A literary history of Persia

LEGEND OF ARDASH/R 139Karnamak."After the death of Alexander the Roman there were in Iran240 tribal princes. Ispahan, Pars, and the neighbouring lands werein the hands of the chief of them, Ardawan. Papak was Wardenof the Marches and Prince of Pars and Governor for Ardawan.Papak dwelt in Stakhr ;he had no son who might be able preservehis name. Sasan was a herdsman of Papak and abode ever with theflocks ;but he was of the race of Dara the son of Dara. During theevil reign of Alexander he had fled away and gone forth with Kurdishshepherds. Papak knew not that Sasan was of the race of Dara theson of Dara. Now one night Papak dreamed that the Sun from thehead of Sasan illuminated the whole world. Next night he sawSasan riding on a richly-caparisoned white elephant, while allthroughout the whole Kishwar (region, clime) surrounded him,tendered him their homage, and invoked on him praises andblessings. On the third night he saw how the (sacred) Fires Froba,Gushasp, and Mithr waxed great in the house of Sasan and gavelight to the whole world. This amazed him, and so he summonedbefore him the wise men and interpreters of dreams and relatedto them what he had dreamed on all three nights. Then said theinterpreters of dreams, 'Either the man himself concerning whomthou hast dreamed this, or one of his children, will attain to thelordship of the world for the sun and the :richly-caparisoned whiteelephant signify Strength, Might, and Victory, while the Fire Frobasignifies men well instructed in religion, and eminent over theirpeers the Fire Gushasp, warriors and captains of hosts ; ; and theFire Burjin-Mihr, the peasants and husbandmen of the whole world.So the kingship will accrue to this man or to his children.' WhenPapak heard this speech, he dismissed every one, summoned Sasanbefore him, and asked him, Of what ' family and stock art thou ?Was any one of thy fathers or forbears a ruler or 'sovereign Then?Sasan prayed Papak for indulgence and safety [with the words]'Inflict not on me hurt or harm.' Papak agreed to this, and thereuponSasan revealed to him his secret, and who he was. ThenPapak was glad, and said, ' I will promote thee '; whereupon, at hisbidding, a full royal dress was brought to him and given to Sasan[and he bade him] ' Put it on.' Sasan did so, and at Papak's commend,he then strengthened himself for some days with good andproper meals. Later, he gave him his daughter in marriage, andwhen the time (according to the predestination of fate) was in accord,the girl forthwith conceived, and from her Artakhshir was born."