While residing at the court of his formidable father, Yazdegerd the Sinner, Prince Bahram was bound by strict royal etiquette to stand attentively before the throne during banquets. On one fateful day, exhaustion overcame the prince, and his eyes fluttered closed in weariness. Noticing his son's momentary lapse, Yazdegerd erupted in terrifying fury. He summoned the executioners, ordering Bahram stripped of his royal belt and crown, and confined strictly to his private quarters, declaring him unworthy of battle, honor, or the throne. For an entire year, Bahram remained heartbroken in isolation, catching a glimpse of his father's face only during the mandatory grand assemblies of Nowruz, Mehregan, and the Festival of Sadeh.
Relief arrived when Tinush, a wise Roman ambassador, reached the Persian court bearing Caesar's tribute—purses of gold, slaves, and precious gifts. Yazdegerd received the envoy with high honors. Seizing this opportunity, Bahram sent a discreet message to Tinush, pleading his case and recounting how a trivial slip had alienated him from his father's grace. Bahram asked Tinush to intercede, hoping the king might release him into the care of his foster father Monzer in Yemen, who had shown him more love than his own parents. Moved by the prince's plea, Tinush used his diplomatic eloquence to soothe Yazdegerd's harsh spirit and successfully obtained permission for Bahram's release.
Overjoyed at his deliverance, Bahram bestowed lavish charity upon the poor and gathered his loyal retainers. Under the cover of a dark night, they rode like the wind toward Yemen, praising God for their safe escape from fear. As they neared the borders of Yemen, crowds of men, women, and children surged forth to greet him. Monzer and Noman, flanked by noble Arab lancers, rode out in grand procession, the dust of their cavalry darkening the sky. Upon meeting, the noblemen dismounted, and Bahram recounted the bitterness of his father's wrath. Monzer wept at the prince's tribulations and inquired about the king's fortune. Bahram grimly replied that no one should even recall his father's ill-omened star, for those who abandon the path of wisdom inevitably invite retribution for their cruel deeds. Monzer welcomed Bahram into his domain with supreme honor, surrounding him once more with feasting, horse-riding, generosity, and the arts of war.
#1
چنان بد که یک روز در بزمگاه
✦
همی بود بر پای در پیش شاه
“It so befell that one day in the hall of feast, he stood dutifully before the king.”
#2
چو شد تیره بر پای خواب آمدش
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هم از ایستادن شتاب آمدش
“As his eyes grew heavy, slumber overtook him where he stood, and he stumbled in weariness.”
#3
پدر چون بدیدش بهم برده چشم
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به تندی یکی بانگ برزد به خشم
“When the father saw his son's eyes closed, he let out a harsh, fierce shout in anger.”
#4
به دژخیم فرمود کو را ببر
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کزین پس نبیند کلاه و کمر
“He commanded the executioner to take him away, so that he would no longer behold crown or belt.”
#5
بدو خانه زندان کن و بازگرد
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نزیبد برو گاه و ننگ و نبرد
“'Make his home a prison,' he said, 'for he is fit neither for throne, nor honor, nor battle.'”
#6
به ایوان همی بود خسته جگر
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ندید اندران سال روی پدر
“Heartbroken, he remained within his palace chambers, and for a whole year did not look upon his father's face.”
#7
مگر مهر و نوروز و جشن سده
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که او پیش رفتی میان رده
“Except on the festivals of Mehr, Nowruz, and Sadeh, when he was permitted to stand in the ranks before the throne.”
#8
چنان بد که طینوش رومی ز راه
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فرستاده آمد به نزدیک شاه
“Then it came to pass that Tinush the Roman arrived as an ambassador to the King.”
#9
ابا بدره و برده و باژ روم
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فرستاد قیصر به آباد بوم
“Caesar had sent him with purses of gold, captives, and the tribute of Rome to the prosperous land of Iran.”
#10
چو آمد شهنشاه بنواختش
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سزاوار او جایگه ساختش
“When the King of kings saw him, he welcomed him warmly and prepared a worthy place for him.”
#11
فرستاد بهرام زی او پیام
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که ای مرد بیدار گسترده کام
“Bahram dispatched a secret message to him, saying: 'O vigilant and accomplished man,'”
#12
ز کهتر به چیزی بیازرد شاه
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ازو دور گشتم چنین بی‌گناه
“'The king took offense at his servant over a minor fault, and thus I was exiled despite my innocence.'”
#13
تو خواهش کنی گر ترا بخشدم
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مگر بخت پژمرده بدرخشدم
“'If you make intercession for me and he grants me to you, perhaps my withered fortune will shine again.'”
#14
سوی دایگانم فرستد مگر
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که منذر مرا به ز مام و پدر
“'May he send me back to my foster father, for Monzer is better to me than mother and father.'”
#15
چو طینوش بشنید پیغام اوی
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برآورد ازان آرزو کام اوی
“When Tinush heard his plea, he fulfilled his wish through eloquent intercession.”
#16
دل‌آزار بهرام زان شاد گشت
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وزان بند بی‌مایه آزاد گشت
“Grievous Bahram rejoiced at the news and was delivered from that unjust confinement.”
#17
به درویش بخشید بسیار چیز
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وزان جایگه رفتن آراست نیز
“He bestowed abundant gifts upon the poor and swiftly prepared to depart that land.”
#18
همه زیردستان خود را بخواند
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شب تیره چون باد لشکر براند
“Summoning all his followers, he rode his army through the dark night like the swift wind.”
#19
به یاران همی گفت یزدان سپاس
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که رفتیم و ایمن شدیم از هراس
“He said to his companions: 'Praise be to God that we have departed and are safe from dread!'”
#20
چو آمد به نزدیک شهر یمن
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پذیره شدش کودک و مرد و زن
“When he drew near the city of Yemen, children, men, and women came forth to welcome him.”
#21
برفتند نعمان و منذر ز جای
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همان نیزه‌داران پاکیزه‌رای
“Noman and Monzer rode out to meet him, accompanied by pure-hearted lancers.”
#22
چو منذر ببهرام نزدیک شد
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ز گرد سپه روز تاریک شد
“As Monzer drew near to Bahram, the day grew dark with the rising dust of the troops.”
#23
پیاده شدند آن دو آزادمرد
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همی گفت بهرام تیمار و درد
“Both noble men dismounted, and Bahram recounted his grief and anguish.”
#24
ز گفتار او چند منذر گریست
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بپرسید گفت اختر شاه چیست
“At his words, Monzer wept deeply and asked: 'What is the fortune of the King?'”
#25
بدو گفت بهرام کو خود مباد
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که گیرد ز شوم اخترش نیز یاد
“Bahram answered: 'May it never be that anyone even recalls his evil fortune!'”
#26
که هر کو نیاید به راه خرد
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ز کردار ترسم که کیفر برد
“'For whoever walks not the path of wisdom, I fear he shall suffer the penalty of his deeds.'”
#27
فرود آوریدش هم‌انجا که بود
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بران نیکوی نیکویها فزود
“He lodged him in the very palace where he had dwelled, adding benevolence upon benevolence.”
#28
بجز بزم و میدان نبودیش کار
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وگر بخشش و کوشش کارزار
“His sole pursuits became feast and field, open generosity, and the arts of war.”