Prince Bahram stood before the assembled grandees, battle-tested leaders, and high priests of Iran, his voice resounding with majestic authority. 'All that you have spoken in reproach of my father Yazdegerd's tyranny is true,' he declared, 'and indeed the reality of his oppression was even darker. I myself have tasted the bitterness of his wrath, which once clouded my youthful mind; his palace was a prison to me until Almighty God showed mercy, and Tinush delivered me from his grasp. It was for this reason that I sought refuge under the protection of Monzer, for I never received a single gesture of fatherly kindness from the King. May no human ever inherit such a malignant nature, for wherever it reigns, humanity itself perishes!'
Bahram offered prayers of gratitude to the Divine, adding: 'I give thanks to Yazdan for endowing me with wisdom, that my soul may reap its luminous fruits. My constant prayer has been for divine guidance upon the path of righteousness, so that whatever injustice my father inflicted upon the realm may be cleansed through my equity. I shall be a devoted shepherd to my flock, seeking ease and prosperity for all subjects. Lineage of kingship belongs to me through my forebears—from Shapur to Bahram down to Ardashir—and on my mother's side I am the descendant of the illustrious Shah Shamiran. Mine are wisdom, virtue, horsemanship, and martial might, and among men I acknowledge no equal in combat or counsel.'
To settle the fate of the realm without unworthy intrigue, Bahram then proposed a magnificent and terrifying ordeal: 'I make a solemn covenant with you, pledging my word before God: Let us bring forth the royal ivory throne and tether two ferocious, roaring lions on either side, placing the Kayanid crown between them. Whosoever hungers for the kingship, let him step forward into the beastly peril, take the crown from between the lions, and sit upon the ivory throne! If he be righteous and just, we shall accept none other as Shah. But if you reject this righteous challenge and choose defiance, know that I, Monzer, and the swift Arab horsemen—who know no flight from battle—shall bring down ruin and dust upon your pretender monarch and your entire realm!'
Having spoken these bold words, Bahram withdrew to his pavilion, leaving the assembly spellbound and awestruck. The mobads and grandees of Iran gathered in solemn consultation. 'This utterance flows directly from the Divine Glory (Farreh-ye Izadi),' they proclaimed. 'He speaks nothing save justice. If the savage lions tear him to pieces in this trial, the Creator will not hold us accountable, for he himself decreed this law; but if he succeeds in lifting the crown, his glory shall eclipse even that of Fereydun! We shall acknowledge no other monarch over Iran save him.'
#1
چنین گفت بهرام کای مهتران
✦
جهاندیده و کارکرده سران
“Thus spoke Bahram, 'O noble elders, world-experienced and seasoned leaders!”
#2
همه راست گفتید و زین بترست
✦
پدر را نکوهش کنم در خورست
“You have spoken the truth, and indeed the reality is worse; it is fitting that I reproach my father.”
#3
ازین چاشنی هست نزدیک من
✦
کزان تیره شد رای تاریک من
“I myself have tasted of this bitterness, which darkened my mind and clouded my wisdom.”
#4
چو ایوان او بود زندان من
✦
چو بخشایش آورد یزدان من
“For his palace was a prison to me, until God Almighty bestowed His mercy upon me.”
#5
رهانید طینوشم از دست اوی
✦
بشد خسته کام من از شست اوی
“Tinush delivered me from his grip, when my heart was wounded by the arrow of his cruelty.”
#6
ازان کرده‌ام دست منذر پناه
✦
که هرگز ندیدم نوازش ز شاه
“I sought refuge in the protection of Monzer, for I never received a single kindness from the Shah.”
#7
بدان خو مبادا که مردم بود
✦
چو باشد پی مردمی گم بود
“May no human ever possess such an evil nature, for wherever it dwells, humanity perishes.”
#8
سپاسم ز یزدان که دارم خرد
✦
روانم همی از خرد برخورد
“I give thanks to God that I possess wisdom, and my soul reaps the fruits of intellect.”
#9
ز یزدان همی خواستم تاکنون
✦
که باشد به خوبی مرا رهنمون
“Until now, I have prayed to God that He might guide me along the path of goodness,”
#10
که تا هرچ با مردمان کرد شاه
✦
بشوییم ما جان و دل زان گناه
“So that whatever wrong the king inflicted upon the people, we may cleanse our hearts and souls of that sin.”
#11
به کام دل زیردستان منم
✦
بر آیین یزدان‌پرستان منم
“I am devoted to the wellbeing of my subjects, abiding steadfastly by the path of God-worshippers.”
#12
شبان باشم و زیردستان رمه
✦
تن‌آسانی و داد جویم همه
“I shall be the shepherd and my subjects the flock; I shall seek ease and justice for all.”
#13
منش هست و فرهنگ و رای و هنر
✦
ندارد هنر شاه بیدادگر
“I possess nobility, wisdom, sound counsel, and skill; a tyrannical king possesses no virtue.”
#14
لئیمی و کژی ز بیچارگیست
✦
به بیدادگر بر بباید گریست
“Meanness and deceit stem from wretchedness; one must weep for the fate of a tyrant.”
#15
پدر بر پدر پادشاهی مراست
✦
خردمندی و نیکخواهی مراست
“Sovereignty belongs to me through lineage of fathers; mine too are wisdom and benevolence.”
