The Birth of Alexander

One night the moon-faced queen lay beside the king, adorned with jewels, perfume, color, and beauty. It happened that she let out a sharp breath, and the king was troubled by that breath. He turned in his robe and looked away, for he caught an unpleasant smell from her breath. That smell made the king of Iran gloomy, his mind troubled, his brows knit in a frown. They summoned the learned physicians and seated them beside Nahid. A clear-sighted, wise man kept searching until the remedy was found. It was a plant that burned the palate, called 'sekandar' in the land of Rome. The physician rubbed it on her palate, and she shed a few tears from her lashes. The bad smell went away and her mouth burned, and her cheeks glowed bright like silk brocade. Though that lovely face grew fragrant again, the king's heart lost its place of love for the charming one. The king's heart went cold toward his bride, and he sent her back to Filqus. The daughter, grieving, carried a child in secret; she told no one in the world of it. When nine months had passed for the fair-faced one, a child came, radiant like the shining sun. For his height, his strength, his sweet-scented arms, his mother named him Sekandar (Alexander). She held that name as a blessing, since through it she had been cured of her ailment. Caesar told every nobleman that a Caesar had been born from his line. No one mentioned Dara's name: Alexander was the son, and Caesar the father. He was ashamed to tell anyone that Dara had cast off his own child. In the stable there was a tall mare, a warhorse and a beautiful steed. That same night she foaled a white colt, chest like a lion's, short in the leg. Caesar was overjoyed at the birth, for the foaling seemed a good omen to him. At dawn he would call for his son and would groom that same mare. He would stroke that colt's eyes and mane, for it was the same age as Alexander. In this way the heavens turned for a while, and years passed in every kind of way. Alexander took on a royal spirit and began to speak like a hero. Caesar cherished him more than a son and raised him in the ways of a champion. He gained some wisdom and grew skilled, prudent, weighty in judgment, and learned in much. He became heir apparent after Filqus, who blessed and kissed him at the sight of him. Whatever skills kings need, Alexander learned from his teacher. You would say he was fit for nothing but justice, or for the throne of kingship and its foundation. After Nahid returned to her father, Dara took another wife. A child came to him, full of glory and strength, younger in years than Nahid's son. That very day they named him Dara, so that he might surpass his father in fortune. When twelve years had passed, decline came upon his years and his wealth. Darab, son of Homay, withered away; he was being summoned to the other world. He called the great and the wise together and spoke much from the throne of majesty. He said this: 'Now Dara is your king, and he will guide you toward goodness.' 'All of you listen and obey; find your souls' peace in his command.' 'For this throne of kingship does not last long; it passes pleasantly, and soon they call you back.' 'Strive to bring kindness and justice, and remember me too with joy.' He said this and drew a breath from deep within, and that pomegranate-blossom face turned pale as a yellow flower.