King Khosrow Anushirvan, seeking to fortify the discipline and fairness of his realm, entrusted the management of the War Office and troop stipends to a wise and unyielding Mobad named Babak. Babak erected an elevated platform draped in royal carpets and summoned the entire Iranian host. Proclamations echoed across the camp declaring that every champion who sought a wage from the Crown had to appear mounted, clad in full chainmail, steel helmet, and bearing maces and bows.
The host gathered until the sky grew dark with the dust of chargers, but when Babak surveyed the ranks, he observed neither the royal banner nor the person of King Khosrow. Upholding the sacred principle that military muster knows no favoritism or fear of status, Babak refused to issue a single coin and ordered the entire army to disperse. On the second day, the same scene unfolded, and again Babak sent the troops home without pay.
On the third day, a stern herald announced that even he who possessed a crown and elevated throne must know that the War Office observes no modesty or dread of power. Hearing this, Khosrow Anushirvan laughed in deep admiration of his minister's unbending integrity. The King donned his iron helmet with Roman mail, grasped his bull-headed mace, strapped on his bow, lasso, and quiver, and rode directly to the muster ground. Before Babak, Khosrow spurred his steed, executing magnificent combat maneuvers like blazing fire.
Babak marveled at the monarch's martial brilliance and praise-worthy submission to the rule of law. Offering prayers to the Creator, Babak allocated the King the highest warrior stipend plus a single symbolic drachm. When the review concluded, Babak approached the throne to explain that his sternness stemmed solely from a devotion to justice. Khosrow warmly embraced him, declaring that a realm flourishes only when its ministers hold truth and duty above all royal power.
#1
ورا موبدی بود بابک بنام
✦
هشیوار و دانادل و شادکام
“He had a Mobad named Babak, wise, knowing, and happy of heart.”
#2
بدو داد دیوان عرض و سپاه
✦
بفرمود تا پیش درگاه شاه
“To him he entrusted the War Office and army, ordering him to set up before the royal court.”
#3
بیاراست جایی فراخ و بلند
✦
سرش برتر از تیغ کوه پرند
“He prepared a high and spacious venue, its top elevated higher than the peak of Mount Parand.”
#4
بگسترد فرشی برو شاهوار
✦
نشستند هرکس که بود او به کار
“He spread upon it a royal carpet, where all officials and officers took their places.”
#5
ز دیوان بابک برآمد خروش
✦
نهادند یک سر برآواز گوش
“A clamor arose from Babak's office, and everyone listened intently to his call.”
#6
که ای نامداران جنگ آزمای
✦
سراسر به اسب اندر آرید پای
“Saying: 'O battle-tested champions, put your feet to the stirrups of your steeds!'”
#7
خرامید یک‌یک به درگاه شاه
✦
به سر برنهاده ز آهن کلاه
“'Advance one by one to the King's court, bearing steel helmets upon your heads.'”
#8
زره‌دار با گُرزهٔ گاوسار
✦
کسی کو درم خواهد از شهریار
“'Clad in mail and carrying bull-headed maces—whosoever seeks pay from the Monarch!'”
#9
بیامد به ایوان بابک سپاه
✦
هوا شد ز گرد سواران سیاه
“The army assembled before Babak's hall, till the air turned dark with the dust of horsemen.”
#10
چو بابک سپه را همه بنگرید
✦
درفش و سر تاج کسری ندید
“When Babak surveyed the entire army, he saw neither Khosrow's royal banner nor his crown.”
#11
ز ایوان باسب اندر آورد پای
✦
بفرمودشان بازگشتن ز جای
“Stepping down from the hall to his horse, he commanded the army to turn back.”
#12
برین نیز بگذشت گردان سپهر
✦
چو خورشید تابنده بنمود چهر
“The revolving sphere passed through the night, until the radiant sun showed its face again.”
#13
خروشی برآمد ز درگاه شاه
✦
که ای گُرزداران ایران سپاه
“A shout echoed once more from the royal court: 'O mace-bearing warriors of Iran's host!'”
#14
همه با سلیح و کمان و کمند
✦
بدیوان بابک شوید ارجمند
“'Gather honorably at Babak's office, fully equipped with arms, bows, and lassos!'”
#15
برفتند با نیزه و خود و کبر
✦
همی گرد لشکر برآمد به ابر
“They marched with spears, helmets, and coats of mail, the army's dust rising to the clouds.”
#16
نگه کرد بابک به گرد سپاه
✦
چو پیدا نبد فر و اورند شاه
“Babak gazed upon the dusty ranks, but saw no sign of the King's glory or throne.”
#17
چنین گفت کامروز با مهر و داد
✦
همه بازگردید پیروز و شاد
“He said: 'Today, in kindness and justice, return home victorious and glad.'”
#18
به روز سه دیگر برآمد خروش
✦
که ای نامداران با فر و هوش
“On the third day, the proclamation rang out: 'O illustrious champions of glory and mind!'”
#19
مبادا که از لشکری یک سوار
✦
نه با ترگ و با جوشن کارزار
“'Let not a single rider in the host appear without battle helmet and mail!'”
#20
بیاید برین بارگه بگذرد
✦
عرض گاه و ایوان او بنگرد
“'Let all present themselves before this court and behold the muster hall!'”
#21
هر آنکس که باشد به تاج ارجمند
✦
به فر و بزرگی و تخت بلند
“'Even he who is exalted by a crown, by splendor, greatness, and a high throne—'”
#22
بداند که بر عرض آزرم نیست
✦
سخن با محابا و با شرم نیست
“'Must know that the muster knows no favoritism; here there is no bashfulness or hesitation in speech!'”
