Indian Antiquary Vol 28

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 83

MARCH, 1899.)
A POPULAR MOPLA SONG.
69
She was overpowered with grief, and called aloud the name of Badaru'l-Munir, and said :* When shall I see your face again? I am unable to suppress my love and control my feelings;" and beat her breast with her hands. After some time she threw the clothes and sandals to the fisherman and told him to put them on. He did so, and, taking leave from the princess, strutted along the street, seeing many curious things. He saw a large crowd, and went to mingle in it. There were several foreign merchants, and the king's minister, dressed in beautifal silken garments, seated on a chair. When they saw the fisherman coming they were struck with amazement at the costliness of his dress, and questioned each other as to who he was. He answered that he came from Muskan Teresa, his name was Abû Sayyid, and he was a celebrated trader in precious stones; in the course of his travel he came to this place. The king's minister was much pleased, and with much respect offered him a seat. The following conversation then took place between the minister and the fisherman. The latter said :-"What is the reason for this large crowd ?" The minister said :-"By order of the king. The king of Shâm has sent a pearl to our king, saying it is worth 64 lakhs of gold, and challenging any one to find a flaw in it. If found to be flawless 40 important seaports are to be given to him ; but if any flaw is found in it then he will give 40 of his chief seaports to whomsoever discovers the flaw. When he received the letter our king ordered me to write letters to all interested. These merchants and myself are examining the pearl, and we are in a dilemma, for in our opinion there is no flaw in it. Just as we came to this opinion you appeared. Now, if you will give your opinion about this pearl, our king will reward you with immense wealth and honours and horses and titles. Have no doubt about this." Abû Sayyid said: "I came to the bozaar to buy provisions ; my wife waits for me; to-morrow I will come and give you my opinion." The minister agreed. Abû Sayyid returned to his wife, and related to her his adventure. She told him to be of good cheer; he should tell the minister that his wife is a better judge of pearls than himself, and as she cannot leave her house the pearl should be sent to her, and she would give a correct opinion on it. So the next day Abu Sayyid brought the minister with the pearl to his house. The womanlo examined the pearl, and said it was nothing but chunam, ashes and water; if it were broken it would be seen at once that what she said was true. The minister reported all this to the king, who asked whether A bû Sayyid would give security for the loss of the pearl if it were broken and his opinion was found to bewrong. Abú Sayyid offered to give any security that was demanded. Then the pearl was broken in the presence of witnesses, and it was found to be just what the princess had said. The king's joy and admiration were boundless; he would give Abû Sayyid anything he chose to ask. But Abu Sayyid would do nothing without his wife's permission, so promised to return the next day. The next day he came, and the king asked him what presents would satisfy him. He said : “My wife would accept no presents. All we want is a house in a suitable locality, and for this we will pay the price." The king was astonished, and, to test him, ordered the costliest mansion to be selected, and double price to be charged. With a single pearl from one of her rings the princess paid the price of the mansion, thus confounding the king and his minister with surprise. The fisherman and the princess moved quietly into the mansion. When she saw the grandeur of the mansion and the splendour of its furniture she was drowned in grief, for they recalled to her mind the loss of her lover, and she wept bitterly.
Abu Sayyid tried to console her with sweet words. He said :-"Oh my benefactress! why weep over the inevitable? Will the sun rise in the west by thinking over it?" Hearing this she struck him in the face with her shoes, kicked him, and spat in his face. He besought her pardon, and promised never more to speak to her in that fashion.
Now the king was so pleased with Abu Sayyid that he gave him his daughter in marriage, and asked him to divorce his first wife - the princess. Abû Sayyid said he would not, for his life as all his happiness was due to her. Then the king said he would hand over to him . The princess is meant: not his wife.
14 The princess.