Following his triumphs, King Anushirvan commanded the construction of a breathtaking new city modeled after the splendor of Antioch. Adorned with glittering palaces, fragrant rose gardens, broad avenues, and crystalline streams, the nobles named this earthly paradise Zib-e Khosrow—the Beauty of Khosrow. In a supreme act of royal clemency, the King ordered the heavy iron fetters removed from the feet of the Roman captives, granting them comfortable homes and broad lands within the new metropolis. He appointed a wise Christian elder to govern the city, charging him to act as a caring father to the displaced souls and rule with generosity.
Meanwhile, when word of these majestic deeds and the irresistible advance of the Persian host reached Caesar through Porphyrios, panic gripped the heart of the Roman monarch. Recognizing that Rome could not withstand Khosrow's invincible forces, Caesar summoned his sages and philosophers. They counseled him to abandon arrogance, warning that further conflict would leave Rome in ashes. Yielding to wisdom, Caesar assembled a grand embassy headed by the venerable philosopher Mehras, accompanied by sixty learned scholars, immense wealth in gold and jewels, and noble hostages.
Upon entering the presence of Khosrow, Mehras delivered an eloquent plea for peace, proclaiming that human life and wisdom far outweighed worldly riches, and that Rome submitted to the Shah's sovereign majesty. Impressed by the envoy's eloquence and humility, Khosrow accepted the embassy, established a heavy annual tribute upon Rome, and turned his imperial banners toward Syria and Jordan, leaving Shirvi-ye Bahram to manage the tribute while maintaining an empire built on both power and justice.
#1
یکی شهر فرمود نوشین روان
✦
بدو اندرون آبهای روان
“Noshinravan ordered the founding of a splendid city, within which flowed streams of crystal waters.”
#2
به کردار انطاکیه چون چراغ
✦
پر از گلشن و کاخ و میدان و باغ
“Built in the likeness of Antioch, radiant as a lamp, filled with flower gardens, palaces, broad squares, and orchards.”
#3
بزرگان روشن‌دل و شادکام
✦
ورا زیب خسرو نهادند نام
“The enlightened and joyful nobles of the realm bestowed upon it the name Zib-e Khosrow.”
#4
شد آن زیب خسرو چو خرم بهار
✦
بهشتی پر از رنگ و بوی و نگار
“Zib-e Khosrow became like a blossoming spring, a paradise filled with vibrant colors, sweet fragrance, and ornate art.”
#5
اسیران کزان شهرها بسته بود
✦
ببند گران دست و پا خسته بود
“The captives who had been bound in those conquered cities, their hands and feet weary from heavy chains,”
#6
بفرمود تا بند برداشتند
✦
بدان شهرها خوار بگذاشتند
“Were freed by the King's command, released from their bonds to inhabit this glorious new city without care.”
#7
چنین گفت کاین نوبر آورده جای
✦
همش گلشن و بوستان و سرای
“The King said: 'We have built this newly created paradise with its gardens, orchards, and noble dwellings,'”
#8
بکردیم تا هر کسی را به کام
✦
یکی جای باشد سزاوار نام
“'So that everyone according to their desire may have a worthy dwelling fit for a noble name.'”
#9
ببخشید بر هر کسی خواسته
✦
زمین چون بهشتی شد آراسته
“He bestowed riches upon everyone, until the land became adorned like the garden of paradise.”
#10
ز بس برزن و کوی و بازارگاه
✦
تو گفتی نمانده‌ست بر خاک راه
“So filled were the streets, quarters, and marketplaces, that you would say no bare dust was left upon the ground.”
#11
بیامد یکی پرسخن کفشگر
✦
چنین گفت کای شاه بیدادگر
“Then came an eloquent shoemaker who stepped forward and cried: 'O King, whom some call unjust!'”
#12
بقالینیوس اندرون خان من
✦
یکی تود بد پیش بالان من
“'In Qalliniqos, in front of my residence, there stood a mound of ash and refuse before my doorway.'”
#13
ازین زیب خسرو مرا سود نیست
✦
که بر پیش درگاه من تود نیست
“'This Zib-e Khosrow brings me no joy, for there is no familiar ash-mound before my threshold!'”
#14
بفرمود تا بر در شوربخت
✦
بکشتند شاداب چندی درخت
“The Shah smilingly commanded that right at the door of that eccentric man, several lush green trees be planted/felled to satisfy him.”
#15
یکی مرد ترسا گزین کرد شاه
✦
بدو داد فرمان و گنج و کلاه
“The Shah selected a noble Christian man, granting him command, treasury, and the crown of governorship.”
#16
بدو گفت کاین زیب خسرو تو راست
✦
غریبان و این خانه نو تو راست
“He said to him: 'This Zib-e Khosrow is now entrusted to thee; care for these strangers and this new home.'”
