When Yazdegerd assumed the crown of kingship and gathered the host from the plains, he placed upon his head the royal diadem of his brother. Deep within his heart he rejoiced at the prize of sovereignty, though outwardly he feigned sorrow for his brother's passing. Assembling the magnates and nobles of the realm, he proclaimed a holy covenant of righteousness. He declared that all subjects should first render praise to the Almighty and rejoice in the reign of justice. He pledged that evil-doers would find no sanctuary, while those who walked the path of truth would be elevated in rank, casting out malice and greed from the kingdom. He vowed to take counsel only with the wise and vigilant Mobads, to strip the oppressors of their power, and to shelter the impoverished under the shield of royal grace. Yet beneath these golden promises lay a shadow of terror: he warned that whoever failed to fear his wrath would find their bed in the dust and their neck beneath the Indian blade.
However, once his authority was firmly anchored across the lands, his true nature unveiled itself. Pride expanded within his breast as compassion withered away. The wise were degraded at his court, and the ancient customs of kingship were cast aside. Governors, paladins, and learned Mobads became as mere dust before his sight, while his soul turned dark and ruthless. Love and mercy were erased from his heart, and he left no plea unanswered save with cruel and exaggerated vengeance. A deadly dread fell upon the court; ministers and nobles bound themselves in a silent pact never to speak of the kingdom's plight, paralyzed by terror of the Shahanshah. Whenever envoys and aggrieved petitioners arrived from distant provinces seeking royal justice, the Chief Minister intercepted them. With warm words and soft accents, the deceitful minister turned them away, falsely claiming he had presented their petitions but that the King was occupied and inaccessible—thereby sealing the sovereign off from his people in a web of deceit.
#1
چو شد پادشا بر جهان یزدگرد
✦
سپه را ز دشت اندرآورد گرد
“When Yazdegerd became king over the world, he gathered the army from the plains.”
#2
کلاه برادر به سر بر نهاد
✦
همی بود ازان مرگ ناشاد شاد
“He placed his brother's crown upon his head, secretly joyful at that death, yet feigning sorrow.”
#3
چنین گفت با نامداران شهر
✦
که هرکس که از داد یابند بهر
“He spoke thus to the nobles of the city: 'Let everyone receive their rightful share of justice.”
#4
نخست از نیایش به یزدان کنید
✦
دل از داد ما شاد و خندان کنید
“First, offer your prayers unto God, and make your hearts joyful and glad through our justice.”
#5
بدان را نمانم که دارند هوش
✦
وگر دست یازند بد را بکوش
“I shall not allow the wicked to retain their wits, should they stretch forth their hands to do evil.”
#6
کسی کو بجوید ز ما راستی
✦
بیارامد از کژی و کاستی
“Whoever seeks righteousness from us shall find rest from crookedness and flaw.”
#7
به هرجای جاه وی افزون کنیم
✦
ز دل کینه و آز بیرون کنیم
“Everywhere we shall elevate their rank, and cast out malice and greed from our heart.”
#8
سگالش نگوییم جز با ردان
✦
خردمند و بیداردل موبدان
“We shall seek counsel only from the grandees, the wise, and the vigilant-hearted Mobads.”
#9
کسی را کجا پر ز آهو بود
✦
روانش ز بیشی به نیرو بود
“If anyone is filled with fault and vice, gaining power through excessive wealth,”
#10
به بیچارگان بر ستم سازد اوی
✦
گر از چیز درویش بفرازد اوی
“And practices oppression upon the helpless, exalting himself at the expense of the poor,”
#11
بکوشیم و نیروش بیرون کنیم
✦
به درویش ما نازش افزون کنیم
“We shall strive to strip away his strength, and increase our favor toward the needy.'”
#12
کسی کو بپرهیزد از خشم ما
✦
همی بگذرد تیز بر چشم ما
“'Whoever fails to guard against our wrath shall pass swiftly before our eyes;”
#13
همی بستر از خاک جوید تنش
✦
همان خنجر هندوی گردنش
“His body shall seek its bed in the dust, and the Indian blade shall find his neck.”
#14
به فرمان ما چشم روشن کنید
✦
خرد را به تن بر چو جوشن کنید
“Brighten your eyes by our command, and wear wisdom upon your body like armor.'”
#15
تن هرکسی گشت لرزان چو بید
✦
که گوپال و شمشیرشان بد امید
“Every man's body trembled like a willow tree, for their only expectation was mace and sword.”
#16
چو شد بر جهان پادشاهیش راست
✦
بزرگی فزون کرد و مهرش بکاست
“When his sovereignty over the world became firmly established, his arrogance grew and his love waned.”
#17
خردمند نزدیک او خوار گشت
✦
همه رسم شاهیش بیکار گشت
“The wise man became vile in his sight, and all the royal customs fell into disuse.”
#18
کنارنگ با پهلوان و ردان
✦
همان دانشی پرخرد موبدان
“The Kanarang, along with heroes, noble chieftain, and the wise Mobads—”
#19
یکی گشت با باد نزدیک اوی
✦
جفا پیشه شد جان تاریک اوی
“All became as nothing like the wind before him, and his dark soul turned entirely to cruel injustice.”
#20
سترده شد از جان او مهر و داد
✦
به هیچ آرزو نیز پاسخ نداد
“Affection and justice were erased from his spirit; he granted no response to any longing.”
#21
کسی را نبد نزد او پایگاه
✦
به ژرفی مکافات کردی گناه
“No one held any standing with him; he exacted deep and severe retribution for the smallest fault.”
#22
هرانکس که دستور بد بر درش
✦
فزایندهٔ اختر و افسرش
“All the ministers at his court, who were meant to exalt his fortune and crown,”
#23
همه عهد کردند با یکدگر
✦
که هرگز نگویند زان بوم و بر
“Bound themselves by a solemn pact never to speak of the affairs of that realm.”
#24
همه یکسر از بیم پیچان شدند
✦
ز هول شهنشاه بیجان شدند
“All were trembling with fear, rendered lifeless by the horror of the King of Kings.”
#25
فرستادگان آمدندی ز راه
✦
همان زیردستان فریادخواه
“When envoys arrived from distant roads, as well as subjects crying out for justice,”
#26
چو دستور زان آگهی یافتی
✦
بدان کارها تیز بشتافتی
“As soon as the chief minister became aware of them, he would hasten swiftly to those matters.”
#27
به گفتار گرم و به آواز نرم
✦
فرستاده را راه دادی به شرم
“With warm speech and soft accents, he gave passage to the envoy with apparent modesty.”
#28
بگفتی که شاه از در کار نیست
✦
شما را بدو راه دیدار نیست
“He would say: 'The King is not in a mood for business; there is no path for you to see him.”
#29
نمودم بدو هرچ درخواستی
✦
به فرمانش پیدا شد آن راستی
“I have shown him all that you requested, and by his command, the truth of it was revealed.'”