The fourth _Darwesh_ began with tears the relation of his adventures
in the following manner:--
"The sad tale of my misfortunes now hear,
Pay some attention, and my whole story hear;
From what causes I distressed have come thus far,
I will relate it all,--do you the reason hear."
O, guides [to the path] of God, [383] bestow a little attention. This
pilgrim, who is reduced to this wretched state, is the son of the king
of China; I was brought up with tenderness and delicacy, and well
educated. I was utterly unacquainted with the good and evil of this
world, and imagined [my life] would ever pass in the same manner. In
the midst of this extreme thoughtlessness this sad event took place;
the king, who was the father of this orphan, departed [this life]. In
his last moments, he sent for his younger brother, who was my uncle,
and said to him, "I now leave my kingdom and wealth behind me, and
am going to depart; but do you perform my last wishes, and act the
part of an elder. Until the prince, who is the heir to my throne,
has become of age, and has sense to govern his kingdom; do you act as
regent, and do not permit the army and the husbandmen to be injured
or oppressed. When the prince has arrived at the years of maturity,
give him advice, and deliver over to him the government; and having
married him to your daughter, _Roshan Akhtar,_ retire yourself from
the throne. By this conduct, the sovereignty will remain in my family,
and no harm will accrue to it."
After this speech, [the king] himself expired; my uncle became ruler,
and began to regulate the affairs of government. He ordered me to
remain in the seraglio, and that I should not come out of it until I
reached [the years of] manhood. Until my fourteenth year I was brought
up among the princesses and female attendants, and used to play and
frisk about. Having heard of [my intended] marriage with my uncle's
daughter, I was quite happy, and on this hope I became thoughtless,
and said to myself, that I shall now in a short time ascend the
throne and be married; "the world is established on hope." [384] I
used often to go and sit with _Mubarak_, a negro slave, who had been
brought up in my late father's service, and in whom much confidence was
[placed], as he was sensible and faithful. He also had a great regard
for me, and seeing me advancing to the years of manhood, he was much
pleased, and used to say, "God be praised, O prince, you are now a
young man, and, God willing, your uncle, the shadow of Omnipotence,
will shortly fulfil the injunctions [of your late father], and give
you his daughter, and your father's throne."
One day, it happened that a common female slave gave me, without cause,
such a slap, that the marks of her five fingers remained on my cheek. I
went, weeping, to _Mubarak_; he clasped me to his bosom, and wiped away
my tears with his sleeve, and said, "Come, I will conduct you to-day to
the king; he will perhaps be kind to you on seeing yon, and, conceiving
you qualified [in years], he may give up to you your rights." He led me
immediately to my uncle's presence; my uncle showed me great affection
before the court, and asked me, "why are you so sad, and wherefore
are you come here to-day?" _Mubarak_ replied, "He is come here to say
something [to your majesty]." On hearing this, he said of himself,
"I will shortly marry the young prince." _Mubarak_ answered, "It will
be a most joyful event." The king immediately sent for the astrologers
and diviners into his presence, and with feigned interest asked them,
"In this year what month, what day, and what hour is auspicious, that I
may order the preparations for the prince's marriage?" They perceiving
what were [the king's real wishes], made their calculations, and said,
"Mighty sire, the whole of this year is unpropitious; no day in any
of the lunar months appears happy; if this whole year pass in safety,
then the next is most propitious for a happy marriage."
The king looked towards _Mubarak_, and said, "Reconduct the prince to
the seraglio, if God willing, after this year is over, I will deliver
up my trust to him; let him make himself perfectly easy, and attend to
his studies," _Mubarak_ made his _salam_, and taking me along with him,
reconducted me to the seraglio. Two or three days after this, I went
to _Mubarak_; on seeing me, he began to weep; I was surprised, and
asked him, saying, "My father, is all well? what is the cause of your
weeping?" Then, that well wisher, (who loved me with heart and soul),
said, "I conducted you the other day to that tyrant; if I had known it,
I would not have carried you there," I was alarmed, and asked him,
"What harm has occurred from my going? pray tell me truly," He then
said, "All the nobles, ministers, and officers of state, small and
great, of your father's time, were greatly rejoiced on seeing you,
and began to offer up thanks to God, saying, 'Now, our prince is of
age, and fit to reign. Now, in a short time, the right will devolve
upon the rightful [heir]; then he will do justice to our merits,
and appreciate the length of our services.' This news reached the
ears of that faithless wretch, [385] and entered his breast like a
serpent. He sent for me in private, and said, 'O _Mubarak_, act now
in such a manner, that by some stratagem or other the prince may be
destroyed; and remove the dread of his [existence] from my heart,
that I may feel secure.' Since then I am quite confounded, for your
uncle is become the enemy of your life." When I heard this dreadful
news from _Mubarak,_ I was dead without being murdered, and fell at
his feet from fear of my life, and said, "For God's sake, I relinquish
my throne; by any means, let my life be saved." That faithful slave
lifted up my head, clasped me to his breast, and said, "There is no
danger, a thought has struck me; if it turns out well, then there
is nothing to fear; whilst we have life, we have everything. "It is
probable that, by this scheme [of mine] your life will be preserved,
and you will attain your wishes."
