I according plunged into that same river one night in order to drown myself, and went up to the neck in the water; I was on the point of stepping forward and diving down, when the same veiled horseman who saved you two, [382] came up and seized my arm; he consoled me, and said to me, “Be comforted; the princess and Bihzad Khan are alive; why do you uselessly throw away your life? such events do occur in the world.  Do not despair of the help of God; if you live, you will some day or other meet the two persons [for whom you are going to sacrifice your life].  Proceed now to the empire of Rum; two other unfortunate Darweshes are gone there already; when you meet them, you will attain your wishes.”  O Darweshes! I am come here to you, according to the advice of my heavenly Mentor; I firmly hope that each of us will gain the desires of his heart.  These have been this pilgrim’s adventures, which he hath related to you fully and entirely.

ADVENTURES OF THE FOURTH DARWESH.

The fourth Darwesh began with tears the relation of his adventures in the following manner:—­

    “The sad tale of my misfortunes now hear,
    Pay some attention, and my whole story hear;
    From what causes I distressed have come thus far,
    I will relate it all,—­do you the reason hear.”

O, guides [to the path] of God, [383] bestow a little attention.  This pilgrim, who is reduced to this wretched state, is the son of the king of China; I was brought up with tenderness and delicacy, and well educated.  I was utterly unacquainted with the good and evil of this world, and imagined [my life] would ever pass in the same manner.  In the midst of this extreme thoughtlessness this sad event took place; the king, who was the father of this orphan, departed [this life].  In his last moments, he sent for his younger brother, who was my uncle, and said to him, “I now leave my kingdom and wealth behind me, and am going to depart; but do you perform my last wishes, and act the part of an elder.  Until the prince, who is the heir to my throne, has become of age, and has sense to govern his kingdom; do you act as regent, and do not permit the army and the husbandmen to be injured or oppressed.  When the prince has arrived at the years of maturity, give him advice, and deliver over to him the government; and having married him to your daughter, Roshan Akhtar, retire yourself from the throne.  By this conduct, the sovereignty will remain in my family, and no harm will accrue to it.”