_June 7._--Left the caravanserai at one this morning, and
continued to ascend. The hours we were permitted to rest, the
mosquitoes had effectually prevented me from using, so that I
never felt more miserable and disordered; the cold was very
severe; for fear of falling off, from sleep and numbness, I
walked a good part of the way. We pitched our tent in the vale
of Dustarjan, near a crystal stream, on the banks of which we
observed the clover and golden cup: the whole valley was one
green field, in which large herds of cattle were browsing. The
temperature was about that of spring in England. Here a few
hours' sleep recovered me in some degree from the stupidity in
which I had been for some days. I awoke with a light heart, and
said: 'He knoweth our frame, and remembereth that we are but
dust. He redeemeth our life from destruction, and crowneth us
with loving kindness and tender mercies. He maketh us to lie
down in the green pastures, and leadeth us beside the still
waters.' And when we leave this vale of tears, there is 'no more
sorrow, nor sighing, nor any more pain.' 'The sun shall not
light upon thee, nor any heat; but the Lamb shall lead thee to
living fountains of waters.'
_June 8._--Went on to a caravanserai, three parasangs, where we
passed the day. At night set out upon our last march for Shiraz.
Sleepiness, my old companion and enemy, again overtook me. I was
in perpetual danger of falling off my horse, till at last I
pushed on to a considerable distance beyond the kafila, planted
my back against a wall, and slept I know not how long, till the
good muleteer came up and gently waked me.
_June 9._ (Sunday.)--By daylight we found ourselves in the plain
of Shiraz. We went to the halting-place outside the walls of the
city, but found it occupied; however, after some further delay,
we were admitted with our servants into another; as for the
kafila, we saw no more of it. The ambassador, Sir Gore Ouseley,
was encamped near us; Sir William and Major D'Arcy, and Dr.
Sharp, called on us, but I did not see the two first, being
asleep at the time. In the evening we dined with his excellency,
who gave us a general invitation to his table. Returned to our
garden, where we slept.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account