In time, sickness laid its heavy hand upon King May, filling the heart of his loving queen with anguish. Before two weeks had passed, May departed this mortal realm in sorrow, leaving the earthly kingdom behind. The people and lords of Sandali broke into bitter lamentation, their hearts burning with grief. For a full month they remained in mourning, until at the month’s end the entire army, along with the nobles, champions, and wise counselors of the realm, assembled to decide the future.
As debate arose concerning the succession, a sagacious elder stepped forward and declared: 'This queen, born of the royal line of King Jomhur, has ever turned her face away from evil. In all her days beside her husband, she sought nothing save truth and justice; her bloodline is the very foundation of righteousness. It is most fitting that she assume the crown and rule, remaining a living monument to our departed lords.'
The assembly agreed wholeheartedly and dispatched an envoy to the noble queen, urging her to take the throne on behalf of her two sons until they were old enough to govern. Once they reached maturity and proved worthy, she could hand over the treasures, host, and governance, while remaining their revered guide, consoler, and chief advisor.
Upon hearing their plea, the fortunate queen accepted the mantle, adorned the throne, and set the crown upon her head. Under her reign of justice, wisdom, and refinement, the kingdom flourished, and joy returned to all lands. She selected two pure-minded, worldly-wise Mobads of immense virtue to tutor her two high-born sons. The tutors never left their side, nurturing them until the young princes grew powerful, knowledgeable, and accomplished in every science.
As time wore on, each son would secretly visit their pious mother away from his brother, asking: 'Which of us is more worthy, more fitting of heart, and destined to inherit the realm, the crown, and the throne?' The prudent mother answered each with deep wisdom, saying: 'Whichever of you excels in wisdom, counsel, piety, religion, and eloquent virtue shall reign. The throne belongs to you; yours are the art, the fortune, and the judgment.' Thus she spoke to the other brother in equal measure, keeping the hearts of both princes joyful, hopeful, and content.
#1
پس از چند گه مای بیمار شد
✦
دل زن برو پر ز تیمار شد
“After some time, May fell gravely ill, and his wife's heart was consumed with sorrow for him.”
#2
دوهفته برآمد به زاری بمرد
✦
برفت وجهان دیگری را سپرد
“Two weeks passed in sorrow before he died; he departed and yielded this realm to another.”
#3
همه سندلی زار و گریان شدند
✦
ز درد دل مای بریان شدند
“All the people of Sandali wept and wailed, their inner hearts burning with the pain of May's loss.”
#4
نشستند یک ماه باسوگ شاه
✦
سرماه یک سر بیامد سپاه
“For one full month they sat in mourning for the king; at month's end, the army gathered together as one.”
#5
همه نامداران وگردان شهر
✦
هرآنکس که او را خرد بود بهر
“All the grandees and champions of the city, every person who possessed a share of wisdom,”
#6
سخن رفت هرگونه بر انجمن
✦
چنین گفت فرزانه‌ای رای‌زن
“Diverse discourse took place in that assembly, until a wise advisor spoke thus:”
#7
که این زن که از تخم جمهور بود
✦
همیشه ز کردار بد دور بود
“'This woman, who springs from the royal seed of Jomhur, has ever stayed far from evil deeds.”
#8
همه راستی خواستی نزد شوی
✦
نبود ایچ تابود جز دادجوی
“She sought nothing but truth beside her husband; throughout her life she sought only justice.”
#9
نژادیست این ساخته داد را
✦
همه راستی را و بنیاد را
“Her bloodline is fashioned for equity, built entirely upon truth and righteousness.”
#10
همان به که این زن بود شهریار
✦
که او ماند زین مهتران یادگار
“It is best that this woman be our monarch, to endure as a living legacy of these noble lords.'”
#11
زگفتار او رام گشت انجمن
✦
فرستاده شد نزد آن پاک تن
“The council was won over by his speech, and an envoy was dispatched to that virtuous queen,”
#12
که تخت دو فرزند را خود بگیر
✦
فزاینده کاریست این ناگزیر
“Urging her to take the throne of her two sons—an essential step that brings increase.”
#13
چوفرزند گردد سزاوار گاه
✦
بدو ده بزرگی و گنج و سپاه
“'When the child becomes worthy of the throne, relinquish to him the glory, the treasury, and the host.”
#14
ازان پس هم آموزگارش تو باش
✦
دلارام و دستور و رایش تو باش
“And thereafter, remain his preceptor, his comfort, minister, and guide.'”
#15
به گفتار ایشان زن نیک بخت
✦
بیفراخت تاج و بیاراست تخت
“At their council, the fortunate lady raised the crown and adorned the throne of rule.”
#16
فزونی وخوبی وفرهنگ وداد
✦
همه پادشاهی بدو گشت شاد
“Abundance, virtue, culture, and justice flourished, and the whole kingdom rejoiced under her.”
#17
دوموبد گزین کرد پاکیزه‌رای
✦
هنرمند و گیتی سپرده به پای
“She selected two noble-minded Mobads, gifted in wisdom and experienced in the ways of the world.”
#18
بدیشان سپرد آن دو فرزند را
✦
دو مهتر نژاد خردمند را
“To them she entrusted her two sons—two wise offspring of exalted blood.”
#19
نبودند ز ایشان جدا یک زمان
✦
بدیدار ایشان شده شادمان
“The tutors were never separated from them for an instant, delighting in their presence.”
#20
چو نیرو گرفتند و دانا شدند
✦
بهر دانشی بر توانا شدند
“When the boys grew strong and learned, attaining mastery in every branch of knowledge,”
#21
زمان تا زمان یک ز دیگر جدا
✦
شدندی برمادر پارسا
“From time to time, each would go separately to their virtuous mother,”
#22
که ازماکدامست شایسته‌تر
✦
به دل برتر و نیز بایسته‌تر
“Asking: 'Which of us is more worthy, more exalted in heart, and more fitting to rule?'”
#23
چنین گفت مادر به هر دو پسر
✦
که تا از شما باکه یابم هنر
“Thus the mother spoke to both sons: 'Whichever of you reveals true virtue and merit—'”
#24
خردمندی ورای و پرهیز و دین
✦
زبان چرب و گوینده و بآفرین
“'Wisdom, sound judgment, piety, religion, an eloquent tongue, and praiseworthy words.”
#25
چودارید هر دو ز شاهی نژاد
✦
خرد باید و شرم و پرهیز وداد
“Since both of you possess royal lineage, you must have wisdom, modesty, restraint, and justice.'”
#26
چوتنها شدی سوی مادر یکی
✦
چنین هم سخن راندی اندکی
“When one came alone before the mother, he would speak in like manner:”
#27
که از ما دو فرزند کشور کراست
✦
به شاهی و این تخت و افسرکراست
“'Which of us two sons owns the realm? To whom belong royalty, throne, and crown?'”
#28
بدو مام گفتی که تخت آن تست
✦
هنرمندی و رای و بخت آن تست
“The mother would answer him: 'The throne is yours; art, counsel, and good fortune belong to you.'”
#29
به دیگر پسرهم ازینسان سخن
✦
همی‌راندی تا سخن شد کهن
“She spoke in the selfsame manner to the other son, continuing thus until time rolled on.”
#30
دل هرد وان شاد کردی به تخت
✦
به گنج وسپاه وبنام و به بخت
“She gladdened the hearts of both with hopes of the throne, wealth, army, renown, and fortune.”