The ancient chronicle turns to Bahram Chubin as he crosses the eastern borders into the realm of the Khaqan of China. Ten thousand elite horsemen, led by the Khaqan’s own son and brother alongside wise guidance councilors, ride forth to welcome the formidable Persian general. Entering the royal throne room, Bahram offers high praise, and the Khaqan rises to embrace him warmly, wiping the dust of travel from his face and inquiring about his journey and his noble companions—Izad Goshasp, Sina, and Khorrad Barzin. Seated together upon a silver throne, they forge an inviolable pact of allegiance, swearing before Almighty God to stand by each other in fortune and adversity.
The Khaqan lavishly equips Bahram with magnificent palaces, precious garments, gems, gold, and silver. Yet soon, Bahram notices a troubling spectacle: every morning, a powerful Chinese warrior named Moqatura—upon whose sword the Khaqan heavily relied—enters the court, gestures insolently, and demands a tribute of a thousand gold coins, which the intimidated ruler meekly hands over out of fear of a military rebellion. Disgusted by this submission, Bahram counsels the ruler that a sovereign must never yield the reins of authority to subordinates, setting the stage for a tense confrontation of strength and iron-tipped shafts.
#1
کنون داستانهای دیرینه گوی
✦
سخنهای بهرام چوبینه گوی
“Now recite the tales of ancient lore, and speak the saga of Bahram Chubin.”
#2
که چون او سوی شهر ترکان رسید
✦
به نزد دلیر و بزرگان رسید
“When he reached the land of the Turks and drew near their brave champions and nobles,”
#3
ز گردان بیدار دل ده هزار
✦
پذیره شدندش گزیده سوار
“Ten thousand vigilant warriors, chosen horsemen, rode out to welcome him.”
#4
پسر با برادرش پیش اندرون
✦
ابا هر یکی موبدی رهنمون
“The Khaqan’s son and brother rode at the fore, each guided by a wise counselor.”
#5
چو آمد بر تخت خاقان فراز
✦
برو آفرین کرد و بردش نماز
“When he approached the throne of the Khaqan, he voiced praise and paid him deep homage.”
#6
چو خاقان ورا دید برپای جست
✦
ببوسید و بسترد رویش بدست
“Seeing him, the Khaqan leapt to his feet, kissed him, and wiped the travel dust from his face with his hand.”
#7
بپرسید بسیارش از رنج راه
✦
ز کار و ز پیکار شاه و سپاه
“He asked much about the hardships of his journey, and the affairs of the King and his army.”
#8
هم ایزد گشسپ و یلان سینه را
✦
بپرسید و خراد برزینه را
“He inquired after Izad Goshasp, the hero Sina, and Khorrad Barzin.”
#9
چو بهرام برتخت سیمین نشست
✦
گرفت آن زمان دست خاقان بدست
“When Bahram sat upon the silver throne, he took the Khaqan’s hand in his.”
#10
بدو گفت کای مهتر بافرین
✦
سپهدار ترکان و سالار چین
“He said to him: 'O praised sovereign, commander of the Turks and ruler of China!”
#11
تو دانی که از شهریار جهان
✦
نباشد کسی ایمن اندر نهان
“'You know that no man is secretly safe from the King of the World.”
#12
بر آساید از گنج و بگزایدش
✦
تن آسان کند رنج بفزایدش
“'He might rest upon treasures yet harm him; he might offer ease yet multiply his pain.”
#13
گر ایدون که اندر پذیری مرا
✦
بهرنیک و بد دست‌گیری مرا
“'If you now receive me and support me through good and ill,”
#14
بدین مرز بی‌یار یار توام
✦
بهر نیک و بد غمگسار توام
“'Though friendless in this land, I shall be your ally and comfort you in every turn of fate.”
#15
وگر هیچ رنج آیدت بگذرم
✦
زمین را سراسر بپی بسپرم
“'And should any distress touch you, I shall step forward and march across the entire earth for your sake.”
#16
گر ایدون که باشی تو همداستان
✦
از ایدر شوم تا به هندوستان
“'If you agree, I shall ride forth from here even unto Hindustan.'”
#17
بدو گفت خاقان که ای سرفراز
✦
بدین روز هرگز مبادت نیاز
“The Khaqan said to him: 'O exalted hero, may you never know the need for such a dire day!”
#18
بدارم تو را همچو پیوند خویش
✦
چه پیوند برتر ز فرزند خویش
“'I shall hold you as my own kin—and what bond is higher than that of one's own child?”
#19
همه بوم با من بدین یاورند
✦
اگر کهترانند اگر مهترند
“'The entire realm stands united with me in this, whether high-born or low-born.”
