Tales of the Peries

a certain space we arrived at the foot of hill and I saw a hole in the side of it of such dimensions that the serpent could enter with facility. When he arrived at the mouth of the den he let me down from his back and made me a sign to go in. Fairly and softly thought I this hole no doubt is your den but why should you do particularly wish me to visit it however said I in god's name let me enter in I went but nothing earthy was visible I presently turned on my heel and met me friend at the mouth of the den. He made me a sign as much as to say Have the goodness to walk back again and kept biting his lips most terribly with his teeth which being interpreted was to denote kile in all or some thing of the kind at least. Doubtless thought I this must be some monsters mansions and what a frightful brute must it be that a beast like you is afraid of the very thought of it put me in a cold shiver. If such a pertetent monster as you be frightened the lord have mercy on my luckless soul I may well be terrified and

out of my seven senses when the monster saw that I was afraid and would not enter into the den again he came near and setting his monstrous muzzle to the mouth of the den raised such a dreadful yell that both hill wild and wilderness shook at the sound at that instant a yellow scorpion of two spans length darted out and assailed the snake The snake for all his monstrous zire was frightened and fled without once looking behind him to distance of a whole league and there be stopped I however plucked up courage and pulling and arrow out of my quiver struck the scorpion and killed him on the spot I presently saw a great light near me and perceived that it was a lustre formed of precious stones each of which was worth a whole kingdom The serpent now made me a sign to carry off as many of them as I could I took a goodly number and saw that an immense treasure of them was there deposited Then the serpent took me up and placed me on his neck and came out of the den when I came to the door of den I saw a sage of a luminous aspect standing and made him a salam he returned my salutation saying

saying you are very welcome here Roshen Zemir who of my acquaintance in the world can this be thought I quite surprised who can it be that knows my name so well Most venerable father said I if I may be allowed to enquire how come you to know my name That said he I know by Gods good favour This scorpion which you have killed has yet another companion which is at present sitting on her eggs and will come forth at the end of six months It is therefore absolutely necessary for you to return hither at the end of that period So take care that you do not forget for if you do be assured that wherever you are this serpent will find you out and devour you for look you this female scorpion has killed the companion of the snake and forcibly possessed itself of her residence Two young snakes have however escaped and are concealed by my care and if it please God at your return I will introduce them to you That serpent has every day made sings to me to kill the scorpion but I told it that its death did not be at my door

door a young man called Roshen Zemir will arrive here and kill it to content you Most venerable sage said I may it please you to let me know your name that you will learn at your return said he for it is written above that you have two or three more pieces of good service to perform You may now take your departure and God be your guide but take care not to forget that you have to return here again The serpent stood stock still till the ancient sage had finished his oration but as soon as he had bid me farewell he began to move off with me mounted on his shoulders and we had not travelled long before the tents of the caravan began to appear and it fortunately happened to be the very caravan I had left When I came near every body was in a dreadful alarm crying there comes the monster again lord help us I sung lustily out to everyone to be cheery for he would do them no harm He then let me down from his neck and immediately set out for his own place of residence while I joined the caravan and having

having gone to the chief to the utter astonishment of every body related what had befallen me Gods mercy be on your head said all of them You have performed a wonderful feat Rosher Zemir said the chief of the caravan nobody ever has or will perform the like, except the young hers Diu Faz and he was a man of mettle who could perform a notable feat and demonstrate his loyalty purely What was that feat asked your humble servant The chief of the caravan answered,

