English
The News from Kerman
A messenger came from Kerman to Isfahan, to the place where the great ones of Iran had gathered.
To the veiled women of the king's court came a man of high rank and standing.
He brought them Alexander's greeting and recounted to them all that had happened to Darius.
He said: from the death of kings comes no justice; neither friend nor foe can take joy in it.
Know that today I am Darius; though he has vanished, I stand here in the open as his heir.
The good I will do is greater than what was; there is no reason to claw your cheeks in grief.
We are all bound for death, king and army alike, whether we linger long or only a while.
Bring your belongings toward the city of Estakhr; join us and share in our glory.
Iran is still the same as it was from the first; be glad at heart and sound of body.
They wrote letters to every land, to every renowned man and every noble.
From Alexander, son of the great Philip, conqueror of the world, mighty against his enemies.
Enrich your hearts with justice and generosity; make freedom the crown upon your heads.
For in the end our own day too will pass; time keeps counting our steps behind us.
A letter likewise went to the priests, full of warmth, apology, and blessing.
The heading read: from the king of the Kayanids to the wise men of the Iranians.
When the pen's tip washed itself clean like amber, the letter began, first of all, with praise.
Praise to the just One who created the world, who fashioned the hidden after the visible.
Both worlds sprang into being from His word; why should they not obey His command, and how could they be otherwise?
The sky you see turning above, call none but Him powerful and all-knowing.
Whatever He wills comes to pass; we are all servants, and He is the king.
From Him be greetings upon the renowned, each measured to his own worth.
Keep in mind nothing of the world's ways except good name, culture, and justice.
In the hour of victory grief came to me; in the midst of feasting, mourning came to me.
By the One who holds the high sun aloft, I never sought to harm the life of Darius.
That king's enemy came from within his own house; it was a servant, no stranger, who struck him.
Now he has met God's just punishment; when he wrought evil, evil turned back upon his face.
Seek justice and make a covenant; pledge your tongues as surety to your word.
If you wish to gain fortune from the wheel of heaven, take from me purses, servants, crown, and throne.
My bright heart is full of sorrow for Darius; I will strive never to break with his counsel.
Whoever comes to this royal court will find money, honor, throne, and crown.
If he wishes to remain in his own hall, let him not turn away in flight from his pledge.
They will receive whatever they ask from the treasury; after that no one will know pain or hardship.
Mint the coin in Alexander's name; strive, and do not break our covenant.
Arrange the seat of your own kings henceforth according to the old custom.
Do not leave the marketplace without a guard, one who keeps my name upon his tongue.
Do not leave your borders without a warden; prove your worth in this.
So that no harm comes from thieves, and you remain glad of heart and prosperous.
From every city send a fine attendant, a servant full of modesty and vigilance.
One fit to serve in our golden chamber, who understands our ways of service.
One who will not grieve at leaving home; it is not right that any servant be wronged.
Send them toward our private quarters, to those who wait upon the king.
Send also travelers who pass through the cities, light of step and sparing of tongue.
Hearts pure of fault, known as true seekers, content in the heart even in poverty.
Put the names of those in need at the top; enter their count at the start of the ledger.
Whoever among you is in distress, wherever an official has done him wrong,
break the heart and the back of the tyrant; tear out root and branch from the ground.
Whoever plots evil and acts on it, I will find him out when I make my search.
I will hang the infamous one alive on the gallows, the one who lost sight of his end from the very start.
Anyone who defies our command will in the end bear the punishment for that deed.
When the letter was sent off, he set out and took a whole world into peace and calm.
He came from Kerman to the city of Estakhr and set upon his head the crown of royal glory.
Do not probe the secret of the world as long as you can, for it soon turns its face away from the seeker.