With a heart steeped in crimson sorrow and a countenance pale as sandarac, King Yazdegerd set his pen to paper, writing unto the Kanarang of Tus and the mighty marchlords of the eastern borders. He commenced his missive with sublime praises to the Just Creator—the Sovereign of victory and imperial glory, who fashions the wings of the gnat and the talons of the eagle, ruling the elephant upon land and the leviathan in the deep. Reaffirming his descent from God-fearing monarchs whose justice bloomed across the earth, the Shahanshah addressed the guardians of Shamiran, Ruyin-Dezh, Rabeh-Kuh, and Kalat. He recalled their steadfast loyalty during the rebellion of Bahram Chubin, when they retreated to high mountain peaks to safeguard the realm. Yet now, a darker doom had descended: the nightmare of Khosrow Anushirvan was fulfilled. In that ancient dream, a hundred thousand unbridled Arab dromedaries crossed the Arvand River, extinguishing the sacred fires of the temples, darkening the radiant celebrations of Nowruz and Sadeh, and bringing the battlements of the imperial palace crashing down into dust. Seeing that fortune had turned her face, Yazdegerd marched with his remaining paladins toward Khorasan. Kashmagan, son of the loyal warrior Farrukhzad, arrived at court to detail the secret mountain sanctuaries of Gonbadin-Kuh, Kharmaneh, and Lazvardin. Recognizing that their massive host could not fit inside narrow fortresses, Yazdegerd ordered the entire wealth of Iran—gold-brocaded garments from Rome, Kashmir, and China, along with immense stores of grain, dates, honey, salted hides, and thousands of cart-bulls—to be transported and walled up inside these mountain retreats under the supervision of learned Mobads. Finally, he decreed the minting of new silver dirhams stamped with the Holy Name of God on one side and his own crowned effigy on the other, ensuring that even as darkness swallowed the empire, the memory of its majesty would endure through the ages.
#1
یکی نامه بنوشت دیگر بطوس
✦
پر از خون دل و روی چون سندروس
“He penned another letter unto Tus, his heart brimming with life's blood, his countenance pale as sandarac.”
#2
نخست آفرین کرد بر دادگر:
✦
«کزو دید نیرو و بخت و هنر؛
“First, he offered praise unto the Just Creator, from Whom comes all strength, fortune, and high accomplishment.”
#3
خداوند پیروزی و فرهی،
✦
خداوند دیهیم شاهنشهی
“The Sovereign of victory and royal glory, the Master of the imperial crown and supreme throne.”
#4
پی پشه تا پر و چنگ عقاب
✦
به خشکی چو پیل و نهنگ اندر آب
“Who fashions the mosquito’s wing and the eagle’s talon, the elephant upon dry land and the leviathan in the deep.”
#5
ز پیمان و فرمان او نگذرد
✦
دم خویش بی رای او نشمرد»
“Naught strays from His covenant and command; no soul breathes but through His sovereign will.”
#6
ز شاه جهان یزدگرد بزرگ
✦
پدر نامور شهریار سترگ
“From the King of the World, the great Yazdegerd—son of illustrious ancestors, a mighty monarch—”
#7
سپهدار یزدان پیروزگر
✦
نگهبان جنبده و بوم و بر
“The victorious commander under God, the guardian of all living beings and every realm.”
#8
ز تخم بزرگان یزدان‌شناس
✦
که از تاج دارند از اختر سپاس
“Of the lineage of God-fearing nobles who render thanks to the stars for their imperial crown;”
#9
کزیشان شد آباد روی زمین
✦
فروزندهٔ تاج و تخت و نگین
“Through whom the face of the earth blossomed, the illuminators of crown, throne, and signet ring.”
#10
سوی مرزبانان با گنج و گاه
✦
که با فر و برزند و با داد و راه
“Unto the marchlords of wealth and high station, endowed with glory, majesty, justice, and righteousness;”
#11
شمیران و رویین‌دژ و رابه‌کوه
✦
کلات از دگر دست و دیگر گروه
“To Shamiran, Ruyin-Dezh, and Rabeh-Kuh, to Kalat on the other hand, and to all the noble hosts.”
#12
نگهبان ما باد پروردگار
✦
شما بی‌گزند از بد روزگار
“May the Creator ever be our protector, and may you abide unscathed by the malice of fate.”
#13
مبادا گزند سپهر بلند
✦
مه پیکار آهرمن پرگزند
“May no harm reach you from the high heavens, nor from the devastating strife of pernicious Ahriman.”
