English
Part 17
When the army had crossed that fresh land, it pressed on swiftly toward the borders of the Roman realm.
So it came at last to that city which the emperor called his great stronghold.
When the Christians saw that army from afar, they hurried away along the road toward the water.
They hauled their goods up onto the ramparts and shut the city gates tight.
The world-brightening king was left waiting; his army stayed outside for three days.
On the fourth day the king sent word: 'Our army with us is not large.'
'Send us provisions and lend your aid; why do you play the master over us?'
To those inside the city his words meant little; his troops were all weak and hungry.
Just then a dark cloud rose up and roared like a battling lion.
From that cloud a wind swept into the city, and from every quarter came shouts and cries.
When half of the dark night had passed, a stretch of the rampart wall vanished away.
The whole city was struck with wonder; the bishop took to begging pardon of God.
In every quarter they gathered fodder, and three aged bishops rode out.
With whatever they had in that fresh land, and the fine garments that Rome produces,
they carried it up to the king, saying, 'O king, our guilt now stands revealed.'
Since Khosrow was young and of noble spirit, he did not reproach them for their wrong.
In that city there stood a palace whose height reached boldly up to the clouds.
Much treasure had been stored within it, and the emperor had built his own quarters there.
The king came in from the plain and passed by there, and wandered widely through that city.
All the Romans called down blessings and scattered jewels at his feet.
When a flourishing place fell into his hands, he rested and lingered there a while.
The king wrote a letter to the emperor about that wind, that rain, and the black cloud.
From that city he marched toward the Manichaean land, which the world's lord called Manavi.
Every Manichaean who was wise was clever, generous, and worldly in judgment.
Bishop and monk set out toward the king, bringing gifts and offerings.
Much talk passed with the king about the rain and that ancient city.
Everyone kept saying, 'We are your servants; we bow our heads to Khosrow's word.'