When Prince Goshtasp, wandering in bitter self-exile from Iran, reached the misty shores of the sea bordering Rum, he dismounted his steed and sought passage across the waters. There he met Hishoy, an aged mariner of keen eye and generous heart. Goshtasp claimed to be a renowned Iranian scribe seeking passage, but Hishoy looked upon his majestic frame and declared that such a man was born for crowns, chainmail, and broadswords, not ink and parchment. Only after Goshtasp bestowed a gift of gold dinars did the old sailor unfurl his canvas, carrying the prince across to the shores of Rum.
The city Goshtasp entered was a colossal metropolis spanning over three leagues in width—the ancient throne-seat built by Salm, where the mighty Caesars held sway. For a full week, the prince wandered the grand avenues of Rum, spending the last of his coins until hunger pressed upon him. He sought out the royal chancery of Caesar, offering his services as a court scribe to the chief chancellor. But when the scribes beheld his towering stature and iron muscles, they whispered among themselves that steel pens would shatter in his grasp and paper would burn; such a warrior belonged atop a warhorse with bow and lariat, not bound to royal rolls. Thus they turned him away.
With a pale countenance and a heavy heart, Goshtasp turned to Nastav, the chief shepherd of Caesar, offering to break wild colts and guard the herds. Yet Nastav proved cautious, refusing to entrust valuable royal livestock in the wilderness to a landless stranger. Next, Goshtasp sought the master of Caesar's camel-drivers. The wise camel-driver received him hospitably with food and drink, but marveled at his regal bearing, telling him that driving beasts was beneath a lion-hearted warrior and urging him to present himself directly to Caesar's throne.
Penniless and despairing, Goshtasp wandered into the district of the blacksmiths and came upon the forge of Burab, Caesar's master armorer, who labored with thirty-five apprentices. Goshtasp offered to work at the anvil. Burab agreed and handed him a heavy iron hammer. As a glowing mass of iron was pulled from the flames, Goshtasp brought the hammer down with titanic force; so catastrophic was the blow that the heavy anvil and the red-hot iron ball shattered into fragments. The entire market trembled in uproar, and Burab cried out in terror that no iron, fire, or anvil on earth could withstand such superhuman strength. Disgusted and hungry, Goshtasp cast down the hammer and walked away into the streets, fortifying his soul with the ancient truth that joy and hardship pass alike, and that he who possesses wisdom remains steadfast before the turns of fate.
#1
چو گشتاسپ نزدیک دریا رسید
✦
پیاده شد و باژ خواهش بدید
“When Goshtasp reached the edge of the sea, he dismounted and sought passage from the ferryman.”
#2
یکی پیرسر بود هیشوی نام
✦
جوانمرد و بیدار و با رای و کام
“There was an aged mariner named Hishoy, a noble, alert man of sound judgment and good heart.”
#3
برو آفرین کرد گشتاسپ و گفت
✦
که با جان پاکت خرد باد جفت
“Goshtasp praised him, saying, 'May wisdom ever be paired with thy pure spirit!'”
#4
ازایران یکی نامدارم دبیر
✦
خردمند و روشن‌دل و یادگیر
“'I am a renowned scribe from Iran, wise, luminous of mind, and quick of intellect.'”
#5
به کشتی برین آب اگر بگذرم
✦
سپاسی نهی جاودان بر سرم
“'If thou wilt carry me across this water by boat, thou shalt lay an eternal obligation upon my head.'”
#6
چنین گفت شایسته‌ای تاج را
✦
و یا جوشن و تیغ و تاراج را
“The mariner replied, 'Thou seemest suited rather for a royal crown, or for chainmail, blade, and spoils!'”
#7
کنون راز بگشای و با من بگوی
✦
ازین سان به دریا گذشتن مجوی
“'Now reveal thy secret and speak to me; seek not to cross the sea under such a guise.'”
#8
مرا هدیه باید اگر گفت راست
✦
ترا رای و راه دبیری کجاست
“'I require a token gift if thy words be true; for where in thee lie the ways of a mere scribe?'”
#9
ز هیشوی بشنید گشتاسپ گفت
✦
که از تو مرا نیست چیزی نهفت
“Goshtasp heard Hishoy and said, 'From thee I have nothing to conceal.'”
#10
ز من هرچ خواهی ندارم دریغ
✦
ازین افسر و مهر و دینار و تیغ
“'Whatever thou desirest of me I shall not withhold—be it crown, seal, gold dinars, or sword.'”
#11
ز دینار لختی به هیشوی داد
✦
ازان هدیه شد مرد گیرنده شاد
“He gave a portion of his gold dinars to Hishoy, and the ferryman was gladdened by the gift.”
#12
ز کشتی سبک بادبان برکشید
✦
جهانجوی را سوی قیصر کشید
“Swiftly he hoisted the sails of the boat, conveying the world-seeker toward the realm of Caesar.”
