A Tale of Four Dervishes (Penguin Classics)

by Mir Amman

  “Next morning I again presented myself there. I entered the palace with the same chamberlain. It was the same scene that had dazzled me the day before. When the princess saw me, she dismissed all others. When she was alone, she went to her private apartment and called me there. When I went there she asked me to sit. I bowed in respect and sat down. Then she asked, ‘How much profit do you expect on the goods you brought?’ I replied, ‘I only wished to have the honour to see you and God has granted it. Now I have got all that I had wished. I have acquired the prosperity of both the worlds. The prices, as given in the manifest, are one half cost and one half profit.’ She said, ‘No, no. You shall be paid whatever prices you have given in your list. You may get even more as a reward if you could do one thing for me. Shall I say it?’ I said, ‘It will be most fortunate for me if all my life is spent in your service. With all pleasure I shall do it.’ On hearing these words she called for her ink-stand. She wrote a note and put it in a small purse of pearls. Wrapping the purse in a fine silk scarf she entrusted it to me. She also gave me as her mark a ring she had on her finger and said, ‘There, at the other end of the city, is a big garden known as Dilkushā. See the superintendent there, Kaikhusrau by name. Give him this ring, convey my good wishes and ask for a reply to this note. But come back quick. For this work I shall give you a reward you will appreciate only after you get it.’

  “I took my leave and went along inquiring the way to the garden. I had gone three miles or so when I saw it. As I proceeded further, an armed man caught me by my arm and took me to the garden gate. I saw there a young man with the looks of a lion sitting with an air of dignity on a seat of gold. He had on an armour like that of David, with steel breastplates and a steel helmet. Five hundred young men armed with shields and swords and bows and arrows stood before him in rows, ready to carry out his command. I bowed in respect to him and gave him the ring. Paying him many compliments by way of flattery I showed him the silk scarf and told him that I had brought a note from the princess. The moment he heard this he bit one of his fingers with his teeth in anguish. Striking his head with his hand, he said, ‘Your death has brought you here, perhaps. However, go now into the garden. Amidst the cypresses you will find a young man hanging in an iron cage. Give him the note, take his reply and return quickly.’

  “I immediately went into the garden. Ah, what a garden it was! I felt I had entered the Garden of Eden. There were beds and beds of flowers of different hues in bloom. Fountains were playing and birds were singing. I saw a handsome young man chained inside a cage. I bowed my head in respect, then gave him the sealed note through the bars of the cage. He opened and read the note and with fondness inquired about the princess. We had not yet finished our talk when a troop of black soldiers appeared and fell on me from all sides with their swords and spears. What could a single unarmed man do? In a moment I was severely wounded and lay unconscious on the ground. When I regained consciousness, I found myself on a cot being carried by two soldiers on their heads. They were talking to each other. One of them said, ‘Let us throw this dead body on the ground here. Let dogs and crows eat it.’ The other said, ‘But if the king inquires and comes to know of it, he will bury us alive and send our families to be crushed in a mill. Is our life such a burden to us that we should act so foolishly?’

  “Hearing them talk like this I said to those two, Gog and Magog, ‘For God’s sake, take pity on me. I have yet a departing spirit within me. Do whatever you like after I am dead. The dead are always at the mercy of the living. Please tell me what happened to me. Why have they wounded me? And who are you? Pray do tell!’ They took pity on me and said, ‘The young man confined in the cage is the nephew of the king of this country. His father had the throne. On his deathbed he said to his brother, ‘My son, who is heir to my throne, is yet too young and immature. You should look after the affairs of the state with diligence and care. When he comes of age, marry your daughter to him and make him the Master of the Empire and the Royal Treasury.’ When he passed away his younger brother ascended the throne. But he did not carry out the will of the late king. He floated the rumour that this nephew of his had gone mad and confined him in a cage. He has placed such strict guards on all four sides of the garden that no one can enter it. Several times he has given him strong poison too but life is stronger and the poison did not work. The princess and this prince are mistress and lover. She is restless at home and he in the cage. To him she sent a love note through you. The spies at once took the news to the king. A body of black soldiers was ordered to arrest you. They treated you thus. Then he asked his vizier to think of some plan to kill the young prisoner. The vizier, ungrateful as he is, has persuaded the princess to kill that innocent prince in the presence of the king.’

