234 The Kirdn-us-Sd 'dain of Mir Khusrau. [No. 3, 



He tries to justify his still occupying the throne, hut with a fal- 

 tering argument, and thus concludes, 



But if in very truth this desire is in thy heart, 

 I am thy slave — 'tis thine to command. 

 Thou askest for me my crown that touches the sky, 

 Come and meet me that I may throw it at thy feet. 



This message a little touches the father's heart and he now dis- 

 claims all idea of seizing the throne. 



What though I could take the throne from thee ? 

 If I took it from thee, to whom should I give it ? 



He then expresses his loyalty and devotion in a style of truly 

 oriental hyperbole and concludes by hegging an interview. The son 

 dictates an answer — " What though my crown reaches to the 

 moon ? my head shall be under thy foot." The father receives it 

 with great joy, and sends his second son Ivaiis with a reply and many 

 magnificent presents. 



The brother proceeds to the king whom he finds in all his magni- 

 ficence, which is well described. He advances to the throne and 

 " when the king's eye fell on him, straightway he recognised himself 

 in that mirror ; in haste he leaped from the lofty throne and seized 

 his princely form in a close embrace." He seated him by his side 

 on the throne and treated him with the most cordial affection. 



The next day early the king calls for his own son Kaiomars (then 

 quite a babe) and sends him to his grandfather with many rich pre- 

 sents, — with him he sends an experienced councillor to carry the secret 

 instructions, and the two set off to the prince of Bengal. 



They crossed the water — they went to the king of the East, 



Like rose and nightingale they went to the garden. 



The news came to the king of the realm 



That those fresh fruits are coming from the orchard. 



He went and sat on his Sakandar-like throne 



And with lines of elephants built up a Magog's wall. 



The governor descends from his throne and meets his grandson as 

 he enters his presence, and leads him to his seat where he places him 

 by his side. He is at first absorbed in the pleasure of seeing his 

 grandson, and totally neglects the minister and the presents, until 

 his eye happens to fall in that direction, when he recals himself 



