As the radiant sun ascended the tower of Leo and flushed the world with dawn, the Roman nobles gathered to celebrate their high festival. Amidst the revelry, the daughter of Caesar—her heart bound to Shapur and her mind set on defiance—executed her bold escape. When the royal chambers emptied, she possessed the fierce courage of a lion; she secured two noble warhorses from the stables, gathered choice armor and weapons, and took a wealth of dinars, rubies, and lustrous pearls.
When night cast its veil, the two flee-footed companions turned their faces toward Iran, riding relentlessly through dusk and daylight without pause for sleep or bread. Sweeping through Khuzestan, they reached the realm of Suristan. As their limbs grew numb and their steeds flagged, they sought refuge. They chanced upon a lush village abounding with gardens and bright plazas. Worn by hardship, Shapur knocked upon the gate of a local gardener.
The host, a noble and hospitable man, came forth to behold two riders clad in mail, helmets, and spears. He inquired of their late arrival and desperate pace. Shapur replied that he was an Iranian traveler fleeing the wrath of Caesar and his host, praying never again to look upon the Roman emperor's crown. He begged for a night's shelter, promising that the seed of hospitality sown this night would bear rich fruit in days to come.
The gardener readily opened his home, declaring his very soul at their service. His wife prepared a generous feast, and after dining, wine was poured. When the host offered the first goblet to Shapur, the Persian King politely demurred, requesting his senior host drink first. But the gardener marvelled, noting that the scent of royalty clung to Shapur's hair and the lustre of ivory shone upon his brow.
Shapur laughed, took the cup, and exhaled a cold sigh from his chest before asking for news of Iran. The gardener wept as he recounted the ruin wrought by Caesar: Iran's fields laid waste, its people slain or dispersed, its chieftains carried off in chains to Rome, and many driven to take up the Christian girdle before the bishops. Of King Shapur himself, none knew if he lived or lay dead. Grief-stricken yet resolute, Shapur accepted the host's offer to rest for three days within his tranquil abode.
#1
چو بر زد سر از برج شیر آفتاب
✦
ببالید روز و بپالود خواب
“When the sun raised its head from the constellation of Leo, the day grew bright and sleep was dispelled.”
#2
به جشن آمدند آنک بودی به شهر
✦
بزرگان جوینده از جشن بهر
“The grandees of the city came to the feast, seeking their share of the joyous celebration.”
#3
کنیزک سوی چاره بنهاد روی
✦
چنانچون بود مردم چاره‌جوی
“The maiden turned her mind toward resourceful action, as befits a clever seeker of solutions.”
#4
چو ایوان خالی به چنگ آمدش
✦
دل شیر و چنگ و پلنگ آمدش
“When the hall was left unattended, she found in herself the heart of a lion, the claws of a leopard.”
#5
دو اسپ گرانمایه ز آخر ببرد
✦
گزیده سلیح سواران گرد
“She took two precious steeds from the stable, along with the finest armor of brave warriors.”
#6
ز دینار چندانک بایست نیز
✦
ز خوشاب و یاقوت و هرگونه چیز
“She also took as many gold dinars as needed, along with pure pearls, rubies, and all manner of jewels.”
#7
چو آمد همه ساز رفتن به جای
✦
شب آمد دو تن راست کردند رای
“When all preparations for departure were ready and night arrived, the two resolved upon their journey.”
#8
سوی شهر ایران نهادند روی
✦
دو خرم نهان شاد و آرامجوی
“Toward the land of Iran they set their face, two happy lovers, joyful and seeking peace.”
#9
شب و روز یکسر همی تاختند
✦
به خواب و به خوردن نپرداختند
“Night and day they rode without pause, caring neither for sleep nor for food.”
#10
برین‌گونه از شهر بر خورستان
✦
همی راند تا کشور سورستان
“In this manner he rode from the territory of Khuzestan straight into the country of Suristan.”
