Part 22

When Caesar looked and read the letter through, every kind of thought ran across his heart. Then he said to his noble minister: draw this secret out from its hiding place. Consider Khosrow in this hard struggle: he will rejoice if he escapes his fate's grip. But if, say, he is not victorious, then after that there will be no new year for him either. Let us wait until he goes to the Khaqan: when a man falls sick, he seeks the cure. And if, say, he comes out the victor, he will hold the throne just as his father did. It is best that he set out from here with an army, so that he keeps no grudge hidden in his heart. When the wise minister heard these words, he ordered the old astronomical tables brought. They summoned the men who read the stars; the talk went on until three watches of the night remained. At last the astrologer spoke, saying to Caesar: O crowned king, I have studied these ancient tables, whose foundation Plato laid from the stars. Before long the throne will pass to Khosrow; a new turn of kingship is coming to him. And so, for thirty and eight years, no dark cloud of misfortune can pass over him. When Caesar heard this, he told his minister: this wish has come out into the open. What shall we say, and how shall we answer this? Come, let us settle on a fortunate plan. The noble minister spoke these words: the one who set the stars' foundation in the sky, no one ever matched in courage and knowledge: may the Lord of the world come to your aid. When Khosrow goes toward the Khaqan's border, he will remember you, and his heart will ease. When he raises an army from another place, he will never turn to take revenge on you. Now consider it yourself, for you are wiser and more capable of fulfilling these wishes. Caesar said: now, of necessity, we will send an army with elephants and glory. How long shall I keep talking? It is better that I hold treasure cheap, and so stay far from grief.