He read, his grief increased, the throne appeared
All mournful* to his eyes, and thus that world-lord
Said to Kharrád, son of Barzín: “That I
Esteem Khusrau Parwíz above myself,
Above my kindred and my fluent soul,
Is not a secret with discerning men.
I have arms, troops, and treasure. Now consider

What ye require. If he will have mine eyes
I will not say him nay though they are better
Than wealth, dínárs, and sword.”

Then Cæsar summoned

A well-experienced scribe and, seating him
Upon the royal dais, bade him write
An answer decked like meads of Paradise
With many a counsel, promise, and kind word
About past times and present. When the scribe
Had finished Cæsar chose a cavalier
Brave, fluent, ardent, and of heedful mind,
Wise, learned, a warrior, and scribe withal,
And said: “Go to Khusrau Parwíz and say:—
‘Thou seeker of God's way, shrewd-hearted Sháh!
I have men, arms, and treasure, and no need
To trouble any one but, if need were,
Would requisition drachms from every lord
Throughout the realm that thou mightst have thy wish,
And go hence to thine own home in Írán.
Grieve not while here, 'tis circling heaven's way,
Which is by turns our refuge and our bale,
By turns our loss and profit. While I find
Arms, troops, and money do thou take thine ease.’”
The envoy went and told Khusrau Parwíz.