208 THE FOREST AND THE FIELD. 



Twined round the affections, and were harder to sever than 

 shackles of steel ; 



I drank in bui-ning kisses, that never cloyed but created insati- 

 able desire, 



Causing the heart to become water, and intoxicating the brain 

 like the -wine of Shiraz." 



We also made frequent excursions to different 

 parts of the valley, visiting many ruins of Hindoo 

 architecture that betokened the wealth and civilisa- 

 tion of this country in days gone by. The most cele- 

 brated of these are at Martund, near Islamabad, 

 which we found well worthy of a visit. Near this 

 town are the celebrated gardens of Atcha-bul, said 

 to have been another of Noor Jehan's summer re- 

 treats, and here we passed a most delightful time ; our 

 days being spent in lounging under the cool shade 

 of the plane-trees, listening to murmurings of the 

 gurgling fountains, and our evenings in the enjoy- 

 ment of the nautch, which was of no mean order, 

 the taifas of Islamabad being celebrated both for 

 their beauty and accomplishments. The prima 

 donna, a very bacchante, whose loveliness could 

 scarcely have been exceeded even by the far-famed 

 mistress of Jehangeer, warbled the love- songs of 



