MHER-UL-NISSA. 
85 
hunger and thirst, and the bereaved mother called 
distractedly for her child. The heart of the hus- 
band was subdued by her sufferings ; dashing the 
tear from his cheek, he undertook to return and re- 
store it to her arms. He retraced his steps, but was 
paralysed with horror, on arriving at the spot where 
he had left his infant, to see a large black snake 
wreathed round it. In a paroxysm of desperation he 
rushed forward, when the monster, gradually uncoiling 
itself, retired into the hollow of a tree. He snatched 
up the child and bore it in ecstasy to the anxious 
mother. It had received no hurt, and whilst by their 
caresses they were expressing their exultation at its 
singular escape, some travellers overtook them, who 
supplied them with food and enabled them to resume 
their journey. They advanced by easy stages till 
they reached Lahore. 
Soon after the arrival of the poor Tartar in this city, 
where the great Akbar then held his court, he was 
fortunate enough to attract that emperor’s attention, 
and by an extraordinary accession of good fortune 
became finally high treasurer of the empire. His 
daughter, as she grew up, excelled all the loveliest 
women of the East, and was therefore named Mher- 
ul-Nissa, or the Sun of women. The greatest care 
was taken to make her mistress of every accomplish- 
ment which could impart an additional fascination 
to the natural graces of her sex. In vivacity, wit, 
spirit, and all those elegant attainments in which wo- 
men especially excel, she was equalled by few and 
surpassed by none. In masculine vigour of understand- 
ing she stood alone and unapproached. The emperor’s 
i 
