When Sekandar established his firm dominion over Iran and seated himself upon the ancient Kianian throne, he turned his ambitious eyes toward the vast realms of India. He marched his immense host across highways and trackless wastes, advancing directly upon the territory of King Kayd. Wherever Sekandar's banners appeared, the cities unlocked their gates in surrender, unable to resist his overwhelming force. Exalted by his triumphs, the conqueror felt his high helmet brushed against the celestial sphere of Venus, acknowledging no monarch as his peer in all the land. At last, he arrived before the great metropolis of Kayd—known as Milad—and pitched his vast encampment, carpeting the entire countryside with his armed forces.
Sekandar then summoned his royal scribe and instructed him to draft a formidable decree, crafted like a ravenous lion bounding toward its prey. The letter commenced with praises of the Almighty and extolled the virtues of wisdom, which guides the prudent to accomplish great deeds with minimal suffering. Sekandar declared himself the supreme mainstay of the throne and the shadow of the victorious Ruler of the Universe. He warned Kayd that this mandate was intended to illuminate his darkened spirit—provided he submitted instantly upon hearing it read. Sekandar commanded that even if the scroll arrived under the cover of night, Kayd must not await the dawn before yielding. Should he dare to hesitate or defy the command, Sekandar vowed to sweep down upon his kingdom and crush his head, crown, and throne into the dust.
#1
سکندر چو کرد اندر ایران نگاه
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بدانست کو را شد آن تاج و گاه
“When Sekandar looked upon the realm of Iran, he realized that its crown and throne belonged to him.”
#2
همی راه و بی‌راه لشکر کشید
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سوی کید هندی سپه برکشید
“He marched his army through highways and trackless paths, driving his forces toward Kayd of India.”
#3
به جایی که آمد سکندر فراز
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در شارستانها گشادند باز
“Wherever Sekandar advanced, the cities threw open their gates to him.”
#4
ازان مرز کس را به مردم نداشت
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ز ناهید مغفر همی برگذاشت
“He held no man in that borderland as his equal; his exalted helmet reached beyond Venus.”
#5
چو آمد بران شارستان بزرگ
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که میلاد خواندیش کید سترگ
“When he arrived at that great city which the mighty Kayd called Milad...”
#6
بران مرز لشکر فرود آورید
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همه بوم ایشان سپه گسترید
“He encamped his host upon that border, covering their entire land with his troops.”
#7
نویسندهٔ نامه را خواندند
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به پیش سکندرش بنشاندند
“They summoned the scribe of the letter and seated him before Sekandar.”
#8
یکی نامه بنوشت نزدیک کید
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چو شیری که ارغنده گردد به صید
“He penned a letter to Kayd, like a fierce lion bounding toward its prey.”
#9
ز اسکندر راد پیروزگر
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خداوند شمشیر و تاج و کمر
“From noble, victorious Sekandar—master of the sword, crown, and waist-girdle of rule.”
#10
سر نامه بود آفرین از نخست
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بدانکس که دل را به دانش بشست
“The letter opened first with praise of the Almighty, and of him who cleanses his heart with wisdom.”
#11
ز کار آن گزیند که بی‌رنج‌تر
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چو خواهد که بردارد از گنج بر
“Who chooses that path which brings least suffering when he desires to reap the fruits of treasure.”
#12
گراینده باشد به یزدان پاک
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بدو دارد امید و زو ترس و باک
“Who turns toward the pure God, placing in Him all hope, reverence, and fear.”
#13
بداند که ما تخت را مایه‌ایم
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جهاندار پیروز را سایه‌ایم
“Let him know that we are the backbone of the throne, the shadow of the victorious Ruler of the World.”
#14
نوشتم یکی نامه نزدیک تو
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که روشن کند جان تاریک تو
“I have written a letter to you that shall enlighten your dark spirit.”
#15
هم‌آنگه که بر تو بخواند دبیر
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منه پیش و این را سگالش مگیر
“The very moment the scribe reads it to you, put it not aside, nor hold it open to debate.”
#16
اگر شب رسد روشنی را مپای
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هم‌اندر زمان سوی فرمان گرای
“If night falls, wait not for dawn; submit instantly to my command.”
#17
وگر بگذری زین سخن نگذرم
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سر و تاج و تختت به پی بسپرم
“And if you bypass this order, I shall not pass by your defiance; I will trample your head, crown, and throne underfoot!”