140 
THE ORIENTAL ANNUAL. 
as a fool; if he should become eloquent he is reviled 
as a madman and a prattler ; if he be ever at his lord’s 
heck he is declared to he an artful and designing 
knave ; if he stand at a distance he is deemed slothful ; 
if patient and submissive he is abused as a coward ; 
if unable to endure abuse he is said to be an upstart 
and rebellious. Great King, the path of a slave under 
such a tyrant is indeed difficult and not to he per- 
formed even by a saint. But what need of endurance 
has there been on the part of your mightiness’ slave ? 
has he not been overloaded with favors ? and now, 
that he is about to drink the sherbet of dissolution, 
what chance remains to him of proving his fidelity and 
gratitude P But oh, my master ! be not apprehensive 
lest a servant less devoted should occupy the entrance 
to your palace. It is not unknown to your excellence 
that, as long as your slave has dwelt in the gate, his 
labors have been shared, and his moments of repose 
have been enlightened, by the presence of the beautiful 
Luchmi, the goddess of prosperity, who has thought 
it bliss to become the servant of so great and wise a 
prince. Behold, she shall supply the departure of 
your slave with one equally worthy of your confidence !” 
Having thus spoken, the dewan made his reverence 
and withdrew. 
In a short time there stood before the entrance of 
the palace a traveller, toil-worn, and having his power- 
ful limbs subdued by fatigue. “ Oh dewan” cried he, 
“ I am hut now arrived at your palace from a far- 
distant land, and, having left my wife and child in 