#11
چو اسب و تن از تاختن گشت سست
✦
فرود آمدن را همی جای جست
“When both horse and body grew weary from riding, he looked for a place to dismount and rest.”
#12
دهی خرم آمد به پیشش به راه
✦
پر از باغ و میدان و پر جشنگاه
“A prosperous village appeared before him on the road, full of gardens, open fields, and festive grounds.”
#13
تن از رنج خسته گریزان ز بد
✦
بیامد در باغبانی بزد
“With a body weary from hardship and fleeing from harm, he went and knocked upon a gardener's door.”
#14
بیامد دمان مرد پالیزبان
✦
که هم نیک‌دل بود و هم میزبان
“The gardener came forth swiftly, a man who was both good-hearted and a gracious host.”
#15
دو تن دیده با نیزه و درع و خود
✦
ز شاپور پرسید هست این درود
“Seeing two people equipped with spears, cuirasses, and helmets, he asked Shapur: 'Is this a peaceful greeting?'”
#16
بدین بیگهی از کجا خاستی
✦
چنین تاختن را بیاراستی
“'At such an unseemly hour, whence have you come, riding in such great haste?'”
#17
بدو گفت شاپور کای نیک‌خواه
✦
سخن چند پرسی ز گم کرده راه
“Shapur said to him: 'O well-wisher, why ask so many questions of a lost wanderer?'”
#18
یکی مرد ایرانیم راه‌جوی
✦
گریزان بدین مرز بنهاده روی
“'I am an Iranian man seeking my path, fleeing and turning my face toward this border.'”
#19
پر از دردم از قیصر و لشکرش
✦
مبادا که بینم سر و افسرش
“'My heart is full of pain because of Caesar and his army; may I never look upon his head and crown again!'”
#20
گر امشب مرا میزبانی کنی
✦
هشیواری و مرزبانی کنی
“'If you host me tonight with vigilance and protective care,'”
#21
برآنم که روزی به کار آیدت
✦
درختی که کشتی به بار آیدت
“'I believe that one day it will serve you well; the tree you plant will bear fruitful rewards.'”
#22
بدو باغبان گفت کین خان تست
✦
تن باغبان نیز مهمان تست
“The gardener replied: 'This home is yours; the gardener himself is but your guest.'”
#23
بدان چیز کاید مرا دست‌رس
✦
بکوشم بیارم نگویم به کس
“'Whatever lies within my reach, I shall strive to bring, telling no soul of your presence.'”
#24
فرود آمد از باره شاپور شاه
✦
کنیزک همی رفت با او به راه
“King Shapur dismounted from his steed, and the maiden walked alongside him.”
#25
خورش ساخت چندان زن باغبان
✦
ز هر گونه چندانک بودش توان
“The gardener's wife prepared food, as much and of as many kinds as she was able.”
#26
چو نان خورده شد کار می ساختند
✦
سبک مایه جایی بپرداختند
“When the bread was eaten, they prepared wine, setting up a modest drinking place.”
#27
سبک باغبان می به شاپور داد
✦
که بردار ازان کس که آیدت یاد
“The gardener promptly offered wine to Shapur, saying: 'Drink in memory of whomsoever you cherish.'”
#28
بدو گفت شاپور کای میزبان
✦
سخن‌گوی و پرمایه پالیزبان
“Shapur said to him: 'O host, eloquent and noble tiller of orchards,'”
#29
کسی کو می آرد نخست او خورد
✦
چو بیشش بود سالیان و خرد
“'He who brings the wine should drink first, especially if he is greater in years and wisdom.'”
#30
تو از من به سال اندکی برتری
✦
تو باید که چون می دهی می خوری
“'You are somewhat senior to me in age; it is fitting that as you serve wine, you drink as well.'”
#31
بدو باغبان گفت کای پرهنر
✦
نخست آن خورد می که با زیب‌تر
“The gardener said to him: 'O accomplished one, he who is more adorned with beauty should drink first.'”
