When a month had passed following the arrival of the Roman envoys, King Khosrow Parviz crafted a reply of immense majesty and philosophical depth. He began the epistle with magnificent praises to Holy Yazdan, the Sovereign Lord of the cosmos who sustains the turning spheres and from whom all good and ill derive. Khosrow warmly acknowledged Caesar's past shelter during his days of exile, honoring the Emperor as a father whose wisdom and generosity had rescued him when Iranian nobles had turned away. He celebrated their familial union and the birth of Prince Shiruy, graciously accepting the treasures Caesar had sent.
However, when addressing matters of faith and the Emperor's religious entreaties, Khosrow spoke with unyielding regal pride. He declared that Iran bore no shame in its ancient heritage, proclaiming that no creed on earth excelled the monotheistic Faith of King Hushang—a doctrine rooted in absolute justice, modesty, righteousness, and cosmic contemplation. Khosrow affirmed his devotion to the one God, who possesses neither partner, peer, nor offspring, and whose transcendent realm cannot be encompassed by mortal thought.
Addressing Caesar's request for the return of the True Cross (Dar-e Masiha), Khosrow offered a profound philosophical refusal. He argued that true faith cannot be founded upon a piece of wood, nor does wisdom dictate mourning over the decayed timber upon which a prophet was crucified. To send a wooden relic from Iran to Rome would invite the laughter of surrounding nations; a High Mobad of Iran could never abandon the divine path of light for material symbolism.
Yet behind his grand stance lay a subtle foreboding: Khosrow confessed his nighttime anxieties over young Prince Shiruy, fearing that when the youth came of age, he might reignite the ancient animosities of Salm and Alexander, bringing ruin upon both empires. Closing the letter with prayers for Caesar's well-being, Khosrow ordered his treasuries unsealed. Under the watchful eye of Khammad Barzin, an astonishing caravan was assembled: one hundred and sixty jewel-encrusted chests, three hundred prime red camels, priceless Chinese silks, rare pomegranates of rubies, fine pearls, and vast quantities of gold dinars bestowed upon the philosophers of Rome. The Roman emissaries departed in awe, praising the incomparable grandeur of the Iranian King.
#1
چویک ماه شد نامه پاسخ نوشت
✦
سخنهای با مغز و فرخ نوشت
“When a month had passed, he wrote the letter of response, crafting words of deep wisdom and auspicious intent.”
#2
سرنامه گفت آفرین مهان
✦
بران باد کو باد دارد جهان
“The head of the letter opened with praise to the Almighty, who holds the universe in His sovereign grasp.”
#3
بد و نیک بیند ز یزدان پاک
✦
وزو دارد اندر جهان بیم و باک
“From Holy God alone come good and evil, and from Him all creatures hold awe and reverence.”
#4
کند آفرین بر خداوند مهر
✦
کزین گونه بر پای دارد سپهر
“He praised the Lord of love and mercy, who in such harmony upholds the turning sky.”
#5
نخست آنک کردی ستایش مرا
✦
به نامه نمودی نیایش مرا
“"First, for the praise thou didst offer me, and for the devotion shown in thy missive:”
#6
بدانستم و شاد گشتم بدان
✦
سخن گفتن تاجور بخردان
“I understood it well and rejoiced in the eloquent discourse of a wise, crowned monarch.”
#7
پذیرفتم آن نامور گنج تو
✦
نخواهم که چندان بود رنج تو
“I have accepted the glorious treasures offered, though I desire not to bring hardship upon thee.”
#8
ازیرا جهاندار یزدان پاک
✦
برآورد بوم تو را بر سماک
“For the World-Lord, the Holy God, hath raised thy realm unto the highest heavens.”
#9
ز هند و ز سقلاب و چین و خزر
✦
چنین ارجمند آمد آن بوم و بر
“From India, Saqlab, China, and Khazar, thy domain hath shone forth so precious and grand.”
#10
چه مردی چه دانش چه پرهیز و دین
✦
ز یزدان شما را رسید آفرین
“In valor, wisdom, virtue, and faith, the divine blessing of God hath truly descended upon thee.”
#11
چو کار آمدم پیش یارم بدی
✦
بهر دانشی غمگسارم بدی
“When trial befell me, thou wert my helper; in every branch of wisdom, thou wert my comforter.”
#12
چنان شاد گشتم ز پیوند تو
✦
بدین پر هنر پاک فرزند تو
“So rejoiced was I by our bond of kinship, and by this virtuous, noble son born of it,”
#13
که کهتر نباشد به فرزند خویش
✦
ببوم و بر و پاک پیوند خویش
“That no father could feel greater pride in his child, his land, or his sacred bloodline.”
#14
همه مهتران پشت برگاشتند
✦
مرا در جهان خوار بگذاشتند
“All the Iranian nobles turned their backs on me and left me forsaken in the world.”
