Pft623 :rs6 Ctbrarp of Che Cheological ^emmar^ PRINCETON • NEW JERSEY Part of the Addison Alexander Library, which ,T as presented by Messrs. R.L. and A. Stuart. D K 6237 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 https://archive.org/details/flowersofpersianOOrous -h V sJV pA yo / 1 v •: ¥ \ * K -# •* CONTAINING 7 extracts from the most celebrated authors pM 0 S E ^UflD rERSEi WITH A TRANSLATION INTO ENGLISH: being a COMPANION TO SIR WILLIAM JONES'S PERSIAN GRAMMAR. TO WHICH IS PREFIXED an e s say ON THE LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE OF PERSIA. by S. ROUSSEAU, TEACHER OF THE PERSIAN LANGUAGE. ClP ^ ^ ^ r^A. cr 1 cf l ^ ♦ ♦ Conceal if you come to an error, call not reproach. For no perfon mortal can be free from fault. PRINTED BY AND FOR THE EDITOR, AT THE ARABIC . A ^ D WOOD STREET, SPA FIELDS; J. SEWELL, COR. I , MURRAY AND HIGHLEY, FLEET. STREET. 1801 . C cv ^ ' ' - ► fc ■ -r 7T V- ,« • i * ' ♦ l 'i r ♦ T ; *• TO \ JlllRZtA *4 BOO T*d*/L LKM KFR4»% » ' COMMANDER OF A BODY OF FORCES IN FAVOUR OF THE ENGLISH DURING THE LATE ROHILLA WAR, THE FOLLOWING WORK, AS A TOKEN OF # RESPECT AND FRIENDSHIP, is DEDICATED, BV THE EDITOR ( V ) < •; ; M V- Cnpor. orit r, * . t -.-nhi >; I -J p. fi M : | -.i; ft ; • -rn A'E c lirv . • ,Ir t Hi /, 1 v^r . ■> .•...*•• -oJ ' ... . -vr.. - ; i PREFACE. . r / .* fy/ , i * l:Y)' ;f c ; .! A*; . !>’ 1 ■ *' *. h jP RE FACES, in general, are fappofed by the greater part of readers to conllfl of trifling paffages, or an ufelefs difplay of elo- quence, and are therefore not confidered as of fufficient importance to deferve perufal : but this is an egregious miflake ; for in the pre- f fatory difeourfe, the author feels it a duty incumbent upon himfelf, to acquaint the world with the nature of his work, the reafons which induced him to undertake it, and his motives for laying it before the public. The Editor of the following fheets has been for fome years em- ployed as a teacher of the Ferflan, as s well as a printer, of that and other Oriental languages, and the greatefl difficulty^ he has met with has been a want of proper books for the inllrudlion of his pupils. This is an obftacle which every gentleman hitherto engaged as a Perlian mailer, has loudly complained of, but not one of them has attempted to obviate it. The late Captain Hadley mentioned this circumltance frequently to the Editor, and ardently wiflied for its removal, although he took not the lead pains to leffen his labour by a publication of a limilar nature. Every language lliould be b rendered (. vi ) rendered as eafy in the acquirement of it, as the ability of man can poffibly make it ; for the fwifter the progrefs made by a pupil in the knowledge of any tongue, the greater honour will redound to his tutor. The Editor has long experienced the want of a work of this kind, and has therefore ventured to felecl the following, for the advancement of his pupils, and to render lefs rugged the paths of Oriental fcience. The deficiency of proper books was well known to Sir William Jones, who, in his Grammar, publifhed in 1 7 7 1 , fays, “ It was my firft defign to prefix to the grammar a hiftory of the Perfian language from the time of Xenophon to our days, and to have ad- ded a copious praxis of tales and poems extracted from the clalli- cal writers of Perlia ; but as thofe additions would have delayed the publication of the grammar, which was principally wanted,” (and fo it certainly was at the time when Sir William Jonesr wrote, there not being any Perlian grammar conveyed by means of the Englifh tongue ; all the grammars, as thole of De Dieu, Graves, 0'*> £*• tf I J) t } /jt J l — ' » “ When the Deevaun of Rafia was brought to a conclusion, the poet received gifts and favours from the monarch. It was com- piled and written in the kingdom of Dekkan, and finithed in the year of the Hejira one thoufand and ten of the ChriRian ^Era 1601. His Deevaun contains near 15,000 diRichs. His Ryle, though it cannot be reckoned fublime, is neverthelefs pleating and Smooth. NotwithRanding he Sometimes borrows from the more celebrated poets, yet he frequently exhibits an originality, which places him above the crowd of Pertian verifiers, whofe works tire the reader with descriptions of Spring and its delights, in which Rmilar images are always recurring, or incoherent rliap- e fodies. ( xviii ) Todies, half amorous, half religious. But although thefe circutn- flances l’ometimes occur in the deevaun ot our poet, yet it is pecu- liarly valuable for the numerous local and hiltorical allufions found in it ; anecdotes of men, whom he had perfonally known; defcriptions of places he had travelled or refidedin; of curious objedts he hadfeen; and of tranfaciions in which himfelf had been concerned. Thefe bear internal marks of the author’s accuracy and veracity. The praifes he has bellowed on Callimere in one of the extracts we have thought proper to make, will not appear exaggerated to the reader who is acquainted with the ftyle of Oriental eulogium. The de- lights of Callimere have been always a favourite fubjedt with Eaflern writers, as the various flowery epithets which generally attend its name fufliciently prove ; thus, it is called “ the country of perpetual fpring,” “ the envy of Paradile,” “ with the afpect of Eden.” As a fpecimen of the Perfian language in the Seventeenth Cen- tury, we have cholen, for the fake of diverlifying the fubjedt, a paflage from 1 ) “ The Hiltory of Chrifl,” written in Perflc by Jerom Xavier, a learned Jefuit of that age, who travelled to the Eall, with a view to effect the converfion of that nation to Chrilti- anity. As a proper mean to further his defign, he compofed the Hiltory ot Our Saviour in their language, as alio that of St. Peter, which are works highly efleemed, and very fcarce. The great Oriental'll!, Ludovicus de Dieu, tranllated both thefe works into Latin, which he publilhcd in 1639, accompanied with a refutation of ( xix ) of the Jefuit’s peculiar notions. In the pafifage we have felc&ed De Dieu perceived a defect, w hich, however, muft remain, fmce it is not an eafy matter to reconcile an author’s meaning, where, per- haps, through inadvertency, a chafm may have been fullered to pats unnoticed. Afterwards is given a ftory in Modern Pertian, from the Aliatic Refearches : it was prefented to Sir William Jones, wliofe elegant tranflation accompanies it, by Mirza Abdu’lrahhim of Isfahaun. Sir William iuppofes it to have been extracted from one of the many poems of the Loves of Mejnun and Laili, the Romeo and Juliet of the Ealt. Fables, or feigned Rories intended to convey fome moral pre- cept, have, from time immemorial, according to Strabo, lib. xv. cap. 14 . and feveral other Greek writers, been ufed by the Per- lians; and indeed their vertion of the Heetopades ofVeefhnooSarma, made many ages ago from the Shanfcrit, and which has been handed down to us under the denomination of Pilpay’s or Bidpai's Fables, is well known in almoll; every country, w hether Euro- pean or Aliatic. The Fables have undergone various alterations from the original, every tranflator omitting or inferting paflages* agreeably to his own inclination. This practice of uiing fables for the inltruction of mankind was not peculiar to the Perllans or the Hindoos of old ; for even Cyrus, the Greek, is faid (Hero- dotus, lib. i. cap. 41 .) to have related fables to the amballadors of the Ionians and Etolians. Behdes, Fable ( XX ) \ c< Fable to the human kind, Prefents an image of the mind ; . It is a mirror, where we fpy At large our own deformity. And learn of courfe thofe faults to mend. Which but to mention would offend.” Wilkie. The Fables given at the clofe of the prefent volume, are extracted from the Baharistaun, or Mansion of Spring, an admired work by the celebrated Jaumee. They were originally publiflied in 17/8, in the Anthologia Persica, at Vienna, with a Latin verfion by Jenifch. To our account of Jaumee, given in p. 33 , we may add, that he was the fon of Mevlana Mohammed of Ifpahaun, and was born A. H. 8 17. He w 7 as remarkably polite, of a very gentle difpolition, and endued with fuch extenfive learning, that it was fuppofed there was not, throughout the empire of Perlia, fo com- plete a mailer of the language as himfelf. He was Ikilled in the noblell fciences, and extremely ardent in the purfuit of letters. Having embraced tlie religious order of Mooloo, he applied himlelf folely to literature, and made fo great a progrefs therein, that he feems to be allowed to have been the moll elegant of all the mo- dern Perlian poets, which is the reafon that the fame of his wifdom and learning has pervaded nearly every Eatlcrn nation, where a talte for literature and the fine arts has been cultivated. Even princes, who have been thcmfelves men of erudition and exalted talents. E S S A Y ON THE l, i.tg i\ 7 a i: ajvd literature or PERSIA. It is our intention, in the prefent Ellay, to exhibit a concife hif- tory of the Perlian language and literature, extracted from the works of the literati, as nearly in their own words as the nature of our plan would admit, and which we have fo interwoven, as to form a connected view of the rife and progrefs' of one of the moil: elegant as well as the molt copious tongues of the Ealt, we might fav, of the world. We have not always deemed it neceffarv to affign to each particular author the p adages which we have thought proper to introduce; yet it is but jufticc to mention, that the writ- ings of Sir William Jones and Mr. Richardson, have been prin- cipally attended to by us ; as well on account of their very exten- five knowledge of the fubjeft, as the mafterly manner in which they had elucidated the matter. The works of one of thefe gentlemen is now become fcarce ; and neither of them can be procured with- out a great expence. The critic therefore will be {paring in his cenlures, and the perfons for wliofe benefit the following pages have been felecled, will receive that fort of information which every lover of Eaflern learning may with, to poffefs. More than this it may be unneceffary to premife ; except that we have traced the language through its feveral gradations, from the earlieft accounts b that ( 2 ) that can be depended upon, to the prefent time ; intermixing a few biographical and hiltorical anecdotes, from the works of Sir W. Oufeley and others : after which we have made a few obfervations on the ufefulnefs of Eaftern literature in facilitating the itudy of ancient hifiory ; and then we have fliewn, from the w ritings of Ma- jor Davy and Profeflor White, the abfolute necelfitv of fome par- ticular defcription of people to acquire a competent knowledge of the languages of the Eaft; and, laltly, enumerated the names, with a few obfervations on the works, of fome of the moll eminent writers in the Perfian tongue. The hiftory then of the Perfian Language may be divided into tour periods, like that of the empire ; not that the language was immediately altered upon every revolution of the lfate ; but it is obfervable, that, under each dy natty of which we have any monu- ments remaining, there was an apparent change in the dialect of the kingdom, elpecially under the two lalt, namely, the Salfa- nian and Mohammedan dynamics ; and thefe indeed, are the only periods of which we can fpeakwith any tolerable degree of certainty. It is natural to luppofe, that, in the infancy of the Perfian em- pire, under Caiumaras and his dclcendants, no great pains were taken to cultivate and pOlifii the language, which, in that rude age, mult needs be thought fufficiently elegant, if it were lufficiently clear and intelligible ; but what their language really was, what were their rules of verfification, or what was the courfe of their llu- dies, no mortal can pretend to know with any Ihadow of exaftnels. The great traveller Chardin, fays Sir W. Jones, whom every Orientalift mull always mention with reverence, feems to have en- quired very diligently into the ancient language of the people, among whom he refided fo long, and whofe manners he deferibes with ( 3 ) with fo much copioufnefs and learning: but he declares, after all his refearches, “ That the old Perfian is a language entirely loft ; in which there are no books extant, and of which there are no ru- diments remaining We have no genuine accounts then of the Perfian language till the time of the Saflanian kings, who flourilhed from the opening of the third century to the middle of the feventh ; in which period an academy of phyftc was founded at Gandifapour, a city of Kho- raufaun, and, as it gradually declined from its original inftitution, it became a fchool of poetry, rhetoric, dialectic, and the abftracl feiences. In this excellent leminary the Perftan tongue could not fail of being greatly refined, and the ruiticity of the old idiom was luceeeded by a pure and elegant dialect ; which, being conftantly lpoken at the court of Beharam Gur in the year 351 , acquired the name of Deri, or Courtly, to diftinguifh it from the Pehievi, or Language of the Country. 'It mult not, how ever, be imagined, that the ufe of the ancient dialect was wholly fuperfeded by this more polifticd idiom ; for leveral compolitions in Pehievi were extant even after Moham- med, which appear to have been written by order of the Saflanian princes. • Bat notwith Banding this declaration of Sir W. Jones from Chardin, there are fome fpeci- mens of the ancient poetry of Ferlia Bill in exifience ; thefe, however, are very few in number, lo that we need not be furprifed at their having el'caped the notice of former explorers. The learned PreBdent of the Afiatic Society (Sir W. Jones) after every refearch he had been able to make fince the time of his having written the above palFage, confelfes that he could difeover but a few lines of the ancient Pehievi j and the ingenious Biographer of the Perfian Poets could trace them a little farther than the time of the Arabian conqueB. See Sir W. Oufeley’s Perfian Mifcellanies, Introduction, p. xix; Sir W. Jones’s Anniverfarv Difiertation on the Perfians, 17S9; and Capt. William Kirkpatrick’s Introduction to the HiBory of the Perfian Poets, Afia- tic Mifcellany, No 1 . When Samuel Guife Efq. returned from Surat, he brought with him a valuable colledion of ancient works in the Zend, Pehievi, and Shanfcrit languages. Vid. Orient. Collettions, vol. II. p. 96. In ( 4 ) [n the reign of Anulhirvdn, who protected the arts and fciences in his own dominions, Mohammed was born; who by the force of his eloquence, and the fucccfs of his arms, eflablifhed a mighty empire, and lpread his new religion from the wilds of Arabia, to the mountains and the banks of the Ganges: but, what belongs more particularly to the fubjebt of this difeourfe, he polifihed the language of his country, and brought it to a degree of purity and elegance, which no Arabian writer fince his time has been able to furpafs *. The battle of Cadeffia in 606 gave the laft blow to the Perlian monarchy ; and the whole empire of Iraun was loon reduced under the power of the firlt Mohammedan dynatty, who fixed the feat of their government in Baghdad f, where the Arabic language was fipoken, for many ages, in its ut molt perfection: but the anci- ent literature of Per fi a, which had been promoted by the family of Salfan, was exprefily difeouraged by the immediate fucceflbrs of Mohammed, for a reafon which we fhall Ihortly explain. Previous to the period here fipoken of, the Arabians, fa vs Mr. Richardfon +, were confined within their own pcninfula, made no figure on the theatre of Alia, and were, in a political light, known only to be delpified by the Grecian and Perlian powers. But the enthulialin, genius, and intrepidity of one extraordinary man luddenly changed the ficcne ; and gave a beginning to revolu- tions equally rapid as complete. The numerous Arabian tribes ot Mohammed, by various means, converted to his faith, or fub- • 1 lie language of I lie Korann is fuppofed to he equal, if not fnperior, to that of any other compofiiiori in Arabic, -whether of that or any other age, f Soon after pj'J. ♦ In the D.jlui tation prefixed to his Arabic, I'crfian, and Engiiih Dictionary, p. v. jecled ( 5 ) jeCted to his power, but died before any impreflion was made upon the adjacent Rates. Abubeker led the way to foreign conqueffc ; and his fiiccedor Omar, in the fhort fpacc of four years, law the Khalifat extended from Egypt to the frontiers of India. Perfia was one of the nobleil acquititions of the Mohammedan arms. The decifive victory of Cadedia, above mentioned, throwing this mighty empire under the Arabian yoke, as that of Arbela had formerly fubjected it to Alexander. The confequences, however, of the two revolutions had nothing fimilar : the Macedonian conquetl: producing only a change of princes, in which the Kaianian dynatly ot Pertian kings gave way to the fuccetl’ors of their Grecian con- querors ; while that of the Arabians radically fubverted every cha- raCteriftic circumtlance which diltinguiihes nation from nation. The government of the Perfians was overturned, their religion protcribed, their laws trampled upon, and their civil tranfaCtions dillurbed by the forcible introduction of the lunar for the folar ca- lendar ; and their language, which the laws of nature preferved from immediate and abfolute annihilation, became almoft over- whelmed by an inundation of Arabic words. The ancient Greeks and Romans were more enlarged in their ideas of toleration than the Arab ans ; for they adopted the gods of all the nations they fubdued, believing, that every people and every place had their tutelar divinities, lb that they took uncommon pains to pleafe, and were equally careful in avoiding all offence. From Arrian we learn, that Alexander facrificed to the Babvlonifli gods and other Afiatic deities, though then unknown in Greece. Alexander, however, dilcountenanced the religion of the Magi, but tor what reafon, we cannot pretend to invefligate. The Parfees of Surat, in their Ravaats, or Collections of Traditions, have doomed Alex- c antler ( 6 ) antler to the infernal regions, not fo much on account of his having ravaged the country of their forefathers, but becaufe he committed to the tlames the Nofks or factions of the Zend Avefta *. But to return. At the time when the Koraun was frit pub- lished in Arabia, a merchant who had lately returned from a long journey, brought with him fome Perlian romances, which he inter- preted to his countrymen, who were extremely delighted with them, and ufcd to fay openly, that the ftories of griffons and giants were more amufing to them than the moral leifons of Mohammed. Part of a chapter in the Koraun was immediately written, to flop the progrcfs of thefe opinions ; the merchant was feverely repri- manded ; his tales were treated as pernicious fables, hateful to God and his prophet ; and Omar, from the fame motive of policy, de- termined to deltroy all the foreign books which fliould fall into his hands j'. Thus the idle loquacity of an Arabian traveller, by let- ting his legends in competition with the precepts of a powerful lawgiver, was the caufe of that enthufiafm in the Mohammedans, which induced them to burn the famous library of Alexandria and the records of the Perfian empire. It was a long time before the native Perfians could recover from the lhock of this violent revolution; and their language feems * Vid. Arrian de Expedit. lib. iii. and vii. -(■ This merchant was A1 Nodar Ebn al Hareth, and the romance he entertained his country- men with, was that of ituftam and Isfendiar, the two heroes of Perfia. Vid. D’Herbelot, p. obi, Al Beidawi, and Sale’s Koraun, vol. II. p. 261. — The paffage of the 31ft chapter of the Koraun, entitled Lokman, and above alluded to, is as follows : “ There is a man who pur- chafeth a ludicrous ftory, that he may feduce men from the way of God, without knowledge, and may laugh the fame to fcorn : thefe fhall fuffer a fhameful punifhment. And when our 1 gns arc rthearfed unto him, he difdainfully turned his back, as though he heard them not, as though they were a deafnefs in his ears : wherefore denounce unto him a grievous punifhment.” * The number of MSS. fuppofed to have been burnt at this place exceeded 300,000. They were diftributed as fuel to the keepers of 40C0 public baths. to ( ; ) to have been very little cultivated under the Khalifs, who gave greater encouragement to the literature of the Arabians: but, when the power of the Abbatides began to decline, and a number of in- dependent princes arofe in the different provinces of their empire, the arts of elegance, and chiefly poetry, revived in Perda; and there was hardly a prince or governor of a city, who had not ieveral poets and men of letters in his train. The Perfian tongue was conle- quently redored in the tenth century ; but it was very different from the Deri or Pehlevi of the ancients ; it was mixed with the words of the Koraun, and with c.xprcffions from the Arabian poets, whom the Perfians confidered as their matters, and affected to imi- tate in their poetical meafures, and the turn of their verfes. When the khalifs had lolt part of their pridine vigour, by the uturpations of fcveral adventurers, they had the mortification to behold the fined kingdoms and provinces feized upon and eredted into independent dates. Of thefe chiefs the mod powerful were the princes of the houfe of Buyah, otherwfife called the Deylemites ; w r ho added to their high rank of kings of Perda, the dignity of I Knur uT omra to the khalifs of Baghdad, an office nearly refembling the maire da palais to the rois faineants of the Merovin- gian race of France. An outward blew of refpedt and pomp was all that the head of the Mohammedan religion now' enjoyed, whild the folid pow r er w~as completely engroded by the Emir’ufomra, which high dation, about Q77, was dlled by the great Azad- uddoula, who fil’d alfumed the title of Sultaun, after- wards fo much adopted by Eadern princes. He w’as born at If- pahaun, and drongly attached to his native kingdom. His court, whether at Baghdad or the capital of Ifpahaun, was the dandard of tade, and the favourite reddence of genius. The khalif A1 Tai revived in favour of Azaduddoula the title of Sliauhinshauh ( 8 ) Shauhinsliauh, The King of Kings, which was borne by the ancient fovereigns of Perfia, or previous to the conquelt of that country by Alexander the Great *. The oldeit Perfian poems which have come to my knowledge, fays Sir W. Jones, are thole of Furdoofee f , who flourilhed at the dole * Vid. Erpenius’s edition ofTarikh ul Mollemin, orHiftoria Saracenica, p. 23/. f Abul Caffem Mnnluril Furdoofee was tleicended from Alirred ’ul Furdoofee, one of the principal inhabitants of the town of Sar, in the province of Tus, in the kingdom of Khoraufaun. At the period of his birth, his father faw the infant in a dream handing with his face to the weft, and elevating his voice, the echo of which reverberated from every quarter. When Ahmed arole, he applied to Rujbuddein, a famous interpreter, for the l'olution of his vifion. The interpreter gave the following expofition : “That the fame of his fon, and his poetical talents, would be the theme of the univerfe. The tranf- lation of the dream was natural. Poetry at that a'ra was the principal road to preferment, and the praife of tuneful verification was the general theme. This circumftance bears a ltrong relemblance to the reply of the oracle of Apollo to Mnifarchus, the father of Euripides, on the birth of his fon. “Happy Mnifarchus! Heav’n defign a fon. The liftening world fhall witnefs his renown, AmJ with glad fliouts bellow the facred crown.” So fond are all nations of giving fome wonderful prelage to illuftriotis characters. Furdoofee received the early rudiments of his education under the beft mailers of the place of his nativity. His memory, when a boy, was extenfive ; his application, ardent. The fir (1 dt wir- ing of that blaze which lubfequently burft forth with Inch unrivalled Iultre, was perceived by the poet Aftadi, who animated his pupil, and encouraged his vehement inclination to penetrate the moll remote period of Hiftory. The court of Mihmood, fultan of Ghezna, was the feat of the mufes. He was one of * the moll accompliflied fovereigns that ever fat on the Perfian throne : his own tafte led him to an extenfive patronage of men of literature. Poetry and hiftory were his favourite purfuits. His library was furnifhed with the moft authentic annals of the Perfian empire ; and a complete hiftory, collected in the reign ofYezdejird, by the moft judicious hiftorians in Perfia. A lift of every narrative, and every production which bore any relation to this lubjeCt, was formed by order of Yezdejird, and from them was compofed the annals of the kingdom. \\ hen Saadvekas, the general of Omar, plundered the palace of the Perfian monarch, he found this valuable manufeript, and prel'ented it to Omar. The khalif ordered a tranllatiou Ihe tranfiator fclecled inch pafi'ages as he deemed excellent, and laid them at the feet ot Omar, who reprobated part ot the book, for treating of fuch worldly affairs as are forbidden by the prophet. The book was thrown among the plunder, where it fell to the lot ot an Ahyflinian, who carried it as a prefent to his prince. The hiftory was trnnflated into the Abylfinian language, by order of the king. Thus were the ancient annals of Perfia preferred from ( 9 ) clofe of the tenth, and beginning of the eleventh centuries. The. work of Furdoofee remains entire, a glorious monument of Eaftern genius and learning; which, if ever it lliould be generally under- ltood in its original language, will contcll the merit of invention with Homer himfelf, whatever be thought of its lubjcCt or the arrangement of its incidents. His language is very little adulterated bv J from the mandate of Omar, which deftroyed the public library, fearful of the amufing and romantic talcs which characterized thefe Aliatic writings. The hil'tory thus prelerved foon found its way into Hindooltaun : its fame reached Khorau- faun. Yakoob Lais (of royal defeent) fent an envoy to tranlcribe the manufeript ; when it arrived at Khoraufaun, the tranllation of it was intrufted to Abu Munlur; who aflembled four of the principal hiltorians, (Munfur of Umro, Shaflipoor of Zciitan, Mahoo of Nelhapour, and Sulman of Tus,) who added to, and embellithed this invaluable work : to each of thefe he afligned their di the rent part. Hoorferofe, defeended from Nourlhirwan, was compelled to fly his native country, and on prefenting the lultan Mahmood with a hiltory of Periia, was magnificently treated. When Mahmood had perul'ed this work, his defire of having the annals of Perfla, and the atchievements of the heroes in a feries of heroic poems, was increafed. The deiign of compoting the imperial annals fuggefted ilfelf to Furdoofee. To Mohammed Lefkery, who was at Tus, and with whom he was connected, he communicated his intentions, deferibed the conl'cioutnefs he felt of being equal to the arduous undertaking, and regretted the want of materials and books to proceed in the attempt. His friend, enamoured of the defign, afi'ured him of immortality, and declared how readily he would fupply him with fuch manu- feripts as might be eflential to the completion of his poems. He revealed his intentions to Sheikh Mohammed Mafhook, the high prieft of Tus, and required his benediction. His requelt was granted ; and he allured the young poet, that fame and honour would attend him. Thus animated, he compofed the wars of Feredoon and Zohak. Fame told the ftory, and crowds of people thronged to the refidence of our poet, to hear him repeat his verfes. Abu Munfur Afsagien, the chief of Tus, could not long be unacquainted with the eminence of Furdoofee. He requeited his attendance, and, charmed by the fpecimen of his genius, encou- raged him to proceed, promiting that he would introduce him to the royal prefence, and declared that, to the extent of his ability, he fhould be rewarded j but only the fovereigns of Alia could give thofe honours which were due to his talents. Furdoofee with undeviating induftry perfevered. When his patron died, (and the poet has elegantly lung his praifes,) - Arfelan Haris was appointed the fucceflor of Abu Munfur Afsagien, in the government of Tus, and received the orders of the lultan to direct the attendance of Furdoofee at Ghezna. The lultan, impatient to fee the man, of whom he had heard fuch unbound*' ’ praile, repeated his injunctions in a letter to the chief of Tus, ordering him to fend Furdoofee on the receipt of it. In a dream, the imagination of Furdoofee had pictured to him a young monarch, feared on a throne, illuminating the univerfe } and particularly fmiling on hlad'elf. To a friend he com- D municated ( 10 ) by an admixture with the Arabic, and, in all probability, approaches nearly to the dialed ufed in Pertia in the time of Mohammed, who admired it for its extreme foftnefs, and was heard to fay, “ that it would be fpoken on that account in the gardens of Paradile. Of thefe two languages was formed the modern dialed of Per- fia, which, being fpoken in its greatelt purity by the natives of Pars municated the vifion, who folved it by the fuppolition of its being the fultan Mahmood. Arl'elan Haris, in obedience to his orders, acquainted Furdoofee with the inclination of the prince. Our poet, intimidated, was fearful of going alone to Ghezna : he perceived the umbrage it would give the poetical courtiers; but recolledting his dream, and regarding it as a favourable omen, he quitted Tus, not without anxiety. Report, on his arrival, had given fuch a portrait of his genius and poetical ability, that Unfuri Ferrokee, and Asjudy, formed a combination againft him to hinder his introduction. Fuvdoofee had a f.iend in the fervice of the fultan, whofe name was Mahik ; to him he imparted his arrival, and the caule of it. With Mahik he every evening confulted on the mode that ought to be adopted to fruftrate the machinations of Unfuri and his cabal. A few days after his arrival, the l'ultan, as was bis cufiom, liftened to the produ&ions of the poets. Unfuri repeated the victory of Ruftam over Sohrab, which the prince highly approved. On this Furdooiee competed the actions of Rultam and Isfendiar. Plealed with his work, he ga\e them to his friend, and anticipated the praife he fhould receive on the comparifon with thofe of Unluri. Mahik prefeuted them to the fultan; the delighted prince called for the author; Mahik informed him they were written by Furdoofee, who was anxious to be prefented to the fultan. In obedience to the order of Mahmood, Furdoofee was introduced by his friends, and fung his praifes in fome elegant verfes. The king ordered Unfuri to execute his plan, but he, confeious of his inability, pretended that his conitant attendance on the fultan would not admit of the leifure requifite for fo extenfive an undertaking, and taking hold of the hands of Furdoofee, fpoke of him as the only man of genius capable of accomplilhing the wilhes of his mailer. The fultan turning to Furdoofee, faid, “ It is you that have thrown a luftre on the court of Ghezna.” From this period our poet was treated with every mark of confidence by the fultan. The effulions of each day, Furdooiee read every evening to Mahmood. It was a common expreflion of Mahmood’s, that whenever he was unwell, or chagrined, the verfes of Furdoofee alone could alleviate. Fie ordered a theufand dinars (each dinar is nearly eight lliiilings and fix pence) to be paid to Furdoofee for a thonfand lines, but he pofiponed the acceptance ; that he might receive in one payment the amount of his labours, a dinar forevery.line. All the poets of Ghezna emulated each other in their panegyric on the author of the Shah Nameh. The vizier of Mah- mood, Khaja Hullin Meymnndy, was fecretly inimical to Furdoofee; but the endeavours of this great man and theother envious courtiers, to irritate the fultan againft our poet, proved inefle6iunl r and Furdoofee continued to enjoy the patronage of Mahmood. The poems as they w ere written by 1 urdoclee, were occafionally copied, and admired in every city of the empire. I’refents were offered from ( 11 ) Pars or Farfiftan, acquired the name of Parfi, ( it is even called Deri by Haufez. Nearly in the fame age with Furdoofee, the great Abu’l Ola, furnamed Alami from his blindnefs, publifhed his excellent Odes in Arabic, in which he profefledly imitated the poets before Mo- hammed. This writer had fo fiourifhing a reputation, that feveral Perlians u'A yW’’ thou g h from the princes of the neighbouring countries to Furdoofee- thefe he conftantly declined ; the compaiT with Mahraood for his poems he efteemed an adequate reward. Ruftam, the foil of Fakeer ud Dowla Dilemy, prefen ted live hundred dinars of gold to the man who brought him a copy of the a&ions of Ruftam and Isfendiar, and tranfmitted a thoufand dinars of gold to our poet, inviting him in the ftrongeft terms to pals fome time- at his capital. “ All the nobles and diftinguifiied perfonages of this country,” faid the prince, “ lhall attend you to the palace ; more honours it is not in myability to fhow.” This invitation wasfoon publicly known atGhezna. Tc Mahmood the vizier intimated the news, and inlinuated that, as Rultam and the chiefs who had courted the attention of Furdoofee, were the enemies of his majefty, and of the fame left as the poet, thele prefents were an intended infult to him. The poetical courtiers found every other calumny ineffe&ual ; they urged, that Furdoofee, being of the fedt of Ali, had reprobated every other, and as his majefty was of the Charyary. it was highly indecent: but the intrigues of his rivals ftill had not the deftred eftedt. The friends and enemies of Furdoofee now formed tliemfelves into cabals, and whenever they met in any mixed fociety, the merit of our poet was generally the fubjedt of their converfation, and often the caufe of high altercation ; even the prefence of the l'ultan could not curb their animadverfions. Mahmood, in the height of a dilculiion, ordered Furdoofee to attend with the lines which he had compoled that day, that his merit might be decided by his own produdtion. The part was the ftory of Ruftam and Uikaboos. When Furdoofee had repeated the poem on this fubjedt, it was followed by a general accla- mation. The fultan, as a recompence, ordered him the amount of whatever w'as received by Ruftam from the provinces of Kabul and Zabul. Furdoofee, at the age of feventy; on the 25th day of Isfendarmuz, the laft month of the Perfian year, (February,) in the 3/4th year of the hejra concluded the heroic poems, which confifted of one hundred thoufand lines, and prelenting them to the i fultan, demanded his reward ; Mahmood ordered the ftipulated amount to be paid, and charged the vizier to attend to his commands. “Highly, faid the fultan, does Furdoofee merit every recompence. So lublime a poet, fame has never given to the world and fuch polifhed verification 1 never read ; his induftry too has been equally great.” The fultan then exprefled himlelf in this manner : “ The tuneful lines, that elevate to fame. Sublime, and eminent, he foars along, Are as the foul that animates the frame. And fweeteft odours breathe around his fong. Who but Furdoofee could fuch thoughts infpire ? Fair melody full courts his flowing lays ; To Heav’n they rife, and with celeftial fire; And rival bards all leflen in his rays. High % ( 12 ) Periians of uncommon genius were ambitious of learning the art of poetry from fo able an inftmclor : his molt illuftrious lcholars, U j Fulukce and Khaukaunce, were no lefs eminent if o for their Perfian eompofitions, than for their {kill in every branch of pure and mixed mathematics, and particularly in aftronomy ; a ftriking proof, that a lublimc poet may become a matter of any kind High as the elephant, on wifdom’s plain, The pearls of eloquence Furtloofee brought. He tow’rs aloft, and decorates the ltrain. I never knew luch eminence of thought. I will reward him with a monarch’s hand, And raife the leader of the tuneful band." Huflin Meymundv, the vizier, in lieu of fending thefixty thou fan d gold dinars by one of the fultan's Haves, gave him, in lealed bags, as many filver ones. Furdoofee happened to be bathing at the period of bis arrival. When he opened the bags, his high fpirit felt all the indignity which he imagined the lul tan intended to load him with . He gave immediately twenty thoufand to the keeper of the bath ; twenty thoufand to a fruiterer who attended, and twenty thoufand to the Have who delivered him the money. The poet conloled himfelf with the laurels of immortality, and he has beautifully delcribed his hope of paradile from the confcioufnefs of a life well lpent. “ I wiote for fame,” laid Furdoofee to the Have, “ not for the attainment of riches !” The Have repeated to the fultan the whole Hory. He was irritated at the infolence of the vizier, and reproved his conduct : “This action,” exclaimed the fultan, “ will not only irritate the poet, but mankind will reprobate a fordid parfimony injurious to my fame. I ordered the golden dinar to be lent, and you have bafely changed it into filver.” To which the minifler replied, “ Whatever is given by your majefiy, imprints an honour on the m. n to whom it is beflowed. It was infolent in Furdoofee to treat any donation of the fultan with contempt : the ir.oft trivial prefent from his hands is a trophy that fhould be received with pride. His conduct exhibits a difpofition devoid of that refpeCt which is fo eminently due to your majefty.” Thefe, and various infinuations re (petting the difference of feet, from which the minifter pretended to fathom the motive of Furdoofee's behaviour, provoked the monarch of Ghezna. “ The foot of the elephant,” faid the irritated prince, " lhall teach the refractory a leflon of obedience.” Furdoofee teceived immediate intelligence of the iultan s indignation ; and on the fucceeding morning, watched the entrance into the garden, where being alarmed for the confequences he had fo much realon to apprehend, he thiew himfelf at the feet of Mahmood, exclaiming in the molt altering manner, “ Pardon me, illuftrious fovereign ! Fori am not culpable; the reprefentations of my enemies are a violation ot every truth, and are fabricated to exalperate your majefty againft me. I am not guilty ot difobedience ; I received your gracious donation with the greateft humility, and elteeir.ed it as a diftingniflied honour. I diftributed the gift among thole who had claims upon m»; many are the difobedient in this monarchy, but 1 am not of the number ; I am but an humble individual, the fentence of your majefty 1 have heard, yet what glory can arife to the monarch ( 13 ) 1 kind of learning which he chufes to profefs ; fince a fine imagina- tion, a lively wit, an eafy and copious ftyle, cannot poilibly ob- Itrucl the acquifition of any fcience whatever, but mull necefiarily alhlt him in his lludies, and fhorten his labour. Both thcfe poets were protected by Manucheher, prince of Shirvaun. Thus monarch in depriving a poor man of his exiftence. Let me implore a reverfion of the decree* and let me be reftored to life.” The fultaun, moved by this affecting addrefs, revoked the. ientence. Furdoofee returnedtohis apartment, where he deftroyed fomefine poems which he had intended to prefent to the fultaun on the completion of the Shah Namek ■, they probably were in praile of Mahmood. He threw them, with indignation, into the flames. Furdoofec, anxious to quit a feene where every object that prefented itfelf recalled the mortifications he had endured, wrote a note, and delivered it to Ayaze, requelting him to prefent it, twenty days after his departure, to the fultaun, whenever he fliouldbe in a feftive mood. Ayaze received the note, and, in compliance with the willies of Furdoofee, whom ha revered as a parent, gave it to the fultaun. It was a celebrated fatire of Furdoofee, which is inferted in Muuntukul Shah Nameh. In this fatire the exalted fentiments of the poet were not to be daunted by the power of the fultaun. Confcious of having deferred the higheft honours that monarch could beftow, and irritated at finding the labour of a life thus rewarded, it is not wonderful his indignation burfi into the keenefl fatire. The gate of fortune, for thirty years, was prefented to the view of Furdoofee, which, when the difgraceful intrigues of a court doled, the temple of fame opened her doors for the poet. His difiippointment was increafed by the foudnefs which he hsd for an only daughter : his view being to place her in an elevated (ituation was a constant ftimulus to his genius. Furdoofee, fays