  “I said to them, ‘Let me see this scene at least before I die.’ They conceded to my request and with the two soldiers I, though badly wounded, went to the scene and we quietly hid ourselves in a corner. We saw the king seated on the throne and the princess holding a naked sword in her hand. The prince was taken out of the cage and made to stand before them. The princess, who was to be the executioner, came forward with the naked sword in her hand to kill her lover. When she came closer she threw away the sword and held the prince to her bosom. The prince, her lover, said to her, ‘I am willing to meet my death this way. I have always wished for thee in this world, and there in the next too I shall wish for thee.’ The princess said, ‘It was only a trick to see you.’ The king was much annoyed at this and reproached the vizier and said, ‘So you brought me here to witness this scene!’ The guards separated them and took the princess to the seraglio. The vizier, much enraged, took the sword and charged at the poor prince to kill him in one blow. He was about to strike when an arrow, from where it came nobody knew, pierced his forehead, splitting it in two and he fell dead on the ground. Seeing this the king hurriedly went into his palace. The young prince was put back into his cage and carried to the garden. I also came out of my hiding place. A man came there who took me to the princess. Seeing me wounded she immediately sent for a surgeon and ordered him to help me recover quickly. She also told him, ‘This is a test of your skill. The more devotedly you attend to him the higher the reward you will get from me.’ The surgeon cured me within forty days and letting me have my bath of health took me to the princess. The princess asked me, ‘Are you all right now?’ I said, ‘With your kind attention I have completely recovered.’ She gave the surgeon a robe of honour and a large sum of money, much more than she had promised, and gave him leave.

  “With my servants and friends who had accompanied me I left that country. When we reached this place I told them to return to their country. I erected this building on this hill and got a statue of the princess installed here. I richly rewarded my servants and slaves according to their ranks and relieving them from my service I said to them, ‘Leave food that will sustain me so long as I live, otherwise you are free in every way.’ They faithfully provide me with whatever I need and I quietly worship this statue. This is going to be my sole occupation for the rest of my life. This is my life-story.”

  ‘O men of God, having heard this story I put on a shroud and set out to fulfil my earnest desire to see Farang. I wandered about over mountains and in the woods for a long time and those exertions enfeebled me like Majnun and Farhad. At long last my earnestness took me to the same city where Nu’mān the merchant had been. Like a mad man I wandered about in the streets and lanes. Most of the time I stayed near the seraglio of the princess but found no opportunity to see her. It was really a vexing situation that I should not get the very thing for which I had set out and suffered so many hardships.

  ‘One day as I stood in the main street I saw that all of a sudden people began to run and shopkeepers left after hurriedly closing their shops. In a moment it became a deserted place. Then I saw a young man rushing out from a corner of the street. He was like Rustam in appearance and roared like a lion. With a helmet on his head, an armour on his body and a pair of
pistols in his girdle he came brandishing a long sword in his hand and muttering something to himself like an inebriated person. Two slaves dressed in broadcloth and bearing a hearse covered with costly velvet on their heads followed him. I made up my mind to go along with them. Whosoever saw me advised me not to do so, but I did not heed them. As the young man proceeded towards a grand mansion I followed him. Turning around, he was about to charge and cut me in two when I urged him on oath to do it and said, “I myself wish the same. I forgive you my blood. Relieve me from the misery of this life for I am disgusted with it. I voluntarily present myself before you. Do not delay.” Seeing me so determined to give my life up, God filled his heart with compassion for me. He cooled down and with kindness asked me, “Who are you?” I replied, “Please sit down, I will tell you everything. Mine is quite a long story. I am desperate because I am stricken with love.”

  On hearing these words he put down his arms and took off his armour. After washing, he ate his meal and gave some of it to me. When we had finished, he said, “Now tell me what has befallen you.” I told him of what had happened to Nu’mān the merchant-traveller and the princess and my meeting with him. He wept when he heard all this and said, “Curse be on this love; how many people it has ruined! However, the cure of your affliction seems to be with me. Maybe through the efforts of this guilty being you might fulfil your wish. Now you should not worry. Be at ease.” He then ordered the barber to dress my hair and let me have a bath. One of his slaves brought clothes for me. Then he said to me, ‘The coffin which is here before you contains the dead body of the prince who was confined in the iron cage. Another vizier killed him by a trick. The prince is blessed because he was innocent. I am his foster-brother. I slew that vizier and wanted to kill the king too, but he begged mercy and swore that he was innocent. Considering him to be a coward I spared him his life. It has been my practice since then to take this hearse out through the city on the first Thursday of every moon and thus mourn the death of the prince.” His words relieved me, for I thought that if he so willed, I would fulfil my wish. God is gracious, indeed. How so true: if God favours, all goes well.

  ‘When it was evening and the sun had set, the young man replaced one of the slaves carrying the coffin with me and thus took me with him. He said, “I am going to the princess and will plead for you as much as I can but you should not say anything; you keep silent and listen.” I said, “I shall do what you say. May God preserve you for you have taken pity on me.” We went to the royal garden. There I saw an octagonal marble platform in the lawns. A canopy of white brocade with a fringe of pearls was made over it on poles studded with diamonds. A seat set with precious stones and with cushions big and small covered with brocade was also provided. The hearse was placed there. We, the two bearers, were asked to sit under a tree.

