A time came upon King Shapur when, despite all his treasure and the Kyanian crown, his heart was weighed down by the foreboding of destined trials. As three watches of the dark night passed, he summoned his chief astrologer to bring forth the brass astrolabe and peer into the secrets of the turning cosmos. The star-gazer observed the Heart of Leo—a radiant sign of victory and fierce struggle—yet one that portended a grave affliction through which the Royal Glory would ultimately shine even brighter. The astrologer warned that against this inexorable turning of the heavens, neither warrior's prowess nor sage's wisdom could alter fate. Yet Shapur, steadfast in spirit, placed his complete trust in Yazdan, declaring that the Almighty alone remains the ultimate guardian of mortals.
Once his realms were secure and prosperous, Shapur conceived a bold design: to personally assess the true strength, army, and character of Caesar of Rome. Entrusting the governance of Iran to a wise and noble paladin, he assembled ten great camel caravans, thirty of which were laden with gold dinars, precious gems, and fine silks. Disguised as a pious merchant from Jaz, Shapur set out toward the Roman heartland. Arriving near the imperial city, he lodged overnight with a village chieftain, bestowing generous gifts, before riding to Caesar’s palace at dawn.
He presented himself to the imperial chamberlain, requesting an audience to offer rich tribute and military wares to Caesar's treasury while seeking imperial protection for his trade. Impressed by his royal stature, the chamberlain led him into the presence of Caesar. The Roman emperor was captivated by the merchant's striking beauty and royal demeanor, ordering a magnificent feast and clearing the hall of strangers. However, a malicious Iranian exile living in Rome recognized Shapur's distinct features and secretly whispered the truth to Caesar: this was no merchant, but Shapur, the Sovereign of Iran himself.
Stunned by this revelation, Caesar waited until Shapur was overcome with wine, then had his guards seize the king. The Iranian monarch was bound and subjected to a terrible punishment: sewn tightly inside the raw hide of a donkey, which shrank agonizingly as it dried in the heat. Locked in a dark, cramped cell, his key was entrusted to Caesar's queen. Believing Shapur hopelessly neutralized, Caesar immediately launched a devastating military campaign into the defenseless lands of Iran.
#1
چنان بد که یک روز با تاج و گنج
✦
همی داشت از بودنی دل به رنج
“It so happened that one day, possessed of crown and treasure, his heart was burdened by destined events.”
#2
ز تیره شب اندر گذشته سه پاس
✦
بفرمود تا شد ستاره‌شناس
“When three watches of the dark night had passed, he ordered an astrologer to be brought before him.”
#3
بپرسیدش از تخت شاهنشهی
✦
هم از رنج وز روزگار بهی
“He questioned him concerning the imperial throne, his upcoming hardship, and prosperous days.”
#4
منجم بیاورد صلاب را
✦
بینداخت آرامش و خواب را
“The astrologer brought out the astrolabe, casting aside rest and sleep.”
#5
نگه کرد روشن به قلب اسد
✦
که هست او نماینده فتح و جد
“He looked clearly at the Heart of Leo, which heralds victory and energetic struggle.”
#6
بدان تا رسد پادشا را بدی
✦
فزاید بدو فره ایزدی
“He saw that harm would reach the king, yet through it, his Divine Glory would increase.”
#7
چو دیدند گفتندش ای پادشا
✦
جهانگیر و روشن‌دل و پارسا
“When they saw this, they said: 'O King, conqueror of the world, enlightened and pious...'”
#8
یکی کار پیش است با رنج و درد
✦
نیارد کس آن بر توبر یاد کرد
“'A trial lies ahead with hardship and pain, which no man dares remind you of.'”
#9
چنین داد شاپور پاسخ بدوی
✦
که ای مرد داننده و راه‌جوی
“Shapur answered him: 'O wise man and seeker of truth...'”
