Part 5 (1/2)
”It happened, that in the group of lunatics, a handsome young man, who had scarce strength to stand up, attracted the _Gusa,in's_ attention. He said to me, 'Bring him with you.' After delivering his prescriptions of cure to all, he went into his private apartment and opened a little of the young lunatic's skull; he attempted to seize with his forceps the centipede which was curled on his brain. An idea struck me, and I spoke out, saying, 'If you will heat the forceps in the fire, and then apply it to the centipede's back, it will be better, as it will then come out of its own accord; but if you thus attempt to pull it off, it will not quit its grasp on the brain, and [the patient's] life will be endangered.' [253] On hearing this, the _Gusa,in_ looked towards me; silently he rose up, and, without saying a word, he went to the corner of the garden, and seizing a tree in his grasp, he formed his long hair into a noose, and hanged himself. I went to the spot, and saw, alas! alas! that he was dead. I became quite afflicted at the strange and astonis.h.i.+ng sight; but being helpless, I thought it best to bury him. The moment I began to take him down from the tree, two keys dropt from his locks; I took them up, and interred that treasure of excellence in the earth. Having taken with me the two keys, I began to apply them to all the locks. By chance I opened the locks of two rooms with these keys, and perceived that they were filled from the floor to the roof with precious stones; in one place I saw a chest covered with velvet, with clasps of gold, and locked. When I opened it, then I saw in it a book, in which was written the ”Most awful of Names,” [254] and the mode of invoking the genii, and the fairies, and the holding of intercourse with spirits, and how to subdue them, also the mode of charming the sun.
”I became quite delighted at the idea of having acquired such a treasure, and began to put those [charms] in practice. I opened the garden door, and said to the n.o.bleman, and to those who had come with me, 'Send for the vessels [which had brought us, and embark in them all these jewels, specie, merchandise, and books,' and having embarked myself in a small vessel, I proceeded from thence to the main ocean. When sailing along, I approached my own country. The intelligence reached my father. He mounted his horse, and advanced to meet us; with anxious affection he clasped me to his bosom; I kissed his feet, and said, 'May this humble being be allowed to live in the former garden?'
”The king replied, 'O my son, that garden appears to me calamitous, and I have therefore forbidden its being kept up; that spot is not at present fit for the abode of man; reside in any other abode which your heart may desire. You had best choose some place in the fort, and live under my eyes; and having there formed such a garden as you wish, continue to walk about and to amuse yourself.' I strenuously resisted and caused the former garden to be repaired once more, and having embellished it like a perfect paradise, I went to reside in it. There, at my ease, I fasted forty days for the purpose of subduing the _jinns_ to my will; and having abandoned living creatures, I began to practise [my spells] on the world of spirits.
”When the forty days were completed, such a terrible storm arose at midnight, that the very strongest buildings fell down, and trees were uprooted and scattered in all directions; an army of fairies appeared. A throne descended from the air, on which a person of dignified appearance was seated, richly dressed, with a crown of pearls on his head. On seeing him, I saluted him with great respect; he returned my salutation, and said, 'O friend, why hast thou raised this commotion for nothing? what dost thou want with me?' I replied, 'This wretch has been long in love with your daughter, and for her I have every where wandered about wretched, distracted, and am dead, though alive; I am now sick of existence, and have staked my life on this deed which I have done. All my hopes now rest on your benevolence, that you will exalt this unfortunate wanderer with your favour, and that you will bestow on me life and happiness, by allowing me to behold [your fair daughter]; it will be an act of great merit.' [255]
”On hearing my wishes he said, 'Man is made of earth, and we are formed of fire; connection between two such [cla.s.ses] is very difficult.' I swore an oath, saying, 'I only desire to see her, and have no other purpose.' Again the king [of the fairies] replied, 'Man does not adhere to his promises; in time of need he promises everything, but he does not keep it in recollection. I say this for thy good; for if ever thou formest other wishes, then she and thou wilt be ruined and undone; moreover, it will endanger your lives.' I repeated my oaths, and added, that whatever could injure both of us, I would never do, and that all I desired was to see her sometimes. These words were pa.s.sing [between us], when suddenly, the fairy (of whom we were talking) appeared before us, with much splendour, and completely adorned; and the throne of the king [of the fairies] remounted thence. I then embraced the fairy with fond eagerness, and repeated this verse:--
'Why should not she of the arched eyebrows come [to my house], She for whose sake I have fasted for forty days.'
