When the following week arrived, King Bahram Gor rode to the hunting grounds accompanied by his mobads and the noble commanders of his host. There, a devoted local farmer arrived hastily, bearing a wild boar he had taken, asking to speak with the monarch in secret. When brought before Bahram, he revealed his tale: 'I am a dehqan and headman of this borderland. While channeling water into my fields, a deep fissure broke open in the earth, and the mysterious echo of cymbals rang beneath the soil, pointing the way to a buried treasure.' Bahram at once gathered workers and pickaxe-bearers to the verdant plain. Night fell, and they worked under the glow of candles and roaring bonfires. As the morning sun polished the violet sky, the diggers uncovered a massive subterranean vault constructed of baked brick and sealed with impenetrable mortar. The chief Mobad descended into the chamber and beheld an extraordinary sight: two majestic oxen crafted of solid gold standing before a golden manger overflowing with raw chrysolites and fiery red rubies. The hollow bellies of the oxen were filled with gem-carved pomegranates, apples, and quinces, inside of which lay pearls as pure as drops of water. Ruby eyes gleamed from the ancient-faced oxen, surrounded by golden lions, wild asses, pheasants, and peacocks studded with precious stones. The Mobad returned to the king in triumph, announcing that heaven had granted him the keys to a realm of jewels. Yet Bahram paused and commanded the Mobad to read the inscription upon the treasure. When the priest returned and confirmed that the seal of King Jamshid was inscribed upon the golden ox, Bahram responded with profound nobility: 'May that kingship perish whose fortune is gathered by means other than justice and the sword! Why should I claim the wealth laid down by Jamshid?' Bahram commanded that the entire hoard of jewels be sold for gold and silver and distributed to widows, orphans, impoverished men of dignity, and ruined villages—reserving a tithe for the honest farmer who found it—so that its blessings might elevate the soul of King Jamshid. Returning to his royal hall, Bahram distributed a full year's wages to his army, threw a magnificent spring-like feast, and raised a crystal goblet of ruby wine. Reflecting upon the ancient monarchs from Hushang and Fereydun to Nowzar and Kay Qobad, he reminded his court that worldly crowns fade, but a name forged in righteousness endures forever. An elder named Mahyar, aged one hundred and sixty-four years, stood to extol Bahram, declaring that no king in human memory had ever matched such chivalry as to cast away the legendary Treasure of Jamshid's Oxen for the welfare of his people.
#1
دگر هفته آمد به نخچیرگاه
✦
خود و موبدان و ردان سپاه
“The next week came, and he went unto the hunting grounds, himself, the mobads, and the chieftains of the host.”
#2
بیامد یکی مرد مهترپرست
✦
چو باد دمان با گرازی به دست
“There came a man who revered his lords, rushing like a roaring wind with a wild boar in hand.”
#3
بپرسید مهتر که بهرامشاه
✦
کجا باشد اندر میان سپاه
“The noble stranger asked, 'Where is King Bahram amidst this great army?'”
#4
بدو گفت هرکس که تو شاه را
✦
چه جویی نگویی به ما راه را
“Everyone said to him, 'Why seekest thou the king? Wilt thou not tell us thy quest?'”
#5
چنین داد پاسخ که تا روی شاه
✦
نبینم نگویم سخن با سپاه
“He answered thus: 'Until I behold the king's face, I shall speak no word unto the army.'”
#6
بدو گفت موبد چه باید بگوی
✦
تو شاه جهان را ندانی به روی
“The Mobad said to him, 'Speak what must be said; thou knowest not the face of the king of the world.'”
#7
بر شاه بردند جوینده را
✦
چنان دانشی مرد گوینده را
“They brought the seeker before the king—a man of such knowledge and eloquent speech.”
#8
بیامد چو بهرام را دید گفت
✦
که با تو سخن دارم اندر نهفت
“When he arrived and beheld Bahram, he said, 'I have a secret word to speak with thee.'”
#9
عنان را بپیچید بهرام گور
✦
ز دیدار لشکر برون راند دور
“Bahram Gor turned his reins aside, riding far beyond the sight of the army.”
#10
بدو گفت مرد این جهاندیده شاه
✦
به گفتار من کرد باید نگاه
“The man said to him, 'O world-experienced king, pay heed unto my speech.”
#11
بدین مرز دهقانم و کدخدای
✦
خدای بر و بوم و ورز و سرای
“In this borderland I am a dehqan and headman, master of the land, crops, and homestead.”
#12
همی آب بردم بدین مرز خویش
✦
که در کار پیدا کنم ارز خویش
“I led water unto my fields, seeking to bring forth the worth of my labor.”
