Time passes over the great and the small alike, yet blessed is the sage who sows the eternal seeds of poetic vision across the earth. King Khosrow Parviz resolved to erect a palace arch in Ctesiphon of such unmatched grandeur that neither rain, nor snow, nor scorching sun could erode its beauty for two centuries. Envoys were dispatched across the known world—to Rome, India, China, and every prosperous realm—gathering three thousand master artisans. From among them, thirty grand architects were selected, but it was a master Roman engineer whose brilliant grasp of geometry surpassed all peers, earning him the monumental task.
The Roman master excavated the foundations ten royal cubits deep into the earth and raised massive walls five cubits thick, bound with heavy stone and mortar. When the walls rose skyward, he twisted a fine silk cord, measured the precise height of the wall before an assembly of nobles and Mobads, and sealed the cord inside the royal treasury. He then requested forty days of patience from Khosrow, explaining that the massive wall needed time to settle under its own immense weight before the high arch could be crowned. But Khosrow, consumed by haste, refused the delay and demanded immediate vaulting. Knowing that premature construction would cause the magnificent arch to crack and collapse, the master architect vanished secretly into the night.
When Khosrow learned of the Roman’s flight, his fury flared. He ordered the remaining Roman craftsmen imprisoned and commanded that new builders complete the work. Yet every architect who beheld the colossal wall fled in awe and terror. For three long years, the project stood paralyzed. In the fourth year, the Roman master voluntarily returned to court. He offered to prove that his flight was not treason, but the preservation of architectural truth. Accompanied by royal inspectors, he retrieved the sealed silk cord and measured the wall once more—demonstrating that the immense structure had naturally settled by seven full cubits. Had the arch been closed earlier, the entire structure would have collapsed into catastrophic ruin.
Realizing the engineer's supreme honesty and wisdom, Khosrow pardoned him, freed all the imprisoned Roman artisans, and showered the master with lands, gold, and royal praise. After seven years of meticulous craftsmanship, the glorious Arch of Ctesiphon was completed—a breathtaking miracle of engineering featuring a suspended golden crown above an ivory throne, where Khosrow held court, dispensed justice, and celebrated Nowruz in peerless majesty.
#1
از ایوان خسرو کنون داستان
✦
بگویم که پیش آمد از راستان
“I shall now relate the tale of Khosrow's grand Arch, as it was passed down by truthful men of old.”
#2
جهان بر کهان و مهان بگذرد
✦
خردمند مردم چرا غم خورد
“This world passes away for both the humble and the great; why then should a wise man harbor sorrow?”
#3
بسی مهتر و کهتر از من گذشت
✦
نخواهم من از خواب بیدار گشت
“So many greater and lesser than I have passed away; I do not wish to awaken from my quiet sleep.”
#4
همانا که شد سال بر شست و شش
✦
نه نیکو بود مردم پیرکش
“Indeed, my years have now reached sixty-six; it is not fitting for the world to crush an old man.”
#5
چو این نامور نامه آید به بن
✦
ز من روی کشور شود پر سخن
“When this renowned book reaches its completion, the entire realm shall resound with my words.”
#6
از آن پس نمیرم که من زنده‌ام
✦
که تخم سخن من پراگنده‌ام
“Thenceforth I shall not die, for I remain alive, having scattered the eternal seeds of speech.”
#7
هر آن کس که دارد هش و رای و دین
✦
پس از مرگ بر من کند آفرین
“Whoever possesses wisdom, sound judgment, and faith shall send blessings upon me after my death.”
#8
کنون از مداین سخن نو کنم
✦
صفت‌های ایوان خسرو کنم
“Now I renew the tale of Ctesiphon and describe the glorious features of Khosrow's palace arch.”
#9
چنین گفت روشن‌دل پارسی
✦
که بگذاشت با کام دل چارسی
“Thus spoke an enlightened Persian sage who lived his life in contentment for forty years:”
#10
که خسرو فرستاد کسها به روم
✦
به هند و به چین و به آباد بوم
“Khosrow dispatched envoys to Rome, India, China, and all prosperous lands across the world.”
