fj()l. MELAI, A TAtE. - 77 



WTiat I fufpecled came to pafs. Contrary to the common 

 policy of princes, I had formerly fupported the king of 

 Perfta, when in imminent danger of being driven from his 

 throne. This however was now forgotten, and the de- 

 inands of the conqueror readily complied with. It was in- 

 timated immediately by public proclamation, that an im- 

 irienfe fum of money would be the price of my head j and a 

 defcription of mv perfmi was added, fo particular, that eve- 

 ry one rauft have known me at firii fight, provideti my ap- 

 pearance had" continued the- fame. But however exaftly 

 niv piciure had been drawn, there was one circumllance of 

 m fmall importance, which lucklily was not, nor could not 

 he attended to ; the alteration, which, in this interval, my 

 misfortunes had occalioned. The man, whole necefh- 

 ties had reduced him io low, that he v/as fupported only by 

 his faithful dog, could refcmble but little the vanquilhed 

 monarch. I remained therefore at Ifpahan a whole montli 

 in fecurity, and from thence continued my journey at lei- 

 fure, until at la!V I reached ConJIantinop/e. Here I purchaf- 

 ed a folitary manfion, and have now lived fo^ fixteen years, 

 far from tlie dangerous iociety of men. My parfimonjous 

 way of living required but little, and that little my ring 

 has fupplied. 1 have never demeaned myfelf by afliing af- 

 fillance, nor have I ever regretted the lofs of my crown. 

 I never complained of my prefent fituation, nor did I ever 

 again flied a fingie tear, till yeiterday, that my companion, 

 ■my friend, and my preferver, my faithful Murckim, at lall 

 forfook me. I was robbed of him by agej and fuch was 

 his aflFeclion, that even to the lail he licked my hand, and 

 it fccmed as if he expired with reUicfance, only becaufe 

 he was parted from me. 



r4y hiilory now approaches to a clofe : out of eleven 

 fiones which were once in my ring, tv;o of the molt valua- 

 ble yet remain. For the few days which I have now to 

 live, the leall of thefe two will be more than fufficient. 

 Take then the other ; and let jour chifTel be employed in 

 commemorating the virtues of a faithful creature, who, 

 <houijh only a dog, you will furely acknowledge, to be more 

 Vrorthy of that l)oni)ur tlian many conquerors and heroes. 



During this relation, which the tone of the fpeaker made 

 p>uch more interelHng than it can be rendered to a reader, 



