The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1847-10-08
J., FRIDAY AFTERNOON, OCTOBER 8, 1917
From he last Westmiusler re,

IRON me tiSL W cStHiiUHfT hcpteU.
Here ia a tale which, we feel sure, all our readers
must admire for its simplicity and graccfuness, al
well as the mystical moral that runs underneath it
II is gem in Persian literature and deserves TO b.
far more extensively known than il Is Our transla
ton is strictly literal and as nearly word for word
rhyme would allow. ~
The Merchant and his Parrot.
ny JELALEDpIN RUMI.
e parrot belonged TO a merchant sage, 49,.
beautiful parrot, confined in a cage;
And one day the good merchants fancy ran
On u Journey of traffic To Hindusan.
He babe all his servants and maidens come,
And he asked them what gifts he should bring then
home2
And each servant and maiden with thanks confessed
Whateer it might DO, that would please them best.
To his parrot lie turned, and said, smilingly,
And what Indian gift shall bring to theeP
And the parrot replied, when thou COST thy way,
And bcholdest my fellows as there they play,
Oh, give them my message, and tell them this
Let them know from me what captivity Is
Oh, tell them-"A parrot friend of yours,
Who has danced with you in these happy bowers,
Has been carried away by i'll fate's design,
And now is confined in cage Of mine;
He sends you the wishes that love should send,
| And prays you to think of your absent friend
BcnOlu, ne says, now pine, alas
| While you dance all day on the trees and grass;
| Is this to be faithful in friendship and love-
| l here in prison, and you in grove?
Oh, remember our friendship in days gone by,
And send me some hope in caplivityp'
The merchant set out and his way pursued
| Til he came at last 10 an ancient wood
| On the borders of Ind, where, in summer glee,
The parrots were sporting from tree to tree
| liz STAYED his horse M he Them
And he gave them the message his parrot sent; .
| And one of the birds, as the words he said,
Fell of from its bough to the ground, as dead.
| Sore repented the sage, as the parrot fell;
| Gods creature is slain by the words tell,
ion parrot and mine were not friends alone,
| Their bodies were two, but their souls We're one.
| This tongue of mine is like flint and Steel
And all that il -utters are sparks which kill
| He then went on his way with heavy heart,
| And he traded in many distant mart
And at length, when his traffic and toll were DER,
He returned to his welcome home once more.
To every servant gift he brought
| 70 every maiden the gift she sought; . ~
And the parrot, too asked, when its turn was come
oh where is the gift you have brought me home p
'Twas bitter message the sage replied;
For when it was giy'n thy companion diedr
And the bird at once, when the words Were said,
Fell off, like its friend, from its perch, as dead.
When the merchant beheli il thus fall and die,
He sprang from his place witha bitter cry;
Oh my sweet-voiccd parrot, why falst thou low
My well-lovd partner Of JOY and woe
! Oh alas alas that so bright moon
Is yelled by the clouds of death so soonn
Then out of the cage the bird he threw
| And, 10, to the top OF a tree il few
And while he stood gazing with wond'ring eyes,
and
i Yon Indian parrot appeared TO die,
But it taught me lesson of liberty;
That since twas my voice which Imprisoned me,
, must die to escape, and once more be iree''
II then gave him some words of advice ere il flew,
And then joyfuy wished the good merchant adieu
Thou hast done me kindnesas good master, far
4 well
Thou hast freed me for aye from the bond Of III
cell S,.
Fre'rdh my good master, for hoaieirad Urn
ONE day Hiou shah gain. he same freedom as Inh