#14
همانا شنیدند گردنکشان
✦
خنیده شد اندر جهان این نشان
“Surely the proud chieftains have heard, and this tidings hath echoed throughout the world,”
#15
که بر کارزاری و مرد نژاد
✦
دل ما پر‌آزرم و مهرست و داد
“That toward men of battle and noble lineage, our heart is ever filled with compassionate love and justice.”
#16
به ویژه نژاد شما را که رنج
✦
فزونست نزدیک شاهان ز گنج
“Especially toward your lineage, whose toil for the realm is prized higher by kings than any treasure.”
#17
چو بهرام چوبینه آمد پدید
✦
ز فرمان دیهیم ما سرکشید
“When Bahram Chubin arose in rebellion and withdrew his allegiance from our imperial crown,”
#18
شما را دل از شهرهای فراخ
✦
بپیچید وز باغ و میدان و کاخ
“Your hearts turned away from spacious cities, from gardens, riding fields, and lofty palaces;”
#19
برین باستان راغ و کوه بلند
✦
کده ساختید از نهیب گزند
“And upon these ancient meadows and high peaks, ye fashioned strongholds out of dread of harm.”
#20
گر ایدون که نیرو دهد کردگار
✦
به کام دل ما شود روزگار
“If now the Creator granteth strength, and fortune turneth according to our heart's desire,”
#21
ز پاداش نیکی فزایش کنیم
✦
برین پیش‌دستی نیایش کنیم
“We shall multiply the rewards for your virtue, offering praise for your swift loyalty.”
#22
همانا که آمد شما را خبر
✦
که ما را چه آمد ز اختر به سر
“Yet surely news hath reached you of what fate hath wrought upon our head from the stars;”
#23
ازین مارخوار اهرمن چهرگان
✦
ز دانایی و شرم بی‌بهرگان
“From these lizard-eating, demonic-visaged invaders, devoid of wisdom, honor, and shame;”
#24
نه گنج و نه نام و نه تخت و نژاد
✦
همی‌داد خواهند گیتی بباد
“Who possess neither treasure nor renown, neither throne nor lineage, yet seek to blow the world to the winds.”
#25
بسی گنج و گوهر پراگنده شد
✦
بسی سر به خاک اندر آگنده شد
“Much treasure and jewels have been scattered, and many noble heads buried in the dust.”
#26
چنین گشت پرگار چرخ بلند
✦
که آید بدین پادشاهی گزند
“Thus hath the compass of the high sky turned, that calamity should strike this empire.”
#27
ازین زاغ‌ساران بی‌آب و رنگ
✦
نه هوش و نه دانش نه نام و نه ننگ
“From these wretched, crow-like hordes, lacking intelligence, knowledge, name, or shame.”
#28
که نوشین‌روان دیده بود این به خواب
✦
کزین تخت بپراگند رنگ و آب
“For Noshinravan had seen this in a vision: that from this throne, splendor and grace would be scattered.”
#29
چنان دید کز تازیان صدهزار
✦
هیونان مست و گسسته مهار
“He saw a hundred thousand Arabs upon wild, unbridled dromedaries,”
#30
گذر یافتندی به اروند‌رود
✦
نماندی برین بوم بر تار و پود
“Finding passage across the Arvand River, leaving not a warp or woof remaining in this land.”
#31
به ایران و بابل نه کشت و درود
✦
به چرخ زحل برشدی تیره‌دود
“Neither crops nor harvest left in Iran or Babylon, while dark smoke ascended to the sphere of Saturn.”
#32
هم آتش بمُردی به آتشکده
✦
شدی تیره نوروز و جشن سده
“The sacred fires in the fire-temples died out, and the brightness of Nowruz and the Sadeh Feast turned dark.”
#33
از ایوان شاه جهان کنگره
✦
فتادی به میدان او یکسره
“The battlements of the World-King’s palace collapsed all at once into his courtyard.”
#34
کنون خواب را پاسخ آمد پدید
✦
ز ما بخت گردن بخواهد کشید
“Now the interpretation of that dream hath come to pass; fortune turns her neck away from us.”
#35
شود خوار هر کس که هست ارجمند
✦
فرومایه را بخت گردد بلند
“Whoever was cherished shall be brought low, and the fortune of the base-born shall rise high.”
#36
پراگنده گردد بدی در جهان
✦
گزند آشکارا و خوبی نهان
“Evil shall spread abroad in the world; harm will be manifest, and goodness concealed.”
#37
بهَر کشوری در ستمگاره‌ای
✦
پدید آید و زشت پتیاره‌ای
“In every realm a tyrant shall arise, and monstrous evil make its foul appearance.”
