Ardshir brother of Shapur

Whenas Ardshir sat in the royal seat,"
And graced the throne of old Shapur, he girt
His loins and called the Iranians, seating them
Beneath the golden throne, and thus he said : —
" I would not that the process of high heaven
Should injure any. All the world shall be
Within my peace if it obey my will ;
But if this giddy world prove recusant
We will take order for it. Now my brother
Left me the world in trust because his son
Is but a child. Our blessings on his soul,
For he hath purged the earth of wicked men.
Whenas Shapur, son of Shapur, shall reach
To man's estate, and knoweth how to prize
The crown and throne, I will resign to him
Them and the host according to my pledge
To Shah Shapur. I only hold the throne
As viceroy and in memory of his sire.
Know this : what we enjoy will pass away ;
At death our travail will be turned to wind."

Through his ten years of rule he took his fill
Of joy and lavished bounty as he would.
He asked from no man tribute, toll, or tax,
But made the crown and throne a charge to none ;
Men therefore called him : " The Beneficent,"
For all felt safe with him.

Now when Shapur

Was fit for crown and throne Ardshir resigned
The glorious crown, made good what he had spoken
And, like a man, maintained his pledge unbroken.