When King Yazdegerd felt a longing to behold his son once more, Bahram Gur—resplendent as the sun and nurtured in the desert realms of Yemen—deemed the time ripe to return to his ancestral homeland. Monzer, the wise ruler of Yemen, assembled a tribute fit for emperors: thoroughbred Arabian steeds adorned with golden bridles, fine Yemeni cloaks, tempered blades, and precious goods mined from the rich lands of Aden. He dispatched his own son, Noman, to escort the prince in triumph to the ancient capital of Istakhr.
Upon their arrival at Istakhr, Bahram presented himself before his royal father. Yazdegerd was struck with astonishment at the prince’s towering stature, majestic shoulders, radiant royal aura, and refined culture. He embraced his son, assigned him a palace of magnificent splendor, and hosted Noman with high honor. After a month's stay, the King summoned Noman by night, seated him beside himself upon the throne, and showered him with fifty thousand dinars, ten noble horses caparisoned in silver and gold, and exquisite robes to reward Monzer’s devoted guardianship.
Yet behind the royal courtly ceremony, Bahram harbored deep sorrow. Wounded by his father’s harsh and tyrannical nature, he felt treated neither as a son nor as a cherished prince. In secret, he entrusted Noman with a covert message for Monzer, lamenting the King's unpredictable cruelty and bitter demeanor.
When Noman returned to Yemen and delivered the message, Monzer’s face paled with anxiety. Yet the seasoned ruler immediately penned a reply filled with profound wisdom. He counseled the young prince never to stray from obedience to his royal father, to endure the harshness of kings with unyielding patience, and to remember that the revolving sky brings turns of fate that only wisdom can navigate. To soothe Bahram's spirit, Monzer dispatched ten thousand dinars and Bahram's favorite handmaiden, bidding him remain steadfast, prudent, and loyal to the crown.
#1
پدر آرزو کرد بهرام را
✦
چه بهرام خورشید خودکام را
“The father longed for Bahram—that self-willed sun of a prince.”
#2
به منذر چنین گفت بهرام شیر
✦
که هرچند مانیم نزد تو دیر
“Bahram the lion-hearted spoke thus to Monzer: 'However long we dwell beside thee...'”
#3
همان آرزوی پدر خیزدم
✦
چو ایمن شوم در برانگیزدم
“'...my father’s yearning will surely call me back, urging me home as soon as safety reigns.'”
#4
برآرست منذر چو بایست کار
✦
ز شهر یمن هدیهٔ شهریار
“Whereupon Monzer prepared all things fitly, assembling royal gifts from the city of Yemen.”
#5
ز اسپان تازی به زرین ستام
✦
ز چیزی که پرمایه بردند نام
“Arabian steeds adorned with golden bridles, and every valuable treasure renowned in the realm.”
#6
ز برد یمانی و تیغ یمن
✦
دگر هرچ معدنش بد در عدن
“Yemeni cloaks and Yemeni blades, along with all precious things mined in the lands of Aden.”
#7
چو نعمان که با شاه همراه بود
✦
به نزدیک او افسر ماه بود
“And Noman set forth beside the prince, bearing a moon-like crown of honor before him.”
#8
چنین تا به شهر صطخر آمدند
✦
که از شاه‌زاده به فخر آمدند
“Thus they journeyed until they reached the city of Istakhr, taking pride in escorting the royal prince.”
#9
ازان پس چو آگاهی آمد به شاه
✦
ز فرزند و نعمان تازی به راه
“News was brought to King Yazdegerd that his son and Noman of Arabia were approaching upon the road.”
#10
بیامد هم‌انگاه نزد پدر
✦
چو دیدش پدر را برآورد سر
“Bahram straightway presented himself before his father, lifting his head in reverence as he beheld him.”
#11
به پیش کیی تخت او سرفراز
✦
بیامد شتابان و بردش نماز
“Before the exalted royal throne he stepped swiftly forward and paid obeisance.”
#12
چو بهرام را دید بیدار شاه
✦
بدان فر و آن شاخ و آن گردگاه
“When the vigilant king beheld Bahram, with his glorious aura, majestic posture, and powerful shoulders,”
#13
شگفتی فروماند از کار اوی
✦
ز بالا و فرهنگ و دیدار اوی
“He marvelled in astonishment at his stature, his high culture, and his noble countenance.”
#14
فراوان بپرسید و بنواختش
✦
به نزدیک خود جایگه ساختش
“He questioned him warmly and showered him with favors, assigning him an exalted seat by his side.”
