f her innocence Tahmineh declares to Rustem,
"No person has ever seen me out of my private chamber, or even heard the
sound of my voice." It is but just to remark, that the seclusion in
which women of rank continue in Persia, and other parts of the East, is
not, by them, considered intolerable, or even a hardship. Custom has not
only rendered it familiar, but happy. It has nothing of the unprofitable
severity of the cloister. The Zenanas are supplied with everything that
can please and gratify a reasonable wish, and it is well known that the
women of the East have influence and power, more flattering and solid,
than the free unsecluded beauties of the Western world.]

[Footnote 15: In Percy's Collection, there is an old song which contains
a similar idea.

You meaner beauties of the night,
That poorly satisfie our eies,
More by your number, than your light;
You common people of the skies,
What are you when the Moon shall rise?

SIR HENRY WOTTON.]

[Footnote 16: Kus is a tymbal, or large brass drum, which is beat in the
palaces or camps of Eastern Princes.]

[Footnote 17: It appears throughout the Shah Nameh that whenever any
army was put in motion, the inhabitants and the country, whether hostile
or friendly, were equally given up to plunder and devastation, and
"Everything in their progress was burnt and destroyed."]

[Footnote 18: Literally, Human was not at first aware that Sohrab was
wounded in the LIVER. In this organ, Oriental as well as the Greek and
Roman poets, place the residence of love.]

[Footnote 19: The paper upon which the letters of royal and
distinguished personages in the East are written is usually perfumed,
and covered with curious devices in gold. This was scented with amber.
The degree of embellishment is generally regulated according to the rank
of the party.]

[Footnote 20: Four days were consumed in uninterrupted feasting. This
seems to have been an ancient practice previous to the commencement of
any important undertaking, or at setting out on a journey.]

[Footnote 21: Zuara, it will be remembered, was the brother of Rustem,
and had the immediate superintendence of the Zabul troops.]

[Footnote 22: The original is, "Seize and inflict upon him the
punishment of the dar." According to Burhani-katia, dar is a tree upon
which felons are hanged. But the general acceptation of the term is
breaking or tearing the body upon a stake.]

[Footnote 23: In this speech Rust