Determined to verify the wondrous treasures promised by King Kaid of Hind, Alexander handpicked nine of his most revered, wise, and trusted Roman elders. He penned a letter laced with courtly eloquence and solemn assurances, instructing Kaid to present his four legendary marvels—most notably his peerless daughter—to these philosophers. Alexander pledged that once his envoys confirmed the existence of these unmatched wonders, he would grant Kaid an inviolable royal decree confirming his reign over India.
The nine sages traveled swiftly across the realms to Kaid's court. The Indian monarch received the Roman elders with grand hospitality, seating them in places of high honor. At dawn, as the sun drew its golden blade across the sky, Kaid prepared the inner sanctum. Upon a golden throne amid rich Chinese tapestries sat his daughter—a maiden whose celestial grace required no cosmetic embellishment, shining brighter than Venus in the midnight heavens.
When the nine philosophers entered the chamber, the sheer majesty of her beauty struck them motionless. Transfixed, their knees trembled and their speech dissolved into breathless praises of the Divine Creator. They remained paralyzed in awe, unable to avert their eyes, until messengers recalled them to the royal hall where Kaid inquired why they had tarried so long.
A Roman philosopher exclaimed that no artist's canvas could ever capture such a vision, questioning if she were truly mortal or a divine being who had inherited the brilliance of every star. Settling together with parchment, ink, and reed pens, each of the nine sages composed a poetic testament dedicated to a specific feature of the princess. A swift rider carried these manuscripts directly to Alexander.
Upon reading their luminous descriptions, the conqueror of the world was enchanted, exclaiming in wonder that he had glimpsed the very gardens of Paradise. Satisfied, Alexander commanded his sages to return bearing the four marvels alongside the Indian princess, while entrusting Kaid with the official covenant of peace and sovereignty, declaring Kaid forever safe under imperial protection.
#1
گزین کرد زان رومیان مرد چند
✦
خردمند و بادانش و بی‌گزند
“He chose from among the Romans a few men, wise, knowledgeable, and untroubled by ill.”
#2
یکی نامه بنوشت پس شهریار
✦
پر از پوزش و رنگ و بوی و نگار
“The monarch then wrote a letter, filled with apologies, beauty, grace, and rich ornament.”
#3
که نه نامور ز استواران خویش
✦
ازین پرهنر نامداران خویش
“Stating: 'Nine renowned men from among my trusted ones, highly accomplished and famous,”
#4
خردمند و بادانش و شرم و رای
✦
جهانجوی و پردانش و رهنمای
“Wise, knowledgeable, modest, of noble counsel, seekers of the world and wise guides,”
#5
فرستادم اینک به نزدیک تو
✦
نه پیچند با رای باریک تو
“I have now sent to your presence; they shall not dispute your refined wisdom.”
#6
تو این چیزها را بدیشان نمای
✦
همانا بباشد هم‌انجا به جای
“Show these four marvels to them, so that all may remain firm in its place.”
#7
چو من نامه یابم ز پیران خویش
✦
جهاندیده و رازداران خویش
“When I receive the letter back from my elders, world-experienced and keepers of secrets,”
#8
که بگذشت بر چشم ما چار چیز
✦
که کس را به گیتی نبودست نیز
“Confirming that four things passed before our eyes, the like of which no one in the world possesses,”
#9
نویسم یکی نامهٔ دلپسند
✦
که کیدست تا باشد او شاه هند
“I shall write a heart-pleasing charter ensuring Kaid remains the King of Hind.'”
#10
خردمند نه مرد رومی برفت
✦
ز پیش سکندر سوی کید تفت
“The nine wise Roman men departed, hastening from Alexander unto Kaid.”
#11
چو سالار هند آن سران را بدید
✦
فراوان بپرسید و پاسخ شنید
“When the ruler of Hind beheld those chiefs, he questioned them greatly and heard their replies.”
#12
چنانچون ببایست بنواختشان
✦
یکی جای شایسته بنشاختشان
“He welcomed them with fitting honor and seated them in a worthy place.”
#13
دگر روز چون آسمان گشت زرد
✦
برآهیخت خورشید تیغ نبرد
“On the next day, as the sky turned yellow and the sun unsheathed its battle-blade,”
#14
بیاراست آن دختر شاه را
✦
نباید خود آراستن ماه را
“He adorned the daughter of the king—though indeed the moon needs no adornment.”
