Part 9 (2/2)

”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 G.o.d, [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 pa.s.s 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, ”G.o.d be praised, O prince, you are now a young man, and, G.o.d 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 pa.s.s 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 G.o.d 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 n.o.bles, 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 G.o.d, 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 G.o.d'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 G.o.d. 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 friends.h.i.+p 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 circ.u.mstance. 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 circ.u.mstance 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 friends.h.i.+p 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 circ.u.mstances 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, ”G.o.d 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_, n.o.bles, 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 a.s.sistance, this injured [youth] may get his rights; recollect the return due for his father's services, afford him your a.s.sistance, 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 circ.u.mstances, _Maliki Sadik_, after a pause, said, ”In truth, the return for the deceased king's services, and his friends.h.i.+p 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 a.s.sistance] as far as I am able, nor will I pa.s.s 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, ”G.o.d, 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 a.s.surances], 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 G.o.d 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 pa.s.sed 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 wors.h.i.+pping G.o.d.

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! G.o.d 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, G.o.d 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, b.u.t.ter, 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 G.o.d knows and sees all; and will grant the prayers of us dest.i.tute ones.” When I heard the circ.u.mstance 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 G.o.d, 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 G.o.d, 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; G.o.d 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 circ.u.mstance, 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 n.o.bles 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 a.s.sembled 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 p.r.o.nounced the great name of G.o.d. 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 G.o.d 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; G.o.d 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. G.o.d 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.”

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