Median courtier with tribute bearers. Southwest Iran (from Persepolis, north façade of Apadana staircase), reign of Darius I, 518–486 B.C.E. Limestone. 39.586. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. (Ben Poser)

A thousand years have passed since strangers came,
Yet still my homeland bleeds from ancient wounds.

The fire of our fathers dimmed,
Our voice drowned beneath foreign storms.

O Iran, rise again from sorrow—
Your spirit is older than their swords.