Muntakhab al-tawarikh 37.1.3

37.1.3

This is not fitting that from shortsightedness The king should be enslaved by a slave. The gourd is in any case of no account in the garden That it should attempt to raise its head in emulation of the chinar. A straw which places its foot upon the face of the stream Is carried hither and thither by the wind and buffeted by the floods. [My heart’s desire makes this request, that thou should’st give up that mistress of thine.] Since she went from here, send her back hither again Send her to take her place at the foot of my throne. When the infatuation of thy mind is somewhat less We will send her back to thee to be thy handmaid. When the messenger went and took back the message Khizr Khan’s heart no longer enjoyed any rest. First he wept tears of blood which flooded his eyes and lips, Then he sent back an answer mingled with blood Saying, since the Shah has attained his ambition in becoming a sovereign, He must leave Dewal Rani to me. If however you desire to deprive me of this wealth You desire to see me despoiled of wealth and light. Since this heart’s delight holds her head as high as mine Cut off my head, afterwards thou wilt know. When the messenger, from that grief-stricken soul Bore these fiery sighs to the palace of the king, The Emperor waxed wrath from head to foot. From his heart he smiled, as lightning smiles in the cloud, The flame of the fire of tyranny shot forth, He who sought a pretext, was provided with a new one.