Upon revealing Alexander's true identity through the silk portrait she possessed, Queen Qaydafeh smiled at his audacity and sharp tongue. Looking upon the monarch of Rûm, she imparted profound wisdom: 'O lion-hearted king, do not swell your head with pride. It was not solely by your own strength that Fur of India was slain or Dara son of Darab overthrown; rather, the wheel of fortune turned in your favor, and your star shone bright in the heavens. Attribute all your victories to the Almighty, and remain grateful to Him for as long as you live. How can you claim supreme wisdom when you have willingly walked straight into the dragon's maw, sewing your own shroud in the flower of youth by masquerading as a mere envoy?'
Yet, Qaydafeh reassured him of her noble principles: 'It is neither my custom to shed blood needlessly nor to engage in reckless strife with sovereigns. He who spills the blood of kings shall inherit nothing but hellfire in the end. Rest safe in my halls, but swear never again to travel in the guise of a messenger. To preserve your secret from my court, I shall continue to call you Bitqon while you remain here. I shall send you back in peace, provided you pledge never to harbour ill will against my realm, my children, or my kin, and to treat me as your equal.'
Relieved and filled with joy at escaping mortal peril, Alexander swore a solemn oath by the Creator of the universe, the faith of the Messiah, and the holy dust of battle. He vowed that toward Qaydafeh's lands, her children, and her nobles, he would bring only righteousness and goodwill, harboring no treachery or malice. With the oath concluded, Qaydafeh warned him of a lingering danger: 'My son Taynush is headstrong and often disregards my counsel, and the son-in-law of Fur burns with a desire for vengeance. Should he discover that you are Alexander himself, he would set heaven and earth ablaze to avenge his kinsman. Keep your mask tight, step joyfully into the feast, and cast away the cares of the world.'
#1
بخندید قیدافه از کار اوی
✦
ازان مردی و تند گفتار اوی
“Qaydafeh smiled at his demeanor, his courage, and his bold speech.”
#2
بدو گفت کای خسرو شیرفش
✦
به مردی مگردان سر خویش کش
“She said to him: 'O lion-hearted king, do not swell your head with pride through your own prowess.'”
#3
نه از فر تو کشته شد فور هند
✦
نه دارای داراب و گردان سند
“'It was not by your royal glory alone that Fur of India was slain, nor Dara son of Darab and the heroes of Sindh.'”
#4
که برگشت روز بزرگان دهر
✦
ز اختر ترا بیشتر بود بهر
“'Rather, the fortune of the world's great rulers turned, and your share from the stars was greater.'”
#5
به مردی تو گستاخ گشتی چنین
✦
که مهتر شدی بر زمان و زمین
“'You became so bold in your strength that you claimed mastery over time and earth.'”
#6
همه نیکویها ز یزدان شناس
✦
و زو دار تا زنده باشی سپاس
“'Acknowledge all good things as coming from God, and render Him thanks as long as you live.'”
#7
تو گویی به دانش که گیتی مراست
✦
نبینم همی گفت و گوی تو راست
“'You claim in your wisdom that the world is yours, but I do not see truth in your words.'”
#8
کجا آورد دانش تو بها
✦
چو آیی چنین در دم اژدها
“'Where does your wisdom hold value when you step into the dragon's mouth like this?'”
#9
بدوزی به روز جوانی کفن
✦
فرستاده‌ای سازی از خویشتن
“'In the days of your youth, you sew your own shroud by making yourself an envoy!'”
#10
مرا نیست آیین خون ریختن
✦
نه بر خیره با مهتر آویختن
“'Yet it is not my custom to shed blood, nor to battle recklessly with a sovereign.'”
#11
چو شاهی به کاری توانا بود
✦
ببخشاید از داد و دانا بود
“'When a king possesses power in an affair, he should show mercy out of justice and wisdom.'”
#12
چنان دان که ریزندهٔ خون شاه
✦
جز آتش نبیند به فرجام گاه
“'Know that he who sheds the blood of kings shall see nothing but hellfire in the end.'”
