When King Yazdegerd listened to the proposal of Mondhir, he weighed the beginning and the end of the matter and found it wise. He entrusted the young prince Bahram into his keeping, clothing him in robes of sublime honor and exalting his dignity to the heavens. A magnificent caravan of horses, camels, covered litters, and countless nursemaids stretched from the royal portal all the way to the open plains, while the city markets were decked in glorious festive pomp. Upon Mondhir's return to the realm of Yemen, the entire populace, both men and women, came forth to welcome him.
First, Mondhir sought out noble nursemaids from among the Persian noblemen and Arab chieftains, selecting four women of pure royal lineage to nurse and tend the prince. For four years they nourished him in velvet luxury until he was fully weaned. When Bahram reached his seventh year, his high mind revealed itself. He addressed Mondhir, declaring that he must not be treated as a helpless suckling child, but rather placed in the hands of learned tutors so that his spirit would not wither in idleness. Mondhir marvelled, replying that he was yet too young and ought to enjoy the pastimes of childhood. Yet Bahram countered with royal eloquence: wisdom is measured by spirit, not merely by count of years; he who wastes the season of learning strips his own soul of virtue. True truth begins with divine knowledge, and a future monarch must master all that befits the crown.
Stunned by the child's profound insight, Mondhir quietly invoked the divine name and at once sent emissaries to the desert hills to bring forth three renowned Mobads of supreme repute. One was appointed to teach the prince scribecraft and letters; the second to instruct him in the noble hunt with falcons and cheetahs; and the third to master horse-maneuvers, archery, polo, and the arts of combat. Bahram threw his whole soul into learning. By his eighteenth year, he had grown into a warrior of sunlike brilliance, completely outstripping his mentors in every art of warfare and erudition. Recognizing his own complete mastery, Bahram requested Mondhir to honor his teachers and release them back to their homes with rich rewards, which Mondhir fulfilled with great rejoicing.
#1
چو بشنید زو این سخن یزدگرد
✦
روان و خرد را برآورد گرد
“When Yazdegerd heard this speech from him, his spirit and intellect gathered bright counsel.”
#2
نگه کرد از آغاز فرجام را
✦
بدو داد پرمایه بهرام را
“He weighed the beginning and the end of all outcomes, and delivered the precious Bahram into his care.”
#3
بفرمود تا خلعتش ساختند
✦
سرش را به گردون برافراختند
“He ordered grand robes of honor to be fashioned for him, exalting his status unto the heavens.”
#4
تنش را به خلعت بیاراستند
✦
ز در اسپ شاه یمن خواستند
“They adorned his frame with royal vestments, and brought forth royal steeds from the King of Yemen's gates.”
#5
ز ایوان شاه جهان تا به دشت
✦
همی اشتر و اسپ و هودج گذشت
“From the hall of the King of the World to the open plain passed camels, horses, and covered litters.”
#6
پرستنده و دایهٔ بی‌شمار
✦
ز بازارگه تا در شهریار
“Countless servants and nursemaids lined the path from the bustling marketplace to the royal portal.”
#7
به بازار گه بسته آیین به راه
✦
ز دروازه تا پیش درگاه شاه
“The marketplace was decorated in grand festive order, stretching from the city gates to the palace court.”
#8
جو منذر بیامد به شهر یمن
✦
پذیره شدندش همه مرد و زن
“When Mondhir arrived in the city of Yemen, all men and women went forth to welcome him.”
#9
چو آمد به آرامگاه از نخست
✦
فراوان زنان نژادی بجست
“When he settled at his dwelling, he first sought out noble women of aristocratic lineage.”
#10
ز دهقان و تازی و پرمایگان
✦
توانگر گزیده گران سایگان
“From among Dehqans, Arabs, and esteemed nobles, wealthy and highly distinguished matrons.”
#11
ازین مهتران چار زن برگزید
✦
که آید هنر بر نژادش پدید
“From these noble clans he selected four women, so that virtue and dignity might manifest in the child's breed.”
#12
دو تازی دو دهقان ز تخم کیان
✦
ببستند مر دایگی را میان
“Two Arab women and two Dehqan ladies of Kayanid stock bound their waists to serve as nursemaids.”
#13
همی داشتندش چنین چار سال
✦
چو شد سیرشیر و بیاگند یال
“Thus they nurtured him for four full years, until he was satisfied with milk and his neck grew firm.”
#14
به دشواری از شیر کردند باز
✦
همی داشتندش به بر بر به ناز
“With difficulty they weaned him from milk, holding him tenderly close to their bosoms.”
