Jawamiʿ al-hikayat wa lawamiʿ al-riwayat 2.2

2.2

Bahrám remained in attendance upon Shankal, until shortly after a powerful enemy rose up against and threatened the Rái, who, deeming himself not sufficiently strong to hold his own, wished to submit to, and become a tributary of his invader. This, however, Bahrám would not hear of, but, putting himself at the head of an army, expelled the enemy. This feat made his courage famous throughout Hindústán, and Rái Shankal, having witnessed his valour, and how by his aid the enemy had been overthrown, loaded him with honours. One day, Bahrám was drinking wine in the company of the Rái, and having become intoxicated, blurted out the following Persian verses:— "I am that ferocious lion; I am that huge elephant; My name is Bahrám Gúr, and my patronymic Bújabala." Shankal heard this, and becoming aware that his friend was Bahrám, he rose up, and leading him into the presence chamber, and kissing the ground before him, excused himself for his apparent neglect, saying, "though greatness is depicted in your countenance, yet I, through my blind folly, have hitherto been wanting in the respect due to so exalted a character. I stand before you stupified, and shall ever bless my fate, if you will but condescend to take up your abode at my residence, and grace my poor house with your august presence. I am altogether and devotedly at your service. Your orders shall be my law, even should you command me to leave my kingdom and become an exile."