#15
به برزن درون جای نعمان گزید
✦
یکی کاخ بهرام را چون سزید
“He appointed a worthy lodging in the city for Noman, and allocated a splendid palace suited for Bahram.”
#16
فرستاد نزدیک او بندگان
✦
چو اندر خور او پرستندگان
“He assigned dutiful servants and attendants to him, fitting for his noble station.”
#17
شب و روز بهرام پیش پدر
✦
همی از پرستش نخارید سر
“Day and night Bahram stood before his father, never straying from respectful service and devotion.”
#18
چو یک ماه نعمان ببد نزد شاه
✦
همی خواست تا بازگردد به راه
“When Noman had stayed a month at court, he sought leave to take his journey home.”
#19
بشب کس فرستاد و او را بخواند
✦
برابرش بر تخت شاهی نشاند
“By night the king sent for Noman, summoning him and placing him beside him on the throne.”
#20
بدو گفت منذر بسی رنج دید
✦
که آزاده بهرام را پرورید
“Yazdegerd said to him: 'Monzer endured great toil in rearing the noble Bahram.'”
#21
بدین کار پاداش نزد منست
✦
بهار شما اورمزد منست
“'The recompense for this deed lies with me; your spring and joy are from my divine favor.'”
#22
پسندیدم این رای و فرهنگ اوی
✦
که سوی خرد بینم آهنگ اوی
“'I have favored his wisdom and noble culture, seeing that all his inclinations tend toward discernment.'”
#23
تو چون دیر ماندی بدین بارگاه
✦
پدر چشم دارد همانا به راه
“'Since thou hast tarried long at this court, thy father doubtless watches the road for thy return.'”
#24
ز دینار گنجیش پنجه هزار
✦
بدادند با جامهٔ شهریار
“He bestowed upon him a treasure of fifty thousand dinars, along with royal robes.”
#25
ز آخر به سیمین و زرین لگام
✦
ده اسپ گرانمایه بردند نام
“Ten priceless steeds equipped with silver and golden bridles were brought from the royal stables.”
#26
ز گستردنیهای زیبنده نیز
✦
ز رنگ و ز بوی و ز هرگونه چیز
“Together with handsome carpets and coverings, perfumes, colors, and all manner of precious goods,”
#27
ز گنج جهاندار ایران ببرد
✦
یکایک به نعمان منذر سپرد
“He took all these from the Iranian royal treasury and committed them one by one to Noman son of Monzer.”
#28
به شادی در بخشش اندر گشاد
✦
بر اندازه یارانش را هدیه داد
“In joy he opened the doors of bounty, granting gifts to Noman's companions according to their rank.”
#29
به منذر یکی نامه بنوشت شاه
✦
چنانچون بود در خور پیشگاه
“The King wrote an epistle to Monzer, fitting for his high court and exalted state,”
#30
به آزادی از کار فرزند اوی
✦
که شاه یمن گشت پیوند اوی
“Praising him for the noble rearing of his son, whereby the King of Yemen became bound to him in kinship.”
#31
به پاداش این کار یازم همی
✦
به چونین پسر سرفرازم همی
“'I strive to reward this deed, for I pride myself in such a glorious son.'”
#32
یکی نامه بنوشت بهرام گور
✦
که کار من ایدر تباهست و شور
“But Bahram Gur wrote a secret letter, saying: 'My affairs here are ruined and turbulent.'”
#33
نه این بود چشم امیدم به شاه
✦
که زین سان کند سوی کهتر نگاه
“'Such was not my hope in the King, that he should look upon his humble servant in such cold fashion.'”
#34
نه فرزندم ایدر نه چون چاکری
✦
نه چون کهتری شاددل بر دری
“'Here I am treated neither as a son nor as a servant, nor as a humble follower glad at his gate.'”
#35
به نعمان بگفت آنچ بودش نهان
✦
ز بد راه و آیین شاه جهان
“He disclosed to Noman all that lay hidden in his heart regarding the dark ways and severe disposition of the King of the World.”
#36
چو نعمان برفت از در شهریار
✦
بیامد بر منذر نامدار
“When Noman departed from the royal court, he returned to the renowned Monzer.”
#37
بدو نامهٔ شاه گیتی بداد
✦
ببوسید منذر به سر بر نهاد
“He delivered the King of the World’s letter to him; Monzer kissed it and placed it upon his head in reverence.”
#38
وزان هدیه‌ها شادمانی نمود
✦
بران آفرین آفرین برفزود
“He rejoiced in those royal gifts, heaping praise upon praise in gratitude.”