Giving me these hopes, he took me with him, and went to the apartment
where the deceased king, my father, used to sit and sleep; and gave
me every confidence. There a stool was placed; he told me to lay
hold of one of its legs, and taking hold of the other himself, we
removed the stool, and he lifted up the carpet that was beneath it,
and began to dig the floor. A window appeared suddenly, to which were
attached a chain and lock. He called me near him; I apprehended within
myself that he wished to butcher me, and bury me in the place he had
dug. Death appeared [in all its horrors] before my eyes; but having
no other alternative, I advanced slowly and in silence towards him,
repeating within myself my prayers to God. I then saw a building
with four rooms inside of that window, and in every room ten large
vases of gold were suspended by chains; on the mouth of each vase was
placed a brick of gold, on which was set the figure of a monkey inlaid
with precious stones. I counted thirty-nine vases of this kind in the
four rooms, and saw one vase filled with pieces of gold, on the mouth
of which there was neither the brick, nor the figure of the monkey,
and I also saw a vat filled to the brim with precious stones. I asked
_Mubarak,_ "O my father, what talisman is this? whose place is this,
and for what use are those figures?" He replied, "The following is
the story of those figures of monkeys which you see:--Your father
from his youth formed a friendship and kept up an intercourse with
_Maliki Sadik_, who is the king of the _jinns_.
"Accordingly, once every year, [his late majesty] used to visit _Maliki
Sadik_ and stay near a month with him, having carried thither with
him many kinds of essences, [386] and the rarities of this country,
[as a present]. When he took his leave, _Maliki Sadik_ used to give
him the figure of a monkey made of emerald, and our king used to
bring it and place it in these lower rooms; no one but myself knew
the circumstance. Once I observed to your father, O mighty king, you
carry with you thousands of rupees'-worth of rarities, and you bring
back from thence the figure of a lifeless monkey in stone; what is
the advantage of this [exchange] in the end? In answer to my question,
he smiling, said, 'Beware, and do not, in any way divulge this secret;
the information [you receive] is on this condition. Each one of these
lifeless monkeys which thou seest has a thousand powerful demons [387]
at his command, ready to obey his orders; but until I have the number
of forty monkeys complete, so long are all these of no use, and will
be of no service to me.' So one monkey was wanting [to complete the
efficient number] in that very year, when the king died.
"All this toil then has been of no avail, nor has the advantage of it
been displayed. O prince, I recollected this circumstance on seeing
your forlorn situation, and determined within myself to conduct you
by some means or other to _Maliki Sadik_, and mention to him your
uncle's tyranny. It is most likely that he, recollecting your father's
friendship for him, may give you the one monkey which is wanting [to
complete the number]; then, with their aid, you may get your empire,
and reign peaceably over China and _Machin,_ [388] and your life, at
least, will be secured by this proceeding, if nothing else can be done;
I see no other way to escape from the hands of this tyrant, except
the plan I propose." On hearing all these consoling circumstances
from _Mubarak_, I said to him, "O friend, you are now the disposer
of my life; do whatever is best with regard to me." Giving me every
confidence, he went to the _bazar_ to buy some _'itr_ and _bukhur_,
[389] and whatever he deemed fit to be carried [as a present for
_Maliki Sadik_].
The next day, he went to my impious uncle, who was a second
_Abu-Jahal_, [390] and said, "Protector of the world, I have formed
a plan in my heart for destroying the prince, and if you order me,
I will relate it." That wretch was quite pleased, and said, "What
is the plan?" Then _Mubarak_ said, "By putting him to death [here],
your majesty will be highly censured in every way; but I will take
him out to the woods, finish him, bury him, and return; no one will
be conversant [of the fact]." On hearing this plan of _Mubarak's_, the
king said, "It is an excellent [plan]; I desire this, that he may not
live in safety; I am greatly afraid of him in my heart, and if thou
relievest me from this anxiety, then in return for that service thou
shalt obtain much; take him where thou wilt, and make away with him,
and bring me the welcome tidings."
