Departure from Sooltâneah--Tebreez--Climate--Lake of Oormeah--Ahmed
the Cobbler.
Though delighted to turn towards home, the joy at our departure from
the royal camp was not unmingled with regret, at taking leave, probably
for the last time, of many of our Persian friends. The king's attention
to the Elchee had been most flattering, and we had all participated in
the royal favour. Fatteh Ali Shâh had, indeed, with all due allowances
for other motives, evinced on this occasion sentiments and feelings
which did him honour as a man as well as a sovereign.
We went from Sooltâneah to Tebreez, which has for many years been the
residence of the heir-apparent, Abbas Meerzâ. Tebreez is celebrated
as one of the most healthy cities in Persia, and it is on this ground
alone that we can account for its being so often rebuilt, after its
repeated demolition by earthquakes. It is seldom free, even for a
twelvemonth, from slight shocks; and it is little more than thirty
years since it was levelled with the ground, by one of these terrible
convulsions of nature.
I was more surprised at the salubrity of this town, from knowing the
great extremes of heat and cold to which it is subject, having obtained
from a friend who had resided there during the whole of the preceding
year, a most accurate diary of the various changes of its climate.
From this it appeared, that on the twentieth of October there was a
heavy fall of snow, which did not however remain long upon the ground;
the weather again became mild, and there was no excessive cold until
the middle of December, from which period till the end of January
Fahrenheit's thermometer, when exposed to the air at night, never rose
above zero, and in the house, at mid-day, it was seldom above 18°.
January was by far the coldest month; during it, the water is described
as becoming almost instantaneously solid in the tumblers upon the
dining table, and the ink often freezing in the inkstand, although the
table was quite close to the fire. For at least a fortnight not an egg
was to be had, all being split by the cold. Some bottles of wine froze,
although covered with straw, and many of the copper ewers were split by
the expansion of the water when frozen in them.
According to this diary, the weather became comparatively mild towards
the end of February; but it appears that here, as in England, a
"Lingering winter chills the lap of May;"
for on the first of that month there was a heavy fall of snow, with
such cold, that all the promise of the spring was destroyed. Of the
heat that ensued, and the sudden and great changes to which Tebreez is
subject, we had abundant proof; in the month of June, the range of the
thermometer being usually, within the twenty-four hours, from 56° to
94°, a difference of 38°.
The extreme heat of summer causes most of the houses in Tebreez to be
built so as to admit the air during that season; but the architects of
Persia fall far short of their brethren in Europe, in forming plans by
which the cool air can be admitted in summer and excluded in winter.
This partly accounts for the effects of the cold to which I have
alluded; but the city of Tebreez, and many other parts of Aderbejan,
and still more of the neighbouring province of Kûrdistan, though
nowhere beyond the fortieth degree of latitude, are, from their great
elevation, subject to extreme cold. In the latter country I found, on
the morning of the seventeenth of August, ice half an inch thick on a
basin of water standing in my tent.
During the few days we remained at Tebreez I was in continual
attendance upon the Elchee, who was engaged in inspecting the state
and equipment of the newly-formed regular troops of Persia. The day
before our departure he had had a long interview with Abbas Meerzâ, who
appeared to expect that what he had seen of his military improvements
would alter his sentiments as to the policy of the change. This,
however, was not the case; the arguments before urged were repeated:
and, though every credit was given to the young and ardent prince for
the surprising progress he had made, the Elchee still contended that it
must be dangerous for a country to make its armies more tangible to an
enemy, until certain of being his equal in the field of battle.
In the course of their conversation upon this subject, the Elchee
related to the prince what the late minister, Hajee Ibrahim,[158] had
told him, of the sentiments and designs of that able monarch, Aga
Mahomed Khan, when a large army of Russians, under Valerian Zuboff,
crossed the Araxes, and encamped on the plain of Mogam, in the month of
November, 1796.
Notwithstanding the severity of the season, Aga Mahomed Khan made every
preparation to resist the threatened invasion. He assembled the leaders
of his army, and told them that the Russians had presumed, during his
absence in Khorassan, to invade the opposite frontier of his dominions.
"But my valiant warriors," he added, "shall be led against them, and
we will, by the blessing of God, charge their celebrated lines of
infantry and batteries of cannon, and cut them to pieces with our
conquering swords." The chiefs applauded the heroic resolution of their
sovereign, and promised to support him with their lives. When they were
gone, the monarch directed Hajee Ibrahim to approach, and asked him
if he had heard what he said to the military commanders. The minister
said he had. "And do you think," said he, "I will do what I have told
them?" "Undoubtedly, if it is your majesty's pleasure," was the reply.
"Hajee," said Aga Mahomed Khan, half angry, "have I been mistaken? are
you also a fool? Can a man of your wisdom believe I will ever run my
head against their walls of steel, and expose my irregular army to be
destroyed by their cannon and disciplined troops? I know better. Their
shot shall never reach me; but they shall possess no country beyond
its range. They shall not know sleep; and, let them march where they
choose, I will surround them with a desert."
From Tebreez, our first march of fifteen miles was to Khoosroo-Shâh, a
village situated in a beautiful valley, where we remained for a day,
admiring the scenery, and enjoying the cool shade of the surrounding
groves and gardens. In one of the latter our mehmandar gave us a
sumptuous breakfast.