#10
چه چارست تا این ز من بگذرد
✦
تنم اختر بد به پی نسپرد
“'What remedy is there for this to pass me by, so my body does not follow a bad star?'”
#11
ستاره‌شمر گفت کای شهریار
✦
ازین گردش چرخ ناپایدار
“The astrologer said: 'O Monarch, against this turning of the unstable heavens...'”
#12
به مردی و دانش نیابی گذر
✦
خردمند گر مرد پرخاشخر
“'You cannot pass through by valor or wisdom, even if a man be a fierce warrior.'”
#13
بباشد همه بودنی بی‌گمان
✦
نتابیم با گردش آسمان
“'Whatever is destined will surely come to pass; we cannot twist away from the heavens' revolution.'”
#14
چنین داد پاسخ گرانمایه شاه
✦
که دادار باشد ز هر بد نگاه
“The noble king replied: 'The Creator is the protector against every evil,'”
#15
که گردان بلند آسمان آفرید
✦
توانایی و ناتوان آفرید
“'Who created the high turning heavens, and fashioned both the powerful and the weak.'”
#16
بگسترد بر پادشاهیش داد
✦
همی بود یک چند بی‌رنج و شاد
“He spread justice across his kingdom, living for a time unburdened and glad.”
#17
چو آباد شد زو همه مرز و بوم
✦
چنان آرزو کرد کاید به روم
“When all the land became prosperous through him, he desired to travel to Rome,”
#18
ببیند که قیصر سزاوار هست
✦
ابا لشکر و گنج و نیروی دست
“To see if Caesar was truly worthy, with his army, treasure, and physical power.”
#19
همان راز بگشاد با کدخدای
✦
یکی پهلوان گرد با داد و رای
“He revealed this secret to his minister, a noble paladin of justice and counsel.”
#20
همه راز و اندیشه با او بگفت
✦
همی داشت از هرکس اندر نهفت
“He shared all his secrets and thoughts with him, keeping it hidden from everyone else.”
#21
چنین گفت کاین پادشاهی به داد
✦
بدارید کزداد باشید شاد
“He said: 'Hold this realm with justice, so that you may be happy through justice.'”
#22
شتر خواست پرمایه ده کاروان
✦
به هر کاروان بر یکی ساروان
“He ordered ten caravans of valuable camels, with a driver for each caravan.”
#23
ز دینار وز گوهران بار کرد
✦
ازان سی شتر بار دینار کرد
“He loaded them with dinars and gems, thirty camels packed with gold dinars.”
#24
بیامد پراندیشه ز آبادبوم
✦
همی رفت زین سان سوی مرز روم
“Thoughtful, he departed the prosperous realm, journeying in this manner toward the land of Rome.”
#25
یکی روستا بود نزدیک شهر
✦
که دهقان و شهری بدو بود بهر
“There was a village near the city where peasants and townsfolk dwelt.”
#26
بیامد به خان یکی کدخدای
✦
بپرسید کایدر مرا هست جای
“He came to the house of a village chief and asked: 'Is there a lodging for me here?'”
#27
برو آفرین کرد مهتر بسی
✦
که چون تو نیابیم مهمان کسی
“The elder praised him greatly, saying: 'We could find no guest as noble as you.'”
#28
ببود آن شب و خورد و بخشید چیز
✦
ز دهقان بسی آفرین یافت نیز
“He stayed that night, ate, and bestowed gifts, earning abundant praise from the village chief.”
#29
سپیده برآمد بنه برنهاد
✦
سوی خانهٔ قیصر آمد چو باد
“At dawn he packed his baggage and rode like the wind toward Caesar's palace.”
#30
بیامد به نزدیک سالار بار
✦
برو آفرین کرد و بردش نثار
“He approached the chamberlain, offered praises, and brought him gifts.”
#31
بپرسید و گفتش چه مردی بگوی
✦
که هم شاه‌شاخی و هم شاه‌روی
“The chamberlain asked: 'Tell me, what man are you? For you have both the face and branch of royalty.'”
