Vol. IX, No. 1.] The Mirza Namah of Mirza Kamran. 5 
[N.S.] 
the price, and ought not buy like traders. Ruby should be 
regarded by him as the best among all jewels, and the palan- 
quin as the best of all conveyances. He should like a water- 
melon as the best of all fruits. If he wishes to keep his head 
and hands entire or unbroken, let him not accompany an army 
through Kashmere. Rice boiled with spices should be preferred 
by him above all other eatables. He should keep pure love on 
a high arch, and if possible, he should have no connection with 
it at. al e should not follow a beautiful person whose 
demeanour displays tokens of wickedness, and he must not 
make ch use of tobacco. As | as he is in India t 
the best of his power he should try to keep himself safe from 
the attack of diseases, so that he may not have the need to see 
the face of the court physician. If heis introduced to a family, 
paying is ee he may continue to frequent the place, 
otherwise he should not trouble himself for nothing, and incur 
dishonour, because respect, once lost, is hardly to be regained. 
He should regard Lahore as the best of the townsin India. He 
should recognize the fort of Agra as unequalled in the whole 
world. If there be no controversy or dispute on that point, 
then he must think /sfahan as the best town in Persia. Ina 
multitude he must always be on the alert from attacks of 
swords kept under the garment. He must have funds enough 
to supply him with twenty rupees for the expenses of palan- 
uin and a door-keeper. He must not hire a room in any inn 
for it is beggarly todo so. He must value life and should not 
go near war. If he happens to be in a battle-field he must keep 
out of the reach of musket-balls. If victory takes place, he 
must not pursue the defeated and flying army; on the con- 
trary if his party suffer a defeat, he must run away as fast as 
The compositions of a Mirza should be full of expres- 
sion, and in a short compass of words should convey a number 
of ideas and meanings. If they are not so, what is then the 
difference (between a Mirza and others). Wherever he ma 
see (or meet) the narcissus, the violet and the orange, he 
should take all three. He must know the bad people, but 
should not call them bad for this is contrary to wisdom. He 
should know the game of dice, but must not turn a nuh 
and should not bet thousands while playing chess. He m 
not be fond of obscure verses (and spend his time in tryi oh 
understand them), because this precious life should not be thus 
wasted away. He must not follow a companion who is a fast 
rider, and should let him go wherever he likes. If a friend of 
the Mirza ‘ask what his salary is, he may tell the man if he is 
sure that the latter will not be appointed in his place ; other- 
wise he should run away from him to a distance of about 