#13
چو بسیار گشت آب گستاخ شد
✦
میان یکی مرز سوراخ شد
“When the water swelled, it grew bold and breached a cavity in the midst of a plot.”
#14
شگفتی خروشی به گوش آمدم
✦
کزان بیم جای خروش آمدم
“A wondrous roar echoed in my ears, and out of fear I was moved to cry aloud.”
#15
همی اندران جای آواز سنج
✦
خروشش همی ره نماید به گنج
“From that spot echoes the sound of cymbals, its clangor pointing the way to a hidden treasure.'”
#16
چو بشنید بهرام آنجا کشید
✦
همه دشت پر سبزه و آب دید
“When Bahram heard this, he rode thither, beholding the whole plain filled with greenery and water.”
#17
بفرمود تا کارگر با گراز
✦
بیارند چندی ز راه دراز
“He commanded that laborers bearing pickaxes be brought in numbers from afar.”
#18
فرود آمد از باره شاه بلند
✦
شراعی زدند از برکشتمند
“The lofty king dismounted his steed, and they pitched a royal canopy above the field.”
#19
شب آمد گوان شمعی افروختند
✦
به هر جای آتش همی سوختند
“Night came; the brave heroes lit candles and kindled fires everywhere.”
#20
ز دریا چو خورشید برزد درفش
✦
چو مصقول کرد این سرای بنفش
“When the sun raised its banner from the sea, polishing this violet vault of heaven,”
#21
ز هر سو برفتند کاریگران
✦
شدند انجمن چون سپاهی گران
“Laborers moved from every side, assembling like a mighty army.”
#22
زمین را به کندن گرفتند پاک
✦
شد آن جای هامون سراسر مغاک
“They began to dig the earth cleanly, turning that level plain into a deep cavity.”
#23
ز کندن چو گشتند مردم ستوه
✦
پدید آمد از خاک چیزی چو کوه
“As the people grew weary of digging, something like a mountain emerged from the soil.”
#24
یکی خانه‌ای کرده از پخته خشت
✦
به ساروج کرده بسان بهشت
“A vault built of baked brick, sealed with mortar like a paradise.”
#25
کننده تبر زد همی از برش
✦
پدید آمد از دور جای درش
“The excavator struck with his axe above it, and from afar the doorway appeared.”
#26
چو موبد بدید اندر آمد به در
✦
ابا او یکی ایرمانی دگر
“When the Mobad saw it, he entered the doorway alongside another noble companion.”
#27
یکی خانه دیدند پهن و دراز
✦
برآورده بالای او چند باز
“They saw a hall wide and long, its lofty ceiling raised high like the flight of falcons.”
#28
ز زر کرده بر پای دو گاومیش
✦
یکی آخری کرده زرینش پیش
“Two oxen forged of gold stood upon their feet, before a golden manger.”
#29
زبرجد به آخر درون ریخته
✦
به یاقوت سرخ اندر آمیخته
“Chrysolites were poured into the manger, mingled with glowing red rubies.”
#30
چو دو گاو گردون میانش تهی
✦
شکمشان پر از نار و سیب و بهی
“The two oxen were hollow like chariots, their bellies filled with pomegranates, apples, and quinces.”
#31
میان بهی در خوشاب بود
✦
که هر دانه‌ای قطرهٔ آب بود
“Within the quinces lay fine lustrous pearls, each grain like a droplet of water.”
#32
همان گاو را چشم یاقوت بود
✦
ز پیری سر گاو فرتوت بود
“The oxen possessed eyes of ruby, and their ancient heads bore the likeness of age.”
#33
همه گرد بر گرد او شیر و گور
✦
یکی دیده یاقوت و دیگر بلور
“All around them stood statues of lions and wild asses, one with eyes of ruby, another of crystal.”
#34
تذروان زرین و طاوس زر
✦
همه سینه و چشمهاشان گهر
“Golden pheasants and golden peacocks, their chests and eyes set with precious gems.”
#35
چو دستور دید آن بر شاه شد
✦
به رای بلند افسر ماه شد
“When the minister saw this, he went before the king, his exalted counsel reaching the crown of the moon.”
#36
به نرمی به شاه جهان گفت خیز
✦
که آمد همی گنجها را جهیز
“Gently he said to the world-king, 'Arise! For a feast of treasures has arrived!”
#37
یکی خانهٔ گوهر آمد پدید
✦
که چرخ فلک داشت آن را کلید
“A chamber of gems has appeared, to which the sphere of heaven held the key.'”
