For a full month, Sikandar and his weary host endured grueling travel across desolate reaches until they arrived at a realm devoid of all beasts and living things. There loomed a majestic mountain topped with lapis lazuli, crowned by a radiant palace fashioned from yellow ruby. Inside suspended crystal lamps shed light over a salty spring flowing at the center. Beside this spring stood two golden thrones; upon one lay the corpse of a tragic figure with a human body and the head of a wild boar, rested upon camphor beneath a canopy of silk. A single fiery red gem illuminated the hall like a subterranean sun. Yet, a deadly aura guarded the sanctuary—anyone who dared step onto its sacred soil or reach for its treasures was seized by violent tremors until their very essence crumbled. Suddenly, a thunderous voice echoed from the salty spring, warning Sikandar to halt his endless conquests. The voice proclaimed that his allotted days were spent, his reign drew to its end, and the throne would soon stand empty. Terrified by the omen, Sikandar fled like smoke back to his main camp, calling desperately upon Yazdan. Overcome with grief and tears, he turned his army toward the desert, haunted by the shadow of his impending mortality.
#1
همی رفت یک ماه پویان به راه
✦
به رنج اندر از راه شاه و سپاه
“For a full month they pressed on along the path, king and host alike burdened by hardship.”
#2
چنین تا به نزدیک کوهی رسید
✦
که جایی دد و دام و ماهی ندید
“Until he arrived near a mountain where no wild beast, creature, or fish could be seen.”
#3
یکی کوه دید از برش لاژورد
✦
یکی خانه بر سر ز یاقوت زرد
“He saw a mountain topped with lapis lazuli, bearing a mansion crafted from yellow ruby at its peak.”
#4
همه خانه قندیلهای بلور
✦
میان اندرون چشمهٔ آب شور
“The entire palace was filled with crystal chandeliers, and in its midst bubbled a spring of salty water.”
#5
نهاده بر چشمه زرین دو تخت
✦
برو خوابنیده یکی شوربخت
“Two golden thrones were placed by the spring, upon one of which slept an ill-fated soul.”
#6
به تن مردم و سر چو آن گراز
✦
به بیچارگی مرده بر تخت ناز
“His body was that of a man, his head like a boar, lying dead in helplessness upon the bed of luxury.”
#7
ز کافور زیراندرش بستری
✦
کشیده ز دیبا برو چادری
“Beneath him was a bed of camphor, and over him was drawn a canopy of brocade.”
#8
یکی سرخ گوهر به جای چراغ
✦
فروزان شده زو همه بوم و راغ
“A red jewel served in place of a lamp, illuminating all the surrounding land and fields.”
#9
فتاده فروغ ستاره در آب
✦
ز گوهر همه خانه چون آفتاب
“The radiance of stars fell upon the water, and the whole chamber shone like the sun because of the jewel.”
#10
هرانکس که رفتی که چیزی برد
✦
وگر خاک آن خانه را بسپرد
“Whoever approached to carry something away, or even set foot upon the dust of that chamber,”
#11
همه تنش بر جای لرزان شدی
✦
وزان لرزه آن زنده ریزان شدی
“His entire body would tremble violently on the spot, and from that shaking, the living person would crumble to pieces.”
#12
خروش آمد از چشمهٔ آب شور
✦
که ای آرزومند چندین مشور
“A roaring voice burst forth from the salty spring: 'O full of desires, strive no further!'”
#13
بسی چیز دیدی که آن کس ندید
✦
عنان را کنون باز باید کشید
“'You have beheld many things that no mortal has seen; now you must pull back your reins.'”
#14
کنون زندگانیت کوتاه گشت
✦
سر تخت شاهیت بی‌شاه گشت
“'Now your life has grown short, and the crown of your royal throne is left without a king.'”
#15
سکندر بترسید و برگشت زود
✦
به لشکرگه آمد به کردار دود
“Sikandar grew afraid and turned back swiftly, returning to the camp like a streak of smoke.”
#16
وزان جایگه تیز لشکر براند
✦
خروشان بسی نام یزدان بخواند
“From that place he hastily marched his host, crying out and repeatedly invoking the name of Yazdan.”
#17
ازان کوه راه بیابان گرفت
✦
غمی گشت و اندیشهٔ جان گرفت
“Leaving that mountain behind, he took the path to the desert, overcome with grief and anxious for his soul.”
#18
همی راند پر درد و گریان ز جای
✦
سپاه از پس و پیش او رهنمای
“He rode forth full of pain and weeping, as his army guided the way before and behind him.”