As soon as Cæsar heard this he determined
To give his precious daughter to Gushtásp,
To whom he said: “Go with her as thou art,
I will not give thee treasure, crown, or signet.”
Gushtásp, on seeing that, was all astound;
He oft invoked the Maker of the world,
And spake to that exalted damsel, saying:—
“O thou who hast been delicately nurtured!
What hath induced thee to make choice of me
Amid these many chiefs and famous crowns?
Thy chosen is an alien, and thou
Wilt have no wealth with him but live in travail.
Select an equal from these noble men,
And so retain the favour of thy father.”
But Katáyún replied: “Misdoubting one!
Rage not against the process of the sky.
If I am satisfied with thee and fortune
Why seekest thou crown, throne, and diadem?”
They left the palace, Katáyún in pain,
Gushtásp with sighs, and reached the village-chief

In grievous plight; he made a home for them
Within the village, furnished it superbly,
And said: “Content you and be prosperous.”
Gushtásp, beholding these things, offered thanks
To that kind friend of his, the pious chieftain.
Now Katáyún had trinkets numberless,
And ample stores of gems and jewelry.
From these she chose a stone, such that the eye
Of expert never had beheld the like,
And this they carried to a jeweller,
Who lavished on it praises numberless,
And gave therefor six thousand gold dínárs.
They purchased what was suitable or needful,
And lived upon the cash that they had raised,
At whiles rejoicing and at whiles in tears.
Gushtásp's whole occupation was the chase;
He spent all day with arrows in his quiver.
Once, when returning from the hunting-field,
His road lay by Híshwí. He had with him
All kinds of game. He pricked along. His quiver
Was full. All that he had of great and small
He carried to Híshwí*

who, when he saw,
Ran forth in high delight to welcome him,
And, having spread a carpet, brought out food.
Gushtásp reposed him for a while and ate,
Then went back swift as dust to Katáyún.
Since he had formed a friendship with Híshwí,
On whose discretion he relied, he used,
Whenever he went forth to hunt gazelles,
To give that friend two-thirds; the other third
Went to the chief or other village-magnate,

And thus the master of the house and he
Lived in the closest bonds of amity.