When Yazdagird became the world's great king
He gathered unto him the scattered troops.
There was a conclave of the wise and noble,
The great men and the princely archimages.
The atheling sat on the golden throne,
He shut the door of toil, the hand of evil,
And thus began: “He that committeth not
A wrong is not in danger of the avenger,
But when a heart is darkening with envy
The Dív will be called in to medicine it,
For envy causeth greed and grief and want,
And is a cruel and revengeful dív.
Impute not to a foeman's heart and hand
That which displeaseth thee. Humanity
Is wisdom's brother. Wisdom is the crown
Upon the head of knowledge. What time thou
Conferrest benefits on any one
Din it not into him and break his heart.
If thou dost good and art longsuffering
Thou art not worthless in a wise man's eyes.
If now victorious fortune shall assist me
In furthering my wishes in the world
I will prepare a roll of righteousness
Without an entry of deceit or wrong.”
He ruled the world in justice for a while;
The age rejoiced in him and he rejoiced.
He sent forth countless hosts on every side,
And kept the world secure from enemies.
When eighteen years had passed above his head,
He grieved because his fortune was bedimmed,
Convoked to him the magnates and the sages,
Caused them to kneel before the golden throne,
And thus addressed them: “This untoward sky,
Not knowing fosterling and fosterer,
And heeding not the crowns of potentates,
Pursueth every quarry in its path;
So now my time is drawing to its close,
And all my strength is broken. I bestow
The crown, the signet-ring, the host, and all
The treasures of Írán upon Hurmuz;
Pay due observance, execute my bidding,
And make my will the music of your souls.
Although Pírúz hath Grace divine and stature,
And is the elder brother of Hurmuz;
Yet see I in Hurmuz deliberation,
With wisdom, modesty, and aptitude.”
He spake and lived a se'nnight afterwards;
Then passed; the throne wept over him awhile.
Be thy years twenty-five, be they five score,
Soon will this fleeting show be thine no more,
Regard then as a transitory thing
Whatever falleth to thy rockoning.