Our second day's journey brought us in sight of the lake of Oormeah,
which is of considerable extent. We examined a marble quarry near its
shore, which had not been worked since the time of Nadir Shâh. The
Persians wished us to believe that the peculiar quality of the water
of the lake, by mixing with the soil, formed the marble, which they
declared was soft when first cut, but became hard from exposure to the
sun. One of our party, who was a geologist, endeavoured to prove to
them that this belief was quite erroneous, by explaining the nature of
the strata of this quarry, as well as the composition of the marble;
but his knowledge was evidently most unpopular with the audience he
had gathered round him, and they continued as completely satisfied as
they had been before his scientific demonstrations, that the marble was
formed in the manner related by their fathers.
The lake of Oormeah is computed to be three hundred miles in
circumference. It is very clear, but salt, and has a sulphureous smell.
We were assured that no fish or any living creature is to be found
in this great expanse of water, which one of the learned men of our
mission informed me was the Spauto of Strabo, and the Marcianus of
Ptolemy.
From our encampment near the shore of this famous lake to the city of
Mârâgâ is eighteen miles: we made this march at night. Moollâh Adeenah,
the story-teller of his majesty, was one of our party. The Elchee
asked him to beguile the weariness of our road with a tale. "How many
fersekhs long do you wish it?" was his reply. "At least five," was the
answer. "I can exactly suit you," said the Moollâh; "you shall have
Ahmed the cobbler." I could not help laughing at this mode of measuring
a tale; but I was assured it was a common custom, arising out of the
calculation professed story-tellers were compelled to make of the
leisure of their hearers. All further remarks upon this usage were put
an end to, by Moollâh Adeenah desiring us to be silent and attentive:
his wish being complied with, he commenced as follows:
"In the great city of Isfahan lived Ahmed the cobbler, an honest and
industrious man, whose wish was to pass through life quietly; and he
might have done so, had he not married a handsome wife, who, although
she had condescended to accept of him as a husband, was far from being
contented with his humble sphere of life.
"Sittâra, such was the name of Ahmed's wife, was ever forming foolish
schemes of riches and grandeur: and though Ahmed never encouraged them,
he was too fond a husband to quarrel with what gave her pleasure: an
incredulous smile or a shake of the head, was his only answer to her
often-told daydreams; and she continued to persuade herself, that she
was certainly destined to great fortune.
"It happened one evening, while in this temper of mind, that she went
to the Hemmâm, where she saw a lady retiring dressed in a magnificent
robe, covered with jewels, and surrounded by slaves. This was the very
condition Sittâra had always longed for, and she eagerly inquired the
name of the happy person, who had so many attendants and such fine
jewels. She learned it was the wife of the chief astrologer to the
king. With this information she returned home. Her husband met her at
the door, but was received with a frown; nor could all his caresses
obtain a smile or a word; for several hours she continued silent, and
in apparent misery; at length she said:
"'Cease your caresses; unless you are ready to give me a proof that you
do really and sincerely love me.'
"'What proof of love,' exclaimed poor Ahmed, 'can you desire, which I
will not give?'
"'Give over cobbling; it is a vile, low trade, and never yields more
than ten or twelve dinars a day. Turn astrologer! your fortune will be
made, and I shall have all I wish, and be happy.'
"'Astrologer!' cried Ahmed, 'astrologer! Have you forgotten who I
am--a cobbler, without any learning--that you want me to engage in a
profession which requires so much skill and knowledge?'
"'I neither think nor care about your qualifications,' said the enraged
wife: 'all I know is, that if you do not turn astrologer immediately,
I will be divorced from you to-morrow.'
"The cobbler remonstrated, but in vain. The figure of the astrologer's
wife, with her jewels and her slaves, had taken complete possession of
Sittâra's imagination. All night it haunted her; she dreamt of nothing
else, and on awaking declared she would leave the house, if her husband
did not comply with her wishes. What could poor Ahmed do? He was no
astrologer, but he was dotingly fond of his wife, and he could not
bear the idea of losing her. He promised to obey; and having sold his
little stock, bought an astrolabe, an astronomical almanac, and a table
of the twelve signs of the zodiac. Furnished with these he went to the
market-place, crying 'I am an astrologer! I know the sun, and the moon,
and the stars, and the twelve signs of the zodiac; I can calculate
nativities; I can foretel every thing that is to happen!'
"No man was better known than Ahmed the cobbler. A crowd soon gathered
round him. 'What, friend Ahmed,' said one, 'have you worked till
your head is turned?' 'Are you tired of looking down at your last,'
cried another, 'that you are now looking up at the planets?' These
and a thousand other jokes assailed the ears of the poor cobbler, who
notwithstanding continued to exclaim that he was an astrologer, having
resolved on doing what he could to please his beautiful wife.
"It so happened that the king's jeweller was passing by. He was in
great distress, having lost the richest ruby belonging to the crown.
Every search had been made to recover this inestimable jewel, but to
no purpose; and as the jeweller knew he could no longer conceal its
loss from the king, he looked forward to death as inevitable. In this
hopeless state, while wandering about the town, he reached the crowd
around Ahmed, and asked what was the matter. 'Don't you know Ahmed the
cobbler?' said one of the bystanders, laughing; 'he has been inspired,
and is become an astrologer.'
"A drowning man will catch at a broken reed: the jeweller no sooner
heard the sound of the word astrologer, than he went up to Ahmed, told
him what had happened, and said, 'If you understand your art, you must
be able to discover the king's ruby. Do so, and I will give you two
hundred pieces of gold. But if you do not succeed within six hours,
I will use all my influence at court to have you put to death as an
impostor.'
"Poor Ahmed was thunderstruck. He stood long without being able to
move or speak, reflecting on his misfortunes and grieving, above all,
that his wife, whom he so loved, had, by her envy and selfishness,
brought him to such a fearful alternative. Full of these sad thoughts,
he exclaimed aloud, 'Oh woman, woman! thou art more baneful to the
happiness of man than the poisonous dragon of the desert!'
