The Letter to the Kings of the East

The king of the earth wrote a letter to the lord of the East and the ruler of China. He began the letter with praise of God, who is and forever remains in place. He said: this letter full of counsel goes to two suns risen high, two mighty men, two warriors, two kings of the earth, shining like a jewel among the great. To the one who has seen the world in all its forms, its open and its hidden ways laid bare before him, the wielder of the sword and heavy mace, the one who makes famous crowns gleam bright, who turns dark night into white day, who opens the treasure before hope's eyes, for whom all hardships have become easy, and toward whom brightness has turned its face. I do not want a crown for myself, nor heaped-up treasure, nor throne, nor royal seat. For my three sons I want only ease and comfort, after all the long suffering we have known. The brother whose fate has grieved your hearts, though no cold wind ever touched him, has come running because your absence pained him, for he longed to see you again. He set aside his own kingship and chose you, as befits the way of noble men. He stepped down from the throne and mounted the saddle, set out, and girded himself for service. Since in years he is the younger of you, and kindness to the younger is only fitting, hold him dear and feast in joy; once the body is nourished, nourish the soul as well. When a few days of his stay have passed, send him back to me with honor and esteem. They set the king's seal upon the letter, and from the palace Iraj chose the road. He went with a few companions, young and old, as the journey required.