The New York herald., 1879-07-07
HASSAN AND HUSSAIN.
RELIGIOUS ILAY OF THE FAR EAsr-A MO-
HAMMEDAN PASSION PLAY OF oBERAM-



in these colder and harder cliines. there is cele
brated once every year the famous miracle play OF
"Hassan and Hussain." Like the passion play OF
Oberammergau 1t is not strictly orthodox for only
the dssenters from Mohammedanism called
''Shiahs" bear part in it, But it is In its
fervor and SO curious in it's wild Language that the
translation OF it which Sir Lewis Pelly has just
given to the world will be hailed of the most
welcome and novel contributions to dramatic ltera
ture. Hassan and Hussain, to be brief, were
opponents to the Caliphate successors. Abu
Beker. Omar and Gilman. OF Ali; they de-
cared that he and lie alone the representa-
tive of the Prophet aud in defence of these
they gave away their lives. TO Hassan fell the death
of poisoning. his wife administering the fatal
draught. The end of Hussain. however, was tar
imposing. Surrounded by his enemies he
fortified himself in great camp the Plain of
Kcrbea. and then prepared to die as became Mus
sulman and hero. His foes implacable, and
the battle between them and the followers OF the
victim long and bloody. Hussan ready to
die. and. washing himself. anointed his person
with musk. in order that entering part
disc the "nouris'' awaiting him there might be
satisfied. One by his faithful adherents
fell; the Prayer of Fear which h6 offered
up to Allah, aud the CALCULATIONS Of the Koran.
brought no rescue. His little son Abdullan
pierced through while in his arms; his youthful
nephew was stricken down while bathing hussain' s
bleeding lace and lastly tho hero himself borne
to the earth. and then beneath the hools Of horses
trampled to pieces. From that moment Islam
forever rent IN twain. and time. which heals most
wounds, proved poweriess to effect reconciliation
between the divided SECTIONS OF that creed. The
Sunns remaining orthodox. cung to the side which
had killed the two brothers; lLe Shiahs, and with
them many OF the Mohammedans OF india, espoused
the opposite cause, and. years rolled on. cele-
this interminable and passionate play the
decd OF blood which provoked the disruption.
THE PLAY.
Only the traveller has passed through the
Is amitsh cities OF the Orient can picture to himself
the which is Witnessed when the celebration
this story takes place. For many days before the
eventtul period preparations lively and
intense. .'Tabuts." or models of the tombs OF the
two brothers at Kerbela. prepared those belong
ing the weathier people being made OF ivory and
inad with silver and god while those Of the poorer
Shiahs are formed OF lath aud plaster, ornanented
with mica and tinsel. These they place tho
ground and around it enclose space called Tabut
Khana. or Imambarrah. At length comes the night
upon which the ceremonies are to commence, and
the moon OF the Mohurrum anxiously
awaited Immediately the lunar crescent shines out
spades thrust into the earth in front of the enco
sure, and pit Is dug. wherein lis forthwith lighted
fire which snail burn throughout all the duration
the festival. Thenceforward work of the cere
niony goes on again. AL night long crowds dance
in front Of anc actually inside the flames singing
and shouting; the Tabut is lighted up with green
candles. while in front or it is erected dais upon
which the Miracle Play or full and authentic story
day. Here presently mounts priest. his advent
proclaimed by The loudest and widest Of music. and
introduces the actlnR eS 1OllOWS:-"On, y0 faith
full give and open your hearts the wrongs and
sunerings Of His Highness the Imaun Ali, the vice.