#20
تو را بر سران سرفرازی دهم
✦
هم از مهتران بی‌نیازی دهم
“'I shall give you precedence over all lords, and grant you independence from the high nobles.'”
#21
بدین نیز بهرام سوگند خواست
✦
زیان بود بر جان او بند خواست
“Upon this, Bahram demanded a solemn oath—unwittingly binding his own fate to peril.”
#22
بدو گفت خاقان به برتر خدای
✦
که هست او مرا و تو را رهنمای
“The Khaqan swore to him: 'By Almighty God, who is the guide to both me and thee,”
#23
که تا زنده‌ام ویژه یار توام
✦
بهر نیک و بد غمگسار توام
“'That so long as I live, I am purely your ally, sharing in your joy and your grief.'”
#24
ازان پس دو ایوان بیاراستند
✦
زهر گونه‌ای جامه‌ها خواستند
“Thenceforth they adorned two magnificent palaces and ordered robes of every splendid fashion.”
#25
پرستنده و پوشش و خوردنی
✦
ز چیزی که بایست گستردنی
“Attendants, royal garments, exquisite feasts, and all manner of necessary furnishings were provided.”
#26
ز سیمین و زرین که آید به کار
✦
ز دینار وز گوهر شاهوار
“Silver and gold utensils, royal dinars, and magnificent imperial jewels were bestowed.”
#27
فرستاد خاقان به نزدیک اوی
✦
درخشنده شد جان تاریک اوی
“The Khaqan dispatched these all to Bahram, causing his darkened soul to shine with hope.”
#28
به چوگان و مجلس به دشت شکار
✦
نرفتی مگر کو بدی غمگسار
“Never did the Khaqan go to polo fields, banquets, or hunting grounds unless Bahram was his constant companion.”
#29
برین گونه بر بود خاقان چین
✦
همی‌خواند بهرام را آفرین
“In this manner ruled the Khaqan of China, continually showering praises upon Bahram.”
#30
یکی نامبردار بد یار اوی
✦
برزم اندرون دست بردار اوی
“Now there was a renowned warrior who was the Khaqan's right hand in battle.”
#31
ازو مه به گوهر مقاتوره نام
✦
که خاقان ازو یافتی نام و کام
“Superior in lineage and named Moqatura, through whom the Khaqan had gained renown and success.”
#32
به شبگیر نزدیک خاقان شدی
✦
دولب را به انگشت خود بر زدی
“Every early dawn he would enter before the Khaqan, snap his fingers at his own lips,”
#33
بران سان که کهتر کند آفرین
✦
بران نامبردار سالار چین
“In the manner that a subject praises that famous ruler of China.”
#34
هم آنگه زدینار بردی هزار
✦
ز گنج جهاندیده نامدار
“And straightway he would carry off a thousand gold dinars from the treasury of the famed ruler.”
#35
همی‌دید بهرام یک چندگاه
✦
به خاقان همی‌کرد خیره نگاه
“Bahram observed this for a time, gazing at the Khaqan in silent astonishment.”
#36
بخندید یک روز گفت ای بلند
✦
توی بر مهان جهان ارجمند
“One day he smiled and said: 'O exalted King, who art revered above the great ones of the world!”
#37
بهر بامدادی بهنگام بار
✦
چنین مرد دینار خواهد هزار
“'Does this man demand a thousand gold dinars every single morning at your court audience?”
#38
ببخشش گرین بیستگانی بود
✦
همه بهر او زرکانی بود
“'If this be his regular stipend, then all the gold of the realm's mines will be drained for him!”
#39
بدو گفت خاقان که آیین ما
✦
چنین است و افروزش دین ما
“The Khaqan answered him: 'Such is our custom and the shine of our law:”
#40
که از ما هر آنکس که جنگی ترست
✦
به هنگام سختی درنگی ترست
“'That whoever among us is more warlike and steadfast during times of hardship,”
#41
چو خواهد فزونی نداریم باز
✦
ز مردان رزم آور جنگ ساز
“'We do not withhold bounty from such valiant, battle-ready men when they seek more.”
#42
فزونی مر او راست برما کنون
✦
بدینار خوانیم بر وی فسون
“'He currently holds advantage over us, so we pacify him with gold as if casting a spell.”
#43
چو زو بازگیرم بجوشد سپاه
✦
ز لشکر شود روز روشن سیاه
“'If I withhold it from him, the army will mutiny, and bright daylight will turn to black night!'”
#44
جهانجوی گفت ای سر انجمن
✦
تو کردی و را خیره بر خویشتن
“The world-conqueror Bahram said: 'O leader of the assembly, you yourself have emboldened him against you!”