"The lost ruby had been secreted by the jeweller's wife, who,
disquieted by those alarms which ever attend guilt, sent one of her
female slaves to watch her husband. This slave, on seeing her master
speak to the astrologer, drew near; and when she heard Ahmed, after
some moments of apparent abstraction, compare a woman to a poisonous
dragon, she was satisfied that he must know every thing. She ran to
her mistress, and, breathless with fear, cried, 'You are discovered,
my dear mistress, you are discovered by a vile astrologer. Before six
hours are past the whole story will be known, and you will become
infamous, if you are even so fortunate as to escape with life, unless
you can find some way of prevailing on him to be merciful.' She then
related what she had seen and heard; and Ahmed's exclamation carried
as complete conviction to the mind of the terrified mistress as it had
done to that of her slave.
"The jeweller's wife, hastily throwing on her veil, went in search
of the dreaded astrologer. When she found him, she threw herself at
his feet, crying, 'Spare my honour and my life, and I will confess
everything!'
"'What can you have to confess to me?' exclaimed Ahmed, in amazement.
"'Oh nothing! nothing with which you are not already acquainted. You
know too well that I stole the ruby from the king's crown. I did so
to punish my husband, who uses me most cruelly; and I thought by this
means to obtain riches for myself, and to have him put to death. But
you, most wonderful man, from whom nothing is hidden, have discovered
and defeated my wicked plan. I beg only for mercy, and will do whatever
you command me.'
"An angel from heaven could not have brought more consolation to Ahmed
than did the jeweller's wife. He assumed all the dignified solemnity
that became his new character, and said, 'Woman! I know all thou hast
done, and it is fortunate for thee that thou hast come to confess thy
sin, and beg for mercy before it was too late. Return to thy house, put
the ruby under the pillow of the couch on which thy husband sleeps; let
it be laid on the side farthest from the door; and be satisfied thy
guilt shall never be even suspected.'
"The jeweller's wife returned home, and did as she was desired. In
an hour Ahmed followed her, and told the jeweller he had made his
calculations, and found by the aspect of the sun and moon, and by the
configuration of the stars, that the ruby was at that moment lying
under the pillow of his couch, on the side farthest from the door. The
jeweller thought Ahmed must be crazy: but as a ray of hope is like a
ray from heaven to the wretched, he ran to his couch, and there, to
his joy and wonder, found the ruby in the very place described. He
came back to Ahmed, embraced him, called him his dearest friend and
the preserver of his life, gave him the two hundred pieces of gold,
declaring that he was the first astrologer of the age.
"These praises conveyed no joy to the poor cobbler, who returned home
more thankful to God for his preservation than elated by his good
fortune. The moment he entered the door, his wife ran up to him, and
exclaimed, 'Well, my dear astrologer! what success?'
"'There!' said Ahmed, very gravely, 'there are two hundred pieces of
gold: I hope you will be satisfied now, and not ask me again to hazard
my life, as I have done this morning.' He then related all that had
passed. But the recital made a very different impression on the lady
from what these occurrences had made on Ahmed. Sittâra saw nothing but
the gold, which would enable her to vie with the chief astrologer's
wife at the Hemmâm. 'Courage!' she said, 'courage! my dearest husband.
This is only your first labour in your new and noble profession. Go on,
and prosper; and we shall become rich and happy.'
"In vain Ahmed remonstrated, and represented the danger; she burst into
tears, and accused him of not loving her, ending with her usual threat
of insisting upon a divorce.
"Ahmed's heart melted, and he agreed to make another trial.
Accordingly, next morning he sallied forth with his astrolabe, his
twelve signs of the zodiac, and his almanac exclaiming, as before, 'I
am an astrologer! I know the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and the
twelve signs of the zodiac; I can calculate nativities; I can foretel
everything that is to happen!' A crowd again gathered round him, but
it was now with wonder, and not ridicule; for the story of the ruby
had gone abroad, and the voice of fame had converted the poor cobbler
Ahmed into the ablest and most learned astrologer that was ever seen at
Isfahan.
"While everybody was gazing at him, a lady passed by veiled. She
was the wife of one of the richest merchants in the city, and had
just been at the Hemmâm, where she had lost a valuable necklace and
earrings. She was now returning home in great alarm, lest her husband
should suspect her of having given her jewels to a lover. Seeing the
crowd around Ahmed, she asked the reason of their assembling, and
was informed of the whole story of the famous astrologer: how he had
been a cobbler, was inspired with supernatural knowledge, and could,
with the help of his astrolabe, his twelve signs of the zodiac, and
his almanac, discover all that ever had, or ever would happen in the
world. The story of the jeweller and the king's ruby was then told
her, accompanied by a thousand wonderful circumstances which had never
occurred. The lady, quite satisfied of his skill, went up to Ahmed, and
mentioned her loss; saying, 'A man of your knowledge and penetration
will easily discover my jewels: find them, and I will give you fifty
pieces of gold.'
"The poor cobbler was quite confounded, and looked down, thinking only
how to escape without a public exposure of his ignorance. The lady,
in pressing through the crowd, had torn the lower part of her veil.
