Upon reading Shapur’s reply, Baranush's heart was filled with relief and joy. He commanded a delegation of a hundred Roman nobles to assemble, bearing sixty loads of silver coins, precious jewels, and magnificent royal garments, along with thirty thousand gold dinars as an offering. The Roman dignitaries approached Shapur barefoot and bareheaded, scattering gold before his feet. Shapur received them with royal grace, bestowing honors according to their rank. He reminded Baranush of the vast destruction wrought upon Iranian lands by Roman invasions—how thriving cities had been turned into wilderness and lairs for beasts—and demanded full restitution.
Shapur stipulated that Rome must pay a heavy tribute three times a year, consisting of millions in gold, and permanently cede the strategic city of Nisibis to Iran. Baranush agreed to all terms, and a solemn treaty was ratified, ensuring peace provided Rome honored the pact. Shapur then offered prayers of praise to Almighty God and traveled in triumph toward Istakhr of Fars.
However, when news reached Nisibis, its Christian inhabitants rebelled, refusing to accept Sasanian governance or Zoroastrian customs. Indignant, Shapur dispatched a formidable army. After a week of fierce fighting and siege, the defenders were overwhelmed; their leaders were slain or bound in chains, and the city surrendered. Shapur magnanimously granted them pardon and recalled his legions.
Thereafter, Shapur honored the brave Roman slave girl who had engineered his escape, naming her Dilfruz Farrokh-Pesh ("Heart-Delighter of Auspicious Countenance") and elevating her among his court, while also bestowing rich rewards upon the generous gardener who had aided him. Meanwhile, the captive Roman Caesar died in his dungeon after a period of misery and imprisonment. Shapur treated the dead emperor with solemn dignity, placing his body in a casket with a musk-scented crown and sending him back to Rome, reflecting deeply upon the fleeting nature of earthly glory and human fate.
#1
برانوش چون پاسخ نامه دید
✦
ز شادی دل پاک‌تن بردمید
“When Baranush saw the letter's response, his pure heart bloomed with joy.”
#2
بفرمود تا نامداران روم
✦
برفتند صد مرد زان مرز و بوم
“He commanded that a hundred renowned men of Rome step forth from that land.”
#3
درم بار کردند خروار شست
✦
هم از گوهر و جامهٔ بر نشست
“They loaded sixty burdens of silver coins, together with jewels and fine apparel.”
#4
ز دینار گنجی ز بهر نثار
✦
فراز آمد از هر سوی سی هزار
“From every side, thirty thousand gold dinars were gathered as a royal tribute.”
#5
همه مهتران نزد شاه آمدند
✦
برهنه سر و بی‌کلاه آمدند
“All the nobles came before the king, bareheaded and stripped of their crowns.”
#6
چو دینار پیشش فرو ریختند
✦
بگسترده زر کهن بیختند
“As they poured the gold dinars before him, they sieved the ancient gold across the ground.”
#7
ببخشود و شاپور و بنواختشان
✦
به خوبی بر اندازه بنشاختشان
“Shapur showed mercy and favored them, seating each worthily according to his rank.”
#8
برانوش را گفت کز شهر روم
✦
بیامد بسی مرد بیداد و شوم
“He said to Baranush, 'Many oppressive and ill-omened men came from the realm of Rome;”
#9
به ایران زمین آنچ بد شارستان
✦
کنون گشت یکسر همه خارستان
“In the land of Iran, whatever was once a thriving city has now turned entirely to a thorn-field.”
#10
عوض خواهم آن را که ویران شدست
✦
کنام پلنگان و شیران شدست
“I demand recompense for all that was laid waste and became a lair for leopards and lions.'”
#11
برانوش گفتا چه باید بگوی
✦
چو زنهار دادی مه بر تاب روی
“Baranush replied, 'What must be done? Speak! Since you have granted quarter, turn not your face away.'”
#12
چنین داد پاسخ گرانمایه شاه
✦
چو خواهی که یکسر ببخشم گناه
“The noble king answered him, 'If you desire that I forgive your offenses entirely,”
#13
ز دینار رومی به سالی سه بار
✦
همی داد باید هزاران هزار
“Three times a year, millions in Roman gold dinars must be paid as tribute.”