#17
به سان درخت برومند باش
✦
پدر باش گاهی چو فرزند باش
“'Be like a fruitful tree unto them; at times be a tender father, at times like a dutiful son.'”
#18
ببخشش بیارای و زفتی مکن
✦
بر اندازه باید ز هر در سخن
“'Adorn thy rule with generosity, avoid stinginess, and let every word be spoken with measure and wisdom.'”
#19
ز انطاکیه شاه لشکر براند
✦
جهاندیده ترسا نگهبان نشاند
“The King then led his army away from Antioch, placing that experienced Christian sage as keeper of the land.”
#20
پس آگاهی آمد ز فرفوریوس
✦
بگفت آنچ آمد بقالینیوس
“Thereupon news reached Caesar from Porphyrios, detailing what had befallen Qalliniqos.”
#21
به قیصر چنین گفت کآمد سپاه
✦
جهاندار کسری ابا پیل و گاه
“He said to Caesar: 'An army approaches! Khosrow, the lord of the world, comes with elephants and royal throne!'”
#22
سپاهست چندانک دریا و کوه
✦
همی‌گردد از گرد اسبان ستوه
“'An army vast as mountains and oceans; the very earth groans under the dust raised by their steeds.'”
#23
بگردید قیصر ز گفتار خویش
✦
بزرگان فرزانه را خواند پیش
“Caesar turned away from his former boastful words and called his wise elders and nobles before him.”
#24
ز نوشین‌روان شد دلش پر هراس
✦
همی رای زد روز و شب در سه‌پاس
“His heart grew full of dread because of Noshinravan; night and day, across every watch, he deliberated.”
#25
بدو گفت موبد که این رای نیست
✦
که با رزم کسری تو را پای نیست
“A chief Mobad said to him: 'It is unwise to stand and fight against the war-craft of Khosrow.'”
#26
برآرند ازین مرز آباد خاک
✦
شود کردهٔ قیصر اندر مغاک
“'They will turn the prosperous soil of this realm to dust, and all Caesar has built will sink into the grave.'”
#27
زوان سراینده و رای سست
✦
جز از رنج بر پادشاهی نجست
“'An eloquent tongue paired with a weak resolve yields nothing for a sovereign except grief and pain.'”
#28
چو بشنید قیصر دلش خیره گشت
✦
ز نوشین‌روان رای او تیره گشت
“When Caesar heard this counsel, his heart grew bewildered and his counsel regarding Noshinravan turned dark.”
#29
گزین کرد زان فیلسوفان روم
✦
سخن‌گوی با دانش و پاک بوم
“He selected from among the philosophers of Rome men of eloquent speech, deep knowledge, and pure heart.”
#30
به جای آمد از موبدان شست مرد
✦
به کسری شدن نامزدشان بکرد
“Sixty renowned sages were gathered and nominated to go on an embassy to Khosrow.”
#31
پیامی فرستاد نزدیک شاه
✦
گرانمایگان برگرفتند راه
“He sent a message to the King of Kings, and those illustrious envoys set out upon the road.”
#32
چو مهراس داننده‌شان پیش رو
✦
گوی در خرد پیر و سالار نو
“With wise Mehras leading them—a warrior old in wisdom yet young and vigorous in leadership.”
#33
ز هر چیز گنجی به پیش اندرون
✦
شمارش گذر کرده بر چند و چون
“Before them was carried a treasure of every precious thing, its count exceeding all measure and reckoning.”
#34
بسی لابه و پند و نیکو سخن
✦
پشیمان ز گفتارهای کهن
“With many entreaties, wise counsels, and pleasant words, expressing regret for past hostilities.”
#35
فرستاد با باژ و ساو گران
✦
گروگان ز خویشان و کنداوران
“He sent heavy tribute and taxes, along with hostages chosen from his own kinsmen and valiant warriors.”
#36
چو مهراس گفتار قیصر شنید
✦
پدید آمد آن بند بد را کلید
“When Mehras heard Caesar's message, the key to unlocking that dire plight revealed itself.”
#37
رسیدند نزدیک نوشین‌روان
✦
چو الماس کرده زبان با روان
“They reached Noshinravan, their tongues made as sharp and flawless as diamond with high resolve.”
#38
چو مهراس نزدیک کسری رسید
✦
برومی یکی آفرین گسترید
“When Mehras arrived before Khosrow, he offered a magnificent praise in the Roman tongue.”
#39
تو گفتی ز تیزی وز راستی
✦
ستاره برآرد همی زآستی
“So eloquent and upright was his speech, you would say he drew down stars from his sleeve.”