Ahmed's downcast eyes noticed this; and wishing to inform her of it in
a delicate manner, before it was observed by others, he whispered to
her, 'Lady, look down at the rent.' The lady's head was full of her
loss, and she was at that moment endeavouring to recollect how it could
have occurred. Ahmed's speech brought it at once to her mind, and she
exclaimed in delighted surprise, 'Stay here a few moments, thou great
astrologer. I will return immediately with the reward thou so well
deservest.' Saying this, she left him, and soon returned, carrying
in one hand the necklace and earrings, and in the other, a purse with
the fifty pieces of gold. 'There is gold for thee,' she said, 'thou
wonderful man! to whom all the secrets of nature are revealed. I had
quite forgotten where I laid the jewels, and without thee should never
have found them. But when thou desiredst me to look at the rent below,
I instantly recollected the rent near the bottom of the wall in the
bath-room, where, before undressing, I had hid them. I can now go home
in peace and comfort; and it is all owing to thee, thou wisest of men!'
"After these words she walked away, and Ahmed returned to his home,
thankful to Providence for his preservation, and fully resolved never
again to tempt it. His handsome wife, however, could not yet rival
the chief astrologer's lady in her appearance at the Hemmâm, so she
renewed her entreaties and threats, to make her fond husband continue
his career as an astrologer.
"About this time it happened that the king's treasury was robbed of
forty chests of gold and jewels, forming the greater part of the wealth
of the kingdom. The high treasurer and other officers of state used
all diligence to find the thieves, but in vain. The king sent for his
astrologer, and declared, that if the robbers were not detected by a
stated time, he, as well as the principal ministers, should be put to
death. Only one day of the short period given them remained. All their
search had proved fruitless, and the chief astrologer, who had made his
calculations and exhausted his art to no purpose, had quite resigned
himself to his fate, when one of his friends advised him to send for
the wonderful cobbler, who had become so famous for his extraordinary
discoveries. Two slaves were immediately dispatched for Ahmed, whom
they commanded to go with them to their master. 'You see the effects
of your ambition,' said the poor cobbler to his wife; 'I am going to
my death. The king's astrologer has heard of my presumption, and is
determined to have me executed as an impostor.'
"On entering the palace of the chief astrologer, he was surprised
to see that dignified person come forward to receive him, and lead
him to the seat of honour, and not less so to hear himself thus
addressed: 'The ways of heaven, most learned and excellent Ahmed, are
unsearchable. The high are often cast down and the low are lifted up.
The whole world depends upon fate and fortune. It is my turn now to be
depressed by fate; it is thine to be exalted by fortune.'
"His speech was here interrupted by a messenger from the king, who,
having heard of the cobbler's fame, desired his attendance. Poor Ahmed
now concluded that it was all over with him, and followed the king's
messenger, praying to God that he would deliver him from this peril.
When he came into the king's presence, he bent his body to the ground,
and wished his majesty long life and prosperity. 'Tell me, Ahmed,' said
the king, 'who has stolen my treasure?'
"'It was not one man,' answered Ahmed, after some consideration; 'there
were forty thieves concerned in the robbery.'
"'Very well,' said the king: 'but who were they? and what have they
done with my gold and jewels?'
"'These questions,' said Ahmed, 'I cannot now answer; but I hope to
satisfy your majesty, if you will grant me forty days to make my
calculations.'
"'I grant you forty days,' said the king; 'but when they are past, if
my treasure is not found, your life shall pay the forfeit.'
"Ahmed returned to his house well pleased; for he resolved to take
advantage of the time allowed him to fly from a city where his fame was
likely to be his ruin. 'Well, Ahmed,' said his wife, as he entered,
'what news at court?'
"'No news at all,' said he, 'except that I am to be put to death at the
end of forty days, unless I find forty chests of gold and jewels, which
have been stolen from the royal treasury.'
"'But you will discover the thieves.'
"'How? by what means am I to find them?'
"'By the same art which discovered the ruby and the lady's necklace.'
"'The same art!' replied Ahmed. 'Foolish woman! thou knowest that I
have no art, and that I have only pretended to it for the sake of
pleasing thee. But I have had sufficient skill to gain forty days,
during which time we may easily escape to some other city, and, with
the money I now possess, and the aid of my former occupation, we may
still obtain an honest livelihood.'
"'An honest livelihood!' repeated his lady, with scorn. 'Will thy
cobbling, thou mean, spiritless wretch! ever enable me to go to the
Hemmân like the wife of the chief astrologer? Hear me, Ahmed! Think
only of discovering the king's treasure. Thou hast just as good a
chance of doing so as thou hadst of finding the ruby, and the necklace
and earrings. At all events, I am determined thou shalt not escape; and
shouldst thou attempt to run away, I will inform the king's officers,
and have thee taken up and put to death, even before the forty days are
expired. Thou knowest me too well, Ahmed, to doubt my keeping my word.
So take courage, and endeavour to make thy fortune, and to place me in
that rank of life to which my beauty entitles me.'
"The poor cobbler was dismayed at this speech; but knowing there was
no hope of changing his wife's resolution, he resigned himself to his
fate. 'Well,' said he, 'your will shall be obeyed. All I desire is to
pass the few remaining days of my life as comfortably as I can. You
know I am no scholar, and have little skill in reckoning; so there
are forty dates: give me one of them every night after I have said
my prayers, that I may put them in a jar, and, by counting them, may
always see how many of the few days I have to live are gone.'
"The lady pleased, at carrying her point, took the dates, and promised
to be punctual in doing what her husband desired.
"Meanwhile the thieves who had stolen the king's treasure, having
been kept from leaving the city by fear of detection and pursuit, had
received accurate information of every measure taken to discover them.
One of them was among the crowd before the palace on the day the king
sent for Ahmed; and hearing that the cobbler had immediately declared
their exact number, he ran in a fright to his comrades, and exclaimed,
'We are all found out! Ahmed, the new astrologer, has told the king
that there are forty of us.'
