The Rashīdī History 112.3.5

112.3.5

One can imagine the extent of the Khan's joy at this meeting. Having made an end of weeping, [the Khan] asked the Khwaja where he had been and what had befallen him. The Khwaja replied : "They carried me off and kept my horse, and placed me in the house of one of my acquaintances. After a while a decrepit and frail old woman, who claimed a blood relationship with me, came to me secretly and began to heap reproaches on my head, saying : 'Some have been known to serve a Khan yet unborn, or an Amir still in his cradle, and to have reaped their reward ; yet you, with your lack of zeal, have deserted a great Khan, who is worthy of a throne and a crown, and in your sluggishness have debased yourself. Rise up: if you have not a horse, I have left mine tied up in such and such a place : take it and go!' Then my old enthusiasm, which seemed to have died within me, revived: I hastened out and went to the spot she had indicated, found the horse, and here I am."