As the dawn sun cast its golden mantle across the heavens, King Bahram Gur took his place upon the imperial throne. Before the monarch stepped the envoy of Caesar, accompanied by the Shah's chief Mobad, a man renowned for his radiant wisdom. Joyfully they stood before the Shahanshah and conversed on matters of depth and gravity.
Seeking to explore the boundaries of understanding, the Mobad addressed the Roman messenger: "O prudent man, tell me: what deed in this mortal realm brings the direst loss, such that one must weep over its occurrence? And what action stands as the most beneficial, elevating a man to true nobility?" The envoy responded that knowledge brings power, whereas the body of the fool is viler than dust. Yet the Mobad urged him to ponder more deeply, revealing: "The death of the righteous and harmless is the greatest tragedy of existence, whereas the demise of the wicked brings relief—for death claims both. Therefore, let Wisdom be the supreme judge to discern true gain from ruin."
Astonished by such profound lore, the Roman ambassador praised the Mobad and exalted the realm of Iran. He declared before Bahram Gur that a monarch who possesses such an enlightened counselor is worthy of receiving tribute from Caesar himself. Delight filled the Shah's heart as night wrapped the earth in its musky veil.
When the morning sun once again unfurled its luminous banner, Bahram Gur re-ascended his throne and commanded a magnificent robe of honor to be presented to the Roman ambassador—a vast treasure of fine steeds with ornate bridles, gold dinars, radiant gems, musk, and precious ambergris, exceeding all human imagination.
#1
چو خورشید بر چرخ بنمود دست
✦
شهنشاه بر تخت زرین نشست
“As the sun showed its hand upon the sky, the King of Kings sat upon his golden throne.”
#2
فرستادهٔ قیصر آمد به در
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خرد یافته موبد پرگهر
“The envoy of Caesar arrived at the court, alongside the wise and jewel-adorned Mobad.”
#3
به پیش شهنشاه رفتند شاد
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سخنها ز هرگونه کردند یاد
“Joyfully they stepped before the Shahanshah, speaking together on matters of every kind.”
#4
فرستاده را موبد شاه گفت
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که ای مرد هشیار بی‌یار و جفت
“The King's Mobad said to the envoy: 'O prudent man, peerless in your wisdom...'”
#5
ز گیتی زیانکارتر کار چیست
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که بر کردهٔ او بباید گریست
“'What in all the world is the most harmful deed, over whose occurrence one ought to weep?'”
#6
چه دانی تو اندر جهان سودمند
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که از کردنش مرد گردد بلند
“'And what do you know to be most beneficial in the world, by doing which a man becomes exalted?'”
#7
فرستاده گفت آنک دانا بود
✦
همیشه بزرگ و توانا بود
“The envoy replied: 'He who is wise shall ever remain great and powerful.'”
#8
تن مرد نادان ز گل خوارتر
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به هر نیکئی ناسزاوارتر
“'The body of an ignorant man is viler than dust, unworthy of any goodness.'”
#9
ز نادان و دانا زدی داستان
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شنیدی مگر پاسخ راستان
“'You spoke tales of the foolish and wise; perchance you have heard the answer of the truthful?'”
#10
بدو گفت موبد که نیکو نگر
✦
بیندیش و ماهی به خشکی مبر
“The Mobad said to him: 'Look well, ponder, and do not attempt to catch fish upon dry land.'”
#11
فرستاده گفت ای پسندیده مرد
✦
سخنها ز دانش توان یاد کرد
“The envoy said: 'O admirable man, true speech can only be recalled through knowledge.'”
#12
تو این گر دگرگونه دانی بگوی
✦
که از دانش افزون شود آبروی
“'If you know this otherwise, tell me, for honor increases through wisdom.'”
#13
بدو گفت موبد که اندیشه کن
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کز اندیشه بازیب گردد سخن
“The Mobad said to him: 'Contemplate well, for speech becomes beautiful through reflection.'”
#14
ز گیتی هرانکو بی‌آزارتر
✦
چنان دان که مرگش زیانکارتر
“'Whoever in this world is most harmless—know that his death brings the direst loss.'”
#15
به مرگ بدان شاد باشی رواست
✦
چو زاید بد و نیک تن مرگ راست
“'Rejoicing at the death of the evil is fitting; yet both good and evil bodies are bound to death.'”
#16
ازین سودمندی بود زان زیان
✦
خرد را میانجی کن اندر میان
“'From one comes gain and from the other loss; let Wisdom be the judge between them.'”
#17
چو بشنید رومی پسند آمدش
✦
سخنهای او سودمند آمدش
“When the Roman heard this, it pleased him greatly, and he found his words deeply profitable.”
#18
بخندید و بر شاه کرد آفرین
✦
بدو گفت فرخنده ایران زمین
“He smiled, offered praises unto the King, and said to him: 'Blessed is the land of Iran!'”
#19
که تخت شهنشاه بیند همی
✦
چو موبد بروبر نشیند همی
“'For it beholds the throne of the King of Kings, while such a Mobad sits beside him!'”
#20
به دانش جهان را بلند افسری
✦
به موبد ز هر مهتری برتری
“'Through wisdom, the world gains a lofty crown; and this Mobad surpasses every noble lord!'”
#21
اگر باژ خواهی ز قیصر رواست
✦
ک دستور تو بر جهان پادشاست
“'If you demand tribute from Caesar, it is just, for your counselor rules over the world!'”
#22
ز گفتار او شاد شد شهریار
✦
دلش تازه شد چو گل اندر بهار
“The monarch was gladdened by his speech, and his heart grew fresh as a blossom in spring.”
#23
برون شد فرستاده از پیش شاه
✦
شب آمد برآمد درفش سیاه
“The envoy departed from the King's presence; night fell, and its black banner mounted high.”
#24
پدید آمد آن چادر مشکبوی
✦
به عنبر بیالود خورشید روی
“The musk-scented veil appeared, smearing ambergris over the face of the sun.”
#25
شکیبا نبد گنبد تیزگرد
✦
سر خفته از خواب بیدار کرد
“The fast-revolving dome rested not, awakening the heads of sleepers from their sleep.”
#26
درفشی بزد چشمهٔ آفتاب
✦
سر شاه گیتی سبک شد ز خواب
“The fountain of the sun pitched its banner, and the King of the world lightly awoke from slumber.”
#27
در بار بگشاد سالار بار
✦
نشست از بر تخت خود شهریار
“The chief lord of the hall opened the doors, and the monarch sat upon his throne.”
#28
بفرمود تا خلعت آراستند
✦
فرستاده را پیش او خواستند
“He commanded robes of honor to be prepared and summoned the envoy into his presence.”
#29
ز سیمین و زرین و اسپ و ستام
✦
ز دینار گیتی که بردند نام
“With silver, gold, horses, and bridles, and world-renowned dinars,”
#30
ز دینار و گوهر ز مشک و عبیر
✦
فزون گشت از اندیشهٔ تیزویر
“Gold, gems, musk, and ambergris—exceeding the bounds of even the sharpest mind.”