English
Part 13: The Letter for Peace
There was a man from the line of leaders, from the famous stock of the caesars.
Baranush was his name, a wise man; his speech and soul were full of restraint and thought.
The army said to him: 'Be our caesar. Be the chief over this army and this land.'
'The troops will listen to your words. Light up the crown and adorn the throne.'
They set up an ivory throne before them, and Baranush sat with the crown on his head.
They seated him in the place of greatness, and all the Romans sang his praises.
Baranush sat and gave it thought, about Rome and about the field of battle.
He knew that harm would come to him from the exalted king, from Rome, and from this conflict.
He sought an envoy, one of judgment and modesty, who could speak wisdom in a gentle voice.
A great scribe, one who had seen the world, wise, learned, and admired.
He brought him and seated him close, and told him his most delicate thoughts.
He wrote a letter full of praise, from the Creator to the king of the earth.
'May your crown endure forever, and may all nobles be your servants.'
'You know what plunder and bloodshed mean, and what it is to strike at innocent people.'
'Proud great men count it as an ill omen, whether against the land of Iran or the borders of Rome.'
'As for the old blood-feud for Iraj, Manuchehr settled it long ago through valor.'
'Salm's body turned to dust from that feud, and the earth was cleansed of Tur as well.'
'And if it is the feud of Dara and Alexander, whose reign brought new judgment upon the world,'
'his own two ministers had killed him, and besides, his fortune had already turned against him.'
'If the caesar's grudge keeps growing in you, the chains rub away in your prison.'
'The land of Rome must not be laid waste, for there has never been a land like Rome.'
'And if plunder and killing are your plan, all of Rome is left helpless and powerless.'
'Its women and children are your captives, their hearts wounded by sword and arrow.'
'The time has come to soften your grudge and rage, and to close your eyes on the past.'
'Let all our wealth be a ransom to you, since this feud is only wearing lives away.'
'Ease your heart and burn no more of this city, so that day may not pass into worse days.'
'It does not please the Creator of the world for a ruler to seek unjust revenge.'
'May the Creator's blessing be upon the king; may his star be high and his crown be the moon.'
The writer then laid down his pen, once he had written that royal letter.
Then they set the caesar's seal upon it, and the envoy set his face toward the king.
The wise man came and delivered the letter from the caesar to Shapur of noble birth.
When they read that famous letter aloud, they scattered praise on its fine words.
He showed mercy, his eyes filled with tears, and his warrior brows drew tight.
At once he wrote a reply, recounting all that had happened, the good and the ugly.
He wrote: 'Who was it that sewed a guest into a donkey's hide, who lit up the old marketplace of vengeance?'
'Gather your wisdom, rise, and come before me, you and your philosophers of pure judgment.'
'Since I have granted you safety, I will not make war on you; I will open this narrow road before you.'
The envoy turned back and carried the reply, recounting every word one by one.