Ferdowsi, The Shahnameh, The Reign of Shapur Dhu'l-Aktaf, Part 5

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The Reign of Shapur Dhu'l-Aktaf – Part 5

It happened that one day, even with crown and treasure, the King's heart was troubled by what was to come. When three hours of the dark night had passed, he summoned the astrologer and asked him about the royal throne, about hardship, and about prosperous times. The astrologer brought his astrolabe, casting aside his own peace and sleep. He looked intently at the heart of Leo, which is the revealer of victory and struggle—to know if evil would come to the King, or if divine glory would increase for him. When they saw it, they said: "O King, world-conquering, bright-hearted, and pious, a task lies before you full of pain and hardship—no one dares to remind you of it."

Shapur answered him: "O knowing man, seeker of the way, what is the remedy that this may pass from me, and my body not be delivered to evil fortune?" The astrologer said: "O King, from this turning of the unstable sky, you cannot pass through manliness and wisdom. The wise man, if he is a fighter of hardship, will not turn from what is destined." The noble King answered: "The Creator guards from all evil, for He created the turning high sky, and created power and powerlessness." He spread justice over his kingship and lived for a while without pain, joyful.

When all the borders and lands were prosperous through him, he desired to go to Rome—to see if the Caesar was worthy, with army, treasure, and strength. He opened this secret to his steward, a brave champion of justice and counsel, and told him all his thoughts, keeping them hidden from everyone. He said: "Keep this kingship with justice, so that you may be happy through justice." He prepared ten caravans of well-laden camels, with a guide for each, loaded with coins and jewels—thirty camel-loads of coins. Full of thought, he left the prosperous land and traveled thus toward the border of Rome.

There was a village near the city, where a peasant and a lord shared rule. He came to the house of a village headman and asked: "Is there a place for me here?" The chief blessed him greatly, saying: "We do not find such a guest as you." He stayed that night, ate, gave gifts, and received many blessings from the peasant. At dawn, he packed his belongings and went like the wind toward the Caesar's house. He came to the chamberlain, blessed him, and offered gifts. The chamberlain asked: "Tell me, what kind of man are you—you seem both royal in stock and royal in face?"

He answered: "O King, I am a Persian, a pious man. I have gone as a merchant from the island, with a caravan of furs and goatskins. Now I have come to this court, hoping that the Caesar will open the way for me. I have goods worthy of him—all jewels and military supplies. If he accepts them and entrusts them to his treasurer, I will be happy and without trouble. I will sell the rest for silver and gold; I seek refuge with the Caesar and will not turn from fear. I will buy whatever I need from Rome and return to Iran from this prosperous land."

The old man rose from the court and went to the Caesar, telling him these words. The Caesar commanded the curtains to be drawn and had him brought before him. When Shapur came near the Caesar, he gave blessings as was fitting. The Caesar looked at the warrior Shapur and surrendered his heart and eyes to his beauty. He commanded that food and wine be prepared and adorned the hall for the stranger.

There was a cruel Iranian in Rome—a man of injustice and evil—who said to the Caesar: "O proud one, hear a new word from me in secret: this renowned merchant, who sells silks for coins, I tell you, is King-Emperor Shapur—in speech, in appearance, in glory, and in bearing." When the Caesar heard this, he grew dark; his eyes were bewildered by his face. He set a guard over him and spoke to no one, keeping the secret hidden. When Shapur became drunk and rose, the Caesar kept watch over him. The guard came and seized him, saying: "You are Shapur Narsi—what a wonder!" They took him to the women's quarters and bound his hands; no one sought to rescue him from the trap of affliction. Since this knowledge does not come from learning, what use is the astrologer's count? Upon the drunken man, they burned a light and sewed him into a donkey's hide, lamenting. Everyone said: "This unlucky one sought donkey-skin and left his throne."

They took the unfortunate man without delay to a dark, narrow house and threw him into that cramped place, locking the door and giving the key to the Caesar's wife. They entrusted his body to that foreign hide. The Caesar said to his wife: "Give him as much bread and water as he needs, so that he does not die in haste. If he lives for a while, he may learn the value of crown and throne. The Caesar's throne will not come to mind for one who is not of Caesar's lineage."

The Caesar's wife locked that house and took her seat elsewhere. She had a moon-faced treasurer—a chosen steward for every work—who was of Iranian lineage, remembering her ancestors. She entrusted the key of the house to her, and Shapur remained bound in the hide. That very day, the Caesar drove his army from that region, leaving Shapur bound in the hide. When the Caesar reached Iran, his army drew the sword of vengeance one by one. He took Roman captives from Iran; no one could stand against those warriors. No man, woman, or child remained in Iran; nothing, great or small, remained. No one in the army knew—neither dead nor living—of King Shapur. All the people of Iran fled from the Romans; all the borders and lands were emptied of people. Countless Christians came from Iran, and all the borders became subject to the Saka.