Following the arrival of the Roman envoy and the sealed riddle sent by Caesar, the young sage Bozorgmehr stepped forward in the magnificent court of King Khosrow Noshirvan. Addressing the Shah of Iran, he offered high praise, wishing that the royal glory might shine as long as the heavens endure. Sustained by the power of Yazdan, who had endowed his spirit with truth and discernment, Bozorgmehr boldly declared that he would reveal the casket’s hidden secrets without so much as touching its lock or seal. Though the physical eye might grow dim, he proclaimed, an illuminated heart armored with wisdom preserves the soul from error.
Delight filled Noshirvan’s heart, and his mind was eased of all worry. He immediately summoned the Roman ambassador and bade the chief Magi and councilors to assemble around the locked vessel. The Roman envoy stepped forth and delivered Caesar's terms: 'The King of Iran is blessed with divine radiance, wisdom, and sovereign power. Let the enlightened scholars of his court declare what lies hidden beneath this seal. If they discern the truth, Rome shall faithfully render annual tribute; but if they fail, no further tribute shall cross our borders.'
Upon hearing the ambassador's challenge, Bozorgmehr offered devout praise to the Almighty Lord of the sun and moon, declaring that God alone holds absolute power and knowledge. He then unraveled the mystery before the astonished assembly: 'Enclosed within this casket, wrapped in fine silk, rest three luminous pearls—the first fully pierced, the second half-pierced, and the third completely untouched by iron.' When the Roman sage produced the key and unlocked the casket, the hidden silk box was revealed, containing the three pearls exactly as Bozorgmehr had foretold. Shouts of praise erupted throughout the hall, as the Magi and court nobles showered the young prodigy with blessings and gems.
#1
پس از روم و قیصر زبان برگشاد
✦
همی‌کرد زان قفل و زان درج یاد
“Afterwards, he spoke of Rome and Caesar, recalling the locked casket and its mystery.”
#2
به شاه جهان گفت بوزرجمهر
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که تابان بدی تا بتابد سپهر
“Bozorgmehr addressed the King of the World: 'May you shine as long as the heavens rotate!'”
#3
یکی انجمن درج در پیش شاه
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به پیش بزرگان جوینده راه
“'A sealed casket is brought before the King, in the presence of noble seekers of truth.'”
#4
به نیروی یزدان که اندیشه داد
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روان مرا راستی پیشه داد
“'By the power of Yazdan who granted thought and made righteousness the practice of my soul,'”
#5
بگویم به دَرج اندرون هرچ هست
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نسایم بران قفل وآن درج دست
“'I shall declare everything that lies inside the casket, without touching hand to its lock or lid.'”
#6
اگر تیره شد چشم، دل روشن است
✦
روان را ز دانش همی جوشن است
“'Though physical eyes grow dark, the heart remains bright, for knowledge serves as armor to the soul.'”
#7
ز گفتار او شاد شد شهریار
✦
دلش تازه شد چون گل اندر بهار
“The King was gladdened by his speech, his heart turning fresh like a blossom in spring.”
#8
ز اندیشه شد شاه را پشت راست
✦
فرستاده و درج را پیش خواست
“The King stood straight with renewed confidence and called for the envoy and the casket.”
#9
همه موبدان وردان را بخواند
✦
بسی دانشی پیش دانا نشاند
“He summoned all the chief Magi and wise priests, seating many learned scholars before the sage.”
#10
ازان پس فرستاده را گفت شاه
✦
که پیغام بگزار و پاسخ بخواه
“Then the King said to the Roman envoy: 'Deliver your message and demand your answer.'”
#11
چو بشنید رومی زبان برگشاد
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سخن‌های قیصر همه کرد یاد
“Hearing this, the Roman envoy spoke and recalled all the words of Caesar:”
#12
که گفت از جهاندار پیروز جنگ
✦
خرد باید و دانش و نام و ننگ
“'He said that from the victorious ruler of the world, wisdom, knowledge, honor, and pride are expected.'”
#13
تو را فر و برز جهاندار هست
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بزرگی و دانایی و زور دست
“'You possess the divine glory and stature of a ruler, alongside greatness, wisdom, and strength of arm.'”
#14
همان بخرد و موبد راه‌جوی
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گو بر منش کو بود شاه جوی
“'As well as wise councilors and path-seeking Magi, and noble-minded heroes who seek the King's goodwill.'”
#15
همه پاک در بارگاه تواند
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وگر در جهان نیک‌خواه تواند
“'They are all pure in your court and are your well-wishers throughout the world.'”
#16
همین درج با قفل و مهر و نشان
✦
ببینند بیدار دل سرکشان
“'Let these vigilant and noble leaders examine this casket with its lock, seal, and mark.'”
#17
بگویند روشن که زیر نهفت
✦
چه چیزست وآن با خرد هست جفت
“'And clearly state what lies concealed beneath, matching their wisdom to the truth.'”
#18
فرستیم زین پس به تو باژ و ساو
✦
که این مرز دارند با باژ تاو
“'If so, we shall henceforth send you tribute and taxes, for this realm has the strength to yield tribute.'”
#19
وگر باز مانند ازین مایه چیز
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نخواهند ازین مرزها باژ نیز
“'But if they fail to reveal such a thing, you shall no longer demand tribute from our lands.'”
#20
چو دانا ز گوینده پاسخ شنید
✦
زبان برگشاد آفرین گسترید
“When the wise sage heard the envoy's reply, he opened his mouth and offered high praise:”
#21
که همواره شاه جهان شاد باد
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سخن‌دان و با بخت و با داد باد
“'May the King of the World forever remain joyful, eloquent, prosperous, and just!'”
#22
سپاس از خداوند خورشید و ماه
✦
روان را به دانش نماینده راه
“'Praise be to the Lord of the sun and moon, who guides the soul along the path of wisdom!'”
#23
نداند جز او آشکارا و راز
✦
به دانش مرا آز و او بی‌نیاز
“'None knows the manifest and secret save Him; my yearning is for knowledge, while He is self-sufficient.'”
#24
سه دُرست رخشان به درج اندرون
✦
غلافش بود ز آنچ گفتم برون
“'Three brilliant pearls lie inside the casket; their covering matches what I describe outside.'”
#25
یکی سفته و دیگری نیم سفت
✦
دگر آنک آهن ندیده‌ست جفت
“'One is fully pierced, another half-pierced, and the third has never met the iron tool.'”
#26
چو بشنید دانای رومی کلید
✦
بیاورد و نوشین‌روان بنگرید
“When the Roman sage heard this, he brought forth the key, and Noshirvan looked on.”
#27
نهفته یکی حقه بُد در میان
✦
به حقه درون پردهٔ پرنیان
“Inside the casket was a hidden box, and within that box lay a layer of fine silk.”
#28
سه گوهر بدان حقه اندر نهفت
✦
چنان هم که دانای ایران بگفت
“Three gems were concealed within that box, precisely as the wise sage of Iran had foretold.”
#29
نخستین ز گوهر یکی سفته بود
✦
دوم نیم سفت و سیم نابسود
“The first gem was pierced through, the second half-pierced, and the third completely untouched.”
#30
همه موبدان آفرین خواندند
✦
بدان دانشی گوهر افشاندند
“All the Magi sang praises, showering jewels upon that man of supreme wisdom.”