from the verses which this man has cited that we are their slaves and they our masters, for mention is made in those verses of those blessings which God Almighty has bestowed upon them, and this verse of the Kurán is conclusive upon the point, (Arabic,) i.e.—'God Almighty has made all the animals subject to you—just as He has made subject the sun and moon, the air and the clouds.' From this it is not to be understood that they are our masters, we their slaves; but rather, that God Almighty having created all things in the earth and in the sky, made one thing subject to another, so that they might all together derive benefit and keep off evil from each other. Consequently God Almighty made us subject to them simply for this purpose, that benefit might accrue to them, and detriment be averted—but not as they have supposed, and with fraud and calumny contend, stating, 'We are the masters, they are our slaves.'

"Before these men were created, we and our parents were dwelling upon the face of the earth without obstruction—we grazed in every direction, wandering wherever our hearts desired; and each of us was engaged in search of his means of subsistence. In fine, we consorted together among the hills, woods, and mountains, and nourished our young ones. Thankful for whatever God had ordained, we spent our nights and days in His praise—we knew no other than Him; dwelling in our homes in comfort, there was no one to interfere with

us.

"When, after this, an age had passed, God Almighty formed Adam from clay, and made him ruler over the whole face of the earth. As men became numerous, they took to roaming about in the woods and deserts. Then, too, they stretched out over us poor creatures the hand of oppression. Having caught horses, asses, mules, bulls, and camels, they began to exact service from them; and by force and tyranny they brought to pass (all) those evils which had never come to

the knowledge of our fathers and grandfathers. What could we do? Being helpless, we fled to the woods and deserts. Even then these persons in no way gave up the pursuit. With what various stratagems did they pursue us with their snares and nets! If three or four animals, fatigued and weary, anywhere fell into their hands, do not inquire as to their treatment, for, bound and fettered, they were carried off, and what various ills were inflicted upon them! Besides this, it is their practice to slaughter (the animals), to flay them, to break their bones, tear out their sinews, rip up their bellies, pluck out their feathers, fix them on spits, cook them,1 and having roasted them, to eat them. And with all this even they are not satisfied, for they make this assertion—'We are the masters, they are the slaves.' Whoever fled from them was (deemed) a culprit. There is neither proof nor argument in (support of) this claim. On the contrary, it is sheer tyranny and oppression."

'Lit. "burn them with fire."

1

CHAPTER II.

Describing the pains taken by the King of the Fins for the settlement of the dispute between the Men and the Animals.

HEN the King had heard this account of the animals,

WHEN

he became intent in his heart upon the settlement of the dispute, and gave orders that the judges and lawyers, and all the grandees and nobles of the Jins, should attend. Immediately, in accordance with the order, they all attended the royal court. Then he said to the men-"The animals have fully set forth their account and complaint of your tyrannywhat answer have you now to give to it?" A person from among them made his obeisance, and thus began to make his statement—" O Asylum of the world! These all are our slaves, and we are their masters. It is proper for us to exercise lordly authority over them, and to exact from them whatever service we may require. Whoever among them has consented to obey us is accepted by God, and whoever has turned away from our authority, has, as it were, turned away from God."

The King said, "A claim without evidence is not listened to in a court of justice-mention some title-deed or proof." He said, "Our claim is established by many rational and traditional proofs. He said "What are these proofs ?" Then he proceeded to say "With what perfection' has God Almighty formed our persons, and made every member (thereof) in 1 Lit. "purity."

exact conformity to what was needed-a graceful form, an upright stature-sense and wisdom, by means of which we can distinguish between good and bad, and by which even we learn and declare the facts of the skies. Who besides us possesses these excellent gifts? From this it is proved that we are the masters, they the slaves.”

The King asked the animals, saying, "What have you now to say to this?" They humbly represented that the claim was not established by this evidence. He said—“ Do you not know that propriety of deportment is a property of kings, and that ugliness and a crouching carriage are the marks of slaves?" Then one of them replied—“ May God Almighty grant unto the King His divine favour, and preserve him from the dangers of the world.1 My statement is, that the Creator did not make men after this form and fashion with the intent that they should call themselves our masters; neither did He create us after this shape, and with this carriage, that we should be their slaves. He is wise; no work of His is devoid of wisdom; He bestowed upon every one that form which He deemed suitable."

1 "Frowns of fortune."

CHAPTER III.

In description of the varieties of Forms and Statures.

"THE

'HE account of it is this: When God Almighty created men, they were stark naked-there was nothing on their bodies through which they might live in security from the cold and heat. They used to eat the fruits of the forest, and cover their bodies with leaves of the trees. Consequently He made their stature upright and tall, so that they might gather the fruits and leaves of the trees, and eat them at their ease, and take possession of them. Our food is grass; consequently He made our stature bowed, that we might graze at ease, and feel no kind of inconvenience."

The King answered—“God Almighty says, 'We have made man exceedingly graceful.' What reply do you give to this?" He humbly said—“ Asylum of the world! In addition to the manifest meanings of the Divine Word, there are numerous interpretations which are known only to men of science. The explanation of this must be sought from the learned." Accordingly a wise doctor, in obedience to the King's command, set forth the meaning of this verse as follows:-"When God Almighty created Adam, it was a happy hour and an auspicious moment the stars were shining in their respective glorious constellations, and the matter of the elements was ready and prepared for the production of agreeable forms. Consequently man's person was

1 Kurán, Súrat xciii. v. 4.