With a heart resolute as a mountain and an unyielding ambitious spirit, Alexander—disguised as his own envoy, Bitqun—stood undaunted before Queen Qeydafeh. Having rested through the night, he entered her radiant council hall at dawn. The Queen presided over an ivory-adorned throne, surrounded by walls inlaid with gold, onyx, and glistening jewels, while the fragrance of musk drifted through the air. Before her stood her two worthy sons: Taynush, the formidable knight, and Qeydarus, the younger prince. Qeydarus spoke to his noble mother, pleading that the envoy Bitqun be honored, granted safe passage, and sent home satisfied with a guiding escort, for he considered Bitqun the savior of his life and spirit. Qeydafeh readily assented, promising to heap high honors upon the messenger. Turning to Alexander, whom she believed to be Bitqun, the Queen bade him reveal the secret directives of his master—what Alexander willed, who guided his counsel, and what message he carried. Undismayed, Alexander delivered his own stern ultimatum, declaring that King Alexander demanded tribute from her realms and warned that should there be delay or refusal, he would march with an invincible host to strip her of throne, crown, treasure, and dominion alike.
#1
سکندر بیامد دلی همچو کوه
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رها گشته از شاه دانش پژوه
“Alexander arrived with a heart steadfast as a mountain, having set forth as the envoy of the wisdom-seeking king.”
#2
نبودش ز قیدافه چین در بروی
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نبرداشت هرگز دل از آرزوی
“He displayed no furrow of anxiety before Qeydafeh, nor did he ever abandon his grand ambitions.”
#3
ببود آن شب و بامداد پگاه
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ز ایوان بیامد به نزدیک شاه
“He passed that night, and early at dawn, he proceeded from the hall into the presence of the Queen.”
#4
سپهدار در خان پیل‌استه بود
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همه گرد بر گرد او رسته بود
“The commander Qeydafeh sat in a throne-room of carved ivory, with her retainers arrayed all around her.”
#5
سر خانه را پیکر از جزع و زر
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به زر اندرون چند گونه گهر
“The ceiling of the hall was inlaid with onyx and gold, encrusted with many kinds of precious gems.”
#6
به پیش اندرون دستهٔ مشک بوی
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دو فرزند بایسته در پیش اوی
“Before her stood vessels of fragrant musk, while her two worthy sons stood in her presence.”
#7
چو طینوش اسپ‌افگن و قیدروش
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نهاده به گفتار قیدافه گوش
“Taynush the horse-throwing champion and Qeydarus, both listening attentively to Qeydafeh's words.”
#8
به مادر چنین گفت کهتر پسر
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که ای شاه نیک اختر و دادگر
“The younger son spoke thus to his mother: 'O Queen of fortunate star and practitioner of justice!'”
#9
چنان کن که از پیش تو بیطقون
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شود شاد و خشنود با رهنمون
“'Act so that Bitqun departs from your presence joyful and content, provided with a safe guide,'”
#10
به ره بر کسی تا نیازاردش
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ور از دشمنان نیز نشماردش
“'So that no one on the road might cause him harm, nor consider him among adversaries.'”
#11
که زنده کن پاک جان من اوست
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برآنم که روشن روان من اوست
“'For he is the preserver of my pure soul; I hold that my luminous spirit owes its life to him.'”
#12
بدو گفت مادر که ایدون کنم
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که او را بزرگی بر افزون کنم
“His mother answered him: 'So shall I do, and I will bestow even greater grandeur upon him.'”
#13
به اسکندر نامور شاه گفت
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که پیدا کن اکنون نهان از نهفت
“Then the Queen spoke to the renowned Alexander: 'Now reveal what is hidden in secrecy!'”
#14
چه خواهی و رای سکندر به چیست
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چه رانی تو از شاه و دستور کیست
“'What do you seek, what is Alexander's intent, what message do you deliver from that king, and who is his counselor?'”
#15
سکندر بدو گفت کای سرفراز
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به نزد تو شد بودن من دراز
“Alexander said to her: 'O exalted Queen, my stay in your presence has been prolonged.'”
#16
مرا گفت رو باژ مرزش بخواه
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وگر دیر مانی بیارم سپاه
“'He commanded me: Go and demand tribute from her realm; if you delay, I shall bring forth my armies.'”
#17
نمانم بدو کشور و تاج و تخت
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نه زور و نه شاهی نه گنج و نه بخت
“'I will leave her neither realm, nor crown, nor throne—neither power, sovereignty, treasure, nor fortune!'”