THOUGH the intelligent parrot, by diverting the attention of Jehaundar Shaw to his interesting narratives, in some measure gave relief to his disor­dered mind, yet, as the fumes of passion were wreathed in his brain, many times in the course of a day, bursting from the fetters of patience, he would wander, like Mujjenou, to and fro, and as the dying breeze waving different ways in search of the rose, like quicksilver, he could not rest in any one spot for an instant.

It is well known, that for the admitted to the presence of the sovereign of love, who is monarch of the regions of the heart, and despotic guider of the emotions of the soul, to rage in the field of madness, and fly on the wings of impatient rashness, and on every quarter to attack the plains of reputation and fame, is in his view the highest merit. For the confidants of that prince, who is uncontrouled ruler of the bosom, and destroyer of repose, to have their eyes constantly wet with tears, and the foun­tains of their hearts exhausted of mois­ture, is the mean of acceptance.*

After a considerable interval, the despairing prince (his heart torn to pieces, and wandering amid the rocks of reflec­tion) one morning, when the breeze of dawn was opening the tresses of the flow­ers, and had made the expanse of the fields the envy of the plains of Khoten, strayed into a garden. Here he beheld a nightingale, into the store of whose heart a spark had fallen from the cheek of the rose, and parched his wings and feathers like thorns and stubble. From the intoxication of passion, he was careless of existence, and uttered heart-affecting plaints. Jehaundar, instigated by simi­larity of condition, wished to associate with him, and sitting down in a thicket of the garden, addressed the distracted bird in the following strains.

At this crisis, when the planet of his fate was near arising from the gloom of ill-fortune to the ascendancy of prosperity, appeared advancing on the plain, the suite of Mherbanou, and an odour, wafted by the breeze from her musky tresses, expanded the blossom of the soul of her heartless lover; but Jehaundar, unknowing that his fortune was wakeful, remained in the thicket: yet impelled by the pleasurable senation which, without any apparent cause, animated his bosom, he involuntarily repeated this

At length the howdah*-bearers of the concealed within the veil of royalty, having illumed the inclosure of the gar­den with the splendour of her presence, set it down in the sacred pavilion. An aged matron, whose robes, like her body, were composed of the fibres of purity, and whose condition was happy in con­stant attendance upon Mherbanou, by command of that chief of secluded beau­ties, alighting from the howdah, explored the garden to clear it from the forbidden.* Advancing slowly with the assistance of a walking staff, she reached the lovelorn prince; and having listened awhile to his affecting complaints, retired, and acquainted her mistress of his presence.

Bherawir Banou, immediately upon hearing the circumstance, from an opening in the curtain of the houdah, cast a look on the distracted lover, and from the pic­ture she had obtained from Benuzzeer and had constantly kept by her, instantly knew him, and for whose sake a mighty monarch had condescended to assume the tatters of wretchedness. The flames of long-concealed love now raged in her mind, and the waves of the ocean of passion dashed her heart against the strand of anxiety; but as the veil of modesty hung over her eyes, and the object of desire was obscured, she fainted, unable to gratify her wishes.

The old matron, on this occurrence, shed tears over her like mourners for the dead, and pressing her to her bosom, asked the cause of her disorder. Bhera­wir Banou at length opening her eyes, said, “My dear mother, much time has elapsed since love for this young man has possessed my heart, and now I have seen him my soul is distressed, and I am fallen into the eddy of impatience.”

The old woman, pitying the condi­tion of the lovers, and not knowing how to act, having conveyed the princess to her palace, demanded an audience of the sultaun, whom she informed of his daugh­ter’s declaration of love for a devotee, and her distracted situation.*

The sultaun, who, it may be recollected, had in his interview with the prince discovered who he was notwithstanding his disguise, on hearing that his daughter was inflamed even to madness by his love, was overcome with apprehension for her safety; and commissioning the old woman to signify his consent to a union with Jehaundar, sent for him to court, and allotted him apartments in the palace, till preparations could be made for celebrating the marriage. The astrologers were directed to consult the stars, and chuse a fortunate instant for the conclusion of the nuptials.

When the observers of the planets had fixed upon a lucky hour to begin the festive rites, the imperial drums were sounded, and the carpets of rejoicing spread in the paradisiacal mansions of prosperity. The assembly of mirth was prepared in a manner becoming the dig­nity of a great monarch, and the requi­sites of princely festivity arranged with the utmost magnificence. Rose-cheeked cupbearers poured sparkling wine into chrystal goblets, and the guests, having dispelled care from their minds by repeated draughts, glowed like the tulip. The gale of exultation waved on the hearts of the loyal, and the breeze of mirth opened the flowers of gladness. Melodious songsters wrapt the minds of the audience in ecstacy, and graceful dancers excited desire.