the Mudjemoonovader, wrote by infpiration ; read his works, and all the produftions of other writers fink in the imagination. Furdoolee wings on a generous fieed, while other poets fcarcely rile above the furface of the earth. To the end of time, fays the elegant Jamee, will ignominy wait on the name of Mahmood. Furdoofee, on the day he delivered the note to Ayaze, fled, on foot, from Ghezna. His friends were told that he had no means of fupport, and they were defirous of tranfmitting him money ; but the apprehenflon of Mahmood’s anger prevented the execution of their willies. The faithful Ayaze rifqued the confequences, and l'ecretly provided Furdoofee with what was requifite for the continuation of his journey. The intelligence fpread through Afia. The nobles and the learned reprobated the conduct of the fultaun. As Furdoofee approached Xohiftaun, the chief of that divifion, Nazar Mullick Motafhem, a dependent of Mahraood's, and a favourite of that prince, fent for the poet, which alarmed him ; but he was received with honour. The chief of Kohiltaun being informed that the poet intended to tranfmit to poflerity a Satirical narrative of the lultaun’s conduct, and was proceeding to Dilemy, told Furdoofee how unbecoming it was to reprehend Mahmood, and how unworthy of his lnperior genius to rev ile his prince ■, I am willing to lerve you, and will to the extent ot my ability. He then ordered E Furdoofcj ( 14 ) Thus the princes of the Eait feem to have carried their attach- ment to men of genius to a very lingular excefs; even to imprifon- ment when they fufpecled them of an intention to retire. If any one of thefe perfons happened to efcape, an embafly with prefents and apologies fometimes followed the man of learning ; and peremp- tory demands were often made when more gentle methods had proved Furdoofee feveral thou fa ad rupses, and requeued him to bury his indignation in oblivion, and to detlroy the fatire. Motalhem treated the poet with diffindtion, gave him an apartment in his palace, and wrote in the following manner to Mahmood: “ Furdoofee is an old attendant on your majefty, who has faithfully ferved for thirty years j when you dilmifTed hyn, he re- ceived no reward adequate to his labours, and thole labours were in obedience to your majefty's orders. Surely this does not reflect honour on the imperial dignity." This letter was received the day that his majefiy went to the mofque, where Furdoofee had written the following lines- on the wall, oppofite to the royal feat : “ Bright is the refidence of Mahmood's pow’r. Yet, like the ocean, in unbounded view. ’Tw3s there I founded, yet ro pearl I found: Tis not the ocean, but the fates I blame.” Alarmed at the idea of being pourtrayed to pofterity in difgraceful colours, Mahmood began to feel l'everely for the pallion he had imbibed by the inlinuations of his minifter. The friends ot the poet catching the favourable moment, as they perceived the turn of the fultaun s mind> founded the worth and high abilities of the fugitive they worked on the fears of the prince, by aflerting, “ that the treatment Furdoofee had received from the vizier, would, by potterity, be imputed to the fultaun ; that it would ftand as a memorial to all people and to all nations. A hat is," faid they, “ the trivial confideratior. of fixty thoufand dinars, or what value is a treafury where difnonour attends on the prince.” The fatire was public in Ghezna, and fpread 10 every furrounding country. The vizier now feverely felt the effect of his duplicity. To Mazinderaun Furdoofee precipitated his journey, apprehenfive of the difpleafure of the fultaun and the machinations of his minifter. He here corredted the Shah Nameh, and wrote a panegyric on Halfum ul Moulla Kaboos, the chief of the country, who was himfelf a poet, and had written an heroic poem in his own language. When the chief of Mazinderaun was informed of • lC arrival of I'urdoofee, who had been employed by Mahmood, he recolle&ed that he was the poet wno had abiconded from the court of Ghezna, for the account had fpread over Afia, and, .u iared how difficult it would be for him to remain in that country, where the authority of . ie fultaun extended} he however defired a perufal of the poems, and our immortal bard fent -i.em to him. xhe chief of Mazinderaun was enchanted with the work, but apprehenfive- c. the fultauns indignation, and fearful of being difpleafed, he fent the poet a confiderable picfent, witli an injundtion to feek an afylum in a different country, and to be cautious in re- vca,mg the p;uce o 1 his intended retreat. Furdoofee haitened his departure for Baghdad, where. on ( 15 ) proved fruitlefs. Thefe demands, however, were feldom complied with, especially if the power of the prince, with whom they had taken refuge, was nearly equal to that of their competitors. Khaukaune, a very celebrated poet, requeued leave to retire into the order of the Derviflies. The Sultaun refufed him permillion, and he fled; but being purfiied, he was brought back and impri- soned on his arrival, the reflexion of his misfortunes, and the neceffity he was under of flying from his native country, in an advanced flage of life, embittered all his moments. For fome time he was melancholy. Here be had no friend to adininifter confolation to his declining fpirits- He pafled his hours alone, and in appreheafion of the anger of the fultaun, when fortunately he met a merchant at Baghdad, who recolle&ed him, and Furdoofee was joyfully recognized by him ; he opened his doors to the poet, whole health was impaired by fatigue. In a fhort time he recovered his ufual ftrength and fpirits. The merchant aflTured Furdoolee, that on the publication of his poems, he would receive every mark of diftindtion. " Be not uneafy,” laid the generous merchant, “ i will inform the vizier of your worth, your abilities, and your mif- fortunes. Attached himfelf to the mufes, he will intereft the kaliph in your favour.” Fur- doofee, whofe knowledge of the Arabic -was extenlive, wrote a panegyric on the vizier in that language, and had the honour ofprefenting it. The noblemen of Baghdad, charmed with the fpccimeii of ability, and the energy of indignation in fo old a man, declared their fentiments warmly in his favour. An apartment in the palace of the vizier was alloted to him, and he was afl'ured, that on the flrft occafion, he would be introduced to the kaliph. <: Your repu- tation,” faid the vizier, “ can no more, than the rays of the fun, be concealed.” When Furdoofee was introduced to the kaliph, he laid a thoufand verfes at his feet. The kaliph or- dered fixty thoufand dinars (being the fum promifed him by Mahmood) to be paid the poet. “ Furdoofee,” he exclaimed to the vizier, “ is the poetical wonder of Alia y his talents exceed whatever was known in this world.” Sultaun Mahmood, after a long period, in which the wars and high avocations of that prince had employed him, recollected Furdoofee, and directed an enquiry to be made. The atten- dants of the court informed him, that the poet was at Baghdad, honoured by the patronage of the kaliph, and affluent in his fortunes. The fultaun ordered Furdoofee to be apprehended, and wrote to the prince of Baghdad to fend him immediately to Gheztia, threatening, that in the event of his difobedience to the mandate, “ the foot of the elephant lliould tread down his royalty.” Khadirn Abafi, unable to oppofe the fultaun in the field, and refolved at the fame time not to deliver up the poet, who had fought his protection, an aftion which wuold, at that period in Perfia, have covered him with ignominy, aflembled his peers, and after many confultations, he replied to the fultaun, “ that Furdoofee had prefented himfelf at Baghdad, where he had received him with thofe marks of honour and refpeCt to which a man of fuch eminence was entitled. I was fo charmed,” fays he, “ with the harmony of his numbers, and his univerfal knowledge, that it is not in the fcale of my ability to deferibe the elegance of his poetry. However anxious I was that the court of Baghdad fhoukl be honoured with the pre- fence C lO ) foncd for feveral months. Here he compofed one of his finch ele- gies; but he was at length let at liberty, and foon after obtained leave to put his defign in execution. A literary rivalfliip feemed now to liiblilt among the Mohamme- dan princes who had difmembered the khalifat, every fultaun confi- dering it is an object of the firit conl’equence, to number among his fence of lo illuftrious a gueft, yet lie departed from me, and is gone to Yemen." No fooner had Khadim Abafi, by the united council of his nobility, rei'olved on this expedient, than he fent to Furdoofee, and conjuring him to drop all idea of his indignation to Mahmcod, advifed him to go to Yemen, whole princes were wortby*)f his friendfliip, and attentive to eminence of merit. Furdoofee, well informed of the motives which caufed the advice of Khadim Abafi, acceded to the propofal 5 the prince gave him five hundred dinars for the expence of his journey. Furdoofee, at parting from the generous Khadim, thus addrefied him, although his fotrow almoft denied an utterance to his fpeech : , “ I go from Baghdad, yet its prince will lhare, Each thought, each honour, and each future care. By Heaven’s high favour, by our God lublime. Thou art the Lord of this imperial clime. Live with each glory that a mortal know’s. Juft in each thought, victorious o'er thy foes.” The generous prince fenfibly felt the lofs, and replied in thefe words: “ I cannot pi&ure in exalted ftrain, Thy gen'raljtnow ledge, thy poetic vein ; Y'et to nay foul thy namelliall mem’ry give : While life remains, there fliall Furdoofee live. To draw my knowledge from thy lucid fpring. To rife to tame on thy luperior wing, Fair hope had pi&ur’d ; but relentlefs Fa te. Leads thee away from Baghdad’s peufivc ftate.” Khadim Abafi, with infinite reluctance, beheld the venerable man quit his prefence, io Ius, and not to Arabia, did Furdoofee proceed, when the anger of Mali mood was either foftened into pity, or he was anxious to avert the future indignation of Furdoofee. The ful- t.mn ordered the iixty thousand dinars to be carried toTus. One day, while the ancient, ve- n*:ab!e poet was walking in the market place of the city, as a boy was repeating a verfe to him, lie tainted, -and was, carried to his houfe, where he expired, in A. D. 1021, without uttering a (ingle word. As the people were carrying him to his grave, the prefent from the l iltaun arrived at lusj it was prefented to the daughter of Furdoofee, who, contrary to the counc:. ui her aunt, declined the acceptance of it, and gave the following uiemorable anfwer : * v . *• That ( 1 ? ) his friends the mod: celebrated poets or philofophers of their age. No expence was therefore fpared to allure them to their courts, and no reipect was wanting to fix a continuance of their attachment. In addition to the example of Khaukaunee abovementioned, wc fhall obferve, that Mahmood, fultaun of Ghezna, having invited lbme perfons of genius to the court of his fon-in-law, the king of Kha - rezmee, “That, as her father, in his lifetime, had not received the prefent, it would ill become her to take what her father had declined.” The daughter of our poet built a famous flone ftair-cafe on the banks of the river, which was to be feen a few years fince at Tus. This was in honour of her father, who had, in the early period of life, formed the idea for the convenience of his fellow citizens. Nafir Khifroe, a celebrated phyfician, records that in the 438th year of the liejra, when he was at. Tus, he obferved a magnificent public edifice, and, on enquiry, was informed, that it had been built by order of the fultaun Mahmood, in honour of Furdoofee's memory, with the fixty thoufand dinars his daughter had refufed. Near this building was the garden where the Homei; of Perfia was entombed. The elegant poet of Beleck, Tahir Wahid, has given us, in the following lines, the general idea of the Perfians relating to the genius of Furdofee: “ If e’er the glow that animates the (train Of the great bard, a mortal cou’d attain, I were an infidel ! — all beauteous came. From th' empyrean heav’n, firft born of fame ! Bright eloquence, delcending from the Ikies, Furdoofee, in his arms, receiv'd the prize. And (eated her triumphant on the throne. Sacred by time, and genius all his own." Invention, that parent of poetical genius, never exhibited fuch unbounded powers as are di (covered in the imperial annals of Furdoofee ! the whole circumference of oriental knowledge is difplayed ; the fictions of the Eaft are embellifhed ; the manners of path ages jultly delineated ; and the force of human paflion highly pi&ured. The Perfians attributed (even qualities to the poems of Furdoofee j the bafis of knowledge, the lpring of excellence, a model of hiltory, the true portrait of religion, that the fources of joy andforroware pointed out, that every fpecies of intelligence is admirably maiked. There are above fixty explanatory volumes; written on the poems of Furdoofee, though no regular commentary. Thefe volumes contain verbal criticifms, which the negligence of copyifts afford lo ample a field for. The habits of education, and the veneration imbibed in the early period of life for the writ- ings of the Greeks and Romans, have led us to put lels value on the oriental manuferipts than they defer ve. If ever the men of genius in Europe turn their thoughts to the poetry of the Eati, it will appear like the radiance of the fun breaking through a cloud and 1 hope, fays F Jofeph - # ( 18 ) rczmee, the celebrated Avicenna, who was of the number, refufed to ^o, and retired to the capital ot the Sultaun ot Jorjan. Mahmood immediately ordered a number of portraits of this great phyfician to be copied ; and fent them all around, in order to difeover his retreat. The fame of his cures had, in the mean time reached the Sultaun of Jorjan; who fent for him to vifita favourite nephew, whole malady Jofeph Champion, Efquire, who has enriched the learned world with a poetical tranflation of a great part of the ShahNameh, the lpecimens, though few, which feme men of genius have lately siven us, will lead to the cultivation of fo important a branch of polite literature. The poetry of Jami is as harmonious as the mod poliflied and jnufical verification of the Latins. To fofteft mufic beauteous Jami lung, And the bee’s lweetnefs on his numbers hung. The fimiles of Furdoofee are pJeniJfuna neftarh ; his invention lively and vigorous. When we confider the aftonilhing length of the production, and the confiant flame that animates the whole, preferving an equal blaze, leaves the mind of a common reader in aftonifhment, and leads the poetical genius through anknown regions of the imagination. If Furdoofee is too luxuriant, he is carried on by the rapidity of his powers, and difplays fuch extenfive fertility,, that the critic, incapable of reaching the fublimity of his conceptions, may judge of him by the coldnefs of his own feelings. The labours of Ruflem are the ftaudard ot Furdool'ee’s genius, l'he influence of fupernatural beings over his birth, prepare the mind for grand and extra- ordinary actions. We read of the birth of Minerva and of Bacchus, born in an extra-natural manner. If we admit of the Grecian fable, Purely we may l'ublcribe to the Perfian, and not turn rigid Roman Catholics in poetry, damning all fe£ts but one ! The refledtlons of I’urdoolee are animated and moral ; the verfifications fmooth and poliflied ^ a quality, though poll'elFed in general by the Perfian poets, is heightened by the fioefis div'uia i ':s, and gives that beauty to the range of enchantment which at once feizes on the avenues of the heart: nor can the judgement, in itscoolefl moments, cenfure the exuberance. The annals of the Perfian kings and heroes would have been cold and infipid, and only would have been pernfed as they might have related to hiftorical fiuSts. Furdoofee, piercing through the bounds of nature, created new worlds, and making them fubfervient to his plan, regulated his own iphere with fuch fuperior ability and fanciful fyftem, that the condudt of 'his poems ap- pears in the natural order of that imaginary creation dignified by himfelf : they may not bear the touchltone of truth; but the fables of the Eaft admitted tliem. There are no fatiguing '■i.greflions. Every lucceeding poet has copied Homer. Furdoofee followed or imitated none; hi» genius was above all tranflation 5 the invention was his own. The fiory, a recital of actions that happened, in a certain degree embellifhed by fable : Afiatic fplendor favoured the magnificent defer iptions. i be Shah Nameh was no fooner known than every man, of confequence and letters was am- bitiuus of -un.ng a copy, and confidered his library as incomplete without it. The princes of the ( i!) ) malady had perplexed the faculty. Avicenna fuppofed it to be concealed love; and in the idea that the fair object might be one of the ladies of the king’s haram, he detired the chamberlain to dclcribe the curi- ofities of the palace while he felt the prince’s pulfe. On the men- tion of a particular apartment he perceived an uncommon emotion in iiis patient ; but the naming of the lady who lived in it entirely removed the eaftern world had it decorated with pi ft ares, rep-re fen tive of tire principal aftions in the poems. The fondnefs lor quotations, which peculiarly marks the Aliatics, made the Shah Nameh univerafallv read. Many of the fucceeding princes, though loll in indolence anti luxurious iloth {till continued to imitate their predeceflors in the elegance of their libraries ; and this ollentatious difplay has preferved fome of the poems of Furdoolee correft, and beau- tifully decorated. See hereafter. No aftion is performed, no council held, without the approbation and advice of the wife men, who where efieemed as under infpiration. The gay foliage caught the eye of the people, and they deemed events as determined on their opinions. They were in the funfnine of royal favour, which could not fail of giving new vigour to government. In a foil where it was a political principal to patronize men of genius, it is no wonder that fcience rofe to early emi- nence. When mouarchs arc the companions of ability, it is not l‘tr3nge that they exert their powers in exhibiting to futurity fplendid piftures of their martial atchievements. Hence thole encomiums beftowed on the Per Iran princes : hence- tlrofe romantic qualities, which the luxuriance of oriental imagination aferibes to their patrons and their precleceflbrs. Diveft the pifture of its ornaments, and the natural image remains. A poet may embellifh his fubjeft, may ill ultra te it with all the beauties of imagery, yet he would never fubject him- frlf to the contempt of his contemporaries, as well as pofterity, by narratives of actions, the fallacy of which are publicly attefted ; nor would the Perfian nation, ever attentive to their records, which omitted not the mod trifling circumltances wherein their princes w ere con- cerned, have efteemed the annals of Furdoolee as authentic, had they militated againA the public records. The poetry of this wonderful compolition mult be particularly pleating to an European ear; the heathen Gods and Goddefles have l'ported for fo many ages in the regions of heroifm, that new fiction, new imagery, new manners, and new warriors mult yield the higheit intellectual amul'ement. The fancy of Furdoolee was luxuriant ; his delineation or' fucceflive charafters in fuch variegated colours, is fo happily diverfified, that the whole range of human imagination feems exhaufted. A celebrated poet has thus charafterifetl tiie writings of Furdoofee : “ No bard e’er found in nature’s richefi: mines, TIP inlpiring ardour of Furd’oofee T s lines. If other poets in mellifluent drains Have fung of heroes, or of verdant plains. Not with fuch equal beauty have they ftrung. Our orient pearl, or with his genius lung. Fir’d V ( 20 ) removed his doubts. The fequel is a perfect counterpart of the fa- mous dory of Antiochus and Stratonice: the prince was made happy. The king conceiving a great delire to fee a phyfician of fu'ch pene- t rating genius, fent for him ; and difcovercd him the moment he ap- peared, by one of the portraits which he had received from the Sul- taun Mahmood : but no menaces could induce the king of Jorjan Fil’d by his thoughts, the mighty monarch glows. And the bee’s fweetnefs o’er his numbers flows $ Through ev’ry line be foars on equal wing. And the whole world his wond’rous merits ling. The brilliant in his drain preferves its ray. For ever beaming with meridian day. The diamond, ruby, or the coftly ore. No longer dazzle, and enchant no more. Loft in the brighter luftre of his lines. There the gem fparkles, there the diamond fliines ; There all effentials breath in ev’ry rhyme, 'And kings and warriors fill the verfe lublime. Propriety is thron’d : (he lofty ftyle. Flows, like the furges of the boundlefs Nile.” In the fele&ion of characters, Furdoofee has been peculiarly judicious ; there are no mean perfonages, no low imagery, to take off the mind from the dignity of his heroes, or to yield any fatisfa&ion varying from that which muff ever ariie from fublimity of thought, and a juft concatenation of events: the fpeciofd miracula are ever introduced in conformity with the opini- ons of that nation for whom he wrote. That there are many errors in the Shah Nameh cannot be denied ; but in a production, which, from its aftonifliing length, precluded accurate revi- fion, it is wonderful that they are fo few. We fee our poet perfecuted from the period of Its conclufion, to the clote of his exiftence ; and though the confcious eminence of his mind was not to be intimidated by power, and that power at command of a defpotic prince, yet the per- fe£t ferenity of mind which is effential in the correction of fuch a work could not be expected in a man ftung with difappointment. The fine copy of Arabic verfes which he compoled at Maziuderaun, at the advanced age he was then at, ev ince the fertility of his genius, as well as the circumference of his knowledge, unimpaired by time or misfortune. By order of fultaun i£ly Adihim Eefvy, of the family of the Aconbites, the Shah Nameh was tranllated into Ara- bic by Kyamedeen Fit the Abou Ali II Hendi. From an account of the Life of Furdoofee, prefixed to Mr. Champion’s poetical verfion of part of the Shah Nameh, the above note has been extracted. We have to regret that that gentleman did not proceed with his work. to ( 21 ) to deliver him up. He rewarded him on the contrary, with riches and honours ; and protected him, as long as he Chofe to continue at his court, again!! the powerful refentment of that formidable monarch *. • Vid. R'chardfon’s Dift. vol. I. — This celebrated philofopher and phyfician, Avicenna, was born A. D. 9^'J- By the time lie had attained his icnth year lie had learned the Koraun by heart, and made a great progrefs in the dallies. After this he was placed under the tuition of a perfon w ho dealt in herbs, and w ho was lkiiled in the Indian method of keeping accounts, (O learn the faience of arithmetic. He then entered upon the rudiments of logic, and the firft live or fix propofiiions of Euclid were explained to him by a private tutor. He went through the rell of Euclid by himlclf, confulting the commentaries: when he entered on the Almagelt his tutor left him. He next applied liimlelf to the ftudy of phyfic, and to gain experience vi filed patients, being then about fixteen. The following year and a half he employed with incredible application in reading ; and when any difficulty occurred, he had reeourle to Heaven. " Whenever I was puzzled, fays lie, about any queftion, or could not find the middle term in a fyllogifm, I went to the mofque, and humbly poured out my prayers to the Creator of all things, that he would be pleafed to make plain to me what appeared ab finite and difficult ; and returning home at night, 1 fet a lamp before me, and applied myfelf to reading and writ- ing : and fo often as I was overcome by fieep, or found myfelf faint, I drank a glafs of wine to recover llrength, and then returned to reading again. Il I llepteveqfo little, I dreamed of thofe very queftions, fo that the reafons of many of them were made known to me in my Beep.” Having attained to a perfect knowledge of logic, natural philofophy, and mathematics, lie proceeded to divinity; and as a proper preparation for this ftudy, lie was defirous to make himfelf mafter of Ari-ftotle's Metaphyfics ; but having read the book ever forty times, and e\en got it by heart, without being able to comprehend the authors meaning, lie laid it by as un- intelligible. After fome time he got in company with a broker, who offered to fell him a book on the fubject of metaphyfics; but this he- rejected with contempt, faying it was an ule- lefs fcience : the broker, however, telling him he might have it cheap, becaufe the author was under a neceffity of dilpofing of it, he contented to purchale it. r \ lie book proved to be- a treatife of AI Farabius, “ concerning the obje£ls of metaphyfics ;” which Avicenna had no fooner run over, than he plainly perceived the fienle of Ariftotle, whole works he retained in his memory ; and through joy he gave considerable alms to the poor. Having recovered the king of Khoraufaun, who during a fit of illnefs had fent for Avicenna, though a very young man, that prince kept him very near his perfon, and allowed him free accefs to his large and valuable library , which happening to be burnt foon after, Avicenna’s enemies accufed him of having fet it on fire, that nobody elfe might enjoy the fame advantage, and that what he had learned there might be taken for his own : Avicenna died A. D. IO30. He had a good con- ftitution, which he greatly impaired by a too free ufe of women and wine. 'The number of nooks which he is faid to have compofed amounted-to upwards of an hundred, the greateft part of which are either loft, or are unknown in Europe. Vid. Bayle’s General Dictionary. — Biog. Di£E vol. I. — Abul Farag. Hift. Dyn. — Ebn Khalekun in Vita Ebn Sina. — Gabr Siouit. et J. Hefron de nonullis Orient. Urb. annexed to Geograph. Xubienf. cap. iii. — Dr Freind’s Hiftory of Phyfic. ' G In ( 22 ) In this and the following centuries, the Pcrfian language became altogether mixed with Arabic; not that the pure ftyle of the an- cients was wholly obfolete, but it was the fafliion among the Per- sians to interweave Arabian phrafes and verfcs into their poems, not by way of quotations, but as material parts of a fentence. Towards the clofe of the eleventh century arole three royal pa- trons of Perfian literature, who were remarkable not only for their abilities and liberality, but for the fingular and uninterupted harmony which difiinguiihed their correfpondence. Thefe were Malek-fhah Jilaleddin, king of Perlia ; Keder ben Ibrahim, Sultaun of the Gheznevides ; and Keder Khaun *, the khaukaun or king of Turqueftaun beyond the Jihon. The khaukaun fupported, with moft magnificent appointments, a literary academy in his palace, confiding of a hundred men of the liigheft reputation in the Eaft. The prince would frequently prefide at their exercifes of genius ; on which occafions, four large batons filled with gold and filver were placed by the fide of his throne, which he liberally dillributed to thofe who principally excelled f. At the opening of the twelfth century lived Anvauree, a native of Abiurd in Khoraufaun, whofe adventures deferve to be related, as they will likewife fliew in what high efteem the polite arts were held in Afia, at the time when learning firfi: began to dawn in Eu- rope. Anvauree, when he was very young, was fitting at the • This prince’s court was uncommonly fplendid ; even when he appeared abroad he was preceded by 700 horfemen with filver battle-axes, and followed by an equal number bearing maces of gold. f Amak, called alfo AbouTnajib al Bokhari, who was the chief of the poets, had, exclu- five of a great pcnfion, a vaft number of male and female Haves, with thirty horfes of Hate richly ca pari foned, and a retinue in proportion, which attended him wherever he went. Vid. D’ Herbclot Bibliothequc Orientale, p. 105, 83 2, 063. and the Negaiiltaun. gate ( 23 ) gate of his college, when a man richly d refled rode by him on a fine Arabian horfe, with a numerous train of attendants ; upon his alking who it was, he was told, that it was a poet belonging to the court. When Anvauree reflected on the honour conferred on poetry, for which art he had a very early bent, he applied himfelf to it more ardently than ever, and, having finiflied a poem prefented it to the Sultaun. This was a prince of the Seljukian dynafty, named Sanjaz, a great admirer of the fine arts : he approved the work of Anvauree, whom he invited to his palace, and railed him even to the firfl: honours of the ltate. He found many other poets at court, among whom were Sulmaun, Zuleer, and / Rufheedee, all men of wit and genius, but each eminent in a dif- ferent way ; the firfl, for the delicacy of his lyric verfes ; the fccond, for the moral tendency of his poems ; and the third, for the chaflity of his compofitions ; a virtue, which his predeceflors and contem- poraries were too apt to neglect. In the fame century flouriflied Nezzaumee, another poet of eminence and virtue ** * D’ Herbelot has butflightly mentioned this celebrated poet, in the Bibliotheque Orientale, where he has given an imperfeft lift of his writings ; and SirW. Jones, although he did not notice him in his hiftory ot the Perfian language, yet, in the Catalogue of Books at the end of his Grammar, p. 141. 1 * has enumerated fix pieces as the work of Nezzaumee. .Even Haufez him- felf bears honourable teftimony to the excellence and antiquity of Nezzaumee in the following elegant couplet : c/ is t > y X >j “ The poetry of Nezzaumee, in the whole circle of ancient writers, has no equal for grace and elegance of language." The number of works attributed to Nezzaumee are various : they however, amount to nine or ten. Sir John Shore, (now Lord Teignmouth,) late prefident of the Afiatic Society, at Cal- cutta, in his difeourfe delivered before that learned body, May 1/91, mentioned a tranllation in profe of “ The five Poems of Nezzaumee." This poet was the author of Sekander nameh. The Hiftory of Alexander the Great ; which is one of the moft celebrated romances of the Eaft, and is ( 24 ) But of all the cities in the Perfian empire, none has given birth to more excellent poets than Shirauz *; which Baron Reviclki juftly calls is written in admirable poetry. To a va ft deal of Perfian imagery and fable,, the author ha* added much curious hifiorical matter, in fome refpeCts, founded on, and in others, widely differ- ing from, the Greek and Roman hiftories of the Grecian hero. “I augmented it, fays he, from the chronicles of the Jews, Chriftians, and Pehlevians ; I feleCted from each volume the mold curious pafiages; from every nut-lhell I extracted the kernel; and from the whole I formed this treatury of a compilation.” Sir W. Oufeley poffefles feveral fine copies of this romance, two of which he particularly prizes, on account of a multiplicity of marginal and other notes, which greatly a (lifted him to underftand the meaning of the author. This work the learned pofieffor, from feveral circumftauces, is induced to confider as an hiftoric record of confiderabie authenticity; and fays, “ [ have not adopted this opinion merely becaufe Nezzaumee afterts, in the introduction to his work, that he had compiled it from the beft and moft ancient chronicles of the Hebrews, Greeks, and old Pehlevians; but he fkilfully rejeCts from his luftory many of thofe vain traditions, and idle fictions, which even the great Furdoofee> the father of Perfian poetry, has not fcrupled to admit into the Shah N ameh, or Book of Kings, confidering and condemning them as ‘ tales which wanted confirmation, in the vanity of whofe (lory there is no truth.” The hiftoric poem of Nezzaumee, therefore, muft have efcaped the ingenious Teixeira, who lays, (Relaciones y Viage dende la India, &c. See. oCtavo, Amberes, 1610, lib. I. cap. 22.) “ the life and aCtions of Alexander are celebrated by the Perfians as marvellous, and deferibed in many books, both in prole and rhyme,” Sec. and that • all thofe writers agree in afierting that Alexander was not the Ion of Philip.” Nezzaumee, defcribing a royal feaft, enumerates the various forts of mu heal inftruments peculiar to fevera nations, which was collected there, and contributed their harmony to the delights of this very •plendid entertainment ; afierting that the Greek performers on the organ, “ ravilhedthe fenfes of all that heard its tones.” Copies of Nezzaumce's work muft have of late confiderably multi- plied, or it cannot have been that valuable hiftory of Alexander, which, we are allured by a celebrated linguift, was lb fcarce, even among the Perfians, about three centuries ago, that Andrew Corfaili, an intelligent foreigner, w ho travelled in the Eaft, could never obtain a copy of it. See “ Threfor des Langues," a very curious work, by Claude Duret, printed at Y verdun in 4to, p. 499) where we read, that “ Andre Corfali en fon voyage aux Indes, affeure avoir veu entre las mains des Perfans fufidiCls, toute l’hiftoire du grand Alexandre en langue Perfane de laquellc, comme de chole rare il lie feeut one en retirer une copie.” * This city was rcmaikable for its fine gardens, its wine, and its beautiful women. The 'lively nymphs of Shirauz have been celebrated in thefinelt (trains by Haufez and Sadee, who have both, indeed, done juftice to the produce of its vineyards. Our early travellers have de- lighted in deferibing its magnificent gardens, (vid. Pietro della Valle, Olearius, Herbert, Dr. fryer. See.) 1 he learned Schikard, in the introduction to his Tarikh or Chronicle, cele- brates the rofes of Shirauz; and the ingenious Kaempfer, (Amccnitates Exotica?, p. 3 79.) ranks the wine of that delightful loil among the fined in the world. We are aflured by an intelligent traveller oi the laft century, (Mundelllo, in his Travels of the Ambafladors,) that ( 25 ) I calls “ the Athens of Perfia Sadee, a native of this citv, flouriilied at the clofe of the twelfth and the beginning of the tliir- 'teenth centuries, when the Atabcgs of Farfiftan encouraged men of learning in their principality: his life was almoft wholly lpent in travel ; but no man, who enjoyed the greatett leifure, that this cl.iflic city was fo fertile in luxuries of every kind, as to give occation to the Perfian faying, that “ if Mohammed had tailed the pieafures of Shirauz, he would have begged of God to make him immortal there." And Chardin, (vol. ii. p. 203.) quotes another popular fay- ing, which imports, that “ when this city was itfelf, (i. e. in its original fplendour,) the great town of Cairo was only a fuburb to it.” Sir Thomas Herbert, in his delcription of this en- chanting foil, declares, that it realizes the charming idea of Tibullus’s Elyfium, and quote 3 the Roman poet’s words : “ Hie chorene, cantusque vigent, paffimque vagantes Dulce fonaut tenui gutture carmen aves. Pert enfiam non culta ftges, totosque per agros Tlorat odoratis terra benigna rolis.” Tibul. Lib. 1. Eleg. 3. ** There fongs perpetual charm the lifi’ning ear, Whilft all the feather’d wand’rers of the air, y To join the found, their warbling throats prepare. J- Gallia from ev’ry hedge unbidden breaths. And to the gales its fragrant tweets bequeaths ; The bounteous earth its purple product yields. And od’rous rofes paint the blu thing fields." Dart. And he concludes his encomium on this city with fome verfes, in which he compares it to the Garden of Eden, and his own departure from it, to the banifhment of Adam from the delight's of Paradife. But it is to be feared that the tlruggles of contending princes for the diadem of Perfia, which convulfed and agitated that extenfive empire for many years, have greatly dimi- nithed the fplendour of Shirauz, as well as of its rival city Ifpahaun ; the former now prefent- ing a motl ftriking picture of decay and defolation ; but the latter does not exhibit at prefent fuch marks of extenfive devafiation, although it be far from its ancient greatnefs. Vid. “ Voyage en Perfe," &c. by M. de Sauvebceuf, 2 vols. 12mo, 1/QO. But notwithftanding tbe ravages committed by adverfe parties headed by warlike chieftains, we hope that Shirauz will recover much of its former graudeur, and give birth to other poets equal to Haufez, who will not fail to fing the praifes of their native city, celebrate the charms of her black-eyed nymphs, and render immortal by their, tuneful lays “ A ftrearn fo clear as Ruknnbad. A bower fofweet as Mofellay.” Vid. Perf. Mifc. p. 26 , and feqq. and Sir W. Jones’s Grammar, p. 232. •Sec r< Specimen Poefeos Perficae, Vindobone, 1771 • Protein, p xvni. H evciE even • ( 26 ) left behind him more valuable fruits of his genius and indultry *. The • Sa ice was born A. C. 1175. He was (lie author of Guliftaun, or the Bed of Rofes ; E >rtarn or the Fruit Garden ; Molamaat, or the Rays of Light ; and a large collection of Odes and Sonnets, alphabetically arraged in a Diwan. The Guliftaun was publiflied, with a La- tin verfion, by the learned Gcntius, at Amfterdam, folio, 1651, and in 12mo 1655, under the title of “ Rofarium Politicum,” &:c : it was tranflated into the German tongue by Olearius, and publiflied at Sclilefwig, in folio, 1654, entitled “ Perfianifcher Rolenthal uberfetzet von A. Olearius, ’ with plates ; and likewife into French by another perfon, under the title of “ Gu- 1‘utaun, ou L’ Empire des Roies, Traite des Mceurs des Rois ; compofe par Mufladini Saadi, Prince des Poetes rerliens, Traduit du Perfan, par M. * * *.” Paris, 1/37, 12mo, Some par- tial extra&s have been taken from the Boflaun and publiflied in the Aliatic Milcellany, No. II, p. 235, &:c. where part of the preface to, and a paffage from, the body of the work are given ; and tome tranflations from it into French maybe found in Chardin’s Travels, The Molamaat is extremely lcarce, and no part of it has ever appeared in print, even SirW. Jones declared he had never feen it. From the Diwan, which contains above a thoufand beautiful poems, very few paflhges have been printed. Sadee was alio the author of fourteen or fifteen other works ; but M. Le Bruyn muft have been mifinformed, when he learned, on vifiting the poet's tomb in 1705, that twenty volumes in Arabic were frill extant of his compofition. There is likewife a fliort collection of poetical pieces attributed to him, called " The Book of Impari- ties,” which indeed are well calculated to inftil into the minds of youth letfons of the groffeft fenluality, for they breathe all the licentioulnefs of the meft unchafte imagination. The author however, feems to have repented of having written thefe indelicate verfes, yet endeavours to excut'e himlelf on account of their giving a relifh to the other poems, “as lalt is ufed in the feafoningof meat and if any merit can be allowed to fuch produ£tions, it may be faid of him as of Petronius, “ that he wrote the moft impure things in the pureft language.” The drft volume of Sadee’s works was printed at Calcutta in folio, A. D. 1791 : with an Englifh preface, i/.c. by J. Harrington, Efq. A copy of this work was fent as a valuable prefenl from Sir W. Jones to the late Profellor Schultens, in which the “ Book of Impurities” is enumerated as authentic. Of this celebrated poet, the portrait was lately to be feen in a building near Shirauz, reprelent- ing him as a venerable old man, with a long iilver beard and flowing robes, holding in his right a crooked ivory ltafi, and in the other a charger of incenfe. Vid. Franklin’s “ Tour from Bengal to Perlia, in the years 1786-S7,” p. 97, Svo, London, 1790 He lived to the advanced age of lit) jears, and his tomb, which is at a little diftance from Shirauz, is trill viflted with the refpeCt due to claflic ground. Perflan MifceUanies, p. 56, & lcqq. So unwilling was the lyric Sadee to confeL that his fpirits were impaired by his years, that, although hoary Time had “ filver’d o’er his locks,” *1 e yet affirms, from the natural vivacity of his difpofition, that he ftill was young; exprefling the ieca in this leautiful couplet : */. ( V ) / The fame city had the honour of producing, in the fourteenth Century, the mot! elegant Lyric poet of Afia, Mohammed Shem- feddin, furnamed Ilaufez; on whole life and productions the learned Baron above mentioned has largely treated in his “ Specimen of Perllan Poetry.” There is nothing, which affords a ltronger proof of the ex- cellence of the Perlian tongue, than that it remained uncorrupted after the irruption of Tartars, who at different times, and under various leaders, made themfelves mailers of Perha ; for the Tartarian princes, and chiefly Tamerlane (Timour), who was a patron of Haufez *, were fo far from dilcouraging polite letters, like the Goths and (j — ^ A if A ^ f. “ The fnows of age defeend upon my head. Yet from the gaiety of my difpofition I fti'd am young.” See .a perfectly fimilar thought in Anacreon, ode xlvii. and in Plautus’s Miles Gloriofti#, act. iii. fc. 1 . At theclofe of one of his fonnets, Sadee informs us, that “ every country is remarkable for fome liable commodity ; fome article of whien it boafts thus, fays he. j I if J 1 I “ Sugar-candy comes from Egypt ; but Sadee from Shirauz.’ 