Being in this manner at ease with regard to the king, _Mubarak_ took
me with him, and having also taken the presents, he set out from
the city at midnight, and proceeded towards the north. For a whole
month he went on without stopping; one night we were trudging along,
when _Mubarak_ observed, "God be praised, we are now arrived at the
end of our journey." On hearing this exclamation, I said, "O friend,
what dost thou say?" He replied, "O prince, do not you see the army
of the _jinns_?" I answered, "I see nothing except you." _Mubarak_
then took out a box containing _surma_, and with a needle applied
to both my eyes the _surma_ of _Sulaiman_. I instantly began to see
the host of the _jinns_ and the tents and encampments of their army;
they were all handsome, and well dressed. Recognising _Mubarak_,
they all embraced him, and spake to him facetiously.
Proceeding onwards, we at length reached the royal tents, and entered
the court. I saw they were well lighted, and stools of various kinds
were arranged in double rows, on which were seated men of learning,
philosophers, _darweshes_, nobles, and the officers of state; servants
of various grades with their arms across were in waiting, and in the
centre was placed a throne set with precious stones, on which was
seated with an air of dignity, the king, _Maliki Sadik_, with a crown
of his head, and clothed in a tunic set with pearls. I approached
him and made my salutation; he desired me with kindness to sit down,
and then ordered dinner; after having finished [our repast], the
_dastar-khwan_ was removed, and he having looked towards _Mubarak_,
asked my story. _Mubarak_ replied, "This prince's uncle now reigns
in the room of his father, and is become the enemy of his life, for
which reason I have run off with him from thence, and have conducted
him to your majesty; he is an orphan, and the throne is his due;
but no one can do anything without a protector; with your majesty's
assistance, this injured [youth] may get his rights; recollect the
return due for his father's services, afford him your assistance,
and give him the fortieth monkey, that the number may be completed,
and the prince, having gained his rights [with their aid], [391]
will pray for your majesty's long life and prosperity; he has no
other visible resource except your majesty's protection."
On hearing all these circumstances, _Maliki Sadik_, after a pause,
said, "In truth, the return for the deceased king's services,
and his friendship for me, are great; and, considering that this
helpless prince is overwhelmed with misfortunes, that he has quitted
his lineal throne to save his life, and is come as far as this, and
has taken shelter under the shadow of our protection, I shall in no
way be wanting [to afford him my assistance] as far as I am able,
nor will I pass him over; but I have an affair in hand; if he can do
it and does not deceive me--if he executes it properly, and acquits
himself fully in the trial, I then promise that I will be a greater
friend to him than I was to the late king, his father, and that I
will grant him whatever he asks." I joined my hands, and replied,
"This servant will most cheerfully perform as far as he is able,
whatever services your majesty may require; he will execute them with
prudence and vigilance, and without deceit, and think it a happiness to
him in both worlds." The king of the _jinns_ observed, "You are as yet
a mere boy, for which reason I warn you so repeatedly, that you may
not deceive me, and plunge yourself in calamity." I answered, "God,
through the good fortune of your majesty, will make it easy to me,
and I will, as far as in me lies, exert myself to your satisfaction."
_Maliki Sadik_, on hearing [these assurances], called me near him,
and taking out a paper from his pocket book, showed it to me, and said,
"Search where you think proper for the person whose portrait this is;
find her out and bring her to me; when you find out her name and
place, go before her, and express great affection to her from me;
if you perform this service, then whatever expectations you may have
from me, I will exceed them in the performance; otherwise you will
be treated as you deserve." When I looked on that paper, I perceived
such a beautiful portrait in it, that a faintness came over me; I
supported myself with difficulty through fear, and answered, "Very
well, I take my leave; if God favours me, I shall execute what your
majesty commands." Saying this, I took _Mubarak_ with me, and bent my
course towards the woods. I began to wander from city to city, from
town to town, from village to village, and from country to country,
and to inquire of every one [I met] the name and place [of the fair
one whose portrait I had]; but no one said "Yes, I know her," or
"I have heard of her from some one." I passed seven years in this
wandering state, and suffered every misery and perplexity; at last,
I reached a city which was populous, and contained many grand edifices;
but every living creature there was repeating the great name, [392]
and worshipping God.
I saw a blind beggar of _Hindustan_ begging alms, but no one gave him
a _kauri_, or a mouthful; I wondered at it, and pitied him; I took
out a piece of gold from my pocket, and gave it to him; he took it,
and said, "O donor! God prosper you; you are perhaps a traveller,
and not an inhabitant of this city." I replied, "In truth, I have
wandered distractedly for seven years; I cannot find the smallest
trace of the object for which I set out, and have this day reached this
city. The old man poured blessings on me, and went on; I followed him;
a grand building appeared without the city; he entered it, and I also
followed, and saw that here and there the building had fallen down,
and was out of repair.
