As the Iranian vanguards returned from the edge of the defensive trench, they heralded the arrival of the Roman Caesar's envoy, coming with a heavy heart and seeking royal clemency. The ambassador entered the imperial court accompanied by forty wise Roman philosophers. Upon beholding the glorious crown, throne, and towering majesty of Khosrow Anushirvan, a cold breath escaped the envoy's chest, recognizing that such supreme kingship was indeed worthy of the monarch. The Romans proffered thirty thousand gold dinars as tribute to the sovereign, yet trembled like leaves before the stern radiance of the Shahanshah. Khosrow, displaying magnanimity, comforted them and assigned them an honorable lodging. The chief envoy then spoke, explaining that the new Caesar was a inexperienced youth whose father had passed away, unversed in the subtleties of statecraft and the ways of the world. He pleaded that Iran and Rome should not be rent asunder by warfare, reminding Khosrow that all monarchs—from the Khaqan of China to the King of India—revere the Persian throne. Khosrow smiled at the envoy's artful rhetoric, replying that if the Caesar was indeed a youth, his seasoned advisors should not have lacked wisdom; for whoever breaches solemn covenants shall see their prosperous realm reduced to ash. The envoys kissed the dust of the threshold, offering ten cow-hides filled to the brim with gold dinars and accepting whatever terms the King decreed. Khosrow entrusted the detailed accounting to his chief minister, who demanded an additional annual tribute of one thousand gold-woven silk garments to serve as royal robes of honor. The terms settled, the envoys bowed in gratitude. Shahanshah Khosrow appointed a trusted scribe-warrior to oversee the collection of Rome's tribute and set out with his triumphant army toward Ctesiphon. The host marched with silk banners fluttering, jewel-encrusted belts, and golden harnesses, turning the vast plains into a glittering field of light. As the monarch approached the capital, the grandees, commanders, and common folk dismounted, walking on foot to offer praise and blessings upon their righteous king. Following his grand return, the epic pauses for reflection upon the inexorable wheel of time and the transience of mortal life—a fleeting inn where high fortune and deep abysses fade into the dark earth. Here, the venerable poet, having crossed sixty-one years of age, offers a heartfelt prayer to the Almighty for enough time and vitality to complete this grand historic chronicle from the ancient Kayanian monarchs down to Yazdegerd, creating an immortal garden of words for generations to come.
#1
طلایه چو گشت از لب کنده باز
✦
بیامد بر شاه گردن فراز
“When the vanguard returned from the edge of the trench, he came before the proud and exalted King.”
#2
که پیغمبر قیصر آمد بشاه
✦
پر از درد و پوزش کنان از گناه
“He reported that the envoy of Caesar had arrived before the Shah, full of sorrow and seeking pardon for his fault.”
#3
فرستاده آمد همانگه دوان
✦
نیایش کنان پیش نوشین روان
“The messenger hastily entered, bowing down in homage before Noshirvan.”
#4
چو رومی سر تاج کسری بدید
✦
یکی باد سرد از جگر برکشید
“When the Roman envoy beheld the crown and throne of Khosrow, he drew a cold sigh from his breast.”
#5
به دل گفت کینت سزاوار گاه
✦
بشاهی ومردی وچندین سپاه
“He said to his heart: 'Verily, this king alone is worthy of the throne, of sovereignty, of valour, and of such mighty hosts!'”
#6
وزان فیلسوفان رومی چهل
✦
زبان برگشادند پر باد دل
“And forty Roman philosophers opened their mouths to speak, their hearts filled with deep sighs.”
#7
ز دینار با هرکسی سی هزار
✦
نثار آوریده بر شهریار
“Bringing thirty thousand dinars for each man as tribute to shower upon the monarch.”
#8
چو دیدند رنگ رخ شهریار
✦
برفتند لرزان و پیچان چومار
“When they observed the stern face of the Shahanshah, they went forward trembling and twisting like serpents.”
