THE HORSE. 33 



pay a sum of money which he owed, was compelled to 

 allow a merchant of Rama to become partner with him in 

 a valuable mare. When the time came, he could not re- 

 deem his pledge to this man, and the mare was sold. Her 

 pedigree could be traced, on the side of sire and dam, for 

 full five hundred years. Ibrahim went frequently to Rama, 

 to inquire after the mare : he would embrace her, wipe 

 her eyes with his handkerchief, rub her with his shirt 

 sleeves, and give her a thousand benedictions, during whole 

 hours that he remained talking to her. " My eyes!" would 

 he say to her, t: my soul ! my heart ! must I be so unfor- 

 tunate as to have thee sold to so many masters, and nut 

 keep thee myself ? I am poor, my antelope! I brought 

 thee up in my dwelling, as my child. I did never beat nor 

 chide thee ; I caressed thee in the proudest manner. God 

 preserve thee, my beloved ! Thou art beautiful, thou art 

 sweet, thou art lovely ! God defend thee from envious 

 eyes !" 



Sir John Malcolm gives two anecdotes to the same pur- 

 pose, but of a more amusing nature. 



" When the envoy, returning from his former mission, 

 was encamped near Bagdad, an Arab rode a bright bay 

 mare, of extraordinary shape and beauty, before his tent, 

 until he attracted his attention. On being asked if he 

 would sell her ' what will you give me ?' was the reply. 

 1 That depends upon her age ; I suppose she is past five.' 

 Guess again,' said he. 'Four?' 'Look at her mouth,' 

 said the Arab, with a smile. On examination, she was 

 found to be rising three. This, from her size and symme- 

 try, greatly enhanced her value. The envoy said, ' I will 

 give you fifty tomans' (a coin nearly of the value of a 

 pound sterling). < A little more, if you please,' said the 

 fellow, apparently entertained. Eighty a hundred.' He 

 shook his head, and smiled. The offer at last came to two 

 hundred tomans ! ' Well,' said the Arab, ' you need not 

 tempt me further ; it is of no use. You are a rich elchee 



