Having explored the marvels of distant lands and gazed upon the vast oceans, Sikandar turned his mighty army toward the far reaches of the West. Before them arose a magnificent city populated by formidable folk with ruddy complexions and golden hair—warriors of sterner stuff, fashioned for the clash of weapons. Seeing the supreme conqueror, they yielded without resistance, bowing low with hands upon their heads in total submission.
Sikandar inquired of their chieftains concerning the wonders hid within their domain. A venerable elder stepped forward, declaring: 'O radiant and victorious King, beyond this metropolis lies a fathomless abyss of water whereof no mortal hath ever drunk. When the shining sun reaches that deep sea, it sinks beneath the tide and vanishes, plunging the realm into an all-enveloping darkness. Yet wise and God-fearing men speak of a secret spring within that Gloom, known to sages as the Water of Life. Whosoever tastes of its stream shall never know death; it flows directly from Paradise, and washing in its waters cleanses the soul of all transgression.'
Intrigued by the promise of immortality, Sikandar asked how steeds and beasts could navigate so pitch-black a void. The holy sage counseled that only four-year-old fillies possess the instinct to tread through the absolute shade. Thereupon, the King commanded the herdsmen to drive all free-roaming horses to the royal camp, selecting ten thousand choice four-year-old steeds to prepare his force for the perilous journey into the heart of Darkness.
#1
بپرسید هرچیز و دریا بدید
✦
وزان روی لشکر به مغرب کشید
“Having inquired of all wonders and surveyed the sea, he led his army toward the West.”
#2
یکی شارستان پیشش آمد بزرگ
✦
بدو اندرون مردمانی سترگ
“A mighty city appeared before him, filled with formidable and powerful dwellers.”
#3
همه روی سرخ و همه موی زرد
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همه در خور جنگ روز نبرد
“All were ruddy-faced and yellow-haired, formidable warriors suited for the day of battle.”
#4
به فرمان به پیش سکندر شدند
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دو تا گشته و دست بر سر شدند
“They bowed low before Sikandar’s command, placing their hands upon their heads in submission.”
#5
سکندر بپرسید از سرکشان
✦
که ایدر چه دارد شگفتی نشان
“Sikandar questioned the warlords: 'What marvels lie hidden within this realm?'”
#6
چنین گفت با او یکی مرد پیر
✦
که ای شاه نیک‌اختر و شهرگیر
“An elder among them spoke thus: 'O auspicious King, conqueror of realms,'”
#7
یکی آبگیرست زان روی شهر
✦
کزان آب کس را ندیدیم بهر
“'Beyond this city lies a pool of water, whereof no man hath ever drunk a drop.'”
#8
چو خورشید تابان بدانجا رسید
✦
بران ژرف دریا شود ناپدید
“'When the radiant sun reaches that deep sea, it sinks down and vanishes within its depths.'”
#9
پس چشمه‌در تیره گردد جهان
✦
شود آشکارای گیتی نهان
“'Thereupon darkness envelops the world beyond the spring, and all that was manifest is hidden.'”
#10
وزان جای تاریک چندان سخن
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شنیدم که هرگز نیاید به بن
“'And of that Gloom, I have heard endless tales whose depths can never be measured.'”
#11
خرد یافته مرد یزدان‌پرست
✦
بدو در یکی چشمه گوید که هست
“'Wise and God-worshipping men say that a mystic spring lies hidden within that darkness.'”
#12
گشاده سخن مرد با رای و کام
✦
همی آب حیوانش خواند به نام
“'Sages of fluent speech and clear mind call that spring the Water of Life.'”
#13
چنین گفت روشن‌دل پر خرد
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که هرک آب حیوان خورد کی مرد
“'The wise and enlightened say that whosoever drinks of the Water of Life shall never taste death.'”
#14
ز فردوس دارد بران چشمه راه
✦
بشوید برآن تن بریزد گناه
“'That spring hath a pathway originating in Paradise; he who washes therein shall be purged of all sin.'”
#15
بپرسید پس شه که تاریک جای
✦
بدو اندرون چون رود چارپای
“The King then asked: 'How can beasts of burden traverse so dark and dismal a place?'”
#16
چنین پاسخ آورد یزدان‌پرست
✦
کزان راه بر کره باید نشست
“The God-worshipper answered: 'Upon that dark path, one must ride young four-year-old fillies.'”
#17
به چوپان بفرمود کاسپ یله
✦
سراسر به لشکرگه آرد گله
“The King commanded the herdsmen to bring forth all the unbridled horses to the camp.”
#18
گزین کرد زو بارگی ده هزار
✦
همه چار سال از در کارزار
“From among them he selected ten thousand four-year-old steeds, perfectly fitted for battle and the arduous trail.”