proper Syriac word for these summer retreats, which are common throughout central Coordistan, is Kuprâna.
A little beyond, and rising beside the narrow road which leads over the summits of the mountains, is an isolated rock which Ainsworth calls "Peri Balgah-si (the Honey place of the Fairies,)" whereupon he adds: "a belief in such things extending even to Coordistan." The real name, however, is Beri Balal Deena, or The Stone of Balal the Fool, connected with which is a common tradition not unworthy of being recorded. It is related of Emeer Mehdi the Coordish ruler of Hakkari some centuries ago, that in one of his warlike expeditions he laid siege to Amedia, and took possession of many villages in the surrounding district; the fortress, however, bravely resisted all his efforts to reduce it. Having taken an oath that he would not return home before he had become master of the place, he is said to have encamped seven years in the valley of the Supna, and to have planted vineyards and eaten the fruit of the same during the campaign. Finding that at the end of this time he was no nearer the accomplishment of his purpose, he made a solemn promise to the governor of Amedia that if he would only allow him and his suite to pass through the town he would instantly raise the siege, restore to him what he had conquered, and leave the country in peace. The condition having been accepted, Emeer Mehdi is said to have entered Amedia by the western gate, and in his progress through the bazaar one of his attendants seized upon an article of some value, which so enraged him that he ordered the offender to be killed on the spot. He then passed through the eastern gate, and after ascending Geli Mezurka, stopped at this isolated rock to refresh himself. Before proceeding on his journey he took off his cloak and fastened it to the rock, saying in Coordish:
Beri Balal Deena!
Kooblé ta hersé deena,
Tehoobé Shamboé oo Bahdeena.
Which translated literally runs thus:
O Stone of Balal the Fool!
The Kooblah of the three creeds,
Thou art the limit of Shamboé and Bahdinân.
P
