A Tale of Four Dervishes (Penguin Classics)

by Mir Amman

  ‘In short, everything for a royal feast had been nicely arranged. Dancing girls and boys, musicians and entertainers, all gaily dressed, stood ready to perform. I took the merchant along with me and got him seated by a big cushion in the centre of the hall. I was surprised to see that all those arrangements, made in such a short time. I looked for the lady but could not find her. As I went into the kitchen, I saw her in another apartment. Her head covered with a white scarf and in a simple dress and ordinary slippers, she was busy supervising the arrangements for the feast. Though unadorned, what a beauty she was:

  Those on whom God beauty hath bestowed

  Indeed, no ornaments do they need;

  Though unadorned, beautiful they remain

  Like the full moon uneclipsed!

  She was giving the cooks directions to prepare various dishes and make them as tasty as possible. In fact, she, with her rose-like delicate frame, was all asweat because of that toilsome work. I went to her and invoking blessings of God on her I tried to flatter her and admired her good sense and understanding in making arrangements for the feast. She said, “Man can do what even angels cannot. What is it that you so admire? Enough of this flattery; I do not like it. Tell me what etiquette is this that you have come here leaving your guest all to himself? What will he think? Go and attend to him. Send for his mistress too to give him company.”

  ‘I went to the merchant and entertained him. Meanwhile, two handsome servants carrying flasks of wine and cups studded with precious stones entered and started serving us. I said to him, “I am sincerely at your service, my friend. It will be proper, if with your permission, the beautiful lady you love so much also joins you here. I may send a man to bring her, if you please.” The merchant was overjoyed to hear this and said, “Ah, my friend, this is just what I had in my heart.” So I sent a eunuch to bring her. It was midnight when that ugly witch arrived in an elegant palanquin like an unexpected evil. To please my guest I received her with all respect and got her seated by him. He was so delighted on seeing her, as though he had been given all the pleasures of the world, and the devilish fiend, too, eagerly embraced him. Verily, it seemed that the bright full moon had been eclipsed. All those present there gaped in wonderment and said, “See what an evil is cast on this young man!” With such a ludicrous sight before them, they forgot all else and stared at the couple. One of them remarked, “Friends, love and reason are opposed to each other. This accursed love may see what reason can never conceive. Try to see Laila with the eyes of Majnun.” All those present exclaimed, “True, true indeed!”

  ‘I devotedly attended to my guest as my lady had advised. However much the merchant urged me to share drinks with him, I refrained from drinking on the pretext of my duties as a host. Actually I feared lest I should earn the displeasure of my lady. Nor did I take interest in the amusements there. Three days and nights we passed like that. On the fourth night the young merchant said to me, “I must now beg my leave; out of love for you I have neglected my work and been here for three days. Pray, won’t you sit now for a moment and share the pleasures with us?” I thought he would feel hurt if I did not. Besides, good manners do require one to please a friend and a guest. So I said to him, “I am obliged to give in, my friend. Courtesy demands I should care more for your commands than for my duties as a host.” He offered me a cup of wine which I had to take. Then we had several rounds more at a stretch, with the result that in a short time all those present there lay dead drunk. I also fell unconscious and woke only when it was morning and the sun was high up.

  ‘I looked around and found that all the crowd had vanished. Nor could I see the lady. The house was empty except for a bundle wrapped up in woollen blanket in corner. When opened, it revealed, to my horror, the headless bodies of my guest and his mistress. This horrible sight unnerved me. I was shocked and struck dumb. I could not understand what had happened. I just wondered and looked around, when I happened to see the eunuch who had helped prepare for the feast. Seeing him I was comforted. He exclaimed, “What is the use of knowing all about it now?” I agreed with him in my heart. However, after thinking over it for a while I said, “Well, you may not speak about it but do tell me where the lady is?” He replied, “Of course, I will tell you whatever I know but pray tell me how does it behove a sensible man like you to get dead drunk without the permission of my lady and that too with a man whom you came to know only a few days ago?” These polite words made me realize my mistake and I said, “Indeed, I committed a folly; pardon me, please.” The eunuch all the more kindly gave me the lady’s address and bidding me farewell went to bury the two dead bodies. Thank God, I had nothing to do with that horrible event.

