When tidings of the invincible sovereign Khosrow Anushirvan reached the ears of the Khaqan of China, dread pierced his heart, and his countenance turned pale as a withered fenugreek blossom. Realizing that taking up arms against the King of Kings would bring only ignominy and ruin to his empire, he summoned his wisest counselors, mobads, and noble statesmen to seek a path of salvation. The Khaqan declared that victory could easily turn to shame unless wisdom paved the way, proposing: 'The true remedy is to dispatch envoys to the Iranian court and seek a marital alliance. Within my royal chambers dwell virtuous maidens fitted for the crown; by uniting one of them in holy matrimony with the Shah of Iran, we shall forge a bond of blood that no adversary can sever, turning hostility into lasting peace.' The assembly of sages lauded his counsel, affirming it as the sole righteous path.
Thereupon, the Khaqan unsealed the doors of his ancient treasuries, selecting gifts of gold, silver, dazzling jewels, and shimmering Chinese silks such as no mortal eyes had ever beheld. He summoned an experienced royal scribe to compose a decree upon fine Chinese silk. The letter commenced with sublime praise for the Almighty Creator—the Lord of Saturn, the Sun, and the Moon—who bestows victory and requires only truth from humanity. It extended glorious greetings to the Shah of Iran, the master of the sword, mace, and throne. The Khaqan wrote that human beings derive true nobility from sacred bonds, and that his envoys had reported the unmatched justice and Divine Glory of Khosrow's court; thus, uniting Iran and China through marriage would erase all borders and bring divine favor upon both nations.
Three distinguished, highly eloquent envoys took the sealed silk letter and the immense tribute, journeying toward the Iranian realm. Upon their arrival, King Khosrow Anushirvan received them seated upon his ivory throne, wearing the imperial crown. The Chinese ambassadors prostrated before him, offering thirty thousand gold dinars along with glittering silks and treasures, chanting praises in the Chinese tongue. The Iranian monarch commanded his minister to host them in grand quarters. At dawn the following day, Anushirvan donned his ruby crown and convened his full council of mobads and chieftains. As the silk letter was read aloud, its gentle tone of apology, praise, and goodwill filled the assembly with marvel, leading the Iranian nobles to glorify the Shah whose divine majesty had humbled the mighty Eastern lord into seeking friendship and blood lineage.
#1
چوخاقان چین آن سخنها شنید
✦
بپژمرد وشد چون گل شنبلید
“When the Khaqan of China heard those words, he withered and turned yellow like a fenugreek blossom.”
#2
دلش زان سخنها بدو نیم شد
✦
وز اندیشه مغزش پر از بیم شد
“His heart was split in two by those reports, and his mind was filled with dread and anxiety.”
#3
پراندیشه بنشست با رای‌زن
✦
چنین گفت با نامدار انجمن
“He sat full of deep thought with his counselors, and thus spoke to the noble assembly:”
#4
که ای بخردان روی این کارچیست
✦
پراندیشه وخسته ز آزار کیست
“'O wise men, what is the remedy for this matter? Who is anxious and suffering from harm?'”
#5
نباید که پیروز گشته به جنگ
✦
همه نامها بازگردد به ننگ
“'Lest having been victorious in battle, all our glory turn at last into disgrace.'”
#6
ز هرگونهٔ موبدان خواستند
✦
چپ و راست گفتند و آراستند
“They summoned mobads of every kind, who spoke from right and left and offered wise counsel.”
#7
چنین گفت خاقان که اینست راه
✦
که مردم فرستیم نزدیک شاه
“The Khaqan then said: 'This is the true path: that we send envoys to the King.'”
#8
به اندیشه در کار پیشی کنیم
✦
بسازیم با شاه وخویشی کنیم
“'Let us act with foresight in this affair; let us come to terms with the Shah and form a kin alliance.'”
#9
پس پرده ما بسی دخترست
✦
که برتارک بانوان افسرست
“'Behind my royal curtain dwell many daughters who wear crowns worthy of queens.'”
#10
یکی را به نام شهنشه کنیم
✦
ز کار وی اندیشه کوته کنیم
“'Let us betroth one to the King of Kings, and thus end all worry concerning his intentions.'”
