How Bahrám Chúbína had Tidings of the Coming of Khusrau Parwíz and wrote to the Chiefs of Írán, and how the Letter fell into the Hands of Khusrau Parwíz and his Answer

Bahrám Chúbína heard: “The Grace of kingship
Hath been revived,” and cast his eyes on one
Devoted to himself, one of the host,
Aspiring, sage, fair-famed—Dárá Panáh—
Then called a scribe of note whom he instructed
To write him letters of great charge to all
The valiant leaders—Gustaham, Bandwí,
Gurdwí, the warrior (for he had won
That name from all the other chiefs), Shápúr,
And Andiyán, the cavalier, and all
That were the living memories of the great.
The letters* ran: “I offer to the Maker
Mine adoration privily that ye
May all awake from sleep and hasten not
To ill on this wise for from verge to centre,
With this Sásánian race in evidence,
Things worsen through their wrangling and self-seeking.

Ardshír, sprung from Pápak, was first to bring
Confusion on the world, his scimitar
O'ershadowed all his age and mazed the Great;
And first of all I instance Ardawán
With other chiefs of ardent soul whose names
Are lacking on the earth to this throne's grief.
Then surely ye have heard of what befell,
Through ill-advised Pírúz, to Súfarai.
He freed Kubád from fetters and Kubád,
Of all the chieftains, gave him to the wind;
For when malevolent Kubád grew strong
He put away his virtues, took to crime,
Slew this illustrious and devoted man,
And soured the nobles' hearts. He that aggrieveth
His kin, preferring passion to his child,
Would injure strangers more. No one would look
For ivory in ebony; so put not
Your only trust in the Sásánians,
Or seek for jewels in red willow-trees.
When they shall bring this letter unto you
May your Urmuzd prove gracious. Ye possess
A place illustrious in my regard;
The breast and sleeves are all one with the shirt;
Our place for rest and sleep by dark or day
Is one, and when ye join me ye will brighten
My gloomy soul. I reck not of the Rúmans,
Or of their king, and will tread down their heads
And throne.”

They sealed the letters with his seal,

And then the envoy went in merchants' guise
In haste to where Khusrau Parwíz held court.
He had a caravan of various goods,
And with the letters carried presents too.
He marked the grandeur and great host wherefor,
Thou wouldst have said: “Earth hath no thorough­fare,”
And thought: “With such a king who will confide
In brave Bahrám Chúbína? I am Persian,
I carry thirty camels' loads of goods,
And have no foes; why should I wreck myself
When majesty hath risen from the abyss?
I will deliver to Khusrau Parwíz
The letters—an unlooked for offering.”
Perturbed he reached the Sháh's court with those letters,
And all the presents of that hostile liege;
He brought the drachms, the letters, and the gifts,
Revealing all. The world-lord having read
Assigned the messenger a golden seat,
And said to him: “O man exceeding wise!
Speak of Bahrám Chúbína as one vile

In our regard. Thou hast attained thine end,
But make it not a feather in thy cap.”
* Then sending for a scribe he had an answer,
Such as the case required, drawn up at large:—
“Brave and exalted chief! we have perused
Thy letters and been privy with thine envoy.
In word we battle for Khusrau Parwíz,
But are to thee like new Spring in our hearts.
When thou hast led thine army hither who
Will reck of Rúm or Rúmans? We will draw
Our scimitars and slay them in the fight.
Khusrau Parwíz, when he shall see thine host,
Thy prowess and pre-eminence, will quail
At heart upon the battle-day and flee
Like fox before thee.”

Having sealed the letters

He gave them to that loyal chief and said:—
“For this thy conduct, sage! thou shalt have fruit
From toil,” then gave him jewels and dínárs,
And many precious gems. “Convey,” he said,
“These to Bahrám Chúbína and recount
What thou hast heard, and thou shalt want for nothing
When my high fortune brighteneth.”

From court

Dárá Panáh departed and achieved
His journey like the wind. The youth delivered
The letters which the paladin received.
When that aspirant had perused the letter
He summoned greed and banished rede, and led
By what the letters said prepared to march.
The Íránians were amazed. The elders went,
On seeing that blind act, and said: “Depart not,
Or thy young day will age. Khusrau Parwíz,
If he invadeth us, will only find
The maces and the scimitars of war;
But do not thou betray the royal throne,
Or fortune will beguile thee forwardly.”
* Their words were vain; he bade the host assemble;
He loaded up the baggage, called to horse,
Struck up the drums, and led the army forth.
That valiant armament of Persians reached
Ázar Ábádagán. Host drew near host,
And ant and fly were barred from thoroughfare.
That warring subject said: “I fain would scan
Yon host and see what Rúman cavaliers
Are like, and if their troops are troops or what.”

Then with Yálán-sína and with the chief,
Ízid Gashasp, the warriors all mounted
Upon their steeds. These magnates went to view
The hostile host, saw and returning told
Their chief: “Yon host is boundless! The affair
Is other than we deemed.”

Upon their side

The Rúman horsemen of the Sháh arrived
In all haste at the place of audience,
And girding up their loins exclaimed: “We long
To battle with the Íránians,” which thing
Accorded to the wishes of the king.