#13
یکی شارستان بد به روم اندرون
✦
سه فرسنگ پهنای شهرش فزون
“There was a great citadel-city in Rum, spanning more than three leagues in width.”
#14
برآوردهٔ سلم جای بزرگ
✦
نشستنگه قیصران سترگ
“A noble metropolis built by Salm of old, the throne-seat of mighty Caesars.”
#15
چو گشتاسپ آمد بدان شارستان
✦
همی جست جای یکی کارستان
“When Goshtasp entered that grand city, he searched for a place to earn his bread through work.”
#16
همی گشت یک هفته بر گرد روم
✦
همی کار جست اندر آباد بوم
“For a whole week he wandered around Rum, seeking employment within that thriving land.”
#17
چو چیزی که بودش بخورد و بداد
✦
همی رفت ناشاد و دل پر ز باد
“When all his provisions were spent and shared, he walked sorrowful, his heart filled with sighs.”
#18
چو در شهر آباد چندی بگشت
✦
ز ایوان به دیوان قیصر گذشت
“After wandering through the bustling city, he passed from the courtyard to Caesar's royal chancery.”
#19
به اسقف چنین گفت کای دستگیر
✦
ز ایران یکی نامجویم دبیر
“He said to the chief scribe, 'O protector, I am a noble scribe seeking fortune from Iran.'”
#20
بدین کار باشم ترا یارمند
✦
ز دیوان کنم هرچ آید پسند
“'I shall be thy willing assistant in this craft, fulfilling whatever tasks the court requires.'”
#21
دبیران که بودند در بارگاه
✦
همی کرد هریک به دیگر نگاه
“The scribes present in the royal hall turned their eyes upon one another in marvel.”
#22
کزین کلک پولاد گریان شود
✦
همان روی قرطاس بریان شود
“They whispered, 'At the touch of his heavy hand, steel pens would weep and paper sheets would be scorched!'”
#23
یکی باره باید به زیرش بلند
✦
به بازو کمان و به زین بر کمند
“'He requires a towering warhorse beneath him, a bow upon his arm, and a lariat on his saddle!'”
#24
به آواز گفتند ما را دبیر
✦
زیانست پیش آمدن ناگزیر
“They said aloud, 'To take such a warrior as a scribe would bring us only inevitable trouble!'”
#25
چو بشنید گشتاسپ دل پر ز درد
✦
ز دیوان بیامد دو رخساره زرد
“Hearing this, Goshtasp turned away, heart-stricken, his face pale with disappointment.”
#26
یکی باد سرد از جگر برکشید
✦
به نزدیک چوپان قیصر رسید
“He drew a cold sigh from deep within his chest and went toward Caesar's chief shepherd.”
#27
جوانمرد را نام نستاو بود
✦
دلیر و هشیوار و با تاو بود
“That valiant man was named Nastav—brave, vigilant, and possessed of great endurance.”
#28
به نزدیک نستاو چون شد فراز
✦
برو آفرین کرد و بردش نماز
“When Goshtasp drew near Nastav, he offered him high praise and bowed in respect.”
#29
نگه کرد چوپان و بنواختش
✦
به نزدیکی خویش بنشاختش
“The shepherd looked upon him, treated him with kindly favor, and sat him by his side.”
#30
چه مردی بدو گفت با من بگوی
✦
که هم شاه شاخی و هم نامجوی
“He asked him, 'Tell me what manner of man thou art, for thou seemest of royal stock and seeker of glory!'”
#31
چنین داد پاسخ که ای نامدار
✦
یکی کره تازم دلیر و سوار
“Goshtasp replied, 'O renowned man, I am a trainer of young steeds, a brave horseman.'”
#32
مرا گر نوازی به کار آیمت
✦
به رنج و به بد نیز یار آیمت
“'If thou wilt favor me, I shall serve thee well and stand by thee in labor and adversity.'”
#33
بدو گفت نستاو زین در بگرد
✦
تو ایدر غریبی وبی‌پای مرد
“Nastav said to him, 'Turn away from this request; thou art a stranger here, without root or backing.'”
#34
بیابان و دریا و اسپان یله
✦
به ناآشنا چون سپارم گله
“'With open wilderness, seas around, and horses free, how can I entrust my herds to an unknown man?'”
#35
چو بشنید گشتاسپ غمگین برفت
✦
ره ساربانان قیصر گرفت
“When Goshtasp heard this, he departed sorrowfully and sought out Caesar's chief camel-driver.”
#36
یکی آفرین کرد بر ساربان
✦
که پیروز بادی و روشن روان
“He bestowed blessings upon the camel-driver, saying, 'Mayest thou be victorious and enlightened of soul!'”
#37
خردمند چون روی گشتاسپ دید
✦
پذیره شد و جایگاهش گزید
“The wise camel-driver, seeing Goshtasp's majestic face, welcomed him and offered him a seat.”