  ‘After a short while the light of a flambeau appeared. Then the princess arrived there followed by female attendants. She looked sad and angry. She took her seat under the canopy. The foster-brother of the prince stood before her with folded arms. Keeping his proper distance he sat down on the far end of the floor. After praying for the dead prince he had a word with the princess. I listened with attention. Finally he said, “May God preserve you, the Prince of Persia heard of your goodness and beauty and excellence. He abandoned his princedom like Ibrahim Adham and has come all the way here after facing many difficulties. As they say, ‘O good God, in Thy path the pilgrim left the city of Balkh,’ he has left his country and has been wandering about in this city in great distress. He recklessly followed me without caring for his life. I scared him with my sword but he bowed before me and entreated me on oath to strike him without delay for he wished just the same. He is thus firm in his love for you. I have tested and found him sincere. That is why I have mentioned him to you. It will not be too grent an inconvenience, I hope, if a person like you who fears God and loves justice, treats him kindly as he is a stranger here.” The princess said, “Where is he? No harm if he is really a prince. Let him come.” The foster-brother of the deceased prince came to me and took me to her. I was so overjoyed to see her that I was stupefied. The princess left shortly afterwards and the foster-brother of the prince came back. When we reached his house he said, “I related to the princess all your circumstances as you had told me and pleaded for you. You may now go there every night and enjoy her company.” Out of gratitude I fell at his feet. He helped me up and clasped me in his arms.

  ‘All day I counted the hours and waited until evening so that I might go to the princess. When night set in, I took leave of the foster-brother of the prince and went to the royal garden. I sat down on the marble platform. An hour or so later, the princess arrived, followed by a private female servant, and took her seat under the canopy. It was sheer good luck that I had lived to see the day. I kissed her feet. She helped me up and embraced me and said, “Consider it a Godsend opportunity and do what I say. Take me to some other country.” I replied, “Let us go then.” After this short conversation both of us left the garden. But we were so excited and overjoyed that we lost our way. We just went along but knew not where we were going. The princess got angry and said, “I am tired now. Where is your house? Get there quickly. Or else you should know what we may have to face. My feet have grown sore. Any moment now I may collapse.” I said, “My servant’s house is nearby. We shall soon reach there. Please bear with me and come along.” I told a lie but in fact I myself was worried about where to take her. Just then I saw a door across the road that was locked. I broke the lock and we entered the place. It was a fine house with carpets well-spread and flasks of wine well-arranged. Bread and roasted meat were stocked in the kitchen. As we were extremely tired we took a bottle of Portuguese wine each and some roasted meat and passed the night enjoying ourselves.

  ‘In the morning there was a furore in the city as the news spread that the princess had disappeared. Announcements were made in every street and lane, and female spies and bawds and messengers were sent all over to find her. Royal guards were posted at all the city gates. Strict orders were issued not to let anybody leave the city without royal permission. It was also announced that whoever brought news about the princess would be given a robe of honour and a thousand gold sovereigns as a reward.

  ‘The bawds combed the whole city and went into every house. It was sheer misfortune that I had forgotten to shut the door. An old hag, like the proverbial devil’s aunt, may God blacken her face, with a rosary in her hand and a veil on her face, found the door open. She entered the house and standing before the princess raised her hands to bless her, saying, “May God preserve you long, married woman, and may God preserve your bread-earner and his honour. I am a poor beggar widow and have a daughter in an advanced stage of pregnancy. She has gone into labour. But I have no means to get even a little oil to light our lamp, far less the food for her. If she passes away how can I arrange for her coffin and burial? And if she gives birth to a child how shall I pay the midwife for her services? How shall I provide for her the special food during her maternity period? It is two days now since she last ate anything. O my good lady, give something for her to eat that she may bear a drink of water.” The princess took pity on her. She called her near and gave her four loaves, some roast meat and a ring which she had on her little finger and said, “You may sell it and get her some jewels and don’t worry too much. You may visit us again whenever you like. You are always welcome.”

  ‘That old wretch of a woman got what she wanted and left giving false blessings to the princess. She threw the loaves and meat at the door but kept the ring with her as it proved that the princess was there. Now, as God would preserve us from the impending trouble, the master of the house arrived just then. He was a brave soldier. Mounted on his horse he had a spear in his hand and the body of a deer fastened to his saddle. He was enraged to see the lock broken and the door open and that old hag coming out of it. Catching hold of her by her hair he dragged her into the house. He tied her feet and hung her upside down from
the branch of a tree. She died at once of agony and pain. We got frightened to see him and trembled in our hearts. Seeing us alarmed, he comforted us and said, “How imprudent of you to do all this and keep the door open.” The princess said with a smile, “The prince said that this was the house of his slave and persuaded me to stay here.” With respect the soldier said, “The prince was right because all the people being their subjects are the slaves of kings. The very life and prosperity of the people depend upon their benevolence and protection. Without doubt I am your slave, indeed. But reason demands that the secret be kept. My dear prince, it is highly fortunate for me in this world and the next that the princess and you have honoured me by coming to my poor abode. I shall lay down even my life for you. Never shall I withhold my life or property from your service. Rest assured and live comfortably here; now there is no danger. Had this vile bawd gone out safely from here she might have brought us trouble. Live here carefree as long as you please. Kindly let this slave know whatever you may require, and I will get it for you. Let alone the king, even the angels would not know that you are here.” The brave soldier thus comforted us. I said, “Well, you are a brave man, indeed. We shall return your kindness whenever we are able to do it. What is your name?” He said, “This slave is known as Behzad Khan.’ In short, he devotedly served us and we lived comfortably there for six months.