The Story of the Diu Faz or Kill Devil

         The relators of Marvellous stories mention that there lived once on a time a young man of Ormus whose name was Diu Foz He set out for India in order to push his fortune and when he arrived in that country he first and foremost paid his respects to the Emperor The Emperor of India asked who he was whence he came and what were his intentions King of the world my name is

is Diu Foz answered he I am come from the city of Ormus to enter into your service and am ready to perform whatever task you may please to impose on me what pay will content you asked the emperor. Every day answered Diu Faz you must pay me a thousand pieces of silver (500 Rupees) I will not serve you for farthing less No thought the Emperor He shall not receive such a pay for so much as a single day till we can see what kind of service he can perform for doubtless he will turn out to be only a high flyer. The Emperor answered him neither good nor bad but entered his palace and mentioned the circumstance to the queen The daughter of the Emperor was sitting in the presence and said by all means, engage this person for one day or other He may do you good service He must certainly be a man of ability to make such demand When the Emperor heard his daughter talk thus he flew into a violent passion Worthless wretch sad he you durst not

not utter such words in my presence unless you had fallen in love with him yourself If this man should enter into my service every one would say that the Emperor had engaged him to please his daughter and this my name would be defamed God forbid said the princess when she heard such a speech from her father that ever your daughter should waste a single thought on a person of his description who has never seen the face of man excepting that of a never relation but of you Speak of your real opinion Nothing remains for me but regret The Emperor was still more enraged at this observation and said to the queen she shall not remain in the palace for I cannot bar the sight of her If that is the case said the princess in Gods name send her where you please and give her to whom you will “My own fate shall befall me and if you cast me off God will not reject me” “I will give you to this very fellow said

said the Emperor According to your majestys pleasure said the princess The Emperor immediately ordered the eunuchs of the seraglee to take his daughter and carry her to the young man They did according to their orders saying receive the maiden which the Emperor presents to you Gods favour and the Emperors forgiveness be up to you but get out of the kingdom instantly” The young man and the princess equally amazed and concerned set forward on their journey and the princess casting back a look on her fathers palace Father said she you have in this unkind manner expelled me from the city It is we shall now see what favour God has in store for me So saying she set forward When Diu Faz and the princess had arrived without the city they walked on for come furlongs till they came to a place where two roads met and were quite as a loss to know whither either of them led Looking round they observed a stone seat and certain characters inscribed on the stone On examining the

the characters attentively they saw that the meaning was whowever arrives here and is ignorant of the road let him know that the road on the right hand is without danger and without Difficulty but that on the left is full of difficulty and danger When Diu Faz had read the inscription he looked to the daughter of the Emperor as much as to say What would you have me do Why do you ask me such a question said the fair ask your own courage. I will follow you wherever your heart leads you go on Hap what may said Diu Faz God be on my guard and proceeded on the left hand road and the lady followed on close behind him For three days and three nights they saw no appearance of danger On the fourth day an immense desert expanded before them devoid of house or whole without wells and without water in which two tremendous elephants of prodigious size appeared which as soon as they smelled the scent of man attacked them with the utmost fury Fair lady what say you now to the matter inquired Diu Faz The lady answered What

What do you carry that bow and arrow for I wonder if you can hit your mark He immediately clapped his hand on his quiver and laying hold of an arrow exclaimed

The champion when takes his stand

With bow and quiver in his hand

The might of lions can deride

Or elephants inflamed with pride

         The lady answered in the same strain

Such as the youth for me has charms

The coward neer shall reach my arms

         He replied,

“Love frenziede force impells the blow

Instant lies low” 

         At instant on of the elephants approached the young warrior drew the arrow home even to his ear and struck it up to the feather and notch in his eye Seizing another arrow he instantly struck it so forcibly through the other eye that with a dreadful yell it fell on the ground and expired The second elephant advanced still more furiously and was slain as quickly as the first He then drew his scimitar and cut off both their trunks The Emperor’s daughter was greatly delighted with this

