English
The Crowning of Darab
The king let the curtain fall over his court, and for a whole week granted no one entry.
The world-ruler had a golden throne made, and two chairs of turquoise and lapis lazuli.
A crown studded with royal jewels, two armlets, and a torque decorated with gems.
All the robes were royal, woven with gold, and set with jewels of many kinds.
The astrologer sat before the king, watching the stars to read the fortune of the day.
On the day of Shahrivar in the month of Bahman, at dawn, the ruler granted Darab an audience.
She filled one cup with red rubies, and another with yellow rubies.
When he drew near to the great hall, Homay came from afar and bowed low before him.
She scattered those royal jewels over him, and tears of blood streamed down from her eyes.
She held her son tightly in her arms, kissed him, and stroked his face with her hands.
She led him in and seated him on the golden throne, her eyes dazzled by the sight of him.
When Darab took his seat on the royal throne, Homay came forward with the crown of kingship in hand.
She brought it and set it upon his head, and proclaimed to the world the good news of his reign.
When Darab began to shine beneath the crown, Homay turned to seek his forgiveness.
She said to Darab: as for all that has passed, know that it was as fickle as the wind for me.
Youth came, and wealth, and counselors; but the father was dead and the ruler without an advisor.
If someone does you wrong, do not hold it against them; may you never sit anywhere but on the throne.
The young man answered his mother: you come from the blood of heroes.
It is no wonder if a heart boils with feeling; but why cry out so over a single wrong?
May the Creator of the world be pleased with you, and may the hearts of your enemies be filled with grief.
Let these words remain as a keepsake from me, one that will never grow old in the record.
The blessed Homay praised him: as long as there is a place to be, may you endure.
He ordered the chief priest of priests to summon the wise from every land.
And from the army, all who were famous, the proud lions who wielded the dagger.
He ordered them to give their blessing upon the reign of that renowned lord of the land.
When they had blessed the king's crown, they scattered jewels over that throne.
She revealed what she had kept hidden, the thing over which she had suffered such grief.
Know that from King Bahman there is no other keepsake left in the world but this.
All must go by his command, for he is like a shepherd and the people his flock.
Greatness, kingship, and the army are his; upon him all must lean their strength.
A shout of joy rose from the palace, for they saw a fresh, auspicious young branch.
So many gifts were showered from every side that the new king was hidden beneath them.
The world filled with happiness and justice; not one soul recalled the hardship of the past.
Then Homay said to the priests: O renowned and noble sages,
What I toiled for over thirty-two years I have now handed to him, the kingship and the treasure.
Be glad and obey his command; do not count a single breath without his counsel.
When Darab rejoiced upon the royal throne, he set the crown calmly on his head.
The washerman and his wife came running and said: O young king,
May your royal seat be blessed, and may the heads of your enemies be cut off.
Darab ordered ten purses of gold and a precious cup of jewels to be brought.
He ordered five lengths of each kind of robe, and gave them to the one who had shared his hardship.
He said to him: O washerman by trade, always keep your soul mindful and watchful.
Perhaps you may find another chest floating on the water, with a child inside like Darab.
They departed, their lips full of blessings, praising the Creator for the ruler of the land.
Now the washerman's star has set; he went back to his shop and carried his soapwort to the field.