New Naqqaliشاهنامه
Character · The Shahnameh · Volume II

Hishviهیشوی

heesh-VEE

The wise old toll-keeper of the sea crossing who ferries Goshtasb to Rum and befriends him.

In the poem
First at C5.5, Goshtasb Arrives in Rum; last at C5.13, Goshtasb’s Prowess before Caesar
Named
33 times, in 7 sections
Main stories
C5 Lohrasp (33)

In the poem’s own words

The 7 sections that name Hishvi most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Hishvi. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
C5.5

Goshtasb Arrives in Rum

Hishvi the ferryman carries the disguised prince across to Rum. In Salm’s great city Goshtasb looks for work: the scribes laugh at him, the royal herdsman will not trust a stranger, the camel-master sends him to court, and the smith’s anvil splits under his hammer.

  • C5.5.2
    The keeper’s name was Hishvi, old and wise,A generous man with keen and watchful eyes.
  • C5.5.6
    Then Hishvi said, “A crown befits your might,Or jowshan, sword, and plunder won in fight.
  • C5.5.11
    He gave some coins to Hishvi for his aid;The keeper smiled, delighted to be paid.
Hishvi named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C5.8

Goshtasb Weds Katayun

Caesar marries the pair and sends them off with nothing. Katayun refuses to regret her choice; they shelter with the village-chief and live on one of her rubies, sold for six thousand dinars. Goshtasb hunts daily, sharing his game with Hishvi and with his host.

  • C5.8.21
    Once, coming from the hunt along the road,He passed by Hishvi’s welcoming abode.
  • C5.8.24
    When Hishvi saw him, joy lit up his face;He ran to greet the prince with warm embrace.
  • C5.8.27
    Goshtasb made wise Hishvi his close friend,Like flesh and skin, their lives began to blend.
Hishvi named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C5.9

Murin’s Suit for Caesar’s Daughter

Murin of Rum asks for a daughter and is told to kill the wolf of Faskun’s forest. His horoscope says an Iranian will do three great deeds, so he goes to Hishvi, who brings him to Goshtasb. Goshtasb agrees, and asks for Salm’s sword and a horse.

  • C5.9.26
    He knew that Hishvi and the village-chiefBoth honored him and brought his heart relief.
  • C5.9.27
    He hurried to see Hishvi and relateAll that had passed concerning his own fate.
  • C5.9.29
    Hishvi replied, “Remain with us today,In friendship and good cheer, and do not stray.
Hishvi named 11 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C5.10

Goshtasb Slays the Wolf

Goshtasb rides into the forest alone, prays, empties his quiver into the beast, loses his horse to its horn, and splits its head with Salm’s sword on foot. He takes the tusks. Murin reports the kill as his own, and Caesar gives him the princess.

  • C5.10.4
    “We shall not see that noble man return,”Said Hishvi, “and my heart can only burn.
  • C5.10.33
    There Hishvi sat with Murin, full of woe;They spoke of him where waters ebb and flow.
  • C5.10.69
    Before you leave, let Hishvi hear your plan;Go first and speak with that discerning man.
Hishvi named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C5.11

Ahran’s Suit for Caesar’s Daughter

Ahran asks for the youngest daughter and is set against the dragon of Mount Sakila. He goes to Murin, who swears him to secrecy and sends him to Hishvi with a letter. Goshtasb agrees, and orders a toothed blade five arm-lengths long, quenched in blood and poison.

  • C5.11.37
    Murin then set his pen to paper white,And wrote to Hishvi of the coming fight.
  • C5.11.45
    Ahran departed with the secret scroll,And sought out Hishvi with his eager soul.
  • C5.11.46
    When near the sea he came, Hishvi descriedThe noble Ahran coming to his side.
Hishvi named 6 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C5.12

Goshtasb Slays the Dragon

Alone on Sakila, Goshtasb is drawn in by the dragon’s breath, feeds it the toothed blade, and strikes off its head. He takes two teeth, prays in the dust, and speaks of his father. Ahran carts the body to court, and Rum credits him with the kill.

  • C5.12.3
    When Hishvi saw Sakila’s height appear,He pointed toward its peak, his heart in fear.
  • C5.12.23
    He came where Hishvi and Ahran had stayed,And told them of the marvels of his blade.
  • C5.12.34
    To Hishvi went the gold, the garments new;He gave him all the other presents, too.
Hishvi named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C5.13

Goshtasb’s Prowess before Caesar

On the riding-ground Goshtasb outplays every Roman at polo and archery. Caesar asks who he is; Goshtasb tells him about the wolf and the dragon, Hishvi produces the teeth, and Caesar begs his daughter’s pardon, crowns the stranger, and orders Rum to obey Farrokhzad.

  • C5.13.37
    Both lost their heads beneath my sword’s decree;And Hishvi was the one who guided me.
  • C5.13.39
    Ask Hishvi; he can tell you what befell;These deeds are fresh, and he remembers well.”
  • C5.13.40
    When Hishvi came and laid the teeth in sight,He told the Caesar how Goshtasb won the fight.
Hishvi named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

Where the name appears

Named mentions by book, from the Universe Registry, the index behind this site. Titles and epithets are not counted.
C5Lohrasp33

More in the Glossary and the index of characters.