Bagh O Bahar, or Tales of the Four Darweshes Part 10

After hearing this sad narrative, I entreated the old man to accept me as his son-in-law, and if evil be my future doom, then let it come; but the old man would on no account agree to my request. When the evening came, I took my leave of him, and went to the _sarai_. _Mubarak_ said, "Well, prince, rejoice, G.o.d has favoured you, and your labours are not thrown away." I answered, "I have to-day used many fair speeches, but that infidel old man will not consent; G.o.d knows if he will give her to me or not." My mind was in such a state that I pa.s.sed the night in great restlessness, and wished the morning was come that I might return [and see her]; I sometimes fancied, that if the father should be kind and agree to my wishes, _Mubarak_ would carry her away for _Maliki Sadik_. I then said to myself, "Well, let us once get possession of her; I will then get over _Mubarak_, and enjoy her." Again my heart was filled with apprehensions, that even if _Mubarak_ should likewise agree to my project, the _jinns_ would serve me as they had served the prince; moreover the king of this city will never consent, that after the murder of his son, another should enjoy [his bride].

I pa.s.sed the whole night without sleep, agitated by this project. When the day appeared, I issued forth, and went to the _chauk_, and purchased some pieces of fine cloth and lace, and fresh and dried fruits; and carried them to the old man. He was greatly pleased, and said, "That to every one nothing is dearer than life, but even if my life could be of any use to thee, I would not grieve to sacrifice it, and give thee now my daughter; but I fear that by doing so, I might endanger thy life, and the stain of this reproach would remain upon me to the day of judgment." I answered, "I am now in this city, helpless, it is true, and you are my father in every respect, temporal and spiritual, but [consider] what pains, fatigues and miseries I have undergone, and what buffetings I have for a long while suffered to attain the object of my wishes, before I arrived here. G.o.d has likewise made you kind towards me, since you consent to marry her to me, and only hesitate on account of my safety; be just for a moment, and reflect that to save our heads from the sword of love, and screen our lives from its danger, is not commendable in any religion; let what will happen, I have lost myself in every way; and to possess the object of my love, I consider as my existence. I do not care if I live or perish; moreover, despair will finish my days without the a.s.sistance of fate, and I will stand forth as your accuser on the day of judgment."

In short, in such altercations, in hesitations between refusal and acquiescence, a tedious month pa.s.sed heavily over my head, accompanied with future hopes and fears; I used every day to devote my services to the old man, and every day, with flattering speeches, I entreated him [to grant my boon]. It came to pa.s.s, that the old man fell sick; I attended him during his illness; I used always to relate his case to the physician, and whatever medicine he ordered, I used to get them, and administer them to him; I used to dress with my own hand his rice and pulse and other light diet, and gave it to him to eat. One day he was [uncommonly] kind, and said, "O young man, thou art very obstinate; I have repeatedly told thee of all the evils which will ensue if thou persistest in thy object, and have often warned thee not to think of it. Whilst we have life, we have every thing, but thou art determined to jump into the abyss; well, I will to-day mention thee to my daughter; let us hear what she says." O holy _Darweshes_, on hearing these enchanting words, I swelled so with joy, that my clothes could scarce contain me; I fell at the old man's feet, and exclaimed, "You have now laid the foundation of my [future happiness and] existence." I then took my leave and returned to my abode, I pa.s.sed the whole night in talking of this circ.u.mstance with _Mubarak_; where was sleep, and where was hunger! Early in the morning I again went and saluted the old man; he said, "Well, I give you my daughter--G.o.d bless you with her--I have put you both under his protection--whilst I have life, stay with me; when my eyes are closed, then do what you wish; you will then be master of your own actions."

A few days after [this conversation], the old man died; we mourned for him and buried him. After the _tija_, [395] _Mubarak_ brought this beautiful daughter to the _serai_ in a _doli_, [396] and said to me, "She belongs, [pure and untouched], to _Maliki Sadik_; beware you do not play false, and lose the fruits of your labour."

