English
The Birth and Rise of Ardeshir
When nine months had passed for that moon faced woman,
a child arrived, radiant as the shining sun.
He was like the famous Ardeshir of old:
thriving, blessed, and a delight to the heart.
His father named him Ardeshir as well,
and his grandfather rejoiced to see his face.
He raised him tenderly and with great care,
and a long stretch of time went by like this.
Now the sharp minded people came to call him
Ardeshir, son of Babak.
They taught him every skill there was to learn,
and these skills only enriched his noble nature.
He grew so fine in looks, in knowledge, and in face,
you would say the very sky drew its glow from him.
Then word reached Ardavan
about the young man's learning and wisdom:
that in battle he was a raging lion,
yet on feast days he shone gentle as Venus.
So Ardavan wrote a letter
to the renowned champion Babak,
saying: You wise man and true guide,
eloquent, honored, and pure in judgment,
I have heard that your son Ardeshir
is a rider, articulate and quick to learn.
As soon as you have read this letter,
send him gladly to my court.
I will free him from every need,
and raise him high among the heroes.
When he is near, like a son to me,
no one will say he is not of our own kin.
When Babak read the king's letter,
he shed streams of bloody tears down his cheeks.
He ordered his scribe to come before him,
along with the young, newly grown Ardeshir.
He said to him: Read this letter from Ardavan,
and study it with a clear mind.
Now I will write a letter to the king
and send it with a trustworthy messenger.
I will say: here I have sent you
the light of my heart and eyes,
this brave and worthy young man,
and I have given him advice for when he reaches your high court.
You should treat him as befits the custom of kings;
no harm should ever come near him.
Babak opened his treasury swift as the wind
and gladdened the young man with gifts of every kind.
Golden bridles, a mace, a sword;
he held nothing back from his son.
Gold coins, fine silk, horses and servants,
Chinese cloth and royal gold brocade,
he brought them all and set them before the young man.
So the youth became a servant of Ardavan.
And many gifts were sent along with Ardeshir:
silk and gold coins, musk and sweet perfume.
Leaving his grandfather, the fortunate boy
set off for the court of King Ardavan.