When Prince Taynush unleashed insolent and bitter words within the royal hall, Sekandar—sitting present disguised as his own imperial envoy—flared up like a tempestuous wind. Turning upon the prince, Sekandar declared that no one could count him among true men, for he knew no reverence in the presence of royalty; were it not for the divine glory and grace of the queen, he would sever Taynush's head like fruit from a bough and display it to the hosts to avenge King Fur. The ferocity of the envoy's thunderous rebuke left Taynush reeling in confusion. Queen Qeydafeh, fully aware that the envoy was Sekandar himself, raised her voice to quiet her son, declaring that these were the words of a great sovereign, and ordered Taynush to be escorted out to the open plain.
Once they were alone, Qeydafeh privately warned Sekandar that her fiery, demon-spirited son might plot some harm or treachery in secret. Yet Sekandar wisely counseled that it was unfitting to leave the prince alienated, requesting his return to the hall. When Taynush re-entered, Sekandar seated him near his throne and spun a masterwork of deception. He claimed that he too suffered under Sekandar's tyranny, sent across the world to demand tribute so that all enemy vengeance might fall upon his own head. He then laid out a daring scheme: if Taynush would grant him riches, treasures, and a high place at court, he would entice Sekandar away from his grand host, luring him completely unarmed into a shaded thicket along the road, where Taynush could easily ambuscade him with a thousand elite horsemen and avenge the fallen kings, Dara and Fur.
Enraptured by the prospect of such effortless vengeance, Taynush flourished like a free cypress. He readily swore to grant the messenger vast hordes of treasure, noble steeds, and the supreme office of imperial treasurer. Sekandar clasped Taynush's hand to bind the oath, executing a deception so brilliant that the prince truly believed his dark days were over. Listening to this masterpiece of cunning, Queen Qeydafeh smiled secretly beneath her silk veil at Sekandar’s supreme ingenuity, while Sekandar departed her presence, his mind burning with grand and intricate designs.
#1
چو طینوش گفت سکندر شنید
✦
به کردار باد دمان بردمید
“When Sekandar heard the words of Taynush, he flared up like a raging wind.”
#2
بدو گفت کای ناکس بی‌خرد
✦
ترا مردم از مردمان نشمرد
“He said to him, 'O foolish, ignoble man! No true person would count you among humanity!'”
#3
ندانی که پیش که داری نشست
✦
بر شاه منشین و منمای دست
“'You know not in whose presence you sit; sit not beside the queen, nor point your hand!'”
#4
سرت پر ز تیزی و کنداوریست
✦
نگویی مرا خود که شاه تو کیست
“'Your head is filled with haste and rash bravery; do you not even ask me who my king is?'”
#5
اگر نیستی فر این نامدار
✦
سرت کندمی چون ترنجی ز بار
“'Were it not for the royal grace of this renowned queen, I would sever your head like fruit from its bough!'”
#6
هم‌اکنون سرت را من از درد فور
✦
به لشکر نمایم ز تن کرده دور
“'Right now, to avenge the pain of Fur, I would sever your head and display it to the army!'”
#7
یکی بانگ برزد برو مادرش
✦
که آسیمه برگشت جنگی سرش
“His mother shouted at him so fiercely that the warrior’s head reeled in confusion.”
#8
به طینوش گفت این نه گفتار اوست
✦
بران درگه او را فرستاد دوست
“She said to Taynush, 'This is not his own speaking; a friend sent him unto this royal court.'”
#9
بفرمود کو را به بیرون برند
✦
ز پیش نشستش به هامون برند
“She commanded that he be taken outside, led away from her seat into the open plain.”
#10
چنین گفت پس با سکندر به راز
✦
که طینوش بی‌دانش دیوساز
“She then spoke in secret to Sekandar: 'Taynush is an unwise, demon-spirited fool.'”
#11
نباید که اندر نهان چاره‌ای
✦
بسازد گزندی و پتیاره‌ای
“'Lest he should secretly devise some plot, harm, or evil calamity against you.'”
#12
تو دانش پژوهی و داری خرد
✦
نگه کن بدین تا چه اندر خورد
“'You seek knowledge and possess wisdom; consider what is fitting here.'”
#13
سکندر بدو گفت کین نیست راست
✦
چو طینوش را بازخوانی رواست
“Sekandar said to her, 'This is not right; it is proper that you recall Taynush.'”
#14
جهاندار فرزند را بازخواند
✦
بران نامور زیرگاهش نشاند
“The sovereign recalled her son and seated him below that renowned guest.”
#15
سکندر بدو گفت کای کامگار
✦
اگر کام دل خواهی آرام دار
“Sekandar said to him, 'O successful prince, if you desire your heart’s wish, remain calm.'”
#16
من از تو بدین کین نگیرم همی
✦
سخن هرچ گویی پذیرم همی
“'I hold no grudge against you for this; whatever you say, I accept.'”
#17
مرا این نژندی ز اسکندرست
✦
کجا شاد با تاج و با افسرست
“'My own sorrow comes from Sekandar, who sits joyfully with crown and crest!'”
#18
بدین سان فرستد مرا نزد شاه
✦
که از نامور مهتری باژ خواه
“'He sends me thus to kings to demand tribute from illustrious lords,'”
#19
بدان تا هران بد که خواهد رسید
✦
برو بر من آید ز دشمن پدید
“'So that whatever evil is to happen will befall me from the enemy!'”
#20
ورا من بدین زود پاسخ دهم
✦
یکی شاه را رای فرخ نهم
“'I shall give him a swift answer right soon, and lay an auspicious plan before the king.'”