I replied, "O friend, what has _Maliki Sadik_ to do here? my heart will not mind me, and how can I have patience? let what will happen, whether I live or perish, let me now enjoy her." _Mubarak_, having lost all patience, replied, with anger, "Do not act like a boy; now, in an instant, matters will change dreadfully; do you think _Maliki Sadik_ far off, that you disregard his injunctions? He explained every circ.u.mstance to you on taking leave, and warned you of the consequences; if you act according to his directions, and convey her safe and sound to him, he has a royal mind, and may regard the toils you have undergone with a favourable eye, and give her to you; how different will the case be then! you will preserve his unbounded friendship, and gain the sincere affection [of your mistress]."

At last, [from the force of his] threats and admonitions, I remained silent; I bought two camels, and mounting on _kajawas_, [397] we set out for the country of _Maliki Sadik_. We pursued our journey, and at last reached a plain, where loud noises were heard. _Mubarak_ exclaimed, "G.o.d be praised, our labours have turned out well, for lo! the army of _jinns_ is here arrived." He met them at last, and asked them where they intended to go. They replied, "The king has sent us forward for the purpose of receiving you, and we are now under your orders; if you command us, we will convey you in a moment to the presence [of the king]." _Mubarak_, turning to me, said, "See how, after all our toils and dangers, G.o.d has favoured us before the face of the king; what is the need of haste now? if some misconduct should occur, which G.o.d forbid, then the fruits of our labours would be lost, and we should fall under the king's displeasure." They all answered, "You are the sole master in this; proceed as you please." Although we were comfortable in every way, yet we made it our business to march day and night.

When we approached [the place where the king was], I, seeing _Mubarak_ asleep, fell at that beautiful woman's feet, and bewailing to her the restless state of my heart, and my helpless condition, owing to the threats of _Maliki Sadik_, and that from the day I had seen her picture, I had forsworn sleep and food and repose; and now that G.o.d had shewn to me this day, I still remained an utter stranger to her. She replied, "My heart is also inclined towards you, for what toils and dangers have you undergone for my sake, and with what labour and difficulty have you brought me away; remember G.o.d, and do not forget me; let us see what may be revealed from behind the curtain of mystery." On saying this, she wept so loud that she was nearly suffocated. Such was my state, and such was hers! In the meantime, _Mubarak's_ slumbers were broken, and seeing us both in tears, he was greatly affected, and said, "Be comforted; I have an ointment which I will rub over the body of this fair one; from the smell of it the heart of _Maliki Sadik_ will be disgusted, and he will perhaps abandon her to you."

On hearing this plan of _Mubarak's_, my heart was greatly revived; and, embracing him fondly, I said, "O friend, you are now in the place of a father to me; owing to you my life was saved, now also act so that I may still live on, otherwise I must perish in this grief." He gave me every friendly a.s.surance. When the day appeared, we heard the noise of the _jinns_, and saw that many personal attendants of _Maliki Sadik_ were arrived, and had brought two rich _khil'ats_ for us, and a covered litter with a network of pearls accompanied them. _Mubarak_ rubbed the ointment over my beloved's body; and having caused her to be richly dressed, he conveyed her to _Maliki Sadik_. On beholding her, the king rewarded me greatly, and having honoured and dignified me, he made me sit down [near himself], and said, "I will behave to thee such as no one has as yet done to any one; the kingdom of thy father awaits thee, besides which thou art in the place of a son to me." He was talking to me in this gracious manner, when the beautiful woman appeared before him, and suddenly at the smell of that ointment, his brain became confused, and his mind distracted; he could not endure that smell; having got up, he went out and called _Mubarak_ and me; he addressed himself to _Mubarak_, and said, "Well, sir, you have truly performed the injunctions [I gave].

