Muntakhab al-tawarikh 197: VIII. HAKIM ABU-L-FATH OF GILAN.

197

He obtained favour in the emperor’s service to such a degree that he was admitted to his intimate companionship and acquired such influence over him as to render himself an object of envy to all who concerned themselves in the affairs of state. He was highly distinguished for his acumen and quickness of apprehension, and for his proficiency in all worldly accomplishments, prose and poetry. He was no less a byword for his infidelity and all other reprehensible qualities. I heard, when the hakim first arrived at Court, that he used to say, 'The only things worth considering are Khusrav and these twelve couplets.' He always spoke of Anwari as "Anwarinak the flatterer," and likened him to Mir Haidar-jan, who was the buffoon of his time. Of Khaqani he used to say, “If he were now living he would be much improved, for whenever he came to my house I would box his ears for him, to arouse him from his sleepiness, and when he went hence to Shaikh Abu-l-Fazl’s house he also would box his ears, and between us we should improve his poetry.