1879.] or a History of Hamir, prince of Mantliamhor. 239 



follow : " Hear, Emperor, you need no more kindle the flame of war. Re- 

 turn to Dehli." (To Hamir.) "Mighty Chohan, your deeds will be 

 immortal in this sinful Kali Yug, while the lives of others are as 

 arrows shot, that leave no trace in the air. Master of my body, Rao Hamir, 

 you have fulfilled your words, you have brightened your house and family, 

 you have no equal in this world, you have not read the Koran, while Ala- 

 uddin invoked your gods. We have not, we two, bowed down to him." 

 His quivering lips uttered ' Glory to Hamir.' 



Chapteb XII. 



Ala-uddin was for effecting a reconciliation. He said, " Listen, warlike 

 Hamir, the bravest of all heroes, listen with attention to what I tell you. You 

 need not draw your sword again, for I have made up my mind to return to 

 Dehli with the living remainder of my forces. I not only forgive you your 

 offences, but give you fifty-two pargands in addition to your territories. 

 Reign undisturbed on them. I swear by the Koran that I will never assail 

 your fort again. As is Dehli tbe capital of the Muhammadan govern- 

 ment, so is Ranthambor that of the Chohan. 



Hamir replied. — " Listen, Master of Dehli, and consider with attention. 

 Who can avert the decree of fate ? What is fated to be must happen, and 

 no power, whether human or divine, can make it void. Whose are the terri- 

 tories that you are so presuming enough to give me ? Did you give us 

 our lands ? No. Who sat you on the throne of Dehli ? Your ancestors ? 

 No. It was destined. Then, where lies the use of your wise words ? How- 

 ever powerful and cunning you may be, you can never avert predestination. 

 Nothing is stable on the earth but deeds of glory. Conquer time. See, 

 where are the cruel Duryodhan and the mighty Dashaskandha (the ten- 

 headed Ravana) ? They have all been levelled in the dust. Whose is the fort, 

 Emperor, and whose the throne of Dehli ? They have been given to us by 

 God. We were both parts of the great Padam Rishi. I have been born a 

 Hindu., and you a Musalman according to our virtues. You offended the 

 gods, and so have been degraded to be an infidel. Leave enjoyment and 

 hunger for land, and let us both go to heaven to live there, clad in ever- 

 lasting glory. See, I have left my fort and come in your presence. I 

 have kept my word. My companion and refugee has been blessed with a 

 heavenly life. Let us follow him. Draw your sword, draw it, and do not 

 delay. Love not the world. All earthly possessions are but husks of grain 

 before a strong gust of wind. Fall with glory on the field, and let vultures 

 and jackals feast on your flesh that you may be a sharer of eternal enjoy- 

 ment, there in the world of felicity." 