#15
تو تنها بجای پدر بودیم
✦
همان از پدر بیشتر بودیم
“Thou alone didst stand in the place of a father to me; nay, thou wert even more than a father.”
#16
تو را همچنان دارم اکنون که شاه
✦
پدر بیند آزاده و نیک خواه
“I hold thee now in that same high regard, as a noble king beholds a well-wishing father.”
#17
دگر هرچ گفتی ز شیروی من
✦
ازان پاک تن پشت و نیروی من
“As for all thou didst write of my son Shiruy—the strength of my body and pillar of my power—”
#18
بدانستم و آفرین خواندم
✦
بران دین تو را پاک دین خواندم
“I understood thy words and praised them well, acknowledging thy devout adherence to thy faith.”
#19
دگر هرچ گفتی ز پاکیزه دین
✦
ز یکشنبدی روزهٔ به آفرین
“And as for what thou saidst of thy holy creed and the commendable Sunday fast:”
#20
همه خواند بر ما یکایک دبیر
✦
سخنهای بایسته و دلپذیر
“The scribe read every single word to us, revealing discourses fitting and heart-pleasing.”
#21
بما بر ز دین کهن ننگ نیست
✦
به گیتی به از دین هوشنگ نیست
“Yet we bear no shame in our ancient faith; in all the world there is no creed better than the Faith of Hushang!”
#22
همه داد و نیکی و شرمست و مهر
✦
نگه کردن اندر شمار سپهر
“It is all justice, goodness, modesty, and love, with eyes fixed in reverence upon the starry heavens.”
#23
به هستی یزدان نیوشان ترم
✦
همیشه سوی داد کوشان ترم
“I am ever attentive to the existence of God, and continually strive toward the path of justice.”
#24
ندانیم انباز و پیوند و جفت
✦
نگردد نهان و نگردد نهفت
“We know no partner, no peer, and no kin for Him; He is neither hidden nor can He be concealed.”
#25
در اندیشهٔ دل نگنجد خدای
✦
به هستی همو باشدت رهنمای
“God cannot be contained within the mind's thoughts; in His absolute existence, He alone is thy guide.”
#26
دگر کت ز دار مسیحا سخن
✦
بیاد آمد از روزگار کهن
“Further, regarding what thou didst recall of the Cross of Messiah from ancient times:”
#27
مدان دین که باشد به خوبی بپای
✦
بدان دین نباشد خرد رهنمای
“Know that a faith cannot stand upright through mere wood, nor does wisdom guide one to such belief.”
#28
کسی را که خوانی همی سوگوار
✦
که کردند پیغمبرش را بدار
“Thou mournest for one whom thou claimest was a prophet put to death upon the gibbet!”
#29
که گوید که فرزند یزدان بد اوی
✦
بران دار بر کشته خندان بد اوی
“Who would claim he was the Son of God, yet hung smiling upon that very gallows?”
#30
چو پور پدر رفت سوی پدر
✦
تو اندوه این چوب پوده مخور
“If the Son hath departed to the Father, grieve no more over this piece of decayed wood!”
#31
ز قیصر چو بیهوده آمد سخن
✦
بخندد برین کار مرد کهن
“When such futile words come from Caesar, an elder of wisdom can only laugh at the matter.”
#32
همان دار عیسی نیرزد به رنج
✦
که شاهان نهادند آن را به گنج
“Nor is Jesus's cross worth the trouble that kings should place it among their royal treasures.”
#33
از ایران چو چوبی فرستم بروم
✦
بخندد بما بر همه مرز و بوم
“If I send a piece of wood from Iran to Rome, all the realms around will mock us.”
#34
به موبد نباید که ترسا شدم
✦
گر از بهر مریم سکوبا شدم
“A High Priest (Mobad) must not turn Christian, even if I became a bishop for Mary's sake!”
#35
دگر آرزو هرچ باید بخواه
✦
شما را سوی ما گشادست راه
“Whatever other wish thou hast, ask freely, for the way to us is open unto thee.”
#36
پسندیدم آن هدیه های تو نیز
✦
کجا رنج بردی ز هر گونه چیز
“I have accepted all thy gifts as well, wherein thou didst take trouble to send every manner of treasure.”
#37
به شیروی بخشیدم این برده رنج
✦
پی افگندم او را یکی تازه گنج
“I bestowed these laboriously earned gifts upon Shiruy, and laid the foundation of a fresh treasure for him.”
#38
ز روم و ز ایران پر اندیشه‌ام
✦
شب تیره اندیشه شد پیشه‌ام
“Yet my mind is filled with foreboding for Rome and Iran; in the dark of night, anxious thoughts are my trade.”
#39
بترسم که شیروی گردد بلند
✦
رساند به روم و به ایران گزند
“I fear that Shiruy, when he grows mighty, may bring ruin upon both Rome and Iran.”
#40
نخست اندر آید ز سلم بزرگ
✦
ز اسکندر آن کینه دار سترگ
“Beginning with the ancient vengeance of great Salm, and of Alexander, that mighty holder of grudges.”