#23
شهنشاه کسری چو بگشاد گوش
✦
ز دیوان بابک برآمد خروش
“When Emperor Khosrow lent his ear to the proclamation roaring from Babak's office,”
#24
بخندید کسری و مغفر بخواست
✦
درفش بزرگی برافراشت راست
“Khosrow laughed, asked for his helmet, and raised high his grand royal banner.”
#25
به دیوان بابک خرامید شاه
✦
نهاده ز آهن به سر بر کلاه
“The King strode toward Babak's office, bearing a helmet of iron upon his head.”
#26
فروهشت از ترگ رومی زره
✦
زده بر زره بر فراوان گره
“From his Roman helmet hung chainmail neck-guards, bound tight with many a firm knot.”
#27
یکی گُرزهٔ گاوپیکر به چنگ
✦
زده بر کمرگاه تیر خدنگ
“A bull-headed mace in his grip, and arrows of poplar wood fastened at his waist.”
#28
به بازو کمان و بزین بر کمند
✦
میان را بزرین کمر کرده بند
“A bow on his arm, a lasso on his saddle, his waist bound with a golden belt.”
#29
برانگیخت اسب و بیفشارد ران
✦
به گردن برآورد گُرز گران
“He spurred his charger, pressed his thighs, and raised the heavy mace over his shoulder.”
#30
عنان را چپ و راست لختی بسود
✦
سلیح سواری به بابک نمود
“Turning his reins left and right, he displayed his full warrior's gear before Babak.”
#31
نگه کرد بابک پسند آمدش
✦
شهنشاه را فرمند آمدش
“Babak looked upon him and was deeply pleased; he saw the King radiating true majesty and martial glory.”
#32
بدو گفت شاها انوشه بدی
✦
روان را به فرهنگ توشه بدی
“He said to him: 'O King, live immortal! May your soul ever be nourished by wisdom and virtue!'”
#33
بیاراستی روی کشور بداد
✦
ازین گونه داد از تو داریم یاد
“'You have adorned the realm with justice, and such righteousness shall forever be remembered of you.'”
#34
دلیری بد از بنده این گفت و گوی
✦
سزد گر نپیچی تو از داد روی
“'Bold indeed were these words from your servant, yet it is fitting that you never turn away from justice.'”
#35
عنان را یکی بازپیچی براست
✦
چنان کز هنرمندی تو سزاست
“'Now turn your reins to the right, as befits your supreme horsemanship and warrior craft!'”
#36
دگرباره کسری برانگیخت اسب
✦
چپ و راست برسان آذرگشسب
“Once more Khosrow spurred his steed, darting left and right like the fiery flame of Adhar Gushasp!”
#37
نگه کرد بابک ازو خیره ماند
✦
جهان‌آفرین را فراوان بخواند
“Babak watched in total amazement, uttering endless praises to the Creator of the World.”
#38
سواری هزار و گوی دوهزار
✦
نبودی کسی را گذر بر چهار
“A normal knight received a stipend of one thousand drachms, and a champion two thousand; none ever exceeded four thousand.”
#39
درمی فزون کرد روزی شاه
✦
به دیوان خروش آمد از بارگاه
“Babak increased the King's daily stipend by a single extra drachm, and a shout went up from the court:”
#40
که اسب سر جنگجویان بیار
✦
سوار جهان نامور شهریار
“'Bring forth the wage for the chief of warriors, the world-renowned mounted Monarch!'”
#41
فراوان بخندید نوشین روان
✦
که دولت جوان بود و خسرو جوان
“Noshin-Ravan laughed heartily, for his fortune was young and the King himself vibrant in youth.”
#42
چو برخاست بابک ز دیوان شاه
✦
بیامد بر نامور پیشگاه
“When Babak finished at the muster office, he stepped forward before the exalted royal throne.”
#43
بدو گفت کای شهریار بزرگ
✦
گر امروز من بنده گشتم سترگ
“He said to him: 'O great Monarch, if today your servant appeared bold and stern,'”
#44
همه در دلم راستی بود و داد
✦
درشتی نگیرد ز من شاه یاد
“'My heart was guided solely by truth and justice; let not the King hold my sternness against me.'”
#45
درشتی نمایم چو باشم درست
✦
انوشه کسی کو درشتی نجست
“'I show sternness only when upholding rectitude; blessed is he who never causes sternness to be needed!'”
#46
بدو گفت شاه ای هشیوار مرد
✦
تو هرگز ز راه درستی مگرد
“The King said to him, 'O prudent and wise man, never swerve from the path of rectitude!”
#47
تن خویش را چون محابا کنی
✦
دل راستی را همی‌بشکنی
“If you were to spare me or show me undue deference, you would break the very heart of truth and justice.'”
#48
بدین ارز تو نزد من بیش گشت
✦
دلم سوی اندیشه خویش گشت
“'By this deed, your worth has risen higher in my eyes, and my heart turned toward its own deep reflections:'”
#49
که ما در صف کار ننگ و نبرد
✦
چگونه برآریم ز آورد گرد
“'Reflecting on how we, in the ranks of honor and battle, shall raise the dust of victory upon the field!'”
#50
چنین داد پاسخ به پرمایه شاه
✦
که چون تو نبیند نگین و کلاه
“Thus answered Babak to the glorious King: 'Neither crown nor signet ring has ever beheld the likes of you!'”
#51
چو دست و عنان تو ای شهریار
✦
به ایوان ندیدست پیکرنگار
“'O Sovereign, no painter upon palace walls has ever depicted a hand and rein so noble as yours!'”
#52
به کام تو گردد سپهر بلند
✦
دلت شاد بادا تنت بی‌گزند
“'May the high heavens revolve according to your desire; may your heart be joyful, and your body free from harm!'”