#32
تو باید که باشی برین پیش رو
✦
که پیری به فرهنگ و بر سال نو
“'You ought to take precedence here, for though young in years, you are old in culture and wisdom.'”
#33
همی بوی تاج آید از موی تو
✦
همی رنگ عاج آید از روی تو
“'The scent of the crown comes from your hair; the pale lustre of ivory shines upon your face.'”
#34
بخندید شاپور و بستد نبید
✦
یکی باد سرد از جگر برکشید
“Shapur laughed, accepted the wine, and drew a cold sigh from his breast.”
#35
به پالیزبان گفت کای پاک‌دین
✦
چه آگاهی استت ز ایران زمین
“He said to the orchard-keeper: 'O pure-hearted man, what news do you have of the land of Iran?'”
#36
چنین دادپاسخ که ای برمنش
✦
ز تو دور بادا بد بدکنش
“He answered: 'O noble spirit, may the harm of evil-doers be far from you!'”
#37
به بدخواه ما باد چندان زیان
✦
که از قیصر آمد به ایرانیان
“'May our ill-wishers suffer as much loss as came upon the Iranians from Caesar!'”
#38
از ایران پراگنده شد هرک بود
✦
نماند اندران بوم کشت و درود
“'Everyone in Iran has been scattered; no crops or harvests remain in that land.'”
#39
ز بس غارت و کشتن مرد و زن
✦
پراگنده گشت آن بزرگ انجمن
“'From so much pillage and slaughter of men and women, that great assembly was dissolved.'”
#40
وزیشان بسی نیز ترسا شدند
✦
به زنار پیش سکوبا شدند
“And many of them turned Christian, taking the sacred cord before the bishops.”
#41
بسی جاثلیقی به سر بر کلاه
✦
به دور از بر و بوم و آرامگاه
“Many a Catholicos wears the priest's hat, far removed from his border, home, and resting place.”
#42
بدو گفت شاپور شاه اورمزد
✦
که رخشان بدی همچو ماه اورمزد
“Shapur asked him: 'Where is King Shapur, son of Hormizd, who shone like the moon of the month of Hormizd?'”
#43
کجا شد که قیصر چنین چیره شد
✦
ز بخت آب ایرانیان تیره شد
“'How did Caesar become so victorious, and why did fortune turn dark for the Iranians?'”
#44
بدو باغبان گفت کای سرفراز
✦
ترا جاودان مهتری باد و ناز
“The gardener said: 'O exalted one, may greatness and joy be yours forever!'”
#45
ازو مرده و زنده جایی نشان
✦
نیامد به ایران بدان سرکشان
“'No trace of him, dead or alive, has reached those chieftains in Iran.'”
#46
هرانکس که بودند ز آبادبوم
✦
اسیرند سرتاسر اکنون به روم
“'All who were from those prosperous lands are now captives entirely in Rome.'”
#47
برین زار بگریست پالیزبان
✦
که بود آن زمان شاه را میزبان
“The gardener wept bitterly at this, he who was the host of the King at that moment.”
#48
بدو میزبان گفت کایدر سه روز
✦
بباشی بود خانه گیتی فروز
“The host said to him: 'Remain here three days; this house shall illuminate the world for you.'”
#49
که دانا زد این داستان از نخست
✦
که هرکس که آزرم مهمان نجست
“'For the wise man uttered this proverb of old: Whoever does not honor his guest,'”
#50
نباشد خرد هیچ نزدیک اوی
✦
نیاز آورد بخت تاریک اوی
“'Has no wisdom near him, and his dark fortune shall bring him poverty.'”
#51
بباش و بیاسای و می خور به کام
✦
چو گردد دلت رام بر گوی نام
“'Stay and rest, drink wine to your heart's desire; when your heart is at ease, speak your true name.'”
#52
بدو گفت شاپور کاری رواست
✦
به مابر کنون میزبان پادشاست
“Shapur said to him: 'This request is fitting; now the host is sovereign over us.'”