Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1846-08-20
5clerteo Gales.
Prom the Talisman.
M | r Il A:
An Oriental Tale.
An Oriental Tale.

.
! Written for the Editor by Gentleman Of London.
II is a mortifying ubject to those who
are possessed of wealth and power, that
there are blessings which wealth cannes
purchase, Ior prerogative command /,
vet, without which, aflluence is worth
less, and power without use.-lt rs os
little accoun, to be powerful, If we have
not health or rich, if we have not o
conten,ed mind.
H Among others whom experience had
taught this unpleasant truth, was the
great Shah Abbas, tho actual ruler at
! one of the finest, richest, and most ex.
tcnsve provinces Of Persian, and inl-
agnary Brother Of the Sun, and Uncle
to the Moon. The magnlacence OF his
palaces, the multitude of his attendants.
and the cosliness Of his equipages the
number Of his armies and their prowesa
in the fcld-were the wonder, adinira7
ton, aud envy of all his royal contemP"s
raries.
And yet Shah Abbas was unhappy,
Then he added fresh beauties to h&
old palaces, aud he caused TO be erected
new ones, still more splendid he ~
creased the number of his reiinae ana
chis armies-his mandates, issued mora
peremplorly than ever, were execute"
more rigidly, and his subjects wondered
and lrcmbled at the grea, power oi Shah
Abbas.
still he was discontented yes, he
who dwelt amid the splendor and luxury
of palaces,-by whose PERMISSION, mere
~. thousands lived, was more unhappy
than the peasant in his humble cot VIII"
only wore his heaj,as it were,by license.
and subject to the Will Of tyrenn'cal ca
price.
Having at last discovered that those
who were the executors OF his power or
the servants ofhs luxury, could neIlher
procure him happiness, nor inform mn
how or " here it might be obtained, Shah
Abbas summoned together the wise mc'1
of his court those whose lives had been
passcd in the study of wisdom, aud The
oC the theory ot virtue.
"rell me" said the Prince, ''ye, whG
have spcn, many years in the pursuit oi
wisdom, and have rcaped the fruits "l
labor aud dexpcrcuce-w what is necessary
to constitute happy Iacn :"
Three DAYS were allowed the sages,
ror the preparation of their answers
and he who gave in one that was SALTS
factory, was promised reward "o'1hE
IF the propounder Of the question
The hope Of reward was gren'-hu'
he fear Of punishment was greater !"
state unwelcomr truths, incur me d'S-
,leosure of oae whose word was lite
,r death risk they all very cage
ully avoided for when the day came
or the delivery Of their answers-ihey
we're unanimously agreed in the opinion
hat to be happy, man must be pow
rluI and rich-even as Shah Abbas.
II the Prince had no reason to cXpec!
lherent answers, he felt h,ile saiIsaG-
=. A. L..
Now, il was in open court that The aG-
wers of the wise men were delivered,
nd il happened, that among the persons
resent, was a travelling Dcrvish one
# class to whom devotion grants what
omp aud etiquette would deny-a free
ccess To the palaces and councils os
Eastern Kings.
No sooner had the sages concluded
heir glowing and eloquent deplc,ur'ngs
{ the happiness of him who is powerful
nd rich, than the listening Derylsh alb
upty broke the silence that ensued.
clad wealth and power constituted
appy being, his own feelings would
ave left the great Shah Abbas no reason
Or enquiring on the subject ; since he
,ould have known that TO be great and
owerlul was to be happy. Few words
Iay suffice TO describe, as well as Ian
uagc can do II, what IT is to be perfectly
appy--lhe change of single word may
o il -, is to be perfectly good but
Shah Abhas would know further of
uman happiness let him learn Of Muya,
{ the peaceful Valley for he is always
appy'
As II is permitted 10 the oriental Der
lshes TO enter, without invitation or a
ology, aud in dress liule like that Of
he courtler, the places Of Eastern kIngs,