this expert Observing the bodies a little more carefully they perceived a scar on each of their foreheads. What can this be said they and pulling out knife cut open the scars and perceived that there was a jewel in each of them brilliant as the rays of the sun They praised God for so lucky a chance and proceeded on their way till they arrived at a vast and populous city with minarets marquis and lofty domes raised up to the heavens in every quarter Diu Faz covered the lady with a veil and conducted her to the caravansera Towards the close of the day Diu Faz having taken his bow and arrows in his hand came out of the caravansera and saw the Emperors vizier marching along with great pomp and tumult He inquired who it was and was informed that it was the Emperor vizier going to counsel He approached and saluted him What do you want said the Vizier and whence do you come I am a nature of Ormus said Diu Faz and am now come from India How did you contrive to reach this country said the Vizier Blessed be God answered the young warrior I reached it through his favor Did you meet with no dangerous adventure

adventure asked the vizier Diu Faz answered I met with nothing the world except two furious elephants on my road which by God’s assistance I killed When the Vizier heard that he was amazed and said Killed both the elephants did you say Where is the man who could kill two such prodigious animals That man am I by God’s favor, said Diu Faz How can you prove your words to be true said the Vizier, What proof would you have said Diu Faz. Was there anything in their foreheads said the Vizier. Whatever there was I have brought it along with me, said he. Seeing is believing, replied the Vizier. “It is at my lodging” replied Diu Faz. The vizier accompanied him to the door of the caravansera Diu Faz went in and having brought out the precious stones showed him. Then the vizier was convinced and said, God’s mercy rest on your head nobody could have slain them but yourself They have long blocked up that road and a considerable period has now elapsed since the precious stones were inserted in their forehead and they were turned loose Come along

along with me that I may present you to the sunlike presence of the Emperor Having caused Diu Faz to mount his own horse he conducted him to the Emperors Court Diu Faz saluted him with due reverence. Who is young man? said the Emperor, and Vizier related the circumstance of his story The Emperor praised him highly and present him the jewels he had brought But who said he Was your companion on this journey The emperors daughter of India said he What connection has she with you asked the Prince then. Diu Faz related to him the whole story. The Emperor greatly blamed the father of the princess and invited Diu Faz to enter into his service “That is the very thing which your servant desires” answered he “But what pay do you demand” said the Emperor. “A thousand pieces of silver per day” answered the warrior. The emperor agreed to the condition But said Diu Faz this lady is still an unblemished virgin I have rigorously refrained from all connection with her until I should have an opportunity of celebrating our Marriage The Shah instantly ordered

ordered the treasure to deburse on the spot The sun requisite for the Marriage and thus were these two constellations of valour and beauty (Jupiter and the Moon) united in a princely and splendid stile Afterwards the Shah ordered him to the send his spouse to visit the royal harem In order said he That she may form acquaintance with the ladies of my family That I will with all my heart said Diu Faz and as soon as he came home he mentioned the King’s proposal to his lady The princess however did not so easily assent to it What have I to do with the with the Kings family said she Once for all that will never do When Diu Faz met the king Lay long live you majesty said he I have delivered your message but the lady will not assent to it Pray excuse but that she is the daughter of an Emperor The ladies of the Sultan however went one day to visit the princess and were received in the politest stile They were entertained with imperial Magnificence and the whole day was devoted to the entertainment so that the Night was arrayed in her sable vestments before the family of the Emperor returned

returned to the palace full of the praises of the princess Diu Faz increased more and more in the favour of the Emperor and in the mean time a son was born unto him by the princess When the Emperor was informed of this event to distinguished him still more by his royal munificence bring hige gratified with his conduct It happened one day that the king went a hunting accomined by Diu Faz when a deer starlen before hime The king said Now show your archery and nail the hinder foot of this deer to his neck Diu Faz drew his arrow in the name of God and as the deer was scratching his ear with his hinder foot he left fly and nailed both foot and ear to his neck The deer gave a struggle and fell on the ground The Shah was delighted to perceive the accuracy with which his order was executed and applauded his archery to the skies As they returned to the city there was a gull of wind accompanied with some drops of rain.