#11
برفتند کاری گران سه هزار
✦
ز هر کشوری آنک بد نامدار
“Three thousand master craftsmen gathered, the most renowned artisans from every nation.”
#12
از ایشان هر آن کس که استاد بود
✦
ز خشت و ز گچ بر دلش یاد بود
“Among them were master builders who carried the lore of brick and plaster deep within their hearts.”
#13
چو صد مرد بیرون شد از رومیان
✦
ز ایران و اهواز وز هر میان
“One hundred master architects were chosen out of the Romans, Persians, and men of Ahvaz.”
#14
از ایشان دلاور گزیدند سی
✦
از آن سی دو رومی و دو پارسی
“From those hundred, thirty master craftsmen were selected, and from those thirty, two Romans and two Persians stood paramount.”
#15
بر خسرو آمد جهاندیده مرد
✦
بر او کار و زخم بنا یاد کرد
“An experienced master architect came before King Khosrow and explained the intricate masonry required for the structure.”
#16
گرانمایه رومی که بد هندسی
✦
به گفتار بگذشت از پارسی
“A noble Roman, who was a master geometrician, surpassed the Persian architects in his eloquence and skill.”
#17
بدو گفت شاه این ز من در پذیر
✦
سخن هرچ گویم ز من یاد گیر
“The King said to him, "Accept my command and remember every word I say to you."”
#18
یکی جای خواهم که فرزند من
✦
همان تا دو صدسال پیوند من
“"I desire a royal palace that shall endure for my children and my lineage for two hundred years to come,"”
#19
نشیند بدو در نگردد خراب
✦
ز باران و از برف و از آفتاب
“"Where they may dwell without it ever falling to ruin from rain, snow, or the scorching sun."”
#20
مهندس پذیرفت ایوان شاه
✦
بدو گفت من دارم این دستگاه
“The master architect undertook the construction of the royal arch, declaring, "I possess the skill to craft such a palace."”
#21
فرو برد بنیاد ده شاه رش
✦
همان شاه رش پنج کرده برش
“He laid the foundations ten royal cubits deep into the earth and made the wall five royal cubits thick.”
#22
ز سنگ و ز گچ بود بنیاد کار
✦
چنین باید آن کو دهد داد کار
“The foundation was laid with stone and plaster, as behoves an artisan who truly fulfills his duty.”
#23
چو دیوار ایوانش آمد به جای
✦
بیامد به پیش جهان‌کد‌خدای
“When the main wall of the grand hall was raised, the architect came before the ruler of the world.”
#24
که گر شاه بیند یکی کاردان
✦
گذشته برو سال و بسیاردان
“He requested, "If the King deems it fit, let him appoint an experienced, wise inspector well-versed in the craft,"”
#25
فرستد تنی صد بدین بارگاه
✦
پسندیده با موبد نیک‌خواه
“"And dispatch a hundred approved witnesses together with a benevolent Mobad to inspect the structure."”
#26
بدو داد زان گونه مردم که خواست
✦
برفتند و دیدند دیوار راست
“The King granted him the men he requested; they went and verified that the walls stood perfectly straight and true.”
#27
بریشم بیاورد تا انجمن
✦
بتابند باریک تابی رسن
“The master brought silk so the assembly could twist a finely woven measuring cord.”
#28
ز بالای آن تابداده رسن
✦
به پیموده در پیش آن انجمن
“He measured the exact height of the wall with that tightly twisted cord before the assembled nobles.”
#29
رسن سوی گنج شهنشاه برد
✦
ابا مهر گنجور او را سپرد
“He then took the cord to the King’s treasury and entrusted it under the treasurer’s seal.”
#30
وزان پس بیامد به ایوان شاه
✦
که دیوار ایوان برآمد به ماه
“Thereupon he returned to King Khosrow and said, "The wall of the arch now reaches up toward the moon."”
#31
چو فرمان دهد خسرو زود یاب
✦
نگیرم برین کار کردن شتاب
“"If the quick-witted King commands it, I must not hasten the construction further at this stage."”
