Iskandar Visits Nushaba, a Sovereign of Barda

Once in Azerbaijan, Iskandar learns than Barda is ruled by a lady sovereign. She is served by thousands of young maidens; men have no entrance there. To know the truth, he disguises himself and comes to Nushaba’s palace and introduces himself as an envoy of Macedonian ruler. But being very wise, Nushaba feels that the envoy behaves as a lion, knowing no fright, forgets to take off his sword and doesn’t bow in front of her throne. She understands his trick and orders to bring his portrait. Iskandar amazes Nushaba’s perspicacity and confesses.

Nushaba gives a lordly feast in his honour. She places cups of gold and precious stones on the table. Iskandar tells her that these are uneatable and demands something to satisfy his hunger. Laughing at his words Nushaba says:

If stones do not pass through one’s throat,
What is the use of fighting, waging wars,
For such useless stones like these?