  ‘I was anxious to meet the lady. It was only in the evening that I could locate her residence with great difficulty. I passed the night in great anxiety sitting in a corner near the gate. I did not hear any footstep, nor did anybody bother about me. I sat there helpless and neglected. When it was morning and the sun had risen, the fair lady chanced to look at me through a window. Only my heart knows how I rejoiced. I thanked my stars. Meanwhile, a eunuch came to me and said, “Go and stay in the adjoining mosque; there you may get what you want.” I went to the mosque as advised but my eyes were still fixed at her door and I wondered what the future had in store for me. I passed the whole day and waited for the evening with the anxiety of a person who observes a fast from early in the morning till the sun sets. At long last the evening set in and the day, heavy like a mountain on my heart, came to pass. The eunuch who had given me the lady’s address came to the mosque. He was a kindly person and kept all the secrets of the lady. He comforted me and took me along with him into a garden. He asked me to sit there and said, “Stay here until you get your heart’s desire.” He then took his leave, probably to convey my good wishes to the lady. I tried to amuse myself with beautiful flowers in full bloom, the bright moonlight and the fountains playing in the basins. But the roses reminded me of her rose-like beauty and the full moon brought her fair face to my mind. Without her, all those delightful things pierced my eyes like thorns. At last, I saw her, bright like the full moon, at the garden gate. Richly dressed and in a fine embroidered veil she stood there, a few steps away from me on the garden path. Her very presence revived the beauties of the garden and filled my heart with joy. She sat down beside a bright big cushion in a lavishly adorned alcove. Like a moth that goes round a candle, captivated by the flame, I presented myself before her and stood there like a slave with folded arms. The eunuch pleaded for me. To him I said, “I am guilty, indeed, and I should be punished for it.” The lady, much displeased, arrogantly said to the eunuch, “The best thing for him now is to take a hundred bags of gold, pack up and go back to his country.” On hearing these words my spirits fell. All seemed dark before me. Out of despair I heaved a sigh and tears flowed from my eyes. None else but God was my hope. In despair I said, “Will you kindly think it over? Had I sought worldly gains, I would not have so recklessly spent in your service whatever little I had. Isn’t there any consideration for devotion and selfless service in this world that you look so displeased with me? If so, I see no charm in life now. Love and unfaithfulness cannot go together.” These words offended her much. She grew more indignant and with derision said, “Ah, so you claim to be my lover! Indeed, has the frog then caught a cold? You fool, don’t forget who you are! It’s no more than a mere fancy. Stop this nonsense. Never utter such words again! I swear by God, had any one else dared thus, I would have had him cut to pieces and thrown before vultures and kites. But alas, I still remember your kindness to me! I repeat, even now the best thing for you is to return to your country. Only thus far had fate decreed your lot with us!” With despair in my heart and tears in my eyes I said, “If it is so ordained that I should not get my heart’s desire and if I am destined to wander about in the woods and over mountains, I feel I am helpless.” Showing disgust at these words she said, “I cannot abide such flattering silly words. Better go and find someone else who
is worth it!” Still enraged, she got up and left. However much I tried to beseech her she paid no attention to what I said.

  ‘Disappointed and frustrated I also left the place. Thereafter, it became my routine to wander about the city-streets and retire to the woods only to come back and wander about the streets again as though I had gone mad. Forty days I passed in this manner without food in the day and rest at night. Like a washerman’s dog I wandered from pillar to post. Man remains alive only if he takes food and water; he is just a worm which lives on food. As I did not eat or drink anything, I lost all my energy. Like an invalid I lay under the wall of the mosque when the same old eunuch came to say his Friday prayers. He happened to pass by me when I was reciting this verse in a feeble voice:

  Give me the strength to bear this aching heart,

  Or else give me death;

  Whatever is destined for me, O God,

  Let it befall soon!

