MOUNTAIN OF TACKT-I-BOSTAN. 169 
at Tackt-i-Bostan, and then notice how far they appear to agree 
with the circumstances they are reported to represent. 
The first consist of two lofty and deep arches, excavated with 
great labour and skill in the rock of the mountain. Within these 
artificial caverns, I found several bas-reliefs, executed to a very 
high degree of excellence, but the details of which I shall 
reserve to a few pages onward. The mountain of Tackt-i-Bostan 
forms a part of the chain of Be-Sitoon ; and like it, is craggy, 
barren, and terrific.* Its aspect, as we approach it, is of the most 
rugged grandeur; and its towering heights, lowering dark over 
the blooming vale of Kermanshah, make so striking a contrast, 
that it might well recall the image of the beautiful queen, in all 
her perpetual noon of charms, seated smiling at the feet of the 
aged monarch, hoary with years and the troubles of a wounded 
spirit. At the base of this sombre mountain, bursts forth the 
most exquisitely pellucid stream that I ever beheld ; and to this 
sparkling fountain the natives have given the name of Shirene. 
Its bed is rather on a declivity, which gives a rapidity to its cur¬ 
rent that increases the brilliancy of its waters, as they dash along 
spreading verdure on every side, and bathing the pendent 
branches of variously foliaged trees which grow on its banks. 
A little forest extends from the river’s side, to a considerable 
distance over the plain ; perhaps the green descendants of the 
woods which overshadowed the gay pavilions of Khosroo, in 
his hunting parties! Just over the source of the stream, on a 
smooth part of the rock, a bas-relief presents itself, called that 
of the four calendars ; and a little onward, where the mountain 
recedes, a flight of several hundred steps is found cut in the 
; Y • . ... » \ ' . • * » * 
* See Plate LXI. 
VOL. II. 
Z 