#9
شهنشاه چون دید بنواختشان
✦
به آیین یکی جایگه ساختشان
“The King of kings, seeing their plight, showed them grace and assigned them a place of honor according to custom.”
#10
چنین گفت گوینده پیشرو
✦
که ای شاه قیصر جوانست و نو
“The leader of the spokesmen thus addressed the King: 'O Shah, the young Caesar is new to the throne.'”
#11
پدر مرده و ناسپرده جهان
✦
نداند همی آشکار و نهان
“'His father has passed away, and he has not yet traversed the ways of the world; he knows neither the manifest nor the hidden.'”
#12
همه سر به سر باژدار توایم
✦
پرستار و در زینهار توایم
“'We are all, from first to last, your tribute-payers, your servants, and under your royal protection.'”
#13
تو را روم ایران و ایران چو روم
✦
جدایی چرا باید این مرز و بوم
“'To you, Rome is as Iran and Iran as Rome; why should these two realms be kept apart?'”
#14
خرد در زمانه شهنشاه راست
✦
وزو داشت قیصر همی‌پشت راست
“'Wisdom in this world belongs truly to the King of kings, and Caesar leans upon his council for support.'”
#15
چه خاقان چینی چه در هند شاه
✦
یکایک پرستند این تاج و گاه
“'Be it the Khaqan of China or the ruler of India, all pay homage to this sublime crown and throne.'”
#16
اگر کودکی نارسیده بجای
✦
سخن گفت بی‌دانش و رهنمای
“'If an unripened youth has spoken words lacking wisdom and without a wise guide,'”
#17
ندارد شهنشاه ازو کین و درد
✦
که شادست ازو گنبد لاژورد
“'Let not the King of kings harbour anger or grudge against him, for the azure vault of heaven is rejoiced by your justice.'”
#18
همان باژ روم آنچ بود از نخست
✦
سپاریم و عهدی بتازه درست
“'We shall yield the customary tribute of Rome as of old, and seal a firm and renewed treaty.'”
#19
بخندید نوشین روان زان سخن
✦
که مرد فرستاده افگند بن
“Noshirvan smiled at those words, recognizing how cleverly the envoy had laid the foundation of his plea.”
#20
بدو گفت اگر نامور کودکست
✦
خرد با سخن نزد او اندکست
“He said to him: 'If your famous king is a child, then wisdom is scarce in his counsel and speech.'”
#21
چه قیصر چه آن بی خرد رهنمون
✦
ز دانش روان را گرفته زبون
“'Be it Caesar or his foolish advisor, their souls have been overcome and bound by ignorance.'”
#22
همه هوشمندان اسکندری
✦
گرفتند پیروزی و برتری
“'All the wise men of Alexander's line won victory and pre-eminence through wisdom.'”
#23
کسی کو بگردد ز پیمان ما
✦
بپیچید دل از رای و فرمان ما
“'Whoever turns away from our covenant has turned his heart away from counsel and order.'”
#24
از آباد بومش بر آریم خاک
✦
زگنج و ز لشکر نداریم باک
“'We shall turn the dust of his prosperous land into ruin, fearing neither his treasures nor his armies.'”
#25
فرستادگان خاک دادند بوس
✦
چنانچون بود مردم چابلوس
“The envoys kissed the ground, as flatterers are wont to do,”
#26
که ای شاه پیروز برترمنش
✦
ز کار گذشته مکن سرزنش
“Saying: 'O victorious and exalted King, reproach us not for what is already past!'”
#27
همه سر به سر خاک رنج توایم
✦
همه پاسبانان گنج توایم
“'We are all the dust beneath your feet in your toil, and all of us are guardians of your treasury.'”
#28
چوخشنود گردد ز ما شهریار
✦
نباشیم ناکام و بد روزگار
“'When the King is well-pleased with us, we shall not suffer ill fortune or discontent.'”
#29
ز رنجی که ایدر شهنشاه برد
✦
همه رومیان آن ندارند خرد
“'For the trouble the King of kings bore here, all the Romans lack the mind to measure its worth.'”
