Continuing his relentless quest into the hidden realms of the cosmos, Sekandar emerged from the dark regions into a realm of radiant luminescence. There, rising high into the skies, stood a gleaming, shiny mountain of solid rock. Atop its peaks were erected tall pillars carved from fragrant aloe-wood, their summits reaching into the clouds. Upon each pillar rested a massive nest where sat a colossal green bird of sublime splendour.
As Sekandar approached, the wondrous birds raised their voices, speaking fluently in the Roman tongue to address the victorious world-conqueror. Sekandar hastened to the foot of the pillars to listen. The bird gazed down and proclaimed: 'O seeker of endless toil, what do you pursue in this transient abode? Even if your head should touch the high heavens, you shall return from it aggrieved and empty-handed!' The bird then questioned him regarding the moral state of the mortal world, asking if lust and the building of grand dwellings of baked brick had become rampant. Sekandar affirmed that both were indeed widespread. Hearing this, the bird descended lower and stared intently at the God-fearing king.
The bird then inquired whether the sound of lutes and the intoxicating revelry of song remained in the world. Sekandar replied that those who take no share of joy from fate are never deemed happy by their peers, regardless of their devotion. Upon hearing this, the bird flew down from its aloe-wood pillar to the dark earth, posing a query about wisdom and truthfulness: were they on the rise or in decline? Sekandar answered that those who seek knowledge still command respect above all others. The bird then soared back to its wooden perch, cleaning its beak and claws with great care.
Finally, the avian sage asked if pious men in his realm dwelt upon solitary mountains. Sekandar affirmed that when a man attains purity of mind, he ascends the mountains to worship the Almighty. Content with the king's wisdom, the bird sharpened its beak and issued a solemn command to Caesar: 'Now, leave your retinue behind and ascend the sharp ridge of this mountain alone, on foot! Go and behold what lies upon the summit—a sight that would cause even the most joyful heart to weep.'
#1
سکندر سوی روشنایی رسید
✦
یکی بر شده کوه رخشنده دید
“Sekandar reached the realm of light, where he beheld a lofty, gleaming mountain.”
#2
زده بر سر کوه خارا عمود
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سرش تا به ابر اندر از چوب عود
“Upon the mountain's rocky peak stood pillars of aloe-wood, reaching up into the clouds.”
#3
بر هر عمودی کنامی بزرگ
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نشسته برو سبز مرغی سترگ
“On every pillar rested a great nest, wherein sat a immense, emerald-green bird.”
#4
به آواز رومی سخن راندند
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جهاندار پیروز را خواندند
“In the Roman tongue they spoke, calling out to the victorious ruler of the world.”
#5
چو آواز بشنید قیصر برفت
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به نزدیک مرغان خرامید تفت
“When Caesar heard their voices, he advanced swiftly toward the birds.”
#6
بدو مرغ گفت ای دلارای رنج
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چه جویی همی زین سرای سپنج
“The bird said to him: 'O seeker of toil, what do you seek from this fleeting realm?”
#7
اگر سر برآری به چرخ بلند
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همان بازگردی ازو مستمند
“Even if your head reaches the high heavens, you shall return from it aggrieved.'”
#8
کنون کامدی هیچ دیدی زنا
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وگر کرده از خشت پخته بنا
“'Now that you have come, have you seen lust, or buildings constructed of baked brick?'”
#9
چنین داد پاسخ کزین هر دو هست
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زنا و برین گونه جای نشست
“He answered: 'Both exist—unlawful lust, and dwellings built in such a manner.'”
#10
چو بشنید پاسخ فروتر نشست
✦
درو خیره شد مرد یزدان‌پرست
“Hearing this answer, the bird sat lower down, staring intently at the God-fearing king.”
#11
بپرسید کاندر جهان بانگ رود
✦
شنیدی و آوای مست و سرود
“It asked: 'In the world, have you heard the sound of lutes and the voices of drunkards and songs?'”
#12
چنین داد پاسخ که هر کو ز دهر
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ز شادی همی برنگیرند بهر
“He replied: 'Whoever takes no share of joy from fate...”
#13
ورا شاد مردم نخواند همی
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وگر جان و دل برفشاند همی
“...people will not call him happy, even if he surrenders his very heart and soul.'”
#14
به خاک آمد از بر شده چوب عمود
✦
تهی ماند زان مرغ رنگین عمود
“The bird descended to the dark earth from the aloe pillar, leaving the colorful column empty.”
#15
بپرسید دانایی و راستی
✦
فزونست اگر کمی و کاستی
“It asked about wisdom and truthfulness: 'Is it increasing in the world, or decreasing?'”
#16
چنین داد پاسخ که دانش پژوه
✦
همی سرفرازد ز هر دو گروه
“He answered: 'The seeker of knowledge rises proud above both groups.'”
#17
به سوی عمود آمد از تیره خاک
✦
به منقار چنگالها کرد پاک
“The bird flew back to the pillar from the dark earth, preening its talons and beak clean.”
#18
ز قیصر بپرسید یزدان‌پرست
✦
به شهر تو بر کوه دارد نشست
“The God-worshipping bird asked Caesar: 'In your realm, does anyone dwell upon the mountains?'”
#19
بدو گفت چون مرد شد پاک‌رای
✦
بیابد پرستنده بر کوه جای
“He said: 'When a man becomes pure of heart, he finds a place upon the mountain as a worshipper.'”
#20
ازان چوب جوینده شد بر کنام
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جهانجوی روشن‌دل و شادکام
“That seeking bird soared back to its nest from the wood, bright-hearted and joyful.”
#21
به چنگال می‌کرد منقار تیز
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چو ایمن شد از گردش رستخیز
“It sharpened its beak with its claws, feeling safe from the tumult of resurrection.”
#22
به قیصر بفرمود تا بی‌گروه
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پیاده شود بر سر تیغ کوه
“It commanded Caesar to go alone, on foot without any retinue, unto the peak of the mountain,”
#23
ببیند که تا بر سر کوه چیست
✦
کزو شادمان را بباید گریست
“To see what lies atop the mountain, the sight of which would make even a joyful heart weep.”