Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 89.3.7

89.3.7

Some days after his arrival, as he was reposing in his tent, he heard one of his courtiers without the screens, reciting this verse: "Rise and fill the golden goblet with the wine of mirth, before the quaffer shall be laid in dust." The King, as if inspired by the verse, called his favourites about him, and spreading the carpet of joy, gave way to the pleasures of music and wine. When the banquet had lasted longer than was reasonable, and the effects of the liquor began to exercise their influence, a fancy seized the King to pass the river and attack the enemy. He accordingly called on his military officers to state the cause of the delay in preparing the boats and rafts. He was told that one hundred boats were already finished, and the rest would be ready in a few days. The King, heated with the banquet, resolved to cross immediately; and mounting his elephant, without making his intentions known, proceeded to the river as if to reconnoitre, but suddenly gave orders for as many of his troops as could go to embark on the rafts, others to follow him on elephants. The officers in vain represented the imprudence and danger of this precipitation; but the King, without reply, plunged his own elephant into the stream, and was instantly followed by some of his officers and soldiers, on about two hundred and fifty elephants.