#15
چو شد هفت ساله به منذر چه گفت
✦
که آن رای با مهتری بود جفت
“When he reached seven years of age, he spoke words to Mondhir that matched the judgment of greatness.”
#16
چنین گفت کای مهتر سرفراز
✦
ز من کودک شیرخواره مساز
“He said: 'O exalted leader, treat me no longer as a helpless suckling infant.'”
#17
به داننده فرهنگیانم سپار
✦
چو کارست بیکار خوارم مدار
“'Entrust me to learned teachers of culture; since there is work to be done, hold me not in idle disgrace.'”
#18
بدو گفت منذر که ای سرفراز
✦
به فرهنگ نوزت نیامد نیاز
“Mondhir said to him: 'O noble prince, the time for learning culture has not yet pressed upon thee.'”
#19
چو هنگام فرهنگ باشد ترا
✦
به دانایی آهنگ باشد ترا
“'When the season of culture arrives for thee, thy heart will naturally turn toward wisdom.'”
#20
به ایوان نمانم که بازی کنی
✦
به بازی همی سرفرازی کنی
“'I will not leave thee in the palace merely to play, though in play thou mightest seek thy pride.'”
#21
چنین پاسخ آورد بهرام باز
✦
که از من تو بیکار خوردی مساز
“Bahram replied to him once more: 'Do not render me an idle consumer of food.'”
#22
مرا هست دانش اگر سال نیست
✦
بسان گوانم بر و یال نیست
“'I possess capacity for knowledge though years I lack; though I have not yet the shoulders and chest of mighty heroes.'”
#23
ترا سال هست و خرد کمترست
✦
نهاد من از رای تو دیگرست
“'Thou hast years yet less insight; my inner nature is forged differently from thy judgment.'”
#24
ندانی که هرکس که هنگام جست
✦
ز کار آن گزیند که باید نخست
“'Knowest thou not that whoever seeks the right moment chooses first what must be done first?'”
#25
تو گر باز هنگام جویی همی
✦
دل از نیکویها بشویی همی
“'If thou forever awaitest the right moment later, thou shalt wash thy heart clean of all goodness.'”
#26
همه کار بی‌گاه و بی‌بر بود
✦
بهین از تن زندگان سر بود
“'All unseasonable deeds remain fruitless; the head is the finest crown upon the living body.'”
#27
هران چیز کان در خور پادشاست
✦
بیاموزیم تا بدانم سزاست
“'Whatever is fitting for a monarch let us learn, so that I may know what is worthy.'”
#28
سر راستی دانش ایزدیست
✦
خنک آنک بادانش و بخردیست
“'The crown of truth is divine wisdom; blessed is he who is possessed of knowledge and intellect.'”
#29
نگه کرد منذر بدو خیره ماند
✦
به زیر لبان نام یزدان بخواند
“Mondhir gazed upon him in astonishment, softly whispering the name of God beneath his breath.”
#30
فرستاد هم در زمان رهنمون
✦
سوی شورستان سرکشی بر هیون
“At once he dispatched guides on swift dromedaries toward the harsh desert region.”
#31
سه موبد نگه کرد فرهنگ جوی
✦
که در شورستان بودشان آب‌روی
“He sought out three sage Mobads devoted to knowledge, who possessed high honor in that realm.”
#32
یکی تا دبیری بیاموزدش
✦
دل از تیرگیها بیفروزدش
“One to teach him scribal arts and writing, to illuminate his heart from darkness.”
#33
دگر آنک دانستن باز و یوز
✦
بیاموزدش کان بود دلفروز
“The second to instruct him in the lore of falcons and hunting cheetahs, heart-delighting arts.”
#34
ودیگر که چوگان و تیر و کمان
✦
همان گردش رزم با بدگمان
“The third for polo, arrow, and bow, as well as the maneuvers of battle against malicious foes.”
#35
چپ و راست پیچان عنان داشتن
✦
به آوردگه باره برگاشتن
“To twist the reins left and right, and to wheel the war-horse smoothly across the battlefield.”
#36
چنین موبدان پیش منذر شدند
✦
ز هر دانشی داستانها زدند
“Such Mobads came before Mondhir and recounted tales of every branch of knowledge.”
#37
تن شاه زاده بدیشان سپرد
✦
فزاینده خود دانشی بود و گرد
“He committed the royal prince to their care; and the prince himself was an ever-growing well of wisdom and valor.”
#38
چنان گشت بهرام خسرونژاد
✦
که اندر هنر داد مردی بداد
“Bahram of royal line became so accomplished that he gave full justice to manhood in every skill.”
