human
Now, Lallajee, tell us all. You see you are among friends; but we are hungry for fruit--flowers do not satisfy us,
gpt
My lords, what can I say? returned the Lalla, simply.
human
I am what you see, a poor scholar. Delhi is full of such, and we are starving. Every one said, 'Go to the King of the Dekhan; he is wise, he is generous, he is accomplished; he is a patron of literature.' So your poor servant prepared two copies of verses; one in Sanscrit, in which the third letter of every line is the same, T----
gpt
Mashalla! said Jehándar Beg, laughing,
human
Te-tum--te te, te-ta-te to, Te ta-hah! Like that, Lallajee? O yes; our Brahmuns here make odes, in which all the words end in skri, pri, dri; or else msh, kshsh, rshsh-dshush. One would think all the mud in the Dekhan was squelching under their feet; but go on.
gpt
My lord is pleased to be witty, returned the Lalla, with a bland smile, turning towards his host and joining hands.
human
Then I had a Persian ode. It was nothing--nothing--a poor thing altogether; only, if my lords wish, I could repeat it. Methinks there was some elegance about it, if nothing else.
gpt
God forbid! returned the Kótwal, echoed by Fazil and the Khan.
human
Go on.
gpt
Well, my lords, as you wish, continued the Lalla.
human
Some other day I may be more fortunate; and, with your permission, I will resume my history. I had saved a few gold pieces, and I had enough to keep my family for a year. I left them in my house, and I have gradually made my way hither by Ahmednugger and Sholapoor. That is all.
gpt
Go on, said Fazil.
human
How didst thou get here from Sholapoor?
gpt
I came with some Gosais, as they appeared to be, who met me at a village, Al--, Al--. I forget--just after you cross the river Bheema.
human
Almella,