Thence I went to Fazilka, and they said that I was mad to bring starved
horses there. The Voice was with me, and I was _not_ mad, but only
wearied, because I could not find Daoud Shah. It was written that I
should not find him at Rania nor Bahadurgarh, and I came into Delhi from
the west, and there also I found him not. My friend, I have seen many
strange things in my wanderings. I have seen Devils rioting across the
Rechna as the stallions riot in spring. I have heard the _Djinns_
calling to each other from holes in the sand, and I have seen them pass
before my face. There are no Devils, say the Sahibs? They are very wise,
but they do not know all things about devils or—horses. Ho! Ho! I say to
you who are laughing at my misery, that I have seen the Devils at high
noon whooping and leaping on the shoals of the Chenab. And was I afraid?
My brother, when the desire of a man is set upon one thing alone, he
fears neither God nor Man nor Devil. If my vengeance failed, I would
splinter the Gates of Paradise with the butt of my gun, or I would cut
my way into Hell with my knife, and I would call upon Those who Govern
there for the body of Daoud Shah. What love so deep as hate?
Do not speak. I know the thought in your heart. Is the white of this eye
clouded? How does the blood beat at the wrist? There is no madness in my
flesh, but only the vehemence of the desire that has eaten me up.
Listen!
South of Delhi I knew not the country at all. Therefore I cannot say
where I went, but I passed through many cities. I knew only that it was
laid upon me to go south. When the horses could march no more, I threw
myself upon the earth, and waited till the day. There was no sleep with
me in that journeying; and that was a heavy burden. Dost thou know,
brother of mine, the evil of wakefulness that cannot break—when the
bones are sore for lack of sleep, and the skin of the temples twitches
with weariness, and yet—there is no sleep—there is no sleep? _Dray wara
yow dee! Dray wara yow dee!_ The eye of the Sun, the eye of the Moon,
and my own unrestful eyes—all three are one—all three are one!
There was a city the name whereof I have forgotten, and there the Voice
called all night. That was ten days ago. It has cheated me afresh.
I have come hither from a place called Hamirpur, and, behold, it is my
Fate that I should meet with thee to my comfort and the increase of
friendship. This is a good omen. By the joy of looking upon thy face the
weariness has gone from my feet, and the sorrow of my so long travel is
forgotten. Also my heart is peaceful; for I know that the end is near.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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