When nine months passed for the moon-faced daughter of Mihrak, she brought forth a child of noble height and glorious aura, possessing the likeness of Esfandiyar or Ardashir himself. They named him Ormazd, for he stood like a tall cypress amidst a verdant meadow. For seven years, the child was reared in complete secrecy, sheltered from the eyes of the world and forbidden to venture outdoors. Yet, when King Ardashir departed for a seven-day hunting expedition alongside his son Shapur, young Ormazd grew weary of isolation and study. Grasping a bow in one hand and two arrows in the other, he ran into the open square where children played polo.
At that very hour, the Sovereign returned from the hunt with his army and the High Priest. As a boy struck the polo ball, it rolled swiftly across the field, coming to rest right before the royal entourage. Trembling with fear, the children froze, but Ormazd darted forward like a raging wind, retrieved the ball directly in front of his grandfather, and let out a mighty shout. King Ardashir was struck with wonder at the boy's fearless posture and demanded to know his lineage. When none dared speak, the Mobad lifted the child from the dust and brought him before the King. Without a flicker of dread, the boy declared: 'I am the son of Shapur, who is your own son, and my true bloodline traces back to the lineage of Mihrak!'
Ardashir marvelled at the unfolding of destiny. He smiled and summoned Shapur, who turned pale with anxiety. But the King reassured his son, affirming that a noble child is a blessing from whichever source he springs. Shapur then revealed the truth of how he had saved Mihrak's daughter at the well and kept their son hidden until he reached fruition. Overjoyed, Ardashir embraced the child, carried him to the palace, and seated him upon a golden throne. He bestowed upon him a royal crown and torque, showering pearls and gems over the young boy until his frame was entirely covered in treasures.
Great riches were distributed to the poor and wise, fire temples were draped in rich silks, and the halls of Nowruz and Sadeh were magnificent with celebration. Ardashir addressed the assembled grandees, recalling the ancient prediction of Kaid the Indian: that the realm would only reach absolute stability and everlasting fortune once the seed of Ardashir united with the line of Mihrak Nush-zad. Thus, harmony prevailed across the seven climes, and all regional rulers inscribed their allegiance to Ardashir as King of Kings.
#1
بسی برنیامد برین روزگار
✦
که سرو سهی چون گل آمد به بار
“Not long after this, the graceful cypress bore fruit like a blooming rose.”
#2
چو نه ماه بگذشت بر ماه‌روی
✦
یکی کودک آمد به بالای اوی
“When nine months had passed for that moon-faced lady, a child was born of tall and radiant stature.”
#3
تو گفتی که بازآمد اسفندیار
✦
وگر نامدار اردشیر سوار
“You would say Esfandiyar had returned, or the renowned horseman Ardashir himself.”
#4
ورا نام شاپور کرد اورمزد
✦
که سروی بد اندر میان فرزد
“They named him Ormazd, a child who stood like a cypress in a green meadow.”
#5
چنین تا برآمد برین هفت سال
✦
ببود اورمزد از جهان بی‌همال
“Thus seven years went by, and Ormazd grew to be peerless in the world.”
#6
ز هرکس نهانش همی داشتند
✦
به جایی ببازیش نگذاشتند
“They kept him hidden from all eyes and never permitted him to play outside.”
#7
به نخچیر شد هفت روز اردشیر
✦
بشد نیز شاپور نخچیرگیر
“Ardashir went hunting for seven days, and Shapur also joined the hunt.”
#8
نهان اورمزد از میان گروه
✦
بیامد کز آموختن شد ستوه
“Ormazd, growing weary of confinement and schooling, slipped away secretly from the group.”
#9
دوان شد به میدان شاه اردشیر
✦
کمانی به یک دست و دیگر دو تیر
“Holding a bow in one hand and two arrows in the other, he ran toward the King's square.”
#10
ابا کودکان چند و چوگان و گوی
✦
به میدان شاه اندر آمد ز کوی
“With several children, polo sticks, and a ball, he entered the royal arena from the street.”