#30
ز دینار پرکرده ده چرم گاو
✦
به گنج آوریم از درباژ وساو
“'Ten hides of bull-leather filled with dinars shall we bring to your treasury as tribute and tax.'”
#31
بکمی وبیشیش فرمان رواست
✦
پذیرد ز ما گرچه آن ناسزاست
“'In whatever amount, small or great, your command holds sway; accept it from us, though it be unworthy of your throne.'”
#32
چنین داد پاسخ که ازکار گنج
✦
سزاوار دستور باشد به رنج
“The Shah answered thus: 'As for the treasury matters, it is fitting that the High Minister take up the toil.'”
#33
همه رومیان پیش موبد شدند
✦
خروشان و با اختر بد شدند
“All the Romans came before the High Mobad, crying out and fearing ill-fortune.”
#34
فراوان ز هر در سخن راندند
✦
همه راز قیصر برو راندند
“They spoke at length on every matter, disclosing all the secrets of Caesar to him.”
#35
ز دینار گفتند وز گاو پوست
✦
ز کاری که آرام روم اندروست
“They spoke of dinars and cow-hides of gold, and of the settlement wherein lay the peace of Rome.”
#36
چنین گفت موبد اگر زر دهید
✦
ز دیبا چه مایه بران سرنهید
“The Mobad said: 'If you offer gold, how much woven brocade will you add atop it?'”
#37
بهنگام برگشتن شهریار
✦
ز دیبای زربفت باید هزار
“'At the time of the King’s return, a thousand gold-woven brocades are required,'”
#38
که خلعت بود شاه را هر زمان
✦
چه با کهتران و چه با مهتران
“'To serve continuously as royal robes of honor, awarded to both the humble and the noble.'”
#39
برین برنهادند و گشتند باز
✦
همه پاک بردند پیشش نماز
“They agreed upon this condition and turned back, bowing down in homage before the Mobad.”
#40
ببد شاه چندی بران رزمگاه
✦
چوآسوده شد شهریار و سپاه
“The King remained for a while upon that battleground until his host and mind were rested.”
#41
ز لشکر یکی مرد بگزید گرد
✦
که داند شمار نبشت و سترد
“He selected a warrior from the army who was skilled in calculation and writing,”
#42
سپاهی بدو داد تا باژ روم
✦
ستاند سپارد به آباد بوم
“And entrusted him with a troop to collect the tribute of Rome and deliver it to the prosperous land.”
#43
وز آنجا بیامد سوی طیسفون
✦
سپاهی پس پشت و پیش اندرون
“From there, he marched toward Ctesiphon, flanked by armies before and behind.”
#44
همه یکسر آباد از سیم و زر
✦
به زرین ستام و به زرین کمر
“All splendidly arrayed with silver and gold, with golden bridles and golden belts.”
#45
ز بس پرنیانی درفش سران
✦
تو گفتی هوا شد همه پرنیان
“From the abundance of silk banners of the chieftains, you would say the very air had turned to silk.”
#46
در و دشت گفتی که زرین شدست
✦
کمرها ز گوهر چو پروین شدست
“The doors and plains seemed turned to gold; the gem-studded belts shone like the Pleiades.”
#47
چو نزدیک شهر اندر آمد ز راه
✦
پذیره شدندش فراوان سپاه
“As he drew near the city from the road, a vast host came forth to welcome him.”
#48
همه پیش کسری پیاده شدند
✦
کمر بسته و دل گشاده شدند
“All dismounted before Khosrow, belts girt in service, their hearts overflowing with joy.”
#49
هر آنکس که پیمود با شاه راه
✦
پیاده بشد تا در بارگاه
“Whoever journeyed along the path with the Shah walked on foot all the way to the royal palace doors.”
#50
همه مهتران خواندند آفرین
✦
بران شاه بیدار باداد ودین
“All the chieftains sang praises upon that vigilant king of justice and faith.”
#51
چو تنگ اندر آمد به جای نشست
✦
بهرمهتری شاه بنمود دست
“When he drew close to his royal seat, the Shah raised his hand to greet every grandee.”
