Alexander the Great to Darius III(1) 汉译

From Zu-Ul-Kurnain, to him who pretends to be king of kings; that the very hosts of Heaven stand in awe of him; and that the inhabitants of the world are by him enlightened! How then can it be worthy of such a person to be afraid of a contemptible foe like Iskander?

Does not Dara know that the High and Mighty Lord gives power and dominion to whomsoever He wills? And also, whenever a feeble mortal regards himself as a God, and conqueror over the hosts of Heaven, beyond doubt the indignation of the Almighty brings down ruin on his kingdom?

How can the person doomed to death and corruption be a God, he from whom his kingdom is taken away and who leaves the enjoyment of the world to others?

Lo! I have resolved to meet you in battle, and therefore march towards your realms. I profess myself the weak and humble servant of God, to whom I address my prayers and look for victory and triumph, and whom I adore.

Along with the letter in which you make a display of your great power you have sent me a scourge, a ball, a coffer filled with gold, and an assload of sesame; all of which I refer to good fortune and regard as auspicious sighs. The scourge portends that I shall be the instrument of your castigation and become your ruler, preceptor, and director. The ball indicates that the surface of the earth and the circumference of the globe shall be under my lieutenants. The coffer of gold, which is part of your treasure, denotes that your riches shall soon be transferred to me. And as to the sesame, although the grains are many in number, it is however soft to the touch and of all kinds of food the least noxious and disagreeable.

In return I send you a kaffis of mustard seed, that you may taste and acknowledge the bitterness of my victory. And whereas through presumption you have exalted yourself, and have become proud through the grandeur of your kingdom, and pretend to be a Divinity on earth, and have even raised to the heavens this standard I truly am your supreme lord; and although by the enumeration of your numbers, preparations, and might you have endeavored to alarm me; yet I confidently trust in the interposition of Divine Providence, that it will please the Almighty to make thy boasting attended by the reproach of mankind; and that in the same proportion as you have magnified yourself. He may bring on you humiliation and grant me victory over you. My trust and reliance are in the Lord. And so farewell.