#40
به کسری چنین گفت کای شهریار
✦
جهان را بدین ارجمندی مدار
“He said to Khosrow: 'O Sovereign! Hold not the world so cheap in pursuit of endless conquest!'”
#41
برومی تو اکنون و ایران تهیست
✦
همه مرز بی‌ارز و بی‌فرهیست
“'Thou art now in Rome and Iran is emptied; a borderland left without wealth and splendor.'”
#42
هران گه که قیصر نباشد بروم
✦
نسنجد به یک پشه این مرز و بوم
“'Whenever Caesar is absent from Rome, this land is not worth a single gnat.'”
#43
همه سودمندی ز مردم بود
✦
چو او گم شود مردمی گم بود
“'All benefit comes from people; when people perish, humanity itself is lost.'”
#44
گر این رستخیز از پی خواستست
✦
که آزرم و دانش بدو کاستست
“'If this strife is for the sake of wealth, then reverence and wisdom have diminished before greed.'”
#45
بیاوردم اکنون همه گنج روم
✦
که روشن‌روان بهتر از گنج و بوم
“'I have now brought all the treasures of Rome, for an enlightened spirit is far better than gold and land.'”
#46
چو بشنید زو این سخن شهریار
✦
دلش گشت خرم چو باغ بهار
“When the monarch heard these words from him, his heart grew joyous like a spring garden.”
#47
پذیرفت زو هرچ آورده بود
✦
اگر بدرهٔ زر و گر برده بود
“He accepted all that had been brought, whether bags of gold or captive slaves.”
#48
فرستادگان را ستایش گرفت
✦
بران نیکویها فزایش گرفت
“He began to bestow praise upon the envoys, and added even more to those favors.”
#49
بدو گفت کای مرد روشن خرد
✦
نبرده کسی کو خرد پرورد
“He said to him, "O man of luminous intellect, no one who nurtures wisdom is ever defeated."”
#50
اگر زر گردد همه خاک روم
✦
تو سنگی‌تری زان سرافزار بوم
“"Even if all the soil of Rome were turned to gold, you are a gem more precious from that noble realm."”
#51
نهادند بر روم بر باژ و ساو
✦
پراگنده دینار ده چرم گاو
“They imposed tribute and taxes upon Rome: ten ox-hides filled with scattered gold coins.”
#52
وزان جایگه نالهٔ گاودم
✦
شنیدند و آواز رویینه خم
“And from that place resounded the sound of the bull-horn trumpet and the echo of the brass drums.”
#53
جهاندار بیدار لشکر براند
✦
به شام آمد و روزگاری بماند
“The vigilant ruler marched his army forth; he arrived in Syria and dwelt there for a time.”
#54
بیاورد چندان سلیح و سپاه
✦
همان برده و بدره و تاج و گاه
“He brought forth so many weapons and soldiers, as well as captives, gold bags, crowns, and thrones,”
#55
که پشت زمی را همی‌داد خم
✦
ز پیلان وز گنجهای درم
“That the back of the earth bowed under the weight of the elephants and the treasuries of silver.”
#56
ازان مرز چون رفتن آمدش رای
✦
به شیروی بهرام بسپرد جای
“When he decided to depart from that territory, he entrusted the realm to Shiruy, son of Bahram.”
#57
بدو گفت کاین باژ قیصر بخواه
✦
مکن هیچ سستی به روز و به ماه
“He said to him, "Demand this tribute from Caesar, and show no weakness by day or by month."”
#58
ببوسید شیروی روی زمین
✦
همی‌خواند بر شهریار آفرین
“Shiruy kissed the ground before him and offered praises upon the ruler,”
#59
که بیدار دل باش و پیروزبخت
✦
مگر داد زرد این کیانی درخت
“Saying, "May you remain vigilant and victorious, for this Kayanian tree has borne the fruit of justice."”
#60
تبیره برآمد ز درگاه شاه
✦
سوی اردن آمد درفش سپاه
“The war-drums resounded from the king's threshold, and the royal banner moved toward the Jordan.”
#61
جهاندار کسری چو خورشید بود
✦
جهان را ازو بیم و امید بود
“The world-ruler Khosrow was like the sun; from him the world held both fear and hope.”
#62
برین سان رود آفتاب سپهر
✦
به یک دست شمشیر و یک دست مهر
“In such wise moves the sun of the heavens: with a sword in one hand and mercy in the other.”
#63
نه بخشایش آرد به هنگام خشم
✦
نه خشم آیدش روز بخشش به چشم
“He shows no mercy in times of wrath, nor does anger cross his eyes on the day of bestowing gifts.”
#64
چنین بود آن شاه خسرونژاد
✦
بیاراسته بد جهان را بداد
“Such was that king of Khosrow's lineage; he had adorned the world with righteousness and justice.”