‘GAZETTEER OF PERSIA VOL. I Comprising the Provinces of ASTARÁBÁD, SHÁHRUD-BÚSTAN, KHÚRÁSÁN, AND SÍSTÁN’ [‎244v] (495/722)

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nvpr the other This personage, we were told, was emblematical of the
great thirst which Husain suffered in the desert.
“A litter in the shape of a sarcophagus, which was called the
‘ kabar i-PaiHiambar/ or ‘ the tomb of the Prophet,’ succeeded, borne on the
shoulders of eight men. On its front was a large oval ornament entirely
covered with precious stones, and just above it a great diamona star. . On a
small proiection were tapers placed on candlesticks enriched with jewels.
The top and sides were covered with Cashmere shawls; and on the sum
mit rested a turban, intended to represent the headdress of the Prophet.
On each side walked two men bearing poles, from which a variety of beau
tiful shawls were suspended; at the top .of which were representations of
Muhammad's hand, studded with jewellery.... ...
u After this came four led horses, caparisoned in the uchest manner.
The fronts of their heads were ornamented with piates entirety covered
with diamonds, that emitted a thousand beautiful rays. Their bodies were
dressed with shawls and gold staffs; and on their saddles were placed some
object emblematical of the death of Husain. M hen all these had passed,
they arranged themselves in a row to the right of the king s apart-
After a short pause, a body of fierce-looking men with only a loose
white sheet thrown over their naked bodies, marched forward. Miey
were all begrimmed with blood, and each brandishing a sword, ihey sang
a sort of hymn, the tones of which were very wild. These represented the
sixty-two relations, or the martyrs as the Persians called them, who accom
panied Husain, and were slain in defending him Close after them was
led a white horse covered with artificial wounds, with arrows stuck all
about him, and caparisoned in black, representing the horse upon which
Husain was mounted when he was killed. A band of about oO men,
strikino- two pieces of wood together in their hands, completed the proces-
sion They arranged themselves in rows before the king; and marshalled
bv a maUre de ballet, who stood in the middle to regulate their movements,
they performed a dance, clapping their hands in the best possible tune.
The maUre de ballet all this time sang in recitative, to which the dancers
joined at different intervals with loud shouts and reiterated clapping of
their pieces of wood. XT „
“ The processions were succeeded by the tragedians. Tlusain came tor-
ward followed by his waves, sisters, and relatives. They performed
many long and tedious acts; but as our distance from the stage was too
great to hear the many affecting things which no doubt they said to each
other, we will proceed at once to where the unfortunate Husain lay
extended on the ground, ready to receive the deathstroke from a ruffian
dressed in armour, who acted the part of executioner. At this moment a
burst of lamentation issued from the multitude; and heavy sobs and real
tears came from almost every one of those who were near enough to come
under our inspection. The indignation of the populace wanted some object
upon which to vent itself; and it fell upon those of the actors who had
performed the parts of Yazid's soldiers. No sooner was Husain killed
than they were driven off the ground by a volley of stones, followed by
shouts of abuse. We were informed that it is so difficult to procure per
formers to fill these characters, that on the present occasion a party of
Russian prisoners were pressed into the army .of Yazid, and they made as
speedy an exit after the catastrophe as it was in their power.