#52
سرآمد سخن گفتن موزه دوز
✦
ز ماه محرم گذشته سه روز
“The tale of the shoemaker came to an end when three days had passed beyond the month of Muharram.”
#53
جهانجوی دهقان آموزگار
✦
چه گفت اندرین گردش روزگار
“What did the world-seeking scholar and teacher say regarding this wheel of fortune?”
#54
که روزی فرازست و روزی نشیب
✦
گهی با خرامیم و گه با نهیب
“That one day brings exaltation and another day decline; at times we walk proudly, and at times we dwell in fear.”
#55
سرانجام بستر بود تیره خاک
✦
یکی را فراز و یکی را مغاک
“In the end, our bed shall be the dark earth; one man finds an exalted place, another a sunken pit.”
#56
نشانی نداریم ازان رفته‌گان
✦
که بیدار و شادند اگر خفته گان
“We have no trace of those who have departed, whether they are awake and joyful or sleeping in dust.”
#57
بدان گیتی ار چندشان برگ نیست
✦
همان به که آویزش مرگ نیست
“Though they have no provisions in that world, it is better that there is no struggle against death.”
#58
اگر صد بود سال اگر بیست و پنج
✦
یکی شد چو یاد آید از روز رنج
“Whether one lives a hundred years or twenty-five, it becomes as one when the day of suffering is recalled.”
#59
چه آنکس که گوید خرامست وناز
✦
چه گوید که دردست و رنج و نیاز
“Whether a man says he lives in strutting luxury or in pain, suffering, and need,”
#60
کسی را ندیدم بمرگ آرزوی
✦
نه بی راه و از مردم نیکخوی
“I have seen no one who desires death, neither among the astray nor among virtuous folk.”
#61
چه دینی چه اهریمن بت پرست
✦
ز مرگند بر سر نهاده دو دست
“Be he religious or an idol-worshipping demon, all hold their hands over their heads in dread of death.”
#62
چوسالت شد ای پیر برشست و یک
✦
می‌و جام وآرام شد بی‌نمک
“When your age reaches sixty-one, O old man, wine, the cup, and rest lose their savor.”
#63
نبندد دل اندر سپنجی سرای
✦
خرد یافته مردم پاکرای
“The wise and pure-minded man does not bind his heart to this transient inn.”
#64
بگاه بسیجیدن مرگ می
✦
چو پیراهن شعر باشد بدی
“At the hour of preparing for death, sin is like a hair shirt upon the soul.”
#65
فسرده تن اندر میان گناه
✦
روان سوی فردوس گم کرده راه
“The body frozen amidst sin, while the soul has lost its path toward Paradise.”
#66
ز یاران بسی ماند و چندی گذشت
✦
تو با جام همراه مانده به دشت
“Many companions have departed and many remain, while you are left in the desert holding the goblet.”
#67
زمان خواهم از کردگار زمان
✦
که چندی بماند دلم شادمان
“I ask for time from the Creator of Time, that my heart may remain joyful for a while,”
#68
که این داستانها و چندین سخن
✦
گذشته برو سال و گشته کهن
“So that these stories and numerous tales, upon which many years have passed and grown old,”
#69
ز هنگام کی شاه تا یزدگرد
✦
ز لفظ من آمد پراگنده گرد
“From the time of King Kay down to Yazdegerd, may be gathered and scattered like dust through my words.”
#70
بپیوندم و باغ بی‌خو کنم
✦
سخنهای شاهنشهان نو کنم
“I shall weave them together and weed the garden, renewing the tales of the Shahanshahs.”
#71
هماناکه دل را ندارم به رنج
✦
اگر بگذرم زین سرای سپنج
“Verily, I shall not grieve in heart if I depart from this transient abode.”
#72
چه گوید کنون مرد روشن روان
✦
ز رای جهاندار نوشین روان
“What will the bright-souled scholar now recount of the counsel of the world-ruler Noshirvan?”