472 M. Hammer's Memoir on the Diplomatic Relations 



" which will fall heavy on our heads.' So they chose the rich, but stupid, 

 " Zulfikar ; whom they instructed to pay a visit to the ambassador, and 

 «' invite him to a splendid entertainment ; but cautioned him to keep his 

 " tongue within his teeth, lest he might fall into some ridiculous blunders. • 

 " This ass set out with unusual pomp to visit the ambassador, in order to 

 " make him acquainted with his nomination, and invite him to a repast. 

 " Manzada (the son of Faklr-ud-din,* prince of the Druses), relates that 

 " Zulfikar invited to the feast not one eloquent or learned man, except the 

 •' poet Jaori, and the son of Abu Ahmed, one of the sectarians of 

 " Kadizada, the chief of those who affected rigid orthodoxy. These two, 

 " being Zulfikar's intimate friends, were invited that they might entertain 

 " the ambassador, and correct their friend's blunders. Jaori is well known 

 " as a humorous poet ; and the son of Abu Ahmed was a man who, pre- 

 «' tending to much zeal for serious study, used to frequent the houses of 

 «' men of letters in order to get a good place under government ; but who 

 " secretly mixed in the parties of the gay and the dissipated, with whom he 

 " was wont to lay aside all decency and restraint, occasionally siding with 

 " both parties, the free as well as the orthodox. 



«' Zulfikar gave a splendid repast ; at which, amongst other dishes, two 

 " or three of boiled cabbages were served, which Zulfikar esteemed a great 

 " dainty. The ambassador having arrived, and many blunders having 

 *' already been uttered by the master of the house, the table was at length 

 " spread, and Zulfikar drew the conversation to his favourite dish, asking 

 " whether there were any cabbages in India. The ambassador replied that 

 " there were many very fine vegetables, but none of so cold a nature and 

 " so indifferent a taste. Zulfikar, not thoroughly understanding what the 

 " ambassador said, observed, ' Sir, this is a most useful plant, and serves to 

 " strengthen the spirits (^.jj rooli) : to which the ambassador replied, smiling, 

 " « that no doubt, cabbages were a cause of wind (^ , reeli) ; but that he 

 " was not before aware of their relation to wit and spirit, unless it was by 

 " the literal affinity of the two words.' Zulfikar, not comprehending a word 

 " of this jest, but laughing heartily, because he saw the ambassador smiled, 

 " continued: ' Sir, this is a most capital joke indeed : but there is no doubt 

 " that the Albanians are a witty set of men from eating much liver, and the 

 " Bosnians a stout race, from eating a deal of cabbage.' — ' I should rather 



Commonly called by European writers Facardin. 



