When the Caesar of Rum learned of Katayoun's choice, he acquiesced with bitter fury, decreeing that his beloved daughter must depart alongside the unknown stranger without a single jewel, coin, or royal mantle. Goshtasp, marveling at the turns of fate, offered solemn praise to Yazdan. Turning to Katayoun, he questioned why she had forsaken noble suitors of high lineage for a penniless wanderer who could offer her nothing but hardship. Katayoun, resolute in her devotion, bade him not to rage against the heavens, affirming that if her heart was content with his destiny, thrones and crowns held no value for her.
Exiled from the imperial palace, they were welcomed by a noble village chief who bestowed upon them a comfortable dwelling and bountiful sustenance. Deeply moved, Goshtasp praised the pious headman. To sustain their household, Katayoun produced a magnificent, peerless ruby from her remaining jewels. A master gem-appraiser marveled at its splendor and purchased it for six thousand golden dinars, providing them with the means to meet their needs. Goshtasp turned to the wild wilderness, spending his days hunting with bow and quiver. On his return one afternoon, his path crossed the dwelling of Hishoy, a local man who welcomed the hunter with unfeigned joy and warm hospitality. A profound bond formed between them, as close as flesh and skin; henceforth, Goshtasp shared two-thirds of his daily hunt with Hishoy and distributed the remainder among the local villagers, finding solace and brotherhood in his quiet exile.
#1
چو بشنید قیصر بر آن برنهاد
✦
که دخت گرامی به گشتاسپ داد
“When Caesar heard of her choice, he resolved to give his cherished daughter to Goshtasp.”
#2
بدو گفت با او برو همچنین
✦
نیابی ز من گنج و تاج و نگین
“He said to her, 'Go with him thus; from me you shall receive neither treasure, nor crown, nor signet ring.'”
#3
چو گشتاسپ آن دید خیره بماند
✦
جهان‌آفرین را فراوان بخواند
“When Goshtasp witnessed this, he was astonished, and called upon the Creator of the World in abundant prayer.”
#4
چنین گفت با دختر سرفراز
✦
که ای پروریده بنام و بناز
“He spoke thus to the exalted maiden: 'O maiden nurtured in renown and luxury,'”
#5
ز چندین سر و افسر نامدار
✦
چرا کرد رایت مرا خواستار
“'From among so many renowned chiefs and lords, why did your heart choose me?'”
#6
غریبی همی برگزینی که گنج
✦
نیابی و با او بمانی به رنج
“'You choose a poor stranger, from whom you get no treasure, and must endure hardship by his side.'”
#7
ازین سرفرازان همالی بجوی
✦
که باشد به نزد پدرت آبروی
“'Seek an equal from among these lords, one who holds honor in the eyes of your father.'”
#8
کتایون بدو گفت کای بدگمان
✦
مشو تیز با گردش آسمان
“Katayoun said to him, 'O suspicious one, do not rage against the turning of the heavens.'”
#9
چو من با تو خرسند باشم به بخت
✦
تو افسر چرا جویی و تاج و تخت
“'When I am content with your fate, why should you seek a crown, a throne, and a tiara?'”
#10
برفتند ز ایوان قیصر به درد
✦
کتایون و گشتاسپ با باد سرد
“Katayoun and Goshtasp left Caesar's palace in sorrow, breathing cold sighs of grief.”
#11
چنین گفت با شوی و زن کدخدای
✦
که خرسند باشید و فرخنده‌رای
“The noble village chief spoke thus to the husband and wife: 'Be content and of auspicious mind.'”
#12
سرایی به پردخت مهتر بده
✦
خورشها و گستردنی هرچ به
“The village leader offered them a vacant house, along with the finest foods and furnishings.”
#13
چو آن دید گشتاسپ کرد آفرین
✦
بران نامور مهتر پاک‌دین
“When Goshtasp saw this, he praised that renowned and pious leader.”
#14
کتایون بی‌اندازه پیرایه داشت
✦
ز یاقوت و هر گوهری مایه داشت
“Katayoun possessed endless adornments, abundant in rubies and all manner of precious jewels.”
#15
یکی گوهری از میان برگزید
✦
که چشم خردمند زان سان ندید
“She selected a single jewel from among them, such as no wise man's eye had ever seen before.”
#16
ببردند نزدیک گوهرشناس
✦
پذیرفت ز اندازه بیرون سپاس
“They took it to a jeweler, who accepted it with boundless gratitude.”
#17
بها داد یاقوت را شش‌هزار
✦
ز دینار و گنج از در شهریار
“He valued the ruby at six thousand dinars, a treasure fitting for a king.”
#18
خریدند چیزی که بایسته بود
✦
بدان روز بد نیز شایسته بود
“They purchased what was needful, suitable even for those days of adversity.”
#19
ازان سان که آمد همی زیستند
✦
گهی شادمان گاه بگریستند
“In this manner they lived, sometimes joyful and sometimes weeping in grief.”
#20
همه کار گشتاسپ نخچیر بود
✦
همه ساله با ترکش و تیر بود
“Goshtasp spent all his time in hunting, constantly equipped with quiver and bow.”
#21
چنان بد که روزی ز نخچیرگاه
✦
مر او را به هیشوی بر بود راه
“It so happened one day, returning from the hunting ground, his path led him to Hishoy.”
#22
ز هرگونه‌ای چند نخچیر داشت
✦
همی رفت و ترکش پر از تیر داشت
“He carried game of various kinds, walking with a quiver filled with arrows.”
#23
همه هرچ بود از بزرگان و خرد
✦
هم از راه نزدیک هیشوی برد
“Whatever he had hunted, whether large or small, he brought along the road to Hishoy.”
#24
چو هیشو بدیدش بیامد دوان
✦
پذیره شدش شاد و روشن‌روان
“When Hishoy saw him, he ran out to meet him, joyful and bright of soul.”
#25
به زیرش بگسترد گستردنی
✦
بیاورد چیزی که بد خوردنی
“He spread a carpet beneath him and brought forth whatever food he had.”
#26
برآسود گشتاسپ و چیزی بخورد
✦
بیامد به نزد کتایون چو گرد
“Goshtasp rested and ate, then returned swiftly like a dust-cloud to Katayoun.”
#27
چو گشتاسپ هیشوی را دوست کرد
✦
به دانش ورا چون تن و پوست کرد
“Thus Goshtasp befriended Hishoy, binding him in friendship like body and soul.”
#28
چو رفتی به نخچیر آهو ز شهر
✦
به ره بر به هیشوی دادی دو بهر
“Whenever he went hunting gazelles from the city, he gave two shares to Hishoy along the way.”
#29
دگر بهرهٔ مهتر ده بدی
✦
هرانکس کزان روستا مه بدی
“The remaining share he gave to the village headman, to whoever was chief of that countryside.”
#30
چنان شد که گشتاسپ با کدخدای
✦
یکی شد به خورد و به آرام و رای
“So it became that Goshtasp and the house-master became one in dining, rest, and counsel.”