1 * Of this celebrated poet it may not be auiifs to be a little more particular,- and our readers will feel fome pleating gratification in perilling the outlines of the life of a perfon whofe writings have excited the admiration of all the Eaftern nations where the Perhan tongue is held in the lead eftimation. Shirauz then was the natal city of our poet, “ circa initium faeculi Hegyre odtavi,” fays Baron Reuicfki, about the beginning of tire eighth century. So highly were his verfes efteemed, that Timour invited him to his palace ar Sumniurcund; where he is fa id to have reproved Haufez for not having made his royal relidence the fubjedt of his fong; williing, no doubt, to have the prailes of that place recorded bv one whofe name and writings were likely to be handed down to the latcft potteiity. Envy again ft thofe perfons who have been riftng to eminence and favour, in every country, has generally been remarked to have taken place; and the moft rooted malevolence and hatred has tnoftly fucceeied their envy. In conl'equence of which, when ( 28 ) and Huns, when they carried their arms into various parts of. the world, when be was court on a certain occafion, he was accufed to Timour of malpractices againft the date ; but Timour, who was an excellent politician, and a fugacious obferverof the conduct aod aftions of men, lidened to the accufation, but treated it with the contempt it defervedly merited. Timour, however, fent for him, when the elegant replies and good fenfe of Hau- fez, averted the blow, and eftablifhed him in the favour of the prince. An indauce occurs in the ode quoted and tranflated by Sir W. Jones in his Grammar, w here he lays. “ If that lovely maid of Shirauz would accept my heart, I would give for the black mole on her cheek the cities of Suminurcund and Bokhara.” Which is thus clofely and elegantly verfified by Mr. Noth “ O pride of Shirauz, nymph divine ! Accept my heart, and yield me thine: Then were its price all Summureand, The wealth Bokhara’s walls command ; That pretty mole of dufky die. Thy cheek difplays. I’d gladly buy.” Upon the reading of this diftich Timour became highly offended, entertaining the idea that Haufez meant to undervalue the capital cities of Summurcund and Bokhara. He fent for the poet, and reproached him with ingratitude ; but Haufez, with the utnroft prefence of mind, is reported to have laid, “ How can the gifts of Haufez impoverifh Timour ?” meaning, that poets mighty fquander away in donations whole regions among their favourites, without doing the lead injury to the! ” royal poffeffors. This ready anfwer fo -wrought upon the geperous } i el icgs of Timour, that he acknowledged his mifLike and rewarded the poet. Many princes of great power and extenfive domains endeavoured to gain the friendfhip of Haufez, and purchafe the praifes of hismufe; among thefe the Sultaun Ahmed Ilekhani mud not be forgotten, fince he made very liberal offers to allure tire poet to his court, that he might devote himfelf wholly to his fervice. The offers, however, of Ahmed Ilekhani, and a great many others from different fovereigns of equal advantage, were rejedted with difdain. Notvvithdanding his attachment to his native city, he was tempted by many and repeated felicitations to vi fit the king of Jczdi ; but he returned — not benefited by royal munificence* and fomewhat the poorer for his journey, which he inweighs ngainft in many paflages of his poems ; in one of which he fays, ” The King of Hormuz, whom I never faw, heaped prefents upon me ; but the monarch of Jezdi, whom I have feen, and whole fame I have lifted up to * heaven, never rewarded me w ith a Angle gift.” He likewife greatly complains of the condudl of the Sultaun Avis towards him, informing us, that " he fird paid great court to him, but that, in a very ungcutcel manner, he afterwards churliflily withdrew his friendfhip from him.’’ His ( 29 ) world, that they adopted not only the language but the re- ligion His language, however, concerning the great Sultaun Shah Manfur is very different ; for lie makes the liberality and perfonal accomplithments of that prince the fubjebt of one whole ode, which he delivers in the highelt drain of eulogy. The Shah Shegia he likewife praifes for his un- bounded clemency. But, upon the whole, fays Mr. Xott, Haufez was the very lcourge of the potentates of his day, and made exceedingly free with them in his verfes. Since poetry was fo highly venerated and patronized in the Eaff ; fince it was a greater recommendation in courts than all other accornpliftiments; and fince every monarch who fignalized himfelf, either in peace or war, was ambitious to have his actions recorded by a poet of repute ; it is no wonder that princes were anxious to win tire favour of the fweet, the delightful bard of Shirauz. .Altogether immerfed in poetic indolence, public life and public honours had not the lead charm for the mind of Haufez. Friendfhip and conviviality were the amufements of his youth ; in which he appears to have freely indulged. His attachment to the dodtrines of Moham- med is liable to great fufpicion, particularly where they enjoin a ftiidt abfiinence from wine, and the pleafures of the table: nay, fome have even ventured to afi'ert, that he was inclined to the Chriftian fcheme, and affirm, that feveral paffages in his writings bear evident allu- fion to the Mefliah. Be this as it may, certain it is, that towards the clofe of his life, he de- voted himfelf wholly to a religious life, obferving a lingular aufterity of manners, and embrac- ing thel'tate of facred poverty. Some have even fuppofed him to be thel'uperior of fome reli- gious order; but we are not fufficien-tly informed on this head to fpeak with precifion on the fub- jedt; all that we can fuggeft is, that, perhaps, wounded by the ltings of confcience on account of his former irregularity, he was urged to thele feverkies in order to expiate his crimes ; but this, alas ! would prove infufficient- Inffances of perfons fecluding themfelves from the fociety of their friends and the world, for the purpofes of devotion, are not unfrequent, even in Eu- rope. We all remember the remarkable penance of the learned, the witty, the licentious Fontaine f. By his excellent education Haufez is allowed on all hands to have been a perfon of no mean extraction. He was fkilled in general learning, but more particularly in jurifprudence. He f Which, however, we fhall here fet down in a note : In lO'cfi, he was leized with a dangerous illnels; and when the prieff came to talk to him about religion; concerning which he had lived in an extreme earelefinel's, though he had never been either an infidel or a libertine, Fontaine told him, that “ he had lately bellowed fome hours in reading the New Teftament, which he thought a very good book.” Being brought to a clearer knowledge of religious truths, the prieff reprefented to him, that he had intelligence of a certain dramatic piece of his, which was loon to be adted ; but that he could not be ad- mitted to the facraments of the church, unlefs he fupprefi'ed it. This appeared too rigid, and Fontaine appealed to the Sorbonne; who confirming what the prieff had laid, this lincere peni- tent threw the piece into the fire, without keeping even a copy. The prieff then laid before him the evil tendency of his “ Tales,” which are written in aloofe and wanton manner; he even told •him, that while the French language lubfifted, they would be a moft dangerous Inducement to vice ; and further added, that he could not jultify admiuiffering the facraments to him, unlefs he would promife to make a public acknowledgement of his fault at the time of receiving, a public acknowledgement before the academy of which he was a member, in cafe he recovered, and to fupprefs the book to the utmoft of his power. Fontaine thought thefe terms very hard, but at length yielded to them all. I read ( 30 ) iigion of the conquered country, and promoted the fine arts with read le&ures publicly upon religion and laws, in a college founded by Hajee Kovaum, Vizier of the Sultaun Ilekhani, who was a man ofgreat liberality, and one of thepatronsof our poetf. Haufez benefited greatly from the generofity of Hajee Kovaum, as well as from that of other great men, who, though they had never had the pleafure of feeing him, were yet much de- lighted by his works. Notwithftanding the various patrons Haufez had, we learn from him- fclf that he experienced the common lot of poets ; — he died poor ! “ Fortune, fays he, was cruel to me ; but want is the companion of virtue.” At one period of his life, perhaps in the early part, he was married to a very amiable woman, whole death he tenderly laments in many of his verfes : an ode of his upon thisfubjedt Las the following beautiful pafiage : “ Blefied with fuch a partner, it was my defire to end ray days with her; but our ac- complifhment does not always keep pace with our wifhes : worthy of a happier ftate than to remain with me, ihe fled to that fociety of celeflial beings from whom the derived her origin.” The death of Haufez happened, according to D'Herbelbt, in the year of the Hegira 79/ • but the account given in the places it in 794; which latter correfponds nearly with the year of our Lord 1391. He was buried at Mofdla, a pleafantly fituated and iacred fpot, near Shirauz, where a monument and chapel were afterwards eredted at the charge | This patron Haufez celebrates in one of his odes, thus : “ Give to fpend the claflic hour. One deep-read in learned lore; One, whofe merry, tuneful vein, Flows like our gay poet’s drain. And whofe open generous mind Blefles and improves mankind.” But the fourth line would have been nearer to the original had it been rendered, “ Flows like Haufez’ fweeten’d ftrain; and the Perlianfor the laftline. would be literally tranflated, " enlightening the world like Hajee Kovaum.” Hajee Kovaum appears from fevered circumftances, to have been the Maecenas of till- age in which he lived : and D'Herbelot (Bibliotbeque Orientale) obferves, thathe was muchi celebrated by Haufez, who has not failed to hold him up to after times as a perfeft pattern of gemrofity and liberality. Hajee, it may be noticed, properly fignifies a pilgrim of Mecca,, and is an appellation prefixed to the names of various per Cons. Which. Mi - . Nett has elegantly paraphrafed in the following manner : with fo boundlefs a munificence, that it is not in the power or hiftory of Mohammed Mimai. Of this place Baron Revicfki fpeaks in the following manner : “ Mu- fella proprie eft locus em'mens in aperto campo, ex lapide extruchis, et precibus dedicalus, quern Muhammedani bora orationis ingruente confcendunt, ne humi, aut in immundo loco pvofternere fe cogantur ; fed hie continentum eft pro continente ; intelligitur enirn plaga Mn* felloe adjaeeus.” At this place, Mofella, the poets and philofophers of Shirauz, fays Sir W. Jones, (Hift. of the Life of Nader Shah,) ufed to fit and compofe their works, and which is no lefs celebrated by their writers than the Ilyflus and Cephiftts of the Athenians. There is a beautiful ode of Haufez in honour of his native city, which begins with thefe lines : “ Hail, Shirauz ! delightfully fituated ! May Heaven preferve her from ruin ! May the Almighty defend our ftream of Ruknabad ! for its waters fupply us with length of days, (literally, with the life of Khezr, a fage who drank, as romance fays, of the fountain of immortality. He is the fame as the Elijah of the Scriptures.) The galefcented with ambergris, breathes between Jaferabad and Mofella.- Come to Shirauz, and a(k a pro- fufton of the facred fpirit from its inhabitants, who are perfectly virtuous. How llrould the fugnr of Egypt be brought to Shirauz, without being furpafled by the fweetnefs of our fair damfels ?” On the death of Haufez, fome bigotted Mohammedans of note in Shirauz forbade the burial of the bard according to the rites of their church, alledging in fupport of their oppolition, that he who by his debaucheries had violated the laws of the Koraun, could not be confidered as a true Muffulmaun. On the other hand, his friends and partizans defended his religious charac- ter, and maintained his right to due interment. After difputing with fome warmth and acri- mony on the point, it was at length agreed to open the poet’s works, and form a decifion from thefirft diftich which might prefen t itfelf to their view : it proved to be the following : “ O! turn not your fteps from the chfequies of Haufez ; For, though immerfed in fin, he will enter into heaven.” This imaginary proof of'the poet’s faith fo wrought upon the confeiences of thefe difeon- tented devotees, that they-endeavoured to conceal their eonfufion, and permitted his remains to be interred without farther moleftation. So highly indeed have the. writings of Haufez been efteemed, that even in A. D. 1730, when Nader Shah, after having defeated the tyrant Afhrafat at the battle of Zerkan near Shirauz, palfrd accidentally by the burial place of the poet, in company with fome of his military; as one of the officers walked near the tomb, be opened. the works of Haufez, and the lines which futft - sue this eyes were thefe : “ It is but juft that thou fhouldft receive a tribrtte from all fair youths. Since thou art the lovereign of all the beauties of the univerfe. Thy. two piercing eyes have thrown Khata and Klioten into eonfufion ; India and China pay homage to thy curled locks. Thy graceful mouth gave the ftreams of life to Khezr ; Thy fugared lip renders the fweet reeds of Eygpt contemptible.” ( 32 ) Liilorv, either of ancient cr modern times, to furnifli a paral- lel : This pnflage was inftantly applied to the viftorious Nader. And when the fame conqueror let out on his expedition againft Tauris, the Dewane Haufez were again retorted to as oracular, v. h n one of his prriizans opened to a diftich which may be thus tranflated : “ O Haufez? thon haft taken Irak and Pars by thy fweet poetry ; Come, for it is now the turn of Baghdad and lauris.” After the death of Haufez a colleftion of 569 of his °des was made by Seid Kafiem Anovtir, entitled Dewane Khojeh Haufez Shirauzee ; which has been commented upon by feveral men of literature in Turkey; the principal of whom are Ahmed i’ereedoon, and Soodee, both upon Koraunic principles. The former endeavours to prove, that even the molt luxurious of his verfes aie but lb many religious allegories, myftically inculcating true Mohammed 3 ni I'm : and to pre- vailing is this opinion, that the language ot Haufez lias been ltyled, among the Mufiulmauns I Lifa une Gheib, the Language of Myftery. Fromthis frequent celebration of ot’love and wine in his odes, Haufez has not improperly been denominated, by fome Oriental- ills, the Anacreon cf Pcrfia. “ I have long been convinced myfelf," fays the author of “ Remarks on the Poetry of Haufez,” in the Oriental Collections, vol. I. p 181.“ that a publication of the Perfian text with ufeful notes, and an accurate tranflation, would domore than a thoufand elfays to the diffufion of Oriental learning The moft fanguine might be deterred from a talk that holds up certain toil with diftant and doubtful recompence. Yet,.... I cannot but conceive fuch a work more lucrative than is generally fuppoled. Surely there are many in this country to whom the Perfian language is familiar, and who, like me, breathe an anxious with that it was known and valued as it merits. All fuch would come forward as fubferibers, many as pat ons, ot the defign ; and feveral, to whom even the name of Haufez is unknown, would be curious to trace the notions and fentiments of an Eaftern poet The learned in Bengal were fo fully perluaded of his importance, that Haufez was one of the firft that came from the Calcutta prefs. So eager was the demaud, or fo fmall the number of impreflions, that few found their way out of the country; and in England this edition is as lcarce as the moft precious MS.” This edition of Haufez, in one volume folio, was printed in the beginning of 1/90; it contains the original Perfian text, and an introductory account of the poet.” Baron Reviczki publifhed at Vienna, in 1/7L fix teen of the Odes of Haufez, with a Latin verfion, profe and verfe ; from which Mr. Richardfon chiefly formed his “ Specimen of Perfian Poetry," 4to, 177-1, containing three of the odes, with an Englifli paraphrafe in verfe. a literal profe tranflation, and feveral excellent notes. In 17S7, Mr Nott publifhed “ Seledt Odes from the Perfian Poet Haufez,” &c. 4to. but the moft happy tranflations from Haufez are fcatterrd through the writings of Sir W. Jones. In 1800 appeared “ Perfian Lyrics, or fc; ttr-ved Poems, from the Dewane Haufez • with Paraphrales in Verfe and Profe, a Cata- logue ot t he Gazels as arranged in a MS. of the Works of Haufez in the Chetham Library at Manchcfter, and other Illuftrations,” By the Rev. J. H. Hindley. “ Among ( 33 ) lei * : and one of them, who founded the Mogul empire in Hindooftan, introduced the Perfian literature into his dominions, where it flourillies to this day ; and all the letters from the Indian governors are written in the language (we do not fay, in the liyle) of Sadee. The Turks themfelves improved their harlh dialect by- mixing it with the Perfian ; and Mohammed II. who took Con- Itantinople in the middle of the fifteenth century, was a protestor of the Perfian poets ; among thefe was Noureddin Jaumee, whofe poem on the loves of Jofcph and Zuleikha is one of the fine# compofitions in the language ; it contains about four thoufand couplets, and deferves to be tranflated into every European Ian- guagef. The loves of the Hebrew Patriarch, Jofeph, with the fair ,c Among the Perfian poets, few are more worthy of being generally known than Haufez; none are more iitferefting to the fcholarand fearcher into eaftern manners. The terfe morality of Sadee, and the lofty, the fublime language of Furdoofee, claim and deferve the higheft place in our efteem : but the Dewan of Haufez will always be the more popular work; and his fweet fimplicity and polifhed numbers rauft charm the moft phlegmatic reader. In his works we may difeover the private life of a Perfian, become acquainted with his turn of mind, bis thoughts and occupations ; and learn many curious fafhions difregarded by graver authors. His fame throughout the Eaft (where a crowd of imitators has fprung up in every country), is a power- ful evidence of his merits : and his importance in Pertia was rarely equalled, and never excelled in the darkeft ages of fuperftition In the correfpondence of Alia, where poetry is inter- mixed with prole, the diftichs of Haufez are often applied to the various vicillitudes of life ; and both the lcholar and the traveller will receive advantage from the ftudy of this engaging poet.” Vid. Orient. Coll. vol. I. p. 180. * Many inftances might be mentioned of the great attention paid to the literati by Timour who prefented Firuzbaudee, the author of an Arabic di&ionary, witft 5000 pieces of gold (perhaps ducats) as a reward for hisftnduftry and learning. This di&ionary was tranflated into Latin by Giggeus, and publiilicd at Milan, A. D. 1()32. f In addition to this very honourable teftimony of Sir W. Jones to this compofition of Jaumee, Sir W. Ouleley obferves, that it is “ written in the finefl verfe.” The “ Eehariflaun," llelidcnce of Spring, and the “ Dewan,” or Colleftion of Odes and Sonnets, by the fame ele- gant writer, are likewife held in deferved efleem in the Eaft. From the Bchariftaun fame fables and lentences have been publiflied with a Latin tranflation, in the “ Anthologia Perfica,” -lto, Vienna, 17 /S, in which very ingenious work the reader will find an account ofJaiur.ee;, and a lift of all his writings, wherein are enumerated above forty compofitions of this very K fertile ( 34 ) fair Zuleikha, who, in the Old Teftament, is called the wife of 3\>tiphar, and by fome Arabian hiftorians, Rail, are the fubjedl of this poem : but neither the Old Teftament not tlie Koraun mention the name of Jofeph’s miltrefs, yet all the later Aiiatic writers ;i'>ree in calling her Zuleikha. Jaumee, however, has decorated, with all the graces of poetry, the romantic ftory of the youthful Canaanite, as related in the Ivoraun, where, indeed, it is ftrangely altered from the original Mofaic narrative ; but the charms of the Egyptian lady, which the poet celebrates, are neither recorded fertile author : but of the poems colledted in his Detfran, very few have yet appeared in any European drefs. See the “ Magazin fur Altebefonders Morgen landilche und Biblilche Litteratur," twiete lieferung. 8vo, Caffel, p. 138, 1789 . Thele fables, twenty-two in num- ber, are printed in the prefent volume, with an Engliih tranflation. Jaumee derived his firname from his native village Jaum, and died about I486, according, to D’Herbelot, in his “ Bibliotheque Orientale,” publifhedat the Hague in four quarto volumes, 1/77, 1 /S 2 3 which edition contains the additions of the late Profeflor Schultens. “ The Dewan of Jaumee, fays D'Herbelot, is in a ftyle du genre fublime, et contient toute la theologie myftique des Mu- fulmans.” This work of Jaumee, which contains all the myftic theology of the Mohamme- dans, is replete with paffages of the moll tender and amorous defeription : and, with an incon- tiftence by no means unfreqnent among the Perfian writers, religious poems of a fublime and myfterious nature, are comprifed in the fame work with Erotic and Bacchanalian Odes and Sonnets ; and the fame perfon appears, as we read his different compofitions, the enthufiaflic and bigotted devotee, the gay, voluptuous, or impaffioned lover, equally content to refigns his exiftence for the fake of his God, his prophet, or his miftrefs.” Ouleley’s Perfian Mif- cellanies, p. 17, 18. Indeed, “ the exceffes ofenthufiafm have been obfervedin every age to lead to fenfual gratifications ; the fame confiitution that is fufceptible of the former, being remarkably prone to the latter.” Vid. Dr. Robertfon’s Pliftory of Charles V. vol. ii. p. 3S1. And the extraordinary actions and tenets of many religious fedtaries a few centuries ago, confirm the obfervation of this excellent hiftorian. “ But,” u continues Sir W. Oufeley, “ the poet, whom 1 particularly fpeak of, when he pom s forth the ejaculations of piety and devotion, or breathes the fentiments of paflion or the fondeft love, is found to have uniformly^ maintained the greatefl corredlnefs and chafiity of language 3 neither has he been influenced by the example of two moft celebrated writers to pollute his pages with fuch grofs indelicacies as have ftained the Gallic volume of Anvauree, nor admit into is Dewan fuch compofitions as Sadee very juftly l'tyled his impurities, and which the aftoniflied and difgufted reader can fcarcely believe to have fallen from that poet’s moral pen : yet Anvauree is fpoken of as the firft who corredted the ex- ctllive licentioufnels of Perfian poetry 3 and Sadee, is univerfally celebrated for his inftrudtive leifuns of morality and virtue." Perf. Mile. p. 19. ( 35 ) by Moles nor Mohammed : her paffion, however, for Jofeph, and her beauty, are the fubject of many poems, ranked among the fineft compolitions in the languages of Aha. A Turkilh writer declares that, “ in all Egypt, there was no woman more beautiful than Zuleikha and the charms of Jofeph, the Adonis of the Eaft, are become proverbial, and alluded to by all the lyric poets in their gazls or fonnets, as well as by thole who have made his fory the fubject of longer and more Regular poems : thus Haufez, in a charming ode, addrehmg lome beautiful youth, declares, that “ all the world pronounced him the Jofeph of the age,” i. e. a fecond Adonis. And, in another ode, alluding to him, he fays,” “ O my Moon of Canaan ! the throne of Egypt is thine own ; This is the time that thou fhouldll bid farewell to prifon.” The imprifonment of Jofeph affords fubjedt for fome very inte- refting chapters of that poem of Jaumee ; in which the enamoured Zuleikha is fuppofed to declare, that, “ When a prifon becomes the ref dence of fuch a lovely rofe- cheeked mortal, it lofes all the horrors of a prifon, and pof- leffes all the charms of fpring. But,” adds in another place, “ If in Paradife we were not to behold the face of the perfon we adore, Paradife itfelf would appear dreary to a longing lover’s eve.” This is an exceedingly natural conclufion ; for, the idea of a dungeon being made delightful when inhabited by the objedt of one’s love, feems lo natural to thofe really affedted by that path on, i that it may be found in the poetry of every age and nation. It mull, however, be obferved, that the fequel of Jaumee’s ltory is very ( 36 ) very different from that of the two great lawgivers, the former crowning her paffton with fuccefs, and uniting her in marriage with object of her love, while the latter conveys not the lcait idea of the fort. In the fixteenth and feventeenth centuries, under the family of Sdi, the Perfian language began to lofe its ancient purity, and and even to borrow fome of its terms from the Turkifh, which was commonly fpoken at court. As to the modern dialed, the Life of Nader Shauh, written a few years ago in Perfian, and trantlated into French by Sir AV. Jones, at the requeft of Chriftian VII. king of Denmark, contains a Sufficient lpecimcn : it conlilts of a mixture of Perfian, Arabic, and a few Turkifh words. The modern inhabitants of Perfia may be juftly faid to be a race of people who “ lifp in numbers,” the cultivation of the lan- guage being with them a very important concern, every one en- deavouring to improve it according to the belt of his ability. Their vaft variety of poetical works evidently fhew, that they en- tertain the fame idea of the fafeinating power of the Mufes as the ancient Greeks did of Mufic, and thence have ltvled it, “ Lawful Magic.” It will therefore be found, fays Sir AY. Oufeley, that there is fcarcely a fpecies of compofition, which the Perfian poets have not cultivated with fuccefs, from the didadic or Moral Sentence, to the finished Epic or Heroic Poem : through every gradation of Bacchanalian Ode, Elegiac and Amorous Sonnet, Allegories amuf- ing or inllrudive, and Romances founded on hiltory or fable : compositions breathing all the warmth of a luxuriant foil, and de- corated w ith every adventitious grace, that the moft flowery language can beftow. J he genius of the Eaftern writers far furpafles that of the Greeks ( 3 ; ) Greeks, or the Romans ; their tafte was undoubtedly inferior, but, in point of invention, they are excelled, perhaps equalled, by none. The Arabic authors are diftinguiflied for a concifenefs of diction which borders, not unfrequently, upon obfeurity. The Perlian WTiters, on the contrary, affeCt a rhetorical luxuriance, which, to an European, fometimes has the appearance of unneceffary re- dundance. If, to thefe leading diftinCtions, we add a peculiarity of imagery, of metaphor, of allufion, derived from the difference of government, of manners, of temperament, and of fuch natural objects as charaCterife Alia from Europe, we fhall fee, at one view, the great points of variation between the writers of the Eaftern and Weftern parts of the globe. Amongft the Oriental hiftorians, philofophers, rhetoricians, and poets, many will be found, who would do honour to any age or people ; whilft their romances, their tales, and their fables, Hand upon a ground, which the power of Europeans have never yet been able to reach. We had intended to have concluded here our obfervations on the hiftory of the language and literature of Perfia ; but recollecting the fixth annual difeourfe of Sir William Jones, delivered to the Afiatic Society at Calcutta, February 19, 1789, in which he de- feribes the ancient empire of j>\ Iraun, (better known to Euro- peans by the name of Perfia,) and gives a deeply-learned and moft mafterly, diflertation on the three dialeCts of that country, the Zend, the Pehlevi, and the Parfee, we have taken the liberty of making a few extracts from that differtation, which are perfectly confonant to the fubjeCt of the prefent eflay, and which no one was better qualified to fpeak upon than himfelf. Thefe we have printed in a lefs character on account of their length, and refer thofe gentlemen, who with for a more full and complete informa- L twn ( 38 ) tion on the fubjecl of various oriental matters, as well with refpedi to Iraun, as to other Afiatic regions, to the Asiatic Refearches*, fo Iona' and fo ably conducted by that moft accomplished fcholar. “ In the new and important remarks, which I am going to offer, on the ancient language and characters of Iran, I am fenfible, that you muft give me credit for many aflertions, which on this occafion it is impofiible to prove; for I fhould ill deferve your indulgent attention, if I were to abufe it by repeating a dry lilt of detached words, and prefcnting you with a vo- cabulary inflead of a differtation ; but, fince I have no fvfiem to maintain, and have not fuffered imagination to delude my judgement ; fince I have habituated myfelf to form opinions of men and things from evidence, which is the only folid bails of civil, as experiment is of natural, knowledge ; and fince I have maturely confidered the queftions which I mean to difcufs; you will not, I am perfuaded, fufpedt my teflimony, or think that I go too far, when I affure you, that I will affert nothing pofitively, which I am not able fatisfaclorily to demonftrate. When Mohammed was born, and Aniifhlra- van, whom he calls the juft King, fat on the throne of Perfia, two lan- guages appear to have been generally prevalent in the great empire of Iran ; t hat of the Court, thence named Deri, which was only a refined and elegant dialect of the Pars!, fo called from the province, of which Shiraz is now the capital, and that of the learned, in which moft books were compofed, and which had the name of Pahlavi, either from the heroes, who fpoke it in former times, or from Pahlu, a trail of land, which included, we are told, fome confiderable cities of Irak : the ruder diale&s of both were, and, I believe, ft ill are, fpoken by the rufticks in feveral provinces ; and in many of them, as Herat, Zabul, Sfftan, and others, diftinil idioms were vernacular, as it happens in every kingdom of great extent. Befides the Pars! and Pahlavi, a very ancient arid abftmfe tongue was known to the priefts and philofophers, called £f the language of the Zend,” becaufe a book on religious and moral duties, which they held facred, and which bore that name, had been written in it ; while the Pazend, or comment on that work, was compofed in Pah- lavi, as a more popular idiom ; but a learned follower of Zeratufht, named * r Jhis work, we are happy to find, has been reprinted in London in fix volumes, 4to, and likewife in 6vo. w Baliman, ( sg ) Eahman*, who lately died at Calcutta, where he had lived with me as a Perfian reader about three years, allured me, that the letters of his prophet’s book were properly called Zend, and the language, Avefia, as the words of the Vedas, are Sanfcrit, and the characters, Nagri ; or as the old Sagas and poems of Ifeland were expreflfed in Runiek letters : let us, however, in com- pliance with cultom, give the name of Zend to the facred language of Perfia, until we can find, as we fhall very loon, a litter appellation for it. The Zend and the old Pahlavi are almolt extindl in Iran ; for among fix or feven thoufand Gabrs, who refide chiefly at Yezd, and in Kirman, there are very- few, who can read Pahlavi, and fcarce any, who even boalt of knowing*the Zend; while the Parsi, which remains almoft pure in the Shahnamah, has now become, by the intermixture of nuinberlefs Arabick words, and many imperceptible changes, a new language exquilitely polilhed by a feries of fine writers in profe and veri'e, and analogous to the different idioms gra- dually formed in Europe after the fubverfion of the Roman empire : but with modern Perlian we have no concern in our prefent inquiry, which I confine to the ages, that preceded the Mohammedan conquefi. Having twice read the works of Firdausi with great attention, iince I applied myfelf to the Rudy of old Indian literature, I can allure you with confidence, that hundreds of Parsi nouns are pure Sanfcrit, with no other change than fuch as may be ob- served in the numerous bhalha’s, or vernacular dialeCts, of India ; that very many Perlian imperatives are the roots of Sanfcrit verbs ; and that even the moods and tenfes of the Perfian verb fubflantive, which is the model of all the refi, are deducible from the Sanfcrit by an eafy and clear analogy ; we may hence conclude, that the Pars! was derived, like the various Indian dialetRs, from the language of the Brahmans ; and I mufi add, that in the pure Perfian I find no trace of any Arabian tongue, except what proceeded trom the known intercourfe between the Perfians and Arabs, efpecially in the time of Bahrain, who was educated in Arabia, and whofe Arabic verfes * Eahman always named Zcratufht with reverence ; but he was in truth a pure Theift, and ftrongly difclaimed any adoration of the fire or other elements: he denied, that the* do fir. no of two coeval principles, fupremely good and fupremely bad, formed any part of his faith ; an 1 he often repeated .with emphafis the verfes of Firdaufi on the proflration of Cyrus and his paternal grandfather before the blazing altar : “ Think not, that they were adorers ofi.rc; for that element was only an exalted object, on the luftre of v. hicli • they fixed their eyes; they humbled themfelves a whole week before God; and, if thy underftanding be ever fo little exerted, thou muff acknowledge thy dependence on the being fupremely pure.” are ( 40 ) frill extant, together with his heroick line in Deri, which many fuppofe to be the firft attempt at Perfian verification in Arabian metre : but without having reoourfe to other arguments, the competition of words, in which the genius of the Perfian delights, and which that of the Arabick abhors, is a decifive proof, that the Pars! fprangfrom an Indian, and not from an Arabian, ftock- Confidering languages as mere internments of knowledge, and having ftrong reafons to doubt the exitlence of genuine books in Zend or Pahlavi (efpecially tince the well-informed author of the Dabiftan affirms the work of Zerat.uflit to have been loft, and its place fupplied by a recent compilation) I had no inducement, though I had an opportunity, to learn what remains of thofe ancient languages ; but I often converfed on them with my friend Bahman, and both of us were convinced after full confideration, that the Zend bore a ftrong refemblance to Sanfcrit, and the Pahlavi to Arabick. He had at my requeft tranftated into Pahlavi the fine inscription, exhibited in the Guliftan, on the diadem of Cyrus; and I had the patience to read the lift of words from the Pazend in the appendix to the Farhangi Jehangiri : this exa- mination gave me perfedl conviction, that the Pahlavi was a dialed! of the Chaldaick ; andofthis curious fadt I will exhibit a ffiort proof. By the nature of the Chaldean tongue mod words ended in the firftlong vowel, like Jhemia , hea- ven; and that very word, unaltered in a fingle letter, we find in the Pazend, together with lailia , night, meya , water, mra, fire, matra , rain, and a mul- titude of others, all Arabick or Hebrew with a Chaldean termination : i'ozamar , by a beautiful metaphor from pruning trees , means in Hebrew to compofe verfes , and thence, by an eafy tranfition, to fmg them; and in Pahlavi we fee the verb zamruniten , to fing, with its forms zamrunemi , I fng, and zamriinul, lie fang ; the verbal terminations of the Perfian being added to the Chaldaick root. Now all thofe words are intergral parts of the language, not adven- titious to it like the Arabick nouns and verbals engrafted on modern Perfian ; and this diftindhon convinces me, that the dialed! of the Gabrs, which they pretend to be that of Zeratuffit, and of which Bahman gave me a variety of t written fpecimens, is a late invention of their priefts, or fubfequent at leaft to the Mufclman invafion ; for, although ;t may be poffible, that a few of their facred books were preferred, as he ufed to aflert, in fiieets of lead or copper at the bottom of wells near Yezd, yet as the conquerors had not only a fpiritual, but a political, intereft: in perfecuting a warlike, robuft, and indignant race of irreconcilable conquered fubjed!s, a long time muft have * . elapfed, ( 41 ) el ip fed, before the hidden fcriptures could have been fafely brought to light, and few, who could perfe&ly underlland them, muft then have remained ; but, as they continued to profefs among themfelvcs the religion of their forefathers-, it became expedient for the Adtibeds to lupply the loft or mu- tilated works of their legiflator by new compolitions, partly from their im- perfect recollection, and partly from fuch moral and religious knowledge, as they gleaned, moft probably, among the Chriftians, with whom they had an intercourfe. One rule we may fairly eftablifh in deciding the queftion, whether the books of the modern Gabrs were anterior to the invafion of the Arabs : when an Arabick noun occurs in them changed only by the fpirit of the Chaldean idiom, as werta, for werd, a rofe, dab a, lor dhahab , gold, or deman, for zernan, time, we may allow it to have been ancient Pahlavi ; but, when we meet with verbal nouns or infinitives, evidently formed by the rules of Arabian grammar, we may be fure, that the phrafes, in which they occur, are comparatively modern ; and not a Angle pafiage, which Bahman produced from the books of his religion, would abide this teft. We come now to the language of the Zend ; and here I muft impart a difeovery, which I lately made, and from which we may draw the moft in- terefting oonfequences. M. Anquetil, who had the merit of undertaking a voyage to India, in his earlieft youth, with no other view than to recover the writings ofZeratufht, and who would have acquired a brilliant reputation in France, if he had not fullied it by his immoderate vanity and virulence of temper, which alienated the good will even of his own countrymen, has exhibited in his work, entiled Zendavefta, two vocabularies in Zend and Pahlavi, which he had found in an approved collection of Rawayat, or Traditional Pieces, in modem Perfian : of his Pahlavi no more needs be faid, than that it ftrongly confirms my opinion concerning the Chaldaick origin of that language ; but, when I perufed the Zend gloflary, I was inexpreftible furprized to find, that fix or feven words in ten were pure Sanfcrit, and even fome of their inflections formed by the rules of the Vyacaran ; as yujhmacan, the genitive plural of yujhmad. Now M. Anquetil moft certainly, and the Perfian compiler moft probably, had no knowledge of Sanfcrit ; and could not, therefore, have invented a lift of Sanfcrit words : it is, therefore, an au- thentic lift of Zend words, which had been preferred in books or by tradi- tion ; and it follows, that the language of the Zend was at lcaft a dialeCt of the Sanfcrit, approaching perhaps as nearly to it as the Pracrit, or other m. popular ( 42 ) popular idioms, which we know to have been fpoken in India two thoufand years ago*. From ail thefe fa<5ts it is a neceflary coniequeuce, that the oldeft difcoverable languages of Perfia were Chaldaick and Sanfcrit ; and that, when they had ceafed to be vernacular, the Pahlavi and Zend were deduced from them refpedlively, and the Pars! either from the Zend, or immediately from the dialect of the Brahmans ; but all had perhaps a mixture of Tartarian ; for the beft lexicographers afifert, that numberlefs words in ancient Perfian are taken from the language of the Cimmerians, or the Tartars of Kipchslk ; fo that the three families, whofe lineage we have examined in former aif- courfes, had left vifible traces of themlelves in Iran, long before the Tartars and Arabs had rufhed from their deferts, and returned to that very country, from which in all probability they originally proceeded, and which the Hindus had abandoned in earlier age, with pofitive commands from their legiflators to revifit it no more. I clcfe this head with obferving, that no fuppofition of a mere political or commercial intercourfe between the different nations will account for the Sanfcrit and Chaldaick words, which we find in the old Perfian tongues ; becaufe they are, in the firff place, too numerous to have .been introduced by fuch means, and, fecondly, are not the names of exotick animals, commodities, or arts, but thofe of material elements, parts of the body, natural objedfs and relations, affedf ions of the mind, and other ideas common to the whole race of man. If a nation of Hindus, it may be urged, ever poflefied and governed the country of Iran, we fhould find on the very ancient ruins of the temple or palace, now called the throne of Jemjhtd , fome inlcriptions in Devanagari, • The following letter is addreffed to the Editor of the Oriental Colle&ions, and inferted in p. 104 of the fecond Number of volume III. of that valuable repofitory : ' Sir, ' It appears that Monfieur Anquetil du Perron, the ingenious tranflator of the Zend- avefta, had colle&ed materials for a Didtionary and Grammar of the Pehlavi and Zend lan- guages. Among other paffages from his celebrated work, it will be fufhcient to notice that which occurs in the Preface to his “ Vocabuiaires des Ancienncs Langues de la Perfe,” Tom. II. p. 423 . “ Mon deffein eft de former un Didlionaire de tous les mots Zends ct Pehlvis qui font dans les livres anciens et modernes des Perfes,” &c. &c. — Could not forne of your foreign correfpondents afcertain whether the materials collected for this work ftill exift ? and, if lo, ■whether they might not be brought to light ?’ If this work adtually remains, we cannot help thinking, that it would be a valuable acquifi- tion to the Oriental feholar, Ihould the learned editor favour the public with it, which we earneflly hope he will, if he has not already done fo. or ( 43 ) or at leaft, in the characters on the ftones at Elephanta, where the fculpturc is unqueftionably Indian, or in thofe on the Staff of Firhz Shah, which exift in the heart of India ; and fueh infcriptions we probably ftiould have found, if that edifice had not been ercCted after the migration yfthe Brahmans from Iran, and the violent fchiftn in the Pcrlian religion, of which wc lhall pre- fently lpeak ; for, although the popular name of the building at Iftakhar, or Perfepolis, be no certain proof that it was raifed in the time of Jemftud, yet fuch a f'atft might eafily have been preferved by tradition, and wc lhall foon have abundant evidence, that the temple was pofterior to the reign of the Hindu monarchs: the cypreffes indeed, which are reprefented with the figures in proceflion, might induce a reader of the Shah namah to believe, that the fculptures related to the new faith introduced by Zeratufht ; but as a cypyef is a beautiful ornament, and as many of the figures appear inconfi fie n with the reformed adoration of fire, we muft have recourfe to ftronger proofs, that the Takhti Jemfhfd was ereCted after Cayumers. The building has lately beenvifited, and the characters on itexamined, by Mr. Francklin ; from whom we learn, that Niebuhr has delineated them with great accuracy ; but with- out fuch teftimony I fhould have fufpeCted the correCtnefs of the delineation; becaufe the Danifti traveller has exhibited two infcriptions in modern Perfian, and one of them from the fame place, which cannot have been exaCtly tran- feribed ; they are very elegant verfes of Nizami and Sadi, on the inftabdity of human greatnefs, but fo ill engraved, or fo ill copied, that, if I had not had them nearly by heart, I fhould not have been able to read them ; and M. Roufl'eau* of Isfahan, who mandated them with fhameful inaccuracy, muft * The following anecdote of this gentleman, originally publithed in the ?' > A?. j) At > cJ'y? tab ^ jc :k W V s 2s* J 9-y L/ &0 0 0 O' & r r ♦ us- \La.* )) % rf. “ In the year feven hundred ninety and one, A world of excellence and genius departed to the refidence of mercy. The incomparable, fecond Sadee, Mohammed Haufez, Quitted this perilhable region, and went to the garden of Paradile, Khojeh Haufez was the lamp of the learned ; A luminary was he of a brilliant luftre : As Mofelia was his chofen refidence. Search in MoSella for the time of bis deceafe.” In explanation of the laft Perfian verfe, it may be neceflary to add, that the fingle letters in the words Klauk and Mofelia, when added together according to the numerical value / t ' ' ' ( 04 ) Ahlee, Anvaree, Nezzaumee, Katebee, and others. — In hiftory are The Garden of Purity, by Mirkhond ; The Hiftory of the Life of Sultaun Akber, by Abu Fazl ; The Ayecn Akbery, written by a fociety of learned men at the inftigation of Sultaun Akber, and containing a hiftory of the Indian empire, which work Sir W. Jones ftrongly recommended a tranflation of* ; The Hiftory of value ofj the Perfian letters, are equivalent to the year of the Hejira 79 1, and of Chlift 134.0, the period of the death of Haufez : it may be thus reprefented ; ♦ c 6oo 1 i 20 r 40 i •S 90 J 30 p 10 791 The difference of dates mentioned here and in p. 30 above, we fhall not attempt to reconcile, but ardently wifli that fome gentleman pofTeffed of the fadt, would communicate it to the public. The engraved reprefentation of our poet's tomb given by Kcempfer, and a poorly executed one it is, is the only one extant that we know of. The venerable monuments, the beautiful buildings, and the ornamental ftructurcs of ill-fated Perfia, unfortunately, as in the days of Sadee, remain a prey to the armies of contending chieftains, or the temporary and cafual abode of rapine andfadlion; that wretched country in the words of the poet, being yet thick “ entangled with tumult like the hair of an Ethiop.” See that beautiful paffage in the preface to ttfie Guliftaun, (edit. Gentii, fol. p. 12. 1. 15, 8cc.) where the moral fage mentions his reafons for quitting his native foil, and commencing traveller. See above, p. 25. and Mr. Hindley’s Perfian Lyrics, Introdu&ion, p.22. * This work we are happy to find has been tranflated into Englifh by that ingenious fcholar Mr. Francis Gladwin, to whofe memory a very confiderable fliare of praife is due, for his un- remitted endeavours to promote the fludyof the Perfian language. Among other things he has favour- ed the Perfian ftudent with a large Grammar of that language entitled “The Perfian Moonfhee," a work replete with information : “ A Compendious Vocabulary Englifh and Perfian,” pub- hfhed in 17 SO ; and fince, by the fame author, in 1797, a counter-part in Perfian and Englifh. But ( 65 ) of Nader Sliauh, by Mirza Mahadee ; The Inftitutes of Timour (improperly called Tamerlane) originally written by Timour him- felf in the Mogul language, tranflated into Perfian by Abu Talib Alhufleini, and thence into Englilh by Major Davy, excellent edition of which has been prefented to the world by the learned Profeffor White of Oxford*. — The “ Bahar Daunufh ; or Garden ot Knowledge; a Romance, by Einaiut Oollah, ’’ tranflated into ele- gant Englilh by Capt. Jonathan Scott, in three volumes, crown 8vo. This work of Einaiut Oollah is a moll highly finifhed piece; and we cherilh the fond idea of feeing the original given to the public by fome Orientalilf who has leifure to luperintend the printing of the work. But operations of this nature fliould not be under- taken without a liberal fubfeription, fince no private gentleman would chufe to rilk the publication of a work, the lale of which might be precarious, and becaufe he might not be reimburfed the expence incurred in conducting it through the prefs, for fcveral years. Mr. Scott, in his addrefs to the reader, fays. Sir William But to return to the Ayeen Akbery : he informs us, in his preface, that ‘ f the emperor Jilaled- deen Mahommed Akber, the fixth in defeent from Timour, was born at Amerkote in A. D- 1542; was proclaimed emperor in 1556, being then thirteen folar years and four months old ; and he died at Agra in 1605, aged fixty-three years and one day, having reigned forty-nine years eight months and one day. His body lies interred in a magnificent maufoleum in the cemetery of Sekundra, near that city. — 1 have rather avoided rendering this Tranflation ftridtly literal, that I might not difguft the reader; but, at the fame time, 1 have endeavoured, to the beft of my abilities, to make the author fpeak in fuch a manner as I conceive he would have done had he written in Englith ; never taking the liberty to obtrude any expreffion that is not to be found in the original, nor omitting any thing that can be deemed in the fmalleft degree effential in the grand delign of the work. In the original, every regulation is intro- duced by a prolufion of fulfome and laboured praifes of Akber, which to an Englilh reader would be inlufferable ; and therefore I have generally fupprefl'ed them. I have alfo entirely omitted Fizee’s poem of about 6 00 couplets, in particular commendation of every perfon who at that time held even the lmalleft office at court ; as from the infignificancy of the fubjeft, it would have made but a poor figure in Englilh prole. * Extracts from this work, relative to theconduft and oolicy of Tupour, are given in this volume. s Jones ( 66 ) Jones has juftly obferved, that prefatory introduClions have been generally omitted by tranflators, though they always contain the richeff ftcres of language, as Perfian authors generally exert in them their &tmoft powers of rhetoric. The Orientalift who may have read the originals of the Preface and Introduction to the Bahar Danufh, knows, that they are efteemed as models of compofition, and very difficult to tranflate.” We fliall mention one more work of this nature, and that is “ The Bakhtyar Nameh, or Story of Prince Bakhtyar and the Ten Viziers ; in a Series of Perfian Tales:” tranflated by Sir W. Oufeley, from a INIS, in his own collection, which he has accompanied with the original text.-— Betides thefe there are innumerable works on Philofophy, Aftronomv, Logic, Rhetoric, and other fciences ; among which Ne- garitlaune Jouinee, the Gallery of Pictures, by Jouinee, a mif- cellaneous ivork upon moral fiibjeCts, in profe and verfe, well calculated to furnifli the ftudcnt with an infinite variety of anec- dotes and faCts relative to the manners and cultoms of the Ealt, and which he will perceive are molt beautifully applied to the purpofe of moral inftruCtion ; and h) j Huzaur yek roz, “ The Tales of a thoufand and one Days,” deferve particular notice. It would be unnecefTary to fay more on the works of the Perfian writers, fince enough has been mentioned to fliew, that the language is neither barren nor uncouth. All that remains to be obferved is, that the following pages were feleCted with a view to facilitate the acquirement of the Perfian tongue, and to render lefs rugged the paths of Oriental literature. 9k ’ AD- ( 67 ) ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. Add to the Note inp. 3. With regard to the ancient languages of Perfia, we may likewife obferve, with Sir W. Gale ley, Or. Coll. II. p. 311, that the chief value of Mr. Guile’s collection conlilts in the numerous Zend and Pehlevi manulcripts, treating of the old religion and hillory of the Parlees, or difciples of the celebrated Zoroalter, many of which were purchafed, at a very conliderable expencc, from the widow of Darab, who had been, in the Itudy of thofe languages, the preceptor of M. Anquetil du Perron, at Surat ; and foine of the manuferipts are fuch as this incjuilitive Frenchman found it either impollible or very difficult to procure. The prin- cipal of thefe were ; 1. TheVendidad Sade; a very large and finely written volume in folio ; of which M. Anquetil du Perron has given a tranilation: Sec Zcndaveffia, vol. I. part. II.— 2. Another large and finely written folio volume, containing the Vendidad Sade, Izefchne Sade, and Vifpered Sade, in Zend; written A.D. 1670.— 3. Another volume containing the Vendidad Sade, with a commentary in Pehlevi.— 4. Another thick 4to volume, containing the above works in Zend, except the commentary in Pehlevi ; together with the Viflafpee Iefcht, in Pehlevi, Pazend.— -5. A 4to volume, con- taining one of the ancient Parli Ravaycts, or traditions.— 6. An octavo volume, containing the Sirouze, in Pehlevi; the Izelchne Karia, and Afrin Gahanbar.— 7. An octavo volume, containing the Neaefchs Iefcht, in Pehlevi and Sanfcrit.™ 8. A volume, con- taining only a few words written in each page, which it appears, were to have been tilled up with explanations Ahom the modern Perfian ( 6s ) Perfian title, Loghat Zend, it may be ftyled a Vocabulary of the Zend Language— 9. A fmall volume, containing a vocabulary of Pehlcvi and Zend ; alio two treatifes on the Pazend language, the Parfi Religion, and Aftrologv.-— 1 0. An odavo volume,' containing the Daroim Sade, in Zend, and in the Indian of Guzerat : this work is part of the Parfi liturgy.— 11. An odavo MS. containing the Purfliefh Pafokh, in Pchlevi.— 12. The Minokhered, in Pehlevi and Sanfcrit.— 1 3. An octavo volume, containing the Yadjerguerd, or a collection of prayers which accompany certain ceremonies. The above works may be fufficient to prove, that neither the Zend nor the Pchlevi are entirely loft, as has been afterted ; but, on the contrary, if thole writings were carefully perilled, a great part, we apprehend, of both tliefe languages, might be prelerved. See alfo the extracts from Sir W. Jones’s lpeech, pp. 38-4/. Page 4, line 24, dele of Page 8, line 4. The oldeft Perfian poems which have come to my knowledge, fays Sir W. Jones, are thofe of Furdoofee, &c.-~ and truly they are the moll ancient Perfian poems we remember to brated Tabari, whom Mr. Ockley, in his Hiftory of the Saracens, properly ftyles, “ the Livy of the Arabians, the very parent of their hiftory,” (vol. II. Introduction, p. xxiii.) is an older compe- tition, and may be conlidered as a fpecimen of the pureft and molt ancient Perfian, after the Pehlevi had cealed to be the prevailing dialed of Iraun. The original work, in Arabic, cannot any were be found complete ; but the Perfian tranflation, which was made Anno Hcgirae 350, (A. D. 961,) has not only prelerved the tradi- tions recorded by Tabari, but contains much curious additional matter, efpecially'on the fubjed of Perfian hiftory and antiquities. the ( ) the religion of the firc-worfhippcrs, &c. &c. This circumflance induced a learned Orientalift to regard the tranflation as more valua- ble than the original. (Vide D’Herbelot, Art. Tiiabari, Tarilk al Thabari.) Tabari died A. Heg. 310 , (A. D. 922 ;) tlie tranflation was made, as above laid, A. H. 350 , (A. D. 961 ;) and Furdoofee, whofe Shah Nameh was generally efteemed the molt ancient Competition in the reformed language of Pertia, died A. H. 411 , (A. D. 102 0. — or 1021, as .mentioned above, p. 16;) lb that the tranflation of Tabari’s Chronicle mutt be allowed to precede, in point of antiquity, the admirable heroic poem of the Perfian Plomer. (Vide Orient. Coll. vol. III. p. 155 .) An extract from this Chronicle will be given in a future part of this work. Page 16, line 6, for is read as Page 24 , Note, line 2 1, for fevera read feveral Page 26, Note, line 3 , for arraged read arranged Page 33 , line 2, for Perfian read Perflan Page 34 , line 3 , for not read nor Page 30 , line 3 , read with the object Page 48 , line alt. read obferved Page 50 , line 3 . In Perlia, India, &c.— That the roofs of the houfes in the Eaflern nations were made flat, with a platform of plalter, and a battlement or baluftrade to guard againlt accidents, in every early times, is evident from the Plebrew Scriptures. Thus, in Deut. xxii. 8. it is faid, “ When thou buildelt a new houfe, then thou flialt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thy houfe, if any man fall from thence.” The Afiatics ufed thefe roofs for various purpofes: Rahab concealed *he two fpies which were fent from Shittim, among the flakes of t flax, ( 70 ) flax, which Hie had laid to dry upon the roof of her home. See Jofliua, chap. ii. It was upon thefe roofs too, that the Aliatics enjoyed the cool of the evening; for it is mentioned, 2 Sam. xi. 2. that “ it came to pals in an evening-tide, that David arofe from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s houie,” &c. Here all’o they performed their devotions. See Ifa. xv. 3. Zcph. i. 5. Acts x. g. In the feafl: of tabernacles they made booths on the roots of theirhoui.es. See Neh. viii. 1(3. Page 51. Genealogy has confequently long being cultivated with lingular attention. —Add the following Note on this paflage : , i That this has been the practice of the Eafterjri nations, from the earlieft ages, the facred writings of the Old Tell ament afford many and abundant proofs : blit there is no neceility to particularize them in this place lince every perfon, who is at all acquainted with its contents, mult be fully fatisfied on this head. It is likewife re- marked by Godwin, that “ the whole body of Ifrael, or the Hebrew nation was divided into twelve tribes, and that public records were kept, wherein every one’s genealogy was registered, to manifeft to what particular tribe he belonged.” Page 52, line 13, read the great Page 6o, line 2 1 , far label read fable the THE FLOWERS GF 1PERSIAJW LITERATURE, DESCRIPTION OF THE GARDEN OF IRJM. Tranflated from uA Jj 1 Tohfet al Mujalis, : ; Jonathan Scott, E(l[. />! ™EY have related, that when , (A Shuddaud, who was Sovereign of (b ~ ) v Yemen, heard the dcfcription of ~ ^ /* Paradilc, he faid, “ To me for ^ ‘ Paradife there is no neceffity ; I,. ^ ^ - * myfelf, will make a Paradife of which any man the like cannot ,&■ l have beheld.” Then he com- 5 T > \Jr* Lf J J *“ (T~v ^ ^ u, u mandcd his officcr * that thc y ** v y “ * ^ fliould explore a fpot for forming A U • a garden. They in fearch to every ^ y fj ^ C quarter h aliened, until a fpot of || _ pleafant air, and elevated in the ^ U * f y borders of Syria they found. Then ) y * yyP ^ an hundred chiefs of his courtiers ,1, , :l A , / he a PP ointcd > that thc J mi § ht * " ^ J*' c C/ ' y bring mailers and fkilful perfons y y 2 from every country and kingdom. Alfo t 72 ) 'jft 7) jy*A fA i )} A >b c«W A> ;> •/ 1 // > J) > +>/ J l -b' ~*-H h tb ■KJJ >- ft* > tr^ v A 0 W/ )) } A&\ft j& >r— ^ % j) i o y**^ ^ ,* ^ Jr? ;,V 4 >-.o J >;r r * ;i A a r-^ ) •V* A Uz? y ^ » * * i*/ , lA ^ y A : /a. ) ) ftk/ As: A ;;; a ; y i < tfj) ;> A * t si « j y / / h y A A c 1 a \ J* ft w. C‘ { xJ ^ J ^AJ a ) ft A- A ftt, >:/ Zf/* a hr ‘A }. SLJ, ) A c A a 'A A'rA A 0 /A'-C* l— ^ Alfo the monarchs of Hind and Greece, and the fovereigns of Ormuz, &c. he commanded, that of gold and filver, and pearls, and precious Hones, whatever in their countries was found, they fhould fend. At length he began on the Hrudlure. A brick of red gold, and a brick of white filver, they layed alternately, and in the join- ings and divilions of them fixed pearls, and precious Hones. They fay, daily, forty kittar of camels, fully laden with gold, and filver, and pearls, and precious Hones, were made ufe of. They eredfed a country palace, containing a thoufand courts, and the walls and roofs all of gold and filver bricks, and round them two thoufand rooms and one thoufand veHibules wore. Alfo all the walls they fet with pearls, rubies, eme- ralds, amethyfls, and other gems. Before each room, having fet up trees of gold and filver, they made the leaves of amethyfls. In the place of fruit, cluHers of pearls having hung ; and on the ground, like fand, mufk, amber, and faf- fron having Hrewed ; between two trees of filver and gold they planted a fruit tree, that to amufe, and ( 1 .xitf tfjj ; Z,r tf's- v 1 c) ] J A-. £}>jf ^f. o- * 0'/ A x cV )i , > Jf L. >f ~J&'hb ^ >^~i» (j^ ^ i )\ y j\% J) } -V ;r. 8 r/: 5 ;/ V ^ O' 1 A* ;X C/A - A* c/ 1 / ^ A ! *?■ ! j . ! ^j *? y jJ ^Oi cA" ^ C^ r ;>-> < ^ A 3 ) and this to be eaten. In jfliort, after five hundred years, it arrived at its completion. This they ftyled the rofe-garden of Irim, and informed the infidel - minded Shuddaud of its completion. Shud- daud, in the utmoft pomp and fplendour, with his attendants and forces, marched from his ca- pital, with defire to view it. When he arrived near it, he de- tached two hundred thoufand youthful fiaves, whom he had brought with him from Damaf- cus, in four divifions, and fla- tioned them on four Ipaces, which they had prepared without the garden. S /,r°^ A V J* £)£ j J \f ) ) ifi? ] s ; ~h £)^ ^ f ,0>! j fl He, himfelf, with his cour- tiers, mounted, proceeded to- wards the garden. As he was in- tending to gallop his horfe, fome one uttered a great cry, fo that Shuddaud trembled within him- fclf. When he looked up, he be- held a perfon of great fierccnefs and majeftic figure, and faid, “ Who art thou ?” “ I am,” an- fwered he, ** the angel of death, and am come that I may feize thy impure foul.” Shuddaud exclaim- ed, “ So much lcifure give me. that u ( n ' j) ~ '^’^' f' ^ ifS ‘jAi -r b 0 J) &A >V?/ / Jy £K*J /, / ^^y- ^ o' A- cW > >-' e ;/- (^r*; y: j (j*?\ J\ t 1 /LlU> J !>* J^U M w«» ./« o y: y: /■ V # '« /✓ f v* A ; 1 C' ^ C-’ T * '/ ) that I may enter my Paradife.” The angel of death replied, “ It is not my order.” Shuddaud, from fear of him, endeavoured that he misrht defeend from his horfe. One foot in the llirrup, the other he attempted, that he might place on the ground ; when the leizer of fouls took away the un- clean fpirit of that guilty wretch, and he fell dead on the earth. Lightnings came forth ; which having burnt the llaves, with whatever was upon the plain, re- duced them to dull ; and that rofe-garden became hidden from the fight of man.. Geographical Extracts from Nozhat al Coloub, by JJ>/ Hamdallah al Mestoufi, a Native of Cazvin. Trandated by Sir William Ouseley, LL. D. \ * %* In the totals of the following calculations the reader will obferve fome difa- greement 3 but they are according to the MS. ♦ # ♦* jf f e.) t ; j' — L/ ;V» f'S ‘ The great fouthern road from Sultanich to Hamadan. FROM Sultanieh to the village of Iahefheh, 5 farfangs. From thence to the caravanfera or inn, eredted by Atabek Mohammed ben Almoziker, 4 farfangs. From hence r ; ji wX-y > wXy <£% (j/a^ ^ V° ''•? >-L -/U^ /) — £l *Ar^ t A X CA/S*^ /** ij^ O^^K O* f M ' ^ r X ^ fc, y cX^ aV 1 *f *-&) c/^V JA a cj ^ t* « ;) C/ 1 "/ ^ f J X w^/ C ^ ) w^'*^ o * * s ^*^ c/at .v- 2 ' ^/r* J /..A;-^ ;; 5 Ar'X I t /^ . » S' '— Xr. . ♦ ( t — 4 » 4 ^ “ J .VW 1 ! •• ♦ V <• C^4 /..a-^ a) X a\/ C/^ cX>^ ^ cAvO 1 * a. ! (j - cA^;^f ^o t’ ; X ; wCy j >X ^ ^ j ;’ ♦ ♦ y uy j> ! j aa ^ ^ A t 'Zs—.if jl >f^r“ W ^ y* .? •Os/ 5 ) thence to the village of Gurgahcr, in the diflrid of Hamadan, \ far- fangs. From thence to the village of Subahi, alfo belonging to the diftrid of Hamadan, 5 farfangs. From thence to Hamadan, 0 far- fangs. Total from Sultanieh to Hamadan 30 farfangs. Then from Hamadan to the Kefri Shireen, or palace of Shireen. From Hamadan to the town of Afadabad, 7 farfangs. (In this road begins the afeent of the mountain of Alvend.) From thence to the village of Kongour, the firff place of Curdcftan, 0 farfangs. From thence to the town of Chemjemal, 4 farfangs. From thence to the town of Kir- man Shahan, 0 farfangs. From thence to the Sofa of Shebdiz (where the ffatucs of Khofru and Shireen are carved in ftone, at a farfang’s diftance on the right hand, and two fprings of water, which turn mills, flow from beneath the Sofa of Shebdiz), one farfang. From Kirman Shahan to Cheka- refh, 0 farfansrs. From thence to the village of Heyar Kavan, 5 farlangs. From thence to the vil- lages of Gireed and Kherfhan, 0 farfangs. From thence to the city of Hulwan, which is the firft of the province of Arabian Irak, to the Kefri Shireen, 5 farfangs. Here we turn off from Flamadan to the Kefri Shireen by the road of Baghdad, as far as the city Kha.- fekein ( re if* i * ^ ^ 1 >- 1“ ; ;! ; /v~^ a l-. *^ - 1' vC Hj jy~^ ~-&'} £■> -O/J •' ' z' 1 * /f . . «-£"/ •> s^»; •v — ,*’v<^ r ~M r w^-v* X } g. — ^ : y^, t ^•J 11 j I « ■■ ^ Cv-~ * **.^>, « > vv^iy • » J S J t ^ ^ . w^l yj' )>A cr* / • « < 5 ^ # ^ ^ *-"0 ^iP ^ ir ^ yA A/ , I > s J J ‘V ✓ ♦ ' ;l ~'' : ~'s ~' y f -■■> ^ * / 1 J:.-~ C } -. , t'L ✓ -/♦ ♦ ^V <■ ;i o^-J'l/ /'-C c' 1 ;l .^(L i ., > r , UM (/* ; w^/ 3/ ^ l • ^/} y 5 ;r . )?/ f~* J _ *♦ s -^ s J J ,X? I J* ^ / Lt* ^ /W* IkL^ ;) * ' W/w • " “ ^ w^-y ;V? peace of God, which place is H vied Nejef, 2 farfangs. Total from Baghdad to Mefhid Nejef, 20 far- fangs. And from Hamadan, 114 farfangs. And from Sultanich, 1 44 farfangs. I» A erv- y 1 c'* ♦# l : /* (/a o C ; >’ ; >y~r* W H; f * J 1 -A-/ A H; i" j ;t JLr) ;> c/j) ; -A-/ < ri ;> -A/ f y 4 ^-' l -a A? UTS* t a >-l, -£>-C The road from Nifhapour to Sarkhefh. From Nifhapour to the village of Bad, 7 farfangs. (Here the road to Heri turns off on the right hand.) From Bad to the village of Jdhakeftery, 5 farfangs. From thence to Rebat (a caravanfera), 23 farfangs. From thence to the Rebat of Abkeineh, 7 farfangs. (Here are two ftcep declivities, of half a farfang each.) From thence to the town of Sarkhefh, 0 far- fangs. Total from Nifhapour to Sarkhefh, 41 farfangs. (h ] ? y .v* cr* (fv o ^ is* y ) ' —A'/ »} (f J IT ;! A; yl jy H; A . ;t Ay & J* cC A t' > ;i A; cA y 1 U? c L ; t f , ;l wAy oA ^ 'V oC 9* c*/ 1 ) Ay v - 4 H; From Meru to Khoarezm. From Meru to the village of Sakkery, 5 farfangs. From thence to Abdan Kunge, 10 farfangs. From thence to the Rebat of Su- ran, 8 farfangs. From thence to the Chah Kbak, 5 farfangs. From thence to the Chah Sahebi, 7 far- fangs. From thence to the Chah Murden, 7 farfangs. From thence to the Rebat Shagird, 7 farfangs. (Of X ( 78 w } l L" j ; j * 1 •; ^ Lf^ Hj r « ;i }' w^/ <^v H; l' 2 J‘ fh ] f £. V c^' /r^ ^ j ^iJf ^ 2 j ’ '—&•) ~ w^/ */» £f' ! r • oij) *-&/ C' } C/*>. 0 ^ ^ r °^ f p ^ 2 ; ! v'jrz* ch* CJ‘ >* yA~~. fT^ l J jt )jj* l» zr ^ 2 'A '-&*) 6 2 'rf^J'k \jr^ ). ^ 2 ;* wX^/ - x' ^ ^ ymJ^/ ;; cA*, ^ ^ w j^ls c^v-l , f;VA f ;/-; j » &) )\?, * w- — ~ } >° c1 ; ) (Of this ftage about 2000 yards or paces are over barren fand ) Frora thence to Sekabad, 7 farfangs. From thence to the Rcbat Tahery r (3 farfangs. From thence to the Rebat Poudneh, 5 farfangs. From thence to the town of Durghan, belonging to the province of Kho- arezm, 9 farfangs. From thence to the town of Khurbend, 7 far- fangs. From thence to the Rebat Dehani Sheer, 5 farfangs. (N ear this are two hills feparated by a narrow pafs through which the ri- ver Jihoun rapidly flows.) From thence to Tednour, 4 farfangs* From thence to. the town of He- zarafp, 10 farfangs. From thence to the village of Zaroun, Q far- fangs. From thence to Rahemfln, 7 farfangs. From thence to An- derfal, 6 farfangs. From thence to the town of Pouran, 2 farfangs. From thence to the city of Ar- kenge (which is the capital of the province of Khoarezm), 0 far- fangs. Total from Meru to Kho- arezm by this road, 124 farfangs* (5 ; H v . i" ;i Jr* t ; ft From Sarkhes, by the way of Balkh, to the river Jihoun, the boundary of Iran. From Sarkhes to the Rebat Jaf- feri, Q farfangs. From thence to Meil- ( 70 ) * « i i . ( »y °V / t * > *i y * s y eT v ! ^ i > 1 7 cA'~ ^S c' ! ^ ^ J j >;’> cAv -A ‘ ^~~A; l • ;• w^/ •) Ajy l ^J> / ♦ ^"V* . _ V 1 t ,- vV^-T j ! ^ » y ^\ J^S jS* £fi'/!r2 y ' sS A J- wT ^liy^ l** JW ; 1 ^Ay d C^'/wU! r.7 ^ ^>A ! 7; " H; l 7 ;* 7 w^/ ;; /T, ^'' r ^ ) t * ^ 1 Mcil-Omry, 7 farfamrs. From thence to the Rebat Nuyami, 7 farfangs. From thence to Afp-i- Shur, 5 far fangs. Thus far the journey is through a finely defert, without running water ; there is not anv water until you come to Derhend, at the diftance of 2 far- fangs. From thence to the town of Merurud, 35 farfangs. From Nifhapour, 70 farfangs ; from Damgan, 152 farfangs; from De- rabein, 200 farfangs ; and from Sultanieh, 202 farfangs. From the town- of Merurud to the Rebat i Sultan, 7 farfangs. From thence to the village of Kuhchayad, 5 farfangs. (The town of Tale can is on the right hand, at the diftance of 0 farfangs. From Kuhchayad to Aub-i-gurm, 7 farfangs. From thence to Kubuter Khaneh (the pigeon houfe), 5 farfangs. From thence to Mesjed Razan, 7 far- fangs. (The city of Far.iab is on the right, at the diftance of 2 far- fangs.) From Aftanneh to the Rebat-i-Kuff, 6 farfangs. From thence to the town of Shircan, y farfangs. (There is a running ftream from Aftaunch to Shircan.) From Shircan to the village of Afilbaran, 2 farfangs. From thence ( SO ) J'y ^Cv' *A V ^ ' \ ^ J? '-&*} ' I ' ^ - f >rv ; y ^ r ;1 w^/ '/ c V" ^ c >: _£.} ^ c ' »,v ! « C'A c ' ; ' ;Vs i j-^t ;,•;,•/* 7 2 —A e ;;V * >J tj* 7" J 1 ' > — - c -' yW) c!y /♦£ > J ^ ',S_< ' ) j * ; _ »♦ , ^a.‘- ;! 4 w^/ ^ ^ j? ;■ 7 , V-" 4 U 2 .V-" *t*/A t ^olLA wO * " - t/ y ^ ^ wP/ thence to the Rebat Aloui, 9 far- mings. From thence to Deftgir-, one farfang. From thence to the village of Paureh, near the bridge Pul-i-Herkfean, 5 farfangs. From thence to the city of Balkh, 2 far- fangs. Total from Merurud to Balkh, 72 farfangs. Total from Sarkhes, 107 farfangs. Total from Nifhapour, 148 farfangs. Total from Damgan, 225 farfangs. To- tal from Derabein (Ruayin), 288 Total from Sultanieh, 334 far- fangs. From Balkh to Siah Kouh (or the Black Mountain), 6 far- fangs. From thence to the river Jihoun, 0 farfangs. Total from Balkh to the Jihoun, 12 farfangs. Total from Merurud, 84 farfangs. Total from Sarkhes, 119 farfangs. Total from Nifhapour (by this road), 160 farfangs. Total from Damgan, 236 farfangs. Total from Ruayin, 2Q0 farfangs. To- tal from Sultanieh to the banks of the Jihoun, 346 farfangs. *** A farfang is a Perfan meafure of length , containing about four Engli/h wiles. By Xenophon it is called 'WCCccicrxyFa. parajanga. I Extracts ( 81 ) Extracts from the Travels and Memoirs of Sheikh Mohammed Ali Hozein. Tranflafeed by Sir W. Ouseley, LL. D. /S ;A * » V* _e 1 /' , i j~‘ £^ }] > ^ ^ l/f i fli* ; c/A ht -A A ur* ;* is^f C' r A f J jl> y ,ur i>: j! # >U iL. ;1 >/• JA*' 1 J~ ] J) ')(>/* ) *)A f\i ^ l wv ! ^ J n- h) ^ / cTv h.5 — / ♦« >/" w*-‘y ! 0 'U:.'.I (/A-i - . ( 0 V* wA’ Arrived at Bender-Abbaffi, and the undertaking of a journey to Hejaz. I WENT on board a fhip ; the fmell of the fea and motion of the veflel affe&ed me with extreme ficknefs, and I fuffered much un- eafinefs : and after fome days came on heavy rains and a great tem- ped ; the people of the fhip had not any hopes of preferving their li\es, but the Almighty granted us his protection, and faved us. Af- ter many difficulties and diftreffes, -we reached one of the ffiores of Omman. The Ommanians, who are for the greater part heretics and pirates, feized the fhip, plun- dered it of all that was valuable, drove the crew into the defert, and went away. The Journey to Mufcat, and from that to Bahrein. Then, after fome days, with considerable fatigue and pain, I reached Mufcat, ( alfo writ- ten bHvw*) which is one of the towns of thofe Ommanians ; and y there ( 82 ) j ) ; > T (/; A A>I A >v ^ r J 1 -^ ; V ^r"( A j p/ oA/* •* A cA 5 A j C/kJ J*J 5 ^ f A j >~A ;* A ^yA A-fl ^ ^ Cfc'" > ^ ^ cr t r' iA,j cA"‘ c ^ C ,T aa A {J^f ; aa ;^ x- • .♦ilx— A^ « « — ) ) y y&f ;/' * ; A. Ay* /^ .? ,/ A A A ^ A JA C l ">Ui there I Rayed one month in order to recover myfelf a little. The proper feafon of that year for mak- ' ing the pilgrimage to Mecca being pall, I prepared with a heavy heart for my return ; and, again em- barking in a veffel, -arrived at the ifland of Bahrein. The inhabitants of that place are perfons of probity and of know- ledge, intelligent in the pure Ara- bic, learned in religion and law, and well verfed in the holy tradi- tions. Among their ancient and learned men was the Sheikh al Iflam Mohammed, with whom I formed a friendly intimacy, and at his requeft protracted my flay there almoft one month. Of this ifland the length is, as nearly as can be computed, ten farfangs, and the breadth four. It is all highly cultivated and plant- ed with palm trees, in general well inhabited, and watered with plea- fant ftreams ; but the air is ex- ceedingly warm, and it is incon- venient from being furrounded by the fea. Arrival at Bender Gong. I then proceeded in a vefTel to the pleafant port called Bender Gong, which is the belt of the O' coafts of Fars ; and thence I under- took a journey through the cool and watered diftriCts of Fars ; and in the courfe of this tour, there were very few places of the pro- vince which I did not vifit. Return ( S3 ) Return to Shiraz. c' 1 ^ ^ j-tr*. cr-- / j _) v. 5> iff jf i 1 (/C >j '?/ ^3’^ >n ' ^ / > l wC. j ^ >H ~\ • f ..IV £^r ; ca y 9>iL^ /,/'-'''* * AM 1 fih) 1 ^ k OV; JL^; c :a. fAr^ ^ k 4 * fV ^ ^ ) ifj^ i \?y j> j *#• cf c>'~* ^"t ^ tf „ ^u.« ^ , p/f* A-- ■ f ^ y * " s^^M >>T £*l* ♦* C^J j pr. /) 2 >y, (fv* >".? ;i ^ j c/J cJ^ &T 9 » aa ; >y, -^V After that I went to Shiraz, and here my mind became fixed upon a favourite objedt, that I might withdraw from the world and the fociety of man, and retire to one ot the mountains, where I could find flicker and water, and lead in peace a folitary life, content with whatfoever Heaven fliould dif- pcnle, averfc from the fociety of men in general, and difguflcd with the worldly flate of things And every where I heard that there were fit places for fuch re- tirement ; in hills where there were caves, and fountains, and fome trees. Thefe places my cu- riofity led me to vilit, and I was preparing to put in execution my defign ot fettling in one of them, but my neighbours and relations oppofed my inclination, and the love of my family, and the friend- fhip of my near kinfmen, had a great effect in preventing me. And I was at Shiraz, when a let- ter arrived from my late father, of happy memory, on the fuperferip- tion of which was written this tetraflich. TetrafEch. ( 34 ) »• »•* • 4 ^A-. i/% ) A J) IS o'k- % ? f x c.' 1 L . & i 1 4 ^ ? ! V /J , ♦ / / ' /" > ♦ 1 / Tetraftich. In my heart, from thy abfencc, I fuffer many pangs : In my worldly affairs, from the difpenfations of fortune, I fuffer many embarraffments : — With all thcle, there is affli 3&S> ® ® ®><9£x® S* 3E><3&<5><® 3* Geographical Account of Zinj or Ethiopia, from or, The Seven Climates. Tranflated by Sir William Ouse ley, LL. D. ZINJ, or Ethiopia, is an ex- tend ve region, chiefly bordered on the north by Yemen or Arabia, on the fouth by the inhabited deferts, on the eaft bv the land of Nubia, and on the weft by Habfheh or Abyffinia. The inhabitants of this country (Zinj) are never afflicted with fadnefs or melancholy ; on this fubject, the Sheikh Abu-al- Kheir-Azhari has the following diltich : “ Who is the man without care or forrow’? (tell) that I may rub my hand to him. “ (Behold) the Zinjians, with- out care or forrow, frolicfome with tipfmefs and mirth.” The ( 85 ) j “'£,{/') „ \ L C « The P^ilolophers have dilco- ^ » LS . • * vered that the caufe of this cheer- ihr 0 ^ *-r r )y* fulnefs proceeds from the influence j/. ... /*i j \ / of the ftar Soheil or Canopus, 0^* 0 « v t'"~ ^ 0 '■ which rifes over them every night. J. y ; < aC* All the Zinjians are defeended from . f ^ [f/ »• Cpf" ' ■** > Zinj, the fon of Cufh, the fon of Canaan, the fon of Flam; and they are called “ the beads of hu- man prey,” or the devourers of men; becaule, that whenever they overcome an enemy they eat his flefh, and all'o, that when difgufted with, or exafperated againft, their king, they put him to death, and devour him. As gold abounds in this country, they make their or- naments and trinkets of iron ; and they fay, that over all thofe who carry iron about them, the devil fhall not have any pow r er, and that it will augment their valour. For the purpofes of war they value oxen as highly as Arabian horfes. Their diet chiefly confifls of the flefh of elephants and ziraffahs. f'* y. o — W U 'yJiJl , >) Ojtf O' to )/■ J LmW J ( A) 2 U k A> (S Oi ] y c; T A O' j'j J' O’ (/!>,>/ (camelopards*). It is faid, that in J J * " v ' this country, there is a certain tree, of which, if the leaves be thrown 0 1J1 J~„A J 'j) y Jir,, OjlU u •• o ';; 1 / - ;; j j) i^ja { >- a/ ! /y! J / "'J) 0^ c; 1 into w r ater, and if elephants drink of that water, they become fo in- toxicated as to be taken with fa- cility. > * The camelopard, called in Arabic ziraffah, isjliled by the Perjtans fhu- tur gau pulunk, as rejembling in many refpecis thofe three animals, the camel (fhutur), the oz (gau), and the leopard or tiger (pulunk). z Anecdote ( 86 ) Anecdote of Yacoub ben Leith, from the ^ f C!^‘ Negaristan of Ali ben” Taifour BustamL Tranflated by Sir William Ouseley, LL. D. The Dynajiy of P erf an Princes , fyled Sojfarians or Safari des, ’ll' as founded by Yacoub the fon of Leith , who raifed himfelf from the humble JJat ion of a copper -fmith to the rank of a fovereign. Having obtained poffefjion of Khorafaun and Taber faun, he was declared rebel by the Khalf Motamed, in confcquence of which he marched with a powerful army towards Baghdad, in the year of the Hejira 26 5 ( A. D. 8?8j, but died on the road, and wasfucceeded by his brother Amru ben Leith. THERE is a tradition, that once Yacoub Leith was fitting with a company of young men, con- vening on the elegance and plea- fantnels of different things ; lie had not yet begun his learch after em- pire, nor exalted the banners of heroifm and bravery. One faid, “ The prettied garments are thofe made of Khatai fatin another, faid, “ The neated head-drefs is the fillet worn in Roum” (Greece or Natolia) ; another declared, “ That the fhade of willow’ trees was the mod agreeable another aderted, “ That the pleafanted of all places were gardens full of rofes and odoriferous plants another declared, “ That of all liquors pure wine was the mod grateful;” another faid, “ That the tones of the ( 87 ) 7 r? VrVC) /L ? 1 ?U U' jKT ijb' ji / y ] A )' J )/ { { x/ K J /7-^ ^ ^ C^r? /..> O' 7? 'T'"/?"' V..; ^/rS Ar^; ^.y **i * < i » ♦ */ \tf.s\:j 7 )f V^ &.//• v ’/ ; Vsy ^ cX/r'V -? *^rx, ^ o'v^' o’^v J ^ ^ o'^' C /!; ; /> JUJt ^U) j*A .^+J\ ' ' Hb ^1L*J1 ^Tp I /: (/•' C.' K> /’ , i.-vwj f u"^ i (j w;! o* crV Vf* o" ^ ' the lute were more pleafmg than thole of other indruments ;” and another afTerted,. “ That for the purpofes of conviviality, a fociety of handlbme young perfons, with elegant manners, was the fitted.” When Yacoub’s turn came, they defired him alfo to fpcak ; he laid, “ The handfomcll drefs is a coat of mail, and the bed covering for the head is a helmet ; the plcafantcd beverage is the blood of enemies, the mod agreeable fhade is that of fpears ; the mod delightful mudc is the neighing of the caparifoned war-horie ; and the mod cdimable companions are warriors and valiant heroes.” Thus it occurs among the verfes of that exalted perfonage, the Commander of the Faithful, the victorious lion of God, Ali, the fon of Abi Taleb, on whom be peace.” Arabic verfes. “ The fvvord and the dagger are (my) fragrant flowers. Contemptible, in my opinion, are the narcidus and the myrtle : Our drink is the blood of our ene- mies ; Our cups their fkulls.” Account ( 88 ) Account of the Invasion of Nubia by the Musul maun^. from j/ Tarikh Aasim Cufi. Tranflated by Sir \Y. Ouseley, LL. D. 4, J *** The Invajion of Nubia, related in the following ext raff, was under- taken by Omar, Who fuccecded Abuhecrc in the 1 3th year of the Hejirah , (A. C. 0Z4,J and held the Khalifat ten years. tA LT" t , } 'd ' *' /» j/- //t v A ♦ , M *_ 0 ~ u X V CAv V* U o--') Ar-V it ^ r , Ai) ^ w- ' y. f -v 1 )/ ci^ J 1 * fv* ^ ^ ^ ;* >>> ^ A )/• ^ >;A — * w^f"‘ 0 ^ /* >bX A z*^ ;) >br. *>> A J^ .V ^ i ^ /. /• a a > A i\ A \ * ^!>l *L*> * ^ 1 // X > ♦ { * (j/'U'k— jl yC y" THEN Omru Aas gave orders for marching into Nubia, and pro- ceeded to that quarter with 20,000 men, or perhaps rather more : and when he arrived in the land of Nubia, he let Ioofe his troops over the country, fo that they were fcattered through all parts, and they plundered and committed flaughter. When the inhabitants of Nubia faw matters in this ftate, they af- femblcd from all Tides, to the num- ber of above 100,000 men, and prepared to meet the Mufulmauns, and engaged them in fuch a man- ner, that the Mufulmauns had ne- ver feen the like — for fo many heads and hands were cut off, fo many eyes pierced by arrows, and fo many fhields and fuits of ar- mour flung away, that they ex- ceeded all calculation. One of the Mufulmauns has declared, “ Never did we behold people more dextrous in managing the bow, ( 89 .) / A ^ jx £) ] s i s/z ^ ^ otf ,y JJ />^!