#32
چنین داد پاسخ که ای پادشا
✦
یکی پارسی مردم و پارسا
“He replied: 'O king's officer, I am a pious merchant from Persia.'”
#33
به بازارگانی برفتم ز جز
✦
یکی کاروان دارم از خز و بز
“'I set out in trade from Gaz, leading a caravan of silk and fine cloth.'”
#34
کنون آمدستم بدین بارگاه
✦
مگر نزد قیصر گشاینده راه
“'Now I have come to this royal court, hoping to find a way into Caesar's presence.'”
#35
ازین بار چیزی کش اندر خورست
✦
همه گوهر و آلت لشکرست
“'Among these loads are goods fitting for him—all manner of jewels and military arms.'”
#36
پذیرد سپارد به گنجور گنج
✦
بدان شاد باشم ندارم به رنج
“'Let him accept them for his treasury; I shall be glad and unburdened by toil.'”
#37
دگر را فروشم به زر و به سیم
✦
به قیصر پناهم نپیچم ز بیم
“'The rest I shall sell for gold and silver, seeking Caesar's refuge without fear.'”
#38
بخرم هرانچم بباید ز روم
✦
روم سوی ایران ز آباد بوم
“'I shall buy whatever I need from Rome, and return from this prosperous land to Iran.'”
#39
ز درگاه برخاست مرد کهن
✦
بر قیصر آمد بگفت این سخن
“The old courtier rose from the threshold, came before Caesar, and relayed these words.”
#40
بفرمود تا پرده برداشتند
✦
ز در سوی قیصرش بگذاشتند
“Caesar ordered the curtain to be drawn, allowing him to enter into his presence.”
#41
چو شاپور نزدیک قیصر رسید
✦
بکرد آفرینی چنان چون سزید
“When Shapur reached Caesar, he offered praise as was fitting.”
#42
نگه کرد قیصر به شاپور گرد
✦
ز خوبی دل و دیده او را سپرد
“Caesar gazed upon Shapur the valiant, giving his heart and eyes to his beauty.”
#43
بفرمود تا خوان و می ساختند
✦
ز بیگانه ایوان بپرداختند
“He ordered a banquet with wine to be prepared, clearing strangers from the palace hall.”
#44
جفادیده ایرانیی بد به روم
✦
چنانچون بود مرد بیداد و شوم
“A wronged, evil-minded Iranian was present in Rome, as a bad and ominous man would be.”
#45
به قیصر چنین گفت کای سرفراز
✦
یکی نو سخن بشنو از من به راز
“He whispered to Caesar: 'O exalted ruler, listen to a secret tale from me...'”
#46
که این نامور مرد بازارگان
✦
که دیبا فروشد به دینارگان
“"That this famous merchant who sells fine silk for golden dinars,"”
#47
شهنشاه شاپور گویم که هست
✦
به گفتار و دیدار و فر و نشست
“"Is none other, I say, than King of Kings Shapur himself, in speech, sight, royal farr, and bearing."”
#48
چو بشنید قیصر سخن تیره شد
✦
همی چشمش از روی او خیره شد
“When Caesar heard these words, his mood grew dark, and his gaze fixed intently upon Shapur's face.”
#49
نگهبانش برکرد و با کس نگفت
✦
همی داشت آن راز را در نهفت
“He set a guard over him and spoke to no one, keeping the secret hidden in silence.”
#50
چو شد مست برخاست شاپور شاه
✦
همی داشت قیصر مر او را نگاه
“When Shapur the King grew drunken and arose, Caesar kept a watchful eye upon him.”
#51
بیامد نگهبان و او را گرفت
✦
که شاپور نرسی توی ای شگفت
“The guard came forward and seized him, saying, 'O wondrous thing, art thou Shapur, son of Narseh?'”
#52
به جای زنان برد و دستش ببست
✦
به مردی ز دام بلا کس نجست
“They dragged him to the women's quarters and bound his hands; by valour alone none escapes the snare of doom.”
