Page:HMElliotHistVol1.djvu/146

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112

HISTORIANS OF SIND.

and dragged him from the throne. He next caUed the wazír and the people, and seated himself on the throne amid the plaudits of the people. He burnt the body of the king, took back the damsel and married her, and restored order.
Then he called the wazír and said “I know that it was you who counselled my brother in his dealings with me, but this was no fault nor is it blameable. It was God's will that I should be king, so continue to govern the kingdom as you did for my brother.” Safar replied, “You have spoken the truth, all that I did was for the good and advantage of your brother, not out of enmity to you. But I have now resolved upon burning myself, and cannot do as you desire. I was with your brother in life, and I will be with him in death.” Barkamárís told him that he wanted him to write a book on the duties of kings, on government and justice, Safar consented, and wrote the book, which is called “Adabu-l Mulúk,” “Instruction of Kings.” I have[1] transcribed it in this book, for I have written an abstract of it. When it was finished he took it to Barkamárís and read it, and all the nobles admired and praised it. Then he burnt himself. The pow^er of Barkamárís and his kingdom, spread, until at length all India submitted to him. Such was Barkamárís. I have related all the facts just as I found them.

  1. [Quatremère reasonably proposes to insert a negative here.]