In that state of felicity we resided together in the garden. I dreaded through fear to think of other joys; I only tasted the superficial pleasure [of her roseate lips], and constantly gazed upon her charms. The lovely fairy, seeing me so true to my oath, was surprised within herself, and used sometimes to say, 'O my beloved, you are indeed strictly faithful to your promise; but I will give you, by the way of friends.h.i.+p, a piece of advice; take care of your mystical book; for the _jinns_, seeing you off your guard, will purloin it some day or other.' I replied, 'I guard this book as I would my life.'
”It so happened, that one night Satan led me astray; in a fit of overpowering pa.s.sion, I said to myself, 'Let happen what will, how long can I restrain myself?' I clasped the [lovely fairy] to my bosom, and attempted to revel in ecstatic joys. Instantly, a voice came forth, saying, 'Give me the book, for the great name of G.o.d is written in it; do not profane it.' In that fervour of pa.s.sion, I was insensible [to every other consideration]; I took the book from my bosom and delivered it, without knowing to whom I gave it, and plunged myself into the fervid joys of love. The beautiful fairy, seeing my foolish conduct, said, 'Alas! selfish man, thou hast at last transgressed, and forgotten my admonition.'
”On saying this, she became senseless, and I perceived a _jinn_ standing at the head of the bed, who held the magical book in his hand; I attempted to seize him, and beat him severely, and s.n.a.t.c.h away the book, when in the meantime another appeared, took the book from his hand, and ran off. I began to repeat the incantations I had learnt. The _jinn_, who was still standing near me, became a bull; but, alas! the lovely fairy had not in the least recovered her senses, and that same state of stupor continued. Then my mind became distracted, and all my joys were turned into bitterness. From that day, man became my aversion. I live in a corner of this garden; and for the sake of agreeably occupying my mind, I made this emerald vase, ornamented with flowers, and every month I go to the plain, mounted on that same bull, break the vase, and kill a slave, with the hope that every one may see my sad state and pity me; perhaps some creature of G.o.d may so far favour me and pray for me, that I even may regain the desire [of my heart]. O faithful friend, such as I have related to thee is the sad tale of my madness and lunacy.”
I wept at hearing it, and said, ”O prince, you have truly suffered greatly from love; but I swear here by G.o.d, that I will abandon my own wishes, and will now roam among woods and mountains for your good, and do all I can [to find out your beloved fairy]. Having made this promise, I took leave of the prince, and for five years wandered through the desert, sifting the dust, like a mad man, but found no trace [of the fairy]. At last, desponding of success, I ascended a mountain, and wished to throw myself down [from its summit], so that neither bone nor rib [in my frame] might remain entire. The same veiled horseman, [who saved you from destruction], came up to me and said, ”Do not throw away thy life; in a few days thou wilt be in possession of the desires of thy heart.” O holy _Darweshes_! I have at last seen you. I have now hopes that joy and happiness will be our lot, and all of us, now affected as we are, may attain our wished-for objects.
TALE OF AZAD BAKHT.
When the second _Darwesh_ had likewise finished telling the relation of his adventures, the night ended, and the time of morning was just beginning. The king, _Azad Bakht_, silently proceeded towards his own kingly abode. On arriving at his palace, he said his prayers. Then, having gone to the bathing-house, and dressed himself superbly, he proceeded to the _Diwani 'Amm_ and mounted his throne; and he issued an order, saying, ”Let a messenger go and bring along with him, with respect, to our presence, four _Darweshes_ who have [recently]
arrived at such a place.” The messenger went there according to orders, and perceived that the four _Darweshes_, after performing the necessary calls, and washed their hands and faces, were on the point of setting out on [their peregrinations], and take their different roads. The messenger said to them, ”Reverend sirs, the king has called you four personages; come along with me.” The four _Darweshes_ began to stare at each other, and said to the messenger, ”Son, we are the monarchs of our own hearts; what have we to do with a king of this world?” The messenger answered, ”Holy sirs, there is no harm in it, and it is better you should go.”
The four _Darweshes_ then recollected that what _Maula Murtaza_ [256] had said to them, that same had now come to pa.s.s; they were pleased at the recollection], and went along with the messenger. When they reached the fort and went before the king, the four _Kalandars_ gave a benediction, saying, ”Son, may it be well with thee.” The king then retired to the _Diwani kha.s.s_, and having called two or three of his confidential n.o.bles near him, he ordered the four _Darweshes_ to be brought in. When they went there [before his majesty], he commanded them to sit down, and asked them their adventures, saying, ”From whence come you, where do you intend to go, and where is the residence of your wors.h.i.+ps?”