#13
تو ایمن بباش و به شادی برو
✦
چو رفتی یکی کار برساز نو
“'Be safe and depart in joy; when you return, adopt a new manner of action.'”
#14
کزین پس نیایی به پیغمبری
✦
ترا خاک داند که اسکندری
“'For hereafter do not come as an envoy; only the earth knows that you are Alexander.'”
#15
ندانم کسی را ز گردنکشان
✦
که از چهر او من ندارم نشان
“'I know no formidable ruler whose portrait I do not possess.'”
#16
نگاریده هم زین نشان بر حریر
✦
نهاده به نزد یکی یادگیر
“'Painted in this manner upon silk, kept in the care of a master portrait keeper.'”
#17
برو راند هم حکم اخترشناس
✦
کزو ایمنی باشد اندر هراس
“'The astrologer's decree was executed so that one might remain safe in times of peril.'”
#18
چو بخشنده شد خسرو رای‌زن
✦
زمانه بگوید به مرد و به زن
“'When the prudent king acts with generosity, time will recount it to every man and woman.'”
#19
تو تا ایدری بیطقون خوانمت
✦
برین هم نشان دور بنشانمت
“'While you are here, I shall address you as Bitqon, and seat you on your chair under that title.'”
#20
بدان تا نداند کسی راز تو
✦
همان نشنود نام و آواز تو
“'So that no one may learn your secret, nor hear your true name and voice.'”
#21
فرستمت بر نیکوی باز جای
✦
تو باید که باشی خداوند رای
“'I shall send you back to a position of virtue; you must remain a master of wisdom.'”
#22
به پیمان که هرگز به فرزند من
✦
به شهر من و خویش و پیوند من
“'Upon the covenant that never against my child, my city, my kin, and my allies...'”
#23
نباشی بداندایش گر بدسگال
✦
به کشور نخوانی مرا جز همال
“'...you shall be evil-minded or treacherous, nor consider me in your realm as less than your equal.'”
#24
سکندر شنید این سخن شاد شد
✦
ز تیمار وز کشتن آزاد شد
“Alexander heard these words and rejoiced, delivered from sorrow and fear of execution.”
#25
به دادار دارنده سوگند خورد
✦
بدین مسیحا و گرد نبرد
“He swore a sacred oath by the Sustaining Creator, by the faith of the Messiah, and by the dust of battle...”
#26
که با بوم و بارست و فرزند تو
✦
بزرگان که باشند پیوند تو
“'...that toward your land, your children, and the nobles linked to your house...'”
#27
نسازم جز از خوبی و راستی
✦
نه اندیشم از کژی و کاستی
“'...I shall act only with goodness and truth, harboring no deceit or flaw.'”
#28
چو سوگند شد خورده قیدافه گفت
✦
که این پند بر تو نشاید نهفت
“When the oath was sworn, Qaydafeh said: 'It is not fitting that I conceal this warning from you.'”
#29
چنان دان که طینوش فرزند من
✦
کم اندیشد از دانش و پند من
“'Know that Taynush my son pays little heed to my wisdom and advice.'”
#30
یکی بادسارست داماد فور
✦
نباید که داند ز نزدیک و دور
“'And there is a quick-tempered man who is the son-in-law of Fur; he must not know from near or far...'”
#31
که تو با سکندر ز یک پوستی
✦
گر ایدونک با او به دل دوستی
“'...that you are of one skin with Alexander, even if you hold him dear in your heart.'”
#32
که او از پی فور کین آورد
✦
به جنگ آسمان بر زمین آورد
“'For he seeks revenge for Fur, and in war against Alexander he would bring heaven down to earth.'”
#33
کنون شاد و ایمن به ایوان خرام
✦
ز تیمار گیتی مبر هیچ نام
“'Now proceed happy and secure to the hall, and mention no more the grieves of the world.'”