#41
ز کین نو آیین و کین کهن
✦
مگر در جهان تازه گردد سخن
“Lest through new-born grudges and old animosities, bitter strife be renewed across the world.”
#42
سخنها که پرسیدم از دخترت
✦
چنان دان که او تازه کرد افسرت
“As for the inquiries I made through thy daughter, know that her presence hath brightened thy crown.”
#43
بدین مسیحا بکوشد همی
✦
سخنهای ما کم نیوشد همی
“She strives earnestly in the Christian faith and listens but little to our words.”
#44
به آرام شادست و پیروزبخت
✦
بدین خسروانی نو آیین درخت
“Yet she is joyous and victorious in tranquility, thriving beside this newly blossoming royal tree.”
#45
همیشه جهاندار یار تو باد
✦
سر اختر اندر کنار تو باد
“May the Ruler of the World ever be thy guardian, and may the stars embrace thy fate in fortune!”
#46
نهادند بر نامه بر مهر شاه
✦
همی‌داشت خراد برزین نگاه
“They placed the King’s royal seal upon the letter, while Kharad Barzin watched over the process attentively.”
#47
گشادند زان پس در گنج باز
✦
کجا گرد کرد او به روز دراز
“Thereupon they opened wide the doors of the royal treasury, which he had accumulated over many long days.”
#48
نخستین صد و شست بنداوسی
✦
که پنداوسی خواندش پارسی
“First came one hundred and sixty precious vessels of Bandawsi work, which in Persian were called Pandawsi.”
#49
به گوهر بیاگنده هر یک چو سنگ
✦
نهادند بر هر یکی مهر تنگ
“Each vessel was encrusted with gems as heavy as stones, and upon every one they set a tight, secure seal.”
#50
بران هر یکی دانه ها صد هزار
✦
بها بود بر دفتر شهریار
“Within each lay a hundred thousand pearls, their immense value inscribed in the monarch's ledger.”
#51
بیاورد سیصد شتر سرخ موی
✦
سیه چشم و آراسته راه جوی
“He brought three hundred red-haired, dark-eyed camels, finely adorned and ready for the road.”
#52
مران هر یکی را درم دو هزار
✦
بها داده بد نامور شهریار
“For each of those beasts, the renowned monarch had fixed an estimated worth of two thousand silver coins.”
#53
ز دیبای چینی صد و چل هزار
✦
ازان چند زربفت گوهرنگار
“One hundred and forty thousand pieces of Chinese silk, among which were robes woven with gold and studded with jewels.”
#54
دگر پانصد در خوشاب بود
✦
که هر دانه‌ای قطرهٔ آب بود
“Another five hundred lustrous, royal pearls, each single gem as clear and bright as a drop of water.”
#55
صد و شست یاقوت چون ناردان
✦
پسندیدهٔ مردم کاردان
“One hundred and sixty rubies red as pomegranate seeds, chosen and prized by master connoisseurs.”
#56
ز هندی و چینی و از بربری
✦
ز مصری و از جامهٔ پهلوی
“Robe after robe of Indian, Chinese, Barbary, Egyptian, and noble Pahlavi fabrics.”
#57
ز چیزی که خیزد ز هر کشوری
✦
که چونان نبد در جهان دیگری
“Extracted from the rarest products of every land, such that no equal could be found anywhere in the world.”
#58
فرستاد سیصد شتروار بار
✦
از ایران بر قیصر نامدار
“He dispatched three hundred camel-loads of treasures from Iran to the renowned Caesar of Rome.”
#59
یکی خلعت افگند بر خانگی
✦
فزون‌تر ز خویشی و بیگانگی
“He bestowed a robe of honor upon Khanagi, far exceeding standard duties toward kin or stranger.”
#60
همان جامه و تخت و اسب و ستام
✦
ز پوشیدنیها که بردیم نام
“Along with garments, thrones, horses, and trappings—all manner of fine apparel that we have named.”
#61
بدینسان چنین صد شتر بارکرد
✦
از آن ده شتربار دینار کرد
“In this manner he loaded a hundred camels, ten of which carried burdens of pure gold dinars.”
#62
ببخشید بر فیلسوفان درم
✦
ز دینار و هرگونه‌ای بیش وکم
“He showered coins upon the Roman scholars and sages, distributing dinars and lavish gifts of all kinds.”
#63
برفتند شادان ازان مرز وبوم
✦
به نزدیک قیصر ز ایران بروم
“Joyfully they set forth from that realm, journeying from Iran back to Rome to meet Caesar.”
#64
همه مهتران خواندند آفرین
✦
بران پر هنر شهریار زمین
“All the grandees sang praises for that accomplished and noble king of the earth.”
#65
کنون داستان کهن نو کنیم
✦
سخنهای شیرین و خسرو کنیم
“Now let us renew the ancient chronicle, and weave again sweet tales of King Khosrow.”