#39
هنر هرچ بگذشت بر گوش اوی
✦
به فرهنگ یازان شدی هوش اوی
“Whatever skill reached his ears, his keen intellect reached out to master it completely.”
#40
چو شد سال آن نامور بر سه شش
✦
دلاور گوی گشت خورشیدفش
“When the years of that famed prince reached three times six, he became a sun-like brave hero.”
#41
به موبد نبودش به چیزی نیاز
✦
به فرهنگ جویان و آن یوز و باز
“He had no further need of Mobad for anything—neither in lore, nor in falcons, nor in hunting beasts.”
#42
به آوردگه بر عنان تافتن
✦
برافگندن اسپ و هم تاختن
“Nor in turning reins upon the battleground, nor in spurring steeds and charging in combat.”
#43
به منذر چنین گفت کای پاک‌رای
✦
گسی کن هنرمند را باز جای
“He said to Mondhir: 'O pure-minded ruler, grant these accomplished sages leave to return to their homes.'”
#44
ازان هر یکی را بسی هدیه داد
✦
ز درگاه منذر برفتند شاد
“Mondhir bestowed magnificent gifts upon each of them, and they departed happily from his court.”
#45
وزان پس به منذر چنین گفت شاه
✦
که اسپان این نیزه‌داران بخواه
“Thereafter, the prince said to Mondhir: 'Summon the steeds of these spear-bearing horsemen.'”
#46
بگو تا بپیچند پیشم عنان
✦
به چشم اندر آرند نوک سنان
“Command them to rein in before me, and bring the tip of their spear straight into the eye of the target.”
#47
بهایی کنند آنچ آید خوشم
✦
درم پیش خواهم بریشان کشم
“Let them set a price on whatever pleases me, and I shall pour out coin before them.”
#48
چنین پاسخ آورد منذر بدوی
✦
که ای پر هنر خسرو نامجوی
“Munzir gave him answer thus: 'O accomplished monarch, seeker of fame!'”
#49
گله‌دار اسپان من پیش تست
✦
خداوند او هم به تن خویش تست
“'The master of my horse-herds is before thee, and their owner is himself thy devoted servant.'”
#50
گر از تازیان اسپ خواهی خرید
✦
مرا رنج و سختی چه باید کشید
“'If thou art to buy steeds from the Arab herds, why then must I endure pain and toil to serve thee?'”
#51
بدو گفت بهرام کای نیک‌نام
✦
به نیکیت بادا همه ساله کام
“Bahram said to him: 'O man of good name, may thy desires be crowned with goodness all year round!'”
#52
من اسپ آن گزینم که اندر نشیب
✦
بتازم نه بینم عنان از رکیب
“'I choose a steed such that when I gallop down a slope, I see no distance between rein and stirrup.'”
#53
چو با تگ چنان پایدارش کنم
✦
به نوروز با باد یارش کنم
“'When I render it so steadfast in its run, by Nowruz I shall make it a companion to the wind.'”
#54
وگر آزموده نباشد ستور
✦
نشاید به تندی برو کرد زور
“'And if a beast be untried and untested, one should not urge it impetuously with force.'”
#55
به نعمان بفرمود منذر که رو
✦
فسیله گزین از گله‌دار نو
“Munzir commanded Nu'man: 'Go, choose a fresh herd from the new keeper of steeds.'”
#56
همه دشت پیش سواران بگرد
✦
نگر تا کجا یابی اسپ نبرد
“'Search the entire plain before the riders, and see where thou canst find a charger fit for war.'”
#57
بشد تیز نعمان صد اسپ آورید
✦
ز اسپان جنگی بسی برگزید
“Nu'man swiftly went and brought a hundred horses, selecting many high-bred battle-steeds.”
#58
چو بهرام دید آن بیامد به دشت
✦
چپ و راست پیچید و چندی بگشت
“When Bahram saw them, he came into the plain, wheeling right and left, testing them at length.”
#59
هر اسپی که با باد همبر بدی
✦
همه زیر بهرام بی‌پر شدی
“Any horse that equaled the wind in swiftness would become wingless and spent beneath Bahram.”
#60
برین‌گونه تا برگزید اشقری
✦
یکی بادپایی گشاده‌بری
“Thus he searched until he selected a chestnut horse—a swift wind-runner with a broad chest.”
#61
هم از داغ دیگر کمیتی به رنگ
✦
تو گفتی ز دریا برآمد نهنگ
“Also from another breed he chose a bay steed of such color that thou wouldst say a crocodile had risen from the sea.”
