Upon ascending the ivory throne of the Sasanians and placing the sovereign crown upon his head, Narsi received the grandees and noble commanders of the realm. Though still wrapped in sorrow for the death of Bahram, the lords brought rich tributes. Narsi commended them with high praises and proclaimed that all affairs, hidden or revealed, unfold solely by the divine will of the Creator of the World. He reminded them that Yazdan has endowed humankind with wisdom, modesty, chivalry, justice, and gentle speech. Narsi declared that true valor stems from constant alertness, and sloth is born of a cowardly spirit that strips a man of honor, fight, and noble name.
For nine prosperous years, Narsi governed with supreme intellect and moral counsel, his words bringing comfort and order to the empire. Yet when his appointed hour arrived and dark fate closed in, even his steel strength melted away like wax before the flame. Prince Hormozd, his youthful heir—radiant as a tulip amidst verdant grass and glowing like the moon in a dark sky—hastened to his bedside. The dying monarch bestowed his final testament upon the prince, urging him never to stretch his hand toward evil, to hold fast to the sacred laws of the ancient kings, and to govern so justly that the crown would never weep for his misdeeds. Reminding Hormozd that all mortal reign must eventually bow before time, Narsi urged him to live so that he might answer well when called before the Almighty. With these words, Narsi drew the shroud over his face, heaved a final cold sigh from his chest, and departed the world—leaving behind a silence so deep it seemed as though Narsi, his throne, and his majesty had never been.
#1
چو نرسی نشست از بر تخت عاج
✦
به سر بر نهاد آن سزاوار تاج
“When Narsi sat upon the ivory throne, he placed upon his head that worthy crown.”
#2
همه مهتران با نثار آمدند
✦
ز درد پدر سوکوار آمدند
“All the grandees arrived bearing royal tributes, though still grieving in sorrow for his father.”
#3
بریشان سپهدار کرد آفرین
✦
که ای مهربانان باداد و دین
“The commander bestowed praises upon them, saying: 'O compassionate ones of justice and true faith...'”
#4
بدانید کز کردگار جهان
✦
چنین رفت کار آشکار و نهان
“'Know that from the Creator of the world, all affairs overt and covert are ordained thus:'”
#5
که ما را فزونی خرد داد و شرم
✦
جوانمردی و داد و آواز نرم
“'He granted us an abundance of wisdom, modesty, chivalry, justice, and gentle speech.'”
#6
همان ایمنی شادمانی بود
✦
کرا ز اخترش مهربانی بود
“'True security and joy belong to him whose destiny shines with favor.'”
#7
خردمند مرد ار ترا دوست گشت
✦
چنان دان که با تو ز یک پوست گشت
“'If a wise man becomes your friend, know that he has become as one skin with you.'”
#8
تو کردار خوب از توانا شناس
✦
خرد نیز نزدیک دانا شناس
“'Recognize noble deeds from the capable, and seek wisdom near the wise.'”
#9
دلیری ز هشیار بودن بود
✦
دلاور به جای ستودن بود
“'True valor springs from mindfulness, and a brave heart deserves praise in its proper place.'”
#10
هرانکس که بگریزد از کارکرد
✦
ازو دور شد نام و ننگ و نبرد
“'Whoever flees from duty and work casts away renown, honor, and battle.'”
#11
همان کاهلی مردم از بددلیست
✦
هم‌آواز آن بددلی کاهلیست
“'Sloth in people stems from faint-heartedness, and faint-heartedness is identical with sloth.'”
#12
همی زیست نه سال با رای و پند
✦
جهان را سخن گفتنش سودمند
“He lived thus nine years with wisdom and counsel, his words bringing great benefit to the realm.”
#13
چو روزش فراز آمد و بخت شوم
✦
شد آن ترگ پولاد بر سان موم
“When his appointed day arrived and dark fate drew near, that helmet of steel turned soft as wax.”
#14
دوان شد به بالینش شاه اورمزد
✦
به رخشانی لاله اندر فرزد
“Young Prince Hormozd rushed to his bedside, radiant as a tulip amidst green grass.”
#15
که فرزند آن نامور شاه بود
✦
فرزوان چو در تیره شب ماه بود
“For he was the son of that renowned king, shining brightly like the moon in a dark night.”
#16
بدو گفت کای نازدیده جوان
✦
مبر دست سوی بدی تا توان
“Narsi said to him: 'O cherished youth! Never lay your hand upon evil so long as you are able.'”
#17
تو از جای بهرام و نرسی به بخت
✦
سزاوار تاجی و زیبای تخت
“'You succeed to the station of Bahram and Narsi by fate; you are worthy of the crown and an ornament to the throne.'”
#18
بدین زور و بالا و این فر و یال
✦
بهر دانش از هرکسی بی‌همال
“'With such strength, stature, divine splendor, and vigor, you have no equal in any branch of knowledge.'”
#19
مبادا که تاج از تو گریان شود
✦
دل انجمن بر تو بریان شود
“'Let it never be that the crown weep because of you, nor that the hearts of the assembly burn with grief for your deeds.'”
#20
جهان را به آیین شاهان بدار
✦
چو آمختی از پاک پروردگار
“'Govern the world according to the rites of kings, as you have learned from the pure Lord.'”
#21
به فرجام هم روز تو بگذرد
✦
سپهر روانت به پی بسپرد
“'In the end, your days too shall pass away, and the revolving heavens shall tread upon your heels.'”
#22
چنان رو که پرسند پاسخ کنی
✦
به پاسخ‌گری روز فرخ کنی
“'Live in such a manner that when questioned, you may answer well, and by your right accounting make your day auspicious.'”
#23
بگفت این و چادر به سر درکشید
✦
یکی بادسرد از جگر برکشید
“He spoke these words, drew the shroud over his head, and breathed a cold sigh from his soul.”
#24
همان روز گفتی که نرسی نبود
✦
همان تخت و دیهیم و کرسی نبود
“On that day, you would say Narsi had never existed, nor had there been a throne, crown, or royal seat.”