English
The Birth and Upbringing of Bahram
When seven years of his reign had passed, the priests were all in distress and misery under him.
At the start of the eighth year, in the month of Farvardin, when the sun of faith shows itself in the world,
a child came to him on the day of Hormozd, born under a lucky star and a world-brightening omen.
At once the father named him Bahram, and the little child grew glad at heart.
Every astrologer at the court, worthy of having his words heard,
there was one man of substance, full of glory and wit, the chief of the Indians, whose name was Sorush.
And a Persian named Hoshyar, who with his knowledge could put a bridle on the heavens.
The king ordered them to come before him, and the wise and true seekers came.
With the astrolabe they studied the stars, and from the Roman tables they sought the answer.
From the stars Sorush saw a happy secret: that this child would be a king in the world.
He would be ruler over the seven regions of the earth; say that his heart would be joyful and his conduct devout.
They hurried off to the king, with the tables and astrolabes under their arms.
They said to the crowned Yazdgerd: we have gathered knowledge of every kind.
The reckoning of the heavens came out thus: that the sky holds love for this little child.
The seven regions of the earth will be his; he will be a precious and blessed king.
The king was gladdened by their words, and gave them royal jewels as gifts.
When they had left that court, the chief priest and the king's pure counsellor,
sat down and searched every way for a plan, to see what solution might be found.
If this small child does not take on his father's nature, he will become a just and kingly ruler.
But if he takes on his father's nature, he will turn the whole land upside down.
Then neither priest nor warrior will be happy, nor will he himself have a glad, bright soul in the world.
All the priests came before the king, open-hearted and well-meaning.
They said: this noble child is far from any fault or reproach.
The whole world will lie under his command; every land will owe him tribute and treaty.
Look for a place where learning dwells, for through a learned man a land finds peace.
Choose a tutor from among the noble ones, one on whom the whole country calls down blessings.
This king with his happy secret nature will gain skill, and by his command the world will grow glad.
When Yazdgerd heard this from the priests, he gathered envoys from the land.
At once he sent men to Rome, to India, to China, and to prosperous lands.
That famous envoy went to the Arabs too, to look into gains and losses.
In every direction a summoner went, seeking one who would raise Bahram,
to find an eloquent, learning-loving man, a master of speech skilled in every science.
From every land a priest came, world-experienced, good-natured and wise.
When they had all arrived at that court, the seekers came before the king.
He questioned them much and treated them kindly, arranging lodgings for each in every quarter.
Noman and Monzer set out by night, and many famous men of Arabia gathered.
When the great ones had assembled in Persia, they came before the crowned Yazdgerd.
Each one said: we are your servants, we listen to your words and we are your singers.
Such a time calls for great men, since the worthy son of the world's king
should be taken in hand and taught knowledge, so his heart may be lit up out of darkness.
Romans, Indians and Persians came, astronomers and men of geometry,
philosophers of vast learning, eloquent and skilled in their crafts.
Each said in a gentle voice: O just king, wise and modest,
we are one and all the dust beneath your feet, and in learning we are all your guides.
Look and see who pleases you, and which of us proves useful to you.
Monzer said: we are your servants, we live in this world only for the king.
The king knows all our skills; he is like the shepherd and we like the flock.
We are horsemen and champions who charge our steeds, and whoever is learned, we can outdo him.
There is no astrologer like us, none so richly versed in geometry.
Our souls are full of love for the king, and beneath us our Arab horses snort and race.
We are all servants before your son, and we praise his greatness.