As the night receded and dawn cast its golden banners across the mountain crests, the master of the garden approached his noble guest. With words of profound humility, the gardener offered his morning blessings, lamenting the modesty of his humble cottage and the poverty of his table. Yet King Shapur smiled, declaring that he prized this peaceful sanctuary far above the splendor of crowns and thrones. He then requested sacred Barsam twigs and the holy Zand and Avesta, that he might perform the Zoroastrian prayers of low chant.
Under the cover of his sacred recitation, Shapur quietly inquired about the residence of the Mobadan-Mobad, the High Priest of Iran. The gardener pointed out the Priest's mansion, visible right from his doorway. Shapur then secretly asked for scented clay, pressed his royal signet ring into it, and entrusted the sealed clay to the gardener, instructing him to hand it directly to the High Priest at first light and carefully observe his reaction.
At break of day, the gardener hastened to the High Priest's residence. Entering the quiet courtyard, he bowed low and presented the sealed clay. The moment the High Priest's eyes fell upon the imperial signet, his heart surged with boundless joy, and tears of relief welled in his eyes, knowing the lost sovereign had returned. He eagerly asked the gardener who possessed such a ring. The gardener recounted that a magnificent knight, accompanied by a moon-faced lady of divine majesty, was currently staying beneath his roof. When the Priest pressed for a description of the stranger, the gardener portrayed a warrior of majestic cypress stature, with arms like elephant thighs, a chest like a lion, and a countenance radiating royal glory worthy of the Iranian crown.
#1
ببود آن شب و خورد و گفت و شنید
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سپیده چو از کوه سر بر کشید
“They spent that night in dining, speech, and listening, until dawn reared its head over the mountains.”
#2
چو زرین درفشی برآورد راغ
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بر میهمان شد خداوند باغ
“When morning unfurled its golden banner upon the hills, the master of the garden came before his guest.”
#3
بدو گفت روز تو فرخنده باد
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سرت برتر از ابر بارنده باد
“He said to him: 'May your day be auspicious, and may your head rise higher than the rain-bearing cloud!'”
#4
سزای تومان جایگاهی نبود
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به آرام شایسته گاهی نبود
“'This was no place worthy of your presence, nor a resting spot fitting for your dignity.'”
#5
چو مهمان درویش باشی خورش
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نیابی نه پوشیدن و پرورش
“'When you become the guest of a poor man, you find neither fine food, nor suitable apparel, nor fitting care.'”
#6
بدو گفت شاپور کای نیک‌بخت
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من این خانه بگزیدم از تاج و تخت
“Shapur answered him: 'O fortunate host! I chose this very house over crown and throne.'”
#7
یکی زند و اُست آر با بَرسَمَت
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به زمزم یکی پاسخی پرسمت
“'Bring me a copy of the Zand and Avesta with the sacred Barsam, so I may ask a question in low Zoroastrian chant.'”
#8
بیاورد هرچش بفرمود شاه
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بیفزود نزدیک شه پایگاه
“The gardener brought all that the King commanded, thus rising even higher in the King's esteem.”
#9
به زمزم بدو گفت برگوی راست
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کجا موبد موبد اکنون کجاست
“Under cover of the holy chant, he said to him: 'Tell me truly, where does the High Priest of High Priests dwell now?'”
#10
چنین داد پاسخ ورا باغبان
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که ای پاک‌دل مرد شیرین‌زبان
“The gardener replied to him thus: 'O pure-hearted man of sweet speech!'”
#11
دو چشمم ز جایی که دارم نشست
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بدان خانهٔ موبدان موبدست
“'From the very spot where I sit, my two eyes fall right upon the home of the High Priest.'”
#12
نهانی به پالیزبان گفت شاه
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که از مهتر ده گل مهره خواه
“Secretly, the King said to the gardener: 'Ask the headman of the village for a piece of clay bead/seal.'”
#13
چو بشنید زو این سخن باغبان
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گل و مشک و می خواست و آمد دمان
“When the gardener heard this request, he quickly brought clay, musk, and wine.”
#14
جهاندار بنهاد بر گل نگین
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بدان باغبان داد و کرد آفرین
“The ruler of the world pressed his signet upon the clay, gave it to the gardener, and praised him.”
#15
بدو گفت کین گل به موبد سپار
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نگر تا چه گوید همه گوش دار
“He said to him: 'Deliver this clay seal to the High Priest; mark well all that he says.'”
#16
سپیده دمان مرد با مهر شاه
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بر موبد موبد آمد پگاه
“At early dawn, carrying the King's seal, the man came to the High Priest at break of day.”
#17
چو نزدیک درگاه موبد رسید
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پراگنده گردان و در بسته دید
“When he reached the court of the High Priest, he found the guards dispersed and the doors closed.”
#18
به آواز زان بارگه بار خواست
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چو بگشاد در باغبان رفت راست
“He called out to request an audience from that hall; when the door opened, the gardener entered directly.”
#19
چو آمد به نزدیک موبد فراز
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بدو مهر بنمود و بردش نماز
“As he drew near the High Priest, he displayed the seal and bowed down in reverence.”
#20
چو موبد نگه کرد و آن مهره دید
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ز شادی دل رای‌زن بردمید
“When the High Priest looked and saw that signet, the wise counselor's heart swelled with radiant joy.”
#21
وزان پس بران نام چندی گریست
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بدان باغبان گفت کاین مهر کیست
“And thereafter he wept awhile over that royal name, then asked the gardener: 'Whose seal is this?'”
#22
چنین داد پاسخ که ای نامدار
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نشسته به خان منست این سوار
“The gardener answered him: 'O renowned master! This horseman is dwelling in my house.'”
#23
یکی ماه با وی چو سرو سهی
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خردمند و با زیب و با فرهی
“'With him is a moon-like maiden tall as a cypress, wise, exquisite, and endowed with divine glory.'”
#24
بدو گفت موبد که ای نامجوی
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نشان که دارد به بالا و روی
“The High Priest said to him: 'O seeker of honor! What likeness has he in stature and face?'”
#25
بدو باغبان گفت هرکو بهار
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بدیدست سرو از لب جویبار
“The gardener said to him: 'Whoever in spring has beheld a tall cypress by the river's edge...'”
#26
دو بازو به کردار ران هیون
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برش چون بر شیر و چهرش چو خون
“'His two arms are like the thighs of a massive elephant, his chest like a lion's chest, and his face glowing red as blood.'”
#27
همی رنگ شرم آید از مهر اوی
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همی زیب تاج آید از چهر اوی
“'Modesty itself blushes before his loving splendor, and the glory of crowns finds its true beauty in his face.'”