#38
بدو گفت بنگر که بر گنج نام
✦
نویسد کسی کش بود گنج کام
“The king said to him, 'Look and see in whose name the treasure is inscribed, if any claimed it.”
#39
نگه کن بدان گنج تا نام کیست
✦
گر آگندن او به ایام کیست
“Examine that treasure to find whose name it bears, and in whose era its gathering took place.'”
#40
بیامد سر موبدان چون شنید
✦
بران گاو بر مهر جمشید دید
“The chief of mobads went as commanded, and saw the seal of Jamshid upon the golden ox.”
#41
به شاه جهان گفت کردم نگاه
✦
نوشته‌ست بر گاو جمشید شاه
“He said to the world-king, 'I looked closely; it is inscribed with the name of King Jamshid.'”
#42
بدو گفت شاه ای سر موبدان
✦
به هر کار داناتر از بخردان
“The king answered, 'O chief of mobads, wiser in every deed than the wise!”
#43
ز گنجی که جمشید بنهاد پیش
✦
چرا کرد باید مرا گنج خویش
“Why should I make my own the treasure that Jamshid laid down of old?”
#44
هر آن گنج کان جز به شمشیر و داد
✦
فراز آید آن پادشاهی مباد
“May that kingship perish whose wealth comes not through justice and the sword!”
#45
به ارزانیان ده همه هرچ هست
✦
مبادا که آید به ما بر شکست
“Give all that is there to the worthy; let no misfortune fall upon us!”
#46
اگر نام باید که پیدا کنیم
✦
به داد و به شمشیر گنج آگنیم
“If we are to achieve renown, we must gather true treasure through justice and the sword.”
#47
نباید سپاه مرا بهره زین
✦
نه تنگست بر ما زمان و زمین
“My army shall have no share of this hoard; time and the earth are not constrained for us.”
#48
فروشید گوهر به زر و به سیم
✦
زن بیوه و کودکان یتیم
“Sell these gems for gold and silver, and bestow them upon widows and orphaned children.”
#49
تهی‌دست مردم که دارند نام
✦
گسسته دل از نام و آرام و کام
“And give also to needy people of good repute who have lost hope of comfort, honor, and desire.”
#50
ز ویران و آباد گرد آورید
✦
ازان پس یکایک همه بشمرید
“Gather all such poor from ruined villages and thriving towns alike, and count them one by one.”
#51
ببخشید دینار گنج و درم
✦
به مزد روان جهاندار جم
“Bestow the dinars and dirhams of this treasury for the repose of Jam's spirit, ruler of the world.”
#52
ازان ده یک آنرا که بنمود راه
✦
همی شاه جست از میان سپاه
“The King sought out from his army the farmer who had shown the path, to grant him a tenth of it.”
#53
مرا تا جوان باشم و تن درست
✦
چرا بایدم گنج جمشید جست
“So long as I am young and sound of body, why should I seek the buried hoard of Jamshid?”
#54
گهر هرک بستاند از جمشید
✦
به گیتی مبادش به نیکی امید
“Whoever claims the jewels of Jamshid, may he have no hope of goodness in this world.”
#55
چو با لشکرم تن به رنج آوریم
✦
ز روم و ز چین نام و گنج آوریم
“When my army and I endure the toil of battle, we shall win renown and treasure from Rome and China!”
#56
مرا اسپ شبدیز و شمشیر تیز
✦
نگیرم فریب و ندانم گریز
“Mine is the charger Shabdiz and a keen blade; I fall for no trickery, nor do I flee!”
#57
وزان جایگه شد سوی گنج خویش
✦
که گرد آورید از خوی و رنج خویش
“From that place he returned to his own treasury, which he had accumulated through his own labor and sweat.”
#58
بیاورد گردان کشورش را
✦
درم داد یکساله لشکرش را
“He summoned the champions of his realm and distributed a full year's wages to his soldiers.”
#59
یکی بزمگه ساخت چون نوبهار
✦
بیاراست ایوان گوهرنگار
“He arranged a feast like the bloom of spring, adorning the jewel-studded palace.”
#60
می لعل رخشان به جام بلور
✦
چو شد خرم و شاد بهرام گور
“Radiant ruby wine flowed into crystal goblets, as Bahram Gur grew joyous and glad.”
