔ تست ما بنده‌ایم
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به فرمان و رایت سرافگنده‌ایم
“'She is your servant and we are your subjects; we bow our heads to your command and counsel.'”
#20
درودت فرستاد و پاسخ نوشت
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یکی خوب پاسخ بسان بهشت
“She sent greetings and wrote a reply—a fine response like unto paradise.”
#21
چو شاه زمانه ترا برگزید
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سر از رای او کس نیارد کشید
“'Since the King of the Age has chosen you, no one dares turn their head from his judgment.'”
#22
نوشتیم نامه سوی مهتران
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به پهلو نژادان جنگاوران
“'We have written a letter to the nobles, to the warriors of Parthian lineage...'”
#23
که فرمان داراست فرمان تو
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نپیچد کسی سر ز پیمان تو
“'Stating that Dara's command is now your command, and no one shall break covenant with you.'”
#24
فرستاده را جامه و بدره داد
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ز گنجش ز هرگونه‌ای بهره داد
“She gave the messenger robes and purses of money, bestowing upon him every kind of reward from the treasury.”
#25
چو رومی به نزد سکندر رسید
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همه یاد کرد آنچ دید و شنید
“When the Roman messenger reached Iskandar, he recounted all that he had seen and heard.”
#26
وزان تخت و آیین و آن بارگاه
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تو گفتی که زنده‌ست بر گاه شاه
“He spoke of that throne, those customs, and that royal court—you would say the King was still alive upon his throne.”
#27
سکندر ز گفتار او گشت شاد
✦
به آرام تاج کیی بر نهاد
“Iskandar grew joyful at his words, and in serene peace he set upon his head the Kianian Crown.”