  ‘It was difficult to recognize me by my face; so weak and pale had I grown. He recognized me by my voice and was moved to see me in that condition. Looking intently he said, “So, this is what you have made of yourself.” I said, “Whatever was destined has come to be; whatever little I had, I spent on her; and now I lay down even my life for her. If she wishes it so, what can I do?” On hearing these words the eunuch left a servant with me and went into the mosque. When he returned he carried me in a litter to the lady’s house where he got me seated behind the screen in her apartment. Changed I certainly was yet she should have had no difficulty recognizing me, having known me for a fairly long time. But she pretended not to know me at all and asked the eunuch, “Who is this fellow?” The kindly man replied, “This is the same unfortunate man who has earned your displeasure. That is why he is in such a pitiable condition. The flame of love is burning him. The more he tries to put it out, the more fiercely it burns. Moreover, he is dying of the shame of his folly.” She laughed at this and said, “Why tell me lies? I remember receiving reports of his having reached his country long back. God knows who you are talking of.” The eunuch folded his hands in respect and said, “If you kindly grant me leave, may I say a few words?” She said, “Say whatever you have to.” The eunuch said, “You are a better judge. For God’s sake, please let this screen be removed; you will not fail to recognize him. Take pity on him. To ignore the facts is not just; add to your good deeds. It will be disrespectful if I say any more. Pray, do as you please, which will be the best.” She smiled faintly and said, “Well, who is attending here? Keep him under medical care and bring him to me when he gets well.” To this the eunuch said, “You yourself shower some rose-water on him, please, and say a kind word to him. That alone will revive him with a new hope of life. On hope alone rests the world.” Even then the lady refused to say a kind word. Disgusted at this I mustered up courage and said, “I do not wish to live in this state any more. With one foot already in the grave I care too little about my life to fear losing it. It is up to the princess now to pull me out. She may, or she may not; it is entirely her sweet will.” At last, God, who controls feelings, softened her heart. She became kind and said, “Quick now, send for the royal physicians.” Presently they came and after carefully feeling my pulse and examining my urine said, “This man is certainly in love with someone. Unless he has his beloved in his arms he will not recover.” These words of the physicians convinced her of my love. So she at once ordered, “Take this man to the hot bath, dress him properly and bring him to me.” I was carried out, given a bath and taken to her in a proper dress. She politely said, “You have brought me a bad name for nothing! Come now; what else do you want me to do?”

  ‘O dervishes, my joy knew no bounds at these words. In fact, I was so overjoyed that I feared I would die. I said, “Praise be to God! At the moment you have done more than what all the science of medicine could do; your words have given me a new life. Just notice the change your kindly words have brought about.” Uttering these words, I went round her three times and said, “As you bid me speak out what I have in my heart, I wish you to give me a place at your feet which I hold as more precious than the kingdom of the whole world.” For a while she became thoughtful. Giving me only a sideways glance she said, “Now take your seat. Your services and fidelity are indeed such that you may say whatever you please. They are engraved on my heart. If you so wish I have to accept.”

  The same day, at an auspicious hour under the sign of an agreeable star, a qazi was called who performed the marriage rites. After so much trouble God showed me the happy day and I got what I wished. But much as I desired to get the fair lady, I was also anxious to know all about the strange events that had taken place. Even now I knew nothing about the handsome negro who had given me so many bags of gold on just seeing a short note. Likewise, so many other things still remained a mystery: the instant grand feast, the gruesome murder of the guest couple, her casting me away and now this sudden favour ending in our marriage. In fact, my anxiety to unravel the mystery of all those events was so great that in spite of my fondness and love for her, I could not bring myself to share the bed with her. For eight days and nights I remained with her without consummating the marriage.