"I had warned you, that if you deceived me, you would incur my displeasure; what smell is this? now see how I will treat you." He was very angry; _Mubarak_, from fear, opened his trowsers, and showed his condition, [398] and said, "Mighty king, when I undertook this business, according to your commands, I then cut off my privities, and put them in a box, sealed it, and delivered it over in charge to your treasurer, and putting some ointment of Solomon on the mutilated parts, I set out on the errand." On hearing this reply from _Mubarak_, the king of the _jinns_ looked sternly at me, and said, "Then, this is thy doing;" and getting into a rage, he began to abuse me. I immediately perceived from his words that he would put me to death. When I felt convinced of this from his looks, despairing of life, I became desperate, and s.n.a.t.c.hing the dagger from _Mubarak's_ waist, I plunged it into the king's belly; on receiving the stab, he bent down and staggered; I wondered, for I thought he must a.s.suredly have perished; I then perceived that the wound was not so effective as I imagined, and could not account for it; I was staring [with surprise]

when he rolled on the ground, and a.s.suming the appearance of a tennis ball, he flew up to the sky. He ascended so high, that at last he disappeared; a moment after, flashing like lightning, and vociferating some meaningless words in his rage, he descended, and gave me such a kick, that I swooned away, and fell flat on my back, and became as one lifeless. G.o.d knows how long I remained ere I came to my senses; but when I opened my eyes I saw that I was lying in such a wilderness, where, except thorns and briars, nothing else was to be seen; at that moment my understanding was of no avail to fix on what I should do, or where I should go. In this state of despondence, I gave a sigh, and followed the first path that offered; if I met any one any where, I inquired after the name of _Maliki Sadik_; he, thinking me mad, answered that he had not even heard his name.

One day, having ascended a mountain, I likewise determined to throw myself [off its summit], and end my existence; just as I was ready to jump off, the same veiled horseman, the possessor of _Zu-l-fakar_, [399] appeared and said, "Why do you throw away your life; man is exposed to every pain and misery; your unhappy days are now over, and your propitious ones are coming; go quickly to _Rum_--three afflicted persons like thee are gone there before thee--meet them, and see the king of that country; the wishes of all five will be fulfilled in the same place." This is my story which I have just related; at last, from the happy tidings of our difficulty-solving guardian, [400] I am come into the presence of your worships, and have also been kindly received by the king, who is the shadow of Omnipotence; we ought all now to be comforted."

This conversation was pa.s.sing between the king _Azad Bakht_ and the four _Darweshes_, when a eunuch came running from the royal seraglio and with respectful salutation, wished his majesty joy, and added, "This moment a prince is born, before whose refulgent beauty the sun and moon are abashed." The king was surprised, and asked, "No one was pregnant [401] in appearance; who has brought forth a son?" The eunuch replied, "_Mahru_, the female slave, who for some time hath lain under your majesty's displeasure, and lived like an outcast in a corner [of the seraglio], and no one from fear ever went near her or asked after her state; on her the grace of G.o.d hath been such, that she hath borne a son like the moon."

The king was so rejoiced, that he nearly expired from excessive joy; the four _Darweshes_ also blessed him, and said, "May thy house be ever happy, and may thy son prosper; and may he grow up under thy shadow." The king replied, "This is owing to your propitious arrival, for otherwise I had no idea of such an event; if you give me leave, I will go and see him." The _Darweshes_ answered, "In the name of G.o.d, go." The king went to the seraglio, and took the young prince in his lap, and thanked G.o.d; his mind became easy; pressing the infant to his bosom, he brought it and laid it at the _Darweshes'_ feet; they blessed it, and exorcised all evil spirits from approaching it. The king commanded the preparations of a festival to be made [on the happy occasion], and the royal music struck up, and the door of the treasury was opened; with princely donations he made the poor [402]

rich; on all the officers of state he bestowed a two-fold increase of lands and higher t.i.tles, and to the army he gave five years' pay as a present; to the learned and holy he gave pensions and lands; and the wallets of the beggars were filled with pieces of gold and silver; and the _ryots_ [403] were excused from paying any revenue for three years, and that whatever they cultivated during this period, they should keep for themselves.