#45
چو باشد جهاندار بیدار و گرد
✦
عنان را به کهتر نباید سپرد
“'When a ruler is vigilant and heroic, he must never surrender the reins of power to a subordinate!'”
#46
اگر زو رهانم تو را شایدت
✦
وگر ویژه آزرم او بایدت
“If I deliver you from him, it will suit you well; but if you must show him special respect, say so.”
#47
بدو گفت خاقان که فرمان تو راست
✦
بدین آرزو رای و پیمان تو راست
“The Khaqan said to him, "Your command is right; in this wish, your judgment and promise are true."”
#48
مرا گر توانی رهانید ازوی
✦
سرآورده باشی همه گفت و گوی
“"If you can deliver me from him, you will have brought all words and troubles to an end."”
#49
بدو گفت بهرام که اکنون پگاه
✦
چو آید مقاتوره دینار خواه
“Bahram said to him, "Now early in the morning, when Maqatura comes demanding gold coins..."”
#50
مخند و بر و هیچ مگشای چشم
✦
مده پاسخ و گر دهی جز به خشم
“"Do not smile at him, nor open your eyes towards him; give him no answer, or if you do, answer only in wrath!"”
#51
گذشت آن شب و بامداد پگاه
✦
بیامد مقاتوره نزدیک شاه
“That night passed, and at early dawn, Maqatura came before the King.”
#52
جهاندار خاقان بدو ننگرید
✦
نه گفتار آن ترک جنگی شنید
“The world-ruler Khaqan did not look at him, nor did he listen to the words of that warrior Turk.”
#53
ز خاقان مقاتوره آمد بخشم
✦
یکایک برآشفت و بگشاد چشم
“Maqatura grew enraged at the Khaqan; all at once he flared up and opened his eyes wide in fury.”
#54
بخاقان چین گفت کای نامدار
✦
چرا گشتم امروز پیش تو خوار
“He spoke to the Khaqan of Chin, "O renowned monarch, why have I become so degraded before you today?"”
#55
همانا که این مهتر پارسی
✦
که آمد بدین مرز با یار سی
“"Surely it is this Persian chieftain, who came to this border with thirty companions..."”
#56
بکوشد همی تا بپیچی ز داد
✦
سپاه تو را داد خواهد بباد
“"...who strives to turn you away from justice, and will cast your army to the wind!"”
#57
بدو گفت بهرام که ای جنگوی
✦
چرا تیزگشتی بدین گفت وگوی
“Bahram said to him, "O warrior, why have you grown so sharp and fierce in this speech?"”
#58
چو خاقان برد راه و فرمان من
✦
خرد را نپیچد ز پیمان من
“"When the Khaqan follows my counsel and command, wisdom itself does not turn from my pact."”
#59
نمانم که آیی تو هر بامداد
✦
تن آسان دهی گنج او را به باد
“"I will not let you come every morning to waste his treasure in ease!"”
#60
بران نه که هستی تو سیصد سوار
✦
به رزم اندرون شیرجویی شکار
“"Though you believe yourself to be worth three hundred horsemen, seeking prey like a lion in battle..."”
#61
نیرزد که هر بامداد پگاه
✦
به خروار دینار خواهی ز شاه
“"It is not right that every early morning you demand loads of gold coins from the King!"”
#62
مقاتوره بشنید گفتار اوی
✦
سرش گشت پرکین ز آزار اوی
“Maqatura heard his words, and his head filled with malice and anguish at his insult.”
#63
بخشم و به تندی بیازید چنگ
✦
ز ترکش برآورد تیر خدنگ
“In wrath and haste he reached out his hand, and drew a poplar arrow from his quiver.”
#64
به بهرام گفت این نشان منست
✦
برزم اندرون ترجمان منست
“He said to Bahram, "This is my sign, and in battle it is my interpreter!"”
#65
چو فردا بیایی بدین بارگاه
✦
همی‌دار پیکان ما را نگاه
“"When you come to this court tomorrow, keep your eye upon my arrowhead!"”
#66
چو بشنید بهرام شد تیز چنگ
✦
یکی تیر پولاد پیکان خدنگ
“When Bahram heard this, he grew ready and fierce; a poplar arrow with a steel head...”
#67
بدو داد و گفتا که این یادگار
✦
بدار و ببین تا کی آید به کار
“...he gave to him, saying, "Keep this as a token, and see when it will come into use!"”
#68
مقاتوره از پیش خاقان برفت
✦
بیامد سوی خرگه خویش تفت
“Maqatura departed from before the Khaqan and went swiftly toward his own tent.”