English
Alexander and Queen Candace
The world-seeker chose ten renowned men, worthy Romans as the task required,
men who were all of one voice with him and kept every secret he entrusted.
He told them: on the road ahead, call me by no name except Bitqun.
Qaydrush rode in front as their guide, with Alexander watching and listening close.
The chief drove the animals swift as fire, until they reached a mountain of crystal stone.
On it grew fruit trees of every kind, and abundant grass covered its slopes.
They hurried on this way along the road toward the land and realm where the king lived.
When Candace learned that Qaydrush was near, she opened her ears wide for news of her son.
She went out to meet him with a great army, all famous nobles born under lucky stars.
And when the son saw his mother, he dismounted and offered his praise.
Candace ordered him to mount again, and rode along holding his hand in hers.
Qaydrush told her all he had seen and heard, his face pale as he spoke.
How much suffering had struck the city of Faryan: no crown, no throne, no army, no treasure left.
As for me, I came back only with my bride, spared by Alexander son of Philip.
Otherwise he had ordered my neck struck off and my body burned in the fire.
So now do everything kindly; do not break a single word he asks of you.
When Candace heard this from her son, her heart was turned upside down with grief.
She called the envoy in from the hall and seated him on the throne of the great.
She questioned him much and treated him well, and set aside a fine lodging for him.
She sent every kind of food, as well as clothing and furnishings.
That night passed, and early in the morning he came to pay respects at the king's court.
The attendants drew back the curtain and let him ride his horse in from the gate.
He saw Candace on a throne of ivory, a crown of ruby and turquoise on her head,
dressed in a robe of Chinese gold brocade, with many servants standing around her.
The queen's face shone bright as the sun, and the pillars of her seat were of crystal.
Over her a canopy of onyx set in gold, woven through with grains of jewels.
Servants with collars and earrings stood on their feet in that golden garden of a hall.
Alexander stood amazed at all this and silently spoke God's name again and again.
The great one saw a throne room such that neither Rome nor Iran seemed anything beside it.
He came before the queen and kissed the ground, as a flatterer would do.
Candace received him and treated him well, questioned him much and seated him.
When the shining sun had turned past its dome and the hour for the stranger's audience passed,
she ordered the table set, and called for the lute-player and for wine.
They set out in one room tables of teak, all figured in gold with ivory studs.
Many dishes were brought, and once the food was eaten, wine was served.
They set out trays of gold and silver, and the first toast was raised to Candace.
As she drank, the noble queen looked more and more toward Alexander.
She said to her treasurer: that bright silk with the pleasing portrait painted on it,
bring it before me just as it is; go gently, do not touch it roughly.
The treasurer brought it and set it down; when she looked, she studied it beyond measure.
Candace knew that this was Caesar himself, the chief over that famous army,
who had made himself out to be a mere envoy and had come boldly into this gathering.
She said to him: you man of broad ambition, tell me, what message did Alexander give you?
He answered: the king of the world spoke to me among his nobles,
saying, tell pure-hearted Candace: seek nothing in this world but honesty.
See that you do not turn from my command; keep watch over my covenant.
But if you harbor any resistance in your heart, I will bring against you a heart-crushing army.
I have found the signs of your excellence, so I was in no hurry to come to war.
Wisdom and modesty are yours; the world is safe under your subtle judgment.
Now if you do not refuse to pay tribute and tax, you will know you have no strength to match us.
You will see nothing but goodness and fairness, as long as you turn from crookedness and fault.
Candace grew angry when she heard this, but saw no remedy except silence.
She said to him: now go back to your lodging and rest among pleasant company.
When you come tomorrow, I will give my answer and make a fortunate plan for your return.
Alexander went back to his quarters and all night worked out his own scheme.
When the bright lamp lifted its head over the mountain and plain and meadow glowed like fine silk,
Alexander came to that court, his lips full of smiles, his heart wrecked with worry.
The chamberlain saw the envoy, questioned him, and led him in to the ruler.
Her whole palace was full of strangers; one chamber was a hall of crystal,
carved over with carnelian and chrysolite, and royal jewels set within.
Its floor was all sandalwood and aloewood, its pillars of onyx and turquoise.
Alexander was left stunned by that place, by its splendor, its throne, and its grandeur.
He said to himself: what a place to dwell in; no worshipper of God has ever seen its like.
He came gracefully near the queen, and they set out a golden seat for him.
Candace said to him: Bitqun, why do you stand dazed there among the onyx?
Surely such things do not exist in Rome, since you are bewildered by this modest realm.
Alexander said to her: my queen, do not hold this house as something small.
It rises higher than the halls of kings, for your hall is a mine of jewels.
Candace laughed at what he did, her heart delighted by his smooth trade of words.
Then she sent her own people out and seated the envoy close beside her.
She said to him: son of Philip, yours are both feast and battle, favor and command.
At her words Alexander went pale, his spirit full of pain, his cheeks like lapis.
He said to her: wise and noble lady, such speech is not fitting from you.
I am Bitqun, a steward of the world; do not call me such a breed as Philip's line.
I thank God my Creator that no famous chief was with me here,
who might carry word to the king of the world and quickly empty my body of its life.
Candace said to him: give up this dispute and free your lips, for you are Alexander.
If you would only see your own face with your eyes, rest from your scheming and show no anger.
She brought out the silk and laid it before him, with the pleasing portrait painted on it,
so lifelike that if the image could move, it would be none other than King Alexander.
When Alexander saw it he bit his lip, and the day went dark for him like a black night.
He said to himself: may no one in the world ever be without a dagger hidden at their side.
Candace said to him: even if your dagger were slung across your chest before me,
you would have neither strength nor sharp sword, no room to fight and no way to flee.
Alexander said to her: whoever among the great sets out to win the world by valor
must not shrink from the path of danger, for a coward never rises high in this world.
If my weapons were with me now, this whole house would become a sea of blood.
I would kill you, even if I had to tear open my own heart before my enemy.