gerent OF the Prophet, and let your eyes Aow with
tears river tor The woes which befeil their High
nesses the beloved Imaums Hassan and Hussain, The
foremost of the bright youths Of Paradise" How the
crowds which await the acting obey this call only
those who have witnessed the ecstacles alternate
grief anu JOY into which they presently
plunged can estimate. They wall as mourners be-
reft OF their only hope; cry with delight when the
tale goes against the foes of their faith become in
furated with passion they hear the wrongs OF the
dead whose tate they celebrate and only held in
order by the solemn chant OF the priests and its
soothing effect. Besides tho play professions
held. and young men singing funeral dirges. accom-
panied by troops OF dancing girls. horses richly
caparisoned, men bearing peacocks' tails, banners
and state umbrellas together with others carrying
Tabuts parade the streets The last day Of the fes
tlval comes, and then from every house where a
Tabut has been kept there issues once more pic
turesque cortege. Musicians with cymbals, horns
and drums lead the way; singers with asgs follow.
while incense bearers precede the symbol OF the
tomb. Fakirs and regionists add their wild chants
to tho general cry; amid tempest OF uncouth
sounds the crowd reach the water edge. and then
throwing in the Tabdts abandon them to the sea.
ana 80 the great mystery ends for the year.
TEXT OF PLAY.
1t is the entire text of this remarkable religious
drama which the faithful research OF Sir Lewis Pelly,
amid his former official duties on the Persian Gulf,
has given to scholarship and literature and the
task enhanced it il by tho notes of Dr. Birdwood
and the erudite revision OF MIR. Wollaston casts
lustre on our Indian services. Nor must 1t be for
moment supposed that, although all this uproar
attends the observance of the Mohurrum the Mira
Gle Play is merely fanstica in its nature On the
contrary. the work which the historian has excel
lently performed shows that the story told is
of exceeding sweetness and pervaving beauty. There
is even breathed q surprising spirit OF forgiveness
fer those who conpsssed the death OF the two
brothers. which might hardly be expected In ter
rible history. AS the Archangel Gabriel stands by
the side of Mohammed, it with feelings OF anger
against these rebels that the Prophet is animated
He does not even weep for his two murdered grand
children, but on account of the misguided Mussul-
mans who have wrought this deed OF shame 1T
is. cries he, ''for the sake of my people that
sorry. u Hussaiu! for this down
from my eyes," Hasssn, too, he stands in pres
ence OF the Eternal calls not tor vengesnce but
treats. For the honor dignity and glory of Thy
chosen prophet. Monammed; Oh my account. also,
who Hassan. forgive the sins OF the followers of
my grandchildren Throughout the whole play
there is indeed o strong and unexpected ten
derness OF heart which is strangely moving, even
when the reader or spectator belongs to differ
ent creed from that professed by those who
deeply moved. The affection OF the wife.
Fatima for her husband. Ali, is told with such
pathos rs may well bring tear to the listeners eye.
aud 1t easily be understood that the susceptible
Oriental is profoundly touched he hears
how she turns away from feast OF rich fruit pro-
vided her. ana says to her maid. "On. damsel.
since my lord and husband is not present to partaks
OF the same with me. the gomegranates do not seem
agreeable to my palate. Nor Is the eloquence OF the
extraordinarily various dvdmats persona unworthy
OF the story they tell On the contrary the appeal
OF Hussain to his prosecutor for mercy Is fuu of
grandeur:'.Oh thou who art into oxicated sadly with
the wine of sorrow, IL thou wouldst listen to the
advice give thee withdraw the hand of cruelty from
us and return TO thy place quickly" Altogether,
the play is occasionally, and even often one OF un-
usual beauty. aud it is especially valuable Afford
ing clearer insight into the religious char
actcr and sectional divisions OF the millions
OF Mussulmans over whom ruo to-day. Like us
they mourn the death of martyrs and witnesses;
like us they honor the steadfsst who have remained
faithful In danger and retained their religious 10y
atty to their latest breath The OF the heroes
they thus remember may be different from those
whose praises We pcrpetuate, but the links which
bind them to the past intimately resemble the ties
by which We ourselves held to the great departed
aud prove how kindred aud similar the pious
passions OF humanity all the world over The treas
ury OF letters Is enriched by this novel gift, and
dramatic literature possesses for the hrst time,
thanks the enlightened labors of Sir Lewis Pelly,
the full "librctto" Of an Oriental play. which. In
point of popular and length leaves all theat
rical rvaIry far behind.