English
The Reign of Kay Qobad
From there he headed toward Fars,
for in Fars lay the key to the treasuries.
His seat then was in Estakhr;
that place was the pride of the kings.
A whole world turned its face toward him,
for he was the crown-seeking lord.
He set foot on the throne of the kings,
with justice and tradition, a man of blessed judgment.
He said to the renowned nobles:
the world is mine from end to end.
If the elephant makes war on the gnat,
it tears a breach in justice and faith.
I want nothing in this world but honesty,
for God's wrath falls upon deceit.
My ease comes only through pain and toil;
where there is soil and water, there lies my treasure.
Army and city are all one to me;
the whole kingdom is my host.
Be all under the world-ruler's shelter;
be wise, and do no harm.
Whoever has, let him eat and give;
and thank me for what you eat.
Whoever holds back from eating
has no provision to get his work done.
My court is their pasture,
for everyone who serves in my army.
He recalled the great names now gone,
and made the world flourish with justice and giving.
In this way he lived joyful a hundred years;
see, was there ever such a king in the world?
He had four wise sons
who remained as his memory in the world.
First was Kavus, the praiseworthy,
second Kay Arash, and next Kay Pashin.
The fourth was named Arash;
to them he handed the world in peace and contentment.
When a hundred years had passed with crown and throne,
at last his fortune began to fade.
When he knew death was drawing near,
that the green leaf would soon wither,
at the turn of the month he summoned Kavus the king
and spoke with him at length of justice and giving.
He told him: I have packed my bundle;
you tend the coffin and take up the throne.
It is as if you might say I have just now
come down happy from Mount Alborz with a crowd.
Fortune is like a moment that passes unnoticed;
the one who serves it has no sense.
If you are just and pure in faith,
you will get nothing but praise from everyone.
But if greed catches your head in its snare,
you will draw a sharp sword from its sheath.
He said this and left this wide world;
he chose a coffin in place of a palace.
Now the tale of Kay Qobad is done;
we must turn to speak of Kavus.