| Having spoken of this country [Persia],
mention shall now be made of the old man of the mountain. The district in
which his residence lay obtained the name of Mulehet, signifying in the
language of the Saracens [Muslims], the place of heretics, and his people
that of Mulehetites, or holders of heretical tenets; as we apply the term
of Patharini to certain heretics amongst Christians. The following account
of this chief, Marco Polo testifies to having heard from sundry persons.
He was named Alo-eddin, and his religion was that of Mahomet. In a
beautiful valley enclosed between two lofty mountains, he had formed a
luxurious garden, stored with every delicious fruit and every fragrant
shrub that could be procured. Palaces of various sizes and forms were
erected in different parts of the grounds, ornamented with works in gold,
with paintings, and with furniture of rich silks. By means of small
conduits contrived in these buildings, streams of wine, milk, honey, and
some of pure water, were seen to flow in every direction. The inhabitants
of these palaces were elegant and beautiful damsels, accomplished in the
arts of singing, playing upon all sorts of musical instruments, dancing,
and especially those of dalliance and amorous allurement. Clothed in rich
dresses they were seen continually sporting and amusing themselves in the
garden and pavilions, their female guardians being confined within doors
and never suffered to appear. The object which the chief had in view in
forming a garden of this fascinating kind, was this: that Mahomet having
promised to those who should obey his will the enjoyments of Paradise,
where every species of sensual gratification should be found, in the
society of beautiful nymphs, he was desirous of its being understood by
his followers that he also was a prophet and the compeer of Mahomet, and
had the power of admitting to Paradise such as he should choose to favour.
In order that none without his license might find their way into this
delicious valley, he caused a strong and inexpugnable castle to be erected
at the opening of it, through which the entry was by a secret passage. At
his court, likewise, this chief entertained a number of youths, from the
age of twelve to twenty years, selected from the inhabitants of the
surrounding mountains, who showed a disposition for martial exercises, and
appeared to possess the quality of daring courage. To them he was in the
daily practice of discoursing on the subject of the paradise announced by
the prophet, and of his own power of granting admission; and at certain
times he caused opium to be administered to ten or dozen of the youths;
and when half dead with sleep he had them conveyed to the several
apartments of the palaces in the garden. Upon awakening from the state of
legarthy, their senses were struck with all the delightful objects that
have been described, and each perceived himself surrounded by lovely
damsels, singing, playing, and attracting his regards by the most
fascinating caresses, serving him also with delicate viands and exquisite
wines; until intoxicated with excess of enjoyment amidst actual rivulets
of milk and wine, he believed himself assuredly in Paradise, and felt an
unwillingness to relinquish its delights. When four or five days had thus
been passed, they were thrown once more into a state of somnolency, and
carried out of the garden. Upon their being introduced to his presence,
and questioned by him as to where they had been, their answer was, “In
Paradise, through the favour of your highness” and then before the whole
court, who listened to them with eager curiosity and astonishment, they
gave a circumstantial account of the scenes to which they had been
witnesses. The chief thereupon addressing them, said: “We have the
assurances of our prophet that he who defends his lord shall inherit
Paradise, and if you show yourselves devoted to the obedience of my
orders, that happy lot awaits you.” Animated to enthusiasm by words of
this nature, all deemed themselves happy to receive the commands of their
master, and were forward to die in his service. The consequence of this
system was, that when any of the neighbouring princes, or others, gave
umbrage to this chief, they were put to death by these his disciplined
assassins; none of whom felt terror at the risk of losing their own lives,
which they held in little estimation, provided they could execute their
master’s will. On this account his tyranny became the subject of dread in
all the surrounding countries. He had also constituted two deputies or
representatives of himself, of whom one had his residence in the vicinity
of Damascus, and the other in Kurdistan;1
and these pursued the plan he had established for training their young
dependents. Thus there was no person, however, powerful, who, having
become exposed to the enmity of the old man of the mountain, could escape
assassination. His territory being situated within the dominions of Ulaů
(Hulagu), the brother of the grand khan (Mangu), that prince had
information of his atrocious practices, as above related, as well as of
his employing people to rob travelers in their passage through his
country, and in the year 1262 sent one of his armies to besiege this chief
in his castle. It proved, however, so capable of defence, that for three
years no impression could be made upon it; until at length he was forced
to surrender from the want of provisions, and being made prisoner was put
to death. His castle was dismantled, and his garden of Paradise destroyed.
And from that time there has been no old man of the mountain. |