#38
سبک باز گسترد گستردنی
✦
بیاورد چیزی که بد خوردنی
“Swiftly he spread a table-carpet and brought whatever food he had to offer.”
#39
چنین گفت گشتاسپ با ساروان
✦
که ای مرد بیدار و روشن روان
“Then Goshtasp said to the camel-driver, 'O alert and radiant-souled man,'”
#40
مرا ده یکی کاروانی شتر
✦
چو رای آیدت مزد ما هم ببر
“'Entrust to me a caravan of camels, and take whatever wage thou deemest fit.'”
#41
بدو ساربان گفت کای شیرمرد
✦
نزیبد ترا هرگز این کارکرد
“The camel-driver replied, 'O lion-hearted man, such menial toil ill befits one like thee!'”
#42
به چیزی که ما راست چون سر کنی
✦
به آید گر آهنگ قیصر کنی
“'How canst thou content thyself with our humble lot? 'Twere far better to present thyself before Caesar!'”
#43
ترا بی‌نیازی دهد زین سخن
✦
جز آهنگ درگاه قیصر مکن
“'He will make thee independent of such toil; do not hesitate to seek Caesar's throne.'”
#44
و گر گم شدت راه دارم هیون
✦
پسندیده و مردم رهنمون
“'And if thou hast lost thy way, I have swift riding camels and trusted guides for thee.'”
#45
برو آفرین کرد و برگشت زوی
✦
پر از غم سوی شهر بنهاد روی
“Goshtasp praised him, turned away, and returned toward the city, his heart heavy with grief.”
#46
شد آن دردها بر دلش بر گران
✦
بیامد به بازار آهنگران
“As these sorrows weighed heavily upon his heart, he made his way to the market of the blacksmiths.”
#47
یکی نامور بود بوراب نام
✦
پسندیده آهنگری شادکام
“There was a renowned man named Burab, a respected and prosperous blacksmith.”
#48
همی ساختی نعل اسپان شاه
✦
بر قیصر او را بدی پایگاه
“He crafted shoes for the King's steeds and held high esteem before the Caesar.”
#49
ورا یار و شاگرد بد سی و پنج
✦
ز پتک و ز آهن رسیده به رنج
“He had thirty-five assistants and apprentices, all hardened by the toil of hammer and iron.”
#50
به دکانش بنشست گشتاسپ دیر
✦
شد آن پیشه‌کار از نشستنش سیر
“Goshtasp sat long in his shop, until the craftsman grew weary of his presence.”
#51
بدو گفت آهنگر ای نیکخوی
✦
چه داری به دکان ما آرزوی
“The blacksmith said to him: 'O good-natured stranger, what is your desire in my shop?'”
#52
چنین داد پاسخ که ای نیک‌بخت
✦
نپیچم سر از پتک وز کار سخت
“He replied: 'O fortunate master, I shrink not from the heavy hammer nor from hard toil.'”
#53
مرا گر بداری تو یاری کنم
✦
برین پتک و سندان سواری کنم
“'If you take me in, I shall assist you and master this heavy hammer and anvil.'”
#54
چو بشنید بوراب زو داستان
✦
به یاری او گشت همداستان
“When Burab heard his words, he agreed to accept his assistance.”
#55
گرانمایه گویی به آتش بتافت
✦
چو شد تافته سوی سندان شتافت
“He heated a noble piece of iron in the fire, and when it glowed red-hot, he rushed it to the anvil.”
#56
به گشتاسپ دادند پتکی گران
✦
برو انجمن گشته آهنگران
“They handed Goshtasp a ponderous hammer, as all the blacksmiths gathered around to watch.”
#57
بزد پتک و بشکست سندان و گوی
✦
ازو گشت بازار پر گفت‌وگوی
“He struck with the hammer and shattered both iron lump and anvil, filling the market with astonished chatter.”
#58
بترسید بوراب و گفت ای جوان
✦
به زخم تو آهن ندارد توان
“Burab grew fearful and exclaimed: 'O youth! Iron itself cannot withstand the power of your blow!'”
#59
نه پتک و نه آتش نه سندان نه دم
✦
چو بشنید گشتاسپ زان شد دژم
“'Neither hammer, fire, anvil, nor bellows can match your force.' Hearing this, Goshtasp became downcast.”
#60
بینداخت پتک و بشد گرسنه
✦
نه روی خورش بد نه جای بنه
“He cast down the hammer and walked away hungry, having neither food to eat nor place to rest.”
#61
نماند به کس روز سختی نه رنج
✦
نه آسانی و شادمانی نه گنج
“Neither the day of hardship nor suffering endures forever for anyone, nor do ease, joy, and treasure lasting stay.”
#62
بد و نیک بر ما همی بگذرد
✦
نباشد دژم هرکه دارد خرد
“Both good and evil shall pass over us; he who possesses wisdom remains unclouded by sorrow.”