143 



Somenaut, the brahmins offered the Sultan a large sum to spare 

 the principal idol, which he refused; saying he preferred the title 

 of " the destroyer of idols," to the " seller of idols/' and brandish- 

 ing his mace, inflicted so violent a blow on the image, that it 

 broke in pieces, and there issued from it an amazing collection of 

 the most precious jewels. The Sultan was immediately congratu- 

 lated by his Mahomedan courtiers, on the purity and effect of his 

 zeal; and from thence assumed the additional title, a glorious 

 one in their estimation, of Bhool Skikun, the " Destroyer of 

 Idols." 



Such were the effects of the Mahomedan invasions on the 

 wretched Hindoos, in the tenth century; and such are now the 

 fatal consequences of modern conquests and depredations by Hin- 

 doos, over the descendants of those very invaders, in all the 

 splendid cities in the northern kingdoms of Hindostan. Delhi, 

 Lahor, and Agra, are, like Ahmedabad, a picture of desolation and 

 despair; realizing those pathetic stanzas in the tears ofKhorassan. 



" The mosque no more admits the pious race ; 

 " Constraint they yield to beasts the holy place, 



" A stable now, where dome nor porch is found : 

 " Nor can the savage foe proclaim his reign, 

 " For Khorassania's criers all are slain, 

 " And all her minarets levell'd with the ground. 



" Pity, ah pity, those, who oft in vain 



" Seek suppliant, drooping nature to sustain, 



" A scanty portion of the coarsest corn ; 

 " Alas ! how alter'd, since with sensual air, 

 " And pamper'd pride, they loath'd the sweetest fare, 



" And tum'd from costly delicates with scorn. 