"'There needed no astrologer to tell that,' said the captain of the
gang. 'This Ahmed, with all his simple good-nature, is a shrewd fellow.
Forty chests having been stolen, he naturally guessed that there
must be forty thieves; and he has made a good hit, that is all: still
it is prudent to watch him; for he certainly has made some strange
discoveries. One of us must go to-night, after dark, to the terrace of
this cobbler's house, and listen to his conversation with his handsome
wife; for he is said to be very fond of her, and will, no doubt, tell
her what success he has had in his endeavours to detect us.'
"Every body approved of this scheme; and soon after nightfall one of
the thieves repaired to the terrace. He arrived there just as the
cobbler had finished his evening prayers, and his wife was giving him
the first date. 'Ah,' said Ahmed, as he took it, 'there is one of the
forty.'
"The thief, hearing these words, hastened, in consternation, to the
gang, and told them that the moment he took his post he had been
perceived by the supernatural knowledge of Ahmed, who immediately told
his wife that one of them was there. The spy's tale was not believed
by his hardened companions; something was imputed to his fears; he
might have been mistaken; in short, it was determined to send two men
the next night at the same hour. They reached the house just as Ahmed,
having finished his prayers, had received the second date, and heard
him exclaim, 'My dear wife, to-night there are two of them!'
"The astonished thieves fled, and told their still incredulous comrades
what they had heard. Three men were consequently sent the third night,
four the fourth, and so on. Being afraid of venturing during the day,
they always came as evening closed in, and just as Ahmed was receiving
his date: hence they all in turn heard him say that which convinced
them he was aware of their presence. On the last night they all went,
and Ahmed exclaimed aloud, 'The number is complete! To-night the whole
forty are here!'
"All doubts were now removed. It was impossible that Ahmed should have
discovered them by any natural means. How could he ascertain their
exact number? and night after night, without ever once being mistaken?
He must have learnt it by his skill in astrology. Even the captain now
yielded, in spite of his incredulity, and declared his opinion that it
was hopeless to elude a man thus gifted; he therefore advised that
they should make a friend of the cobbler, by confessing every thing to
him, and bribing him to secrecy by a share of the booty.
"His advice was approved of; and an hour before dawn they knocked
at Ahmed's door. The poor man jumped out of bed, and, supposing the
soldiers were come to lead him to execution, cried out, 'Have patience!
I know what you are come for. It is a very unjust and wicked deed.'
"'Most wonderful man!' said the captain, as the door was opened, 'we
are fully convinced that thou knowest why we are come, nor do we mean
to justify the action of which thou speakest. Here are two thousand
pieces of gold, which we will give thee, provided thou wilt swear to
say nothing more about the matter.'
"'Say nothing about it!' said Ahmed. 'Do you think it possible I can
suffer such gross wrong and injustice without complaining, and making
it known to all the world?'
"'Have mercy upon us!' exclaimed the thieves, falling on their knees;
'only spare our lives, and we will restore the royal treasure.'
"The cobbler started, rubbed his eyes to see if he were asleep or
awake; and being satisfied that he was awake, and that the men
before him were really the thieves, he assumed a solemn tone, and
said--'Guilty men! ye are persuaded that ye cannot escape from
my penetration, which reaches unto the sun and moon, and knows
the position and aspect of every star in the heavens. Your timely
repentance has saved you. But ye must immediately restore all that ye
have stolen. Go straightway, and carry the forty chests exactly as ye
found them, and bury them a foot deep under the southern wall of the
old ruined Hemmâm, beyond the king's palace. If ye do this punctually,
your lives are spared; but if ye fail in the slightest degree,
destruction will fall upon you and your families.'
"The thieves promised obedience to his commands, and departed. Ahmed
then fell on his knees, and returned thanks to God for this signal
mark of his favour. About two hours after the royal guards came, and
desired Ahmed to follow them. He said he would attend them as soon as
he had taken leave of his wife, to whom he determined not to impart
what had occurred until he saw the result. He bade her farewell very
affectionately; she supported herself with great fortitude on this
trying occasion, exhorting her husband to be of good cheer, and said a
few words about the goodness of Providence. But the fact was, Sittâra
fancied, that if God took the worthy cobbler to himself, her beauty
might attract some rich lover, who would enable her to go to the Hemmâm
with as much splendour as the astrologer's lady, whose image, adorned
with jewels and fine clothes, and surrounded by slaves, still haunted
her imagination.
"The decrees of Heaven are just: a reward suited to their merits
awaited Ahmed and his wife. The good man stood with a cheerful
countenance before the king, who was impatient for his arrival, and
immediately said, 'Ahmed, thy looks are promising; hast thou discovered
my treasure?'
"'Does your majesty require the thieves or the treasure? The stars
will only grant one or the other,' said Ahmed, looking at his table of
astrological calculations. 'Your majesty must make your choice. I can
deliver up either, but not both.'
"'I should be sorry not to punish the thieves,' answered the king; 'but
if it must be so, I choose the treasure.'
"'And you give the thieves a full and free pardon?'
"'I do, provided I find my treasure untouched.'
"'Then,' said Ahmed, 'if your majesty will follow me, the treasure
shall be restored to you.'
"The king and all his nobles followed the cobbler to the ruins of the
old Hemmâm. There, casting his eyes towards Heaven, Ahmed muttered
some sounds, which were supposed by the spectators to be magical
conjurations, but which were in reality the prayers and thanksgivings
of a sincere and pious heart to God, for his wonderful deliverance.
