English
The Death of Khosrow Parviz
Everyone who had wronged the king now lived in dread of what fate would bring, day and night.
Since Shiruy was fearful and green, the very throne he sat on was a trap before him.
Every astrologer who read the stars knew the great men's day would never come.
All who had done evil and had thrown themselves into that deed fled.
From the court they went straight to Qobad and reminded him of that unjust affair.
They said: We spoke once, and now again; surely you have some other judgment in mind.
Two kings sit in one city with no gain: one holds the throne, the other stays below it.
If father and son grow close in kinship, they will cut off all their servants' heads.
We do not agree with this course; do not tell us this tale from now on.
Shiruy was afraid, and rightly so, for in their grip he was but a slave.
He answered: No one turns his head toward the trap but a man of foul name.
You should go back to your homes and set your thoughts upon that wish.
Search the world for someone who will secretly rid us of this trouble.
The king's ill-wisher sought a killer, so they might destroy the king in secret.
No one in the world had the nerve, nor from courage the share for such a deed,
to shed the blood of such a king, to hang a mountain of guilt around his neck.
The king's enemy searched everywhere until they saw a man on the road,
his two eyes dark blue, his cheeks sallow, his body dry and hairy, his face the color of lapis.
His feet caked with dust, his belly empty, the body of this brutal man laid bare.
No one in the world knew his name, neither among the humble nor among the great.
The birth of this ugly man was called fortunate, though may he never see the joyful paradise.
He said to him: This battle is my task; once you have filled me, this prey is mine.
He said: Go, do it if you can, and speak no further word on this.
I have given you a purse of gold and treated you like a son of his.
He gave him a dagger sharp as water; the killer set off swiftly, in great haste.
When that evildoer came near the king, he saw him shackled at the foot of the throne.
Khosrow trembled when he saw him; tears dripped from his lashes onto his cheeks.
He said: You of ugly face, what is your name? The one who bore you should weep for you.
He said: They call me Mehr-Hormozd; I am a stranger in this city, without friend or kin.
Khosrow said: The hour has come, at the hand of this vile, evil-minded wretch.
His face does not resemble a human's; no one in the world would seek his love.
A young page stood before him on his feet, and the king said to the boy: You who show the way,
go and bring a basin of water, musk and perfume, and a fresh, pleasing garment.
The servant heard his voice; the boy did not know his hidden intent.
The small servant came before him and carried a golden basin to the king,
with a garment, a ewer, and water; Khosrow was hurrying to be done with it all.
When he saw the sacred barsom twigs, he began the prayer; it was no time for talk or idle words.
When the king had put on those garments, he murmured a prayer of repentance for his sins.
He drew a new veil over his head, so the life-taker would not see his face.
Mehr-Hormozd came in, dagger in hand, and barred the door of the royal chamber.
He moved quickly, pulled the garment from him, and tore open the breast of the world's king.
He writhed and let out a cold breath; in agony, upon that garment, he gave up his soul.
This is how the world of the world turns; it keeps its secret hidden from you.
Weigh your words without effort; if a man only boasts, you will see nothing but nonsense in his deeds.
Whether you own treasure, or hardship and pain, you will not remain in this fleeting inn of a world.
Choose harmlessness and honesty if you wish to earn praise for your justice.
When word reached the market and the streets that the king had been destroyed in this way,
all the suspected ones were thrown in prison; those wretched men went to the palace hall.
There were fifteen dear sons of his, imprisoned in the king's own palace.
They killed them, innocent, in prison, at the time when the king's fortune had turned.
The ruler dared say nothing; he kept that grief hidden within.
When Shiruy heard, he wept for a while, then sent twenty guards afterward,
so they might watch over the wives and children after the death of that slain king.
Gone was that kingship and all that army, that greatness, that manliness, and that power,
which no king of kings had ever possessed, nor was heard of among the famed men of old.
He became one with the man who has ample bread but no land or palace to find or see.
The wise man says: he holds no worth, whoever has grown safe from the dragon.
Call the world nothing but a bold crocodile: once it seizes with its claws, it chews with its teeth.
Now the story of King Parviz has ended; gone are that famous throne, treasure, and army.