The royal envoy of King Noshinravan journeyed back toward the imperial court alongside the young Bozorgmehr. As the sun reached its zenith, they arrived at a shaded grove where clear water flowed, marking the hour for rest and sustenance. Dismounting beneath the broad canopy of an ancient tree, they partook of a brief meal. Young Bozorgmehr pulled his cloak over his face and drifted into slumber. Yet his companion remained vigilant. Suddenly, the envoy's eyes fell upon a speckled black snake slithering silently from the branches. The creature drew back the sleeping boy's cloak and sniffed him intensely from head to foot, sensing the latent royal splendor and wisdom resting within him, without causing the slightest harm. As the serpent scaled the tree once more, Bozorgmehr stirred awake, prompting the mysterious creature to vanish into the leaves. Filled with awe at this divine omen, the envoy invoked the holy name of Yazdan, realizing in his heart that this extraordinary youth was destined for unmatched greatness. Resuming their journey, they soon arrived at the royal court. Presenting himself before King Noshinravan, the envoy offered praises and recounted the journey to Merv, the discovery of the brilliant child, and the wondrous sign of the serpent.
#1
رسیدند جایی کجا آب بود
✦
چو هنگامه خوردن و خواب بود
“They reached a place where water flowed, just as the time for rest and meal arrived.”
#2
به زیر درختی فرود آمدند
✦
چوچیزی بخوردند و دم بر زدند
“They dismounted beneath a tree; after eating a little, they rested.”
#3
بخفت اندران سایه بوزرجمهر
✦
یکی چادر اندرکشیده به چهر
“Buzurjmihr fell asleep in that shade, drawing a cloth over his face.”
#4
هنوز این گرانمایه بیدار بود
✦
که با او به راه اندرون یار بود
“That noble companion who traveled with him on the road was still awake.”
#5
نگه کرد و پیسه یکی مار دید
✦
که آن چادر از خفته اندر کشید
“He looked and saw a speckled snake that pulled the cloth away from the sleeper's face.”
#6
ز سر تا به پایش ببویید سخت
✦
شد ازپیش او نرم سوی درخت
“It smelled him intently from head to foot, then moved gently away toward the tree.”
#7
چو مار سیه بر سر دار شد
✦
سر کودک از خواب بیدار شد
“As the black serpent ascended the tree, the youth awoke from his sleep.”
#8
چو آن اژدها شورش او شنید
✦
بران شاخ باریک شد ناپدید
“When the serpent heard his movement, it vanished upon a slender branch.”
#9
فرستاده اندر شگفتی بماند
✦
فراوان برو نام یزدان بخواند
“The envoy was left in sheer wonder and recited the name of God over him repeatedly.”
#10
به دل گفت کین کودک هوشمند
✦
بجایی رسد در بزرگی بلند
“He said in his heart: 'This intelligent child will surely reach a place of exalted greatness.'”
#11
وزان بیشه پویان به راه آمدند
✦
خرامان به نزدیک شاه آمدند
“And setting out from that grove, they resumed their journey, marching toward the King.”
#12
فرستاده از پیش کودک برفت
✦
برتخت کسری خرامید تفت
“The envoy stepped ahead of the youth and hastened swiftly before the throne of Noshinravan.”
#13
بدو گفت کای شاه نوشین‌روان
✦
تویی خفته بیدار و دولت جوان
“He said to him: 'O King Noshinravan! You are the vigilant ruler and your fortune is forever young.'”
#14
برفتم ز درگاه شاها به مرو
✦
بگشتم چو اندر گلستان تذرو
“'I departed from your court, O King, to Merv, roaming like a pheasant in a rose garden.'”
#15
ز فرهنگیان کودکی یافتم
✦
بیاوردم و تیز بشتافتم
“'Among the scholars I found a child; I brought him and made all haste back.'”
#16
بگفت آن سخن کزلب او شنید
✦
ز مار سیاه آن شگفتی که دید
“He recounted the words he had heard from the child's lips, and the wonder of the black snake he had seen.”