Section 20

He called the seasoned scribe to come near, and seated him in the place of honor. He ordered a reply to the letter written, adorned as beautifully as a meadow of paradise. So full of fine phrasing, connection, and eloquent words, from that day back to the days of old. When the writer had grown weary of writing, the Caesar looked upon a bold horseman. A skilled speaker, bright of mind and quick to learn, wise, eloquent, brave, and a scribe as well. He said to him: Go and tell Khosrow: You king of clear vision and seeker of the right path, I have both weapons and gold in my treasury; there is no need to trouble anyone for them. And even if we had none, we would have asked coin from every land and every nobleman. So that you might return from Rome to Iran, with your wish fulfilled and your mind at ease. Do not stay in this land with a heart darkened by grief; such is the way of the turning wheel of fate. Sometimes it gives shelter, sometimes it harms; sometimes we take a loss, sometimes we gain. Now, until I have gathered weapons, an army, and money, do not be downcast. The messenger came before Khosrow and recounted all of Caesar's words.