#32
چهل روز تا کار بنشیندم
✦
ز کاری گران شاه بگزیندم
“"Give me forty days for the structure to settle, so that the King may truly praise me above all craftsmen."”
#33
چو هنگامهٔ زخم ایوان بود
✦
بلندی ایوان چو کیوان بود
“"When the final vault is built, the height of this arch shall rival Saturn itself."”
#34
بدان زخم خشمت نباید نمود
✦
مرا نیز رنجی نباید فزود
“"You must not show anger at this delay, nor burden me with undue haste."”
#35
بدو گفت خسرو که چندین زمان
✦
چرا خواهی از من تو ای بدگمان
“Khosrow said to him, "Why do you demand such delay from me, O suspicious man?"”
#36
نباید که داری ازین دست باز
✦
به آزرم بودن بیامد نیاز
“"You must not halt the work now; haste is needed, not idle patience!"”
#37
بفرمود تا سی هزارش درم
✦
بدادند تا او نباشد دژم
“The King ordered thirty thousand dirhams to be given to him so that he would not feel disheartened.”
#38
بدانست کاری‌گر راست‌گوی
✦
که عیب آورد مرد دانا به‌روی
“The honest master builder realized that an intelligent man must never allow flaw or ruin to touch his work.”
#39
که گیرد بران زخم ایوان شتاب
✦
اگر بشکند کم کند نان و آب
“He knew that if he hastened the vaulting and it cracked, his life and livelihood would be ruined.”
#40
شب آمد بشد کارگر ناپدید
✦
چنان شد کزان پس کس او را ندید
“When night fell, the master architect vanished; he vanished so completely that no one could find him.”
#41
چو بشنید خسرو که فرعان گریخت
✦
به گوینده بر خشم فرعان بریخت
“When Khosrow heard that Far'an had fled, his fury erupted against the messenger who brought the news.”
#42
چنین گفت کان را که دانش نبود
✦
چرا پیش ما در فزونی نمود
“The King declared, "If he lacked wisdom, why did he boast of his great skill before us?"”
#43
بفرمود تا کار او بنگرند
✦
همه رومیان را به زندان برند
“He ordered his guards to investigate the matter and cast all Roman artisans into prison.”
#44
دگر گفت کاری گران آورید
✦
گچ و خشت و سنگ گران آورید
“Then he ordered, "Bring other master builders, bring plaster, brick, and heavy stone!"”
#45
بجستند هرکس که دیوار دید
✦
ز بوم و بر شاه شد ناپدید
“They searched for master builders, but whoever saw the giant wall fled and vanished from the King's realm.”
#46
به بیچارگی دست ازان بازداشت
✦
همی گوش و دل سوی اهواز داشت
“Out of sheer helplessness he stayed his hand from building, yet kept his ears and heart turned expectantly toward Ahvaz.”
#47
کزان شهر کاری گر آید کسی
✦
نماند چنان کار بی بر بسی
“For if any true master-craftsman should emerge from that city, such a grand undertaking would not long remain without fruit.”
#48
همی‌جست استاد آن تا سه سال
✦
ندیدند کاریگری بی‌همال
“For three years they sought after that master builder, yet no craftsman of equal peer could be found.”
#49
بسی یاد کردند زان کارجوی
✦
به سال چهارم پدید آمد اوی
“Much did they speak of that vanished artisan, until in the fourth year he finally reappeared.”
#50
یکی مرد بیدار با فرهی
✦
به خسرو رسانید زو آگهی
“A wise man of radiant glory brought news of his return to King Khosrow.”
#51
هم آنگاه رومی بیامد چو گرد
✦
بدو گفت شاه‌ای گنهکار مرد
“At once the Roman builder arrived swift as dust, and the King addressed him: "O sinful man!"”
#52
بگو تا چه بود اندرین پوزشت
✦
چه گفتی که پیش آمد آمُرزشت
“"Speak, what was your excuse in fleeing? What plea do you bring that might earn you royal pardon?"”