”They replied, ”May the king's age and wealth be always on the increase! we are _Darweshes_, and have in this very manner for a long while wandered and roamed about; we bear our homes on our shoulders. There is a saying, that 'a pilgrim's home is where the evening overtakes him;' and all we have seen in this versatile world is too long a tale to relate.”
_Azad Bakht_ gave them every confidence and encouragement, and having sent for refreshment, he made them breakfast before him. When they finished [their meal] the king said to them, ”Relate all your adventures to me, without the least reserve; whatever services I can render you, I will not fail to do.” The _Darweshes_ replied that, ”whatever has happened to us, we have not the strength to relate, nor will any pleasure result to the king from hearing it; therefore pardon us.” The king then smiled, and said, ”Where you were sitting on your couches last night and relating each his own adventures, there I was likewise present; moreover, I have heard the adventures of two of you; I now wish that the two who remain would also relate theirs; and stay with me a few days in perfect confidence, for 'the footsteps of the _Darwesh_ scare away evil.'” [257] On hearing these words from the king, they began to tremble in consequence of their fear; and having hung down their heads, they remained silent--they had not the power to speak.
When _Azad Bakht_ perceived that now through fear their senses no longer remained with them, so as to enable them to tell anything, he said [to revive their spirits] ”There is no person in this world to whom rare and strange incidents have not occurred; although I am a king, yet I have even seen strange scenes, which I will first of all relate to you [to inspire you with confidence and remove your fears]; do you listen to it with your minds at ease,” The _Darweshes_ replied, ”O king, peace be on thee! such are your kindnesses towards us darweshes, condescend to relate them.”
_Azad Bakht_ began his adventures, and said,
”Hear, O pilgrims, the adventures of the king.
Whatever I have heard or seen, O hear!
I will relate to ye every thing, from end to end.
My story with heartfelt attention hear.”
When my father died, and I ascended the throne, it was in the very season of youth, and all this kingdom of _Rum_ was under my dominion. It happened one year, that some merchant from the country of _Badakhshan_ [258] came [to my capital] and brought a good deal of merchandise. The reporters of intelligence [259] sent notice to me to this effect, that so considerable a merchant had never visited our city before: I sent for him.
”He came, and brought with him the rarities of every country, which were worthy of being offered to me, as presents. Indeed, every article appeared to be of inestimable value; above all, there was a ruby in a box, of an exceedingly fine colour, very brilliant, perfect in shape and size, and in weight [amounting to] five _miskals_. [260]
Though I was a king, I had never seen such a precious stone, nor had I heard of such from any other person. I accepted it, and bestowed upon the merchant many presents and honours; I gave him pa.s.sports for the roads, that throughout my empire no one should ask him any duties; that they should treat him with kindness wherever he went; that he should be waited on, and have guards for his protection, and that they should consider any loss he might experience as their own. The merchant attended at the time of audience, and was well versed in the forms of respect due to royalty; his conversation and eloquence were worth hearing. I used to send for the ruby daily from the jewel office, and look at it at the time of public audience.
One day I was seated in the _diwani 'amm,_ and the n.o.bles and officers of state were in waiting in their respective places, and the amba.s.sadors of different sovereigns, who had come to congratulate me [on my accession to the throne], were likewise present. I then sent for the ruby, according to custom; the officer of the jewel office brought it; I took it in my hand and began to praise it, and gave it to the amba.s.sador of the Franks [to look at it]. On seeing it, he smiled, and praised it by way of flattery; in the same manner it pa.s.sed from hand to hand, and every one looked at it, and all said together, ”The preponderance of your majesty's good fortune has procured you this; for otherwise, even unto this day, no monarch has ever acquired so inestimable a jewel.” At that moment my father's _wazir_, who was wise, and held the same station under me, and was standing in his place, made his obeisance and said, ”I wish to impart something [to the royal ear], if my life be granted.”
I ordered him to speak; he said, ”Mighty sire, you are king, and it is very unbecoming in kings to laud so highly a stone; though it is unique in colour, in quality, and in weight, yet it is but a stone; and at this moment the amba.s.sadors of all countries are present in the court; when they return to their respective countries, they will a.s.suredly relate this anecdote, saying, 'What a strange king he is, who has got a ruby from somewhere, and makes such a rarity of it, that he sends for it every day, and praising it himself the first, shows it to every one present.' Then whatever king or _raja_ [261]
hears this anecdote, the same will certainly laugh at it in his own court. Great sire, there is an insignificant merchant in _Naishapur_, [262] who has twelve rubies, each weighing seven _miskals_, [263]