Bahram and Prince Tinush

It happened that one day at a royal feast he was standing on his feet before the king. As darkness fell, sleep overcame him where he stood, and standing grew too hard to bear. When his father saw his eyes drifting shut, he raised his voice in a burst of anger. He ordered the guard to take him away: from now on he would see neither crown nor belt. Lock him in prison and come back; he is not fit for throne, for honor, or for battle. So he sat in the hall with a wounded heart; for a whole year he did not see his father's face, except at Mehregan, Nowruz, and the feast of Sadeh, when he would go forward in the ranks. It so happened that Tinush the Roman came as an envoy on the road to the king, with purses of gold, slaves, and the tribute of Rome, sent by Caesar to that prosperous land. When he arrived, the king of kings welcomed him and gave him lodging worthy of his rank. Bahram sent him a message: 'You are a clear-sighted man whose wishes are granted.' 'The king was angered by something small in me, and though I am blameless he has cast me off.' 'If you would plead for me, that he might pardon me, perhaps my faded fortune would shine again.' 'Perhaps he will send me back to those who raised me, for Mondhir was more to me than mother and father.' When Tinush heard his message, he fulfilled that longing and made his wish come true. Bahram, worn with grief, was gladdened by this, and was freed from that unworthy captivity. He gave many gifts to the poor and made ready to set out from that place as well. He called all his followers together, and in the dark of night drove his troops on like the wind. He told his companions: 'Thanks to God, we have gone and are now safe from our fear.' When he drew near the city of Yemen, child and man and woman came out to greet him. Nu'man and Mondhir rose to come, along with the pure-hearted lancers. When Mondhir came close to Bahram, the day grew dark from the dust of the army. The two noble men dismounted, and Bahram spoke of his sorrow and pain. Mondhir wept much at his words, and asked, 'What is the king's fortune now?' Bahram said: 'May he never think again of his own ill-starred luck.' 'For anyone who does not walk the path of wisdom, I fear that his deeds will bring him punishment.' He gave him lodging right where he was, and heaped kindness upon that kindness. He had nothing to do but feasting and the field, whether generous giving or the effort of war.