A FOUNTAIN VASE 209 



level of the platform broad walks lead off, left 

 and right, under the high castellated walls to 

 the corner towers. Below stretches the first 

 terrace of the upper garden ; for at Pinjor the 

 usual Mughal plan is reversed, and the principal 

 entrance faces down instead of up the main 

 canal. 



Beneath the seat on the platform, which juts 

 out slightly above the stream, the spring rises 

 through a great stone vase, over the edges of 

 which the water pours in a smooth, glistening 

 circle, and runs merrily away to fill the long 

 canal with dancing ripples ; and on this terrace 

 no other fountains break the surface of the 

 stream. How much these old gardens could 

 tell us, did we but choose to pause and listen, 

 of the true love of beauty which inspired their 

 makers. 



Seen from the shady seat under the mango 

 trees, the spring becomes a magic water mirror, 

 within whose dark green depths the whole 

 history of the garden passes : Fadai Khan and 

 his frightened ladies ; the cunning Rajputs 

 of the hills who drove him out ; Gurka raiders 

 rushing in in search of plunder, to find only 

 an empty palace and deserted garden ; fierce 



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