When the envoys returned from Alexander's camp to the Indian monarch, they brought word of the conqueror's acceptance. Joy flooded the ruler's heart as the shadow of devastating war receded from his realm. The king gathered a hundred wise, eloquent, and enlightened elders of Hind, and unsealed his ancient treasuries. Three hundred camel-loads of royal jewels, uncut robes of fine silk, crowns, thrones, and vast fortunes of silver and gold were prepared. Upon ten mighty elephants they raised a golden throne, and upon the grandest beast they placed a magnificent litter crafted of fragrant aloe-wood, woven with gold thread and set with precious gems.
Within this litter rode Princess Faghestan, shedding tears of sorrow as she departed her homeland, accompanied by the legendary philosopher, the master physician, and the wondrous, unemptying goblet. When Faghestan arrived at Alexander's royal quarters, her radiant beauty dazzled all who beheld her—a stature like a graceful cypress, brows curved like bows, and eyes like narcissi in paradise. Alexander gazed upon her matchless countenance and silently praised the Almighty Creator for crafting such a masterpiece. He summoned the mobads and sages of his army and wed Princess Faghestan in accordance with the noble rites of the Messiah. He showered such endless golden dinars upon her feet that the path was laden with wealth, sealing their bond in peace and splendor.
#1
فرستاده برگشت زان مرز و بوم
✦
بیامد به نزدیک پیران روم
“The envoy returned from that border and land, and came to the elders of Rome.”
#2
چو آن موبدان پاسخ شهریار
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بدیدند با رنج دیده سوار
“When those mobads saw the answer of the king, brought by the weary rider...”
#3
از ایوان به نزدیک شاه آمدند
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بران نامور بارگاه آمدند
“They came from the palace before the king, entering that renowned court.”
#4
سپهدار هندوستان شاد شد
✦
که از رنج اسکندر آزاد شد
“The commander of Hindustan was overjoyed that he was freed from the hardship of Alexander.”
#5
بروبر بخواندند پس نامه را
✦
چو پیغام آن شاه خودکامه را
“They read the letter to him, along with the message of that willful king.”
#6
گزین کرد پیران صد از هندوان
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خردمند و گویا و روشن‌روان
“He selected a hundred elders from among the Indians—wise, eloquent, and enlightened of spirit.”
#7
در گنج بی‌رنج بگشاد شاه
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گزین کرد ازان یاره و تاج و گاه
“The king opened the door to his effortless treasure, choosing armlets, crowns, and thrones.”
#8
همان گوهر و جامهٔ نابرید
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ز چیزی که شایسته‌تر برگزید
“Likewise gems and uncut fabrics, choosing whatever was most worthy.”
#9
ببردند سیصد شتروار بار
✦
همان جامه و گوهر شاهوار
“They carried three hundred camel-loads of cargo, including those fabrics and royal gems.”
#10
صد اشتر همه بار دینار بود
✦
صد اشتر ز گنج درم بار بود
“A hundred camels were loaded with gold dinars, and a hundred camels loaded with silver dirhams from the treasury.”
#11
یکی مهد پرمایه از عود تر
✦
برو بافته زر و چندی گهر
“A precious litter crafted of fresh aloe-wood, woven with gold and set with many gems.”
#12
به ده پیل بر تخت زرین نهاد
✦
به پیلی گرانمایه‌تر زین نهاد
“He set a golden throne upon ten elephants, and upon an even grander elephant he placed this litter.”
#13
فغستان ببارید خونین سرشک
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همی رفت با فیلسوف و پزشک
“Faghestan shed tears of blood as she went, accompanied by the philosopher and the physician.”
#14
قدح هم چنان نامداری به دست
✦
همه سرکشان از می جام مست
“And that famous goblet in a nobleman's hand, from which all lords would grow intoxicated with wine.”
#15
فغستان چو آمد به مشکوی شاه
✦
یکی تاج بر سر ز مشک سیاه
“When Faghestan entered the king's royal quarters, wearing a crown woven of black musk.”
#16
بسان گل زرد بر ارغوان
✦
ز دیدار او شاد شد ناتوان
“Like a yellow rose upon purple petal, even the infirm grew joyful at her sight.”
#17
چو سرو سهی بر سرش گرد ماه
✦
نشایست کردن به مه بر نگاه
“Like a straight tall cypress with a moon above her head; one could hardly dare gaze upon such a moon.”
#18
دو ابرو کمان و دو نرگس دژم
✦
سر زلف را تاب داده به خم
“Her eyebrows like twin bows and her two eyes melancholic narcissi, the ends of her locks curled in rings.”
#19
دو چشمش چو دو نرگس اندر بهشت
✦
تو گفتی که از ناز دارد سرشت
“Her two eyes were like narcissi in paradise; you would say her very nature was woven of beauty and grace.”
#20
سکندر نگه کرد بالای اوی
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همان موی و روی و سر و پای اوی
“Alexander looked upon her tall stature, her hair, her face, and her body from head to foot.”
#21
همی گفت کاینت چراغ جهان
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همی آفرین خواند اندر نهان
“He said to himself: 'Behold the lamp of the world!' and offered praise in secret.”
#22
بدان دادگر کو سپهر آفرید
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بران گونه بالا و چهر آفرید
“Praising that Just Creator who created the heavens and fashioned such stature and beauty.”
#23
بفرمود تا هرک بخرد بدند
✦
بران لشکر روم موبد بدند
“He commanded that whoever was wise and a mobad among the Roman army...”
#24
نشستند و او را به آیین بخواست
✦
به رسم مسیحا و پیوند راست
“Should assemble, and he wed her according to custom, by the rite of the Messiah and righteous bond.”
#25
برو ریخت دینار چندان ز گنج
✦
که شد ماه را راه رفتن به رنج
“He showered so many gold dinars upon her from his treasury that it became difficult for that moon-like beauty to walk.”