#21
اگر دست او من بگیرم به دست
✦
به نزد تو آرم به جای نشست
“'If I take his hand, I can bring him to sit right here before you,'”
#22
بدان سان که با او نبینی سپاه
✦
نه شمشیر بینی نه تخت و کلاه
“'In such a manner that you will see no army with him, nor sword, nor throne, nor crown!'”
#23
چه بخشی تو زین پادشاهی مرا
✦
چو بپسندی این نیک‌خواهی مرا
“'What share of this kingdom will you bestow upon me if you approve of this good turn?'”
#24
چو بشنید طینوش گفت این سخن
✦
شنیدم نباید که گردد کهن
“When Taynush heard these words, he said, 'I have heard, and let it not grow old!'”
#25
گرین را که گفتی به جای آوری
✦
بکوشی و پاکیزه رای آوری
“'If you fulfill what you have spoken, striving with a pure and resolute mind,'”
#26
من از گنج وز بدره و هرچ هست
✦
ز اسپان و مردان خسرو پرست
“'From treasure, purses, and all that exists—of horses and royal-worshipping men—'”
#27
ترا بخشم و نیز دارم سپاس
✦
تو باشی جهانگیر و نیکی‌شناس
“'I shall grant you all, and remain full of thanks; you shall be the world-conqueror and appreciative master.'”
#28
یکی پاک دستور باشی مرا
✦
بدین مرز گنجور باشی مرا
“'You shall be my pure minister and the treasurer of this borderland.'”
#29
سکندر بیامد ز جای نشست
✦
برین عهد بگرفت دستش به دست
“Sekandar arose from his seat and clasped his hand upon this covenant.”
#30
بپرسید طینوش کاین چون کنی
✦
بدین جادوی بر چه افسون کنی
“Taynush asked, 'How will you accomplish this? By what magic and spell will you work this?'”
#31
بدو گفت چون بازگردم ز شاه
✦
تو باید که با من بیایی به راه
“He replied, 'When I return from the king, you must set out on the road with me.'”
#32
ز لشکر بیاری سواری هزار
✦
همه نامدار از در کارزار
“'Bring a thousand horsemen from the army, all renowned for battle.'”
#33
به جایی یکی بیشه دیدم به راه
✦
نشانم ترا در کمین با سپاه
“'I saw a thicket along the road; I will place you in ambush there with your troops.'”
#34
شوم من ز پیش تو در پیش اوی
✦
ببینم روان بداندیش اوی
“'I will go ahead of you to his presence, and examine his ill-wishing spirit.'”
#35
بگویم که چندین فرستاد چیز
✦
کزان پس نیندیشی از چیز نیز
“'I will say: He has sent so much wealth that you need think of nothing else.'”
#36
فرستاده گوید که من نزد شاه
✦
نیارم شدن در میان سپاه
“'The envoy says: I cannot enter the midst of the army before the king.'”
#37
اگر شاه بیند که با موبدان
✦
شود نزد طینوش با بخردان
“'If the king agrees, let him go with mobads and wise men to Taynush,'”
#38
چو بیندش بپذیرد این خواسته
✦
ز هرگونه‌ای گنج آراسته
“'When he sees him, he will accept these riches—adorned treasures of every kind.'”
#39
بیاید چو بیند ترا بی‌سپاه
✦
اگر بازگردد گشادست راه
“'He will come when he sees you without an army, and if he turns back, the way is open.'”
#40
چو او بشنود خوب گفتار من
✦
نه اندیشد از رنگ و بازار من
“'When he hears my pleasant words, he will suspect no trick or ploy from me.'”
#41
بیاید بر آن سایه زیر درخت
✦
ز گنجور می خواهد و تاج و تخت
“'He will come under the shade of that tree, seeking crown, throne, and treasurer.'”
#42
تو جنگی سپاهی به گردش درآر
✦
برآساید از گردش روزگار
“'Then bring your warrior army around him, so the world’s turmoil may find rest!'”
#43
مکافات من باشد و کام تو
✦
نجوید ازان پس کس آرام تو
“'This will be my reward and your desire, and none after this shall seek your peace.'”
#44
که آید به دستت بسی خواسته
✦
پرستنده و اسپ آراسته
“'For much wealth shall fall into your hands—servants and adorned steeds.'”
#45
چو طینوش بشنید زان شاد شد
✦
بسان یکی سرو آزاد شد
“When Taynush heard this, he rejoiced, becoming like a free-growing cypress.”
#46
چنین داد پاسخ که دارم امید
✦
که گردد بدو تیره روزم سپید
“She answered, 'I hold high hope that through him my darkened day shall turn to bright white,'”
#47
به دام من آویزد او ناگهان
✦
به خونی که او ریخت اندر جهان
“'That he may suddenly fall into my snare, to answer for all the blood he has shed in the world,'”
#48
چو دارای دارا و گردان سند
✦
چو فور دلیر آن سرافراز هند
“'Like Dara son of Dara and the heroes of Sindh, and brave Fur, that exalted monarch of India.'”
#49
چو قیدافه گفت سکندر شنید
✦
به چشم و دلش چارهٔ او بدید
“As Qaydafah spoke, Alexander listened, discerning her sharp stratagem in his mind and eye.”
#50
بخندید زان چاره در زیر لب
✦
دو بسد نهان کرد زیر قصب
“He smiled beneath his breath at her cunning ruse, hiding his coral lips beneath fine linen cloth.”
#51
سکندر بیامد ز نزدیک اوی
✦
پراندیشه بد جان تاریک اوی
“Alexander departed from her presence, his darkened spirit heavy with anxious thoughts.”