When the wise Mobad heard the words of the orchard keeper and observed Shapur with a discerning spirit, he instantly perceived that this lion-hearted man was none other than the King of Kings, his face radiant with the divine royal glory. Without delay, he dispatched a swift messenger to the Iranian commander, announcing that the imperial tree had blossomed once more and the divine luster of King Shapur had manifest—urging him to summon armies from every realm. Upon hearing this joyous news, the commander's heart surged with renewed spirit and vengeance against the invaders. He bowed his head to the righteous Creator, offering praises to the Almighty who had preserved Shapur to behold his kingdom and forces once more.
As night unfurled its dark banner and stars gleamed around the moon, warriors converged upon Suristan from every corner of the land. Riding singly and in pairs, they galloped straight to the lodge of the humble orchard keeper. Once the gathered forces rested, the host entered Shapur's presence and announced that the champions of Iran were assembled outside. Shapur commanded the gates opened. The nobles entered, falling prostrate upon the earth before their sovereign. Shapur embraced his grandees, recounting the agonizing trials he had endured—the torment of the ass's hide, the arrogant boasts of Caesar, and the courageous maiden whose love and mercy had saved his life under God's providence.
Setting his mind to vengeance and strategy, Shapur commanded scouts to be deployed in every direction and the roads to Ctesiphon tightly sealed, ensuring no rumor of his liberation reached Caesar. He cautioned that if the Roman emperor learned that the Royal Glory had awakened, he would strike with full force to crush Iran before they were prepared. Therefore, vigilance had to be maintained day and night with outposts and watchtowers until the Mobad arrived with the main host, whereupon they would launch a surprise retribution that would forever strip sleep and safety from the Roman invaders.
#1
چو پالیزبان گفت و موبد شنید
✦
به روشن روان مرد دانا بدید
“When the orchard keeper spoke and the Mobad listened, the wise priest perceived with an enlightened soul,”
#2
که آن شیردل مرد جز شاه نیست
✦
همان چهر او جز در گاه نیست
“That this lion-hearted man could be none other than the King, for his visage belonged only to the royal throne.”
#3
فرستاده‌ای جست روشن‌روان
✦
فرستاد موبد بر پهلوان
“The Mobad sought out a clear-minded courier and dispatched him post-haste to the commander,”
#4
که پیدا شد آن فر شاپور شاه
✦
تو از هر سوی انجمن کن سپاه
“Saying: 'The Royal Glory of King Shapur has shone forth! Gather your armies from every direction!'”
#5
فرستادهٔ موبد آمد دوان
✦
ز جایی که بد تا در پهلوان
“The Mobad’s messenger came running swifty from where he was to the gate of the commander.”
#6
بگفت آنک در باغ شادی و بخت
✦
شکفته شد آن خسروانی درخت
“He declared: 'In the garden of joy and fortune, that royal tree has blossomed once more!'”
#7
سپهبد ز گفتار او گشت شاد
✦
دلش پر ز کین گشت و لب پر ز باد
“The general gladdened at his words; his heart surged with vengeance and his lips filled with sighs.”
#8
به دادار گفت ای جهاندار راست
✦
پرستش کنی جز ترا ناسزاست
“He said to the Creator: 'O Righteous Sovereign! Worship belongs to none save Thee,”
#9
که دانست هرگز که شاپور شاه
✦
ببیند سپه نیز و او را سپاه
“Who could have foreknown that King Shapur would behold his host again, and the host behold him?'”
#10
سپاس از تو ای دادگر یک خدای
✦
جهاندار و بر نیکویی رهنمای
“'Praise be unto Thee, O Just God, Lord of the world and guide unto all righteousness!'”
#11
چو شب برکشید آن درفش سیاه
✦
ستاره پدید آمد از گرد ماه
“When night hoisted its black banner and the stars emerged around the crescent moon,”
#12
فراز آمد از هر سوی لشکری
✦
به جایی که بد در جهان مهتری
“An army advanced from every quarter toward the place where the country's leader abode.”
#13
سوی سورستان سربرافراختند
✦
یگان و دوگانه همی تاختند
“They rode toward Suristan, galloping singly and in pairs without cease.”
