When Shapur the Great departed the mortal world, his brother Ardashir mounted the imperial throne, illuminating the royal seat that had been adorned by the legacy of the elder Shapur. Girding his loins with justice, Ardashir summoned the nobles and populace of Iran, seating them honorably at the base of his golden throne.
Addressing the assembled grandees, King Ardashir declared: 'I desire that under the turning sky, no harm shall come to any living soul. If the world bends harmoniously to our will, people shall witness both our swift firmness and our tranquil grace; but if the world proves unyielding, we shall adapt ourselves to its tides. My brother entrusted this realm to me because his son was yet a child. I send blessings upon his righteous spirit, for he cleansed the earth of all ill-wishers. When young Shapur, son of Shapur, grows tall and worthy of the crown and throne, I shall hand over the army, crown, and realm to him, as was my solemn covenant with King Shapur. I am merely the custodian of this throne and a living remembrance of his father.'
He then exhorted all present to uphold righteousness and honor ancient laws, reminding them that all earthly pleasures pass away, and upon death, all worldly toil turns to wind.
For ten years, Ardashir governed the realm with strict equity and peace. He demanded no tribute, tax, or duty from any subject, granting his protection freely to all. Because every citizen lived in ease and tranquility during his reign, he was bestowed the epithet 'Nokookar' (the Beneficent). When young Shapur reached full maturity and became worthy of the throne, the valiant Ardashir did not falter from his sacred vow. With nobility and chivalry, he surrendered the blessed crown to his nephew and stepped down, having preserved the order and honor of the empire.
#1
چو بنشست بر گاه شاه اردشیر
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بیاراست آن تخت شاپور پیر
“When King Ardashir sat upon the throne, the legacy of Shapur the elder adorned that royal seat.”
#2
کمر بست و ایرانیان را بخواند
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بر پایهٔ تخت زرین نشاند
“He girded his waist in justice and summoned the Iranians, seating them at the base of his golden throne.”
#3
چنین گفت کز دور چرخ بلند
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نخواهم که باشد کسی را گزند
“He spoke thus: 'From the turning of the high heavens, I desire no harm to come to anyone.'”
#4
جهان گر شود رام با کام من
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ببینند تیزی و آرام من
“'If the world submits to my will, men shall see both my swift sharpness and my tranquil peace.'”
#5
ور ایدونک با ما نسازد جهان
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بسازیم ما با جهان جهان
“'And if the world does not harmonize with us, we shall adapt ourselves to the turning world.'”
#6
برادر جهان ویژه ما را سپرد
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ازیرا که فرزند او بود خرد
“'My brother entrusted this world specifically to me, because his child was still young.'”
#7
فرستم روان ورا آفرین
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که از بدسگالان بشست او زمین
“'I send praise and blessings upon his soul, for he cleansed the earth of all ill-wishers.'”
#8
چو شاپور شاپور گردد بلند
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شود نزد او گاه و تاج ارجمند
“'When Shapur, son of Shapur, grows tall in stature, and the throne and crown become precious to him,'”
#9
سپارم بدو گاه و تاج و سپاه
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که پیمان چنین کرد شاپور شاه
“'I shall hand over to him the throne, crown, and army, for such was the covenant King Shapur made.'”
#10
من این تخت را پایکار وی‌ام
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همان از پدر یادگار وی‌ام
“'I am merely the custodian of this throne for him, as well as a living tribute to his father.'”
#11
شما یکسره داد یاد آورید
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بکوشید و آیین و داد آورید
“'All of you, remember justice always; strive to establish tradition and righteousness.'”
#12
چنان دان که خوردیم و بر ما گذشت
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چو مردی همه رنج ما باد گشت
“'Know that whatever we consumed has passed; when a man dies, all our earthly toil turns to wind.'”
#13
چو ده سال گیتی همی داشت راست
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بخورد و ببخشید چیزی که خواست
“When he had governed the world in righteousness for ten years, he enjoyed and bestowed whatever he desired.”
#14
نجست از کسی باژ و ساو و خراج
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همی رایگان داشت آن گاه و تاج
“He demanded no tribute, tax, or custom from anyone, holding that throne and crown without cost to his subjects.”
#15
مر او را نکوکار زان خواندند
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که هرکس تن‌آسان ازو ماندند
“They named him 'the Beneficent' [Nokookar] for the sole reason that everyone remained in ease through him.”
#16
چو شاپور گشت از در تاج و گاه
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مر او را سپرد آن خجسته کلاه
“When young Shapur became worthy of the throne and crown, he surrendered that blessed cap to him.”
#17
نگشت آن دلاور ز پیمان خویش
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به مردی نگه داشت سامان خویش
“That valiant king did not break his covenant; with chivalry and dignity, he preserved his true measure.”