#11
چو پیوند سازیم با او به خون
✦
نباشد کس اورا به بد رهنمون
“'When we forge a blood bond with him, no one will be able to lead him against us with evil intent.'”
#12
بدو نازش وسرفرازی بود
✦
وزو بگذری جنگ و بازی بود
“'From him we shall gain pride and honor, and war will turn into peace and play.'”
#13
ردان را پسند آمد این رای‌شاه
✦
به آواز گفتند کاین است راه
“The noble advisors approved of the King's counsel, crying out with one voice: 'This indeed is the way!'”
#14
ز لشکر سه پرمایه را برگزید
✦
که گویند و دانند پاسخ شنید
“From the army he selected three exalted men, skilled in speech and capable of discerning replies.”
#15
درگنج دینار بگشاد و گفت
✦
که گوهر چرا باید اندر نهفت
“He opened the treasure vault of gold dinars and said: 'Why should wealth remain hidden?'”
#16
اگر نام راباید و ننگ را
✦
وگر بخشش و رزم و آهنگ را
“'Whether for honor and reputation, or for generosity, war, and alliance.'”
#17
یکی هدیه‌ای ساخت کاندر جهان
✦
کسی آن ندید از کهان ومهان
“He prepared such a gift that no one in the world, high or low, had ever seen before.”
#18
دبیر جهاندیده را پیش خواند
✦
سخن هرچ بودش به دل در براند
“He summoned an experienced scribe and dictated all that was in his heart.”
#19
نخست آفرین کرد برکردگار
✦
توانا ودانا و پروردگار
“First he offered praise unto the Creator, the All-Powerful, Omniscient, and Sustainer.”
#20
خداوند کیوان و خورشید وماه
✦
خداوند پیروزی ودستگاه
“The Lord of Saturn, the Sun, and the Moon; the Lord of victory and power.”
#21
ز بنده نخواهد جز از راستی
✦
نجوید به داد اندرون کاستی
“Who seeks naught from His servant but truth, and allows no flaw in His justice.”
#22
ازو باد برشاه ایران درود
✦
خداوند شمشیر و کوپال و خود
“'From Him be blessings upon the Shah of Iran, master of the sword, mace, and helmet.'”
#23
خداوند دانایی وتاج وتخت
✦
ز پیروزگر یافته کام و بخت
“'Master of wisdom, crown, and throne, who has attained victory and good fortune from the Victorious God.'”
#24
بداند جهاندار خسرونژاد
✦
خردمند با سنگ و فرهنگ و راد
“'May the world-lord of royal lineage know—he who is wise, dignified, cultured, and noble—'”
#25
که مردم به مردم بوند ارجمند
✦
اگر چند باشد بزرگ و بلند
“'That human beings are held dear through each other, no matter how great and exalted they may be.'”
#26
فرستادگان خردمند من
✦
که بودند نزدیک پیوند من
“'My wise envoys, who are among my own relatives,'”
#27
ازان بارگه چون بدین بارگاه
✦
رسیدند وگفتند چندی ز شاه
“'When they returned from that court to this, recounted much concerning the Shah:'”
#28
ز داد وخردمندی و بخت اوی
✦
ز تاج و سرافرازی و تخت اوی
“'Of his justice, wisdom, and fortune; of his crown, glory, and royal throne.'”
#29
چنان آرزو خاست کز فر تو
✦
بباشیم در سایهٔ پر تو
“'And so the desire arose that, by your divine fortune, we might dwell beneath the shadow of your wing.'”
#30
گرامی تر از خون دل چیز نیست
✦
هنرمند فرزند با دل یکیست
“'Nothing is dearer than heart's blood; a talented child is one with the heart itself.'”
#31
یکی پاک دامن که آهسته‌تر
✦
فزون‌تر بدیدار وشایسته‌تر
“'A pure and modest maiden, modest in nature, beautiful in appearance, and most worthy,'”
#32
بخواهد ز من گر پسند آیدش
✦
همانا که این سودمند آیدش
“'If he asks her of me should she please him, surely this alliance will bring great profit.'”
#33
نباشد جدا مرز ایران ز چین
✦
فزاید ز ما درجهان آفرین
“'The borders of Iran and China shall no longer be divided, and praise unto the Creator will increase in the world.'”