#38
نشان شب تیره آمد پدید
✦
همی روشنایی بخواهد پرید
“The signs of dark night have appeared; the radiant light is about to take flight.”
#39
کنون ما به دستوری رهنمای
✦
همه پهلوانان پاکیزه‌رای
“Now, by the guidance of prudent counselors and all our pure-minded heroes,”
#40
به سوی خراسان نهادیم روی
✦
برِ مرزبانان دیهیم‌جوی
“We have set our face toward Khorasan, unto the crown-seeking marchlords of the frontier.”
#41
ببینیم تا گردش روزگار
✦
چه گوید بدین رای نا‌استوار
“To see what the turning of time will declare against this unstable design.”
#42
پس اکنون ز بهر کنارنگ طوس
✦
بدین سو کشیدیم پیلان و کوس
“Wherefore, for the sake of the Kanarang of Tus, we have drawn our elephants and war-drums hither.”
#43
فرخ‌زاد با ما ز یک پوستست
✦
به پیوستگی نیز هم دوستست
“Farrukhzad is of one skin with us, bound moreover in close kinship and affection.”
#44
بالتونیه‌ست او کنون رزمجوی
✦
سوی جنگ دشمن نهادست روی
“Though he is now Al-Tuni, eager for battle, turning his face toward fighting the foe;”
#45
کنون کشمگان پور آن رزمخواه
✦
بر ما بیامد بدین بارگاه
“Now Kashmagan, the son of that war-seeking hero, hath come before us in this court.”
#46
بگفت آنچ آمد ز شایستگی
✦
هم از بندگی هم ز بایستگی
“He spoke of all that was fitting and proper, both regarding loyal service and necessary duties.”
#47
شیندیم زین مرزها هرچ گفت
✦
بلندی و پستی و غار و نهفت
“We listened to all that he recounted of these lands—the heights, the lowlands, the caves, and hidden strongholds.”
#48
دژ گنبدین کوه تا خرمنه
✦
دگر لاژوردین ز بهر بنه
“From the fortress of Gonbadinguh to Kharmaneh, and the Lajuvardin citadel for storing baggage and supplies.”
#49
ز هر گونه بنمود آن دل گسل
✦
ز خوبی نمود آنچ بودش به دل
“That sorrowful messenger revealed every detail, demonstrating in goodness all that lay within his heart.”
#50
وزین جایگه شد بهَر جای کس
✦
پژوهنده شد کارها پیش و پس
“From this place emissaries departed to every quarter, and matters past and future were thoroughly examined.”
#51
چنین لشکری گشن ما را که هست
✦
برین تنگ‌دژها نشاید نشست
“"With such a vast army as we command, it is not fitting to remain confined in these narrow strongholds."”
#52
نشستیم و گفتنیم با رای‌زن
✦
همه پهلوانان شدند انجمن
“We sat and took counsel with our advisors, and all the heroes assembled together in council.”
#53
ز هر گونه گفتیم و انداختیم
✦
سرانجام یکسر برین ساختیم
“We discussed and weighed every option in detail, until at last we resolved upon this single course:”
#54
که از تاج و ز تخت و مهر و نگین
✦
همان جامهٔ روم و کشمیر و چین
“That of the crowns, thrones, royal seals, and signet rings, as well as the fine garments of Rome, Kashmir, and China,”
#55
ز پرمایه چیزی که آمد بدست
✦
ز روم و ز طایف همه هرچ هست
“And every precious treasure that has been collected, whether from Rome or from Ta'if, all that exists,”
#56
همان هرچه از ما پراگند نیست
✦
گر از پوشش است ار ز افگندنیست
“Likewise, whatever of our possessions remains unscattered, whether clothing or rich carpets and floorings,”
#57
ز زرینه و جامهٔ نابرید
✦
ز چیزی که آن را نشاید کشید
“Of golden vessels, uncut fabrics, and priceless treasures whose worth cannot be weighed,”
#58
هم از خوردنیها ز هر گونه ساز
✦
که ما را بیاید برو بر نیاز
“As well as provisions and foodstuffs of every sort that we might ever stand in need of,”
#59
ز گاوان گردون‌کشان چل‌هزار
✦
که رنج آورد تا که آید به کار
“Forty thousand cart-pulling oxen shall be brought, enduring heavy labor to serve in times of need.”
#60
به خروار زان پس ده و دو هزار
✦
به خوشه درون گندم آرد ببار
“Following which, twelve thousand kharvars of wheat still in the ear shall be gathered for grain.”