A gentle fanning gale of Spring

Scarce mid the flowers was heard to sing

a

A gentle shower scarce heard to fall

Spread o’er the sun a shadowy pall

While purpling rose leaves burst to view

Wherever the folded rose bud grew - 

         It happened that the Shah entered his garden and caused splendid carpets to be spread When having seated himself on his throne the Ruby coloured wine was jovially circulated before him The voice of heart alluring music resounded and Diu Faz particularly was ordered to seat himself in the presence and join in the society when the sun had veiled his imperial countenance and the Moon had appeared in the East -

When Rums bright Monarch from the Hindus flies

And dark the throne of heavenly Jamshid lies,

The Mighty former mid the vault of blue

Innumerous forms of beauty call to view

But two fair sisters of celestial line

He bids o’er all their charms superior shine

The golden rose adorns the eldests veil

The silver suits the younger’s features pale

When Khowers Turk for sakes the eastern height

Dark turbaned by the amber look of night

Now

Now seven fair orbs in radiant circles set

Well round the proud celestial minaret

And from the starry tapers of the sky

The lamp of night relumes her beams on high 

         At the time of sunset the Shah of the sunlike countenance dissolved the festive party and returned to the palace and everyone went to his own abode The Shah was in a tranquil slumber when a tempest and whirlwind arose and the thunder began to resound dreadfully and the face of the earth was still and black After some time the violence of the wind and rain abated and the voice of the thunder ceased when the Shah being awake suddenly heard a voice of lamentation[,] and as he listened to the voice seemed evidently to proceed from a soul in deep distress The Shah arose and entered the hall of audience where he found Diu Faz He instantly laid hold of his hand and conducted him to his own chamber Listen said he What voice is that which I hear Diu Faz answered It is the same voice which I have heard these several nights but I was unwilling to attend to it without your permission If however

however it be your Majesty’s pleasure I will instantly examine into its cause I think you had better said the Shah and Diu Faz immediately proceeded in quest of that voice When he arrived at the gate of the city he perceived that the cry came from without and having opened the gates he went out The Shah however sent a person after him to observe his actions at a distance When Diu Faz beheld a person following him he placed an arrow in his bow and asked sternly who was there Do not shoot said the person the Shah sent me to bring intelligence of you Both of them then proceeded in quest of the voice till they reached a large walled tomb from which it issued and where there was a lamp burning The young warrior of Ormus left the king’s messenger without and entered alone where he saw an ancient man there seated and a lamp burning before him while he was sharpening a couple of daggers on a stone Observing him more attentively he perceived such a countenance as

as he had never beheld His size was that of a hill and his head like a vaulted dome His mouth was a perfect cavern his stature that of a steeple his arm like tall poplar his nose like the eastern mound of a fort his foreteeth like anvils his lips like the rim of an immense black vat and his eyes like basons of blood It was a form of this portentous kind that sat sharpening the daggers which he placed on the ground and uttered a deep sigh When his eye fell on Diu Faz he demanded Who are you and what brings you here I am came said Diu Faz to enquire into the cause of your sorrow The ancient man said It is now some time since I have been here The king of this land is pious his race is run and for some nights I have lamented over his fate for such a prince the world will never see again When Diu Faz heard this declaration from the form that resembled a blood drinking Diu more than a man he expired a sigh of anguish from his heart and liver and asked “O ancient man is there no way of detaining the departing life

life of the king The sanguinary monster replied There is no way to accomplish it but one If Diu Faz the kings favourite will deliver to me his son to kill and drink his blood as a ransom for the blood of the king the king life will be lengthened Diu Faz uttered a profound sigh but the bread and salt of his prince prevailed and he thought If the princess and I live God may give us another son but when will we see so good a king Horrified and confounded he took the road to his house The Kings messenger also heard what passed and returned to the city Diu Faz came to his house and awoke the princess who was sleeping with her child in her arms Lady said he Take your heart off this child he is devoted to death for a pious purpose The princess wail’d and wept and besought her husband not to repeat so dreadful a speech He related to her the whole story adding Be patient it is for a pious purpose that he must die He that gave us this will give us another Besides the action will be celebrated