#34
پس اندر نبشتند چینی حریر
✦
ببردند با مهر پیش وزیر
“Afterward, they wrote the letter on Chinese silk and brought it sealed before the minister.”
#35
سه مرد گرانمایه وچرب‌گوی
✦
گزین کرد خاقان ز خویشان اوی
“The Khaqan chose three noble and eloquent men from among his own kinsmen.”
#36
برفتند زان بارگاه بلند
✦
به ایران به نزدیک شاه ارجمند
“They departed from that exalted court bound for Iran, unto the presence of the noble Shah.”
#37
چو بشنید کسری بیاراست تاج
✦
نشست از بر خسروی تخت عاج
“When Khosrow heard of their arrival, he adorned his crown and sat upon the royal ivory throne.”
#38
سه مرد گرانمایه و هوشمند
✦
رسیدند نزدیک تخت بلند
“The three high-ranking, intelligent men arrived before the lofty throne.”
#39
سه بدره ز دینار چون سی هزار
✦
ببردند و کردند پیشش نثار
“They brought three bags of gold dinars—around thirty thousand—and scattered them before the Shah.”
#40
ز زرین و سیمین و دیبای چین
✦
درفشان‌تر ازآسمان بر زمین
“Gifts of gold, silver, and Chinese brocade, brighter than the starry heavens upon the earth.”
#41
فرستادگان را چو بنشاختند
✦
به چینی زبان آفرین ساختند
“When the envoys were seated, they offered praises in the Chinese language.”
#42
سزاوار ایشان یکی جایگاه
✦
همانگه بیاراست دستور شاه
“The King's minister at once prepared a worthy residence suitable for their station.”
#43
بگشت اندرین نیز یک شب سپهر
✦
چو برزد سر از کوه تابنده مهر
“Another night passed in the revolving heavens until the radiant sun raised its head from the mountain.”
#44
نشست از برتخت پیروز شاه
✦
ز یاقوت بنهاد بر سر کلاه
“The victorious Shah sat upon the throne and placed upon his head a crown of rubies.”
#45
بفرمود تاموبد و رای‌زن
✦
برفتند با نامدار انجمن
“He commanded the mobads and counselors to enter with the renowned assembly.”
#46
چنین گفت کان نامهٔ برحریر
✦
بیارند و بنهند پیش دبیر
“He commanded that the letter written upon silk be brought forth and laid before the royal scribe.”
#47
همه نامداران نشستند گرد
✦
خرامان بر شاه شد یزدگرد
“All the renowned nobles sat around in council, as Yazdegerd gracefully stepped forward before the King.”
#48
چو آن نامه بر شاه ایران بخواند
✦
همه انجمن در شگفتی بماند
“When he read that letter aloud unto the King of Iran, the entire assembly was left in utter astonishment.”
#49
ز بس خوبی و پوزش وآفرین
✦
که پیدا بد از گفت خاقان چین
“Such was the abundance of virtue, apology, and praise that shone clearly from the words of China's Khaqan.”
#50
همه سرفرازان پرهیزکار
✦
ستایش گرفتند برشهریار
“All the pious and exalted grandees began to offer earnest praise unto the monarch.”
#51
که یزدان سپاس و بدویم پناه
✦
که ننشست یک شاه بر پیشگاه
“Saying: 'Praise be to God, our sole refuge! For no king hath ever sat upon the throne...'”
#52
به پیروزی و فرو اورند شاه
✦
بخوبی ونرمی و پیوند شاه
“'...with such victory, divine splendor, and royal stature, seeking goodness, gentleness, and matrimonial alliance.'”
#53
همه دشمنان پیش تو بنده‌اند
✦
وگر کهتری راسرافگنده‌اند
“'All foes are but servants before thee, and if they be lesser, they bow their heads in submission.'”
#54
همه بیم زان لشکر چاج بود
✦
ز خاقان که با گنج و با تاج بود
“'Once there was constant dread of the host of Chaj, and of the Khaqan with his crown and treasure.'”