#15
به خانه درون تخت زرین نهاد
✦
به گرد اندر آرایش چین نهاد
“Inside the palace he set a golden throne, surrounded by ornaments of Chinese craft.”
#16
نشست از بر تخت خورشید چهر
✦
ز ناهید تابنده‌تر بر سپهر
“She sat upon the throne, sun-faced and radiant, far brighter than Venus in the firmament.”
#17
برفتند بیدار نه مرد پیر
✦
زبان چرب و گوینده و یادگیر
“The nine vigilant old men entered, smooth-tongued, eloquent, and keen of mind.”
#18
فرستادشان شاه سوی عروس
✦
بر آواز اسکندر فیلقوس
“The king sent them to the bride on behalf of Alexander, son of Philip.”
#19
بدیدند پیران رخ دخت شاه
✦
درفشان ازو یاره و تخت و گاه
“The elders beheld the face of the king's daughter, gleaming with armlets, throne, and crown.”
#20
فرو ماندند اندرو خیره خیر
✦
ز دیدار او سست شد پای پیر
“They stood spellbound in astonishment; from the sight of her, the old men's feet grew weak.”
#21
خردمند نه پیر مانده به جای
✦
زبانها پر از آفرین خدای
“The nine wise elders remained rooted to the spot, their tongues filled with praise for God.”
#22
نه جای گذر دید ازیشان یکی
✦
نه زو چشم برداشتند اندکی
“They saw no way to turn away from her, nor could they avert their eyes even for a moment.”
#23
چو فرزانگان دیرتر ماندند
✦
کس آمد بر شاهشان خواندند
“As the sages delayed so long, someone was dispatched by the king to call them back.”
#24
چنین گفت با رومیان شهریار
✦
که چندین چرا بودتان روزگار
“The monarch of Hind spoke to the Romans: 'Why did you tarry there for so long?'”
#25
همو آدمی بودکان چهره داشت
✦
به خوبی ز هر اختری بهره داشت
“'Was she a mortal who possessed such a face? She derived beauty from every celestial star!'”
#26
بدو گفت رومی که ای شهریار
✦
در ایوان چنو کس نبیند نگار
“The Roman sage replied to him: 'O monarch, in no palace can anyone behold such a portrait.”
#27
کنون هر یکی از یک اندام ماه
✦
فرستیم یک نامه نزدیک شاه
“Now each of us shall send a letter to the king, describing one limb of this moon.'”
#28
نشستند پس فیلسوفان بهم
✦
گرفتند قرطاس و قیر و قلم
“Then the philosophers sat together, taking parchment, ink, and reed pens.”
#29
نوشتند هر موبدی ز آنک دید
✦
که قرطاس ز انقاس شد ناپدید
“Each sage wrote down what he had observed, until the parchment disappeared beneath the black ink.”
#30
ز نزدیک ایشان سواری برفت
✦
به نزد سکندر به میلاد تفت
“A rider swiftly departed from them, hastening to Alexander at Milad.”
#31
چو شاه جهان نامه‌هاشان بخواند
✦
ز گفتارشان در شگفتی بماند
“When the Lord of the World read their letters, he remained in utter wonder at their words.”
#32
به نامه هر اندام را زو یکی
✦
صفت کرده بودند لیک اندکی
“In each letter, one feature of hers had been portrayed, yet with profound art.”
#33
بدیشان جهاندار پاسخ نوشت
✦
که بخ‌بخ که دیدم خرم بهشت
“The world-ruler wrote back to them: 'Bravo! Truly I have beheld a radiant paradise!”
#34
کنون بازگردید با چار چیز
✦
برین بر فزونی مجویید نیز
“Now return bearing those four wonders, and seek no further addition beyond this.”
#35
چو منشور و عهد من او را دهید
✦
شما با فغستان بنه برنهید
“When you deliver my charter and royal covenant to him, set forth with Faghstan.'”
#36
نیازارد او را کسی زین سپس
✦
ازو در جهان یافتم داد و بس
“'No one shall cause him harm henceforth; I have received justice from him, and that is enough.'”