#11
جهاندار هم در زمان با سپاه
✦
به میدان بیامد ز نخچیرگاه
“At that very time, the Sovereign returned with his army from the hunting ground to the square.”
#12
ابا موبدان موبد تیزویر
✦
به نزدیک ایوان رسید اردشیر
“Accompanied by the sharp-witted High Priest, Ardashir drew near the palace gates.”
#13
بزد کودکی نیز چوگان ز راه
✦
بشد گوی گردان به نزدیک شاه
“A child struck the ball along the path, and it rolled right up to the King.”
#14
نرفتند زیشان پس گوی کس
✦
بماندند بر جای ناکام بس
“None of them dared run after the ball; they stood frozen in place, helpless.”
#15
دوان اورمزد از میانه برفت
✦
به پیش جهاندار چون باد تفت
“Ormazd ran forward from among them, rushing like a fierce wind before the Ruler of the World.”
#16
ز پیش نیا زود برداشت گوی
✦
ازو گشت لشکر پر از گفت‌وگوی
“He swiftly grabbed the ball before his grandfather, causing the army to burst into astonishment and chatter.”
#17
ازان پس خروشی برآورد سخت
✦
کزو خیره شد شاه پیروز بخت
“Then he let out a loud and mighty shout, leaving the victorious King bewildered.”
#18
به موبد چنین گفت کین پاک‌زاد
✦
نگه کن که تا از که دارد نژاد
“The King said to the Mobad: 'Look upon this noble-born child, to see whose bloodline he carries!'”
#19
بپرسید موبد ندانست کس
✦
همه خامشی برگزیدند و بس
“The Mobad inquired, but no one knew; everyone chose to remain entirely silent.”
#20
به موبد چنین گفت پس شهریار
✦
که بردارش از خاک و نزد من آر
“Then the King said to the Mobad: 'Pick him up from the dust and bring him to me.'”
#21
بشد موبد و برگرفتش ز گرد
✦
ببردش بر شاه آزادمرد
“The Mobad went, lifted him from the dust, and brought him before the noble King.”
#22
بدو گفت شاه این گرانمایه خرد
✦
ترا از نژاد که باید شمرد
“The King said to him: 'O noble little one, of whose lineage are you to be counted?'”
#23
نترسید کودک به آواز گفت
✦
که نام نژادم نباید نهفت
“The child showed no fear and said aloud: 'The name of my lineage must not be concealed!'”
#24
منم پور شاپور کو پور تست
✦
ز فرزند مهرک نژاد درست
“'I am the son of Shapur, who is your son, and my true descent comes from the progeny of Mihrak!'”
#25
فروماند زان کار گیتی شگفت
✦
بخندید و اندیشه اندر گرفت
“The King was amazed by this turn of world events; he laughed and sank into deep thought.”
#26
بفرمود تا رفت شاپور پیش
✦
به پرسش گرفتش ز اندازه بیش
“He commanded Shapur to come forward, and began questioning him closely.”
#27
بترسید شاپور آزادمرد
✦
دلش گشت پردرد و رخساره زرد
“Noble Shapur felt fear in his heart, which grew full of pain, and his cheeks turned pale.”
#28
بخندید زو نامور شهریار
✦
بدو گفت فرزند پنهان مدار
“The famous King laughed at him and said: 'My son, do not keep this hidden!'”
#29
پسر باید از هرک باشد رواست
✦
که گویند کاین بچه پادشاست
“'A son is worthy from whatever line he springs, provided it can be said: This child is fit for kingship.'”
#30
بدو گفت شاپور نوشه بدی
✦
جهان را به دیدار توشه بدی
“Shapur said to him: 'May you live forever, and may your sight be sustenance for the world!'”
#31
ز پشت منست این و نام اورمزد
✦
درخشنده چون لاله اندر فرزد
“'He is indeed from my loins, named Ormazd, shining like a tulip amidst green clover.'”