#62
همی آتش افروخت از نعل اوی
✦
همی خون چکید از بر لعل اوی
“Fire sparkled from its horseshoe, and blood seemed to drip from its ruby coat.”
#63
بها داد منذر چو بود ارزشان
✦
که در بیشهٔ کوفه بد مرزشان
“Munzir paid their full price as suited their worth, for their breeding place was in the thickets of Kufa.”
#64
بپذرفت بهرام زو آن دو اسپ
✦
فروزنده بر سان آذر گشسپ
“Bahram accepted those two steeds from him, radiant as the holy fire of Azar Gushasp.”
#65
همی داشتش چون یکی تازه سیب
✦
که از باد ناید بروبر نهیب
“He cherished them like a fresh apple, ensuring no harsh wind might blow upon them.”
#66
به منذر چنین گفت روزی جوان
✦
که ای مرد باهنگ و روشن‌روان
“One day the youth said to Munzir: 'O man of grandeur and bright, enlightened soul!'”
#67
چنین بی‌بهانه همی داریم
✦
زمانی به تیمار نگذاریم
“'Thou maintainest me thus without flaw, leaving me not for a moment to grief or worry.'”
#68
همی هرک بینی تو اندر جهان
✦
دلی نیست اندر جهان بی‌نهان
“'Yet whomever thou seest in this world, there is no heart without a hidden yearning.'”
#69
ز اندوه باشد رخ مرد زرد
✦
به رامش فزاید تن زادمرد
“'Grief turns a man's face pale, while delight and ease nourish the body of the noble-born.'”
#70
برین‌بر یکی خوبی افزای پس
✦
که باشد ز هر درد فریادرس
“'Add now one further kindness to this, which may serve as a solace for every pain.'”
#71
اگر تاجدارست اگر پهلوان
✦
به زن گیرد آرام مرد جوان
“'Be he a monarch or a mighty hero, a young man finds true repose in a wife.'”
#72
همان زو بود دین یزدان به پای
✦
جوان را به نیکی بود رهنمای
“'Through her the divine faith of God is upheld, and she guides the youth to goodness.'”
#73
کنیزک بفرمای تا پنج و شش
✦
بیارند با زیب و خورشیدفش
“'Order five or six slave-maidens to be brought, adorned and sun-faced in beauty.'”
#74
مگر زان یکی دو گزین آیدم
✦
هم اندیشهٔ آفرین آیدم
“'Perchance one or two among them may win my heart, bringing thoughts of praise to my mind.'”
#75
مگر نیز فرزند بینم یکی
✦
که آرام دل باشدم اندکی
“'Perchance I may also behold a child of my own, who may bring some peace to my heart.'”
#76
جهاندار خشنود باشد ز من
✦
ستوده بمانم به هر انجمن
“'The Lord of the World shall be pleased with me, and I shall remain praised in every assembly.'”
#77
چو بشنید منذر ز خسرو سخن
✦
برو آفرین کرد مرد کهن
“When Munzir heard these words from the prince, the old man bestowed praise upon him.”
#78
بفرمود تا سعد گوینده تفت
✦
سوی کلبهٔ مرد نخاس رفت
“He commanded Sa'd, his eloquent herald, to go swiftly to the merchant of maidens.”
#79
بیاورد رومی کنیزک چهل
✦
همه از در کام و آرام دل
“He brought forty Roman maidens, all fit for desire and heart's tranquility.”
#80
دو بگزید بهرام زان گلرخان
✦
که در پوستشان عاج بود استخوان
“Bahram selected two from among those rose-cheeked beauties, whose bones beneath their skin were fair as ivory.”
#81
به بالا به کردار سرو سهی
✦
همه کام و زیبایی و فرهی
“In stature tall and straight like the cypress tree, / Embodied with desire, beauty, and noble majesty.”
#82
ازان دو ستاره یکی چنگ‌زن
✦
دگر لاله رخ چون سهیل یمن
“Of those two bright stars, one was a harpist skilled, / The other tulip-cheeked, like Yemen's Canopus filled.”
#83
به بالا چون سرو و به گیسو کمند
✦
بها داد منذر چو آمد پسند
“Cypress-tall in form, with tresses like a lasso's bend; / As they pleased the prince, Munthir paid their price to end.”
#84
بخندید بهرام و کرد آفرین
✦
رخش گشت همچون بدخشان نگین
“Bahram smiled with joy and uttered praise divine; / His visage glowed like Badakhshan's ruby fine.”