18G2.] An account of Upper and Lower Suwat. 279 
Hence it was a matter of difficulty, my going into Suwat. 
Maid Khan had arranged the bridal affairs according to my wishes ; 
And in his house, the mother of Sadr # I was married unto. 
But whether ’twas to see its narcissuses or enjoy its sports, 
We look back, in old age, the Almighty’s favours upon. 
The whole of it from beginning to end I brought under my feet : 
I became acquainted with Suwat’s every nook and comer. 
Suwat is intended to give sovereigns gladness and joy ; 
But now, in the time of the Yusufzts, ’t is a desolate hostel. 
On the north it is bounded by the Bilauristan mountains ;f 
To the east lies Kashmir : to the west Kabul and Badakhshan. 
Towards Hindustan it has black mountains, and frowning Passes; 
In the ascent of which, armies will get entangled, and confusions 
ensue. 
Its climate, in summer, is far superior to that of Kabul: 
The climate of Kabul is bleak ; but that is genial and mild. 
Indeed, it resembles Kashmir in air and in verdure ; 
But alas ! Kashmir is extended, and Suwat is confined. 
The valley, in length, is just thirty coss, at the utmost: 
Its breadth is about one or two, sometimes more or less. 
Its river flows in a direction from east to west; 
As to its straightness or crookedness, say naught to the scribe.^ 
Through every village and house thereof a rivulet runs : 
They consume the grain produced, and they export it also. 
It has no road thro’; no other occupation; no other profit: 
In truth, ’tis a granary wholly detached from the world. 
At times the cheapness there is so excessive, ’tis said, 
That for two farthings twenty guests can be entertained! 
It hath cool water from springs, and from snow also : 
In Suwat there is neither simum§ wind, nor is there dust. 
Every place throughout Suwat, is befitting a prince ; 
But without either chief or ruler, ’tis a mere bullock’s pen. 
Kings have, in it, found both pleasure and delight ; 
But the present people are not gifted in such like arts. 
* The poet’s eldest son, also a poet. 
I The country of Crystal, from the Persian word so called from contain¬ 
ing mines of transparent quartz, or rock-crystal. 
X Referring to the straight and crooked letters in the Arabic alphabet. 
§ Hot wind. 
