English
Section 5
When Gushtasp reached the sea, he climbed down and saw that a toll was expected.
There was an old man named Hishoy, generous, alert, wise, and capable.
Gushtasp praised him and said: may wisdom be a companion to your pure soul.
I am a renowned scribe from Iran, wise, bright of heart, and quick to learn.
If you carry me by boat across this water, I will owe you gratitude forever.
The old man answered: you seem fit for a crown, or for armor, sword, and conquest.
Now unlock your secret and tell me the truth; do not seek to cross the sea like this.
If you speak honestly, I must have a gift; where is your skill and knack for scribing?
When Gushtasp heard Hishoy's words he said: I hide nothing from you.
Whatever you want, I will not withhold, of this crown, this seal, these coins, and this sword.
He gave Hishoy a handful of gold coins, and the man was glad to take the gift.
He quickly raised the boat's sail and carried the world-seeker toward Caesar's land.
There was a great city in the West, its breadth more than three leagues wide.
It was built by Salm, a mighty place, the seat of powerful Caesars.
When Gushtasp came to that city, he searched for some place of work.
For a whole week he wandered through the West, looking for work in that prosperous land.
Once he had eaten and given away all he had, he went on, joyless and full of grief.
After roaming a while through the flourishing city, he passed from the palace to Caesar's court.
He told the bishop: my helper, I am a renowned scribe from Iran.
I will assist you in this work; whatever comes to the court, I will handle to your liking.
The scribes who were at the court looked at one another.
For under this hand the steel pen would weep, and the face of the paper would scorch.
Such a man needs a tall horse beneath him, a bow on his arm and a lasso on his saddle.
They said aloud: for us he is a loss as a scribe; his coming among us is unwelcome.
When Gushtasp heard this, his heart full of pain, he left the court with pale cheeks.
He drew a cold sigh from his liver and came near Caesar's shepherd.
The young man's name was Nastav, brave, shrewd, and full of vigor.
When he approached Nastav, he praised him and bowed low before him.
The shepherd looked at him, welcomed him, and seated him close beside himself.
He said: tell me, what kind of man are you? For you seem both of royal stock and a seeker of renown.
He answered: renowned one, I can break in a colt, brave and skilled in the saddle.
If you favor me, I will be useful to you, and stand by you through hardship and misfortune too.
Nastav said: turn away from this door; you are a stranger here and a man without footing.
There are deserts, seas, and horses set loose; how can I hand a flock to someone I do not know?
When Gushtasp heard this, he left grieving and took the road to Caesar's camel drivers.
He greeted the camel driver: may you be victorious and bright of soul.
When the wise man saw Gushtasp's face, he received him and chose a place for him.
He quickly spread out a rug and brought something to eat.
Gushtasp said to the camel driver: this man is alert and bright of soul.
Give me a caravan of camels; whenever you wish, take our wages back too.
The camel driver said: lion-hearted man, this line of work will never suit you.
Since you make so little of what we own, it would be better if you sought out Caesar.
These words will free you from all need; go nowhere but to Caesar's court.
And if you have lost your way, I keep a good camel and a man to guide you.
Gushtasp praised him and left him, and turned his face toward the city, full of grief.
Those sorrows lay heavy on his heart; he came to the bazaar of the blacksmiths.
There was a famous man named Burab, an admired and contented blacksmith.
He made shoes for the king's horses; he held rank with Caesar himself.
He had thirty-five helpers and apprentices, worn down by hammer and iron.
Gushtasp sat long at his shop, until the craftsman grew tired of his sitting there.
The blacksmith said: good-natured one, what do you want at our shop?
He answered: fortunate one, I do not shy away from the hammer or from hard work.
If you keep me, I will help you; I will ride hard on this hammer and anvil.
When Burab heard his tale, he agreed to take him on as a helper.
He heated a heavy iron ball in the fire, and when it glowed he hurried it to the anvil.
They handed Gushtasp a heavy hammer, and the blacksmiths gathered around him.
He struck with the hammer and shattered both anvil and iron ball; the bazaar filled with talk of him.
Burab grew afraid and said: young man, iron cannot withstand your blow.
No hammer, no fire, no anvil, no bellows; when Gushtasp heard this, he grew downcast.
He threw down the hammer and went off hungry, with no food to eat and no place to rest.
For no one do days of hardship and pain endure, nor ease, nor joy, nor treasure.
Good and bad both pass over us; whoever has wisdom does not stay downcast.