#55
به فر شهنشاه شد نیک‌خواه
✦
همی راه جوید به نزدیک شاه
“'Now, through the King's divine royal aura, he hath turned well-wisher, seeking a path to draw near the King.'”
#56
هرآنکس که دارد ز گردان خرد
✦
تن آسانی و راستی پرورد
“'Whosoever among warriors possesses wisdom shall foster ease of life and uprightness.'”
#57
چودانست خاقان که او تاو شاه
✦
ندارد به پیوند او جست راه
“'When the Khaqan realized he had not the power to withstand the King, he sought a path through alliance.'”
#58
نباید بدین کار کردن درنگ
✦
که کس را ز پیوند اونیست ننگ
“'One must not delay in this matter, for none would feel shame in an alliance with him.'”
#59
ز چین تا بخارا سپاه ویند
✦
همه مهتران نیک خواه ویند
“'From China unto Bukhara, the armies are his, and all the chieftains are his well-wishers.'”
#60
چو بشنید گفتار آن بخردان
✦
بزرگان و بیداردل موبدان
“When the King heard the words of those wise men, the grandees, and the vigilant-hearted priests...”
#61
ز بیگانه ایوان بپرداختند
✦
فرستاده را پیش بنشاختند
“...they cleared the palace hall of strangers and seated the emissary before them.”
#62
شهنشاه بسیار بنواختشان
✦
به نزدیکی تخت بنشاختشان
“The King of kings bestowed great favor upon them and bade them sit close beside the royal throne.”
#63
پیام جهاندار بگزاردند
✦
براسب سخن پای بفشاردند
“They delivered the sovereign's message, riding expertly upon the steed of eloquence.”
#64
چو بشنید شاه آن سخنهای گرم
✦
ز گردان چینی به آواز نرم
“When the King heard those warm words spoken soft-voiced by the Chinese champions...”
#65
چنین داد پاسخ که خاقان چین
✦
بزرگست و با دانش وآفرین
“He answered thus: 'The Khaqan of China is great, endowed with wisdom and praise.'”
#66
به فرزند پیوند جوید همی
✦
رخ دوستی را بشوید همی
“'He seeketh alliance through his child, thus washing clean the face of friendship.'”
#67
هرآنکس که دارد روانش خرد
✦
به چشم خرد کارها بنگرد
“'Whosoever hath wisdom in his soul beholds all matters through the eyes of wisdom.'”
#68
بسازیم و این رای فرخ نهیم
✦
سخن هرچ گفته‌ست پاسخ دهیم
“'We shall comply and deem this counsel auspicious, giving reply to all that hath been said.'”
#69
چنان باید اکنون که خاقان چین
✦
دل ماکند شاد بر به گزین
“'It must now be that the Khaqan of China gladdens our heart by letting us choose the best.'”
#70
کسی را فرستم که دارد خرد
✦
شبستان او سر به سر بنگرد
“'I shall dispatch one possessed of wisdom to inspect his inner quarters from end to end.'”
#71
یکی برگزیند که نامی ترست
✦
به خاقان چین برگرامی ترست
“'To choose the maiden who is most renowned and most dear unto the Khaqan of China.'”
#72
ببیند که تا چون بود مادرش
✦
بود از نژاد کیان گوهرش
“'To see who her mother may be, and if her inner nature stems from Kayanian stock.'”
#73
چواین کرده باشد که کردیم یاد
✦
سخن را به پیوستگی داد داد
“'Once that which we have spoken is done, full justice shall be rendered unto the marriage alliance.'”
#74
فرستادگان خواندند آفرین
✦
که از شاه شادست خاقان چین
“The envoys uttered blessings, saying: 'The Khaqan of China is joyful because of the King.'”
#75
که در پرده پوشیده رویان اوی
✦
ز دیدار آنکس نپوشند روی
“'For the veiled maidens behind his curtains shall not hide their faces from thy emissary's gaze.'”
#76
شهنشاه بشنید ز ایشان سخن
✦
برو تازه شد روزگار کهن
“When the King of kings heard these words from them, ancient times grew fresh and young again for him.”
#77
نویسندهٔ نامه را پیش خواند
✦
ز خاقان فراوان سخنها براند
“He summoned the scribe of the letter forward and spoke at great length regarding the Khaqan.”