English
Part Two
So he too passed on, after long years;
the crowned head fell into the jaws of death.
He had one son, gentle and dear to his heart,
and his name was Bahram, son of Bahram.
He brought the boy and sat him at the foot of the throne,
and said to him: You green branch of my tree,
I found little joy in this throne;
may all your days be blessed and bright.
Be one who builds and gives increase;
spend your nights and days in peace and laughter.
Live in such a way that when they question you on the day of reckoning,
you will not turn your head aside in shame before God.
Keep the world flourishing through justice and generosity;
keep glad the hearts of those beneath your rule.
For the world stays with no one forever,
not with the crowned king, nor with the priests.
Do not blame the turning sky for this cruelty;
you pass here for a while, quick as a breath of wind.
In three years, three months, and three days more,
the world-brightening throne was left empty of him.
When Bahram handed the world to Bahram,
his son gave him the quiet rest of the tomb.
So it has been as long as the high heaven has turned;
why weigh your heart down with grief and let it wither?
What can you say, what can you seek, what could ever be?
There is no use in dwelling on this tale.
If your soul is not worn out by greed,
still your only resting place is the narrow coffin.
If death has such a wolf's nature,
then I want one great cup filled with wine.