ABSTRACT
Khusrau Parwíz wrote when the month had passed A letter couched in wise and happy terms, Beginning thus : “ The blessings of the Great Be on the man who keepeth pure within, Who seeth God’s work both in good and ill, And feareth none beside but praiseth HimThe Master of the sun-who thus sustaineth The heavenly sphere : and first, thy praises of me, As instanced in thy letter, I acknowledge, And I am gratified that they proceed From sages eminent. I have received Thy splendid1 treasure sent and only wish That thou hadst less concerned thyself. Since God, The holy Ruler of the world, hath raised Thy realm o’er Spica, so as to outprize Hind and Sakláb, Chín and Khazar, what manhood, What knowledge, virtue, and What Faith are thine, And with God’s blessing ! When I was in trouble Thou didst assist me and remove my griefs Most wisely. Now I am more gratified In thine affinity and virtuous daughter Than any other chief in child, in land, And virtuous kin. The other chiefs all turned Their backs on me and passed me by as vile,
But thou didst take the place of sire to me, C. 1997 And more. I recognise that thou hast been
A father noble and benevolent. Next, what thou sayest of the holy Faith. About your Sundays, fastings, and thanksgivings, The scribe hath read to me. The words are both Apt and acceptable, but still I shame not For mine old Faith-Húshang’s-than which the
world Hath seen naught better, teaching as it doth All justice, goodness, reverence, and love, With observation of the stars of heaven. Sure am I that God is and ever strive To follow justice. We do not allow That God hath any partner, son, and consort. He is and ever will be manifest, Not comprehended by our thoughts but still To me the warrant of His own existence. Now as for these old tales recalled by thee About the Cross of Christ : a well based Faith Hath reason for its guide. Concerning those Who, as thou say’st, are sad because their Prophet Was crucified yet call Him ‘ Son of God,’ And say that on the Cross He laughed, if He Was son He hath but gone back to his Father ; Be not concerned about some rotten wood. If foolish utterances proceed from Cæsar His letter will be laughed at by the old. The Cross of Jesus, which Ardshír the Sháh Put in his treasury, is not worth the pains, And if I send it from Írán to Rúm The land will laugh at me, the archimages Think that I have turned Christian and a priest Upon Maryam’s account ! Demand of me Whatever else thou wilt : the way is open. I look with admiration on thy gifts,
For which thou hast encountered so much toil, And have bestowed them on Shírwí that so I might inaugurate his treasury. I am concerned about Írán and Rúm, My thoughts all night are like a wood, I fear That when Shírwí is grown mishap will come Upon both lands. Beginning with great Salm, Prolonged by that old vengeful Wolf Sikandar, What with new feuds and old, the whole affair Will be revived. In all things that thy daughter Hath said to me know that she hath restored Thy crown to youth. She is a Christian still, And heedeth not my words. She is at ease And joyful, triumphing in this young Tree Of royalty. The World-lord help thee ever ; May fortune’s head be always on thy lap.”