When his prayer was finished, he pointed to the southern wall, and
requested that his majesty would order his attendants to dig there. The
work was hardly begun, when the whole forty chests were found in the
same state as when stolen, with the treasurer's seal upon them still
unbroken.
"The king's joy knew no bounds: he embraced Ahmed, and immediately
appointed him his chief astrologer, assigned to him an apartment in
the palace, and declared that he should marry his only daughter,[159]
as it was his duty to promote the man whom God had so singularly
favoured, and had made instrumental in restoring the treasures of his
kingdom. The young princess, who was more beautiful than the moon, was
not dissatisfied with her father's choice; for her mind was stored with
religion and virtue, and she had learnt to value beyond all earthly
qualities that piety and learning which she believed Ahmed to possess.
The royal will was carried into execution as soon as formed. The wheel
of fortune had taken a complete turn. The morning had found Ahmed
in a wretched hovel, rising from a sorry bed, in the expectation of
losing his life: in the evening he was the lord of a rich palace, and
married to the only daughter of a powerful king. But this change did
not alter his character. As he had been meek and humble in adversity,
he was modest and gentle in prosperity. Conscious of his own ignorance,
he continued to ascribe his good fortune solely to the favour of
Providence. He became daily more attached to the beautiful and virtuous
princess whom he had married; and he could not help contrasting her
character with that of his former wife, whom he had ceased to love, and
of whose unreasonable and unfeeling vanity he was now fully sensible.
"As Ahmed did not return to his house, Sittâra only heard of his
elevation from common rumour. She saw with despair that her wishes
for his advancement had been more than accomplished, but that all
her own desires had been entirely frustrated. Her husband was chief
astrologer--the very situation she had set her heart on; he was rich
enough to enable his wife to surpass all the ladies of Isfahan, in
the number of her slaves, and the finery of her clothes and jewels,
whenever she went to the Hemmâm: but he had married a princess; and
his former wife, according to custom, was banished from his house,
and condemned to live on whatever pittance she might receive from a
man whose love and esteem she had for ever forfeited. These thoughts
distracted her mind: her envy was excited by the accounts she daily
heard of Ahmed's happiness, and of the beauty of the princess; and she
now became anxious only for his destruction, looking on him as the sole
cause of her disappointment.
"An opportunity of indulging her revengeful feelings was not long
wanting. The king of Seestan had sent an emerald of extraordinary size
and brilliancy as a present to the king of Irak. It was carefully
enclosed in a box, to which there were three keys, and one of them was
given in charge to each of the three confidential servants employed
to convey it. When they reached Isfahan, the box was opened, but the
emerald was gone. Nothing could exceed their consternation; each
accused the other: as the lock was not broken, it was evident one of
them must be the thief. They consulted what was to be done; to conceal
what had happened was impossible; the very attempt would have brought
death on them all. It was resolved, therefore, to lay the whole matter
before the king, and beg that by his great wisdom he would detect the
culprit, and that he would show mercy to the other two.
"The king heard the story with astonishment, but was unable to find any
clue by which he might ascertain the truth. He summoned his vizier and
all the wisest men of his court; but they were as much at a loss as
their master. The report spread through the city; and Sittâra thought
she had now the means of working her husband's ruin. She solicited a
private audience of his majesty, on the plea of having a communication
of importance to make. Her request was granted. On entering the royal
presence she threw herself at his feet, exclaiming, 'Pardon, O king!
my having so long concealed the guilt of my husband Ahmed, whose
alliance is a disgrace to the royal blood. He is no astrologer, but an
associate of thieves, and by that means alone did he discover the royal
treasure. If any doubts are entertained of my speaking the truth, let
his majesty command Ahmed to recover the emerald which the servants of
the king of Seestan have stolen. Surely the man who by his wonderful
art ascertained where all the treasure of the kingdom was concealed,
will find it an easy matter to discover a single precious stone.'
"The king, who loved his son-in-law, was grieved by this information.
Still, as the honour of his family was concerned, he resolved to put
Ahmed to the test; and, if he found him an impostor, to vindicate the
royal dignity by his condign punishment. He therefore sent for Ahmed,
told him what had happened, and added, 'I give you twenty days to
discover who stole the emerald. If you succeed, you shall be raised to
the highest honours of the state. If not, you shall suffer death for
having deceived me.'
"Poor Ahmed quitted the presence quite disconsolate. The princess,
perceiving his affliction, inquired the cause. Ahmed was by nature as
sincere as he was pious and humble. He related, without concealment
or disguise, every event of his past life; and concluded with these
words: 'You must see, from what I have said, how incapable I am of
doing what your father enjoins. My life must answer for it; and my
only consolation is, that I shall, in twenty days, relieve you from a
husband, whom from this time you must despise.'
"'I only love you the better, my dear Ahmed, for your sincerity and
truth,' said the princess. 'One, who has been so favoured by Heaven,
must be dear to every pious heart. Be of good cheer; I will turn
astrologer this time, and see whether I can find out the thief. All
I require is, that you endeavour to be composed, while I consult the
stars and make my calculations.'
"Ahmed, delighted with this proof of affection, and reassured of the
confidence of her manner, promised to be obedient; and said he would
only venture to assist her exertions by his earnest prayers to that
Power which had never deserted him.
"The princess immediately invited the messengers from the king of
Seestan to her palace. They were surprised at the invitation, and still
more at their reception. 'You are strangers,' she said to them, 'and
come from a powerful king: it is my wish to show you every attention.