Throughout the whole city, in the houses of the high and the low, wherever one looked, there were merry dances; in their joy, every one, small and great, felt himself a prince. In the midst of these rejoicings, the sounds of lamentation and weeping issued suddenly from the seraglio; the female servants, of all descriptions, and the eunuchs, ran out, scattering dust upon their heads, and said to the king, "When we had washed and bathed the prince, and delivered him to the bosom of the nurse, a cloud descended from the sky and enveloped the nurse; a moment after, we saw the nurse prostrate and senseless, and the little prince gone; what a dreadful calamity has occurred!" The king was thunderstruck on hearing this wonderful occurrence; and the whole country mourned [for the sad event]; for two days no one dressed any victuals, but fed on their grief, and drank their own blood, for the prince's loss.

In short, they began to despair of their lives, living in this manner; on the third day the same cloud appeared, and a cradle studded with jewels, and with a covering of pearls, descended from it into the area of the seraglio; the cloud then disappeared, and the servants found the little prince in the cradle sucking his thumb; the royal mother immediately invoking blessings upon him, took him up in her arms, and pressed him fondly to her bosom; she saw that he was dressed in a jacket of fine muslin embroidered with pearls, and had a child's bib of brocade, and many ornaments set with jewels on his hands and feet, and a necklace with nine gems on his neck, and there was a child's rattle with golden b.a.l.l.s placed by his side. Through joy all [the female attendants] were transported; and they began to offer up prayers, saying, "May all thy mother's wishes be gratified, and mayest thou attain a period of mature old age."

The king ordered a new grand palace to be built and furnished with carpets, and kept the four _Darweshes_ in it; when he was disengaged from the affairs of state, he used to go there, sit with them, and to provide everything for them and wait on them; but on the first Thursday night of every month the same cloud descended, and took away the prince, and after keeping him two days, it used to bring him back, with such rich toys and rarities of every country, and of every description, in his cradle, that on beholding them, the minds of the spectators were confounded with astonishment. In this manner, the prince reached in safety his seventh year; on the birthday the king _Azad Bakht_ said to the _Darweshes_, "O holy men, I cannot conceive who carries the prince away and brings him back; it is very wonderful; let us see what will be the end of it." The _Darweshes_ said, "Do one thing; write a friendly note to this purport, and put it into the prince's cradle, viz.:--'Having seen your friendship and kindness [to my son], my heart wishes most anxiously to meet you, and if by way of amity you favour me with your tidings, my heart will be highly gratified, and my wonder will cease.'" The king, according to the _Darweshes'_ advice, wrote a note to this purport on paper sprinkled with gold, and put it in the golden cradle.

The prince, according to custom, disappeared; and in the evening _Azad Bakht_ was sitting with the _Darweshes_ and conversing with them, when a folded paper fell near the king; he opened it and read it, and found that it was an answer to his note; these two lines were written in it: "Conceive me likewise anxious to see you; a throne goes for you; it is best that you should come now, that we may meet; all the preparations of enjoyment are ready; your majesty's place alone is empty." The king _Azad Bakht_ took the _Darweshes_ with him, and ascended the celestial throne; it was like the throne of Solomon, and mounted into the air; proceeding on, it descended in a place where grand edifices and sumptuous preparations appeared; but it could not be perceived if any one was there or not. In the meantime some one rubbed the eyes of all five with the _surma_ of _Sulaiman_; two drops of tears fell from the eyes of each, and they saw an a.s.sembly of the fairies, who were waiting to receive them, dressed in rich habits of various colours, with vials of rose-water in their hands.

_Azad Bakht_ advanced amidst two rows consisting of thousands of fairy-born creatures, standing in respectful order, and in the centre was placed an elevated throne inlaid with emeralds, on which was seated leaning on pillows, with an air of great dignity, _Malik Shah Bal_, the son of _Shah-rukh;_ a beautiful little girl of the fairy race was seated before him, and was playing with the young prince _Bakhtiyar_. Chairs and seats were arranged in rows on both sides of the throne, on which the n.o.bles of the fairy race were seated. _Malik Shah Bal_ stood up on seeing the king _Azad Bakht_ and descended from his throne and embraced him, and taking him by the hand, he seated him on the throne by the side of himself, and they began to converse together with much cordiality; the whole day pa.s.sed in feasting and hilarity, and music and dancing. The second day, when the two kings met, _Shah Bal_ asked _Azad Bakht_ the reason for bringing the _Darweshes_ with him.

