When Shah Anushirvan reflected upon his past harshness toward the sage Bozorgmehr, his face grew pale with remorse and his brow furrowed in sorrow. Grieved that he had repaid steadfast loyalty with cold severity, the King of Iran sought to heal the rift by filling the minister's mouth with precious pearls. Observing the monarch's pained spirit and withered countenance, Bozorgmehr raised his voice in comforting wisdom. He recounted the mysterious events—the black bird, the hidden jewel in the armlet, and the true meaning of the royal dream—reassuring the Shah that all which had transpired was predestined by the heavens. He noted that sorrow over past fates serves no purpose, for whether one is a Shah, a Mobad, or Bozorgmehr himself, all must bow before the destiny stamped by Yazdan upon the stars. Wishing Anushirvan eternal joy, Bozorgmehr gently reminded him that while a king's domain is war, hunting, justice, and royal banquets, the daunting burden of managing the realm's treasury, army, and administration falls upon the soul of his wise counselor.
#1
شهنشاه رخساره بی‌تاب کرد
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دهانش پر از در خوشاب کرد
“The King of Kings grew restless in countenance and filled his mouth with fine pearls.”
#2
ز کار گذشته دلش تنگ شد
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بپیچید و رویش پر آژنگ شد
“His heart grew heavy over past deeds; he writhed in sorrow, his face lined with anguish.”
#3
که با او چرا کرد چندان جفا
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ازان پس کزو دید مهر و وفا
“He lamented why he had dealt so harshly with him, after witnessing nothing but love and loyalty.”
#4
چو دانا رخ شاه پژمرده یافت
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روانش به درد اندر آزرده یافت
“When the wise counselor found the King's face withered and his soul pained with sorrow,”
#5
برآورد گوینده راز از نهفت
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گذشته همه پیش کسری بگفت
“The speaker of secrets brought forth hidden truths and recounted all past events before Kasra.”
#6
ازان بند بازوی و مرغ سیاه
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از اندیشه گوهر و خواب شاه
“He spoke of the armlet, the black bird, the nature of the gem, and the interpretation of the Shah's dream.”
#7
بدو گفت کاین بودنی کار بود
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ندارد پشیمانی و درد سود
“He said to him: 'This was an fated matter; regret and grief are now of no avail.'”
#8
چو آرد بد و نیک رای سپهر
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چه شاه و چه موبد چه بوزرجمهر
“When the revolving sky brings good or evil, it matters not whether one is Shah, Mobad, or Bozorgmehr.”
#9
ز تخمی که یزدان به اختر بکشت
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ببایدش بر تارک ما نبشت
“Whatever seed God plants in the stars must inevitably be written upon our foreheads.”
#10
دل شاه نوشین‌روان شاد باد
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همیشه ز درد و غم آزاد باد
“May the heart of King Noshin-Ravan be ever glad, and forever free from pain and grief!”
#11
اگر چند باشد سرافراز شاه
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به دستور گردد دلارای گاه
“Though the Shah is exalted on his throne, the realm is adorned through the wise counselor.”
#12
شکارست کار شهنشاه و رزم
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می و شادی و بخشش و داد و بزم
“The monarch's domain is hunting, combat, wine, joy, bestowal, justice, and royal banquets.”
#13
بداند که شاهان چه کردند پیش
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بورزد بدان هم نشان رای خویش
“He should know the deeds of former kings and shape his judgment according to their path.”
#14
ز آگندن گنج و رنج سپاه
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ز آزرم گفتار وز دادخواه
“Regarding the gathering of treasures, the hardships of the host, polite speech, and justice-seekers...”
#15
دل و جان دستور باشد به رنج
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ز اندیشهٔ کدخدایی و گنج
“The heart and soul of the advisor are ever burdened with the anxiety of governance and the treasury.”