>! — * $)/* /)/. j ) £)''A. ;* ) tf)V CJ^ Arf) if- y-'^X ^}f r* a ^ \f> } > «♦ » , J p' 1 Jsr" A f ) J^vj tj.r r ^ s. ( \j,/: ^ 0 ' l S)j y# o ' 1 s. Mi) j lS^} j/* ^ O'- J> ^ a/ ^ ^Jyj [j\/" j) U sy, *sy % w% wi 1 ^ *y J : 1 k y ^>rr^w ; eU~ v ^ /W> . »^ U ^ - (Jt f / “A -1 ^c*; ^ VA^' A /f ;•. : >>y. °>j a: ~.r e , ~~J LJs^ tfs, r* g'*-" if 'A IT f.„C* A '/* ,* A>/ J;A * |;^.1 y y ^ M u L^J , ( V.A, ^ ; V/* j > >,>f k .(... i .« j & ♦.*> y ^|w 1 ^L'wy ^ * y^v M 7 * -0 rj i ^ ^l* * s THE EXCELLENT POLICY AND CONDUCT OF TIMOUR. From j yft The Inititutes of Timour. Tranflated by Major Davy. A (/; i^i A* ^ ij,f ; J Jhb ^//vrr, fA s » O X ** < »«^J'hA ^ « I a? t v” )y ^ a v„a*~, ^ — : ' v (/A ;rO <■?—. y; W C: ^ ('.'A ^ J A 1 o* A A 3 o^j) A ., ♦♦ , j 4 s y* y4 A> Wh A A- + 2 *^* ^ 5 /.: o^y** (J^J ^ ^‘r r i/w^; ^ jt Al ^ wOf . fa], c^;; IT >; u J^ } y {>/ tfjb w/^y ^>y. y ^y.’ 0 ;u^y i ; ^^' « k* v »«^ *k/ka_»« • < « • ♦ / /: ^ (X*/ ^ .. r ' a 1 J; 1 • y; ;k* j&JU* h/^ iy ««^ /V » Xv V; ;; *^U1 ^5 * ** y~* ! b .-*1, " ' y ¥" °X; -Or / «< *)f $ ^ // A ^i jsf k~X? pr /X cX> c/X ^kU ^ z*1 1? ’jbj/* Af S A}>. \j)f V'A •})h) &J> A'*" the fortune, and the power, which lhall defcend from me to them, may be laic from difcord and diiTo- lution. • \ Now therefore be it known to my fons, the fortunate and the il- lultrious, to my dcicendants, die mighty fubduers of kingdom? ; that in like manner as I by twelve maxims, which I eflablifhcd as the rules of my conduct, attained to re- gal dignity ; and with the afiiftance of thefe maxims couquered and governed kingdoms, and decorated and adorned the throne of my em- pire ; let them alfo adl according to thefe regulations, and preferve the fplcndour of mine and their dominions. \ And among the rules which I cftabl iflied for the fupport of mv glory and empire, the Firll was this-— That I promoted the wor- fhip of Almighty God, and propa- gated the religion of the lacrcd Mohammed throughout the world; and at all times, and in all places, fupported the true faith. Secondly, with the people of twelve dalles and tribes I con- quered and governed kingdoms ; and with them 1 {Irenditened the pillars of my fortune, and from, them I formed my alTembly. By the twelve clalTes I rendered ftrong and permanent the balls and fuperftructure of my government; and I conlidcred thole dalles as the as ( 92 ) -A/*.? & 'y )f* i] j^y C-~~ >)b ( 5 * ^ I'f °^ 1 v W ' • jr* ^ ^>tA w^-A V (jM* ) y 1»U jy. )y ’>•* . . :: .. . •• ,» - 1 0^- j‘ f ] f} o: as the twelve months, as the twelve months, and as the twelve figns of the zodiac, predominating over the concerns of my empire. The frit Clafs. I granted ad- million to the defendants of the prophet, to theologians, and to doctors learned in the laws, and to holy men. And they reforted at all times to my palace, and they beautified and adorned my imperial alfembly by their prefence. And they converfed on facred know- ledge, and on government, and on wifdom : and to them I propofed queflious concerning thofe things which were lawful, and thole which were forbidden. I t. «*> ,Oi .. f)n HrA r? -AA [ i ... \\ y * { LT* J ' (Si \r / A? I \ l‘ a •• c ' r v J** •)*y •w (XrS Alb 'j)f 6 ;/ y jb {yyf* j s^a £)'^) b fljy f/j 'b jyj jyy ( \ . ^ t o The fccond Clafs. Perfons of wifdom, and deliberation, and vigi- lance, andcircumfpcClion, and aged men endowed with knowledge and forefight, I admitted to my private councils; and I affociated with them, and I reaped benefit, and acquired experience from their converfation. The third Clafs. I revered de- vout and pious men: and I implored their prayers in the hour of retire- ment: and I fupplicated their bleff- ings on my aClions. And in war, and in peace, and in my councils, and in my deliberations, I reaped the grcatelt advantage from their mediation. And by them I ob- tained victories in the day of battle. The ( 93 ) ^ (M JjS if a^, j — ^ *!', — ! ^ , i;l / ^ ,.i^ 1 L « W •• ‘ f , f'U cT A" "" U;l , H*' C ;A y w~A?) c ;> vr ; w^V; a AV {}) \ \^ff : j> ^rfy s^i ^ , ♦ c/ av >* lylU-J 0>C^ ^U-J ;! ^&/«, ^ J ; « ® ' y w' M // ^ A- u? .y *^ c^yy. >' y 5 '”'^ ^ ^j?S' , * j* ^LM /" w^ fi A l s f/> a ! A^ & i^U . . I a t a y* p'Ar* ;■ ^A- v }j£}^~' The fourth clafs. The Ameers, and the chiefs, and the commanders of my forces, I admitted to my councils ; and I railed them to ex- alted* dignities ; and I alfociated. andconverled familiarly, with them. And I loved the intrepid war- riors who had given repeated proof* of their courage and abilities. And 1 propofed queltions to' them concerning the art of war, and the various modes ol advancing in the field of battle, and*of retreat in fituation^ of peril, and the me- thods of charging and breaking the lines of the enemy, and of fkir- milhing, and all the other operations of war ; and I placed confidence in them; and I confulted their opi- nions in proportion to their fkill and experience. The fifth clafs. The foldier and the fubjedt I regarded with the fame eye. And the brave and the refolute from amongft my war- riors I diftinguiihed by gifts and by honours. And I treated with dignity an4 attention the rulers and the chiefs of every province and kingdom ; and 1 conferred rewards upon them, and I reaped benefit from their iervices. And I kept my troops in a ftate of readinefs, and I advanced to them their wages even before it E JES W3S V ( 9-* ) JU pj * , ' \J., J ) pb 0 * r~ C^Cv' r , j&/ ;i yj* /;/ c • O" • • • \S £y’ - 71 J > ♦ r ** ’ ■/ j »v ✓ **■**►■ if c * ^ Ip J ot “T > 0 ‘ > *• .•I 0 « ; ■c'O' ,£> J, fi'kj) a )b ^ ^u;ux t ;>V. >*” (/* £rr. J^/^b ),!£ « N «» . S' j\ ] /S. f VV" " r •v~' ^; ut *?/. s > y > s*s. o 1 '*^'.' ft v^izXv 1 i v* f tfljt; / > ;r" tf 1 /; ;r ! rfo w ^-?Lo! ^ ^ ♦« , Jj^vv- 1 (/* /; -V bcj'^% J ^ ! / t*' l^ « J ^ t-"' * V 7 v C- x | " ^ *. * j - r ^ j ) c \ .,'y A A/ « ,♦,* w •.*-1 t* ;’:r .■*-■* 1 i _ • • • ;r y- 0 vv.^ ^ ^ \ f jL j *■ >Wv'- D Cv- &A ^ ^ (jt/ (/'^ *-&** /?rr at* •« a* ^ ♦♦ va A a J Uy ^ ^ Uz. J '^Vv r -< « r ,v/ £*' ^ >* tf 1 *- U>!, ^ (j'-i’tj; C^^T* "¥’ A (^* Ci'^lc, V'/ A ) ^> U -^ ^ W** 1 )»> sn 0^*K) (>/*- tA ('/ /A C ?V ^ ^ ■f\>\ cJk The feventh clafs. By tl;c viz- zeers, and the fecretaries, and the fcribes I gave order and regularity to my public couneils. I made them the keepers of the mirror ot my government ; in which they {hewed unto me the affairs of my dominions and my empire, and the concerns of my armies and my people. ^.nd they kept my treafury ; and they fecured- plenty and prof- perity to my foldiers and to my fubjccts. And by proper and fkilful meafurcs they repaired the diforders incident to empire ; and they kept in order the revenues and the expences of government ; and they exerted themfelvcs in promoting plenty and population throughout my dominions. The eight clafs. Men learned in medicine, and thofc {killed in the art of healing, and aftrolo- gers, and geometricians, who are efiential to the dignity of empire, I drew around me. And by the aid of phycifians and chirurgeons, I gave health to the fick. And with the affiflance of affrologers, I afeertained the benign or malignant afpect of the liars ; their motions, and the revolutions of the heavens. And, w 7 ith the aid of geometricians and architects, I laid out.gardens, and planned and conftructed magnifi- cent buildings. The ( 9<> ) L/ cr^ # ^ ^ p^j )/> &>) ^ -'/, £jw ^^.r; C ^- 1 J 1 ^ , . . ^ - IU pV~^ o - A^/" , ^jliuJ ^tMy C/ 2 ^ ^ U*l . y £)'ir°> c^ : V AV’ ;t - 0 19 Jb \& w ; > W> '» A ' ',? " V'tJ u VV" A' j) J fy’i >Xf- 1 A- ) J: L? The ninth clafs. Hiftorians, and fuch as were poflcflcd of information and intelligence, 1 admitted to my prefence. And from thefc men I heard the lives of the prophets and the patriarchs ; and the hiftories 'of ancient princes, and' the events by which they arrived at the dignity of em- pire, and the caufes of the dcclcn- iion of their fortunes. And from the jijrratives and the hiftories of thofe princes, and from the manners and the conduct of each of. them, I acquired experi- ence and knowledge. And from thofe men I heard the deferiptions and traditions of the globe, and ac- quired knowledge of the fituations of the kingdoms of the earth. The tenth clafs. I united mv- felf with holy and pious men, with ' thofe to whom the Almighty had given wifdom ; and I aflociated with them: and I heard from them the word of God ; and I acquired knowledge of the bleftings of a fu- ture ftate. And I faw them perform miracles and wonderful things : and I reaped delight and fatisfluftion from their converfa- tion. The eleventh clafs. I brought into my palace artificers of every denomination ; and I admitted them into my camp ; that both at home and abroad they might fupply and keep in readinefs, the ileceflaries requifttc to rav foldiers. The ( 97 ) bA» ^ 4 C f | • { 'V s of Af i /f i N e^ w * 4 > A> j ■ < / r-f 4 . ♦ r S> y 1 . ~ ..1 y y (J i 4 V (■- .• W.P X, • J y *y ,.lb L/ • » enr cf C j ; 1 J ♦ ^ i „ > j «L- / y 0" ^ O' 4^ 7 y / J y ✓ > >,J A 0'"* cA^. bA> cfi ~~A? iij l A w/A-; '-A/ >;U ;ty/ »;;/ A' y * >' ^ [A )A Or% >;/ ( A’ £r* 0 ~ ;>. V jAjS byj ^ j? ^ j? ^ ^u ^ ^ j,yXL Vx w^"' j?*b fis. < 1^ .. * • . 1 y * •• *« ^ ^/^■^wws^ 4 " ^ J ^ & -?/* j ' * z < rj > >?r. (/* if -rr* ; A foS (/A 'A c Vo A fVJ>^ ;A ;?. U< ;' ;,v fr; C7 'A ^ o A 4 4 ♦♦ «’ A )» k JliiJU 0 • I ^ / ♦ I ivv- l C** y; L/ •• ^!> '*>£./) f f Ar* y: ;r A 1 'A i/.vV. ^ r o'^.i A (/V* -rA CJ^'^ > , AV ;?• C^' V'A A A,;('•^ , O'^. 1 i^AA ; *-A uA /^ cAA;5’ ; } cA ; J .‘,c/^ ' CT J j (A* /H ( *tbtvwU^ 4 VwV ^ 4 ) By order and by difeipline I re- gulated the concerns of my go- vernment.; and by difcipline and by order I fo firmly eftablifhed my authority, that the Ameers, and the Vizzcers, and the foldiers, and the fubjedts, Could not afpire be- yond their refpective degrees ; every one of them was the keeper of his ofvn Ration. ' I gave encouragement to mv Ameers and to my foldiers, and with money and with jewels I made them glad of heart ; and I permitted them to come into the banquet ; and in the field of blood they r hazarded their lives. And l withheld not from them my ? gold nor my filver. And I educated and trained them to arms ; and to alleviate their fuffcrings, I myfelf fliared in their labours, and their hardfhips ; until, with the arm of fortitude and refolution, and with the unanimity of my chiefs, and my generals, and my warriors, by the edge of the fvvord I obtained poffeffion of the thrones of feven and twenty kings ; and became the king and the ruler of the king- doms of Eraun and of Tooraun; and of Room, and of Mughrib, and of Shaum ; and of Miffur, and of Erauk-e-Arrub, and of Ajjum ; and of Mauzinduraun, and of Ky- launaut ; and of Shurvaunaut, and of Azzurbaucjaun ; and of Faurs, and of Khoraufaun ; and of the Duflit of Jitteh, and the Dufht of Kinchauk : 4 9 ( 9.0 ) * ' / ^ jt > f 0 7 s. } (!. '&y> j> c 1 - i/’b if } ] c ' jj/ c o ^ rV J * L'WVV fir f JU )' fj .1 ll ; m f'jf f. } OL' VVwJ (if ( / y^i •\ / I rf f~- J . j j* • 0 ■' ;l r f Jdi* U 5 r> ) • ♦ ) IAj I (✓ M «• Wv< cr Kipchauk ; and of Khauruzm, and of Khuttun, and of Kaubooliftaun; and of Hindoftaun, and of Baukh- tur Zcmccn. When I eloatbed myfclf in the robe of empire, I (hut my eyes to fafety, and to the repofe which is found on the bed of eafe. And from the twelfth year of my age I travelled over countries, and combated difficulties, and formed enterprifes, and vanquiffied armies, and experienced mutinies amonglh my officers and my foldiers, and was familiarized to the language of difobcdience; (and I oppofed them with policy and with fortitude ;) and I hazarded my perfon in the hour of danger ; until in the end I vanquiffied kingdoms and em- pires, and eftabliffied the glory of m} name. By juftice and equity I gained the affections of the people of God ; and I extended my clemency to the guilty as well as to the inno- cent ; and I palled that fentence which truth required : and, by benevolence I gained a place in the hearts of men ; and by rewards and puniffiments I kept both my troops and my fubjedts divided be- tween hope and fear. And I compaffionated the lower ranks of my people, and thofe who were diltreffed. And I gave gifts to the foldiers. And I delivered the oppreffed from the hand of the oppreffor ; and after proof of the oppreffion, whether on the property or the pc rib n, the dccifion which I paffed Si between «■ Cl Cl ( 100 ) between them was agreeable to the facred law. And I did not caufe any one perfon to fuffer for the guilt of another. Thofe who had done me inju- ries, who had attacked my perl'on in battle, and had counteracted my fehemes and enterprifes, when they threw 7 themfelves on my mercy, I received them with kind- nefs ; I conferred on them additi- onal honours, and I drew the pen of oblivion over their evil actions. And I treated them in fuch fort, that if fufpicion remained in their hearts, it was plucked out entirely. f^f*b ) 1* .. ^ *s 1 ) j J « i / y / / ■ ♦ ♦ */ > if A /.) {}) J f:/*. j ? bcJ^-b f^b^f LT^ » ^ s\/ )\rb ft? j> bftft ft nft y [" U v A s> > *V ft 4^0*. CA (^ (jT ft » *• Ji I * . 1/ ( ;r ; ! (ft// ft ^ )^ a i A. ft ft erft /.) () y . t <* ft * ft btfft ) ft ftft J''*- /ft l (iftft ft * ♦♦ ^ * # >•? yr CT* ft* -> ft ft tft r ft A b-ft fft *J ft 2 )b fvft ft"* bcJ-K ft.. ^ —? ^jiGl jAy w-^ ft b fft ft^b (ft efts, ftft ft ft) ft)) ftft Jib w?>- / A Y ft 'r' ft ft J j )?. ft ? ft eft jV u~A ) ] ft )ft y* \+* ^ «* ♦♦ * r~h their infinuations to the prejudice of others. I adled with refolution ; and on whatever undertaking I rc- folved, I made that undertaking the only object of my attention : and I withdrew not my hand from that enterprife, until I had brought it to a conclufion. And I acted according to that which I faid. And I dealt not with feve- rity towards any one, and I was not oppreffive in any of my acti- ons, that God Almighty might not deal feverely towards me, nor render my own actions oppref- five unto me. I enquired of learned men into the laws and regulations of ancient princes, from the days of Adam to thofe of the prophet, and from the days of prophet down to this time. And I weighed their infti- tutions, and their actions, and their opinions, one by one. And from their approved manners, and their good qualities, I felccted models. And I enquired into the caufes of the fubverfion of their power, and I (banned thofe actions which tend to the detraction and overthrow of regal authority. And from cruelty and from oppref- fion, which are the deftroyers of pofterity, and the bringers ot fa- mine and of the plagues, I found it was good to abftain. D D The ( 102 ) OoT J ^ >;/ ^ ^e^ 1 c^r~^ ^ £-V"j> z)/* S.) (~~ ’> v f 7 ^ i? 1 ; ^ 4J r /o^ ^Ah Jh ^ CT,'fj ^jA> %}/* tyf) f>/ o^ f ^ C^’ s. C^ 1 ^ A* a fj^ J'r 1 :? > ! 'jA.y Afb (>?. f cr^ ^> xU " 4 j) ^A}j t f ^ i • ; 1 ^ 1 =*/ J - r>/ h^» "V^ J w > j JK« £?y, £)A.' £)\:+ j ) ~ j i ,/ 1 * yS. >j f aA cf * *>?' ] )(j—A /y* f* J 1 4 ] > fyr r>/ 4 ^ «> / ^' } w/-; W^C (/•y K'CJ^.. £ A/. sA j ) The fituations of my people was known unto me. And thole who were great among them, I consi- dered as my brethren ; and I re- garded the poor as my children. And I made myfelf acquainted with the tempers and the difpofi- tions of the people of every coun- try and of every city. And I con- tracted intimacies with the citi- zens, and the chiefs, and the nobles, and I appointed over them governors adapted to their man- ners, and their difpofitions, and their wiflics. And I knew the circumftances of the inhabitants of every pro- vince. And in every kingdom I appointed writers of intelligence, men of truth and integrity, that they might fend me information of the conduct, and the behaviour, and the actions, and the manners, of the troops and of the inhabitants, and of every occurrence that might come to pafs among!!: them. And if I difeovered aught contrary to their information, I inflicted punifhment on the intelligencer^ and every crcumftance of cruelty and oppreflion in the governors, and in the troops, and in the in- habitants, w 7 hich reached my ear, I chaftifed agreeably to juftice and equity. Whatever tribe, and whatever hord, whether Toork orTaucheek, or Arrub or Ajjum, came in unto me, I received their chiefs w T ith diftincton % ( 103 ) CM ip> ^s^'J yd: > d h • riy* Jdy i ;ii, i J H CJ^.} (x »• wiv I j* >/ (/’ LT a y ifyiy r y ! .? ! ,* < ^ / j j > ijKv c rA> f)/ d^y y c? v y * ^ »» c/* (j/* effect y )/ (J J ) Uj 'f ~ 1 ^y/*y if'rt) {’/ dd? Cj\dh dd> y* l f J S’ J ^ I ^ LvW 1 ytw'’ !j f y V'V' ' ) (yy ; v^ 1 ;^ c/'VV b pX ’;' ^'C/'—J ♦ ♦ fj 5 M f ; ^U> ^ ijdfy f)/* d d^} cr~iy y x >J ■.*-.!• t f ;> o r tf* ,v yp fX ^ (Jy i V 7 diftin&ion and rcfpcft, and their followers I honoured according to their degrees and their ftations. And to the good among them I did good, and the evil I delivered over to their evil actions. And whoever attached himfelf unto me, I forgot not the merit of his attachment, and I acted to- wards him with kindnefs and gc- nerofity : and whoever had rendered me fervices, I repaid the value of thofc fervices unto him. And whoever had been my enemy, and was afhamed thereof, and flying to me for protection, humbled himfelf before me, I forgot his enmity ; and I purchafcd him with liberality and kindnefs. My children, and my relations, and my affociates, and my neigh- bours, and fuch as had been con- nected with me, all thefe I dif- tinguifhed in the days of my for- tune and profperity, and I paid unto them their due. And with refpcct to my family, I rent not afunder the bands of confanguini- ty and mercy ; and blued not commands to flay them, or to bind them with chains. 4 And I dealt with every man, whatever the judgement I had formed of him, according to my own opinion of his worth. As I had feen much profperity and adverfity, ( 104 ) ff'bs. fih) '/.:f h>y" v 5 'v — / k> - if «« • *4 k cA wit ♦ > r j ^ « >/ c/ cr (j M / I ^ if J (j— : v C ] > )f ^ t /r~. ;r. Uj a o"* fs cJf' f^b ^y.i >f x^ ^b f* [ ^' U> *zAf>> cfb - */ d*?*') bifjb *> ;>A ^ U.; A ^ ;/ ; ^'V b ex/~^ V- c^?. ^>” ^ £a-^ a/ * J>^ ,,u ^ ) s+ J c- adverfity, and had acquired know- ledge and experience, I conduced myfelf with caution, and with po- licy, towards my friends and to- wards my enemies. Soldiers, whether aflociates or adverfaries, I held in efteem ; thofe who fell their permanent happi- nefs to perilhable honour, and throw themfelves in the field of daughter and battle, and hazard their lives in the hour of danger. The man, who drew' his fword on the fide of my enemy, and committed hoftilities againf: me, and preferved his fidelity to his mailer, him I greatly honoured ; and when fuch a man came unto me, knowing his worth, I claffed him w’ith my faithful aflociates ; and I refpected and valued his fi- delity and his attachment. And the foldier, who forgot his duty and his honour, and in the hour of action turned his face from his m after, and came in unto me, I confidcred as the moft deteftablc of men. When I rc-eftablifhed the faith and the holy laws, I then began to* form my civil regulations ; and by law’ and by order I ftrengthened my government. And the regulations for ( 105 )> JS\ r forgiving ftability to my govern * / , f I . ment, I formed in this manner: ' U* r c'. > . (v d ‘ cAa v;r > W ,.. - .,' , ' 'r’^-b J[ f b j * y^' ■ I ? [f-? U I ® yy’^ * 2 '^' * b ^ ^ w/y/'y O'* ;; >r. ; Cf/♦ Firft, I kept firm the foundation of my powerby thetruereligion,and by the laws of the prophet, and by the love of the defeendants and venerable companions of that holy legifiator ; and by regulations and by order I fo fccurcd my regal au- thority, that no one had the power to interpofc in mv govern- ment. u Secondly, I kept my foldicrs rut, j/, 1 and my fubjedts lufpended between [ hope and fear; and conducting myfelf towards my friends and my j) bc/"» t jU/ ^1, f^)'J J! J^'i JS cf. '* > ^ 'n ; 1 LTAi bt)^» *i)S \ tr'i . L/ ♦ ^Cu by, b" bo *hy cA v ; b ’ J O 7 J* -r 7 o* >' v $is. 'SJ ' /^V >•;> ^ humanity, I either over-looked or patiently bore with their words and their actions. 4 Whoever. whether friends or ed them in fuch fort as tended to encreafe their friendfliip ; and if thev were enemies, I fo con- j ducted myfelf towards them that their enmity was fpeedily con- verted into affection. Whoever had a demand upon me, I attempted not to diminifh the value thereof: and thofe whom I perfonally knew, I threw nojt forth frdth my prefence. E F And { io 6 ) ft*' ^ ft* Cr* * ] f ft, (S> *\) •• **• * >W/vwV x* ft yft >;r. hr. *)/ ijftr eft* .•IsP ?\ l •Ujl J* WvJ I ♦ ft ft/ A? A' G' 1 0,/ C (Aft £jftJ \jft^ c ^,/? (J >; ^ \&u t . f)/v~ 0/ ft VIA "♦ And whoever, from the firft Aiming forth of my fortune and power, had fought my protection, worthy or unworthy, whether their conduct towards me had been good or evil, when I afeended the throne of empire, I Vaufed them to blufh by my bounty and kind- nefs ; and I confidered as undone the evil which they had done unto me, and I drew the pen of oblivion, over the regiffccr of their actions. Thirdly, I never gave way to the thirft of revenge, nor did I ever fatiate my refentment on any one. Thofe who had injured me, I delivered over to the juftice of the Almighty. e 1 '^ ^'-r^ -A/ fylUi, (/!>, V, J~>l ♦ ft~^ jftb (ft ^ ) ft' ft eftft ^ ^y vs >• f/"* J /* f ; vJ U^ , ir. / /*• / >--l ♦ A\ (T s >~ j / j? ^ ** yj #> # ♦ / ♦ K 1 / * ** * ^ T ^ c V / o 1 ^ » >1 J^aJ ;! U 1 if/*-. < t j? >;k^-V u^f » -Zh f f Cy \)\J^' fo; ^ )r *^ ;— J # y i/v^y^y^ ^k ! /’ J* Ait n ■>(/* >;-r*r.. ^ \j'rf i c ; ;1 ;; / ^ A J^t C I commanded that all concerns appertaining to the imperial dig- nit)’’, the regulations of my do- minions, and the difmiffion, and the changing, and the appointing of armies and of officers, and all confultations and plans of opera- tion fhould be communicated unto me in my felect counfel. And I commanded that a confi- dential fecretary (on whofe fe- crecy dependence might be placed) ffiould at all times attend, and minute down with the pen of in- tegrity the fecret tranfactions and deliberations. And I ordained that writers of the general council Ihould be ap- pointed, and that they fhould re- lieve each other in the hall of the council, and that they ffiould write down and preferve full and exact accounts of every matter and of every bufinefs which ffiould j be fettled and determined therein : and that all reprefentations made unto me, and all orders iffiied by me, and every matter which was debated in council, ffiould be writ- ten and inferted in the narrative of my tranfactions. And I ordained that to every de- partment of the departments of government an accomptant ffiould be appointed : and that he ffiould keep a journal of the daily ex- pences, and of the receipts and dif- burfements. I regulated my conduct by Twelve certain Maxims : and by them I feated myfelf firmly on the ( 103 ) b* *./f v f . »» ,s» »s i — ' /i k ^ J I /■*’ D ;r^ y) ^ >H J&!> c^; yj ^ * ; 1 > ' v . J. 4 1 ^rv; °V' (/^'* )/ / ^ j* \ o ^ L i /j _/w ) j* / »♦ / •♦ / y V » 1 J ^5* •A' ^ « ,.wk»- 1 yV *T„-* , *£■ y^Cv— * (A - C* — \ , . ^ j CCtT •IM / » # » X > > r A s' ifr. C/A? y V / lt x ;l ♦ 0^ ;) -/ ^'/. ; l-l >j:^ > ^ikU ;r .l ;b/ > M >,/Jli, ✓y j ../— >» l 1 y^iaXs f^»J) sSn ^ ^ e ^A. > SJ) fi ^ *J* ^ T •*-' v ^ / A »; . »/ ^ UJ! the throne of empire. And from experience it is known unto me, that every prince who adhereth not to tlicfe Twelve Maxims, lhall reap little advantage from his do- minion and regal llation. Firft. It is neceffary that his words and his actions be his own, That is to fay, that his foldiers and his fubjedls may know that what the king faycth and doeth, he faycth and doeth from himfelf ; and that no other perfon hath influence therein. Therefore it is requifite that a king be not fo guided by the con- duct and the counfels of others, as to make them his affociates in his regal authority. For although he be obliged to hear good advice from all, yet he muft not to that degree attend to them, as to ena- ble them by their meafures and their councils to become his equals, and in the end his fuperiors, in the concerns of his government. Secondly. It is neceffary to a king that he adhere to juflice in all his actions, and that he receive ministers w ho are juft and virtu- ous. For if a king be guilty of op- preftion, an upright minifter may counteract the evil thereof. But if the minifter be unjuft and cruel, it fhall fpeedily come to pafs, that the edifice of his mailer’s pow 7 'er and dominion fhall be levelled w ith the earth. Thirdly. ( log ) Jl&U'J j) ^ d f ) >s. A, / >-w c^; l;^ A ^ /£* i >,J Jb ^ c ;T ^ £P; A ^.; p yj f;Vs ^ ^ tfA 4 4 ✓JO > :H > l t « yC y^, A> ;l ft d )\ oo <% ^ \j\.A d f Z ' 7 d ^ d. Jyf Q .* '-'''£’ I ^|L,P^ ' y*-w*v 4 )f J\: j jyp U, J (/ J >A (jrk? 4 Jr - ;tA ^ J- / ♦ ^ Q? » ^ S )h ) i } ,dZ ( f' Jr. *-h' °y -O T IT >>" J-C £'// »/ ^>f. / >1 ^ C V — -"' y> » C/*A ^ ^v & fS /-• ;* s w^* ;J« ♦ • * >;;r y c/ yf ^ly\ ^ 4j/ ^ c" 1 ; ^ -* >/V^ ^ ; , /' ) /? V°^A v ^ ^ ^V, v. (//s? Seventhly. On the affairs of his government he muff lifien to the opinions of his fervants : thofe which are good, he muff lay up in the treafury of his heart, and call them forth into action at their proper feafons. Eighthly. In the concerns of do- minion, and in thofe things which relate to his fubjcdts and his foldi- ers, he mult not a6t by the affiftancc and the advice of others. If his Vizzeers or his Ameers fpeak unta him concerning any one, whc- . ther that which they fay be good, or whether it be evil, let him hearken unto them ; but in form- ing his determination thereon let him be cautious and circumfpect, until the truth be apparent unto him. Ninthly. It is neceffary that the majefty of his dominion be fo- imprelfed on the hearts of his fol- diers and his fubje&s, that none lhall dare to difobey his orders and commands, or to revolt from their duty and obedience to his royal authority. Tenthly. What the king doeth he muft do from himfelf ; and he mull: adhere to that which he fay- eth : for unto a prince there is no- thing fo valuable as a juft venera- tion for his royal word. This word is unto him a family ot princes, and a rich treafury ; it maketh ( 111 ) f ^ iU 4 j 4 4 •« C*'"' ' /y V y >V- 1 . ♦ 1 1*.’ ! y \ - &/') ty' )■> >1, y. b„* W /* ! , ,s\t y*^ ' J , A Jt J J‘ frJb) >H c!ri ;jV /^ ^ y} t jhj/ jlj ,cA^j * jf. h'JM v*’ 1 jf c ^l fv } £/* /. ^ St/\ Jt 1 > j if^ CJX C>T c y ' y ) / +\ u/f* >;r. cr* hh: if// *-&* J) O^a && J 0 ^ $Y (J*?., ' J/*^ >Vv (/ ybi J ( ^ )f AS V f jr ] J ) Jy f)A /. >&*'/> (J'&S i JoXp D /j\ IT & A.* a u/^ aMj (>// maketh to him numerous fubjccts and powerful armies. Eleventhly. In the affairs of his government, and in the ifluing forth his orders and commands, he muft confider himfelf as fingle and alone ; nor muft he affociate any one with him in the admi- niftration of his authority. Twelfthly. He muft be ac- quainted with the manners and thedifpofitions of his favourites and his confidents. And he muft act with caution and circumfpection : for many are lovers of Hander and of calumny, w 7 ho may carry reports abroad, and communicate to the Vizzeers and the Ameers the w ords and the adcions of their prince. Thus, it once happened unto me at a time when feveral of thofe^ whom I admitted to my private council proved to be the fpies of my Vizzeers, and my Omraus. When I firft entered upon the reduction of kingdoms, I firmly adhered to four certain maxims. Firft, in thofe things which ap- pertained to the acquisition of do- minions, I acted from deep delibe- ration, and from mature counfel. Secondly, I ufed reflection, and caution, and circumfpection, that I might not err in execution. And fuch was the favour of the Almighty, that every determina- tion which i formed, proved in the ( 112 ) A (A* A Jt j C-A c 1 ^ »,/ -/r 1 ^ if-^' f)/ o^' A/* {)/* *)/?')**?', fxr Cr** )/' ^)S) £ [ ? 2 JA A'A J?~ ! j) C/A.A ~C oAJ ^ ^ Ax if A* Ax cr ;x ^C A cAA Ay; r. V ^ ^ A >YwC-< ^•‘i AA c ,T ^ ^ /. A cA >A A ^ s. l 1 " cY; m (/ / I ♦ ♦ (/;®j rtf JjiXj x '. ^~l 1 A Y *1. /r* * )/ )•> ^ ^v v ' / 4 ^ J ^ ^ J * r A j//" r yt ~ r Fourthly, I poftponed not till to-morrow the bufinefs of to-day. When lenity was necefiarv, I act- ed with lenity; and in the hour of feverity I w r as fevere. At the time when delay was policy, I acted not with precipitation ; and w'hen expedition was neccffary, I was not guilty of delay : and the bufinefs which could be concluded by ad- drefs and negotiation, I committed not to the fword. I alfo ordained, that the fervant of the foe who w as in the confi- dence of his matter, and, w'ho in times of war and fervicc, vibra- ted ( 113 ) l* »« • | » ^ * I >> (Jr; )f w- ^ > crr* , Z ;(/ / j r; ijf / fc . > " . ♦ ^ " >’;/ ;; ’vcT 2 ^ f* &' J> ^crJ/' j^jsj 5, > >y i/M bCjh? S (J )}J ^ c ^ ;;; ♦ f • ^rr - a/' a '■^r^ (j/~A •• v^"« ; c/^A (/*/-) ^ a j ^ '*~*' * A~'^ (J ^y V. WV; V U> r/* . r t . J*‘ ^ CyUwJ A ^ AA” >A' c A-r~% ^ / V ;* ^ *>; c/* C'^ ># ;r. ^ /V ^ f;/ . cA — ^ £) ]/ ^ *)) *r+ / ♦ 1 1- — A\ a **~ Up tjCi+s ^ W' - «« j J>dS d~ l - nr. s d l f ; 'A } , , r>/ (/• uA > g-~ f'*- *'^' 1 • ^Jr. ^ ^ d f ! r * , • t J 'Z 's brated the chain of friendfhip with the enemy of his prince; and who forgot the facrcd ties of lord and of fervant, and the fidelity due for the fait and the bread which he had eaten ; and w'ho drove to make the enemy of his m after the conqueror of his mafter; I ordained that fuch a wretch fhould never be admitted into my fervice. Time fhall hereafter intlid; upon him his reward. On the day on which I con-.- quered the kingdom of Tooraun, and mounted the throne of empire in the capital city of Summurkund, I conducted myfelf in the fame manner towards my enemies and my friends. The Ameers of Bud- dukhfhaun, and other Ameers of Kulhoonaut, both Toork and Taucheek, who had done me in- juries ; and who had practifed de- ceits upon me; and who had drawn their fvvords in oppofition unto me; and who were alarmed by the re- membrance of their evil conduct ; when they fubmitted to my au- thority, I received them with fuch kindnefs and courtcfy, that they blufhed at my generofity and goochiefs. And to every one, whom I had injured or diftreffed, I made com- penfation ; and I balanced the dif- treffes which he had buffered, by kindnefs and by gratuities 1 ; and by proper marks of my favour I conferred honour upon him. G G And ( 114 I /\ j, ;lA s. c >' j) ryt . ♦ w J y !U* / *P l V W- > ^ & ,«it L/ y i 1 > ^ ) , ♦ -*> , > * '}.'•' [ J ' i y ^ k $ „ * ju-j * jf : t ir»/'2 C r /f/VJ * \ ! » /J S' And to thofe who had envied my fortune, and who h ad endea- voured to fubvert mv pow- er, I conducted myfelf w’ith fuch kindnefs and generofity, that they were confounded at mv goodnefs, and funk under the fenicr of their own unworthinefs. And my friends who prefented themfelves before me, thofe who* had ever adted in fub million to my will, 1 confidered as the partners of mv fortune : and I regarded not J O the riches and the wealth w'hich I conferred upon them. Everv kingdom which I re- duced, I gave back the govern- ment of that kingdom to the prince thereof ; and I bound him in the chains of kindnefs and ge- nerofitv ; and I drew unto me his obedience and fubmiffion. The refractory I overcame by their own devices ; and I appointed over them a vigorous, and fagacious, and upright governor. The bafe and the abject I con- fined within their proper bounds ; and I permitted them not to exceed the limits preferibed them. And on the nobles and the grandees I conferred pre-eminence by exalted dignities ; and I threw open the portals of equity and juftice in every country ; and I clofed up the avenues to cruelty and opprelfion. I ( 115 ) C '' » ^ Cf. V J y ) y *l t lb « >4 ^jXkX* C''~’y"'' {/kj >V — ;' '//be' 1 ytb (^ ^ iS /- -^ ^ 5 7T V ■ ;! wU) JV 1 • / M ^ . >; U &* (r^:,* ^/IT > w j* ) _ ^ \ 1 ^ I J * T f * > ; .l ,, h-o av :\f W/ : .y'l, A J* J * C 1 /■ - b L Am w " hcjhb* ;io ! lib f ' • -i '111 nil c . noe :: ' -h ij 37 "»r] • . • r ,iUi! j > ■ fboi r . i riant A-4 j lv* \ j [Mj j 1 1 ^ C lv/ J 1 « J ♦ I ordained, in every kingdom which fhould'be fubdued, that the warrior of that kingdom who fub- mitted unto me fliould be received into my fervice; and that the fub- jcdls and the inhabitants of that country fliould be protected from injuries, and from daughter, and from rapine, and from flavery ; And that their efFedfs and their property fliould be protected from ravage and from plunder ; and that the fpoils which had been ga- thered from that country fliould be taken from the fpoilers ; And that the pofferity of the prophet, and the theologians, and the holy and the learned men, and the nobles and the grandees fliould be treated with honour and re- fpedt ; and that the chiefs, and the leading men, and the princi- pal men of the towns and the villages, and thofe who followed agriculture, fliould be protected and encouraged ; And that the fubjects in gene- ral fliould be kept fufpended be- tween hope and fear ; and that when guilty of a crime, they fhould be fined in proportion to the offence, and to their ability. Oi \ ( n6 ) MISCELLANEOUS EXTRACTS. NEZZAUMEE. c if In the hour of adverfity be not f t * without hope ; | y For chryftal rainfalls from black ^ ' clouds. SAADEE. u v&T No human creature in this world y Was ever ecnial to you. I have not feen a fairy. - /*JA Should the nightingale once be- hold thy beauteous face, he would no longer leek his beloved rofe. * j) is a poetic contraction for f if* j\y The fpring is delightful! oh role, where haft thou been ? , , lj. i || i , / Doftthou nothear the lamentations 5 i t JO ? • • (jT'. of the nightingale, on account \ of thy delay ? JAUMEE. UL cc * You may place an hundred hand- le * . (J"v O “J ^ fuls of fragrant herbs and flow- (t ,, ers before the nightingale: , ^ yi . Yet he wifhes not, in his con- flant heart, for more than the fweet breath of his beloved rofe. tA’" Patience is bitter, but it bears O Iweet fruit. V ( 117 ) THE BOOK OF ADVICE, COMPOSED BY SHEIKH S^A.ABEE OF SHIR*4Z$ COMPRISING A COMPENDIUM OF ETHICS. Tranflated by Francis Gladwin, Efq. t- [I? * (JlzJ?, ^ / •>-t ^ y!-' 1 P ^ 4 /v A/ r /? / 4 . / ^ I J 4 * C/ •/> / v*> » !l ; ; !;L ; !v r C- u* 1/ ^.1- ; // „ ^ ( 'J- ~ A T -1 ^ ?..? / J-'Jfi A- : ~ (J ^ J ! y x£y* • • , ^ V”" . I 4y ^ f *y t >, C u - t O BENEFICENT (God); be- llow pardon on our condition. Who are captives in the toil of va- nity. We have none, excepting Thee (for our) defender. Thou art the all-fufiicient forgiver of tranfgrdfors ; Preferve us from the road of fin ; Pardon our mifdecds, and inflrucl us in righteoufnefs. ADDRESS TO THE SOUL. FORTY years of your precious life have elapfed, (And, alas!) your difpofition has not altered from the Rate of childhood : You have done all things through thoughtlefihels and vanity : Not an inllant have you adled in conformity, to righteoufnefs. . ii h Place ( / >X ^ / /. $))) S/A y'c/J if ^7* (/ &* J> f/ Cy ] f J A X M />l* >X ^ ^ •> y w— r Ac^y'J/V ♦ I « I .* 1 * ; 1 ; " ; rv • ;r. (J >r. ^ e >; vVjt a/ ;t (/l^ J> » *« /; D >^ 4 (J^^'j XX r r/ j> r f''/ e>^J,y^T ^ 118 ) Place not reliance upon perifhable life : Think not yourfelf fecure from the fport of fortune. IN PRAISE OF BENEFICENCE. OH, my heart ! whofoever fpread- eth the table of generofity. Becomes famous in the world of beneficence. Generofity will gain you renown in the univerfe \ Generofity will obtain for you (true) grandeur. [Or, Benefi- cence will make manifefl your greatnefs.] Than generofity, there is no action more excellent in the world ; Neither is any thing more popular: Generofity is the capital-flock of delight ; Generofity is the harvefl [profit, ufe,] of life. Invigorate the hearts of men by generofity ; Fill the world with the fame of your beneficence. At all times be fledfafl in adlive goodnefs, [generofity ,] Since the Creator of the foul is be- ficent. .jC- / ytee?) *• w'* ) / IN PRAISE OF LIBERALITY. % THE fortunate maketh choice of liberalitv, J 7 Becaufe a man is rendered happy thereby. Be H9 ) Be conqueror of the world through kindnefs and liberality: Be a prince in the region of favour and bounteoufnefs. Liberality is the office [bufinefs] of the righteous [wife ;] Liberality is the duty of the elcdl [profperous.] Be no more without liberality, than you can help. That you may bear away the ball of excellence through munifi- cence. Liberality is theelixir for (tranfmut- ing the copper of defed [vice ;] Liberality [s the remedy for all evils [griefs.] i effect \§ a ^ vsr xjry* , Jt- ft IN’ CENSURE OF PARSIMONY. WAS the fphere to revolve con- formably to die defire of the mifer, Was fortune to become his Have, If in his hands were the treafures of Karoon, And the whole inhabited world wereYubject unto him ; They would not give him fuch value that you ffiould mention his name ; Neither if fortune entered into his fervice. ■*Pay no refpect to tfie riches of the mifer ; Speak not of his wealth and pof- feffions. The ( 120 ) A ) /' )?. s? ( • err- Jk /^V *v / * Jl&/ vf ' >)f. ^ a J ] A) >)f f )) ) [" MkS H » The mifer, although he be a monk [reclufe) on Tea and on land, Shall not enjoy Paradife ;— fo faith the tradition. Notwithftanding the mifer be rich in poffeffions, Through his mcannefs, he fuffers equal diftrefs with the needy : The liberal enjoy the fruit oi their riches. The parfimonious tafte only the forrow of (liver and gold. £0 I y } » i % l «A7 ^ w ' 7 !;tg A > U e~' ! r , ; 5 '- )7. .. . -t / V < y f / J % ■> \> ^ ^ 7 f)/* Sr* {)/* ) ro - .cf -Y. J>, y g7. t ♦ ♦ A J 0^1 j ) jJS £c\y ! - - r * ^ y 5 k y 0 y iy * ^ y^ IN PRAISE OF HUMILITY. OH, my heart ! if you make choice of humility. Mankind will be your friends ; Humility augmenteth dignity. Like as the fun illumines the mooru. Whomever is humane, practifes humility. Nothing adorns human beings like humanity Humility will be the means of . heightening your character ; It will eftablilli your feat in the fublime paradife. Humility is the capital-flock [wealth] of friendlhip, How exalted, then, is the dignity of friendfhip ! Humility is ihe key of the gate of Paradife ; It is the ornament oLeminence and dignity : Who- ( 121 ) yy. ^ M jx y j — / b)/* > (/ j ^ ~ ' I . ■’**" S V J '• *■ c* - £ r >/?> ^ ^ ^ r C/^V ^ c *r* 4 c A" £»>$ >* j ]jm v /. ci’;’ ^ y*~ C ;l i 1 / C^'/i £~ J r ,1 t5V~ / £iU" / I,/ ■ 4* / 7T / Whofocver accuftomcth hirrifelf to humility. Will derive benefit from his rank and Ration. Humility cxalteth a man : Humility is the embroidery of chiefs. Whofocvcr is exalted to the com- mand of others, To experience humility from him, is very delightful ! The truly wife man pradtifes hu- mility, The bough full of fruit, places its head upon the earth. Afflidt not mankind by withhold- ing humility, Since your neck is thereby exalted like an uplifted fword. Humility is refpedtable in thofc of high eflate, The beggar who is humble, adts only in his profcilion. «r” LU rr < • /% i/i * U ;-c-. AW J ♦ err jy ^y>) ^ h) J ♦ t ^ )x Uy} iu S' ♦ /“ . ** j ! ^ 1 >. T • wj >■ 6 k >x 1U ^ /V s "”'’ C' !l 0 \ w / ^ x* v °> ♦« *» ID S' M CENSURE OF ARROGANCE. PRACTISE not arrogance, Take care, oh, my fon ! For, one day, by its hand, you may fall down headlong. Arrogance is difguflful to a wife man ; It is wonderful how awife man can be guilty of it ! Arrogance is habitual to the ig- norant ; Arrogance comcth not from a righteous man. I i Arrogance ( 1 )'? bjo'r ',/ >-/ /;♦ J ♦ >y, jy^ > i / / JJ . f v . f « 10 r •• % rr^ ifs. * * Jr' "jCt J} f \ ){S S J f £ »/£& A i/ U, /-l * • /A ^// ♦4 y s. A jfi r ( y>f if} • ‘i yua? C * A-Vv J* / ^ ~v - _^l . /. •■r * > > >■ 2 ) Arrogance ruined Azazil (or Sa- tan), [i. e The angel of Death.] It confined him in the prifon of malediction. Whofoever isaddidted to arrogance. Hath his head filled with proud imaginations. Since you know what arrogance is, why are you guilty of it ? If you pradtife it, you commit fin. Arrogance is the capital-flock of misfortune: Arrogance is the root of an evil difpofition. PRAISE OF KNOWLEDGE. THE children of Adam attain perfection by knowledge. Not through pomp or fplendour, riches or pofl'effions. To gain knowledge you fhould confume yourfelf like a candle. Since without it you cannot know God. Whofoever deftiny hath rendered happy* Maketh it rs ftudy to acquire knowledge. The wife will feek after knowledge. Since wifdom is ever in requefl. The defire of knowledge is your duty, And if nccefiary you would travel in purfuit of it. Knowledge rv y > > c-'.) ;? Vf*‘* ^ *| *• \/ 1 r$* id ( / y r J /'{*?. ,> u w / 0 X ^ f tf* J ] r^ /ft ft £r* ] > > a J 1 IjJJ 1 J '> A 123 ) Knowledge will complete you for this world, and for the next. For thereby jour addons are fet in order. If thou art wife, thou wilt ftudy nothing clfe, For to be without knowledge is* to to be inconhderate; Go, & hold fall; the fkirt of its robe. That it may convey you to the permanent dwelling. 