#16
ز شاپور بهرام تا اردشیر
✦
همه شهریاران برنا و پیر
“From Shapur to Bahram down to Ardashir—all sovereigns, young and old,”
#17
پدر بر پدربر نیای منند
✦
به دین و خرد رهنمای منند
“Are my ancestors generation after generation, guiding me in faith and wisdom.”
#18
ز مادر نبیرهٔ شمیران شهم
✦
ز هر گوهری با خرد همرهم
“On my mother's side I am the descendant of Shah Shamiran; from every noble root I am paired with wisdom.”
#19
هنر هم خرد هم بزرگیم هست
✦
سواری و مردی و نیروی دست
“I possess skill, wisdom, and greatness, alongside horsemanship, valor, and strength of hand.”
#20
کسی را ندارم ز مردان به مرد
✦
به رزم و به بزم و به هر کارکرد
“Among men I count no equal in battle, in feast, or in any great endeavor.”
#21
نهفته مرا گنج آگنده هست
✦
همان نامداران خسروپرست
“I possess hidden treasures accumulated, as well as renowned warriors loyal to the kingly cause.”
#22
جهان یکسر آباد دارم به داد
✦
شما یکسر آباد باشید و شاد
“I shall make the entire world flourish through justice, so that all of you may live prosperous and joyful.”
#23
هران بوم کز رنج ویران شدست
✦
ز بیدادی شاه ایران شدست
“Whatever land has been ruined by suffering was destroyed by the injustice of Iran's king.”
#24
من آباد گردانم آن را به داد
✦
همه زیردستان بمانند شاد
“I shall restore it to prosperity through justice, and all subjects shall dwell in happiness.”
#25
یکی با شما نیز پیمان کنم
✦
زبان را به یزدان گروگان کنم
“I shall also make a covenant with you, pledging my tongue before God Almighty:”
#26
بیاریم شاهنشهی تخت عاج
✦
برش در میان تنگ بنهیم تاج
“We shall bring the royal ivory throne, and set the crown right beside it in the center.”
#27
ز بیشه دو شیر ژیان آوریم
✦
همان تاج را در میان آوریم
“We shall bring two fierce lions from the thicket, placing the crown right between them.”
#28
ببندیم شیر ژیان بر دو سوی
✦
کسی را که شاهی کند آرزوی
“We shall tie the fierce lions on either side; then whoever desires the realm,”
#29
شود تاج برگیرد از تخت عاج
✦
به سر برنهد نامبردار تاج
“Let him step forward, lift the crown from the ivory throne, and place that glorious crown upon his head!”
#30
به شاهی نشیند میان دو شیر
✦
میان شاه و تاج از بر و تخت زیر
“He shall sit as Shah between the two lions, with the crown on his head and the throne beneath him!”
#31
جز او را نخواهیم کس پادشا
✦
اگر دادگر باشد و پارسا
“We shall accept none other as Shah—provided he be just and righteous!”
#32
وگر زین که گفتم بتابید یال
✦
گزینید گردنکشی را همال
“But if you turn your neck from what I have said, and choose rebellion as your companion,”
#33
به جایی که چون من بود پیش رو
✦
سنان سواران بود خار و خو
“In a conflict where a leader like me leads the charge, the spears of horsemen shall become as thorns and weeds!”
#34
من و منذر و گرز و شمشیر تیز
✦
ندانند گردان تازی گریز
“With me, Monzer, mace, and sharp sword, the Arab warriors know no flight from battle!”
#35
برآریم گرد از شهنشاهتان
✦
همان از بر و بوم وز گاهتان
“We shall bring down dust upon your pretender king, upon your lands, and upon your royal throne!”
#36
کنون آنچ گفتیم پاسخ دهید
✦
بدین داوری رای فرخ نهید
“Now give your answer to what I have proposed, and render a blessed judgment upon this ordeal.'”
#37
بگفت این و برخاست و در خیمه شد
✦
جهانی ز گفتارش آسیمه شد
“He spoke thus, arose, and retired to his tent; all the world was left astounded and bewildered by his speech.”
#38
به ایران رد و موبدان هرک بود
✦
که گفتار آن شاه دانا شنود
“All the chiefs, nobles, and mobads of Iran who heard the words of that wise prince,”
#39
بگفتند کین فره ایزدیست
✦
نه از راه کژی و نابخردیست
“Declared, 'This is indeed the Divine Glory (Farreh), stemming not from deceit or foolishness!”
#40
نگوید همی یک سخن جز به داد
✦
سزد گر دل از داد داریم شاد
“He utters not a single word save in justice; it is fitting that we rejoice our hearts in his equity.”
#41
کنون آنک گفت او ز شیر ژیان
✦
یکی تاج و تخت کیی بر میان
“As for what he proposed regarding the fierce lions, with the crown and Kayanid throne placed between them:”
#42
گر او را بدرند شیران نر
✦
ز خونش بپرسد ز ما دادگر
“If the male lions tear him to pieces, the Creator will not hold us accountable for his blood,”
#43
چو خود گفت و این رسم بد خود نهاد
✦
همان کز به مرگش نباشیم شاد
“Since he himself proposed this challenge and set this custom, though we would not rejoice in his death.”
#44
ور ایدون کجا تاج بردارد اوی
✦
به فر از فریدون گذر دارد اوی
“But if he succeeds in taking the crown, his glory shall surpass even that of Fereydun!”
#45
جز از شهریارش نخوانیم کس
✦
ز گفتارها داد دادیم و بس
“We shall call none other our monarch, and with this judgment we have satisfied all justice.'”