1854.] On the Ballads and Legends of the Punjab. 147 



The superhuman strength of Eussaloo is ascribed to his conti- 

 nence. He was a Jutt Rajah, i. e. one practising self-denial and 

 wearing like Samson unmutilated hair. The fall of poor Eani Coqla 

 his second wife, was attributable no doubt to this unamiable self- 

 denial of Eussaloo. Eor tradition says that one day when her 

 beauty melted his heart, he lost this miraculous power and observed 

 with dismay that his arrows no longer had force to rebound back 

 to his hand. The character of Eussaloo as preserved by tradition 

 is various, according to the taste of the bards who have handed it 

 down. Some represent him as a pattern of all that is noble and 

 brave in Asiatic estimation. This does not include that gallantry 

 and delicacy toward woman, which with us is essential to the charac- 

 ter of a gentleman. 



Others describe Eussaloo as a savage of miraculous power, but 

 uncouth and destitute of all sympathies proper to the hero. The 

 same diversity of traditions regarding Eoostum exists. I have in 

 the foregoing tale preferred the tradition which is most natural and 

 most agreeable to the general reader. 



(3). His brow was wreath' d with Nurgis flowers. 



From the habit of planting the Narcissus upon tombs and shrines, 

 it has acquired a certain sacredness of character. It is true that 

 the Hindus have few tombs. They have shrines however, many of 

 which have been adopted by the Muhammadans. The Narcissus is 

 common in the Punjaub. 



(4). Whose every vital fold 



Is fenc'd with Damasc plate of proof which 



Prison' d Genii frame 

 Beneath the cavern' d mountains roof in red 

 Volcano's flame. 



The plate armour of Asia, unlike the complete steel cases of 

 Europe is formed of rectangular plates of steel, braced over the 

 surcoat and covering only the vital parts. Underneath, however, a 

 shirt of mail was generally worn. Much skill is lavished upon 

 the plates which are of cast or damask 'd steel arabesqued in 

 gold. Kawf is the prison of the genii. There, in caverns they 

 await the day of judgment — secured by the inviolable signet of 

 Solomon. 



