Meer Hassan Ali, B.: Observations on the Mussulmauns of India: descriptive of their manners, customs, habits, and religious opinions ; made during a twelve years residence in their immediate Society (Band 2) (London, 1832)

ANFXDOTE OF SAADIE. 255

tried to reason with his unreasonable favourites,
who, on their part, used raillery, bantering,
argument, and every power of speech, to turn
Saadie from his steady purpose of now fulfilling
the law he had wilfully violated. They effected
nothing in moving him from his purpose, until
one of the young men, to whom Saadie was
much attached, spoke tenderly to him of the
affection both himself and friends entertained
for him, adding, ' It is written in our law, that
if a Mussulmaun be guilty of any sin, however
great, (and all kinds of sin are therein enume-
rated), and he afterwards sincerely repents before
God, with fasting and prayer, his sins shall be
forgiven. Now you, Saadie, who are deeply
versed in the way of wisdom, and better ac-
quainted with the words of the Khoraun than
any other man on earth, tell me, is there in that
holy book a promise made of forgiveness for
that man who breaks the hearts of his fellow
creatures ? With us there are many hearts
so devotedly attached to you, that must as-
suredly burst the bonds of life by your com-
plete and sudden desertion of them, so that