#53
چنین گفت رومی که گر شهریار
✦
فرستد مرا با یکی استوار
“The Roman replied, "If the sovereign will dispatch me alongside a trustworthy observer,"”
#54
بگویم بدان کاردان پوزشم
✦
به پوزش بجا آید افروزشم
“"I shall demonstrate my justification to that expert, and through my true excuse my honor shall be restored."”
#55
فرستاد و رفتند ز ایوان شاه
✦
گران مایه استاد با نیک خواه
“The King dispatched them, and they departed the royal hall—the noble master builder along with the loyal observer.”
#56
همی‌برد دانای رومی رسن
✦
همان مرد را نیز با خویشتن
“The wise Roman took a measuring cord with him, taking along that trustworthy witness as well.”
#57
بپیمود بالای کار و برش
✦
کم آمد ز کار از رسن هفت رش
“He measured the height and width of the structure; the masonry had settled by seven cubits beneath the mark of the rope.”
#58
رسن باز بردند نزدیک شاه
✦
بگفت آنک با او بیامد به راه
“They brought the measuring rope back before the King, and his companion recounted all he had seen along the way.”
#59
چنین گفت رومی که ار زخم کار
✦
برآوردَمی بر سر ای شهریار
“The Roman said, "O Sovereign, had I laid the weight of the roof and arches immediately upon the fresh wall,"”
#60
نه دیوار ماندی نه طاق ونه کار
✦
نه من ماندمی بر در شهریار
“"Neither wall, nor arch, nor edifice would remain, nor would I have survived alive at your royal court."”
#61
بدانست خسرو که او راست گفت
✦
کسی راستی را نیارد نهفت
“Khosrow understood that he spoke the truth, for none can long conceal the power of truth.”
#62
رها کرد هر کو به زندان بدند
✦
بداندیش گر بی‌گزندان بدند
“He ordered the release of all who were in prison, even ill-wishers if they had done no physical harm.”
#63
مر او را یکی بدره دینار داد
✦
به زندانیان چیز بسیار داد
“He bestowed a purse of gold dinars upon the master builder, and granted abundant gifts to the captive prisoners.”
#64
بران کار شد روزگار دراز
✦
به کردار آن شاه را بد نیاز
“A long stretch of time was spent upon that work, for the King was greatly devoted to its perfection.”
#65
چوشد هفت سال آمد ایوان بجای
✦
پسندیدهٔ خسرو پاک‌رای
“When seven years had passed, the grand palace stood completed, perfectly pleasing to pure-minded Khosrow.”
#66
مر او را بسی آب داد و زمین
✦
درم داد و دینار و کرد آفرین
“He granted him vast lands and water rights, bestowed dirhams and dinars, and showered him with praises.”
#67
همی‌کرد هرکس به ایوان نگاه
✦
به نوروز رفتی بدان جایگاه
“Everyone gazed in awe upon that hall, and on Nowruz the King would repair to that noble place.”
#68
کس اندر جهان زخم چونین ندید
✦
نه از کاردانان پیشین شنید
“None in the world had ever seen such magnificent craftsmanship, nor heard of its like from master builders of old.”
#69
یکی حلقه زرین بدی ریخته
✦
ازان چرخ کار اندر آویخته
“A ring of solid gold had been cast and suspended high from the dome of that vault.”
#70
فروهشته زو سرخ زنجیر زر
✦
به هر مهره‌ای در نشانده گهر
“Hanging down from it was a chain of red gold, with precious gems set within every single link.”
#71
چو رفتی شهنشاه بر تخت عاج
✦
بیاویختندی ز زنجیر تاج
“Whenever the Shahanshah ascended the ivory throne, they would suspend the royal crown from that chain above his head.”
#72
به نوروز چون برنشستی به تخت
✦
به نزدیک او موبد نیک بخت
“On Nowruz, when he took his seat upon the throne, the auspicious Chief Mobad sat closest to him.”
#73
فروتر ز موبد مهان را بدی
✦
بزرگان و روزی دهان را بدی
“Below the Mobad were seated the noble lords, the great magnates, and the high ministers of state.”