#32
نهان داشتم چندش از شهریار
✦
بدان تا برآید بر از میوه‌دار
“'I kept him hidden from the Sovereign for a time, so that the fruit-bearing tree might come to bear fruit.'”
#33
گرانمایه از دختر مهرک است
✦
ز پشت منست این مرا بی‌شکست
“'This precious child is from the daughter of Mihrak, and beyond doubt he is born of my blood.'”
#34
ز آب و ز چاه آن کجا رفته بود
✦
پسر گفت و پرسید و چندی شنود
“The boy recounted all that had transpired concerning the water and the well, answering every question.”
#35
ز گفتار او شاد شد اردشیر
✦
به ایوان خرامید خود با وزیر
“Ardashir was delighted by his words and retired to the palace accompanied by his minister.”
#36
گرفته دلاویز را بر کنار
✦
ز ایوان سوی تخت شد شهریار
“Holding the beloved child in his arms, the King proceeded from the hall toward the throne.”
#37
بیاراست زرین یکی زیرگاه
✦
یکی طوق فرمود و زرین کلاه
“He adorned a golden seat for him, ordering a golden torque and a royal crown.”
#38
سر خرد کودک بیاراستند
✦
بس از گنج در و گهر خواستند
“They adorned the young child's head, and summoned vast pearls and gems from the treasury.”
#39
همی ریخت تا شد سرش ناپدید
✦
تنش را نیا زان میان برکشید
“Jewels were poured until his head disappeared beneath them, whereupon his grandfather pulled him out from among the gems.”
#40
بسی زر و گوهر به درویش داد
✦
خردمند را خواسته بیش داد
“He distributed much gold and jewels to the poor, and bestowed even greater wealth upon the wise.”
#41
به دیبا بیاراست آتشکده
✦
هم ایوان نوروز و کاخ سده
“He decorated the fire temple with fine silk, as well as the hall of Nowruz and the palace of Sadeh.”
#42
یکی بزمگه ساخت با مهتران
✦
نشستند هرجای رامشگران
“He prepared a splendid banquet with the nobles, and musicians took their places everywhere.”
#43
چنین گفت با نامداران شهر
✦
هرانکس که او از خرد داشت بهر
“He spoke thus to the grandees of the city, to everyone who possessed a share of wisdom:”
#44
که از گفت دانا ستاره شمر
✦
نباید که هرگز کند کس گذر
“'No one should ever disregard the words spoken by wise astrologers.'”
#45
چنین گفته بد کید هندی که بخت
✦
نگردد ترا ساز و خرم به تخت
“'Thus had Kaid of India spoken: Fortune will not make your throne and crown prosperous...'”
#46
نه کشور نه افسر نه گنج و سپاه
✦
نه دیهیم شاهی نه فر کلاه
“Neither kingdom nor crown, nor treasure nor army; neither royal diadem nor the glory of the throne...”
#47
مگر تخمهٔ مهرک نوش‌زاد
✦
بیامیزد آن دوده با ان نژاد
“...Unless the seed of Mehrak, son of Nush, should unite its house with this royal lineage.”
#48
کنون سالیان اندر آمد به هشت
✦
که جز به آرزو چرخ بر ما نگشت
“Now eight years have passed in such a way that the heavens turned only according to our heart's desire.”
#49
چو شاپور رفت اندر آرام خویش
✦
ز گیتی ندیده به جز کام خویش
“When Shapur retired to his own quarters, having known from the world nothing but happiness and fulfillment,”
#50
زمین هفت کشور مرا گشت راست
✦
دلم یافت از بخت چیزی که خواست
“The land of the seven climes became aligned for me, and my heart obtained from fortune all that it wished.”
#51
وزان پس بر کارداران اوی
✦
شهنشاه کردند عنوان اوی
“And from that time on, upon all letters to his officials, they inscribed his royal title as King of Kings.”