I said to myself, "This edifice is fit for princes; what an agreeable
place it will be when in repair? and now, through desolation, what
an appearance it has! but I cannot conceive why it is fallen into
ruin, and why this blind man lives in it." The blind man was going
on feeling his way with his stick, when I heard a voice, as if some
one was saying, "O father, I hope all is well; why have you returned
so early to-day?" The old man, on hearing this question, replied,
"Daughter, God made a youthful traveller have pity on my condition; he
gave me a piece of gold; it is many a-day since I have had a bellyful
of good food. So I have purchased meat, spices, butter, oil, flour, and
salt; and I have also procured such clothes for you as were necessary;
cut them out, sew them and wear them; and cook the dinner, that we
may partake of it, and then offer up our prayers for the generous man
[who has been kind to us]; although I do not know the desires of his
heart, yet God knows and sees all; and will grant the prayers of us
destitute ones." When I heard the circumstance of his severe fasting,
I wished much to give him twenty pieces of gold more; but looking
towards the quarter from whence the sounds came, I saw a woman who
resembled exactly the portrait I had. I drew it out and compared
it, and perceived that there was not a hairbreadth of difference. A
deep sigh escaped from my bosom, and I became senseless. _Mubarak_
took me in his arms and sat down, and began to fan me; I recovered
a little sensation, and was gazing at her, when _Mubarak_ asked,
"What is the matter with you?" I had not yet answered him, when the
beautiful female said, "O young man, fear God, and do not look at a
strange female; [393] shame and modesty are necessary to every one."
She spoke with such propriety that I became enchanted with her beauty
and manners. _Mubarak_ comforted me greatly, but he did not know
the state of my heart; having no alternative, I called out and said,
"O you creatures of God, and inhabitants of this place! I am a poor
traveller; if you call me near you, and give me some place to put
up in, it will be an important matter [for me]." The old man called
me to him, and recognising my voice, he embraced me, and conducted
me to where the lovely woman was seated; she went and hid herself
in a corner. The old man asked me thus: "Tell thy story; why hast
thou left thy home, and wandered about alone, and of whom are you
in search?" I did not mention _Maliki Sadik's_ name, nor did I say
anything about him; but thus told [my supposed tale]. "This wretch
is the prince of China and _Machin_; so that my father is still king;
he purchased from a merchant this picture for four _lakhs_ of rupees;
from the moment when I beheld it, my peace of mind fled, and I put
on the dress of a pilgrim; I have searched the whole world, and have
now found the object here; the same is in your power."
On hearing these words, the old man heaved a heavy sigh, and said,
"O friend, my daughter is entangled in great misfortunes; no man
can presume to marry her and enjoy her." I replied, "I am in hopes
you will explain more fully." Then that strange man related thus his
story;--"Hear, O prince! I am a chief and grandee of this unfortunate
city; my forefathers were celebrated, and of a great family; God the
Most High bestowed on me this daughter; when she became a woman, her
beauty and gracefulness and elegance of manners were celebrated; and
over the whole country it was said, that in such a person's house is a
daughter, before whose beauty even angels and fairies are abashed; how
can a human creature, therefore, be compared to her! The prince of this
city heard these praises, and became enamoured of her by report without
seeing her; he quitted food and drink, and became quite restless.
"At last, the king heard of this circumstance, and called me at night
in private and mentioned to me how matters stood; he coaxed me so
with fine speeches, that at last he got my consent to an alliance
[by marriage] with him. I likewise [naturally] reflected that as a
daughter was born to me, she must be married to some one or other;
then what can be better, than to marry her to the prince? this the
king also entreats. I accepted the proposal, and took my leave. From
that day the preparations for the marriage were begun by both
parties; and on an auspicious hour, all the _kazis_ and _muftis_,
[394] the learned men and the nobles were convened, and the marriage
rites were performed; the bride was carried away with great _eclat_,
and all the ceremonies were finished. At night, when the bridegroom
wished to consummate the nuptial rites, such a noise and uproar
arose in the palace, that the people without who mounted guard were
surprised. They wished that having opened the door of the room,
they might see what was the matter; but it was so fastened from
the inside, that they could not open it. A moment after, the noise
of lamentation became less; they then broke open the door from its
hinges, and saw the bridegroom with his head severed from his [body],
and [his limbs] still quivering; and the bride foamed at the mouth,
and rolled senseless in the dust mingled with [her husband's] blood.