#61
همان ارزن و پسته و ناردان
✦
بیارد یکی موبدی کاردان
“Likewise millet, pistachios, and pomegranate seeds shall be brought by an experienced and expert Mobad.”
#62
شتروار زین هر یکی ده‌هزار
✦
هیونان بختی بیارند بار
“Ten thousand camel-loads of each of these shall the noble Bactrian camels carry as their burden.”
#63
همان گاو گردون هزار از نمک
✦
بیارند تا بر چه گردد فلک
“Likewise, a thousand ox-carts of salt shall be brought, to await whatever fate the heavens may decree.”
#64
ز خرما هزار و ز شکر هزار
✦
بود سخته و راست‌کرده شمار
“A thousand loads of dates and a thousand of sugar, weighed with precision and accurately tallied.”
#65
ده و دو هزار انگبین کندره
✦
بدژها کشند آن همه یکسره
“Twelve thousand jars of honey shall be hauled and secured in the fortresses entirely.”
#66
نمک خورده سر پوست چون چل‌هزار
✦
بیارند آن را که آید به کار
“Forty thousand salted and preserved hides shall be brought to serve wherever required.”
#67
شتروار سیصد ز زربفت شاه
✦
بیارند بر بارها تا دو ماه
“Three hundred camel-loads of the King's golden brocade shall be transported within two months.”
#68
بیاید یکی موبدی با گروه
✦
ز گاه شمیران و از رابه‌کوه
“A Mobad shall come with a company of men from the region of Shamiran and the heights of Rabeh-Kuh,”
#69
به دیدار پیران و فرهنگیان
✦
بزرگان که‌اَند از کنارنگیان
“To meet with the elders, men of culture, and the noble Kanarangian chieftains.”
#70
به دو روز نامه به دژها نهند
✦
یکی نامه گنجور ما را دهند
“Within two days they shall deposit written inventories in the fortresses and deliver one copy to our treasurer.”
#71
دگر خود بدارند با خویشتن
✦
بزرگان که باشند زان انجمن
“Another copy shall be retained by the noblemen who comprise that assembly.”
#72
همانا بران راغ و کوه بلند
✦
ز ترک و ز تازی نیاید گزند
“Truly, upon those high meadows and lofty mountains, no harm shall come from the Turks or the Arabs.”
#73
شما را بدین روزگار سترگ
✦
یکی دست باشد بر ما بزرگ
“In these formidable times, you shall hold a great position of honor and favor with us.”
#74
هنرمند گوینده دستور ما
✦
بفرماید اکنون به گنجور ما
“Our accomplished and eloquent vizier shall now command our treasurer,”
#75
که هر کس این را ندارد به رنج
✦
فرستد ورا پارسی جامه پنج
“That to anyone who performs this service without grievance, five Persian garments be sent as reward.”
#76
یکی خوب سربند پیکر به زر
✦
بیابند فرجام زین کار بر
“And a fine gold-patterned head-dress shall they receive as the final reward for this task.”
#77
بدین روزگار تباه و دژم
✦
بیابد ز گنجور ما چل درم
“In these ruined and dismal times, each shall also receive forty dirhams from our treasurer.”
#78
به سنگ کسی کو بود زیردست
✦
یکی زین درمها گر آید بدست
“For a subordinate person of humble status, if even one of these dirhams comes into his hands,”
#79
از آن شست بر سر شش و چاردانگ
✦
بیارد نبشته بخواند به بانگ
“He shall bring sixty-six dirhams and four dangs recorded on parchment and read them aloud.”
#80
بیک روی بر نام یزدان پاک
✦
کزویَست امید و زو ترس و باک
“On one side inscribed with the name of pure God, from Whom alone springs all hope, reverence, and awe.”
#81
دگر پیکرش افسر و چهر ما
✦
زمین بارور گشته از مهر ما
“Another aspect of its form is our crown and countenance, through whose loving grace the earth grew fertile and bountiful.”
#82
به نوروز و مهر آن هم آراستست
✦
دو جشن بزرگست و با خواستست
“It is adorned as well with the feasts of Nowruz and Mehr—two glorious celebrations beloved and full of splendor.”
#83
درود جهان بر کم‌آزار‌مرد
✦
کسی کو ز دیهیم ما یاد کرد
“May the world's blessings rest upon the gentle man of peace, he who holds in reverent memory our imperial crown.”
#84
بلند اختری نامجویی سوار
✦
بیامد به کف نامهٔ شهریار
“A warrior of noble fortune and famed renown arrived, bearing in his hand the sovereign’s solemn missive.”