#39
وزان پس فرستاده اندر نهفت
✦
ز بهرام چندی به منذر بگفت
“Thereafter, in secret, the envoy recounted to Monzer all that Bahram had bidden him say.”
#40
پس آن نامه برخواند پیشش دبیر
✦
رخ نامور گشت همچون زریر
“Then the scribe read Bahram's secret letter before Monzer, and the ruler’s face turned pale as turmeric.”
#41
هم‌اندر زمان زود پاسخ نوشت
✦
سخنهای با مغز و فرخ نوشت
“Immediately he wrote a swift reply, weaving wise, profound, and auspicious words.”
#42
چنین گفت کای مهتر نامور
✦
نگر سر نپیچی ز راه پدر
“He wrote: 'O renowned leader, beware that thou turn not thy head away from thy father's path!'”
#43
به نیک و بد شاه خرسند باش
✦
پرستنده باش و خردمند باش
“'Be content with the King's good and ill; remain a faithful servant and stay wise.'”
#44
بدیها به صبر از مهان بگذرد
✦
سر مرد باید که دارد خرد
“'With patience, the hardships dealt by the great shall pass; a man's head ought ever to be guided by wisdom.'”
#45
سپهر روان را چنین است رای
✦
تو با رای او هیچ مفزای پای
“'Such is the decree of the turning sky; strive not to push thy step against its revolving order.'”
#46
دلی را پر از مهر دارد سپهر
✦
دلی پر ز کین و پر آژنگ چهر
“The sphere of heaven fills one heart with loving grace, / And fills another with spite and a furrowed face.”
#47
جهاندار گیتی چنین آفرید
✦
چنان کو چماند بباید چمید
“The World-Lord fashioned existence in this wise; / As He turns the wheel, so must one tread and rise.”
#48
ازین پس ترا هرچ آید به کار
✦
ز دینار وز گوهر شاهوار
“Henceforth, whatever thou mayst require or hold dear, / Be it royal jewels or gold coins pure and clear,”
#49
فرستم نگر دل نداری به رنج
✦
نیرزد پراگنده رنج تو گنج
“I shall send to thee; let not thy heart know strain, / For all the world's wealth is not worth thy pain.”
#50
ز دینار گنجی کنون ده هزار
✦
فرستادم اینک ز بهر نثار
“Behold, ten thousand gold dinars of high decree / I have dispatched even now as a gift to thee.”
#51
پرستار کو رهنمای تو بود
✦
به پرده درون دلگشای تو بود
“That loyal maiden who was thy tender guide of old, / Who cheered thy heart within the curtained realm of gold,”
#52
فرستادم اینک به نزدیک تو
✦
که روشن کند جان تاریک تو
“I have sent her now unto thy side once more, / That she may light thy darkened spirit as before.”
#53
هرانگه که دینار بردی به کار
✦
گرانی مکن هیچ بر شهریار
“Whenever thou hast spent these dinars of thy store, / Importune not the King, nor burden him for more.”
#54
که دیگر فرستمت بسیار نیز
✦
وزین پادشاهی ز هرگونه چیز
“For I shall send thee abundant wealth anew, / And every precious gift from this realm unto thee due.”
#55
پرستنده باش و ستاینده باش
✦
به کار پرستش فزاینده باش
“Remain devout, give praise to God on high, / And let thy worship grow as days pass by.”
#56
تو آن خوی بد را ز شاه جهان
✦
جدا کرد نتوانی اندر نهان
“Thou canst not alter in thy secret heart, / Nor tear the King's dark nature and ill mood apart.”
#57
فرستاد زان تازیان ده سوار
✦
سخن‌گوی و بینادل و دوستدار
“He sent ten Arab horsemen, skilled in speech and wise, / Loving of heart and viewing truth with clear-seeing eyes.”
#58
رسیدند نزدیک بهرامشاه
✦
ابا بدره و برده و نیک‌خواه
“They came unto King Bahram's court in grand state, / With bags of gold, attendants, and goodwill innate.”
#59
خردمند بهرام زان شاد شد
✦
همه دردها بر دلش باد شد
“Wise Bahram was rejoiced by all they brought that day; / His heart's deep sorrows dissolved and blew away.”
#60
وزان پس بدان پند شاه عرب
✦
پرستش بدی کار او روز و شب
“Thenceforth, heeded he the Arab King's advice, / Day and night engaging in prayer and sacrifice.”