POLO 



IF the history of polo in England be short, the history 

 of the game elsewhere is of the longest. Mr. T. F. 

 Dale^ says it was played as far back as 600 B.C. 

 among the Persians. There is in existence a curious 

 old picture, which was taken from the palace of the King of 

 Oude, representing an early game of polo : and whatever rules 

 may then have been in vogue, the resemblance of the imple- 

 ments to those of the present day is noticeable ; the shape of 

 the stick used suggests a lighter ball ; and, unless the players 

 were very small men, the horses they ride are at least fifteen 

 hands. Mr. Dale cites The Tale of the Wazir and Sage Duban 

 as containing the tale of the genesis of the game. Yuan, King 

 of Fars in the land of Roum, being afflicted with leprosy, 

 permitted the Sage Duban to undertake his case, all other 

 physicians having failed ; and the sage, according to the 

 chronicler translated by Sir Richard Burton, ' set to work 

 at choosing the fittest drugs and simples, and he fashioned 

 a bat hollow within and furnished with a handle without, for 

 which he made a ball : the two being prepared with con- 

 summate art. On the next day, when both were ready for 

 use and wanted nothing more, he went up to the King ; and 

 kissing the ground between his hands bade him ride forth on 

 the parade ground, there to play pall and mall. He, the King, 

 was accompanied by his suite. Emirs and Chamberlains, wazirs 

 and lords of the realm, etc. Ere he was seated the sage Duban 

 came to him, and handing him the bat said, " Take the mall and 

 grip it as I do ; so ! and now push for the plain, and leaning 

 well over thy horse drive the ball with all thy might until thy 



' The Game of Polo. 



210 