'Ohk AsK?t * ft A I u- s. (jl^ # >A (Jk. /r^ 5 ft* f: * s L A I VJ A )?. / f >y. (Jik ^ -i efi A )?. y jk ft ft >y. Jtk f ^ ♦♦ y J* C$V C^/ A 7 Jtk; «» >r. (jA" ; t >. J . 1 * 3 ^ Jik; ' v . JA */? (j~^ xr^~ ; A AGAINST ASSOCIATING WITH? THE IGNORANT. OH, my heart ! if thou art wife and prudent, Choofe not the fociety of the igno- rant ; Fly from them like an arrow ; Be not mixed with them like fugar and milk. If you have a dragon for your com- panion in the cave. It is better than to have an igno- rant aflociate : If your mortal enemy be wife. He is preferable to an ignorant friend. None are more defpicable in the world than the ignorant, Becaufe no adion is more unfeemly than ignorance. It is prudent to fhun the company of the ignorant. For from their fociety will refult temporal and eternal fhame. From the ignorant proceed only evil actions ; No one will hear from them aught but bad words. The Y> ( 124 ) The end of the ignorant will be hell ; Their future ftatc is never profperous. The heads of the ignorant beft fuit the top of the gallows. For it is fitting they fliould belcized by dilgrace. * 4 jTJ I f YA Y) f b l ^ t/A 7; A {/;»> J; >;> U 0 ^>1 t / (jf j ^ y/^1 ;V^' :J c)bsrA f* A A ;; A A*" wA*l. A) ^wiU*! v’ J) ^ - 1 . ^CU *1/ ^ yA“j ^ j\ J A*-* J * ) ] ] sY- ^ — g* A y' _/H - J z A*” ^ &.) A >r. JA c " u )-^ o-l* / PR USE OF JUSTICE. SINCE God hath granted you all vour defies, •> Why produce you not the effects ot juft ice? Since juftice is the ornament of royalty. Why eftablifti you not your heart thereby ? [by jultice ?] Your kingdom wiii obtain per- manency, If you take juftice for your co-ad- jutor : Because Nouftiirvan made choice oi juftice, His good name is held in remem- brance until now. Prelcrvc the world in profperity through juftice ; Make glad the hearts of the juft. | Thepeaccof a kingdom is preserved by the im*preftions of juftice. For its defires are obtained In the cxercile thereof. The world has no architect fuperi- or to juftice. ■ Since no action is more elevated, [than juftice,] What better end can you require for yourfelf, Than that you may be ftiled the JUST KING ? If 125 ( ) ^ y ft J: 1 a i/A j) /> of) >’ £j> c<.ly A< O^f )b J> ^/* If you fcek a monument of your good fortune, Shut the door of oppreffion on mankind ; With-hold not favour from the peafant ; Gratify the hearts of the iuppliants forjuitice. f * rV y \J^ ) u (J'r* //' C/v - 0^; fV* ^ ^ ^ ^ l * ^ CENSURE OF OPPRESSION. THE world fuffers deftrudtion from injuffice, As a delightful garden, by the wind of autumn Suffer not oppreffion in any cafe, That the fun of your empire may not decline. * Whofocver inflames the world with the fire of tyranny, Draws out lamentations from man- kind. Opprefs not the poor and weak. For the tyrant goes to hell, with- out a word. If the opprefled fend out from his heart one flgh. The heat thereof will fet in flames both fea and land. Opprefs not the weak, who are in- capable of making reliflance ; Think of the end, and of the pu- nifliment in the grave. Wifh not to dilfrefs the opprefled ; Slight not the fmoke [the flghs] of the hearts of God’s creatures ; Excrcife not fe verity and morofe- nefs. For the vengeance of God will overtake thee unawares. K K PRAISE < 126 ) ) 1C X* , P;;X (/‘ J ^ *’ x it u c J ic^t ft IT > if \j s^'+)/ i/^V ^ jby^JLJ ;! ;/> X> /; V A '/ -r'A'-’ 1 X* (/"'•’ X X J> ;1 7 t>>tl>’ ,.,UA" / w- J If thou art not rich, be notdifturbed. Since the King will not exa » j u jX“ zx / X /2-0‘ r J J CENSURE OF AVARICE. HAVE a care, ye who are entan- gled in the fnare of covetoufnefs. From being intoxicated, & deprived of reafon, by the cup of avarice. Wafte not life, in the acquifition of wealth. Since earthen ware is not of equal value with jewels. Whofoevcr A A' J a f •(/'♦« ♦ rr. y o* f / *:? JV’ J f a £•> ^ JA jy t ;i ^V* U J^l oY ^ j/ j) tfbr'J ^ > r; A ^4- U yy> t /ufO J-^j / jlr^ J)JJ ^.St ^A ^ J-Ji/ Jj (J.J Q^\p jrnm tS * ^J ^ ^ ^ l*S J A*' (j/rAj p/* J J)' Ar* Ar. cO A; A J 127 ) Whofoever falleth into the prifon of avarice, Givcth the harveft of life to the winds. I admit that you poflefs the riches of Karoon, And that all the conveniences of the habitable world are yours ; But why labour after riches, Since they will fuddenly perifli ? Why deftroy thyfelf, by thy mad- nefs after gold ? Wherefore doll: thou carry the bur- then of labour, like the afs ? In fuch manner haft thou become the prey of thine own purfuits. That thy memory negle/ ; Jt- PRAISE OF DIVINE WORSHIP. RENEW your ablutions, with the water of devotion, That to-morrow you may be re- leafed from the fire. Be fteadfaft in prayer thro’ faith. That you may obtain unperifliable riches. Through piety, fupply the light of the fleeting lamp, That, like the fortunate, you may be blellcd. PRAISE OF THANKSGIVING TO- WARDS GOD. THANKSGIVING will increafe your pomp and fplendour, It will augment your wealth and pofleflions. j\r±s hf. P & Z*' /* /si / (/l >* /C^ (J> y V^ 1 y ^ 1 ^ ^ ^ ^ ^T'^ - /" (^/^" C^V^ /^^') vT^i ^ ;; ^ ol^Q ') If you render thanks unto God un- til the day of account. You will not enumerate a thou- fandth part ; Ncverthelefs it is moll excellent to return thanks. Since the praife of him is the orna- ment of true religion. Negledt not thankfgiving to the Creator of the world. For the recital of his praife is the ltreani [water] of the garden of religion. /r* • A if 1 t: />; /A £ ^ Af; : ;r. if** ^ / n ^ J' . 7 i ^ tfjrr* ^ ,jX 5 . y H 1 ^ 1 % 0^ • . PRAISE OF PATIENCE. IF you are aided by patience. You will acquire unperifhable riches. Patience is the duty of the righ- teous ; The religious turn not their head therefrom. Patience is excellent in all cafes, [conditions,] For it may be comprehended in various fenfes : Patience is the key of the door or defire, It is the victor in the kingdom oi renown. PRAISE OF TRUTH. OH my heart ! if you make choice of truth. Mankind will be your friends. L L A K'V* AJ A ^ ^ f" ^ ^ >Y j> yy. / ^s A y jy, a y'J~ ) j ] X y c 3 o J; / i/v ) ] c> i ~/.>y' "jf. i/iM if-^j }?• f> cJs* a tA?” ;A ^ dY'V CT" ,; ^ ~ *» j •w^ M £J^ J) ^ y u.A) r / 1;^-/ • V i « / s? & / ... ) JyJ r. W •:/ \^b C ; > ./ ^» • / y f# f * j f ♦ « ' yU ■ ^ »« js* X+ C-A dU !)/ S b If -S' Of I • / y? ber 1 ) £ f A B g ''"’^ b^/ ©?;> -'.-i^ A-^ t;y*,T 130 ) A wife man fwerveth not from truth, For thereby a man becometh fa- mous. If you have truth in your difpofi- tion. May a thoufand encomiums at- tend on fuch a temper ! If you breathe truth, like the true day fpring, You will feparate yourfelf from the darknefs of ignorance. Never utter any thing but truth, Seeing that the right hath more excellency than the left. There is nothing in the world pre- ferable to truth. For in the rofe-bufh of veracity, there is no thorn. He w r ho adleth with falfehood, [not with truth,] How fhall he be acquitted in the day of judgement ? Nothing is more detrimental than falfehood. Since thereby a good name falls into difffrace. CENSURE OF FALSEHOOD. WHOSOEVER exercifeth a ly- ing tongue, The lamp of his heart fhall not have light : Falfehood difhonourcth a man ; Falfehood maketh a man afhamed. Oh! X jX. /X ^ ' y * " 9 )\ r ±' jy vW ( &»> 132 ) Oh ! brother never utter a lie> For a liar is defpicable, and with- out credit : The wife man fhunneth the liar. Since nobody maketh any account of him. M ( * jK jj >X y nA X Xj £/?• C> *V ^4 *>h) ^ » X ; X *• ✓ ^ •• ^ X ^ *' f )h X- »» •♦ «♦ «i X j X* X. k X y ylX ^ X /~ J U ^4 y ;t/ y ' X X J? )’/* L‘ IX X * * r< (/• x REFLECTIONS ON FATE AND DESTINY. BEHOLD this dome fretted with g°!d. Whole roof is throng without pil- lars ; Behold the pavilion of the revolv- ing fphere, Behold the bright candles which are placed therein ! One is a watchman, another a king; One imploring juftice, and another coveting a crown ; One gratified, and another wifh- in g; One merry, and another fad ; One a king, and another a jubjedt ; [i. e. One wearing a cro.vn, and another paying tribute ;] One elevated, & another humbled; One difappointed, and another bleffcd ; One poor, and another rich ; One 132 ) One in perury, and another in affluence : One exifting, and another pcrifli- ing ; One healthy, and another weak ; One in old age, and another in youth ; One in righteoufnefs, and another in fin ; One in deceit, and another in war ; One humane, and another morofe; One fubmifiive, and another feek- ing ftrife ; One in enjoyment, and another in torment ; One in adverfity, and another in profperity ; One a prince in the world of grandeur ; Another imprifoned in the toil of misfortune; One dwelling in the garden of tranquillity ; Another intimate with forrow, difficulty, and labour. One poffefling wealth beyond ac- count ; Another lorrow ing for bread, and neceflaries for his family. J One day and night with the Ko- ran in his hand ; Another, fleeping in the corner of a tavern intoxicated : One of good works, and good faith'; Another immerfed in the ocean of obfeenity and impiety. One ( 133 ) c/VSvj ; ft* /. c )k°Ar fih) a J~ v CA > yS > One a warrior, alert, and athletic; Another tardy, languid, and afraid of his life. Therefore, place not reliance upon fortune. For fuddenly thy life fha.il be brought to an end. «» AcA {'■ r ) 1 >*'. o^)r. / j 1 (Jh., up c ,u / ^ /. A A" tv ft ^ •t r • ^ i/ u ^ A'*-' 1 JC~. /" / f / WARNING NOT TO HAVE ANY RELIANCE BUT UPON GOD. PLACE not reliance upon king- doms, pomp, and troops ; Since they were before thee, and will remain after thee. Place not reliance upon the throne of empire ; Since, unawares, when the man- date arriveth, thou mult refign thy life. Rejoice not in wealth and retinue ; For, fuddenly, from beginning to end, they lhall vanifh. WARNING FROM EVIL INTEN- TIONS AND ACTIONS, COMMIT not evil, left you expe- rience the fame from a good friend ; Good fruit groweth not from bad feed. Delight not in pompand fplendour, Since there is nothing perfect, of whichwe maynotfear adecreafe. MM REFLECTIONS 0 [ Lw • d / > LwW ♦ O' £)^/ 1 w ♦ 0 ) cAv* ♦ £ ivW • 9 c LvV • ft f* t-. > A ft Lw • A ♦ y A , s-S Wv - • —A / ci *)/ ^ )V. ft o'ft ,i> ^ i A s v. r > O- s- 1 >A cr 7 M REFLECTIONS ON THE INSTABI- LITY OF WORLDLY GOODS. MANY kings, of memorable reigns ; Many heroes, conquerors of king- doms ; Many mighty warriors, fubduers of armies ; Many lion-like men, fmiters with the fword ; Many with faces fair as the moon,, and forms like the box-tree ; Many delicate ones wdth counte- nances like the fun ; Many famous and many fuccefsful; Many with forms like the Cyprus, and many with rofy cheeks, Who have tome the garments of life. And have covered their heads in the bofom of the earth. In fuch wife hath the harvefl of their names vaniihed ; That no one could difeover even a veftige of them. Fix not the heart upon this man- fion of pleafant breezes. For its iky rains down calamity. EXTRACTS ( 135 ) EXTRACTS FROM THE WORKS OF VARIOUS PERSR/JJY AUTHORS, FROM THE TENTH CENTURY TO THE PRESENT TIME; BY WHICH THE ORIENTALIST MAY TRACE THE SEVERAL CHANGES OF LANGUAGE, OWING TO THE INTRODUCTION OF ARABIC* TENTH AND ELEVENTH CENTURIES. Sf Account of the Manner of Cobad’s Death, from the Tareekh Tabaree *. Tranflated by Sir W. Ouseley, LL. D* MOHAMMED ben Jahir re- lates the manner of Cobad’ sf death, and fays that the Arabians flew him ; and that the occafion of their killing him was this : That having devoted himfelf to a life of abfti- nence and piety, he died not any blood ; neither did he put any per- fon to death, nor make war on any one. And Mazdak J encouraged him in this line of conduct. Then * Concerning the original of this work, vide fupr a, p. 08. *t Cohad, fervent eenth monarch of the Saffanian , or fourth dynafty , and father of the celebrated Nufhirvan , furnamed the Juft, died about the year of Chrijl 520. J Mazdak, the chief of an heretical fed ; he Jirove to abolifh the dif- tindion of ranks , and recommended a community of wives and of property. all ( 136 ) ♦V-vw 'jy 0 % O ^ > l j ) O c )y r'/' ) *) / v ~A g> ft )r. ^4* f l -A ,• all veneration and fear of Cobad departed from the hearts of the '0\j* princes, and no one refpeCted or dreaded him ; and as they were free from any apprehenfions of his r attacking them, alltheprinces inhis empirebegan to formambitiouspro- jeds.Thekingof the Arabs, Naam an ben Almondar, was under his fub- jedion;andhisrefidence wasatHira. And there was a kingin Syria called Harcth ben Omru ben Hejer al ; )' A O kindi, who was tributary to the / A •• ,7 e fl king of Yemen ; to the Tobba, or " • w j. C' w L/ lovereign ol that country. lncn >T 3^X Hareth came from Syria to Cufa, s' ' , s' . , , and to Hira, and flew Naaman, 2 ^ y C /A *) and feized upon the kingdom of the j' \ J J *13 «3 X Arabians. Cobad fent a perfon to . y O x ' ‘ ^ J ' ' s him, faying, “ Why have you ij \ wXC< y,J J feized upon this kingdom without . ♦ ■ . .. A j / my commands ? but as 1 hold you f i ) ij X S O* O •• ^ lO~ J in efteem, a perfonal interview ,» ,/ , I / j mult take place between you and O* * ~ ^ * me, that I may preferibe to you X the fame conditions which were impofed on Naaman, and fix the no 0 y w~'^* ; O' X J fy t . } V V / 1 J> > cr- > C 15 X: X •• « ^ «•> •• .ilp I V A 44 , A 9 O £ £jX'. LT > yy l V boundariesof the land of the Arabs, and the limits of your kingdom, fo that the Arabs {hall not pals beyond them.” Hareth came, and held an interview with Cobad, on the borders of the Suwad * of Irak, near Madaien. Being feated to- gether on the fame fpot, Cobad 0 J defired a fervant to bring fome- thing lweet, that fince they were fitting together, they might alio eat together. The fervant brought W ■L c LT * 1 he villages and J, mall towns of Ira k are generally called Suwad. a difh ( 137 ) (tV f ^ 7 *)/ £j)S. •"*) )7. / jx ^j) j C) y Jy :\ r \,[ ^ >y. ~b [ >r, ^ y^' y : f a ’A/ A~ £!X >?. S/vA £)}/. ^/S, ^;y ; tf, ( J) jU> ^r- v y.v: c/o ;■ >♦ ^ ^ u- ) C/J f v* j »? r^ ^ )/* l V c^.* jjf A~ " /- ^ C/y^ — ^ ot >’ ^rv* >Y ^ ^> »> J C - i/ l" ^ j w^ 1 L v, / > > V ^r J £f„ u^ & ^ >’ -* ^"A '■TV* >’ >J if* — ^ (^J 1 w' ^A //•*„ ^ /J, } f./ J „ b'-rf' : /f , ;;V J * c/" tfj * r' O’ o’ -r/> £!> X ) yy 1 * — ^ /- ^ >>T d^l/ /f cJX 7 *>/ %) A C/J ^ A^v* (j~S ) > 5 !fC ^y y f y* A a dilh of dates, and laid it before them. That portion next to Co- bad confifted of dates, the Hones of which had been extracted, and the kernels of almonds fubfiituted in their places ; thofe next to Harcth were with the Hones, as dates in their natural Hate. After Cobad took the dates, and had put them into his mouth, he did not take any thing out ; but Hareth took the dates, and threw away the Hones. Then Coba/ faid to Hareth, “ What is this which you fpit forth from your mouth ?” Hareth an- fvvered, “ The Hones of dates, in my country, (among us) are the food of camels ; I am a man, not a camel.” Cobad was confounded. When the dates were confumed, Cobad affigned to Hareth the boundaries ; faying, “ The Ara- bian borders are from the Defert to Cufa, and to the brink of the river Euphrates ; this fide is the Suwad of Irak, and norie of the Arabians muH pafs from this fide, from the brink of the Euphrates.” Hareth acquiefced, and they parted. But after this, Hareth, holding in con- tempt the w r ords of Cobad, re- Hrained not the Arabians ; and they pafled from their fide of the Euphrates, and plundered, and laid waHe the villages of the Suwad. When intelligence of this reached Cobad, he difpatched a perfon to Hareth, faying, “ You have not obferved the limits which I affigned to you.’ Hareth replied, “ Thofe plunderers are Arabs who prowl N N about ( 138 ) '-r’f Clhh C/J Vr A ^ ' hi (/* J r ,j£i, /i,e »£ i ;i4--r ,.„. ■+ 1 S* J * T • e ♦ -> * / ♦ j J « y-V « S VN/ I //< v. sj" y yy. {J j >’ Ar (jr. f A V J: -'. ! \j* A (J^ )?. ^ / *-As, ^ : ! 0 A *J )}•, **, cK, jj 7 J 1 ^r;, ^l ! y^ 1 , • ydvv-'/A. ^*1 > 1^? y ! ^ \ZLs~' ■ < j A ^y^,. >^yCiv f* y*J J \f» wyCU 2^. ^-r/ j c^> // 1 ! ; rA c^v * *' ^ O* > > V o'- ! y- «. c/- C V ^ ^ 2 V" £? cA ^ /A 1 £ »} ^ ^ ^ , * f A-'^ »™J ' 4^. y^ ,. ♦< y V>»W. 1/ ' ;) jfl* y^ ^ ! / >*' ^ -V i/^o / w • >T ;>l C >/T. C5 ! y ^ « ^w^ JLXy^ U' I « k ^ /^ i/y? ^ J* C ; ! ; / V* ;U ^ > • V V ♦ J ■ about night and day : it is impoiTi- ble for me to watch them ; for if I were to expend all that I poffefs in endeavouring to reftrain them, I fhould not have the power to ac- complifh it.” Then Cobad gave to Hareth fix large villages of thofe belonging to the Suwad on the banks of the river Euphrates. When Hareth had taken poffeffion of thofe, he retrained the Arabs, fo that they did not pafs the Eu- phrates, nor enter the Perfian ter- ritories. Then Hareth fent a per- fon to the Tobba *, or fovereign of Yemen, faying, “ This king of Perfia is a weak-minded man, and void of underftanding, and I have afted with him fo and fo ; and if you come with the army of Ye- men, you may feize upon the Per- fian Empire.” The Tobba imme- diately affembled a confiderable ar- my, and fet out, and arrived at the banks of the Euphrates : he could not, on account of the multiplicity of his troops, make Hira his halt- ing place ; he proceeded to the village named Nejef, one of the villages of Cufa ; and he caufed a canal to be cut from the Euphrates to Hira. He halted at Nejef. The Tobba had a nephew, (the fon of his brother,) named Samer ; him he fent, with 320,000 men, to war on Cobad. But Cobad fled in confufion, and efcaped to Rey. Samar pursued him, and took him * The general title of the kings of Arabia Felix ► at ( 139 > .. J . 44 ^ ; at Rev ; and put him to death, and + 5 Y** ? J r r i • i ‘ y • ' • > ' -> wrote an account ot this to the Jr*, (/„« / r:. X « ^ L f, • Tobba. . V ' ^ > * ' £r\ ; A b)y: ^ 3/f" Extract from Furdoosee. Tranllated by Sir W. Jones. . vh J ' if- f~ * »/ ^ c)'f fl * Av Jl f.. tif. f* rf/ ^ A j ] r j ^ (A ,y jet s. jA if) J. x . J SEEST thou yonder plain of va- rious colours [red and grey ;] By which the heart of a valiant man may be filled with delight ? It is entirely covered with groves and gardens and flowing ri- vulets ; It is a place belonging to the abode of heroes. The ground is a perfedt filk, and the air is feented with mufk ; You would fay. Is it rofe-water which glides between thebanks ? The {talk of the lily bends under the weight of the flower ; And the whole grove is charmed with the fragrance of the rofe- bufh. The pheafant walks gracefully among the flowers ; The dove and nightingale warble from the branches of the cy- prefs. * This is part of a fpeech by a young amorous hero, the Paris of Fur - doofee , who had reafon to repent of his adventure with the daughter of Afrafiab, for he was made captive by the Turks, and confined in a dijmal prifon,. till he was delivered by the valour of Rojlam. From (' MO ) u“. t £jr >/ ' LTv &S Hf. O' ^r- 0* >r " A A t /A"A ♦ M A L t 4 * /» ■vW • ♦ • i * r "Ss?) yf ♦ 0^ wl^T ♦ CJX /l c* jS A^» ♦ / ♦ r- t 0 'X l St ♦ &s ^ ♦♦ 5 0 1 >U~ •• / ♦ '.) '•Sr'. C ♦*. r % 0'°s •i ■* s' f) A Jr P A U3 tt X ^ ^ * r „ ry »« * J. * v * Jrr \<* J' a *-A ^ t” S .. i v ' — Ayb. ^ A b) (Sbb ) f4“A Ab) A/A. As. )s~* '-A)J~. From the prelent time to the latelh age, May the edge of thofe banks re- ferable the bowers of Paradifc ! There you will fee, on the plains, and hills, A company of damfels, beautiful as fairies, fitting cheerfully on every tide. There Manizha, daughter of Afra- fab, Makes the whole garden blaze like the fun. Sitara, his fecond daughter, fits exalted like a queen, Encircled by her damfels, radiant in glory. The lovely maid is an ornament to the plains ; Her beauty fullies the rofe and the jafmine. With them are many Turkifh girls, all with their faces veiled ; All with their bodies taper as a cyprefs, and locks black as mufk ; All with cheeks full of rofes, with eyes full of lleep ; All with lips fweet as wine, and fragrant as rofe-water. If we go near to that bow'er. And turn afide for a fingle day, We may take feveral of thofe love- ly nymphs, And bring them to the noble Cy- rus. Another ( 141 ) Another Extract from Furdoosee. Tranflated by Sir William Jones. f" ^A f jf £T* f'A W'l {- J? t f; v/y: /A/ ♦ ♦ * ^\)) f>i £)^a ^ yz*) WHEN the duft arole from, the approaching army. The cheeks of our heroes turned pale ; But 1 raifed mv battle-axe, And with a fingle ftroke opened a paflage for my troops : My fleed raged like a furious ele- phant. And the plain was agitated like the waves of the Nile. * The great hero and poet, Togrul Ben Erjlaim , was the loft king of the Seljukian race : he was extremely fond of Furdoofee s poetry ; and in the battle in which he loft his life , he was heard to repeat aloud thefe verfes from the Shah Nameh. Ode of Khaukaunee. Tranflated by Jonathan Scott, Elq. C>'n;r cA J * 1 W, U » A ! \ ihvjX— X ^_vl cT f f f~/ Cji'j CJJ f ] J~^S O ! Ruby face, jafmine bofom, waving cyprefs, who art thou ? Flinty heart, cruel tyrant, life de- flrover, who art thou ? j I have l'een thy cyprefs-hke flature; I have heard a deep figh ; I have feen thy narciflus’ ayes ; O ! infpirer of fouls, who art thou i o o From lf*~/ O'?) ZJ) y 0^ »« From the walks of the garden, bordered with hyacinth, The fweetnefs of the fu gar- cane is- excluded. O ! rofe-bud-lipped, who art thou ? You w'alk fpreading fnares ; you move fluflied w r ith w r ine ; You go taking aim; what fatal bow r art thou ? Thy eye-brow, like the new moon, has robbed the full of her fplen- dour : Attend, Oh ! torment of life, what torturer art thou ? Khakani, thy Have, is intoxicated with the wine of thy beauty ? I could facrificc life for thy name. What animating foul art thou b THIRTEENTH CENTURY.. From the Gulistaun of Saadee. Tranflated by Sir William Jones. ^)? (/;> d ££ b. ^ ? cr j ^ ^ # Verfes. My companion oft reproaches me for my love of Leila. t Will he never behold her charms, that myexcufe may be accepted? Strophe. % Would to Heaven, that they wdio blame me for my paffion, Could fee thy face, O thou ra- viflier of hearts ! That, ( 1-43 ) 'S'A' J) ?. r^f ft* 'j fjf yy A" * f) £r* /* \T ^ Qi) s 1 j j/^Vy c^ 1 y*~ l y*tr* '-*(/;> ^r 1 L That, at the fight of thee, the might be confounded, And inadvertently cut their heads inilead of the fruit, which they hold * Rhyme. Thou haft no companion for my difordcr : My companion fhould be afflicted with the fame malady. That I might fit all day repeating my tale to him ; For two pieces of wood burn to- gether with a brighter flame. Verfes. The fong of the turtle dove p aides not unobferved by my ear ; And if the dove could hear my {train, {he would join her com- plaints with mine. O my friends, fay to them, who are free from love. Ah, w r e with you knew what paffes in the heart of a lover ! u^~> »y i ■yzsjz f..y $yp*- z >y. jy. J ) ;t ^ cAr yf/ >y (A L - H ,*r* ( A >; r Strophe. The pain of illnefs affects not them who are in health : I will not difclofe my grief but to thofe^j Who have tailed the fame afflic- tion. It were fruitlefs to talk of an hor- net to them, who never felt its fting. While thy mind is not afie&ed like mine, * Alluding to a Jlory in the Koraun. Compare ( H4 ) (JTZ,, ^A ^ [JfCj l y ;V (j*ij y^ a y*y <^y a y 1 The reiation of my forrows Teems only an idle tale. Compare not my anguifh to the cares of another man ; He only holds the fait in his hand, but it is I who bear the wound in my body. Extracts from the Bostaun of Saad.ee. Tranflated by George Swinton, Efq. (/U/ (/I )*/ t} yr yy J; 1 [/- ■» J.' >A ^ > >.)y/. t £)j at^ y ^ h ^'yy hsr^ y / j 6 >x V A » )3 & y >jjy ] jf yfi \ t g.j> ^ y/J' / y a CJJ Ar^ 3 ^ iJjj y/* * ' — ^ jy y w— y/* - >'/ ^ y O King ! conqueror of nations, en- courage two forts of perfons ; The one {killed in war, the other in counfel. If you with to win the palm of em- pire from other potentates, You muft cherifh both the war- rior and the counfellor. Show regard to the pen and the fword ; For by means of thefe two are the affairs of government beft con- duced. Should the king, who defpifes the pen and the fword, Be cut off, bewail not his fate. Efleem the ftatefman and foldier, not the mufician ; For it is not from a woman that wifdom or valour can come. While the enemy is preparing for war, It be omes not a king - to give hi in- fed up to banquets and mufic. Many * iffc W // Jt' lw^ » j • J H t's J*. r* LTS < r 4 1 A 1 c" 0 >V ^ by : / Lw • >1; - »» ••O-* A A-v-' V ft 1 J/* > ♦ V V ( A ;r, Z~ w , / L/ ♦ - L-v M ♦ # >;/ t/ > / VWvsJ 1 ,K CJ'v jXL) a- y #♦ 3 ) Many powerful princes have fpent their lives in the purfuit of plea- fure ; And . by their love thereof, they have loft their power. Fear not the feditious in the time of war ; They arc more to be feared in the time of peace. Many who have profeffed peace in the day, Have at night fallen on the unwary ilumberer. When the warrior retires to reft, he keeps his armour on : A foft couch is the place of repofe for women only. The fchemes of war fliould be planned fecretly; For the enemy in fecret maketh his affault. Caution is the protection of a wife man, As the night-guard is the brazen rampart of a camp. Another Extract from the Bostaun of Saadec. Tranflated by George Swintox, Efq. y \p Jfd, / 1 Have heard that king Togrul, in e" B . an autumnal night, r. by an Indian centinel, L ✓ . ,♦(! ,L , ; x ,1 ; While the hail and the fnow lay L j •* * ^ j • «♦/ ♦ S i i ^ # thick on tne ground, . fy — S j) , p.j X.' Obfcrved him fhivering with cold, ' like the ftar Soheil. p p The ( J4(J ) * „ r „ ? «i / <* Al The king, moved with companion,. tjf. »}' s. u~> raid to him, ... lj> f ?:■ • A -MVS tf? | Behold here is my warm mantle of fur ; Remain a moment on this terrace, C & f > ^ y/ *• * " / And I will fend it out to you by one of my flaves. >*« ^ A <»*- ,,rl is The wind at this time was pierc- ' J ♦ -111 1 mgl} cold, Is And the king retired into his royal apartment. r w^- . There he had a favourite flare,. w * , >k ’ “ ^ beautiful as an angel, %] y , L- (< />f • ^ J Whole company w as fo engaging, _/; fcl/ And who relembled the fwcet j> v? A i/ 1 — * i..; ... % Tb~ fjrr C/ W L/ a narciflus. A. ,* . Jfcj v / That the poor centinel was entire- y y; ly forgotten. . &4X . -w tj> The king; wrapped himfelf up in L/ > . lt ' j» {J-. s? . , r 0 V r r the fur mantle, , pss 1 >L* - , ±SJ\ > ; W hich the centinel’s evil fate had ' " " •" ^ * doomed fhould never be fent unto him. , * ^ ^ f x* The fufferancc of the cold was not ^ y y ^ the foldier’s only diftrefs ; It was increafed by his difappointed ^ expectation. Thefe were his reflexions in the S* * > yj M ♦ * ^ w' morning, > l When the fultan was loft in fleep : ^ Perhaps your good fortune made you neglectful of me ; ^ t r & J) *2^) For y° u was engaged in careffing your fair one. - * | " With you the night glides on in ^ pleafure : s {* l :| 4 How do you think the night pafles (S'* with me ? While ( 1-47 ) ^ f Lj ' ' > >> ♦ ✓> ; )> ;» ♦ V ♦ y ♦ Oh) > '-?'r ]/ ,i_ / c''A ♦ » J) '**’ ♦♦ y cA / — ^ w/ A J w Jiv « W'W -? J »/• ■5 j? V wa d ;L ( £)Xt A. c/ •; CJX -? c ; ..... 4 V ft** J’ (' 'A J A ' Jfc A’ V "While the caravans are refrcfhing themfelves with meat and drink at the inn, What anxiety have they fW. the traveller left behind, wanrfcfll^y- among the fands ; Difpatch thy boat, O mighty one r into the river ; For the wretches, who are at- tempting to w T ade through, arc ready to be drowned. Slacken your pace, O youths full of vigour ! There are alfo in the caravan fee- ble old men. O thou who fleepeft quietly on thy litter ^cmver guides the reins of the camel, Behold what mountains, what deferts, what rocks, and what lands : Enquire into the condition of the wearied traveller. Your lofty camel bears you fmooth- ly along : What know you of the fatigues of thofe who travel on foot ? Repofing at your eafe, as you pro- ceed on your journey. You never thiftk 6f thofe who are perilling with hunger. Another A r v ( 148 ) From the Bostami of Saadee. Translated by Sir William Jones. ... * Cjh/:rr '£s* J />, / y *> ji « A; ;> j j r kt cA^ cA U! £ »* ✓ u ~g, ^ 1 ) >^/ a * ~0 ? c) l r I I ..a* A . I ; j £~“ c/ v m tl c-'C* j ) 1 cl.j^ A / ♦ / / ♦ •• / ✓ ♦ !| 1 I « • ♦ | *_2^V'-'' • Pyy A/~, s/ 1 I Hive heard that king Nufhirvan, juft before his death, Spoke thu^ to his fon Hormuz : Be a guardian, my fon, to the poor and helpiefs ; And be not confined in the chains of thy o wn indolence. No one can be at eale in thy do- minion ! While thou feekeft only thy pri- vate relf, and fa) eft, It is enough. A wife man will not approve the fhepherd, Who lleeps while the wolf is in the fold. Go, my fon, protect thy weak and indigent people ; Since through them is a king railed to the diadem. The people are the root, and the king is the tree, that grows from it ; And the tree, O my fon, derives its ftrcngth from the root. * Sir William Jones ajks, “ Are thcfe mean fentimenls , delivered in pompons language P Are they not rather worthy of our woft Jpirited writers P And do they do not convey a fine lejfon for a young king P Y et Saadee s poems are highly ejteemed at Conflantinople, and at Ijpahan ; though , a century o>- two ago, they would have been fuppre [fed in Europe, for fpr ending, with too ft re, ng a glare, the light of liberty and reafon. Introduction ( M9 ) Introduction to the Mesnavi of Jelal'ed’dm Itunii . Tranflated by Sir W. Jones. ^ ^ y^% J* I L* C J >! DyJl* £\j ) V* fV.A c)' 1 / ; j -V-^ -V (J~.f ^ ;;; / u~* a tr»f A‘.v >>? A ) ^U> cr A if cA >’ ♦ CT* c>~~f ' ^ w~~r )y cA ^(J'Z y w_r £){&• £)\e ) fj' 'Z*~z jr^> cA ] )cr HEAR how yon rccd, in fadly- pleafmg tales, Departed blits and prefent woe be- wails ! “ With me from native banks un- timely' torn, Love- warbling youths and foft- cyed virgins mourn. O ! let the heart, by fatal abfcnce rent. Feel what I fing, and bleed wdien I lament : Who roams in exile from his pa- rent bow’r. Pants to return, and chides each ling’ ring hour. My notes, in circles of the grave and gay, Have hail'd the rifmg, cheer’d the clofing day : Each in my fond aftcdtions claim’d a part, But none difeern'd the fccret of my heart. What though my {trains and bor- rows flow combin’d ? Yet ears are flow, and carnal eyes are blind. Free through each mortal form the fpirits roll, But fight avails not. — Can w r e fee the foul ?” Q Q Such ( 150 ) ,1 • //f » ij'T Such notcs , b^ath’d gently from- ' \ » > « » w» yon vocal frame : I : ,,!>* , ,. r T /,, Breath’d! faid I? No; ’twas all •• '' ^ ** enhv’mmr flame. cr ^ i* if >* enliv’ning flame. a j) ’Tis love, that fills the reed with ^ warmth divine ; ’Tis love, that fparkles in the racy ^ * wine. * Me, plaintive wand’rer from my w peerlefs maid, >.)/„ if A ^ * A . y . aL The reed has fir’d, and all my foul er-.^v betray - d . / VI " ^ * * A jr r t He gives the bane, and he with !S\.S * vT balfam cures ; / Vi- '( ^ * ,rr' Affli&s, yet foothes ; impaffions, ^ ^ ' ij ^ yet allures* 6 ). J Delightful pangs his am’rous tales ~ ^ ' ** if prolong; s ^y^* (J— ^ And kadi’s ^* rant ^ c lover lives in * %r , a A * Not he, who reafons beflr, this UK A (r wifdom knows: M | S A ! el)/* E ars on] y drink what rapt’rous ^ “ . tongues difclofe. t c £ v t » ^ Nor fruitlefs deem the reed’s heart- *** '' I piercing pain : *\A t t;./ See fweetnefs dropping from the ' * ' parted cane. _/ [. * ^Aj / Alternate hope and fear my days v " divide, L y 1 courted Grief, and Anguilh was ^ U **• ^ my bride. . a.T * L- *y f Flow on, fad ftream of life! I ^ ^ ^ J $ * / fmile fecure : A . &*,«, •* . Ui ,/ i Thou liveft ; Thou, the pureft of > (JTJA y. ^ thc p Ure » _ Li"! .1 if . 4l , >X. Rife, vig’rous youth ! be free ; be jj: {S\ U yryt ) tfl ^ (Sr^k ? y (/* >* *j1bf ^ ;t ^ j ^ (J*) j> */ >T ;> ^ J is^ i^y/ i w— Vr^ c^ - (/ ^f* 1 * Go ; to your vafe the gather’d main convey : What were your {lores ? The pit- tance of a day ! New plans for wealth your fancies would invent ; Yet (hells, to nourifh pearls, mud lie content. The man whofe robe love’s purple arrows rend, Bids av’rice reft, and toils tumul- tuous end. Hail, heav’nly love ! true fource of endlefs gains ! Thy balm reftores me, and thy {kill fuftains. Oh, more than Galen learn’ d, than Plato wife 1 My guide, my law T , my joy fu- preme, arife ! Love warms this frigid clay with myftic fire. And dancing mountains leap with young defire. Bleft is the foul that fvvims in feas of love. And long the life fuftain’d by food above. With forms imperfeCt, can per- fection dwell ? Here paufe, my fong ! and thou, vain world ! farewell. Commencement ( 152 ) Commencement of tlie Third Book of the" Mesnavi. i Transited bv Sir William Ouseley, LL.D. (j i y \ l J) (J1 (J/'T; y t Tell me, fond youth, faid a mif- trels to her lover. Thou who haft vifited diftant countries, Tell, which place of them all is molt delightful } The young man anfwered, that place which is the refidence of thofe we love : That fpot on which repefes the queen of our deftres, Though it were narrow as the eye of a needle, would ieem exten- tenftve and fpacious as an open plain. Wherefoever dwells the beloved fair one *, lovely as the moon. That place, though it were the bottom of a pit, would be to a lover like the garden of Eden. With thee, O beloved of my foul, even the regions of the damned would become a paradife. With thee, fair plunderer of hearts! a dungeon w'ould feem delight- ful as a bower of roles. * The original alludes to Jofeph, the Hebrew Patriarch, who, according to Mohammedan tradition, was equally beautiful as holy. > FOURTEENTH ( IS3 ) FOURTEENTH CENTURY. CJ'X.i ^y> Odes from the Dewan of Haufez. Tranflated by the Rev. Mr. Hindley. * 0 .^ J* if J 1 -N - ' % s * 1;U j) >? CT'., * J* . • w- ** » * A jT < «• 10 j \JS . IS- ' t j ILas* ^ ♦♦ s .SuJjif'' « > t v*J j I j c/yV /r^ "cAv hlr*" A flA ; -1 » I • ^ ^ 125 4 •u • V > • ^ wl VyJ 1 * s/' • 4 4 — ✓ j ! .„*V- > • / A' 4 J ^ 4.yv>/ V . WVV V ' ^ L/ to ^ ( * f ! J If** W** IF that lovely maid of Shiraz would accept my heart. For the black mole on her cheek 1 would give Samarcand and Bokhara. Boy, bring me the wine that re- mains ; for, in Paradife thou wilt not find The banks of the fountains of Ruknabad, and the rofy bowers of Mofella. Alas! thefe wanton nymphs, thcfe infidious fair ones, whofe beau- ties raife a tumult in our city, Have borne away the quiet of my heart as Tartars their repaft of plunder. Yet the charms of our darlings have no need of our imperfect love : What occafion has a face naturally lovely for perfumes, paint, moles, or ringlets ? Talk to me of minftrels and of wine ; and feek not to difclofe the fecrets of futurity : No one, however wife, ever has, or ever will, difcover this enigma. r r. I very ( 154 ) A >' O* I very well know from that daily increafing beauty which Jofeph had, That a refiftlefs love tore away from Zuleikha the veil of her chaftity. \ Attend, O adorable object ! to pru- dent counfcls : for, youth of a good difpofition b^b sr... ^ A if A >Lv Vv*# S' • — ♦ ♦» ^ J < Love the advice of the aged better than their own fouls. Thou haft fpoken ill of me, yet I am not offended : may God forgive thee ! — Thou haft fpoken well : — But do bitter words (the anfwers of the fcorpion), become a lip like a ruby, ihedding nothing but fweetnefs, (fugar) ? Thou haft compofed thy Gazel, and ftrung thy pearls — Come, fing them fweetly, O Hafiz ! For, Heaven has fprinkled over thy poetry the clearnefs and beauty (fliining circle) of the Pleiades. Another— Tranflated by the Same. jlrp Af yCT L _U aL O Zephyr, fay with mildnefs to that ^ ^ * * delicate fawn, L cJ ; y ^ IL 4 tjC s / That the maketh us love to dwell ■J in the hills and defarts. How ( 155 > U A )'/> (j A ^ ift? A ij‘r > u ‘ c/./f ♦♦ y ♦ •• ' ^ / i/r. How happens it, that the who dif- penfes fweetnefs to all around her (the vender of fugar), whofe life be long ! Has no fwcet morfcl of regret for the abfcnce of her poet with a dulcet voice (her parrot feed- ing on fugar). Perhaps, O rofc, vanity 'on ac- count of thy beauty will not permit thee To make even a poor enquiry after the fond nightingale. It is poflible to enlhare a prudent heart with foftnefs and gcntle- nefs ; But a cautious and wife bird is not to be taken by a trap or with a gin. When thou fitted: with thy com- panion, and poured out the pure wine. Take thought of thy lover, that meafurer ot the defart (who is lod in the defart of abfcnce). I know not w'hy thefe damfels have no (tin&ure) feelings of benevolent fympathy. Damfels, who have black eyes, are tall as cyprefles, and beautiful as the moon. I can only mention one defecd in thy charms ; Thy fair countenance hath not the hue (difpofition) of love and condancy. It i ■af'j / ' v/ ' ♦ ,7;i JC r ’A- (may his mind be happy !) I heard the heart -affefting ftrains of the flute. ^ , 4 ^< j* ,»|U^ Such was the impreffion its me* s urs)~ j U u ••• lodv made upon my ^1, C- J That I could not behold any thing it * *• w r ithout fympathy. ^iT ^ J jU 1 > / A/ 7 On that night a cup-bearer was 4 A Vr » my companion, | ,/f ^ / {ft a ft 4 i « ' Whofe fide locks and countenance ** ' ^ ^ y refembled at once the fun and •• , December. ^pU' ^ X ft ft } When he perceived my melting « -of mood, he filled the goblet higher; I, , D.C& 4 l?l ^ , I faid, ah! bHfs-affording cup- ) <, (ft r * I ah ! blifs-affording cup- ^ <• ’ bearer, jf I You relieve me from the burden of r exiftence, f •• m «« ^ J? When you repeatedly pour wine •• 1 ’ into the goblet. aUJ May God protedl you from the * , y calamities of viciffitude ! S ft? t j dyJI ,4 aU! May God requite you with happi- " - . nefs in both worlds ! j\ e JiS f hj U )ft ft When Hafiz is intoxicated, why ' ?r « fhould he efteem, as worth a , ^ grain of barley, )jft * ft, The empires of Kaous andKei*? * Two ancient fovereigns of Perjia . Another— Tranflated by Sir William Jones. THE dawn advances veiled with rofes. Bring the morning draught, my friends, the morning draught ! The — ij t C -” 2 ' 1 1 ( V A Ji; V W- Is - 1 ♦ ♦ Cr*i-' Jr ‘ )/*} # 1 » z}> /, >! ^•ww • •1 jU. j, ♦ y ♦ € l w c ] f* r* V ♦ ♦ » « , / ♦ 'hs* tr • • w.U'1 • ♦ tt . MJl lyslt' M l* A wl‘ c ; t ♦ / ♦ (J'T'. jT 1 159 ) The dew-drops trickle over the cheek of the tulip. Bring the wine, my dear compa- nions, bring the wine ! A gale of Paradifc breathes from the garden : Drink then inceflantly the pure wine. The rofefpreadsher emerald throne in the bower. Reach the liquor, that fparkles like a flaming ruby. Are they flail fliut up in the ban- quet- houfe ? Open, O thou keeper of the gate ! It is itrange, at fuch a feafon. That the door of the tavern fhould be locked. Oh, haften ! O thou who art in love, drink wine with eager- nefs ; And you, who are endued with wifdom, offer your vows to Heaven. Imitate Haufez, and drink kifles, fweet as wine. From the cheek of a damfel, fair as a nymph of Paradifc. Another— Tranflated by the Rev. Mr. Hindley. j ytd* (J ZEPHYR, fhouldcfl: thou chance to pafs through the region where > dwells my miftrefs. Bring me a profufion of odours, from her ambrofial ringlets. By ( i6o ) Jt ;! / J ,*il< By her life! would I fprinkle my & ' ' * , * foul with fweetnefs, f ^S, .1 i , /•? J But, if Heaven Ihould not fo far favour thee. Bring dull to thefe two eyes from the manfion of my beloved. I am miferably deftitute, and I am wifhing for her arrival — Alas ! ’ bewildered wretch that 1 am ! Where fhall I behold with my eyes the phantom of her coun- tenance ? My elevated heart trembles like the reed Through the defire of pofTeflmg my fair one, w ho is like a pine- tree in form and ftature. Although this lovely charmer has no efteem for me, I would not exchange a hair of her dear head to receive the whole w T orld in return. Where is the advantage of having his heart (free) emancipated from the bondage of care, When the fuaviloquentHaufez ex- ifts only the Have and vaffal of his beloved ? Another ( 101 ) Another.—' Tranilated by tlie Same. A/ si f Xr* A r. »V JC /' »T i nf^ f >-& } h) ()?■ 0% J) f %' fj» y ) £)*% \ 1.'-' X » ; AJ 9 Jl ' S° / yy 1 > ^ f { H y (J'S / jy J> o* >' / ^ iJA j * J ^ w . io* r y EVERY moment I complain aloud on account of thy ab fence ; But, what if the zephyr refufes to convey my fighs and com- plaints to thee ? Night and day do I grieve bitterly, and (though I fhould not grieve),, though there fhould be an in- terval from grief, When I am thus far from thee* how can my heart be at cafe ? What can I do but weep, and fob, and lament. When I am reduced tofuch a Rate from thy abfence, that I fhould with an enemy placed in *. Since thou haft eftranged thyfelf from my fight, my heart has been confumed with afflidlion. Ah ! how man) are the moun- tains of blood, that it has opened to me in my e)es ! Whenever my poor heart utters its complaints for thy abfence, A thoufand drops of blood trickle down from the root of each eye- lafh. Thus is the diftrafled Haufez im- merfed in the remembrance of thee day and night : Whilft thou art perfectly (free) at cafe about thy broken- hearted flave. * Or negatively, that I Jhould not wj/h my mojl malicious foe to fuffer. t t Another ( 1(32 ) Another— Tranflated by Sir William Jones. (j'f A O (/. Cfi >y. e A (j, •• C , k“ v . >— ;l ^ ; — M* •^V (/. ♦ ♦ (/ — ' 0^) W /> tf. ♦ ♦ ^!