#53
چو زین باره دانش نیاید به بر
✦
چه باید شمار ستاره‌شمر
“When wisdom yields no fruit against such fate, of what avail is the astrologer's reckoning?”
#54
بر مست شمعی همی سوختند
✦
به زاریش در چرم خر دوختند
“Beside the drunk man they lit a candle, and in wretched plight sewed him into an ass's hide.”
#55
همی گفت هرکس که این شوربخت
✦
همی پوست خر جست و بگذاشت تخت
“Everyone mocked, saying, 'This ill-fated wretch sought an ass's hide and abandoned his throne!'”
#56
یکی خانه‌ای بود تاریک و تنگ
✦
ببردند بدبخت را بی‌درنگ
“There was a dark and narrow room, to which they dragged the ill-starred King without delay.”
#57
بدان جای تنگ اندر انداختند
✦
در خانه را قفل بر ساختند
“They cast him inside that narrow vault, and secured the door with a sturdy lock.”
#58
کلیدش به کدبانوی خانه داد
✦
تنش را بدان چرم بیگانه داد
“Caesar gave the key to the lady of the palace, leaving his captive bound within that alien hide.”
#59
به زن گفت چندان دهش نان و آب
✦
که از داشتن زو نگیرد شتاب
“He commanded his wife: 'Give him only enough bread and water that he may not swiftly perish.'”
#60
اگر زنده ماند به یک چندگاه
✦
بداند مگر ارج تخت و کلاه
“If he lingers alive for a space, he may perchance learn the true worth of throne and crown.”
#61
همان تخت قیصر نیایدش یاد
✦
کسی را کجا نیست قیصر نژاد
“Nor will he covet the throne of Caesar, which belongs not to one of un-Caesarean blood.”
#62
زن قیصر آن خانه را در ببست
✦
به ایوان دگر جای بودش نشست
“Caesar's queen locked the door of that prison and took her seat in another hall.”
#63
یکی ماه‌رخ بود گنجور اوی
✦
گزیده به هر کار دستور اوی
“She had a moon-faced maiden as her treasurer, trusted and chosen for every affair.”
#64
که ز ایرانیان داشتی او نژاد
✦
پدر بر پدر بر همی داشت یاد
“This maiden was of Iranian descent, mindful of her lineage through generations of fathers.”
#65
کلید در خانه او را سپرد
✦
به چرم اندرون بسته شاپور گرد
“The queen entrusted to her the key to the room wherein Shapur the hero lay bound in the hide.”
#66
همان روز ازان مرز لشکر براند
✦
ورا بسته در پوست آنجا بماند
“That very day Caesar marched his army from that borderland, leaving Shapur bound in the hide behind.”
#67
چو قیصر به نزدیک ایران رسید
✦
سپه یک به یک تیغ کین برکشید
“As Caesar approached the borders of Iran, his troops one by one drew their swords of vengeance.”
#68
از ایران همی برد رومی اسیر
✦
نبود آن یلان را کسی دستگیر
“The Romans took countless captives from Iran, for those brave warriors had none to aid them.”
#69
به ایران زن و مرد و کودک نماند
✦
همان چیز بسیار و اندک نماند
“In Iran neither woman, man, nor child remained safe, nor was any property, great or small, left unplundered.”
#70
نبود آگهی در میان سپاه
✦
نه مرده نه زنده ز شاپور شاه
“Among the Iranian host there was no news of King Shapur, whether he were dead or alive.”
#71
گریزان همه شهر ایران ز روم
✦
ز مردم تهی شد همه مرز و بوم
“All the cities of Iran fled before the Romans, and the entire realm became desolate of inhabitants.”
#72
از ایران بی‌اندازه ترسا شدند
✦
همه مرز پیش سکوبا شدند
“Countless Iranians turned to Christianity, and the whole realm fell under the sway of the bishop.”