o return to their native country, and I erected on this hill
this building, and got a statue made of the princess. I took up my
residence here, and having rewarded my servants and slaves according
to their respective merits, I dismissed them, saying, whilst I live,
I leave it to you to provide me with food; beyond this act, you are
your own masters. They supply me with subsistence from gratitude,
and I, with heart at ease, worship this statue; whilst I live,
this will be my sole [care and] employment; these are my adventures
which you have just heard." O, _Darweshes_! on hearing his story, I,
having thrown the _kafni_ over my shoulders, and having put on the
habit of a pilgrim, set out with extreme desire to see the country
of the Franks. After long wandering over mountains and through woods,
I began to resemble _Majnun Farhad_.

At last, my strong desire carried me to the same [European] city
[where the old statue-worshipper had been]; I wandered through
its streets and lanes like a lunatic, and I often remained near
the seraglio of the princess; but I could get no opportunity to
have an introduction to her. I was greatly vexed that I should not
obtain the object for which I had undergone such misery and toil,
and come so far. On day, I was standing in the _bazar_ when all at
once the people began to run away, and the shopkeepers having shut
up their shops, also fled. What crowds there were [a moment before],
and how desert the place became [all of a sudden]! I soon perceived
a young man rushing forward from a side street; he was like _Rustam_
in appearance, and roared like a lion; he flourished a naked sword in
each hand; he was in armour, with a pair of pistols in his girdle,
and kept muttering something to himself like an inebriated maniac;
two slaves followed him, clothed in woollen, and bearing on their
heads a bier covered with velvet of _Kashan_.

On seeing this sight, I determined to proceed with it; those I met
dissuaded me from it, but I would not hear them. Pushing forward,
the young man went towards a grand mansion; I also went along with
him. He looked back, and perceiving me, he wished to give me a blow
and cut me in two; I swore to him that this was the very thing I
wished, saying, "I forgive you my blood; relieve me by some means or
other from the misery of life, for I am grievously afflicted; I have
knowingly and voluntarily put myself in your way; do not delay [my
execution]." Setting me determined