Iraj Answers His Father

When Salm's messenger had returned, the great king sat down and opened his heart. He called his beloved, ambitious son to him and repeated to him all that had been said. He told him: those two warlike sons have turned toward us from the East. This is the portion their stars have given them: to take joy in wicked deeds. Another cause is that two kingdoms nourished them, and in those lands cruelty took root. Your brother is only your brother so long as the crown rests on your head. Once the color drains from your face, he will no longer circle your bed with care. If you meet the sword with kindness, your head will be thrown into confusion by their judgment. My two sons, who from two shoulders of the world have opened their tongues against me like this, If your life matters to you, get ready: open the treasury and tie up your baggage. If you reach for the cup at breakfast, my son, they may eat you up by supper. You need no companion in this world: harmlessness and honesty are companions enough. Then the renowned Iraj looked upon his kind, pure, and fortunate father. He answered: my king, consider how the turning of time goes. Since it passes over us like the wind, why should a wise person grieve? Time withers the rosy face and darkens the bright and radiant soul. At the start there is treasure, and at the end there is toil, and after the toil, departure from this borrowed lodging. Since our bed will be of earth and our pillow of brick, why plant a tree today? For however the wheel of heaven passes above it, its trunk drinks blood and bears a fruit of hatred. The master of the sword, the throne, and the royal seal: the earth has seen many like us and will see more. Of all those crowned and celebrated men before us, none held such vengeance to be their custom. If my king will permit me, I will not let evil pass my days with evil. I do not need the crown, the throne, or the royal cap; I will go to them, running, without an army. I will say: O my renowned ones, as dear to me as my own body and soul, do not, without cause, hold anger and hatred against the king of the earth. Do not place so much hope in this world; look what it did to Jamshid. In the end he too left the world, and neither crown, throne, nor royal belt remained to him. In the end, I too, along with you, must taste the bitterness of time. I will turn their hate-filled hearts back to love; that is worthier than that I answer hate with hate. The king said to him: O wise son, your brother seeks war while you seek a feast. I must take these words to heart: from the moon, no wonder that light should come. Such an answer, full of wisdom, befits you; your heart has chosen love and kinship with them. But when a life becomes worthless, and one wise sets his foot in the dragon's mouth, what awaits him but consuming poison? For that is his share from creation. If, my son, this is your decision, then set your affairs in order and prepare your place. Command some servants from among the army to go with you on the road. Out of my heart's grief, I will now write a letter and send it to that gathering. Perhaps I will see you again unharmed, for the light of my soul is in seeing you.