_Azad Bakht_ related fully their adventures as he had previously learned, and interceded for them, and asked [the king's] a.s.sistance, saying, "These have undergone many hardships, and suffered great misfortunes; and if now, through your favour, they attain their wishes, it will be an act of great merit, and I also will be grateful for it through life; by your kind a.s.sistance they will all reach the summit of their desires." _Malik Shah Bal_, after hearing [these adventures, replied, "Most willingly; I will not fail to obey your commands." Saying this, he looked sternly at the _divs_ and fairies [who were present], and he wrote letters to the great _jinns_, who were chiefs in different places, and ordered them, that on receiving his commands, they must repair speedily to the presence, and if any one should delay in coming, he should be punished, and brought as captive; and that whoever possessed any persons of the human species, male or female, he must bring them along with him; that if [a _jinn_] having concealed any one, should detain the same, and it be known hereafter, the concealer and his wife and family shall be exterminated, and no vestige of them will remain.

Receiving these written orders, the _divs_ were dispatched in all directions. A great warmth of friendship arose between the two kings, and they pa.s.sed their time in amicable conversation, amidst which _Malik Shah Bal_, turning round to the _Darweshes_, said, "I had a great wish to have children, and had resolved, if G.o.d gave me a son or a daughter, to marry it to the offspring of some king of the human race. After this resolve, I learned that my wife was pregnant; at last, after counting with anxiety each day and hour, the full period arrived, and this girl was born. According to my determination, I ordered the _jinns_ to search the four corners of the world, and that whatever king had a prince born to him, to bring the child quickly to me with care; agreeably to my orders, the _jinns_ flew instantly to the four corners of the earth, and after some delay, brought this young prince to me.

"I thanked G.o.d, and took the child in my lap, and loved it dearer than my own daughter; I could not bring myself to separate him from my sight for a moment, but used to send him back for this reason, that if his parents did not see him, they would be greatly afflicted. For this reason I sent for him once every month, and after keeping him with me a few days, I sent him back. If it please G.o.d the Most High, now that we have met, I will marry them to each other; all are liable to death, then let us, whilst we are alive, see their marriage performed."

The king _Azad Bakht_, on hearing this proposal of _Shah Bal's_, and seeing his amiable qualities, was greatly pleased and said, "At first the prince's disappearance and re-appearance raised very strange aprehensions in my breast, but I am now, from your conversation, easy in my mind, and perfectly satisfied; this son is now yours; do with him whatever you please." In short, the intercourse between the two kings was like that of sugar and milk, and they fully enjoyed themselves. In the s.p.a.ce of less than ten days, mighty kings of the race of the _jinns_, from the rose garden of _Iram_, [404]

and from mountains and islands, (to call whom the fairies had been dispatched) all arrived at the court [of _Shah Bal_]. In the first place, _Maliki Sadik_ was ordered to produce the human creature he had in his possession; he was much vexed at it, and sad, but having no remedy, he produced the rosy-cheeked fair one [the blind man's daughter]. Next, he demanded of the king of _'Umman_ [405]

the daughter of one of the _jinns_ for whom the prince of _Nimroz_, the bull rider, went mad; he likewise made many excuses, but produced her at last. When the daughter of the king of the Franks and _Bihzad Khan_ were demanded, all present denied having any knowledge of them, and swore by Solomon [to that effect].