"On seeing this horrible sight, the senses of all present forsook them;
that such grief should succeed such felicity! The dreadful intelligence
was conveyed to the king; he flew [to the spot], beating his head; all
the officers of state were soon assembled there, but no one's judgment
was of any use in ascertaining the [cause of] this [mysterious] affair;
at length the king, in his distracted state, ordered the ill-fated,
luckless bride's head to be cut off likewise. The moment this order
was issued from the king's lips, the same clamour arose; the king was
alarmed, and from fear of his life, he ran off, and ordered the bride
to be turned out of the palace. The female attendants conveyed this
[unfortunate] girl to my house. The account of this strange event soon
spread over the whole kingdom, and whoever heard it was amazed; and
owing to the prince's murder, the king himself and all the inhabitants
of the city became bitter enemies of my life.
"When the public mourning was over, and the fortieth day completed,
the king asked counsel of the officers of state, saying, 'What is next
to be done?' They all said, 'Nothing else can be done; but in order to
console your majesty's mind, and inspire it with patience, to put the
girl and her father to death, and confiscate their property.' When
this punishment of me and mine was determined on, the magistrate
received orders [to put it in execution]; he came and surrounded my
house [with guards] on all sides and sounded a trumpet at the gate,
and was about to enter in order to execute the king's orders. From
some hidden quarter, such showers of stones and bricks were poured
on them that the whole band could not stand against it, and covering
their faces, they were dispersed hither and thither; and these dreadful
sounds issued, which even the king himself heard in his palace; 'What
misfortune impels thee! what demon possesses thee! if thou desirest
thy welfare, molest not that fair one, or else the fate that thy son
met with by marrying her, thou shalt experience the like doom by being
her foe; if thou now molestest her, thou wilt rue its consequences.'
"The king fell into a fever through fear, and instantly ordered that
'No one should molest these evil-fated persons; to say nothing to them,
to hear nothing from them, but to let them remain in their house,
and that no one should injure or oppress them.' From that day, the
magicians, conceiving this mysterious event to be witchcraft, have
used all their exorcising arts and spells to destroy its effects;
and all the inhabitants of this city read [prayers] from the glorious
_Kur,an_, and pronounced the great name of God. It is a long while
since this awful scene took place, but to this day the mysterious
secret has not been developed, nor do I know anything about it; I
once asked the girl what she had seen with her own eyes; she replied,
I know nothing more than that when my husband wished to consummate
our marriage, I saw the roof instantly open, and a throne set with
precious stones descended through the aperture, on which was seated
a handsome young man dressed in princely robes, and many persons
in attendance upon him, came into that apartment; and were ready
to put the prince to death. That young man came up to me and said,
"Well, my love, where to will you now escape from me?" They had the
appearance of men, but with feet like goats; my heart palpitated,
and I fainted through fear; I do not know what afterwards happened.'
"From that period we have both thus lived in this ruined place; and
from the fear of offending the king, all our friends have forsaken us;
when I go out to beg, no one gives me a _kauri_; moreover, it is not
allowed me even to stand before their shops; this unfortunate girl has
not a rag to cover her nakedness, nor sufficient food to satisfy her
hunger. From God I only pray for this, that our deaths should ensue,
or that the earth may open out and swallow this ill-fated girl:
death is better than such existence; God has perhaps sent thee here
for our good; so that thou tookest pity on us, and gave us a piece
of gold, which has enabled us to have good food and clothes for my
daughter. God be praised, and blessed be thou; if she was not under
the influence of some _jinn_ or fairy, then I would give her for thy
service like a slave, and think myself happy. This is my wretched
story; do not think of her, but abandon all thoughts on that head."
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, God 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; God knows if he will give her
to me or not." My mind was in such a state that I passed 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 passed 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. God 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
assistance 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 passed 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 pass, 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 passed the whole night in talking of this circumstance
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--God 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 circumstance 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, "God 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, God has favoured us before the face
of the king; what is the need of haste now? if some misconduct should
occur, which God 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
God 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 God,
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 assurance. 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 snatching 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 assuredly
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 assuming 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. God 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 passing 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 God 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 God,
go." The king went to the seraglio, and took the young prince in his
lap, and thanked God; 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 titles, 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 balls 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 assembly 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 nobles 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
passed 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] assistance,
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 assistance 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 passed 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 God 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 God, 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 God 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 space 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 circumstance 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 passed 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 ass,
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 passed 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 God! 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 God! Amen, O God of the universe.
When this book was finished, through the favour of God, 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 circumstance, when it
occurred to me that the words _Bagh O Bahar_ formed a proper title,
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 pass my nights and days! That I
may not be questioned with severity on the night of death, and the
day of reckoning! O God, in both worlds shower thy favours on me,
through the mediation of the great prophet!