The Rashīdī History 123.7

123.7

Though your company would be dearer to me than my own life, I fear Shahi Beg Khan would not allow it, and I prefer the idea of your life being prolonged, even though it involve the bitterness of separation ; you must therefore bear my absence patiently. Patience is bitter, but it has a sweet fruit. Remember that when the father dies, the children are his heirs. You also have become an heir. If the bird of my life escape from the net of Shahi Beg Khan's intentions against me, we shall have the joy of meeting again. "Now as your teacher, Hafiz Miram, is a devout man, and is not on friendly terms with any of our people, if anything happens to me, he will, with the advice of my partisans, be able to look to your interests. Moreover, his family is also in Khorasan. It is just a year since he left them to follow me ; therefore he is going along with me. "I entrust you to the care of Maulana Muhammad. Be careful to pay attention to all he may say to you, for he is my vicar [khalifa]. His father was my instructor and guide. From the day of his birth up to the present time, he has been my confidant and companion. I trust that he will always be your support in times of trouble, and that he will protect you through thick and thin."