In an era of newly established stability, King Bahram Gur summoned his noble brother Narsi, bestowing upon him the seal and governorship of Khorasan. The King commanded Narsi to render that vast realm prosperous and to bring joy to the hearts of his subjects through flawless justice. Bahram solemnly recalled how their father, Yazdgerd, had brought ruin upon himself through tyranny, like a naked man shivering in the harsh autumn winds. Bestowing costly robes of honor and immense treasure upon Narsi, the King offered divine prayers for his brother's success, and within two weeks, Narsi smoothly assumed peaceful rule over Khorasan.
With his mind cleared of northeastern affairs, Bahram Gur gathered the High Priest and the kingdom's wisest counselors to determine the fate of the Roman Caesar's envoy. The Mobad described the envoy as a venerable, soft-spoken scholar trained under the great Plato. Yet, having waited so long for a royal audience, the envoy had withered like a winter lotus, his proud demeanor humbled by the majesty of the Sasanian court. Bahram reflected that the Caesar of Rome descended from Salm and Fereydun, and unlike the reckless Khaqan of the Turks, had shown wisdom and restraint. Thus, Bahram resolved to receive the Roman ambassador with full honors, listen to his embassy, and send him home in peace, acknowledging that a true sovereign must discern the worth of both mighty warriors and wise diplomats. Hearing this noble resolve, the High Priest praised the King, wishing him eternal joy under the revolving heavens.
#1
به نرسی چنین گفت یک روز شاه
✦
کز ایدر برو با نگین و کلاه
“One day the King spoke thus to Narsi: 'Go forth from here with ring and crown.'”
#2
خراسان ترا دادم آباد کن
✦
دل زیردستان به ما شاد کن
“'I have granted Khorasan to thee; prosper it, and gladden the hearts of subjects toward us.'”
#3
نگر تا نباشی به جز دادگر
✦
میاویز چنگ اندرین رهگذر
“'Take care to be nothing but just; do not stretch out thy hand in tyranny on this path.'”
#4
پدر کرد بیداد و پیچد ازان
✦
چو مردی برهنه ز باد خزان
“'Our father committed injustice and suffered from it, like a naked man trembling in the autumn wind.'”
#5
بفرمود تا خلعتش ساختند
✦
گرانمایه گنجی بپرداختند
“He commanded that a robe of honor be prepared for him, and bestowed a precious treasure.”
#6
بدو گفت یزدان پناه تو باد
✦
سر تخت خورشید گاه تو باد
“He said to him: 'May God be thy protector, and may thy throne reach the height of the sun!'”
#7
به رفتن دو هفته درنگ آمدش
✦
تن‌آسان خراسان به چنگ آمدش
“His departure took two weeks of travel, and easily did he take possession of Khorasan.”
#8
چو نرسی بشد هفته‌ای برگذشت
✦
دل شاه ز اندیشه پردخته گشت
“When Narsi was gone and a week passed by, the King's mind was cleared of that concern.”
#9
بفرمود تا موبد موبدان
✦
برفت و بیاورد چندی ردان
“He ordered the High Priest of High Priests to go and bring several noble elders.”
#10
بدو گفت شد کار قیصر دراز
✦
رسولش همی دیر یابد جواز
“He said to him: 'The matter of Caesar has dragged on; his messenger waits long for permission.'”
#11
چه مردست و اندر خرد تا کجاست
✦
که دارد روان از خرد پشت راست
“'What manner of man is he, and how great is his wisdom? Does his soul stand upright through intellect?'”
#12
بدو گفت موبد انوشه بدی
✦
جهاندار و با فره ایزدی
“The Mobad replied: 'Mayest thou live forever, O monarch endowed with divine glory!'”
#13
یکی مرد پیرست با رای و شرم
✦
سخن گفتنش چرب و آواز نرم
“'He is an old man of sound counsel and modesty, eloquent of speech and gentle of voice.'”
#14
کسی کش فلاطون بُدست اوستاد
✦
خردمند و بادانش و بانژاد
“'One whose master was Plato himself; wise, knowledgeable, and of noble lineage.'”
#15
یکی برمنش بود کامد ز روم
✦
کنون خیره گشت اندرین مرز و بوم
“'He came from Rome with high pride, but now he stands bewildered in this land.'”
#16
بپژمرد چون لاله در ماه دی
✦
تنش خشک و رخساره همرنگ نی
“'He has withered like a tulip in the month of Dey; his body dry and his countenance pale as a reed.'”
#17
همه کهترانش به کردار میش
✦
که روز شکارش سگ آید به پیش
“'All his subordinates are meek as sheep, like hunting dogs yielding before the chase.'”
#18
به کندی و تندی بما ننگرید
✦
وزین مرز کس را به کس نشمرید
“'He no longer looks upon us with disdain, nor counts anyone in this realm as nothing.'”
#19
به موبد چنین گفت بهرام گور
✦
که یزدان دهد فر و دیهیم و زور
“Bahram Gur spoke thus to the Mobad: 'It is God who granteth glory, crown, and might.'”
#20
مرا گر جهاندار پیروز کرد
✦
شب تیره بر بخت من روز کرد
“'Since the Sovereign of the World made me victorious, turning dark night into bright day for my fortune,'”
#21
یکی قیصر روم و قیصر نژاد
✦
فریدون ورا تاج بر سر نهاد
“'The Caesar of Rome is of royal Caesar stock; Fereydun placed the crown upon his ancestor's head.'”
#22
بزرگست وز سلم دارد نژاد
✦
ز شاهان فزون‌تر به رسم و به داد
“'He is great and descended from Salm, excelling many kings in custom and justice.'”
#23
کنون مردمی کرد و فرزانگی
✦
چو خاقان نیامد به دیوانگی
“'Now he has shown humanity and wisdom, not approaching us in madness as did the Khaqan.'”
#24
ورا پیش خوانیم هنگام بار
✦
سخن تا چه گوید که آید به کار
“'We shall call him forward during royal audience, to hear what worthy words he may speak.'”
#25
وزان پس به خوبی فرستمش باز
✦
ز مردم نیم در جهان بی‌نیاز
“'And thereafter I shall send him back honorably, for I am not independent of humankind in this world.'”
#26
یکی رزم جوید سپاه آورد
✦
دگر بزم و زرین کلاه آورد
“'One seeks war and brings forth armies; another seeks feast and brings a golden crown.'”
#27
مرا ارج ایشان بباید شناخت
✦
بزرگ آنک با نامداران بساخت
“'I must recognize the worth of each; great is he who makes peace with the renowned.'”
#28
برو آفرین کرد موبد به مهر
✦
که شادان بدی تا بگردد سپهر
“The Mobad praised him affectionately: 'Mayest thou remain joyful so long as the heavens turn!'”