How Khusrau Parwíz gave Presents to Niyátús and the Rúmans, how he dismissed them to Rúm, and wrote Patents for the Nobles of Írán

The Sháh then bade Kharrád, son of Barzín:—
“Hold a review and call a court. Let all
The Rúman troops be mustered, young and old.
Bestow on them two thirds of all my treasures;
They must feel well content with what we give.”
For all deserving of a robe of honour
By prowess shown in fight he bade make ready
Such, and to requisition splendid steeds
From his own court. He gave to Niyátús
Such jewels, steeds and handmaids girt with gold
That they exceeded measure and surpassed
Withal what potentates were used to give.
All cities taken by Kubád from Rúm,
Or captured by Hurmuzd and Núshírwán
Of glorious birth, he gave to Niyátús,
Had patents drawn for them and filled the cup
Of colocynth with honey. Then the Rúmans
Set forth for Rúm, that prosperous coast and land.
The great Khusrau Parwíz escorted them
Two stages, farewelled Niyátús, and then
Turned back. Next week he took ten cavaliers,
Both shrewd and true to him, and quitting camp
Fared to Ázargashasp. On seeing the dome
He lighted down and went afoot, his eyes
All wet, his cheeks sun-yellow. When he passed
The portal and approached the Fire his visage
Was hidden by his tears. There he recited
The Zandavasta for a se'nnight's space,
* And humbly danced attendance on the Fire,
Departing on the eighth day for the feast
Of Sada was at hand. As he had promised
Before his lords he gave his share of spoil,
Of gold and silver, jewel-work, and gems
Fit for a monarch, to the Fire. He gave
Drachms to the poor abundantly and left
No one dissatisfied throughout the land.
He went thence to the country of Andív
To have his portion in the day of joy:
That province was the salt waste's boundary,
And none could put a value on the soil.
Within the palace built by Núshírwán,
Who dwelt there much, he had a splendid suite
Of rooms prepared, the golden throne arrayed,

And then the conquering, God-fearing world-lord
Came and sat down upon his grandsire's seat,
And bade a scribe and his own minister—
A helpful archimage—attend. They wrote
Out patents for the Íránians as the Great
And Mighty used to do. Bandwí, the chief.
The well advised, the veteran, managed all.
The Sháh gave Khurásán to Gustaham,
And bade him reinstate both law and justice,
Assisted by Burzmihr, the experienced scribe
Of beauteous face, and since heaven favoured him
Bestowed by grant Istakhr and Dárábgird.
He set his golden signet on the patent,
Then handed it to Rám Barzín forthwith,
And bade him bear it to Shápúr to whom
He gave withal both slaves and robe of honour.
He bade convey a patent under seal
To Andiyán, as was the royal use,
And gave him all the country of Kirmán
Because Khusrau Parwíz esteemed him great.
He gave another province to Gurdwí,
And sealed the letter with the golden seal.
He gave Bálwí the town of Chách and sent
The patent with an ivory throne. He counted
The treasury-keys and to Tukhára's son
Committed them. The monarch of the world,
This matter ended, turned to folk at large,
And bade the chieftains all obey Kharrád,
Son of Barzín, whose rule should be world-wide,
And name be countersigned on every patent.
The soldiers all that in the time of action
Held by the famous king were given from him
A robe of honour and dismissed with joy.
A herald fluent and a chief withal
Of sweet voice and shrewd heart went round pro­claiming:—
“O ye, the subjects of the king of earth!
Praise justice only, seek not vengeance, shed
Not blood, and prompt not unto deeds of ill.
If any of our subjects be aggrieved,
Or injured by the troops, the wrongers' place
Shall be the gibbet here and penal fire
Hereafter. Ye are all lords of the treasure
That cometh to you from your proper toil.
Enjoy and give away, ye that have means!
And ye that have none! ask. In every city
We have a treasure through our fathers' travail,
Or ours, and we have bidden the treasurer
Give food and clothes withal to such as lack.
When food is requisite they shall receive
From him three mans* at dawn upon condition
That they shall make thanksgiving and shall strive
To keep the earth in culture.”

Through his justice

The world became a Paradise on high,
And one may well acclaim Khusrau Parwíz,
For better is a great king of that kind
Than one impure albeit sage in mind.*