On a fine day, Kasra Nushin-Ravan set forth from the royal capital of Ctesiphon to pursue game across the wilderness. He galloped across the wide plains in pursuit of wild sheep and gazelles until the beasts scattered and fatigue weighed heavily upon the king. Leaving the arid waste behind, he happened upon a lush and shadowy meadow filled with verdant trees and sweet grasses. Beside him rode his faithful and wise counselor, Bozorjmehr, bound to his sovereign by both duty and profound affection.
Seeking respite, the Shah dismounted gracefully to rest his weary eyes upon the green foliage. As his army and attendants dispersed across the surrounding terrain in pursuit of game, the king lay down upon the soft meadow and fell into a deep, untroubled sleep.
As he slept, the sleeve slipped from his arm, exposing a magnificent armlet encrusted with precious jewels. From high above the clouds, a dark and mysterious black bird swooped down, landing directly beside the king’s pillow. Seeing the sleeping monarch unwatched and the glinting gems bare before it, the bird tore open the seams of the armlet with its beak. One by one, it swallowed the brilliant pearls and gleaming yellow rubies, then took flight and vanished into the skies.
Watching this grim spectacle, Bozorjmehr was filled with sorrow and foreboding. The sage vizier recognized the omen: the turning heavens were signaling a descent into hardship, and time itself was preparing to reveal its deceptive and terrifying nature.
#1
چنان بد که کسری بدان روزگار
✦
برفت از مداین ز بهر شکار
“It came to pass that in those days Kasra rode forth from Ctesiphon to hunt.”
#2
همی‌تاخت با غرم و آهو به دشت
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پراگند شد غرم و او مانده گشت
“He galloped across the plain after mountain sheep and gazelles, until the game scattered and he grew spent.”
#3
ز هامون بر مرغزاری رسید
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درخت و گیا دید و هم سایه دید
“From the open desert he came upon a lush meadow, beholding trees, green herbs, and soothing shade.”
#4
همی‌راند با شاه بوزرجمهر
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ز بهر پرستش هم از بهر مهر
“Beside the Shah rode Bozorjmehr, filled with loyalty and deep affection.”
#5
فرود آمد از بارگی شاه نرم
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بدان تا کند برگیا چشم گرم
“The King dismounted gently from his horse to soothe his eyes upon the verdant grass.”
#6
ندید از پرستندگان هیچکس
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یکی خوب رخ ماند با شاه بس
“None of his attendants were to be seen; only a fair companion remained close by the King.”
#7
بغلتید چندی بران مرغزار
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نهاده سرش مهربان برکنار
“He rested for a time upon that meadow, laying his head down affectionately.”
#8
همیشه ببازوی آن شاه بر
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یکی بند بازو بدی پرگهر
“Upon that King’s arm there was ever bound an armlet richly set with jewels.”
#9
برهنه شد از جامه بازوی او
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یکی مرغ رفت از هوا سوی او
“His sleeve slipped, exposing his bare arm, and a bird flew down from the air toward him.”
#10
فرود آمد از ابر مرغ سیاه
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ز پرواز شد تا ببالین شاه
“Down from the clouds descended a black bird, gliding down until it alighted at the King’s pillow.”
#11
ببازو نگه کرد وگوهر بدید
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کسی را به نزدیک او برندید
“It looked at the arm and saw the shining gems, discerning no one standing watch near him.”
#12
همه لشکرش گرد آن مرغزار
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همی‌گشت هرکس ز بهر شکار
“His entire army was scattered around the meadow, each man ranging far in search of game.”
#13
همان شاه تنها بخواب اندرون
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نه بر گرد او بر کسی رهنمون
“Thus the King lay alone in slumber, with no guardian or guide close around him.”
#14
چومرغ سیه بند بازو بدید
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سر درز آن گوهران بردرید
“When the black bird saw the jeweled armlet, it tore open the seams holding the gems.”
#15
چو بدرید گوهر یکایک بخورد
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همان در خوشاب و یاقوت زرد
“Having torn it open, it swallowed the jewels one by one—the lustrous pearls and yellow rubies.”
#16
بخورد و ز بالین او بر پرید
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همانگه ز دیدار شد ناپدید
“Having devoured them, it flew up from his pillow and instantly vanished from sight.”
#17
دژم گشت زان کار بوزرجمهر
✦
فروماند از کارگردان سپهر
“Bozorjmehr grew deeply sorrowful at that deed, left bewildered by the mysteries of the revolving sky.”
#18
بدانست کآمد بتنگی نشیب
✦
زمانه بگیرد فریب و نهیب
“He knew that a sharp decline was at hand, and that Time would soon bring deceit and terror.”