#14
به درگاه پالیزبان آمدند
✦
به شادی بر میزبان آمدند
“They reached the threshold of the orchard keeper's lodge, coming with joy to their noble host.”
#15
چو لشکر شد آسوده بر درسرای
✦
به نزدیک شاه آمد آن پاک‌رای
“When the army had rested at the threshold, that pure-souled host approached the King,”
#16
به شاه جهان گفت پس میزبان
✦
خجستست بر ماه پالیزبان
“And the host said to the King of the world: 'Blessed is the moon of the orchard keeper!”
#17
سپاه انجمن شد بدین درسرای
✦
نگه کن کنون تا چه آیدت رای
“The host has assembled at this doorway; consider now what thy royal judgment decrees.'”
#18
بفرمود تا برگشادند راه
✦
اگر چه فرومایه بد جایگاه
“The King ordered the way opened, though humble was the dwelling place.”
#19
چو رفتند نزدیک آن نامجوی
✦
یکایک نهادند بر خاک روی
“When they entered before that illustrious monarch, one by one they laid their faces in the dust.”
#20
مهان را همه شاه در بر گرفت
✦
ز بدها خروشیدن اندر گرفت
“The King embraced the grandees all, and recounted the woes he had suffered,”
#21
بگفت آنک از چرم خر دیده بود
✦
سخنهای قیصر که بشنیده بود
“Relating how he had endured the ass's hide, and all the haughty words he had heard from Caesar,”
#22
هم آزادی آن بت خوب‌چهر
✦
بگفت آنچ او کرد پیدا ز مهر
“And he spoke of the nobility of that fair idol, telling of all the love she had shown him:”
#23
کزو یافتم جان و از کردگار
✦
که فرخنده بادا برو روزگار
“'Through her and the Creator I found my life; may fortune ever bless her days!”
#24
وگر شهریاری و فرخنده‌ای
✦
بود بندهٔ پرهنر بنده‌ای
“For if a monarch and a blessed ruler have an accomplished and devoted bondmaid,”
#25
منم بنده این مهربان بنده را
✦
گشاده‌دل و نازپرورده را
“I am but a humble servant to this loving maiden, open-hearted and gently reared as she is.'”
#26
ز هر سو که اکنون سپاه منست
✦
وگر پادشاهی و راه منست
“'From every quarter where my army now lies, or wherever my sovereignty extends,”
#27
همه کس فرستید و آگه کنید
✦
طلایه پراگنده بر ره کنید
“Send messengers to inform all, and scatter vanguards along the roads!'”
#28
ببندید ویژه ره طیسفون
✦
نباید که آگاهی آید برون
“'Above all, seal off the road to Ctesiphon, lest any news leak out to the enemy!'”
#29
چو قیصر بیابد ز ما آگهی
✦
که بیدار شد فر شاهنشهی
“'If Caesar receives word of us, learning that the royal divine glory has reawakened,”
#30
بیاید سپاه مرا برکند
✦
دل و پشت ایرانیان بشکند
“He will march forth to uproot my host and break the heart and back of the Iranians.'”
#31
کنون ما نداریم پایاب اوی
✦
نه پیچیم با بخت شاداب اوی
“'At present we have not the strength to withstand him, nor can we contend with his flourishing luck.'”
#32
چو موبد بیاید بیارد سپاه
✦
ز لشکر ببندیم بر پشه راه
“'When the Mobad comes bringing the main force, we shall block the road even against a gnat!'”
#33
بسازیم و آرایشی نو کنیم
✦
نهانی مگر باغ بی‌خو کنیم
“'We shall prepare and remake our array anew, clearing the garden of weeds in secret.'”
#34
بباید به هر گوشه‌ای دیده‌بان
✦
طلایه به روز و به شب پاسبان
“'There must be lookouts in every corner, and vanguards keeping guard both day and night.'”
#35
ازان پس نمانیم از رومیان
✦
کسی خسپد ایمن گشاده‌میان
“'Thereafter, we shall not let a single Roman sleep in safety or unarm his waist!'”