#14
دگر آنک باشد نصیبین مرا
✦
چو خواهی که کوته شود کین مرا
“Furthermore, Nisibis shall belong to me, if you wish my vengeance to come to an end.'”
#15
برانوش گفتا که ایران تراست
✦
نصیبین و دشت دلیران تراست
“Baranush said, 'Iran is yours, and Nisibis and the plain of heroes belong to you.”
#16
پذیرفتم این مایه‌ور باژ و ساو
✦
که با کین و خشمت نداریم تاو
“I accept this heavy tribute and tax, for we cannot withstand your wrath and vengeance.'”
#17
نوشتند عهدی ز شاپور شاه
✦
کزان پس نراند ز ایران سپاه
“They drafted a treaty from King Shapur, pledging that he would no longer lead armies against Rome,”
#18
مگر با سزاواری و خرمی
✦
کجا روم را زو نیاید کمی
“Except with propriety and peace, so that no harm would come to Rome from him.”
#19
ازان پس گسی کرد و بنواختشان
✦
سر از نامداران برافراختشان
“Thereafter, he dismissed and favored them, exalting the heads of their nobles.”
#20
چو ایشان برفتند لشکر براند
✦
جهان‌آفرین را فراوان بخواند
“When they departed, he led his army onward, offering abundant praises to the Creator of the World.”
#21
همی رفت شادان به اصطخر پارس
✦
که اصطخر بد بر زمین فخر پارس
“Joyfully he traveled toward Istakhr of Fars, for Istakhr was the pride of Fars upon the earth.”
#22
چو اندر نصیبین خبر یافتند
✦
همه جنگ را تیز بشتافتند
“When news reached Nisibis, they quickly prepared for war,”
#23
که ما را نباید که شاپور شاه
✦
نصیبین بگیرد بیارد سپاه
“Saying, 'We must not allow King Shapur to take Nisibis and bring his host against us!”
#24
که دین مسیحا ندارد درست
✦
همش کیش زردشت و زند است و است
“He does not hold true the faith of the Messiah, for his religion is that of Zoroaster, the Avesta, and the Zand.”
#25
چو آید ز ما برنگیرد سخن
✦
نخواهیم استا و دین کهن
“If he comes to us, he will not listen to our words; we do not want the ancient Avesta and faith!'”
#26
زبردست شد مردم زیردست
✦
به کین مرد شهری به زین برنشست
“The lowly rose up against the powerful, and urban men mounted the saddle in vengeance.”
#27
چو آگاهی آمد به شاپور شاه
✦
که اندر نصیبین ندادند راه
“When news came to King Shapur that they had denied him passage in Nisibis,”
#28
ز دین مسیحا برآشفت شاه
✦
سپاهی فرستاد بی‌مر به راه
“The king grew enraged for the sake of the Messiah's religion and sent an uncounted host on their way.”
#29
همی گفت پیغمبری کش جهود
✦
کشد دین او را نشاید ستود
“He said, 'A prophet whom the Jews put to death—his religion ought not to be lauded!'”
#30
برفتند لشکر به کردار گرد
✦
سواران و شیران روز نبرد
“The army marched like dust—horsemen and lions of the day of battle.”
#31
به یک هفته آنجا همی جنگ بود
✦
دران شهر از جنگ بس تنگ بود
“For a week war raged there; in that city, life was constricted by the fighting.”
#32
بکشتند زیشان فراوان سران
✦
نهادند بر زنده بند گران
“They slew many of their leaders and placed heavy chains upon the survivors.”
#33
همه خواستند آن زمان زینهار
✦
نوشتند نامه بر شهریار
“All then begged for quarter and wrote a letter of submission to the monarch.”
#34
ببخشیدشان نامبردار شاه
✦
بفرمود تا بازگردد سپاه
“The renowned king forgave them and commanded his army to return.”
#35
به هر کشوری نامداری گرفت
✦
همان بر جهان کامگاری گرفت
“In every country, a ruler took charge, while Shapur achieved mastery over the world.”
