Bahram Gur and his counselor Mondhir sat in private council to deliberate the fate of the Iranian throne. Their shared resolve crystallised: to march from Yemen into the heartland of Iran at the head of a formidable host. Mondhir handpicked thirty thousand Arabian warriors, proficient with spear and dagger, enriching them with gold and invigorating their spirits. When news of this grand march reached Iran, the chieftain Javanuy relayed the intelligence to the realm's leaders. Filled with apprehension, the Iranian nobles gathered at the sacred Fire of Azar Burzin, praying to Yazdan that impending conflict might yield to peace and festive harmony.
Upon reaching the arid plains of Jahrom, Mondhir encamped his massive forces, while Prince Bahram raised his grand pavilion amidst the surrounding array of spears. Bahram turned to his seasoned advisor, questioning whether the hour called for immediate battle or diplomatic discourse. Mondhir sagely counseled restraint: Bahram should invite the Iranian magnates to a royal feast, listen to their concerns, and reveal his unmatched grandeur, wisdom, and rightful lineage. Only if they stubbornly rejected his birthright should the sword be drawn to transform Jahrom into a sea of blood. Delighted by Mondhir’s strategic wisdom, Bahram smiled with renewed confidence.
At daybreak, as the sun crested the mountains, the Iranian elders prepared to meet their prince. An ivory throne was arrayed for Bahram, crowned with a gem-encrusted diadem. He sat in majestic royal state; Mondhir sat at his one side, and Noman stood at the other, sword in hand, flanked by the vanguard of Arab warriors. When the curtains of the royal tent were drawn back, the Iranian nobles stepped through the threshold. Beholding Bahram’s regal majesty and splendid crown, they wept tears of emotion, chanting praises to the Creator. Bahram received them with royal grace, bestowing upon each elder a seat of honor matching his dignity.
#1
خود و شاه بهرام با رای‌زن
✦
نشستند و گفتند بی‌انجمن
“Bahram himself sat in private council with his wise advisor Mondhir, conferring without any crowd present.”
#2
سخنشان بران راست شد کز یمن
✦
به ایران خرامند با انجمن
“Their deliberation settled upon a single plan: to march from Yemen to Iran with a formidable gathering.”
#3
گزین کرد از تازیان سی هزار
✦
همه نیزه‌داران خنجرگزار
“Mondhir selected thirty thousand elite Arab warriors, all skilled with spear and dagger.”
#4
به دینارشان یکسر آباد کرد
✦
سر نامداران پر از باد کرد
“He enriched them all with gold coins, filling the minds of those noble warriors with pride and zeal.”
#5
چو آگاهی این به ایران رسید
✦
جوانوی نزد دلیران رسید
“When news of this march reached Iran, Javanuy arrived among the champions of the realm.”
#6
بزرگان ازان کار غمگین شدند
✦
بر آذر پاک برزین شدند
“The nobles grew sorrowful at these tidings and gathered at the sacred Fire of Azar Burzin.”
#7
ز یزدان همی خواستند آنک رزم
✦
مگر باز گردد به شادی و بزم
“They prayed to the Almighty Yazdan that war might turn instead into joy and feasting.”
#8
چو منذر به نزدیک جهرم رسید
✦
برآن دشت بی‌آب لشکر کشید
“When Mondhir drew near Jahrom, he encamped his army upon that waterless plain.”
#9
سراپرده زد راد بهرامشاه
✦
به گرد اندر آمد ز هر سو سپاه
“The noble King Bahram pitched his royal pavilion, while the host encircled him from every side.”
#10
به منذر چنین گفت کای رای‌زن
✦
به جهرم رسیدی ز شهر یمن
“He said to Mondhir, "O counselor, now you have arrived in Jahrom from the land of Yemen.”
#11
کنون جنگ سازیم گر گفت‌وگوی
✦
چو لشکر به روی اندر آورد روی
“Shall we now prepare for war or for discussion, as the armies come face to face?"”
#12
بدو گفت منذر مهان را بخوان
✦
چو آیند پیشت بیارای خوان
“Mondhir replied to him, "Summon the Iranian nobles, and when they come before you, lay out a royal feast.”
#13
سخن گوی و بشنو ازیشان سخن
✦
کسی تیز گردد تو تیزی مکن
“Speak with them and hear their words; if someone becomes harsh or hot-tempered, do not respond with anger.”
#14
بخوانیم تا چیستشان در نهان
✦
کرا خواند خواهند شاه جهان
“Let us summon them to learn what lies in their hearts, and whom they intend to proclaim king of the world.”
#15
چو دانسته شد چارهٔ آن کنیم
✦
گر آسان بود کینه پنهان کنیم
“Once their intentions are known, we shall find a remedy; if it is easy, we shall conceal all hatred and make peace.”
