1879.] or a History of Hamir, prince of Ranthambor. 203 
Emperor.—‘ What is the age of Hamir ?” 
Herald.—* Hamir is an accomplished youth of 28 and, at this early 
age, a miracle of genius, prudence, heroism, wisdom and intelligence. 
When he comes to the durbar, the minstrel Maqna thus sings his praises : 
‘Bestower of gifts, great Rao of Ranthambor, the hero of heroes, that 
bring on the golden age in this corrupt world, your virtues are incompara- 
ble, and your might almost divine. Your truth is like that of Harish- 
chandra ; charity like that of Karan; attainments in learning like those 
of Bhoj ; sympathy with the poor and administration of relief like those 
of Vikram ; and beauty of features like that of Cupid. You are a Brik- 
bhanu in power. Your words are sweet and full of love, and you are well 
versed in fourteen kinds of arts and sciences. Your wealth is like Indra’s, 
your treasury and stores like Kuber’s, whereon Riddhi (prosperity) and 
Siddhi (fulfilment), two wives of the god Ganesga, always preside. There 
are eight kinds of s¢ddhis in your states, and all pieces of iron are turned 
into gold.’ 
“hick, green gardens lie round about his fort, while around them are 
deep and dark forests. The mango trees, the pomegranate, lime, apple, 
berry, orange, Ahirni, plantain, cocoanut, dates, chiranjz and jack, all 
are loaded with their sweet, delicious fruits. There are very many wmer 
trees, hundred kinds of khyotds, the large acacia and the beautiful khir. 
The bees hum amidst various flowers and draw nectar with great glee. 
Here you can see in full bloom and blossom the rose and the jassamine ; 
there the ketaki by its sweet smell draws together and charms a number 
of bees. Here beds of keora, johi, jay, sindup and sabbu beautify 
the scene ; there the pddal, chameli, kdkbeld, satrang, srikhand, kund, 
malati and shewti give fragrance to the air. The matia plants are loaded 
with flowers and the /é/lbang, vine, the nimble madhoj and other creepers 
are plentiful. There are palms and tamd/s on the banks of tanks, which 
bear on their broad bosoms the dancing red lotus and the white lotus with 
the bee, enjoying itself, being hid amidst the petals. All around are the 
lofty hills covered with dense forests and clad in green. Waterfalls pour 
from on high, where beside the waters play the peacock, the duck, the 
chakravak, the suk, the chatrak and the blackbird.” 
CHAPTER V. 
Alé-uddin’s soliloqguy.— I do not care for the pride of Hamir. Ina 
moment I can bring him to my feet, knock down his fort, seize the criminal 
~ Muhammad Shah, and drag him to Dehli. Sure as my name is Ala-uddin, 
I will do all these things. A Rao, possessing one fort only, vaunts so much 
of his might! Surely I cannot bear it. Yet I have scruples as to the cer- 