>(V A i >"V t/r ; u j (/. Cl J, } J, £1 y~ ^ a >"V A; (/. la? (^ ^ «♦ ^ jZJ y A\- ij-^f A- jy. ) Clk THE rofe is not fweet without the cheek of my beloved ; The fpring is not fweet without w r ine. The borders of the bower, and the walks of the garden, Arc not plealant without the notes of the nightingale. The motion of the dancing cyprefs and of the waving flowers Is not agreeable without a miftrefs whofe cheeks are like tulips. The prefence of a damfel w’ith fw r eet lips and a rofy complexion Is not delightful without kifles and dalliance. The rofc-garden and the wine are fweet, But they are not really charming without the company of my beloved. All the pictures that the hand of art can devife Are not agreeable without the brighter hues of a beautiful girl. Thy life, O Haufez ! is a trifling piece of money, It is not valuable enough to be thrown away at our feaft *. * Vi d. Sir William Jones's Perjtan Grammar. Another ( 1 63 ) Another— Tranflated by the Rev. Mr, Hindley. tA 5 J > (■) '? y if d £T* A >' / A )2f 3V p wC& /- t ^ J;» AV /*/ j C^’v ^ >i r J; A >' -?4 C> T d >’ * C/"* > M vs. d NEVER {hall thine image be obliterated from the tablets of my heart and foul : Never fliall that {lately moving , cyprefs [pomp at ice tncedens) quit my remembrance. No adverfe fortune, nor the angry fates, fhall caufe The (imagination) memorial of thy lips to vanilh from my diilrailed brain. From my earlieft infancy (eternity without beginning) has my heart been bound in alliance with (the points of) thy ringlets ; And till my laft breath (eternity without end) the contrail fliall not be broken *. Every thing, except the (load of} love I cherifh for thee in this poor heart of mine. May be driven from my affeilions ; but, that fhall never go. cA ; d v fy /p* d~d NV d CT S") d S J 1 ^ The love of thee has taken fo flrong a hold upon my heart and upon my foul, That, though my head were fepa- rated from my body, my love for thee would Hill furvive. If my heart does thus purfuc the darling fex, it is excufable : />•/ ' i * It is Tick ; and, what can it do but feek a remedy ? Whoever ( 164 ) Whoever defires not to have his brain turned, like Haufez, Let him not give his heart to the fair, nor court their fociety. * The following amended tranjlation we fhall adopt from the Monthly Review, June 1801 , p. 125 . “ My heart has from eternity been enchained hi thy irejfes ; never fhall that chain be broken, nor my vows dijjolved Another— Tranflated by John Nott, Efcf. * wb \ Cr:° f. (Jr. if ; wb ‘ JU V iJTt. • « cc T ^ ♦ »/ jf) Jyf ~ ♦♦ (J'y \J> X CJY- WHEN the young rofs, in crimfon gay. Expands her beauties to the day, And foliage frefh her leaflefs boughs o’erfpreadf In homage to her fov’reign pow’r. Bright regent of each fubjedt flow’r t Low at her feet the violet bends its head U While the foft lyre, and cymbal’s found, Pour chearful melody around ; Quaff thy enlivening draught of morning wine 2 : And, as the melting notes infpire Thy foul with amorous delire ; Kifs thy fair handmaid, kifs her neck divine 3 t Now that thy garden richly blooms. And bloffom’d flimbs exhale perfumes. Perform rhofe hallow’d rites Zerdufht re<* quires 4 ; Now that the tulip, whofe red veins Are flufli’d with deeper, warmer ftains-. Glows in each leaf with more than Nimrod’s fires 5 ! Bid the dear youth of matchlefs grace. With filver brightnefs in his face, Whofe fragrant breath brings healing to the heart 6 , * Thy cup with mantling juice fill high ; And, in thy gay fociety. No dreadful tales of elder times impart T. How the young world now glads our eyes. It feems the boafled Paradife ; Rofes and lillies firew out flow’ry way ! But foon fhall fade its glowing veft, While, with eternal frefhnels blefl, The charms of Eden ne’er fhall know decay 8 . When \ ( 165 ) » £/* ^ ^ 222b -* * £ f J ^ a (/. lX>m v / j.^. , r> ‘ li x f*“. / ^ H ^ / 't , ^ vvV j;j} J> !/’ -? 1 ;;>. ^ >' f ^ (J^T^ ijf^ >A t ;l J ^^yli^'l ✓ ^-'"•^A* la? (?■ O^t ^ ^V 11 ^ LT ^ ) l }^. ^ lien flaunts the rofe, in purple drcfl, I.ike the gay monarch of ihe Eaft ; And proudly perfum'd rides upon the gale : The bird of morn, with tuneful throat. Then thrills aloud his early note, Melodious as the Ptalmift's cliaunted wail 9. O ! watte not lpring’ s voluptuous hours ; But call for mu tic’s magic pow’rs. For wine, and for the miltrefs of thy heart : The mirthful l'eafon’s tranflent flay Is but the vilit of a day; Its lmiles are l'weet, but foon thofe fmlles de part. Pafs briflt the fparklir.g goblet round. With brimful floods of crimfon crown’d ; To Emmad ud-deen 10 ' fill, in virtue tried 1 ’Tis he wUhwifdom rules the age. His counfels are like Afaf ’s fage ; Afaf, of Solomon the friend, and guide ! In this his day, unknown to pain, O heart ! be anxious to obtain The fondeft willies of feducive mirth : And, by no fcanty limits bound, Let his high prr.ife be ever found To fill, and to aftonifh all the earth. Then bring me wine, and largely bring ! ’Tis this that feeds my vital lpring ; For this iliall Haufez pour th’unceafing vow : And furely that indulgent Heav’n, Bv which fucli bounteous goods are giv’n. Will on its lervant this kind boon beftow. 1 This is a new mode of perfonification, for the modeft, unafpiring violet, which an Eaftern poet only could have invented. On feeing a bed of violets growing under the role- trees, he exclaims : “ The violet, the moft humble of fubje£ts, kitles the feet of it’s royal miftrefs the rofe!” Nott. s A chearful cup of wine in the morning was a favourite indulgence with the more luxuri- ous Perfians. And it was not uncommon among the Eafttrns, to falute a friend, by faying : “ May your morning compotation prove agreeable to you.” The word £ ttri&ly fignifies “ Any liquor drank in a morning.” Nott. V; # ♦ 3 The original expreflion, „ s JL.S' does not actually imply the neck ; but that foft re- ♦ 4 dundance of flelh below the chin, which fome amatorial writers have celebrated as a beauty in their miftrefles. It alfo fignifies the dew-lap of certain animals. Nott. 4 The fenfe of the original teems to be this : “ Let us now pay adoration to the fun, that primary lource of fire ; which begins to extend its vegetative warmth, and influence over all nature.” 5 Nimrod, with the Perfians, who derive the word from ne-murdun, not to die, means im- mortal ; but the Arabs deduce it from snared, a rebel. In this line, the poet appears, by the comparifon of fire, to deferibe thofe bright glowing tints, which the tulip thews in the lpring ; and Nimrod, according to the authority of fome of our motl learned Orientalifis, was one of the earlieft, and principal worlhippers of fire. 6 that is, Meffire halitum habens. Sir William Jones upon this patfage has V? ** IJU thefe ( 1 ( 3 ( 5 ’ ) thefc words: " Meffis ha lit us innuit niollem fp.iritum ac jucundum, qui mortuos in vitam poffit revocare:” 7 The Perlian text lays : “ Drink wine, and difmifs the flory of Ad, and Themud." Ac- cording to the chapter Houd of the Koraun, the Themudites, an ancient tributary tribe of Arabs, refuting tolilten to their prophet Saleh, who commanded them to deftroy their pagods, were l’wallowed up by an earthquake, at the order of the angel Gabriel ; having hid theml’elves in caverns, and dens, during four days. The Adites, defcendants of Ad, who derives his origin from Xoab, were another tributary tribe, inhabiting Arabia Felix-, who were, fbr the fame caufe, aim oft all exterminated : a few furviving Adites were transformed into apes. Such is the Eaftem fable. When the Arabs Jpeak of any thing of very ancient date they lav, that it was in the time of Ad. Noix. 8 Sir William Jones oblerves upon this dittich : “ Pulchram vides annominationem inter paradifum, et \ *X? acternitatem." y This dillich, literally tranflated from the Perfian, would ftand thus : “ When the rofe rides in the air like Solomon, the bird of morn comes forth with the melody of David." The comparifon of the beauty of a flower, to the richneis of king Solomon’s attire, was perhaps a favourite figure among the Eaftem writers, and may be found in Holy Writ. Q ')/) ;v. — V &■ ♦ A. • — > • o jy HITHER, boy, a goblet bring. Be it of wine’s ruby fpring ! Bring me one, and bring me two ; Nought but purefl: wine will do i i It is wine, boy, that can fave Even lovers from the grave; Old and young alike will fay — ’Tis the balm that makes us gay. Wine’s the fun ; the moon, fweet foul ? We will call the waning bowl : Bring the fun, and bring him loon. To the bofom of the moon 1 ! Da Hi ( 168 ) yi 1 '/* c-” 1 c-' C’A A ^ A ) ( y'r- - '-a''/- Z. r 1 J-' 1 - A fk “A -? r^>/ i Jj ✓ . j \ ' , 1 1 A Jb :A. i . / 'r' ^ / ) / w • Dafli us with this liquid fire. It will thoughts divine inl’pire; And, by nature taught to glow. Let it like the waters flow ! If the rofe fhould fade, do you Lid it chearfully adieu: Like rofe -water to each gueft Bring thy wine, and make us bleft. If the nightingale’s rich throat Ceafe the mulic of its note ; It is fit, boy, thou fhould’ft bring Cups that will with mufic ring 3. Be not fad, whatever change O’er the bufy world may range ; Harp and lute together bring. Sweetly mingling firing with firing 1 My bright maid, unlefs it be In fome dream, I cannot fee : Bring the draught, that will difclofe Whence it was fleep firfi arofe ! Should it chance o’er-pow’T my mind. Where’s the remedy I find ? ’Tis in wine : then, boy, fupply Wine, till all my fenfes die ! Unto Haufez, boy, do you Inftant bring a cup or two : Bring them ; for the wine fhall flow Whether it be law, or no ! 1 Literally, “ O cup-bearer 1 bring a goblet of wine ; bring a few more goblets of pure wine.” 2 Literally, " The fun and the moon are the wine and the goblet ; place the fun in the mid ft of the moon.” (i. e. Pour wine into the cup.) 3 This verfe is truly convivial ; the fenle of it is : “ When we can no longer enjoy the fpring, and the nightingale; let us enjoy our winter, and o.ur wine. Another— By the era* / r’ ^ ^JXS' sj) (jo* iff a ; t >> * ✓ df. J> (jrjf / f 1 '>./ A Rev. Mr. Hixdley. I Have borne the anguifh of love, which afk me not to defcribe : I have tailed the poifon of abfcnec, which alk me not to relate. Far through the world have I roved, and at length I ha\c chofen A fweet creature (a ravilher of’ hearts'), whofe name afk me not to difclofe. The ( crj ^ ^ J) c jt 'y ] J r 1 c> j ^ 1 lvt - if” ( .*. * t >1 ’jr' v j >r‘ ... r / yS V'' , ♦ *■* L/ ' • L . ’ * tjrsf fr' ✓ J 0 yC J iS ■ ■e w 1 * ♦ e> '/ ♦* j) yf. {JTAP* r r j 0 , 'ICp ♦ he 1? /V ifjv* S 1 (x * ^ J c j ♦ 169 ) The flowings of my tears bedew her footfteps In fuch a manner as afk me not to utter. On yefterday night from her own mouth, with my own cars I heard Such words, as pray afk me not to repeat. Why doll thou bite thy lip at me ? What doft thou not hint (that I may have told) ? I have devoured a lip like a ruby ; but whofe afk me not to men- tion. Abfent from thee, and the foie tenant of my cottage, I have endured fuch tortures, as afk me not to enumerate. Thus am I, Haufez *, arrived at that pitch (ftation, ’ experience, or extremity) in the ways of love. Which, alas ! afk me not to ex- plain. * The poet may pojjibly here allude to the proper Jignification of his own name , which implies accurate ohfervation , remembrance, and perfection. i * J J Jll ; - Another— Tranflated by the Same. YES, thy whole fliape is delicately proportioned ; every place about thee is exauilitc : My heart is exhilarated with thy fweet and honied blandifhments. x x Like ( 1/0 ) y *>y. uj* yC 1 * w L• St / A ;» A cr/f • A yr. r J> r j) < 'jr '"Ms. ^ w-’ y THAT idol with heart of Hone and ear-ornaments of lilver Hath deprived me of fortitude, power, and reafon : For, Hie is an image of piercing looks, delicate mien, in beauty like a fairy, A foft companion, bright as the moon, lovely, and robed in the graceful tunick, From the raging fire of her violent love I am continually ebullient (boiling over), like a culinary vefiel (pot). Might I take her in my embraces, like the garment that enfolds her, Mv heart would be at reft on be- coming near her as her neareft veftment (chemife.) Were my very bones even to pu- trefy, The love I have for her could not be forgotten by my foul *. Her bofom and fhoulders, her bo- fom and fhoulders, her bofom and fhoulders, Have deprived me of my heart and religion, my heart and re- ligion : Thy cure, thy cure, O Haufez, i/y j Is her honied lip, her honied lip, her honied lip. * Or rather, “ Though her hones were to decay, fill her remembrance would not be obliterated from my heart." Monthly Review, June 1801, p. 120. Another ( 172 ) Another— Tranflated by John Nott, Efq. ;* cA ^ L c/A" c; T ♦ 1 1 j 1 , ♦ i Lik< w/ ' is J) / J ft.yfr 4 < t^A . c)bf) A ij bn C) J C*V. lf4 c/A L< y . 0 e, 'ii- o-*l> ^ 1 r /!>' •/-' .v >k ^4- ♦ i , |„ 1/ (/ i I / ♦ I VvvwO / C u- ✓!>J Cl' / c- 1 W J- ' yZ^A J&)f y if yj jf) c/A Of / ^Jj\p J\ ;l ^ y // ^ ^ A: &\& fjJS) ) c-^ 5> ^" ^ 'f l x L7 c/ COME, charming maid! — I feel the gale. That o’er thy cheek of fragrance blows. Pour vital balm into my breaft: Thy form is on my heart irfipreft ; And perfedt the fair image rofe. Stamp'd by thy cheek, loves pow’rful feal. The rapt enthufiaft boafts in vain Thofe untrod regions, that abound With Houris i of immortal charms ; Their fouls a fancied beauty warms ; But in thy cheeks rich tints, are tound Thofe charms the vifionaries mean. 'Tis to thy locks, with odours fraught. The mutky fawn of China’s hills Its valued Bore of perfume owes : ’Tis from thy breathing cheek, that flows The efienc’d wave the rofe diftils ; For thence the flow’r its fweetnefs caught. A bath'd by thy majeflic mien, The cyprefs calls a mournful ihade. Bending to earth its languid boughs : With envy fades the purple rofe. That glitter’d in tlf embow’ring glade. Whene'er thy blooming cheek is leen. The model! jafmine’s filver bud Grows fickly pale, when it beholds Thy purer, animated white ; When glows thy cheek with crimfon bright. The red fvringa’s J flou ring folds Diftream anew with wonted blood. Yon glorious orb of golden light. Bath’d in the dew of lhame, furveys The dazzling fplendor of thy face : Struck with thy cheek of blufhing grace. The moon of Heav’n forgetful flays In her blue path, negledting night. As from thy cheek, of orient dye, Exhauftlefs fount of beauty roll Fieih floods of iife thro’ ev’ry vein j So, Haufez, from thy liquid ftrain, In tides of rapture to (he foul. Flow blifs, and immortality 3. 1 Thefe ( 173 ) i Theft are the black-eyed nymphs (for fuch is the meaning of the word Hour!, in the Ara- bic) of more than mortal beauty, who were imagined to people the promifed Paradife ; and with the enjoyment of whofe charms, Mohammed afl'ures us, that the taithful, who obfurve his Korauo, (hall be rewarded. - The is fuppofed, by fome commentators, to mean the Perlian fyringa, or tree of Judas, on which this traitor hung himfelf, after betraying his Matter 5 the tree, in confe- quence, is faid to have wept blood, with which its blofl'oms ftill remain deeply dyed. Nott. 3 In this diftich, Haufez, addrefling himtelf, fays, that, “ from his charming verfe flow the waters of immortality, or extreme delight, and reputation } as blood flows from the bread, by real'on of the beauty of his miltrefs’s cheek.” the Rev. Mr. Hixdley. BOY, bring the wine, — for, the feafon of rofes is arrived. That we may break our vows of repentance again amidll beds of rofes Jovial, and tinging aloud, let us enter the bower ; Like nightingales let us fink at once into nefts of rofes. In the recefs of the garden quaff the goblet of wine ; For, the figns of happinefs appear alfo at the command of the rofe. The rofe is arrived in the garden ; be not too confident of the time of her fojourn : Seek a friend, and wine, and the palace of cultivated rofe-bowers. Haufez, thou longeft after the company of the rofe, like the nightingales : Devote thy foul a ranfom for the dull of the w r alk of the keeper of the rofe- garden *. * The firfl and the lajl diflichs of this ode are quoted in Sir William Jones's Grammar, p. 20, where they are thus tranj/aied : “ Boy, bring the wine, for the feafon of the rofe approaches * let us again break our vows of repentance in the midjl of the rofes. 0 Haufez, thou deftrefl, like the nightingales, the prefence of the rofe : let thy very foul be a ranfom for the earth where the keeper of the r of e-gar den walks /” Another— -Tranflated by Jf ^ J 6 A Y- J Jr cAr - J) / > ^ ^ f-jj jf'Jy cJl'J V* frf Jf c Jy/ £r J Jry 6 A fjs ij'^y. jy Jtz ^ C' 77 1 if Jf cj'-y*- i if. -f'r > A ciV”. tT 1 f 1, J y 0 j f Y Y Another Another— -Tranflated by John Nott, Efq. \xlx) ) (S j V-£- f.K wV } L ft ] (jM* '/* t ^)A (/ u »'aC j/..a * *\t : 5 1 ^/f 11 U? ^jl / /E&e-'*> r h — ' • ^ "t)^ ftft *C \ ;' (J^* :? A J*' 1 / 1 .. ^ • >/ C/lrV. ^ ^ > ! C^'U w- 1 ; GIVE, O give love’s fportful joys; Youth, and all that youth employs ; Wine like rubies bright, and red ; And the board with dainties fpread ; Gay affociates, fond to join In the cup of circling wine I Give the handmaid’s lip divine, Blufhing deeper than her wine; Minftrels vers’d in tuneful art ; And the friend that’s next our heart ; With the valued, chearful foul. Drainer of the brim-full bowl ! Give the nymph, that’s tender, kind. Pure in heart, and pure in mind. As th’ unfullied fount that laves Eden’s banks with blifsful waves, And whofe beauty fweetly bright Shames the clear moon’s full-orb’d light ! Give the feftive hall, that vies With our boafted Paradife ; Round it, breathing rich perfume. Let refrefhing rofes bloom ; Such as, with unfading grace. Deck the blell abode of peace ! Give companions, who unite In one wifh, and one delight ; Briik attendants, who improve All the joys of wine and love ; Friends who hold our fecrets dear. And the friend who loves good cheat ! Give the juice of roly hue, BriQdy fparkling to the view, Richly bitter, richly fweet. Such as will exhilarate : While the fair-one’s rubi’d lip Flavours ev’ry cup we lip ». Give the girl, whofe fword-likeeye Bids the undcrltanding die, Tempting mortals to their fate With :h goblet's finding bait ; Damfels give with fluv. inghair. Guileful as the hunter’s fnarel ( 175 ) c/* ^ A (J * 7 ^ CJrt h) 1 (/. )?* s (J^^+ o i a * Give, to fpend the clailic hour. One deep-read in learned lore. One, whofe merry, tuneful vein Flows like our gay poet's drain. And whofe open generous mind BlefTes and improves mankind - ! \ Mortals, wilfully unwife. Who thefe mirthful gifts defpifc. Entertain no pleating fenfe Of voluptuous elegance : Scarce of I nch can ft be laid. That they differ from the dead. ‘ It was cuftomary with the Afiatics in their potations to eat every now and then of fome grateful fweetmeat, the better to relilh their wines. Our poet therefore elegantly fays : “ I«et the rubies (of the lip) of a miftrefs be our fweetmeat.” - Vid. fnpra, p. 30. \ i Another— Tranflated by the Same. THE feafon comes, that breathes of joy. In rofy garment dreft ; Let mirth, my friends, your care employ ; O, hail the fmiling gueft ! Old-age 1 now warns us to improve The vernal hours with wine and love. To the fond withes of the heart How few are gen’rous found ! And the fweet hours, which blifs impart, Pafs on in hafty round : Then, for the wine I love fo well. My facred carpet I will fell 2 . The gale, that fmells of fpring, is fweet ; But fweeter, (hould the fair. With winning elegance replete. Its grateful freihnefs fhare : By her gay pretence chear'd, we pafs With briiker glee the rofy glafs. Soft fweep the lyre of trembling firings ; ’Twill fate’s black rage fupprefs; Fate o’er the child of merit flings The mantle of diflrefs 3: Then let loud forrow's wailing cry Be drown'd in floods of melody. With X (J**-)? (j* J ^ >T lX A #• eV i/^' (b CJ'r A -/ A crJ ^ I, j f' J> { r* ft ^ F V*. With boiling paftion's eager ha fte. Comes forth the blufliing rofe ; Shall we not wine like water walie. Soft dalhing as it flows ? Now that ‘our throbbing bofoms prove The wild defires of hope, and love. O Haufez ! thy delightful lay. That on the wild wind floats, Refembles much, our poets fay. The nightingale’s rich notes ; What wonder then, thy nndic flows In thefweet feafon of trie role 4. 1 I , ■jjix* which I have rendered old-age, implies, in modern Perfian, the old tavern keepers : but it is necefiary that the Englilli reader fhould know the hiftory of this term- I’eeri-tnughaun, ftri&ly > interpreted, iignifies old wife-men, and was chiefly applied to the priefts of the adorers of fire, or the Guebres : but when the Mohammedans, with their arms, carried their religion into Perfia, f it was ufed by them, as an espreflion of contempt, lor tire heads of the Chriftian churches; it alfo diftinguifhed the mafters of taverns, baths, and cara- vanferas, who, from an intercourfe with travellers, and their various guelts, were men of more than common information, and as luch highly relpedted. Mr. Richardfon, in a note upon this fubject, further informs us, that the waiting-boys at thefe houfes of entertainment acquired alfo the title of b which formerly diftinguifhed the noviciates of the old Perliani rr.onafteries. Nott. 2 In the original When the Perfians offered up their prayers, according to the ufage of the Mohammedans, whofe religious ceremonies were univerfally adopted by them after putting on the Arabian yoke, they fpread a carpet over the ground on which they pro- ftrated themlelves, left they lhould perform their devotions on any polluted fpot. A flave ufually carried this holy utenfil after them, when they travelled, or even went a fmall diftance from home. The Prophet, in all the lacred ceremonies he ordained, teems to have had clean- linefs more immediately in view ; a proof of the great fagacity of this impoftor, who found he could only wean his followers from that filthy indolence, fo prejudicial to the health of their bodies, and improvement of their minds, by enjoining cleanlinefs as a religious duty. In this he was a ftrift imitator of the Jewifh law. Nott. 3 The original only fays: “ Fortune is the plunderer of the family of excellence.” Nott. 4 The Perfian writers frequently compare their poets to nightingales; indeed our Haufoz has acquired the conftant appellation of, the Perfian nightingale. Nott. Tranflated by Jonathan Scott, Efq. jC l. A > ,.Av I Jw L (fl O! Thou faithful meflenger, tell J U ' "v •• me news of my beloved ; X ly- IX ^ , K , Tell the tale of the rofe to the v LA • w U plaintive nightingale. ( 177 ) , ^r~ ™l l. ^ S' - ^ r A l r |.-T 7 7. " (V" . X? . * c, , V • , *• •*• /T' .? LV L " r\ o w / c • O' (• 0" f) Lr ; v - yC W j I l yUXv* ■w^'l ly^ if ^ yC^/y y,j \y* /?., jr^ J ) / yyC £}) > !;U ^ « ^..> U yf j£ o y U/^ (j* ) J? U ^UXL* )/* 0^ )/z* a if) L f t X » > ♦ ♦ £/7> £T“ )r) £* £/* ;• ^ -? f (/% -? >i '&'))» s J~> ^ x t. a Vj y V >; -V'*'* X" 1*1 / C' - Be not referved ; we arc admit- ted to the atfcmbly of intimacy: Tell then an old lover fomething of his beloved. In the domains of love there is no diftnnftion of perfons ; Speak then, O! fovc reign of beau- ty, to the beggar. When flic feattered from the net of her tatfel hearts all around, Speak what tortures were fuf- tained by me, ah ! miferable Tell the fyftem- monger who warns me from w’ine, To preach his compofitions in the pretence of my faint. Though we are abandoned, yet treat us not fcornfully ; But prince-like forgive the foi- bles of the fuppliant. When the committed her mufkv tretfes to the waving of chance; Say, O Zephyr ; what hint the meant to convey to me ? O! yetlernight, the bird of the garden wept at my forrows. Knoweft thou what occurred ? tell it to the morning. r j • • i *■ , , To whoever faid, the duft of my beloved’s threfhold is collyrium to a lover ; Say, furely he faw it clearly in my eyes, z z The ( 178 ) wL/ ♦ •/ rC k •* if/?. \y. j> cj' s-f s U; / f ? , cn,i ji/*.. A*?* ,.il u ^ ^ /• O''/' 5 C' > • ,i -•! X if , * k ! 1 •• t-.. • Jr* H J; 7W J) ( 5 * CJ } \ is. r •/ ^ X if A {/ •« V" ^ ia? k rC jfj Ott ^ s Lf* if The traditions of divines refrefh the foul. Aik a fecrct from her, and tell me the anecdote. Shouldeft thou again pafs by the entrance of her palace ; After offering your own fervices, fpeak my petition. . Ptead to me lowly the edid of that auguft dame; I ♦ ’ Prelate of her majefty fome ac- count to this fuppliant. Say, cup-bcarer ! when again fhall mantle in the bowl that wine Which in the vcffel ravifhed the heart of the auftere with its fmiles. If, O Haufez ! they fhould admit thee to her affembly, quaff wine ; And for God’s fake quit hypocrify and cant. Another— -By the Rev. Mr. Hindley. fjb tji yC \y 'r'M* « « r j . y r. y ^ C A O Minffrel, with a fweet voice! begin an air that is frefh and new : Call for heart expanding wine frefh and frefh. Sit ( i;o ) . ♦ w ir* (J'f y% K r '~t ~. y °;k. »;i." • ; > ( y * -'/ i/;r~ (/ I - ' ^ J f *1 ✓ > » yOjfc *;C J ,L >r"- yy* h> f* y Oyfc Djl - yy' ^ j" \ &a >’ ' C ^r* Jy ^ cr c;t“ y t y Jj; ; > » ♦ ♦ r. * Sit down from prying eyes and enjoy thy millrefs, as a game in private. . Snatch eager kiffes from her frcfli and frelh. How canft thou eat the bread of life without drinking wine! Quaff wine to her dear remem- brance again and again. O cup-bearer with legs of filvcr, I am intoxicated with the love ot thy beauty ! Quick fetch the cup, that I may fill it again and again. My hcart-ravifhing angel makes for me Ornaments of various hues, and odours afrefh and afrefh. O ! gentle Zephyr, when thou paffeft by the habitation of my Fairy, Afrefh and afrefh tell her, in w hif- pers, the tale of Haufez. Another-— Tranflated by Sir William Ouseley, LL.D. •A J 1 ' cP f r ) ^ k* y. > -J* t* * IT is a feftival, and the feafon of the rofe ; boy, bring wine. — Who ever faw r , in the time of the rofe, a cup placed down with- out wine ? My V> ( 180 ) cr A J; i °> \J [ '^ \ i ':&{* i y X^» cT> jApU Cv ^ iS ^**v — ** J s f * ’ C j] > iS^ AA> ;;; ^ ‘-Ac"' 5 ^ , ♦ 1 lyV ^ l y w' to ♦ > ♦ *-. o ^ IT 54 / U ^ ^ ij ^ L > ^ A ^ 5 A rk ) A y. y > —A - ,l ’ y. » 5 t *♦ ♦♦ >u err -? u (/^ w~A ^ ■ W y* f k ;> y 51 — ■' //* /! >L^ 6'r-S ^ -r' / - '/^ yV- ♦ f'A » ;> iT My heart Ihrinks from the mali- cious hypocrify of affeded tem- perance : Pour out the wine, boy, that my heart may be expanded. Him, who yefterday preached fc- rious advice to lovers, I this day beheld drunk, and his piety and folemnity given to the wind. For thefe two or three days, plun- der the rofes ! And if you are a lover, feek the delights of love in revelling with beautiful damfels. The rofe is now departed f but why, my companions, do you lit languid and inanimate, Without the found of the tabor and flute, without a miftrefs and a flafk ot wine ? You know how the morning draught delights us in our feaft, When the rofy cheek of the cup- bearer is refleded in the wine. O minftrel ! when you begin to play, if you accompany the in- ftrument with your voice. Sing this fragment of the poetry of Haufez at the banquet of the prince. Another— -Tranflated by Sir William Jones. cVj i j A r~' A V CJ'j Beware ! ( 181 ) if*-'') c/* if/) A i sw \ v o > y , j i • (J"A ) ' f y ijf 4/t if/) AM y } j y A - ; x y if/) A 9 ) (J’fr -/ 9 & • A ! f/> AM *? &■ J) yy * y \ 9 J* (/! if/) • i/. , 1- » if/) Af A ' • wG/ - J y &\e t 1 ♦ i ’hi if/) j t&JI / Beware ! do not Heal : what haft thou to do with her treffes ? O rofe, w r hat art thou, to be com- pared with her bright face ? She is frefh, and thou art rough with thorns. O narciftus, what art thou in com- panion of her languishing eye ? Her eye is only Sleepy, But thou art fick and faint. O pine, compared with her grace- ful ftature. What honour haft thou in the garden ? O wifdom, what would’ft thou choofe, if to choofe were in thy power, In preference to her lover ? O fweet bafd, what art thou, to be compared with her frefh cheeks? They are perfect mufk, but thou art foon withered, O Haufez, thou wilt one day at- . tain the object of thy defire, If thou can’ll but fupport thy pain with patience. Another— Trandated by Sir William Ouseley, LL.D. i •*« cr,) c ♦ » •» ♦* cr '- 1 THIS Monkifh habit which I wear lhall ferve as a pledge lor wine ; And this unmeaning volume*fhall be funk in an ocean of good liquor. 3 A How ( 182 ) , J,l wl/ »>!»' £ » V •• t , | , • i Av j /' w-' «-2.« c >; ^ ; 4 /'*^ >’ a . / w * . r\ I ** iS MwT f-f 0^' Ur i k f- / J ' cX * ^ Laj w " l t y/'ijS ♦# ) J) (jr^ s' » -? ] r (// '.(*/. j 3 m /A ;> , ♦ I « ^ J I ia? b (J* /> ♦♦ • *• / A. U;' rr Jf J) ) U>; How have I walled life ! — as far as I can look around, We owe our ruin to the love of wine and diffipation. How remote is true meditation from the profeffion of a Der- veilh, or a Hate of poverty ! My bread is all on hre — my eyes full of tears. I fhall not tell the (lory of my ena- moured heart to the world : Or if I do tell it, it mull be to the found of the harp or violin f . As the fphere of the world thus moves round without intermif- fion, My head is giddy with a paffion for the lovely cup-bearer, whilfl my hand fei^es the goblet of wine. From a miflrefs like thee, I can never turn away my heart — Yes — but if I do, at any time, it will be only from one of thy ringlets to another. When you fhall be old, Haufez, then depart from the wdne ta- vern : But firft enjoy, whilft young, the pleafures of drinking and of con- vivial mirth. * The Koraun, which fome of the Mohammedan Soufies, or Monks , through an affectation of excejjive devotion and religious zeal, carried con - flautly in their bofoms. Thofe hypocritical Soufies, who in pjiblic preached virtue and fobriety, and in fecret praCtifed every vice , are the frequent ob- jects of ojir poet' s ridicule and fatire. Thefe fmall tranferipts of the Ko- raun are rolled up, and are fuppofed to aCt as a charm againfl all forts of evil. Some of t hem are moft exquijitely written , the chapters being placed in a variety of curious ornamental devices. *j Kebab , a violin of two firings and a bow. hide Shaw's Travels. Another ( 183 ) Another—' Tranflated by Sir William Jones. A if* ~ V. (X r r Xu'j, 77 jXj.j 0“">j - 1 >l’« X; ;X 0 / et* (/V ^ • • . *♦ Awy* ZcXrM O’ 1 ^ ; j J? 1 1 *r * f ^ r ; 'at. >y.Z ^ i/ 1 ^ J^f • • i/j A A j! SytP* /, if; ^ & ^{C^s. ifhif* #7 tj\ A 'j\ )f;}/ w!/!^ \ rr k> •• * if;J ft ♦« A . ssfr J ^ ^ t 0 * ♦ t ' * } • if 1 J> f ^ if;/ , ..VO 1 ;AT J . J ft hij*) ; a A RISE, boy ; for the cup of the tu- lip is full of w ine. When will this ftridtncfs end? how long will thefe fcruples laft ? No more of this pride and difdain ; For time has feen the crown of Caefar humbled, and the diadem of Cyrus bent to the ground. Oh ! be wife ; for the bird of the morning is intoxicated with love. Oh, aw T ake ! for the fleep of eter- nity is juft before you. How gracefully thou moveft, O fweet branch of a vernal plant ! May the cold wind of December never nip thy buds ! There is no reliance on the favours of fortune or her deceitful fmiles. Oh ! woe to him, who thinks himfelf fecure from her treach- ery. To-morrow, perhaps, the ftream of Cuther, and the girls of Pa- radife, will be prepared for us ; But to-day alfo let us enjoy a dam- fel bright as the moon, and quaff the wine from the lull cup. The zephyr (faba) reminds us of our youth (fabi) ; Bring us the wine, bo}, which may refrefh our fouls, and difpel our forrovv. Admire not the fplendour and dig- nitv of the rofe ; «/ For the wind will foon fcatter all her leaves, and fpread them be- neath our feet. Bring ( 184 ) Bring a larger cup to the memory of Hatem Tai * ; That we may fold up (Tai) the gloomy volume of thofe, who want generality. This wine, which gives a lively tint to the Argavan (a purple flower), Communicates its fWeet nature from my beloved’s cheek to her heart. Attend ; for the muficians of the bow r er have begun their concert, Joining the notes of the lute and harp to the melody of the dul- cimer and flute. Bring thy fopha into the garden, for, like a6tive attendants. The cyprefs Hands before us, and the green reed has tucked up his girdle. O Haufez, the fame of thy fweet alluring forcery has reached From the extremity of Rc'i and Bum, to the limits of China and Egypt. *** The above ode, fays Sir William Jones, is a genuine example of the true Shirazian diale dt. * An Arabian prince, celebrated for his extreme liberality. — The following anec- dote relative to. this prince is taken from <£ Tales, Anecdotes, and Letters, tranflated from the Arabic and Periian,” by Jonathan Scott, Efq. a very curious and entertaining work: It is related, that Hatim erected a large ftoreho ufe, having feventy entrances, at each of which a petitioner might receive his alms. Upon his death, his brother, who fucceeded him, wifhed to imitate his great example ; but his mother laid, “Attempt it not, my fon, for it is beyond thy genius.” He would not attend to her words; upon which fhe one day, having difguifed herfelf as a mendicant, came to one of the doors. Her fon relieved her; (lie repaired to another door ; and was again relieved. She went to a third, when her fon exclaimed, “ I have given thee twice already, yet thou importupeft me again.” ‘ Did I not tell thee, my fon, (laid the mother, dif- covering herfelf) that thou coukUt not equal the liberality of thy brother? I tried him, as 1 have done thee, and he relieved me at each of the feventy doors without afking a quettion ; hut I knew thy nature, and his. When I fuckled thee, and one nipple was in thy mouth, thou always heldeit thy hand upon the other, left any one fliould feize it ; but thy brother Hatim the contrary.” FTFTFFVT'TT ( 135 ) FIFTEENTH CENTURY. Extracts from of Joseph and Zuleikha, by Jaumee. Commencement ot the Firlt Chapter ot that Poem. Tranflated by Sir William Ouseley, LL.D. * ILwJ ! C' c 1>T « , L'.A/ • fr , ♦ j <*A % j g, p ; CJ* 1 A > i a o ^ & y JZ* / ’»£* w hy / 'by b'b'., / c rr •• eA.;; if A A 5? £)& yifV. \h/ \S» S' «• if*. c)b / : A • H >J:/ ^ w?'-" (/•; y r '-r' ;1 ■2-—' if {fr. A ♦ | ♦ , ( ♦ I » '-r' f )> v L w " > yy. J - . *k yy. &yy*i cM- r 1 [5 * J > ♦ TT >/ .*«! / H >v> j ♦ '“T zs Jt ;i w OL* ♦ y-A • ' ;i A i IN the morning, when the raven of night had flown away. The bird of dawn began to fing : The nightingales warbled their enchanting notes. And rent the thin veils of the rofc- bud and the rofe ; The jafmine flood bathed in dew* And the violet alfo fprinkled his fragrant locks. At this time Zuleikha was funk in pleafing flumber ; Her heart was turned towards the altar of her facred vifion *. It was not deep ; it was rather a confufed idea : It was a kind of phrenzy, caufed by her nightly melancholy. Her damfels touched her feet with their faces ; Her maidens approached, and killed her hand. Then fhe removed the veil from her cheek, like a tulip be- fprinklcd with dew; She opened her eyes, yet dim with deep. From ( 18 7 ) From the border of her mantle the y ^ fun and moon arofe ; // /£ ^ She ra ^ ec ^ her head from the couch, and looked around on every fide. * A metaphor taken from the cuflom , which prevails among Moham- medans, of turning their faces, when they pray, towards the temple of Mecca . Ode.— Tranflated by Sir William Ouseley, LL. D. \y* /*V -Ji*) LAST night my eyes being clofed ^ y '■^1 ^ in fleen. but mv imod fortune )?. ) in deep, but my good fortune awake. J ib , * ** , A' X The whole night, the live-long f * y ♦ ♦ nierfifv the imncre 1 of mv he_ I * ' * * night, the image I of my be- )y, loved was the companion of my foul. d J ylxii /./f w / >^ The fweetnefs of her melodious ~ voice Hill remains vibrating on . ^ my foul : f ’:3f fLJ j? ajJ) Mil Heavens! how r did the fugared , words fall from her fweeter lips 1 • /) ^ Alas! all that Ihe faid to me in jf that dream has efcaped from ^ ~%ACT* my memory*, X t ■-< a? y j? 4 f Although it was my care till break i 'f of day to repeat over and over, K vr* >y. her i vveet w r ords. > j y j*j The day, unlefs illuminated by m * y * * lii. ^ her beauty, is, to my eyes, of 2 J ) noHurnal darknefs ; ylb rr + /if ) . fT pf tfj Happy day ! that firfl I gaz’d upon U w r .. iSs V that lovely face ! ;r. c> a (J) (lb- May the eyes of Jaumce long be ^ ( | * bleft w ith pleafing vifions, Hnce ^ *"* ^ they prefented to his view laft A night • !>v yfi iS / f ^ >, That obj eft, on whofe account he ‘ * " palled his waking life in expec- palfed tation. Ode. ( 188 ) Ode.---Tranflated by Jonathan Scott, Elq. f\ -1*1 -U / f k A . 1 / -vV ^ j> W* f 1 / A A »/ A . % A c^’ id A » fl 1/ -t*k A A- ^ AAA 4 ;? A, ■/ '■A A/ ?' / — -A ^ A / /•V ’/ -V v a a r *♦ ♦ A > ** ♦ 4 I (r-'/' »*/ f ' r~ ' J ] f\. V* » C/'H t ° ^ ^ ^ ;? A fj*k )f >’ >.L V ^ ; lt ;>'* WHERESOEVER I fix my habi- tation, I find thee my inmate — I can never move any where that I do not find thee there. Do I fleep at night, or wander lonely in my dwelling, I behold thee in my dreams, or fee thee in my abode. In the company of the convivial, or in the aflembly of the world- ly minded, I fee only thee, my beloved, and find thee the confoler of my heart. In whatever aflembly the taper is lighted up. Circling round it, I am fure to find thy moth *. If I vifit the tavern without a goblet, I am fure to find thine in the hands of the guefts. Should I throw off my religious habit, and dive into the fea, I fhould find thee, the precious pearl, concealed in every fhell. Jaum.ec isloftto everything around him. For in public and private he be- holds nothing but thee. * The moth fly ing round a taper is compared, by the Eaflern poets , to a lover ajjiduoujly following his miftrefs. SIXTEENTH ( 189 ) SIXTEENTH CENTURY. Account of Cashmere from Rafied’din. Tranflated by Sir William Ouseley, LL. D. /r ifir !'/ sJ? f "/ cr/ y A (Jffi 1 y ^ ^ f *r r* /A* a ifk > ] x £)\ ;j ; \/° i °/r" 1 Ar* /.'-c'f 1 0^ * (Jbj • jU . j* > w ; > y-; f/A ) A w".r" ) Jf, > U cA-* k * ;» ■-C/ y; j I Happened once to vifit Cafh- mere : If you will attend, I’ll give a dc- feription of that country. I have feen Irak and India, Khoraf- fan and Perfia, But no place equal to Cafhmere in beauty and in excellence of cli- mate. During the whole year, from Cafh- mere to the borders of Cathy, The air, tempered by gentle fhow- ers, hasallthemildnels of Spring; There are flowers, and green her- bage, plains, and running ftreams; Palaces, cupolas, and public build- ings, beautiful to view. On every fide are rifing grounds, chryftal fprings, and lofty trees. Amid mountains covered w'ith nut trees, apple trees, and fig trees, Feftivity and pleafure peculiarly abound there. In mirth and revelry the Caflime- rians pafs away their time on filken cufhions. 3 c They ( >v b~„ f J 1 ' 5 ' ^ (y ft rf fv/* ■% CJblf. ; -1 -S } /.f ) y y. ■* } /•/ < //’• ; >.V * J 1 ^ ;j I C ; .y^ ^s.r* •• >1 "* j „ r • t, ,-•> /> • *■-. , f-f v J w ?