As to the lost emerald, think no more of it; it is a mere trifle. I
will intercede with the king, my father, to give himself no further
concern on the subject, being convinced that it has been lost by one of
those strange accidents for which it is impossible to account.'
"The princess entertained the strangers for several days, and during
that time the emerald seemed to be forgotten. She conversed with
them freely, inquiring particularly of Seestan, and the countries
they had seen on their travels. Flattered by her condescension, they
became confident of their safety; and were delighted with their royal
patroness. The princess, seeing them completely off their guard, turned
the conversation one evening on wonderful occurrences; and after each
had related his story, said, 'I will now recount to you some events of
my own life, which you will, I think, deem more extraordinary than any
you have ever heard.
"'I am my father's only child, and have therefore been a favourite from
my birth. I was brought up in the belief that I could command whatever
this world can afford; and was taught that unbounded liberality is
the first and most princely of virtues. I early resolved to surpass
every former example of generosity. I thought my power of doing good,
and making every body happy, was as unlimited as my wish to do so;
and I could not conceive the existence of misery beyond my power to
relieve. When I was eighteen I was betrothed to my cousin, a young
prince, who excelled all others in beauty of person and nobleness of
mind; and I fancied myself at the summit of happiness. It chanced,
however, that on the morning of my nuptials I went to walk in a garden
near the palace, where I had been accustomed to spend some hours daily
from my childhood. The old gardener, with whose cheerfulness I had
often been amused, met me. Seeing him look very miserable, I asked him
what was the matter? He evaded a direct answer; but I insisted upon
his disclosing the cause of his grief, declaring at the same time my
determination to remove it.
"''You cannot relieve me,' said the old man, with a deep sigh; 'it is
out of your power, my beloved princess, to heal the wound of which I am
dying.'
"'My pride was roused, and I exclaimed, 'I swear--'
"''Do not swear!' said the gardener, seizing my hand.
"''I do swear!' I repeated, irritated by the opposition. 'I will stop
at nothing to make you happy; and I further swear, that I will not
leave this spot until you reveal the grief which preys upon you.'
"'The old man, seeing my resolution, spake with tremulous emotion as
follows: 'Princess, you know not what you have done. Behold a man
who has dared for these two years to look upon you with an eye of
admiration; his love has at length reached such a pitch, that without
you he must be wretched for ever; and unless you consent to meet him
in the garden to-night, and become his bride instead of that of the
prince, he must die.'
"'Shocked by this unforeseen declaration, and trembling at the thought
of my oath, I tried to reason with the old gardener, and offered him
all the wealth I possessed. 'I told you,' he replied, 'beautiful
princess, that you could not make me happy; I endeavoured to prevent
your rash vow; and nothing but that should have drawn from me the
secret of my heart. Death, I know, is my fate; for I cannot live and
see you the wife of another. Leave me to die. Go to your husband; go to
the enjoyment of your pomp and riches; but never again pretend to the
exercise of a power which depends upon a thousand circumstances that no
human being can regulate or control.'
"'This speech conveyed a bitter reproach. I would have sacrificed my
life a hundred times, sooner than stain my honour by marrying this
man; but I had made a vow in the face of Heaven, and to break it
seemed sacrilege. Besides, I earnestly wished to die undeceived in my
favourite notion, that I could make all who came near me happy. Under
the struggle of these different feelings, I told the gardener his
desire should be granted, and that I would be in the garden an hour
before midnight. After this assurance I went away, resolved in my own
mind not to outlive the disgrace to which I had doomed myself.
"'I passed the day in the deepest melancholy. A little before midnight
I contrived to dismiss my attendants, and, arrayed in my bridal
apparel, which was covered with the richest jewels, I went towards the
garden. I had not proceeded many yards, when I was met by a thief,
who, seizing me, said, 'Let me strip you, madam, of these unnecessary
ornaments: if you make the least noise, instant death awaits you.' In
my state of mind such threats frightened me little. I wished to die,
but I wished, before I died, to fulfil my vow. I told my story to the
thief, beseeching him to let me pass, and pledging my word to return,
that he might not be disappointed of his booty. After some hesitation,
he allowed me to proceed.
"'I had not gone many steps, when I encountered a furious lion, which
had broken loose from my father's menagerie. Knowing the merciful
nature of this animal towards the weak and defenceless, I dropped on my
knees, repeated my story, and assured him, if he would let me fulfil my
vow, I would come back to him as ready to be destroyed as he could be
to make me his prey. The lion stepped aside, and I went into the garden.
"'I found the old gardener all impatience for my arrival. He flew to
meet me, exclaiming I was an angel. I told him I was resigned to my
engagement, but had not long to live. He started, and asked what I
meant. I gave him an account of my meeting with the thief and the lion.
'Wretch that I am!' cried the gardener; 'how much misery have I caused!
but bad as I am, I am not worse than a thief, or a beast of prey; which
I should be, did I not absolve you from your vow, and assure you the
only way in which you can now make me happy, is by forgiving my wicked
presumption.'
"'I was completely relieved by these words, and granted the
forgiveness desired; but having determined in spite of the gardener's
remonstrances, to keep my promises to the thief and the lion, I refused
to accept his protection. On leaving the garden, the lion met me.
'Noble lion,' I said, 'I am come, as I promised you.' I then related
to him how the gardener had absolved me from my vow, and I expressed a
hope that the king of beasts would not belie his renown for generosity.
The lion again stepped aside, and I proceeded to the thief, who was
still standing where I left him. I told him I was now in his power, but
that, before he stripped me, I must relate to him what had happened
since our last meeting. Having heard me, he turned away, saying, 'I am
not meaner than a poor gardener, nor more cruel than a hungry lion: I
will not injure what they have respected.'
