'Journal of the British Embassy to Persia; Embellished with Numerous Views taken in India and Persia: also a Dissertation upon the Anqituities of Persepolis' [‎11] (47/174)

KALIAN ABDOOYI—DASHTI ARJEN—PEERI ZEN—ZEETOON—SHIRAZ. 11
cold atmosphere above, and a chain of mountains, covered with snow, in the distance,
heightened the chilling picture. Passed a building called
KALIAN ABDOOYI,
where travellers generally take a draught of water and a kalian or pipe; passed an
Imamzadeh dedicated to one of their saints, and a little farther brought us to our tents
at a spot called Dashti-Berm, amidst a plantation of baloot trees under the snowy
mountains.
a DASHTI ARJEN.— Stage Eighth.
5th.—Set out about four in the morning; the road for some way was along a fiat
interspersed with beautiful trees, which led to hilly ground at the base of the mountain
called
PEERI ZEN,
or the Old Woman : when about half way up we passed a caravansary, and a little beyond
was the kotil or steepest pitch ; the roads, winding in different directions, intersect
each other round masses of rock. From the summit of this towering mountain the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. appeared over the lofty chains that lie between. When descending on the
northern side the appearance of the trees suddenly changed; the rich foliage on the
south displayed a striking contrast with the leafless trees here seen, which resembled the
depth of winter. Having descended, the road led across the plain, where the villagers
had assembled to pay their respects to the Embassy, and, as usual, we found tents
pitched to receive us in front of Dashti Aijen.
^ ZEET00N -— Sta g e Ninth.
6th.—Set out again between five and six in the morning ; the road led over rising
ground and through a barren country to the caravansary of Zeetoon, about three
parasangs distant from the last stage, and we encamped for the day a little beyond, in
a space between the mountains.
1 ♦ j\ SHIRAZ.— Stage Tenth.
7th.—Arose early in the morning, and continued through an arid country: the strata
of the mountains showed a variety of stone, and now and then an encampment of Eils
or Eliot appeared with their flocks.—Passed a bridge in ruins; crossed another bridge
called Chenari-rahdar, near a caravansary and the custom-house, and going about three
miles along the flat we entered our tents near the garden of Shahi Cheragh, a short
distance from Shiraz.
The Prince's minister, Mohammed Nebbi Khan, requested to know if Sir Gore would
permit him to wait upon him in the same manner as had been done to Gen. Malcolm :
but Sir Gore having learned of the General that this was only a visit of private friend
ship, and that it could not amount to the term Istekhal, declined it, giving him to
understand he should expect to see him the next morning with the Istekhal. He at
first refused, declaring it was an honour which no former Ambassador had received,
but on Sir Gore's refusing to enter Shiraz upon any other terms, he consented in a
very obliging manner.
12
SHIRAZ—TOMB OF HAFIZ.
8th.—The Prince's ministers, Baharam Ali Khan and Mohammed Nebbi Khan,
came with the Istekhal and conducted the Embassy to a spot near the tomb of Hafiz,
under the walls of the garden of Jehan-numa, where our tents were pitched.
9th.—The Prince sent a civil message to Sir Gore, wishing to know when he would
favour him with a visit.
10th.—Sir Gore paid a visit to Prince Hosein Ali Mirza, who showed him every
mark of respect due to the situation he held, and desired it to be explained to him
that he had distinguished his diplomatic rank from that of his predecessors, by sending
his prime minister with the Istekhal, by sending royal guards to escort him and to
guard the < camp, by not allowing him to be stopped at the entrance of the court by his
master of the ceremonies, and by giving him a higher place on his musnud.
14th.—The Prince allotted the palace of Kajaria for the use of Sir Gore and his
household; the gentlemen of the suite and the Persians encamped near the walls of
the palace garden.
Shiraz is situate in the middle of a fertile plain nearly surrounded with mountains;
it is defended by a wall flanked with round towers—the domes of its mosques have a
grand appearance. The walls of the Prince's palace rise considerably above the others,
and it is distinguished by a number of trees growing in its gardens. The Bazaar, called
Mauli Vakeel, is very spacious and handsome, and carries on a considerable commerce.
Shiraz is the birth-place of the two great poets, Saadi and Hafiz ; the tomb of the
former stands in a kind of recess of the mountains, about half a parasang distant, and
that of the latter is near the city. It is a neat inclosure containing a plantation of
shrubs and cypresses, and some commodious apartments for the use of pilgrims or
other persons visiting the sacred spot. The tomb itself stands in the middle of a small
burial ground, and is of the ordinary^size of tombs : it is formed of white marble, having
a flat surface, with an inscription, which I copied with the greatest exactness amidst
crowds of Persians. This ornamental writing being very difficult to read, I have also
given it in Roman characters, with a literal translation as follows :—
TOMB OF HAFIZ.
at the head:
An Arabic Ejaculation to the Almighty.
on the face:
Announce the glad tidings that my soul may rise in
Mezhdehi vasili too goo k'az sarrijaun barkheezam. thy enjoyment.
Tauveri kodesm oo az daumi jehaun barkheezam. I am a bird of Paradise and will fly from the snares
of the world.
Be wafauyi too keh gar bandehikheeshamkhaunee; Were I but a servant at the table of thy elect,
Az seri khaujegeeyi kown oo makaun barkheezam. I should rank above all the great men of the universe.
Ya Rab ! az aberi hedauyet beresaun bauroonee ; O Lord ! let the cloud of guidance rain,
Peeshter'zaunkehchehgardeezemeeaunbarkheezam. That I may arise encircled with thy glory.
Ber seri terbeti mau ba mei oo matrab be neesheen; Sit on my tomb with wine and music,
Tau ze shooket ze lahadi raks kunaun barkheezam. That I may arise out of it amid dancing lovers.
Garcheh peer am too shebee tang der aghoosham Though I am old, let me embrace thee but one night,
k un J 1 , . , ,, And I shall rise next morning in the vigour of youth.
Tau sahargah ze kanaun too javaun barkheezam.
Kheez oobaulaubenumauaiboti sheereenharakaut; O image of sweet actions arise and show on hi^h,
Keh choo Haufiz ze seri jaun oo jehaun barkhee- That I as Hafiz soar above the world and evil spirits.