#36
همی خواندندیش پیروز شاه
✦
همی بود یک چند با تاج و گاه
“They called him the Victorious King, and he reigned for a time with crown and throne.”
#37
کنیزک که او را رهانیده بود
✦
بدان کامگاری رسانیده بود
“The slave girl who had rescued him and brought him to such triumph—”
#38
دلفروزو فرخ‌پیش نام کرد
✦
ز خوبان مر او را دلارام کرد
“He named her Dilfruz-e Farrokh-Pesh ('Heart-Delighter of Auspicious Countenance') and made her his beloved among fair maidens.”
#39
همان باغبان را بسی خواسته
✦
بداد و گسی کردش آراسته
“To the gardener also he gave vast wealth and sent him away handsomely provided for.”
#40
همی بود قیصر به زندان و بند
✦
به زاری و خواری و زخم کمند
“Meanwhile, Caesar remained in prison and chains, in wretchedness, humiliation, and the sting of fetters.”
#41
به روم اندرون هرچ بودش ز گنج
✦
فراز آوریده ز هر سو به رنج
“Whatever treasure he had possessed in Rome, gathered from every quarter through hardship,”
#42
بیاورد و یکسر به شاپور داد
✦
همی بود یک چند لب پر ز باد
“Was brought forth and surrendered entirely to Shapur; for a time Caesar lingered with his lips full of sighs.”
#43
سرانجام در بند و زندان بمرد
✦
کلاه کیی دیگری را سپرد
“At last he died in bond and prison, surrendering the royal crown to another.”
#44
به رومش فرستاد شاپور شاه
✦
به تابوت وز مشک بر سر کلاه
“King Shapur sent his body to Rome, placing him in a casket with a crown scented with musk upon his head.”
#45
چنین گفت کاینست فرجام ما
✦
ندانم کجا باشد آرام ما
“Shapur said, 'This is our ultimate end; I know not where our final resting place shall be.'”
#46
یکی را همه زفتی و ابلهیست
✦
یکی با خردمندی و فرهیست
“One man's lot is sheer miserliness and folly, while another is blessed with wisdom and noble glory.”
#47
برین و بران روز هم بگذرد
✦
خنک آنک گیتی به بد نسپرد
“Days pass alike for both the fool and the wise; fortunate is he who hands not the world over to evil.”
#48
به تخت کیان اندر آورد پای
✦
همی بود چندی جهان کدخدای
“He stepped upon the royal throne of the Kians, and for a time remained the master and ruler of the world.”
#49
وزان پس بر کشور خوزیان
✦
فرستاد بسیار سود و زیان
“Thereafter, unto the realm of the Khuzis, he directed much benefit as well as measure of hardship.”
#50
ز بهر اسیران یکی شهر کرد
✦
جهان را ازان بوم پر بهر کرد
“For the sake of the captives he built a city, rendering the world prosperous through that land.”
#51
کجا خرم‌آباد بد نام شهر
✦
وزان بوم خرم کرا بود بهر
“Khorramabad was the name of that city; and who was there that did not reap joy from that pleasant domain?”
#52
کسی را که از پیش ببرید دست
✦
بدین مرز بودیش جای نشست
“Whosoever among the captives had previously lost a hand was granted a dwelling within this realm.”
#53
بر و بوم او یکسر او را بدی
✦
سر سال نو خلعتی بستدی
“The land and fields were granted entirely to him, and at each New Year he received a robe of honor.”
#54
یکی شارستان کرد دیگر به شام
✦
که پیروز شاپور کردش به نام
“He constructed another great city towards Syria, which he bestowed with the name Piruz-Shapur.”
#55
به اهواز کرد آن سیم شارستان
✦
بدو اندرون کاخ و بیمارستان
“The third city he built in Ahvaz, founding within its borders grandeur, palaces, and a hospital.”
#56
کنام اسیرانش کردند نام
✦
اسیر اندرو یافتی خواب و کام
“They named it 'The Abode of Captives', wherein every captive found restful sleep and contentment.”