English
Part 3
When Delaray heard those words,
she let out one cold sigh from her heart.
She wept blood from her eyes for Dara,
for now he lay evil-struck beneath the earth.
She called the scribe to her side,
her lashes scattering blood across her face.
She composed a fine reply to that letter,
words full of meaning and good fortune.
First she gave praise to the Creator,
the ruler of the world, the just Provider.
Then she spoke of the turning heavens,
from which come strife, and peace, and love.
We had wished for Dara's glory,
and adorned our tongue with his name.
Now that his time has passed away,
his royal head has become the wood of a coffin.
I wish you goodness in this world,
greatness, victory, and kingship.
I want the world to bend to your desire;
in this I hide nothing, I say it openly.
I heard all the loving things you said;
may the heavens rejoice in your soul.
As for that tomb, the gallows, and Mahyar,
the punishment of Janushyar's ill-wisher,
when a man spills his master's blood,
he does not linger long in this world.
And as for the peace you sought,
you spent many days offering counsel.
Kings do not stoop to servitude,
no crowned one seeks the role of a slave.
In place of the king of kings, you are ours;
as the sun outshines the moon, you are ours.
May nothing in the world but your wish come to pass,
and may your name always grace the palaces.
And when you made mention of Roshanak,
you gladdened our heart with that longing.
We are your servants, we are your slaves,
our heads bowed before your command and will.
She sent him her greetings and wrote her reply,
a fine answer, as lovely as paradise.
Since the king of the age has chosen you,
no one dares turn his head from your judgment.
We have written letters to the great lords,
to the noble-born and the warriors,
saying: Dara's command is your command,
let no one break faith with your covenant.
She gave the messenger robes and a purse of gold,
and shared with him every kind of treasure.
When the Roman reached Alexander,
he recounted all he had seen and heard,
of that throne, that court, and its splendor,
you would say the king still lived upon his seat.
Alexander was gladdened by his words,
and calmly set the royal crown upon his head.