"'Delighted with my escapes, I returned to my father's palace, where
I was united to my cousin, with whom I lived happily till his death;
persuaded, however, that the power of human beings to do good is very
limited, and that when they leave the narrow path marked out for them
by their Maker, they not only lose their object, but often wander
far into error and guilt, by attempting more than it is possible to
perform.'
"The princess paused, and was glad to see her guests so enchanted with
her story, that it had banished every other thought from their minds.
After a few moments she turned to one of them, and asked, 'Now which,
think you, showed the greatest virtue in his forbearance--the gardener,
the thief, or the lion?'
"'The gardener assuredly,' was his answer; 'to abandon so lovely a
prize, when so nearly his own.'
"'And what is your opinion?' said the princess to his neighbour.
"'I think the lion was the most generous,' he replied; 'he must have
been very hungry, and in such a state it was great forbearance to
abstain from devouring so delicate a morsel.'
"'You both seem to me to be quite wrong,' said the third, impatiently;
'the thief had by far the most merit. Gracious Heavens! to have within
his grasp such wealth, and to refrain from taking it! I could not have
believed it possible, unless the princess herself had assured us of the
fact.'
"The princess now, assuming an air of dignity, said to the first who
spoke, 'You, I perceive, are an admirer of the ladies;' to the second,
'You are an epicure;' and then turning to the third, who was already
pale with fright, 'You, my friend, have the emerald in your possession.
You have betrayed yourself, and nothing but an immediate confession can
save your life.'
"The guilty man's countenance removed all doubt; and when the princess
renewed her assurances of safety, he threw himself at her feet,
acknowledged his offence, and gave her the emerald, which he carried
concealed about him. The princess rose, went to her husband, and said,
'There, Ahmed, what do you think of the success of my calculations?'
She then related the whole circumstance, and bade him carry the jewel
to her father, adding, 'I trust he will feel a greater admiration than
ever for my husband, the wonderful astrologer!'
"Ahmed took the emerald in silent astonishment, and went with it
to the king, of whom he requested a private audience. On its being
granted, he presented the emerald. The king, dazzled by its brilliancy
and size, loaded his son-in-law with the most extravagant praises,
extolling him as superior to any astrologer who had ever been seen in
the world. Poor Ahmed, conscious how little he deserved such praise,
threw himself at the king's feet, and begged that he might be allowed
to speak the truth, as he was readier to die than to continue imposing
on his majesty's goodness. 'You impose on me!' said the king, 'that is
impossible. Did you not recover my treasure? Have you not brought me
this emerald?'
"'True, O king!' said Ahmed, 'I have done so, but without possessing
that science for which I have gained a reputation.' He then told his
history from first to last with perfect sincerity. The king showed
great displeasure while listening to his earlier adventures, but when
Ahmed related the story of the emerald, intermingling his tale with
fervent expressions of admiration for the wonderful wisdom and virtue
of the princess, he heard him with delight. After he had finished, the
king summoned his vizier and chief counsellors, and desired that his
daughter also might attend, and when they were all assembled, he spake
as follows; 'Daughter, I have learnt the history of thy husband from
his own lips. I have also heard much in confirmation of the belief I
have long entertained, that thy knowledge and goodness are even greater
than thy beauty. They prove that thou wert born to rule; and I only
obey the will of Heaven, and consult the happiness of my people, when
I resign my power into thy hands, being resolved to seek that repose
which my declining years require. As to thy husband, thou wilt dispose
of him as it pleases thee. His birth, I always knew, was low, but I
thought that his wisdom and learning raised him to a level with the
highest rank; these, it now appears, he does not possess. If thou
deemest his alliance a disgrace, divorce him. If, on the other hand,
thou art willing to keep him as thy husband, do so, and give him such
share as thou thinkest fit in the authority which I now commit to thee.'
"The princess knelt to kiss her father's hand, and answered, 'May my
father's life and reign be prolonged for his daughter's happiness,
and for that of his subjects! I am a weak woman, altogether unequal
to the task which his too fond love would impose on me. If my humble
counsel is listened to, my father will continue to govern his people,
whose gratitude and veneration will make obedience light, and rule
easy. As to Ahmed, I love and esteem him; he is sensible, sincere, and
pious, and I deem myself fortunate in having for my husband a man so
peculiarly favoured and protected by Heaven. What, my dear father, are
high rank or brilliant talents without religion and virtue? They are
as plants which bear gaudy blossoms, but yield no fruit.'
"The king was delighted with his daughter's wisdom and affection. 'Your
advice,' he said, 'my beloved daughter, shall be followed. I will
continue to govern my kingdom, while you and Ahmed shall assist me with
your counsels.'
"The good cobbler was soon afterwards nominated vizier; and the same
virtue and piety, which had obtained him respect in the humblest sphere
of life, caused him to be loved and esteemed in the high station to
which he was elevated.
"The designs of Sittâra were discovered, but her guilt was pardoned.
She was left with a mere subsistence, a prey to disappointment; for
she continued to the last to sigh for that splendour she had seen
displayed by the chief astrologer's wife at the Hemmâm; thereby
affording a salutary lesson to those who admit envy into their bosoms,
and endeavour to attain their ends by unreasonable and unjustifiable
means."
FOOTNOTES:
[158] This occurrence was told the Elchee by Hajee Ibrahim in 1800,
scarcely four years after the event to which it referred. Vide Hist.
Persia, vol. ii. p. 297.
[159] It is very common in the East for the daughters of monarchs to be
married to men eminent for piety or learning, however low their origin.