At last, when the king of the sea of _Kulzum_ was asked if he knew anything of them, he hung down his head, and remained silent. _Malik Shah Bal_ had a deference for him, and entreated him to give them up, and gave him hopes of future favour and even threatened him. Then he also joined his hands together, and said, "Please your majesty, the particulars of that circ.u.mstance are as follows:--When the king [of Persia] came to the river _Kulzum_ to meet his son, and the prince from eagerness plunged his horse into the flood, it chanced that I had gone out that day to roam about and to hunt. I pa.s.sed by the place, and the cavalcade stopped to behold the scene. When the princess's mare carried her also into the stream, my looks met hers, and I was enchanted, and gave instant orders to the fairy race to bring her to me, together with the mare. _Bihzad Khan_ plunged in also after her on horseback; I admired his bravery and gallantry, and had him seized likewise; I took him with me, and returned home; so they are both safe, and with me."

Saying this, he sent for them both before _Malik Shah Bal_. Great search had been made for the daughter of the king of Syria, and strict inquiries were put to all present, but no one acknowledged having her, or knowing anything about her. _Malik Shah Bal_ then asked if any king or chief was absent, and if all were arrived; the _jinns_ answered, "Mighty sire, all are present except one named _Musalsal Jadu_, who has erected a fort on the mountain _Kaf_ by the means of magic; he, from haughtiness, is not come, and we, your majesty's slaves, are not able to bring him by force; the place is strong, and he himself also is a great devil."

On hearing this, _Malik Shah Bal_ was very angry, and an army of _jinns, 'afrits_ and fairies were sent with orders, that if he came of his own accord, and brought the princess with him, well and good, but otherwise subdue him, and bring him tied by the neck and heels, and raze his fort to the ground, and drive the plough, drawn by an a.s.s, over it. Immediately, on the orders being given, such numbers of troops flew to the place, that in a day or two the rebellious haughty chief was brought in irons to the presence. _Malik Shah Bal_ repeatedly asked about the princess, but the haughty rebel gave no reply. The king at length got angry, and ordered him to be cut to pieces, and his skin stretched and filled with chaff; [406] a body of fairies were ordered to go to the mountain of _Kaf_, and search for the princess; they went and found her, and brought her to _Malik Shah Bal_. All these prisoners and the four _Darweshes_, seeing the strict orders and justice of the king _Shah Bal_, were greatly rejoiced, and admired him highly; the king _Azad Bakht_ was also much pleased. _Malik Shah Bal_ then ordered the men to the palace, and the women to the royal seraglio; the city was ordered to be illuminated, and the preparations for the marriages to be quickly completed; [all was instantly made ready], as if the order alone was wanted to be given.

One day, a happy hour being fixed upon, the prince _Bakhtiyar_ was married to the princess _Roshan Akhtar_; and the young merchant of _Yaman_ [407] was married to the princess of _Dimashk_; and the prince of Persia [408] was married to the princess of _Basra_; and the prince of _'Ajam_ [409] was married to the princess of the Franks; _Bihzad Khan_ was married to the daughter of the king of _Nimroz_; and the prince of _Nimroz_ was married to the _jinn's_ daughter; and the prince of China [410] was married to the daughter of the old blind man of _Hindustan_; she who had been in the possession of _Maliki Sadik_. Through the favour of _Malik Shah Bal_, every hopeless person gained his desires, and obtained his wishes; afterwards, they all enjoyed themselves for forty days, and pa.s.sed their time, night and day, in pleasures and festivity.

At last, _Malik Shah Bal_ gave to each prince rich and rare presents, and dismissed them to their different countries. All were pleased and satisfied, and set out and reached their homes in safety, and began their reigns; but _Bihzad Khan_, and the merchant's son of _Yaman_, of their own accord, remained with the king _Azad Bakht_, and in the end the young merchant of _Yaman_ was made head steward to his majesty, and _Bihzad Khan_ generalissimo of the army of the fortunate prince _Bakhtiyar_; whilst they lived, they enjoyed every felicity. O G.o.d! as these four _Darweshes_ and the king _Azad Bakht_ attained their wishes, in like manner grant to all hopeless beings the wishes of their hearts, through thy power and goodness, and by the medium of the five pure bodies, [411] the twelve _Imams_, and the fourteen innocents, [412]

on all of whom be the blessing of G.o.d! Amen, O G.o.d of the universe.