#74
به زیر مهان جای بازاریان
✦
بیاراستندی همه کاریان
“Beneath the nobles was the area for the merchants, while all skilled artisans arranged their ranks.”
#75
فرومایه‌تر جای درویش بود
✦
کجا خوردش از کوشش خویش بود
“The humblest place was reserved for the needy, whose livelihood came solely from their own physical toil.”
#76
فروتر بریده بسی دست و پای
✦
بسی کشته افگنده در زیرجای
“Further down were depicted those with hands and feet severed, and many slain cast beneath.”
#77
ز ایوان ازان پس خروش آمدی
✦
کز آوازها دل به جوش آمدی
“Thereafter a loud herald's call echoed through the palace, such that all hearts boiled with emotion at the sound:”
#78
که ای زیردستان شاه جهان
✦
مباشید تیره دل و بدگمان
“"O subjects of the King of the World! Be not dark-hearted nor filled with evil suspicion!"”
#79
هر آنکس که او سوی بالا نگاه
✦
کند گردد اندیشه او تباه
“"Whoever fixes his eyes in envy upon higher ranks, his wisdom and peace of mind shall surely go to ruin."”
#80
ز تخت کیان دورتر بنگرید
✦
هر آنکس که کهتر بود بشمرید
“"Look beyond the royal throne of the Kayanids, and take heed of those who are lower in status than yourselves."”
#81
وزان پس تن کشتگان را به راه
✦
کزان بگذری کرد باید نگاه
“And after that, care was taken for the bodies of the slain along the roads where one might pass.”
#82
وزان پس گنهگار و گر بیگناه
✦
نماندی کسی نیز دربند شاه
“Thereafter, whether guilty or innocent, no captive remained any longer in the King's bonds.”
#83
به ارزانیان جامه‌ها داد نیز
✦
ز دیبا و دینار و هرگونه چیز
“To those worthy of reward he granted garments of fine silk, along with dinars and gifts of every kind.”
#84
هرآنکس که درویش بودی به شهر
✦
که او را نبودی ز نوروز بهر
“Whoever in the city was poor and needy, having received no share of the Nowruz festivities,”
#85
به درگاه ایوانش بنشاندند
✦
درمهای گنجی بر افشاندند
“They seated him at the portal of his palace, and showered upon him silver coins from the treasury.”
#86
پر از بیم بودی گنهکار از وی
✦
شده مردم خفته بیدار از وی
“The transgressor was filled with dread of his justice, while those asleep in neglect were awakened by him.”
#87
منادیگری دیگر اندر سرای
✦
برفتی گه بازگشتن به جای
“Another herald would walk through the court when it was time for the people to depart,”
#88
که ای نامور پر هنر سرکشان
✦
ز بیشی چه جویید چندین نشان
“Proclaiming: 'O renowned and capable nobles, why do you seek so feverishly after excess?'”
#89
به کار اندر اندیشه باید نخست
✦
بدان تا شود ایمن و تن درست
“'One must first exercise foresight in every matter, so that one may remain safe and bodily sound.'”
#90
سگالید هر کار و زان پس کنید
✦
دل مردم کم سخن مشکنید
“'Ponder well each action before taking it, and break not the heart of the soft-spoken.'”
#91
بر انداخت باید پس آنگه برید
✦
سخن‌های داننده باید شنید
“'One must measure before cutting, and one must listen to the words of the wise.'”
#92
ببینید تا از شما ریز کیست
✦
که بر جان بدبخت باید گریست
“'Look to see who among you is falling into ruin, for one ought to weep over the soul of the unfortunate.'”
#93
هرآنکس که او راه دارد نگاه
✦
بخسپد برین گاه ایمن ز شاه
“'Whoever maintains the upright path shall sleep peacefully, secure from any harm by the King.'”
#94
دگر هرک یازد به چیز کسان
✦
بود چشم ما سوی آنکس رسان
“'And whoever reaches out for the possessions of others, our watchful eye shall swiftly find him out.'”