/- 7 /V M k/’j $r~f - c ' jg j ■&* yf v Cl's- //£ A* //t /I /— ^ / ^ - j 1 ,vb: i//** '—*•'>. / It /£•* ^ w< " C ! i OV A '-%)* * C^" fy ; ft' fit CJ 1 '" (/;£ //) f>> ;> £.b a j/* l . a^'- >y, '**) ) They all wear fliawls. Whether of illuftrious birth, or of the loweft clafs. How fhall I deferibe the lovely damlels of that country ? For in my opinion, the young moon is not equal to them in beauty ; With lips fweet as fugar, in ftaturc- like the graceful pine, fragrant as jafmin ; Whatever fide you look at, thofc nymphs appear like the fun or moon ; A thoufand fecret fnares, like the links of a chain. Are laid in the waving ringlets of thofe fair plunderers of hearts. When the lovely nymphs loofe their flowing treffes, A thoufand captive hearts iffue from the point of every hair ! Here are innumerable youths, hand- fome as Jofeph ; A thoufand damfels with pouting lips, fair as Zuleikha, and charm- ing as the Houries ; All frefh, young, and blooming ; All in fweetnefs like fugarcandy,. fugar, and milk. Refia, in the train of the victorious emperor, Akber, Vifited Cafhmere, in company w r ith Mohammed Peer. 1 Ode ( 191 ) Ode— Tranllatcd by the Same. O' f*- /' h&o * ^r 9 bo**} / j, ^ j : hc/LA , t * * 0 t f? h^ 0^ > hj% ^Ua 9 / An «» a ^ efe hcr^ 0* I Would forfeit reafon and religion For the pleafure of beholding that lovely fair-one in my deep. If I could for one moment proflrate myfelf at her feet, I would no longer regard any ob- jects on the face of this earth. If lhe fliould fay, “ He is a Have belonging to my court On this account I would place my foot on the ninth fphere of the heavens. Oh ! difhevel not thofe ringlets, fragant as jafmine ! Put not to fhame, thereby, the perfumes of Cheen or Tartary. I am fo immerfed in the ocean of love. That I cannot difeern one object from another*. he C ;m> *h > a Oh ! Rafied’deen, with the face of candour and fincerity. Lay thy forehead in the clay of the path on which lhe treads. * Literally, “ know not my hand from myjleeve” SEVENTEENTH ( 192 ) SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. V ly ;) Extract from the History of Christ, by Jerome Xavier. Tranflated by I Jsr C)W> f w VJ) (J) \)*\ t r ^ />/ -? »>ssi;vT /$ } *1 Jj ^ >V>* ;b ^ ;f ^ ^ ^ ■ * , ./ . , 1 cA ex' w~/ w^; > ^ b A A?. ^ >;y^ A > ! Av* )> V £r^ ! Cf* >J Av; ^V". f^’ ~"A . • • *' t/V* ;s. £}')))) y* df. \Ji^ Lv* ft bsb •• j~«' ! • the Editor. THE PRECEPTS OF GOD*. IN this time it was that a certain learned doctor of religion came to tempt him (Jefus), and faid, “ O, mailer, what fhall I do to inherit eternal life ?” He faid to him, “ W hat is written in the law ? and how do you read it ?” He anfwered and faid, “ Love the Lord with all thy heart, with all thy foul, with all thy ftrength, and with all thy mind ; and thy neighbour as thyfelf.” Our Lord Jefus faid, “ Thou haft faid right. Do this, and live.” He willied to juftify himfelf, and faid, “ Who is my neighbour ? Jefus faid, “ A certain man came from Jerufalem to Jericho, and thieves fell upon him, and ftripped him of his gar- ments, and wounded him, and departed, and left him almoft dead. A certain Prieft pafted that way, and faw him, and pafted by. A Levite like wife pafted that way, and faw him, and went on his jour- ney. At length a certain Sama- ritan came and drew near to him, and when he had feen his wounds, he /fefr Tk«. aynria^ ^-t/Vn, t'tte, Ouxfluuu. I jjj l A^a^ttevvtWAv tfct- r r cvjA\.aAy/T- Tlut ££w£&»ie.V SV.mJ.ct Cl*- foe Kx^tLaJtJ CtUvf ' AxtcL \yjfyiMi*. S \\JL a f U3.ft.rft-a.~7 $■ a-w, Ltv f/slftr 1X1 ayry W L t&ft uj-wcU sl. t-Csri* t~, 3 |j te. S a*: C ; pCo . ^xS^Zf^ 9 LAA< ^ % ( W ) >) bAi )/. A J* S 4 — "jj W t * iS * ^ I* * «» / s # j ♦ %* y *• *f )s. (r/*^ ^.. C^'; 1 ;/ bA cJfaJf'j A ^ c/;; fV '-■> J ~^ A Af^A a £rJ )f A) A) *ZS-/ i)f A Arb °)a lr-. *>/ Ar' W^'J v/ f % Aj )) A^A )/* A AA ^ A b — x A ^ \j/ {r? 'S. i^l.'A (jA. /b £r — ^ c£;' (j% f'> A cr'-^ iSjtt) y ^>J l Jf j{ f\S V-’ (Jj'xo o-^>. (j~> >/ $*4* A ^ [jrA - 1 ^ A 2 a *zA';A £,A~A bfv ^ ;/ c/j; k ^ ^ C/A A. A F* ^o4‘ c^A ;> (j/j) >^t. J w-^ ^ *j+ A )) — 1 A t/*. >;r. cA-A A JA^‘ bA {Jj ibb+A o f-f+AAfsA')/. jilts'. J j\xaf 1“ gT ; l>(^* ^ < / > -V - C-A^ he had companion on him, and poured oil and wine into his wounds, and having bound them up, lie placed him on his own afs, and led him to an inn, and took care of him. In the morning he took two pence, and gave it to the mailer of the inn, and told him to take care of him ; and if more than this lhall be l'pcnt upon him, I will return it to you another time. Of tliefe three perfons therefore, whom do you luppofe was the neighbour of him who fell into the hands of the thieves ? He faid, “ He who had mercy on him.” Jefus faid to him, “ Go, and do likewife.” He fhewed to him, “ That we fhould look upon all men as our neighbours, and that we Ihould do good to them in their neccffities, of whatfoever re- ligion or fe6t they may be.” At the time that they werejourneying he entered the village of Bethany ; and a certain woman named Mar- tha came to meet him, and led him to her houfe. She and her filler, by name Mary, fat nigh to the feet of Chrill, that they might hear his difeourfe. But Martha was troubled on account of her attendance on the company, and implored help and allillance. And when he. faw, that her filler Mary heard the words of Chrill, lie laid to her, “ Tell her, the Lord fays, you may take part in the ferving.” The Lord alfo an- fwered and faid, “ Martha, Mar- tha, in all thy tranfa&ions thou art 3 d troubled I X 194 ) 0 J) V/ J V.rv J)) J ) J ' ! A ! - 4 5 > ;u j) M cC/f* (-/* c/Q ^ troubled about many things : there is one thing, which is need- ful. But Mary has chofen the bed part, which fhall not be taken from her -f.” * Compare Cuke x. 25 — 42 . •j* Toward the clofe of this extraSl, a difficulty occurs with regard to the fenfe , the original being defective. f EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. The following Story in modern Persian, was presented to Sir William Jones by Mirza Abdulrahhim of Isfahan : CJ& 1 wT C)r{* c 1 ?** r /— THE man, who had inebriated himfelf with milk from the nip- ple of Anguifh, Who had been nourifhed in the lap of Affli&ion, Mejnun, mad with the bright hue and fair face of Laili, Himfelf a dark mole on the cheek of the defert. Having found the way to the man- fion of love, Became ( 4 a* A • ■ (/> A ' • • -A? )) l A y cb C ,L ! b *r'/ fc . ^ AT* 1 )?. oY- 4 w'*/’* ^ $> ) h/ e f ; -L " ; J'} DyUT ^ c> J A 0 ] ) ly* 0 * 'f cA*'/ j — v •* J £-✓,/, ^ c>t Jlo jy y-Ki j/ /'; j 1 — ^ f'*’ >f t\/l C A ' J.) W T Jt? ^>1 ri ' t w T yV 19s I Became fixed like the threshold on the door of love’s palace. Over his head the form of Madncfs had call her fhadow : The talc of his pafiion was loudly celebrated. ^ Among; the Arabs a tumult arofe on all fides : The relation of his adventures was a defrrt in their aflcmblics. A powerful Prince reigned in Ara- bia, Pofiefflng worldly magnificence and riches : He had fecn the depredations of Grief through abl'ence from a beloved objedl : ' He had plucked many a black' fpotted flower from the garden of love, Even in his infancy he had felt the pain of feparation : The bitter tafte of that poifon re- mained in his palate. When he learned the ftory of that afflicted lover. He inftantly gave an order to a Have, Saying, “ Make thy head like thy feet in running towards Najd ; Go with celerity,' like a violent wind : Bring fpeedliy with thee to my prefence Her, Who has ftolen the heart of Mejnun with a glance.’ The itripling ran, and in a fhort time brought Laili, That Emprefs in the dominion of beauty. To ( ig6 ) f b-^y e/ r (s* $ w D ^‘ ^ w£-l& S, ) ^ ) e! jA. d'> r 1 v— a J? >;>' •» ,/ >3 Cr? > Jy i {J , y a ♦ 0 s A 0 US jjf JUJ.' A r*' t , l > V '♦ V 9 I by ify a A -v ^ / e 6 (p « „ ♦« AX* j) ? o vlV ] f > U- To another flave the Prince gave this order : “ Run thou alfo into the defert, Go to that ornament of frantic lovers, Mejnun, the illumined taper of love. Bring quickly before me that in- flamed youth, That heart-confumed anguifh- pierced lover.” The boy went, and returned, in the twinkling of an eye, Accompanied by the ruler in the territories of love. When the Prince looked at him. He beheld a wretch in bondage to the mifery of defire. Madnefs had fixed her abode on this head : He was clothed, as with a veft, with the wounds of reparation. His locks flowed, like a mantle, over his body : His only fandal was the callus of his feet. In his hair ftuck a comb of Arabian thorns : A robe of fand from the defert covered his back. “ O thou faid the Prince, who haft been loft in the valley of forrow; Doft thou not wifh me to give thee the objedt of thy paflion, To exalt thee with dignity and power. To bring Laili before thee gratify- ing thy foul ?” “ No> ( w ) ^ (j ♦ 1/ , ^ ^ySj >ry f l ♦ r- s' "h xf / f J j j .% I| ^ k * iSjl C l « lA o l if • + A - » j }/ A./ c ;3 — :r ^ S. nr* /f >■ *? A ;r. ^ wX^J */* * \^)\^ “ No, no ; anfvvcrcd he, far, far is it from mv wifh, That an atom fliould be feen to- gether with the fun.” “ Speak truly, replied the Prince, art thou not willing To recreate thyfclf on the fmootli plain of that beautiful check r Or haft thou no inclination to enjoy her charms ? I adjure thee, by the foul of Laili, to declare the truth !” He rejoined : “ O chief of men with generous hearts, A particle of duft from thy gate is a diadem on my head. The pain of my love for Laili is fufficient for my heart : A wifh to enjoy her prefence thus w 7 ould be injuftice. To gratify this contemptible foul of mine, A fingle ray from that bright lumi- nary would be enough.” He fpake, and ran towards the de- fert, His eye weeping, and his eyc-lafhes raining tears. ( J08 ) •• FABLES FROM THE Bv£H*ARIST*AXJJ¥ OF J*A17MEE. Tranflated by the Editor. if) a ^ ^ )> cM c b; f a i if l j X 1 cJ ] f/ ^ ; wX^/ s ^y i X O'ac '-XrJ c Lv w(X ; ;X v\y^; ^J! ^a cy ; 0 FABLE I. THE FOX AND THE WOLF- A FOX once fcraged acquaint- ance with a Wolf, and joined him as a companion on a journey. They came together to a vineyard ; but the door was fhut, and the fence was hedged round with brambles. An entrance is diligently fought for on every fide, until, at length, they cgme to a gap, which w ould indeed admit the Fox tolerably well, but the Wolf with the greateft difficulty. The Fox firff eafily made his way through it and the Wolf followed, but not without confiderable exertion. They per- ceive a profusion of various forts of grapes, w hich they are prompted to tafre : in fhort, there was an abundance of fruit, of different kinds and colours. The crafty Fox had continually an eye upon the manner in w 7 hich he was to get out again ; but the Wolf, forget- ful ( *99 ) wAjI »lv (/«. , fill of his fafety, crammed himfelf ^ as much as he could. The keeper , ,*| , * .d of the vineyard, having obferved ^ ^ « the thieves, feized a handful of Af fwitqjies, and came running un- I ♦ / r )/, j expectedly upon them, vsuth a view ^ ( / ( i*i to chaflize the culprits. The Aim ^ ^ » ) ., y* {J ♦ . made Fox, taking to flight, darted * / i , , / through the gap as quickly as poffi- ^ C/^* yU v hie; "but the Wolf, being more . % fat, and having fluffed himfelf too v much, ftuck by the way. The _ ^ keeper of the vineyard following ^ J’ him up, fo feverely trimmed the pieor devil, that, half dead, moft of his hair torn out, and with his hide befmeared with gore, he fcrambled out at the gap. v ^ °>/0 O ^ 2 *2 STROPHE. )'A ;c ^ % My friend ! never ufe violence ^ ^*)*J to any one, for the fake of acquiring riches; for, deprived of every thing, ^ S' you will have to depart hence M , : When too much allured by obliga- * m i ,J tions and favours, confider what U £}yj # y y° ur end wil1 be - Indeed, you C" U w fhould by no means defpife the / L confideration, how, w’ith fo pam- ) is'f C'j> Jr u ’ * pered an appetite, you will ap- /+ y> proacli the gate of death. FABLE II. THE SCORPION AND THE TOR- TOISE. » ,/ Armed w r ith his fling and deadly ^ C' *• ^ '*~*f&* /j ij y/ poifon, a Scorpion fet out on a L- mV gz . . M/'li v journev, but having arrived at the ' y ^ * '** bank V> ( 200 ) bank of a wide river, he was at a {land for fome time, and exceed- ingly perplexed. There, as he was unable to fwim over, and was not willing to meafure back the fame road again, a Tortoife perceived him in his dilemma ; and, being moved with compalfion, took him on his back. When he launched out into the water, and was gain- ing the oppofite fhore, a found, I know not what, of one ftriking fomething, reached the ears of the Tortoife. “ What the deuce! what noife is that ?” faid the Tortoife. “ It is the noife of my fling,” faid the Scorpion, “ with which I am firiking your back. I know that I cannot fcratch on your back, but I cannot oppofe the impulfe of my nature.” “Well then,” anfwered the Tortoife, “ nothing can be better than to break an animal, with fuch a bafe difpofition, of fo pernicious a habit, and render all the good fafe from his mifehievous dcfigns.” Having faid this, he immediately funk again into the water, and committed the offender to the mercy of the waves, which car- rying him down the ftream, bore him to thofc places, which none before ever inhabited. STROPHE. Whofoevcr, in this affemblage, is suiltv of malice and wickcdnefs, u ^ t 9 the firings of his life will be con- tinually uttering the founds of an hundred ^ Xfy* J) ^ if, 4 ! i ^ * A (r yj ( 201 -s' tfi >' 1 ,v^ ^ ;;r J^> ! t ) hundred crimes. It is proper that his rancour perifh in the waters, that the human race may be Treed from his bafe difpofition. FABLE III. f cf ] J 1 * J~. -*)? vf \ J >r wC* rr cT eA*' ' ' 1) >/** > IT •lj.iL v J y; jr. -? r. A~" £/" ) >j 7. ''j-.'f ~i.. ^ >>. t* \ \ r i * 1 ^'■A / ♦ * I « . » j i • 5 / • ij’-f ' — ,ys -* — r. e>*w ,*) •? L/ > V THE MOUSE AND THE RICH GROCER. A Moufc had for Tome years been in the habit of collecting a heap of pulfe and fruits, both frefh and preferred, in a Grocer’s fhop ; and from this he feafted on his llores, frefh or dried. In the mean- time, the Grocer marks the little thief. He dilfembles, and pretends, that it would be againft his incli- nation to punifh him as he de- ferred ; but, as the faying is, “ Save a thief from the gallows, and he'll cut your throat Our Moufe had an inclination to pilfer from his Mailer’s purfe, and of getting the gold and filrer into his hole. His Matter happened in a hurry to lay his hand upon the calh-bag, when he wanted fome money ; but, be- hold, he found it cleared of the money, like a purfe from the claws of a pilferer, and as empty as this belly of a hungry man. The Gro- cer, at a glimpfc, knew the Moufe w as the thief, and that the fault lay entirely with him. So hiding himfelf like a Cat, he catches the Moufe, ties a firing to his leg, and lets him loofc, till, when he had 3 f gained ( 202 ) . ♦♦y.v * J ^ ■ * I ! y^wvJ I « '' 1 « « * V / ♦ r^* ^ 1 ^ i/ ., , c/» • (/• C/t j) }')) •V^? • • * ‘ « I « * «? 7-^1 *rw < t *- ** \ j y / ^ /■> ^ /> ♦ ■ * w— :, > ^ )f &) 5 ;'>t ; C/ ,T ^ ^‘/c 1 ’ JV; . ♦ j *2 y'v s J Xv^ f ^ ♦ lr v V «»/ •* / 77 > ♦ y ~ y^ ,♦![?■ ^ ^ 1^' r y. .. ✓ C' » rJI. « * ~S" ) A t ( +s W 1/ > f* l . f;> * Ao * 1 A y , ♦ i « y J J I / U •-<* « ^ * y>2« J v;r >? A A A ^ J ^ ;;;/ x cJi/^ 1 >4/^ . > j *A I gained his hole, the length of the firing enabled the man to difeover his nefl. Then holding the end of the firing, the Grocer began to dig, which he continued till he came to the little den he was fo eagerlv feeking. Here he efpied a corner like a money chefl, and the gold and filver mixed and jum- beld into a confufed heap. Then making ufe of his own right, hav- ing carried the Moufe into the ftreet, he toffed him to the claw’s of a Cat, that he might fuller the punifhment he deferved. .xh} < j *.. f > )y-^ j* byV. » S ♦ 1.. 1 At 1 c* (f iu f -A ^ Z' J ) . y tf/" vi /• )? iff)) STROPHE. If adverfity mull be borne in the life of man, it ought to be borne by thofe who are intent upon the things of the world. Happy in- deed, and chearful, is the frugal mind which is free from all crime, or the confcioufnefs of guilt. Fru- gality is a virtue w r hich produces tranquillity of mind, as an im- moderate defire of poffeffion pro- duces an aching heart. FABLE IV. THE WOLF, THE FOX, A X D THE shepherd’s DOG. * 4' ✓ / • 0^ A Fox had been Handing at the entrance of a road, turning his eyes fometimes on one fide, and fome- time- ( 203 ) ^ (j.^ j *) 5 ^l *>;3 ^ >3 >T ^C?/ y: ^//. g^" k ~j/ C^jr* c/^33 3 c)'A f w r C/J> 1 *>-?' " ^ gr* c '/" 33/' ';c,rJ g'.V • • * A ^1L-' « ^ / gi-^ si «; >' > S JJ f s ..>/ tv *.« «✓/ u, I I > „ ^ y/J * V3* S/Y* w^ 1c> " J ;l>y*’ c£-£* ,ut 5 „ ", ^3*-* >>? (/•"*>. f ->* J ^ S~-*^ [ » •* ■ y / “• t A ** ** ^ »✓ **'’ , ^ 1 ^ cY r _ ♦♦ .»« • | A 4 . ^ ♦♦ n^J -✓n^ « ♦• • O ' gAC-.^, w'*V ^ STROP HE. ( 204 / A ^ cJ 1 ^ cJ j ^ ^ V y it cA f £-~. U ( > , ,*« (J ; W ’>2 cl,; :> )*r £/*") \ y f A J S' & A» ^ ' {j^y rJ « ^ * \ %■* yjJ 1 , ^ S J 'J 0 J JV ' l? P& J^A* (j/J) ^ _*ix? ^X-~! ^ yCs^’1 ., *♦ J ^ >dd? i*jlf ^ &/• ^ * t c t# c ^ * J ^ ; * 1 C (> " C/'^> cA* w^>0 ^ ) STROPHE. Get into favour with an enemy, left he fhould wound you with the fvvord of revenge. Beware not fo to offend your friend, that, when angry with you, he may join him- lelf to your adverfary. FABLE V. THE FOX. You may have heard, that it was once propofed to a Fox to hire him- felf for the purpofe of carrying meflages to village Dogs, and a hundred golden deenars were of- fered as a reward for his lervices. “ By Jove !” faid he, “ the reward is great, but there is an aukward hazard of one’s life attached to bufi- nefs of this fort.” STROPHE. To promife yourfelf an adequate reward for your fervices, from the multitude, is at once to expofe your velfel to the waves, during the violence of the {form. To abafe and degrade yourfelf before an enemy for the fake of riches, is only expofing yourfelf at the im- minent hazard of your life. FABLE ( 205 ) t, A X ~ ^ ♦« y J & « vC- U ! /° ;> jl- t \Jp Sf° Js w/^U ; cA^ C'% C f- fh °>^ cAj/* ^V Jr*: V* cA A ^ ; * T C^/ A dJ/ jrfl/ pi I;/-* « >;/ l/* l/*>/;' ; ^r- v > ( ^ ^ 1 J ^ ^ ; ! (/« « cH.; f > 'y^ (rO o ,!> ^ O'W* ^••> 1 Cf* (“' ^ : A‘^ cA/.r* A ^ 5 >rr -* ♦ * o^;l ^ > > ! Cf* LX/ Jp - X' cJ^v ( > A " wC , ;^ 1 ^ i/** 0%'* «V * ♦• S^wJ X./^ >-'X' X /~. r y j 5| , ^ • ;l / 0 \jr"\. f-\.)\ : c M' FABLE VI. I . v X V THE CAMEL AND THE BRAMBLE. ^ ^ ■• vi i ^ ' As a Camel was browzing on a. common, eating the thirties and berries, he came to a Bramble which reared his curled locks, and looked like the pretty fetce of a young gallant. He had rtrctchcd out his neck, and was jurt going to feize a large portion of the Bramble, when he perceived an Adder, w’hich had twined itfelf about it, and encircled it like a ring. He turned himfelf round, relinquifh- ed the morfel he fo much dertred, and was going to depart. The Bramble attributed this fearful ab- ftinence to the dread his thorns and lacerating prickles muft unavoida- bly infpire. But when it occurcd to the Camel that the Bramble entertained luch an idea, he ex- claimed, “ O my futler, think not that my fear ariles from the open enemy ; it has its origin in the foe which lies concealed : not from thofe lacerating prickles; but from the poifonous teeth of the lurking Adder. Were I not afraid of his eueft, I fhould fwallow mv futler whole, like a bolus.’’ STROPHE. If the good fears the bad man, it is not at all to be confidcred as a matter of furprize. His fear arifes not from the intrinfic power of the other, but from his depravity. We may be certain, that he who 3 G dares r ( 206 ) ..iL* .. l dares not tread on a heap of cinders _ " „ is afraid only of the fire that may lie concealed beneath. >-V ;/-* /*£ c; f i/A - rr *jbj) A a ^ jf. r ^ CV 1 / l/V J a. J&; ; >T CJtsr. ^ rr^ ^ £\*j ^ jv> » o'Lv A •; j L'X 'f ijk k cA - f ] c^’ ^A; f 1 / 1 /'A / ■ d** A** ^ f* h cr* &)j J > d> * '-^y r ] i / A LT’f S'- s f T ^ y > jj * s \ oY * v / .«♦ J *? 4 **vW ) f wv . ♦ ,f L' ♦ > I y \J ^u; 1 p e>; ^ /^l*T cA* */V. aAA FABLE VII. THE DOG AND THE LOAF. A Houfe Dog was {landing at the gates of a city, and faw a Loaf of Bread, being carried out of the city towards the open fields. The Dog wifning to follow it, ran after it with the greatefl fpeed, exclaim- ing with a loud voice, “ Oh, flrengthener of the body! Oh, thou fupporter of travellers ! Oh, thou defire of the heart, and comfort of the foul, whither art thou going ? To whom, with fo much rapidity ?” “ To this Defert,” anfwered the Loaf ; “ where I am acquainted with many ferocious Wolves and Tigers ; and thefe I have the honour to be going to vifit, as a matter of politenefs.” “You are difappointed,” replied the Dog ; “ you do not terrify me. Though you fhouldenter thejaws of a Cro- codile, or of a Lion, yet will I fol- low you. I have never ceafed in the whole courfe of my life , enter- taining a defre for you. Now , were you to travel to every part of the world , I would never leave you. STROPHE. A very fmall portion of fervice is to be expedted from him who is fed upon bread alone, fince he will be Is? ,<■ plied the Crab, “ from the Serpent : for, w’hen he had a flrait form, he )) } , J was always either bruifing his head againft the Hones, or his tail was wounded with terrible cuts.” o « J ! juX S « ;j i * H I r 1% f- ft -*L? STROPHE. ; ^T „f (S A tfi-f ^ 0k A bA A >J a k/\. When an Angel appears in his proper form, like his immaterial part, he is approached with reve- rence ; but it a Serpent appears in his own fhape, the wretch is at- tacked with Hicks and Hones with- out mercy. FABLE ( 203 ) r / tfA > fj jl *A *>? ;’ L < UJ.« ,,- (*• *> 'V /i ■*. j l ,. lC ^ A e>' T 5 M <» / ;l !;j^ 1>jS ^ o>')4 (f* (<“? y", ♦* ♦• • • ^ ;; >> ~ — fj^j cJ'y ^ ^Pcf / ^ ^ • f'jA * p ^ C ^ r /*' J h c/"' X • (J'r } ^ * *A ^.* ^ f C 1 *- tf. ^ 0} « ,v/ ^ J^i/\.f ^ ^ w"^ 4~ 0t /J * ♦ A";> ^ . ^7^” , ^ ., ♦♦ ^ ba,-# « . -r * ^ r “ l I. V 7 • > ,•* t ♦• , V ✓ • > — >>' .• rfr'* cfi> '/* c/^ - uy f r: j>.j> ;i ^ c FABLE IX. TIIE FROG AND THE FISH. It happened that a Frog was feparated from his mate. Grief and anguifh of mind for the lofs of of his partner, caufed him to flay alone on the fea-fhorc. Calling his eves about, in every direction, afforded a fmall relief to the for- rows, occafioned by the fofs he had fuflained. On afudden, he per- ceived a Fijh in the midjl of the waters, which was rapidly horn along by a current, like the fream of a river ; a?id, as the fhears divide the fhiningjilver, fo he divided thegloffy fur face of the water ; and as the clear and waning moon, which, no longer increafng, inclines to neither fide . The Frog no fooner fees him fwimming than he wifhes to enter into friendfhip with him, tells the tale of his own widowhood, and anxioufly courts the amicable in- tercourfe of the Fifh. To whom the Fifh faid, “What! in joining ourfelves for life, is being like each other wholly out of the queflion ? But the event of this is, above every thing, inimical to the defign. What fimiiitude is there between us, that I fnould love you ? I live in the depth of the feas, you on the edge of the fhore. My filence would be terribly annoyed by the harfh err aking of your voice. Your deformity would indeed ferve as a fhield againfl my enemies. Who- ever fees you, fhudders at the furht. c ( 209 ) AS A 5 ^ o * .W'y: c ; r ♦ ^ Xv. L .5 / U; y ^ ll fight. My elegant appearance is t '» s * an advantage and protection to me, ^ L J A'y^* and delivers me from fear and ^ danger. Whoever fees my grace - - y fulnefs is feized with the defire of JiS> J 4 polfcffing me, and is anxious to J? make me his own. For me the ’ c, birds of the heavens hover in the air ; the beafts of the field defire j m e ; and the fifhermen endeavour ? ^ to enfnare me with the net, or 1 ^* 1 . with a crooked hook.” So faying, J. ^ the Filh dived into the depths of ^ \ j the ocean, and left the poor Frog ^ alone on the Ihore. ..XI ig-v w ll JA . iff* ♦ ♦ C f, r. ;> / .. cx gA £'* ir f. ) 1 ♦♦ -wwJ • 0 A . ♦ # /VVVV V-' Xr; 5 0* D> tfj V L-X ♦♦ <. i X u A ' A. ’ f : j) y l * ss ♦ -xit - / STROPHE. S 1 . V Take care, that in chufing a friend, as in chufing an ornament from among jewels, you do not . f ' fix upon one who cannot be affoci- y ated with you in the fame neck- lace, (that is, whofe nature and habits are of a different tendency.) Like fhould be joined to like. People of different difpofitions can- not dwell in fociety together. Oil cannot unite with water, like fugar and milk. ^ t ] JiT' fy y$ Vs? & » j r & j >♦ FABLE X. THE DOVE. / ^ h?r^ “Why is it,” a Dove was aiked, n that you never bring up more t /* CJfi 2 ;V (Ar.. X than two young ones ? Why are ^ “ * 3H you ( 310 ) ,J\ ;'/Ar v a * X«? f ;! fA> r v y u x '^ £s* *}£ > »f lT^ u X*f Jjl ;>A »;;V ^A*yt y* 1 ^rr,^ -A ;) if^ y ofe A$bj J> A/* jounot, like the Hen, more pro- lific ?” “ The young of a Dove,” faid fhe, r ‘ arc fed from the craw of the mother entirely, but the young of a Hen find their food on every dunghill. Not more than two can be fed from a fingle craw, but half a dung heap is the means of feeding a thoufand chickens.” -Ail? j\, x ju cA — ■ £ ' iy:j) J y 1 !) hs* J k (JP 1 ^ STROPHE. If you defire to enjoy the fruits of your labour, take heed that your family is not too numerous ; for in this penthoufe of a world, the means of acquiring riches honourably are afforded but to few. l ijUd 0 ^ J) ) % i ;* ^ l c/;yk k (/y^ ^ Jt* . ^61 j/;A £/’>. . « ./^l ^ J ^ ' VW ^ ^ V<^>^ l > ♦♦ / ' ♦♦ tu ♦ A f b c/J j? fvA /. J u 4 FABLE XI. THE SPARROW. A Sparrow deferted its accuf- tomed neft, and built another clofe to that of a Stork. Being afked, “ how this circumftance, fo ap- parently unnatural, happened, that fuch a little inlignificant animal fliould fix its habitation near that of the noble and illuftrious Stork, and enter upon a life of intimacy ?” The Sparrow anfwered thus : “ I was well aw are of this myfelf ; but I was acquainted with a circum- ftance not much to my advantage. Jult by a Serpent dwells. He, whilii: I, year after year, brought forth ( 211 ) y A /k £)Z' i ))^ )ft ^9 o* cA> > j) ) f 1 ~^"f 9 1 >' ^ jK/ )'/, y„ y\) 1 >'^, if* ; 1 y 9) J fj^z* )ft ^9 s f d^' J u /t ^9 y^* *Z}\)/ ^)Z ) ft CJ^?- **b$ >H Z9 jy c b; ft C^Z ^ > >’ c/ ,,! 9j ^w*X'l >L £/U iCJ d*#. / ft j> d> vZ ^ forth my young, and nouriflied them from my own body, creeping up, filently, to my neft, gluts him- fclf with the blood of my young. This year, therefore, having fled away, I have placed myfclf under the protection of this powerful bird. I lhall have my revenge of this Serpent (unlcfs I am much miftaken) ; and as he before feafted on my young, fo, furc enough, the Stork will make a good meal of this, this very year.” STROPHE. When the Fox goes into a Lion's den, he is fecure from the deadly attacks of the Wolf ; and he is fafe from the enqurics of the multitude, who places himfelf under the pro- tection of a great man. FABLE XII. THE HOUSE DOG. “ What is the reafon,” fomebodv afked a Dog, “ that you do not flutter any poor perflon cither to loiter about the place you inhabit, . or to pats the door poll at w hich you lie ?” “ How far I am from covetouflnefls of diflpofition, or greedinefs,” replied the Dog, “ is public enough. My frugality and abfltinence are equally known. The morflel of bread that falls from the table, or a dry bone is enough to content me : but w ith the beggar, the ( 212 ) if? p/ 1 if > ' ff~~ ** * ^L‘i „ j > i j& £r cA’ » : 0% *',)) *> ijjs& ♦ w'~^ J) ^ *)%. )', h cr > u°f U*J > ! £r * \ *. ^'aJ ****** 1 « * ■°-^ /** >r t LU f\ f v - J } 9 f if /t j) w~~u. ! ;£^ j> 4/^ -5 /t >' / ^ ^ V {J°f O P f U/. */( C/ .jJ l ; ;T ff~+ • ;y‘t ; cL.; ^.j^- \ jM ^tf J)l l cl 4; jC*/ ■ /i/U t*l*P ^ J ** ^ /V /> •• ♦ / ^JT ^ w./r. the foie motives by which he Is actuated, are a defire of getting 3: meal, and avarice. Hunger is foon appeafed ; but he is never fatisfied. Although he has provifion enough in his wallet to ferve a regiment, yet he is as importunate for bread as his tongue will permit him ta be. He only afks a bit of bread, juft enough, he pretends, to ferve him one night ; when the fa ^ the mother, “ but the fafeft me- thod yon can take is this : Keep y within your own home, that you may neither fee him, nor he you." ) r ' f 3 * 7 \ f, STROPHE. When you have a fhabby fellow ^ , for an enemy, it is by no means y ^1 ^--*y^L? j) S prudent to refort to deceit. If you V ,, fhould plan a thoufand fehemes, (j this will turn out to the beft ad- ^ f A) Jj\y ^ vantage in the end: Decline either ^ ^ r x quarrels or friendlhip with a perfon {y f* * C, of ^ at defeription. ♦♦ ' faff, )7fj J7J CT' U S. $)7i) C-; — ^ ^Lp • ^ l j f ^ (/;!> )> / y , ,/? S L* )7i) if fcf/ c/’ J / 1 ; 7 CJ j -xla? - r > » JjJb ; v* £) 1 rrf (/* 1 4 s "J /// »>L • 4 Vi • }j o y *)S V (f.J > CJ 7: y >}J J - 1 r. A i >t> FABLE XIV. THE DRONE AND THE BEE. A Drone rufli°d in upon a Bee, to devour her with his hungry jaws. The Bee, breaking out into bitter lamentations, faid, “ When there are at hand fo many honey- combs furcharged with wax and honey, how do you pay me fo great a compliment, as to negledl them and bellow a thought upon me.” “ If,” replied the Drone, “ this is wax, you have made it ; if this be honey, you are the caufe and origin of that alfo.” STROPHE. Happy is he, who, having a refpeft for truth, fecks out the origin of reports and things ; who, when he perceives any thing ac- complifhed, putting the effect out of the quellion, accurately- invefti- gates its caufe. 3 I FABLE ( 214 ) / ✓,/ y *> > K w ^ r.'/. *j ';/" j " ^;;r* c«' 4^ / (^V V(/A (y'> o'-' ^ ^ >Aa ^:. j )?* >Ar* 0 % A?yA VA cAv j? >/^- . yUrtrtrtJ # I 4 y \ " “* ^ c/ ^ f c r -^' j * e^ T i/A cA ;’ ,ui/^w f~*- J&- 0^ tibsj >* A c/ ^ cA/ bA cA "• i > La. ;> 0^ j) >Y p". A* ArV (/V. (/>* 't/v tf* y W-' ^ v: >) A cA; ^ jl ^* j (J') A A V 'f A Jv Z*' FABLE XV. THE ANT. Some perfons perceiving an ant, confiding in his own {Length, without any affiftance carrying aw av ten locufis, ltruck with afto- nifliment, exclaimed, " Look at that ant, apparently fo flightly formed, fee how r file fupports a load fo heavy 1” Upon hearing this, the Ant laughed heartily, and :aid, “ Men carry any heavy burthen by perfeverancc in their defign ; and, bv an ardent defire of accomplifh- ing their purpofe ; but not by the power and ftrength of their body.” STROPHE. Strength w ill be found in deter- mined relblution. Perfeverancc will be a faithful auxiliary ; tor, there is not any undertaking fo difficult, but it w ill become ealy if fet about, with a hearty defire to accomplifli it. FABLE XVI. THE CAMEL. A Camel was feeding in a field, wdth a cord fattened about his foot. Accident brought a Moufe to the fame fpot, who faw the Camel waswithoutanv keeper. A thought occured to the Moufe, which w as, to take the cord, and drag it to his hole. The Camel followed the Moufe ( 215 ) 4 M. . t jf 1 | y • • s s •• j iJX >/ r A * {# ^'• L . >i ifhr'ji?} ' 'A'- Cat? / fe*V ?r. -? X;/. cX i X ; yy ' p* -*? - ^ A >\y *&i r ~ y i £r* pV /A t J CJy { w — "f* ; ;) px ,*L>* Moufc withoutthe lead reludfance, ifi conformity to his difpofition, which is perfectly tree from any kind of ftubbornefs, never refitting or oppofing any thing. When he came to the hole of the Mdufc, and faw fo narrow, an entrance, he exclaimed, “ Well, indeed ! you foolifh little creature ! what have you been about ? The hump on my back cannot be diminifhed, neither can your den be enlarged. What fociety or friendfhip do you imagine can fubfilt between us r” u .*L_"vr v K v* STROPHE. f Cl ^ yj 1 Jjt cl J if; ♦ v 'C)A # • l J *s f"' o'* ;T ) iff A. ) » J cl b/ tO# V ^ A ♦ *;A s * pj ( j)/ ij'dA: By whatever plan you fet out on. a journey towards eternity, or in whatever manner you attempt to gain that point, if I fee you loaded with a burthen of defires, I mull confider you in the fame light as I do the Camel loaded with the burthen of his hump. Throw off this load, for the entrance will not admit, and the narrow tenement of the grave will not contain it. £)X J p^~ f A (/,’ M XV p^J r. ' c ^* /;> p^>' if FABLE XVII. THE BULL. A Bull once was not only prince over his own herd, but was chief over other Bulls, and celebrated .for his power. When the Wolf aflailed the flock, awaiting the attack of the enemy, he repulfcd him >*. eV v 'vd ( 216 ) (jT» him with his horns. One day the Wolf fprung on this Bull with hi$ AT"; » >a —O' <0* 0 r X ) -r J’r'A? {jf claws, and very much injured his horns. From that time, whenever he faw the Wolf he betook himfelf to the other Bulls for fafety. RHYME. . , » , / . Being afked the reafon of this r charge, he anfwered, “ Since the ^ &,»> day when I loft my horns, I have w C' " entertained a dread of any engagq- * .JoU C^.,/0 ment : ^ ls an old proverb: In ' J * 1 » ^ the day of battle, it is the duty of ,v j S >' a man to hurl the weapons, and to fupport his honour as a man. \ M LT »/;• & J) ; FABLE XVIII. THE CAMEL AND THE ASS. 4 . , v #. / .1 / ' Jif* J ^ A " * ' his belly, called out to the *Afs, Xi- r / 1 0 \ “ Come along; truft yourfelf to ' the water, for the water comes up higher r A r ^ J y. • ♦♦ >! .♦.* 1 . > v no than uiuu my belly.” v “ What you fay is very true,” faid J the Afs, “ but there is a very great ^ difference between the height of w your belly and mine. Though the water comes no higher to you, it " \ f muft infallibly pour over my back. STROPHE. ( 217 ) y* /* (/- / ’> ^ CJi/ if ' t >•!!✓> v'—o^ ♦ jj$ j 1 ^J*/ J* UJ >? ^ y \. ^ )? )£ ♦ ^ / ♦ I 4 >> •• ♦ STROPHE. O my Brother ! no one better knows you than you do yourlclf. Do not exalt yourfelf a hair’s breadth ; and if any one, unguard- edly, lavishes more praife than is due to your merit, do neverthelefs rightly eftimate your own ability, and not go beyond the bounds pre- feribed. < g\) : LT- ;ib % >>o [ )r^\ j\ 7 '-r'-f 2 ^ \'y* ceJ ^ £ ] Z ( jr ^ j) ,j l u (Si / [*/ ♦ *s. p w^.'.y C ^ j\ S 7 5 d 7 0" ^ ®>V C/* f 1 °;V C/' ' &«.<>)*.«>*] f ^ oL. S J J s l > .. r. J/* tr .a? y . y 1 — *-/ I ilU ♦ <♦ •• ■ /•<'( •*« it, ■\.4 ^ y ^“ Vs. < A. ^ • ' " L t j 4-4 j-r'' w / V W FABLE XIX. TIIE PEACOCK, THE CROW', AND THE TORTOISE. On the lawn of a certain garden, a Peacock and a Crow happened to meet. They foon began to ex- amine and defpife whatever they fuppofed beautiful or ugly in each other by turns. Then the Peacock firfi: addrefied the Crow. “ Would not the red which you have on your legs, be much more charac- terise and becoming, if placed in conjunction with the fdkinefs of my attire, intermixed with gold, and diverfified like Phrygian em- broidery ? Indeed it appears to me, that, from the time I was born, I have committed no inconfidera- ble error in putting on fuch a co- lour as I have on my feet. For I have got that w r hich ought to have belonged to you, and that rednefs in yours, would be infinitely more becoming in mine.” “ Indeed,” replied the Crow, “ I think it happened entirely different from 3 k what ( 218 ) cr* : c* A s' y r [f^^} : cfi j> y thJ ' P «* ♦* £lh >y. *)s. )} *-;/ a f [f i «» hJ > /j 9 cAA * >;’>C (/. H >A> c^> s "V^ cxA ^-Ar, b/A A ^ t/V ♦♦ ^A/* A rtb D ; j> * ^ ^ *fy' 4 U; ^ c ^* (/; j °A> ♦♦ . *“>'>. ^ e,y. ^'/fj ;j -f If *-S<»L > >r. >A 5 >"/ ?V >r-^ JaV v ^ ♦ • > • ♦ i ) ■f / -JL sC* pO jh? j f ) ] ^ J~A »• I/* r > w * ^blT _j cL j; ^ / 0: V^ \$ Am >/ ( L if? j) zf cJ^) (SA+j}j ~~? v/ p a ^ f' y^Jc jr* S J * O^X ^ ' * C^'* iS*~* O* if''^ ;> j? tie x o* Otif ) ] ^ oJ^t A J O* CJM? ^5j*C (J j J ) ./ O* >’ ^~ J ’ a ] /* ^ jh A a ] a if?)/ if)/ Ml t > f>jA 0*J OX ^ f>f ^/V if, ) PP. ^■2 oft 0"^* ^ ^f} c L^r 0) )■ p ;* v this maxim : Envy and Covetouf- nefs arc the origin of all evil ! Guard againft thefe faults, left other calamities, arifing out of them, grow upon you. FABLE XX. THE FOX AND THE HYENA. A Hyena was cruelly tearing a Fox with his claws and teeth, which were fixed faft fnhim Then indeed the Fox began to lament and importune the Hyena with fupplications, “ O thou who art pofiefied of the difpofition of the Lion, combined with the valour of the Tiger, Have mercy on a poor helplefs animal, and take thole claws from my feet ! What fervice fhall I render to you ? How ftiall luch a handful of bone and hair as myfelt latiate your appetite ? What animal for that purpofe would defire to purfue me ?” When he found that by humility and fair words the Hyena was not to be moved, then faid he, “ Re- member the right which I claim from you. You would now deftroy me to appeafeyour hunger, but how often have I not been fubfervient, not only to every want, but to every w ifti of yours ? How often have I not procured food for you?” When the Hyena heard tbele un- juft and ablurd ftrete bes, her anger burft out, and greatly enraged thus exclaimed, “ Yv hat I villain ! This is indeed unprecedented im- pudence ! When ! where did you do ( 220 ) i(„ cl „ ;t , , y ,.)L: do «U this r But whil * the H )' ena •- ^ * U' y ' opened her mouth to fay this the ♦ £))y /, f Fox t0 °k to anc ^ efcaped. \) ! v O j iji V \Jf Jn Lv l y- l j 'I*' l (- { f.. . ! < j . y < / ✓ > * ^ ^ < I V / | . | , | ... » , V/ 5 n t ^ «» A . • w-—'', /* ^ ;> V^> 1/"^ *• •♦ , wvJ .♦,** J 5 /* ? ^,^2 >C / „ ^ ;y. ; ../ j * a> ♦ ;' 6 >V 2 / VAr. (/■ £rr. V * fa # . c/^ K 1 f O* {<^>* tf. ^ ^ ^ "S»s- ( r " (/• yvww’v ( ♦ _ M „ * t f " ^yf -c^ C/ — ^ ^ t f"- T A cf ;' ^ - c,:j> K ‘ / * f - -/■!. /A ' 1 A v.'r -A?. /* f' u /T ^r 3 'AiA ^-:A - . > * „L fj/tf- -* ’A f a" QUATRAIN. If you cannot get away from enemies by fair words, it is proper to have rccourfe to abufe and im- pudence. If you cannot open a door with the right key, there is no harm in picking the lock. FABLE XXI. TOWSER AND THE COCK. Towfer one morning feized a Cock who was indulging in a nap. When he awoke he exclaimed, “ I am the friend of thofe who watch, and the watchman to thofe w'ho pafs their nights without deep. Take care how you kill me, and died my blood unjuftlv. For why fhould you have any quarrel or en- mity with me, and murder me, who am totally free from any crirpe r” “In twiding your neck,” replied Towfer, “ I cannot fay that I a & /">’ a*.?. U*? v >/f : Jr/ ] if. /„r ? t S ^o% of; £/^, if?-, xa if a We can only drive the enemy from our lives by prudence and conftant vigilance. If a rafcalJhas at any time an evil defign againft you, do not attempt to avert it by degrading fubmiffion and mean humility, for, by fo doing you only make him, from a bad, in- flid a vvorfe injury. .** * & >r. S' A? / if )r* y f J*'* f (/^ * J) ) )s. if °;5 if^ rrr* f/. t if/* A) * £“ • • **** C • / w^r J? ^ V ;>> A/r - ^ ft-" A -A C- ,T CJi/j*' 33 3 ^ i)i S (/• (/'-'• f ^ H ^ J ;; J A ^Ar v J ) ,v ^ fj jr* **>/ efi >f r? J j (f\ k V" f'J f j> yx ) A /* * )jf c/J FABLE XXII. THE ANT AND THE BIRD. It is related in the fables of the Indian fages, that an Aitt was driving -with all her might to re- move a hillock, the demolition of which might even have fatigued men. In fome meafure, although fmall, file was drawing away the hillock, and fcattering the pieces here and there. A bird flying over faw the tiny and weak little animal with the greatefl: alacrity, and afliduity endeavouring, with all its ftrength to remove this heap of earth, and tranfport it to fome other fpot. “Alas! you mifera- ble little thing,” faid he, “ what a labour have you impofed upon yourfelf ! What fort of an under- taking is this, with which you are fo impotentlyengaged.” To whom, the Ant thus anlwered. “ Indeed I have feen fome of our nation endeavour to do the fame thing, and have therefore defired to enjoy the 3 l fame ( 222 ) \j U o ; y* y .) ) ; j) iSj[p t Ij* > f \ ^ ft d ^ A ;* j? V' J cA £/* ^ cAat. f 1 8 ;/ A f*f 9 Y frtf ;A y ^ \jsf- J £ld C/J ,< ^ k ~ (/ «;l ^ 3 f! C'/ f/ ./i^J f/* (Ai >' Z' b >Y (A'„ J f. } III ^ ;l/l ^ ♦ 4 y . O 4 fame advantages. This is the condi- tion impofed on me. But if,” faid lhe, “ you with to ferve our fociety, exert yourfelf. Apply yourfelf to this labour, and pull down this heap of earth. I am now indeed exerting all my diligence, and in this manner I defire to (hew my wifh to accomplish it, and to fulfil my promife.” “The defign you are upon,” replied the Bird, “ is above your Strength; you have not power to bend the bow you would ufe.” “ I have began this work,” faid the Ant, “ and I will do all I can to complete it. If I fucceed, my hopes are fulfilled, if not, the mofl malicious cannot attach any blamp to me.” POETRY. d lC o? i ^ ud w>'C f ft ^ A f (» ^ ^ f A ^ A J) d — ^ ^ f ^ )£*** d ^ o* It is not without diligence 3nd exertion that undertakings of any nature can be accomplifhed. Every manisborn to fome mode of adtion. If he gain the end propofed, he is freed from care or forrow. If, on the contrary, the event Should not repay his exertions, he will have cleared his charadler, and be fatif- fied. f f «4 f frsfey>- tfgv? 3B4bcc' '.<\rX_C ; A** Printed by S. Rousseau, at the Arabic and Perjian Prefs ; IF ood Street, Spa Fields. ( 221 ) cA* & & S' >’ z cA-v (//£. > ; A/* (/, /’ 1 cA ^ A a — ^ ’ ^ ; o-rr. £/* 1 )7* ;/>* ^ s lr^ J^l ;> V. ^ A ^W\c^ J^‘ %/ » ; ia f °>5 s~z* C^ A ^ (//* ^ y -^ A) J> w^r 7 j w$s*"* * >/£“* C S t ^ y"^') ^(f'* kllX J (A -A (/ ^j/ JV „ ., f ^ i&'.hT ft- ,!» r flie, “ you wifh to ferve our fociety, ^ " s \ exert yourfelf. Apply yourfelf to ? y r^ ] ? this labour, and pull down this v r i //./• ' heap of earth. I am now indeed if* i U'/** ^ *)/ .. ^ i/K f' exerting all my diligence, and in ij ft )A< ij jyy* y J £)\J this manner I defire to fhew my ' / / " / , t with to accomplifh it, and to £)* 2 y y fulfil my promife.” “The defign "r- lr . ; y if ,] l y° u are upon,” replied the Bird, w ' 7 . 7 " '' ' y * “ is above your ltrength ; you have ^3 * ^ I not power to bend the bow you ' }. , J t ‘ " would ufe.” “ I have began this U^"v ^ ■£ ' C )V cAV 'V? * ^ work,” faid the Ant, “ and I will *•' } j 1 / 1 V- p T tC &' t O'* t ^ £) [ ' * 11 (J~j sJ)* a fl c ;> j } ^ ^lUt ; Ji j> ^ do all I can to complete it. If I fucceed, my hopes are fulfilled, if not, the moll malicious cannot attach any blame to me.” POETRY. It is not without diligence and exertion that undertakings of any nature can be accomplifhed. Every man is born to fome mode of action. If he gain the end propofed, he is freed from care or forrow. If, on the contrary, the event fliould not repay his exertions, he will have cleared his character, and be fatif- fied. Printed by S. Rousseau, at the Arabic and P crfian Prefs j Wood Street , Spa Fields. . PK6237 .R86 The flowers of Persian literature: Princeton Theological Seminary-Speer Library 1 1012 00027 7766