When this book was finished, through the favour of G.o.d, I took it into my mind to give it such a name, that the date should be thereby found out. [413] When I made the calculation, I found that I had begun to compose this work in the end of the year of the _Hijra_ 1215, and owing to want of leisure, it was not finished until the beginning of the year 1217; I was reflecting on this circ.u.mstance, when it occurred to me that the words _Bagh O Bahar_ formed a proper t.i.tle, as it answered to the date of the year when the work was finished; so I gave it this name. Whoever shall read it, he will stroll as it were through a garden; moreover, the garden is exposed to the blasts of winter, but this book is not; it will ever be in verdure.

When this _Bagh O Bahar_ was finished, the year was 1217; do you now stroll through it night and day, as its name and date is _Bagh O Bahar_; the blasts of winter can do it no injury; for this _Bahar_ [414] is ever green and fresh; it hath been nourished with the blood of my heart, and its (the heart's) pieces are its leaves and fruits;--all will forget me after death;--but this book will remain as a _souvenir_; whoever reads it, let him remember me. This is my agreement with the readers; if there is an error, excuse it; for amidst flowers lie concealed the thorns; man is liable to faults and errors, and he will fail, let him be ever so careful. I have no other wish except this, and it is my earnest prayer. O my Creator, that I may ever remain in remembrance of Thee, and thus pa.s.s my nights and days! That I may not be questioned with severity on the night of death, and the day of reckoning! O G.o.d, in both worlds shower thy favours on me, through the mediation of the great prophet!

SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE

It must be allowed, that the author has displayed great adroitness in the "denouement" of his tale. In the course of a few pages all the princ.i.p.al characters, male and female, are suddenly produced, safe and unscathed, before the reader. To be sure, this is done by the aid of a little "diablerie," but then it is done very neatly,--much more so than in some of the clumsy fictions of the late Ettrick Shepherd, to say nothing of the edifying legends about the Romish saints which the good people of southern Europe are taught to swallow as gospel.

Finally, be it remembered, that Oriental story-tellers have never subscribed to Horace's precept,--

"Nec deus interait, nisi digens vindice nodus Inciderit"

On the contrary, their rule is, when, by a free use of the supernatural, you have got the whole of your characters into a regular _fix_, it is but fair that you should get them off by the same means.

THE END.

NOTES

[1] The proclamation of the Marquis Wellesley, after the formation of the college of Fort William; encouraging the pursuit of Oriental literature among the natives by original compositions and translations from the Persian, &c, into _Hindustani_.

[2] "The _Bagh O Bahar_," i.e. "The Garden and Spring;" which may be better called, "The Garden of Spring," or the "Garden of Beauty." The less appropriate t.i.tle of "_Bagh O Bahar_" was chosen merely in order that the Persian letters composing these words, might, by their numerical powers, amount to 1217, the year of the Hijra in which the book was finished.--Vide Hind. Gram., page 20.

[3] _Mir Amman_ himself explains the origin and derivation of these words in his preface, and we cannot appeal to a better authority.

[4] Literally, "in consequence of its being traversed or walked over."

[5] _Hakim Firdausi_, the Homer of Persia, who wrote the history of that country, in his celebrated epic ent.i.tled the "_Shah-nama,"_ or Book of Kings.

[6] I have translated into plain prose all the verses occurring in the original. I have not the vanity to think myself a poet; and I have a horror of seeing mere doggrel rhymes--such as the following--

"Mighty toil I've borne for years thirty, I have revived Persia by this _Pursi_."

These elegant effusions are of the "Non hominies, non Di, &c." description.

[7] That is to say, he has introduced the elegance and correctness of the _Urdu_ language, or that of the Upper Provinces, into _Bengal_. In fact, the _Bengalis_ who speak a wretched jargon of what they are pleased to call _Hindustani_, (in addition to their native tongue,) would scarcely be understood at _Agra_ or _Dilli_; and those two cities are the best sites to acquire the real _Urdu_ in perfection; there the inhabitants speak it not only correctly but elegantly.