#61
به یاران چنین گفت کای سرکشان
✦
شنیده ز تخت بزرگی نشان
“He spoke to his companions: 'O noble chiefs, who have heard tales of the throne of majesty,”
#62
ز هوشنگ تا نوذر نامدار
✦
کجا ز آفریدون بد او یادگار
“From Houshang to famous Nowzar, who was a living legacy of Fereydoun,”
#63
برین هم نشان تا سر کیقباد
✦
که تاج فریدون به سر بر نهاد
“And likewise down to the time of Kay Qubad, who placed Fereydoun's crown upon his head,”
#64
ببینید تا زان بزرگان که ماند
✦
بریشان به جز آفرین را که خواند
“Consider: who remains among those ancient lords? Who has remembered them with anything but praise?”
#65
چو کوتاه شد گردش روزگار
✦
سخن ماند زان مهتران یادگار
“When their turn of time came to an end, only good words remained as their lasting memorial.”
#66
که این را منش بود و آن را نبود
✦
یکی را نکوهش دگر را ستود
“One possessed high virtue while another lacked it; thus one was censured, and another praised.”
#67
یکایک به نوبت همه بگذریم
✦
سزد گر جهان را به بد نسپریم
“One by one, in our turn, we shall all depart; it is only fitting that we do not yield the world to evil.”
#68
چرا گنج آن رفتگان آوریم
✦
وگر دل به دینارشان گستریم
“Why should we appropriate the hoards of the departed, or set our hearts upon their riches?”
#69
نبندم دل اندر سرای سپنج
✦
ننازم به تاج و نیازم به گنج
“I shall not bind my heart to this fleeting inn, nor boast of crowns, nor covet treasures.”
#70
چو روزی به شادی همی بگذرد
✦
خردمند مردم چرا غم خورد
“Since a day passes in joy regardless, why should a wise person harbor grief?”
#71
هرانکس کزین زیردستان ما
✦
ز دهقان و از در پرستان ما
“If anyone among our subjects, whether a simple tiller or a court attendant,”
#72
بنالد یکی کهتر از رنج من
✦
مبادا سر وافسر وگنج من
“Should lament in pain caused by me, may my head, crown, and treasure perish!'”
#73
یکی پیر بد نام او ماهیار
✦
شده سال او بر صد و شست و چار
“An elder present was named Mahyar, whose age had reached one hundred and sixty-four years.”
#74
چو آواز بشنید بر پای خاست
✦
چنین گفت کای مهتر داد و راست
“When he heard the King's words, he stood up and spoke thus: 'O righteous and just monarch!”
#75
چنین یافتم از فریدون و جم
✦
وزان نامداران هر بیش و کم
“Thus have I found remembered of Fereydoun and Jam, and of all those famous rulers high and low:”
#76
چو تو شاه ننشست کس در جهان
✦
نه کس این شنید از کهان و مهان
“No king like you has ever ruled the earth, nor has anyone heard such wisdom from noble or humble.”
#77
به هنگام جم چون سخن راندند
✦
ورا گنج گاوان همی خواندند
“In the days of Jam, when men spoke of his hoard, they called it the Treasure of the Oxen.”
#78
چو گنجی پراگنده‌ای در جهان
✦
میان کهان و میان مهان
“Yet you have scattered your treasure across the world, among the low and high alike.”
#79
دلت گر به درهای دریاستی
✦
ز دریا گهر موج برخاستی
“Were your heart set upon the pearls of the sea, the ocean waves themselves would cast up jewels!”
#80
ندانست کس در جهان کان کجاست
✦
به خاکست گر در دم اژدهاست
“No one in all the world knew where that mine lay, whether hidden in dust or inside a dragon's breath.'”
#81
تو چون یافتی ننگریدی به گنج
✦
که ننگ آمدت این سرای سپنج
“When thou didst find the treasure, thou didst not deign to look upon it; for in thy sight, this fleeting world held no worth.”
#82
به دریا همانا که چندین گهر
✦
به دیده ندیدست کس بیشتر
“In truth, no eye hath ever beheld more jewels in the depths of the boundless sea than what was gathered here.”
#83
به دوریش بخشیدی این گوهران
✦
همان گاو گوهر کران تا کران
“Thou didst bestow all these priceless gems upon the needy, together with the golden oxen filled with jewels from edge to edge.”
#84
پس از رفتنت نام تو زنده باد
✦
تو آباد و پیروز و بخت از تو شاد
“May thy name live on long after thou art gone! Mayest thou remain prosperous and victorious, and may Fortune rejoice in thee!”
#85
بسی دفتر خسروان زین سخن
✦
سیه گردد و هم نیاید به بن
“Many a chronicle of monarchs shall be blackened with the account of thy deeds, yet the story of thy generosity shall never reach an end.”