#16
ور ایدون کجا کین و جنگ آورند
✦
بپیچند و خوی پلنگ آورند
“But if they bring forth malice and war, twisting away with the fierce demeanor of leopards,”
#17
من این دشت جهرم چو دریا کنم
✦
ز خورشید تابان ثریا کنم
“I shall make this plain of Jahrom like a sea of blood, and raise the dust to the bright sun and Pleiades!”
#18
بر آنم که بینند چهر ترا
✦
چنین برز و بالا و مهر ترا
“I am confident that when they behold your face, your towering stature, and your warmth,”
#19
خردمندی و رای و فرهنگ تو
✦
شکیبایی و دانش و سنگ تو
“Your wisdom, sound judgment, and culture, your patience, knowledge, and dignity,”
#20
نخواهند جز تو کسی تخت را
✦
کله را و زیبایی بخت را
“They will desire no one but you for the throne, the crown, and the glory of fortune.”
#21
ور ایدونک گم کرده دارند راه
✦
بخواهند بردن همی از تو گاه
“And if it should be that they have lost their way and seek to deprive you of your royal throne,”
#22
من و این سواران و شمشیر تیز
✦
برانگیزم اندر جهان رستخیز
“Then I, with these warriors and sharp swords, shall raise a resurrection in the world!”
#23
ببینی بروهای پرچین من
✦
فدای تو بادا تن و دین من
“You shall see my furrowed brows in rage; may my body and faith be sacrificed for you!”
#24
چو بینند بی‌مر سپاه مرا
✦
همان رسم و آیین و راه مرا
“When they behold my boundless army and see my customs, discipline, and way,”
#25
همین پادشاهی که میراث تست
✦
پدر بر پدر کرد شاید درست
“They will grant that this kingdom is your rightful heritage, passed down correctly from father to father.”
#26
سه دیگر که خون ریختن کار ماست
✦
همان ایزد دادگر یار ماست
“Furthermore, shedding blood in battle is our craft, and the Just God is our helper.”
#27
کسی را جز از تو نخواهند شاه
✦
که زیبای تاجی و زیبای گاه
“They shall desire no king beside you, for you alone adorn the crown and adorn the throne.”
#28
ز منذر چو شاه این سخنها شنید
✦
بخندید و شادان دلش بردمید
“When King Bahram heard these words from Mondhir, he smiled, and his heart swelled with gladness.”
#29
چو خورشید برزد سر از تیغ کوه
✦
ردان و بزرگان ایران گروه
“As the sun rose over the mountain peaks, the Iranian nobles and leaders gathered in a group.”
#30
پذیره شدن را بیاراستند
✦
یکی دانشی انجمن خواستند
“They prepared themselves to go forth in reception, convening a council of wise men.”
#31
نهادند بهرام را تخت عاج
✦
به سر بر نهاده بهاگیر تاج
“They set up an ivory throne for Bahram, and he placed a precious, priceless crown upon his head.”
#32
نشستی به آیین شاهنشهان
✦
بیاراست کو بود شاه جهان
“He took his seat according to the royal courtly tradition of ancient kings, adorning the assembly as sovereign of the world.”
#33
ز یک دست بهرام منذر نشست
✦
دگر دست نعمان و تیغی به دست
“On one side of Bahram sat Mondhir; on the other side sat Noman, holding a drawn sword in hand.”
#34
همان گرد بر گرد پرده‌سرای
✦
ستاده بزرگان تازی به پای
“All around the magnificent pavilion stood the Arab chieftains in disciplined readiness.”
#35
از ایرانیان آنک بد پاک‌رای
✦
بیامد به دهلیز پرده‌سرای
“Those among the Iranians who were noble and pure of heart arrived at the threshold of the pavilion.”
#36
بفرمود تا پرده برداشتند
✦
ز درشان به آواز بگذاشتند
“The prince ordered the curtain to be drawn back, and they were welcomed inside with respectful announcements.”
#37
به شاه جهان آفرین خواندند
✦
به مژگان همی خون برافشاندند
“They offered glorious praise to the King of the World, while weeping tears of emotion from their lashes.”
#38
رسیدند نزدیک بهرامشاه
✦
بدیدند زیبا یکی تاج و گاه
“Drawing near King Bahram, they beheld his splendid crown and royal throne.”
#39
به آواز گفتند انوشه بدی
✦
همیشه ز تو دور دست بدی
“With loud voices they proclaimed: "May you be immortal! May the hand of evil ever remain far from you!"”
#40
شهنشاه پرسید و بنواختشان
✦
به اندازه بر پایگه ساختشان
“The King of Kings greeted them warmly, favored them, and assigned to each a seat according to his rank.”