  ‘One morning, when I asked one of the maids to prepare the bath for me, my wife smiled and said, “Really, do you think you deserve a hot bath?” I kept silent but she was surprised at my conduct. In fact, I could read anger on her face. At last one day she said to me, “You are a strange man! What is this? You showed so much warmth before but now you are so cold. If you had not the powers why at all did you wish this?” I boldly said, “Darling, try to be just. Justice is what everyone should observe.” She said, “What more justice do you want? Whatever you wished has come to be!” I replied, “Verily so, I got what I had earnestly wished for. But I have been troubled and a man in such a state of mind cannot accomplish anything. I had determined that after our marriage, which was of course my heart’s delight, I would request you to kindly explain the mysterious events that have baffled me. Only then will I be at ease.” The lady was furious at this and said, “Excellent, isn’t it? Too soon you have forgotten what I had told you. Just try to recall how many times I have asked you not to meddle in my affairs or seek explanations. Why do you take this liberty then?” I laughed at this and said, “As you have allowed me greater liberties than this, can’t you forgive this one too?” My words brought a sudden change in her. She was like a whirlwind of fire. Full of rage she said, “You take too much liberty now. You should mind your own affairs. What will you get out of such explanations?” I said, “The greatest shame in the world is to expose the parts of one’s body which modesty requires to be covered. But if life is to continue one has to lay aside this feeling. Now that you have allowed yourself to me, why keep any secrets from me?” She knew what I meant. Becoming peaceful she said, “True, but I am afraid lest it may bring us trouble.” I said, “Why worry about this? Please trust me and relate all the events of your life. I won’t speak of it even to myself.” When she felt convinced that I would not be satisfied unless I knew all about her life and that the blind man’s buff could not go on, she said, “This may indeed cause us great trouble. You are foolishly insisting on knowing it. But since it is your pleasure I should seek now, I have to relate all the events of my past life. But be careful and keep it between you and me and the lamppost.” After impressing it on me in so many words she said, “This unfortunate being before you is the daughter of the king of Damascus who is greater than all the other sultans. I was his only child and was brought up in luxury with love and care by my parents. As I grew up I became unnaturally attached to beautiful women. I kept lovely young girls of my age and of noble families in my company. Pretty maids were always in my attendance. I enjoyed their dance and music and led a carefree life. I praised God for this. But gradually it so happened that I felt myself changed within and I lost all interest in the company of others. The gay assembly gave me no pleasure. I was restive, sad and confused in my heart. Nothing seemed to please me,
nor did I like to talk to any one. Finding me gloomy and sad, my maids felt much concerned and begged to know the cause. This faithful eunuch has always kept my secrets. Nothing in my life has ever been concealed from him. Finding me in a deep melancholy, he said one day, ‘If the princess takes a little of the exhilarating drink she may get well and become cheerful again.’ When he said this I was inclined to take it and ordered him to bring it for me. He went out and returned accompanied by a young boy bearing a nicely prepared goblet cooled in ice. I drank it and found that it really did me good, as the eunuch had said. I bestowed on him a rich robe of honour and ordered him to bring one such cup at the same hour every day. The boy regularly brought it and I drank it. It exhilarated my spirits and in inebriation I would start jesting and playing with the boy and enjoying myself. The boy became much too familiar and his respect for me wore off. He would amuse me by telling pleasant stories. He was wonderful when mimicking the affectations of women. He was handsome and I found my attraction towards him growing and I gave him presents every day. But to my astonishment, he was always clad in dirty beggarly clothes. One day I said to him, ‘What is this? You have received so much money from me and still you come in the same dirty dress. Do you spend all the money I give you or do you just save it?’ Finding me so interested in him, he said with tearful eyes, ‘My master takes all that you kindly give me. He does not leave a single penny with me. How, then, can I make new clothes and come well-dressed before you? I am helpless.’