Prince Goshtasp, wandering in bitter exile, journeyed toward the lands of Rum with a heart consumed by grief and resentment. Having reaped nothing but sorrow from the turns of fortune and the indifference of his father Lohrasp, he came upon a lush village near the border city. There, by the bank of a shimmering stream, stood a grand tree whose dense canopy blocked out the blazing sun—a spot meant for joyful youth to gather, yet now destined to harbor a broken hero.
Sitting beneath the deep shadow, Goshtasp leaned his chin upon his hand, his eyes brimming with bloody tears as he poured out his lamentation to the Divine Judge. He could not comprehend why, despite his noble birth and righteous star, such wretchedness had befallen him.
As he sat immersed in anguish, the chieftain of the village—a revered nobleman—passed by. Seeing the radiant stranger weeping in solitary despair, the chieftain approached with gentle sympathy. He invited the sorrowful youth to his home, offering warm hospitality so that the heavy clouds upon Goshtasp's heart might disperse and his tear-stained eyelashes might dry.
Impelled by the dignity of his host, Goshtasp inquired of his lineage. The village master proudly revealed that he was descended from the glorious stock of King Fereydun—a bloodline known to all the world for its unmatched nobility. Comforted by this revelation, Goshtasp arose and accompanied him. The host adorned his hall for his guest and cared for him as though he were his own brother, harboring the prince in comfort as the months drifted silently by.
#1
همی بود گشتاسپ دل مستمند
✦
خروشان و جوشان ز چرخ بلند
“Goshtasp remained with a heartbroken soul, weeping and boiling against the high heavens.”
#2
نیامد ز گیتیش جز زهر بهر
✦
یکی روستا دید نزدیک شهر
“From the world he had received naught but poison; near the city, he caught sight of a village.”
#3
درخت و گل و آبهای روان
✦
نشستنگه شاد مرد جوان
“There were trees, blossoms, and flowing streams—a place of joyful rest for a youth.”
#4
درختی گشن سایه بر پیش آب
✦
نهان گشته زو چشمهٔ آفتاب
“A tree of thick foliage cast its shade over the water, completely veiling the fountain of the sun.”
#5
بران سایه بنشست مرد جوان
✦
پر از درد پیچان و تیره‌روان
“Beneath that shadow sat the young prince, writhing in anguish with a darkened soul.”
#6
همی گفت کای داور کردگار
✦
غم آمد مرا بهره زین روزگار
“He cried out: 'O Sovereign Creator! Sorrow alone has become my portion from this life!”
#7
نبینم همی اختر خویش بد
✦
ندانم چرا بر سرم بد رسد
“I do not see my star as evil; I know not why such misfortune falls upon my head!'”
#8
یکی نامور زان پسندیده ده
✦
گذر کرد بر وی که او بود مه
“A chieftain from that praised village chanced to pass by, for he was the leader of that place.”
#9
ورا دید با دیدگان پر ز خون
✦
به زیر زنخ دست کرده ستون
“He saw him weeping tears of blood, resting his chin upon his hand.”
#10
بدو گفت کای پاک مرد جوان
✦
چرایی پر از درد و تیره‌روان
“He said to him: 'O pure-hearted youth! Why art thou so full of pain and darkened in spirit?”
#11
اگر آیدت رای ایوان من
✦
بوی شاد یکچند مهمان من
“If it pleases thy mind to come to my dwelling, be my joyful guest for a little while,”
#12
مگر کین غمان بر دلت کم شود
✦
سر تیر مژگانت بی نم شود
“So that perchance these sorrows lighten upon thy heart, and thy weeping eyelashes dry.'”
#13
بدو گفت گشتاسپ کای نامجوی
✦
نژاد تو از کیست با من بگوی
“Goshtasp said to him: 'O noble seeker! Tell me, of what lineage art thou?'”
#14
چنین داد پاسخ ورا کدخدای
✦
کزین پرسش اکنون ترا چیست رای
“The chieftain answered him thus: 'What is thy purpose in asking this question now?”
#15
من از تخم شاه آفریدون گرد
✦
کزان تخمه کس در جهان نیست خرد
“I am of the seed of King Fereydun the Valiant, of whose lineage none is small in this world.'”
#16
چو بشنید گشتاسپ برداشت پای
✦
همی رفت با نامور کدخدای
“When Goshtasp heard this, he arose and walked beside that renowned village chieftain.”
#17
چو آن مهتر آمد سوی خان خویش
✦
به مهمان بیاراست ایوان خویش
“When that noble came to his house, he adorned his hall to welcome his guest.”
#18
بسان برادر همی داشتش
✦
زمانی به ناکام نگذاشتش
“He treated him as a brother and left him not in discomfort for a single moment.”
#19
زمانه برین نیز چندی بگشت
✦
برین کار بر ماهیان برگذشت
“Thus time rolled on for a while, and months passed over this affair.”