The Rashīdī History 199.4

199.4

He begged me to use my endeavours for his security, so I took his part, and privately, but with great emphasis, represented to the Khán as follows : "The Sultáns who were brothers are all gone : this Sultán, who is your son, and still remains, will also be offended, and I too should be much afflicted [if you put Muhammadi to death], for he is a blood relation of mine." The Khán then placed the whole matter in my hands [saying : "You can act as you choose ; if you wish to retaliate, do so : if you wish to let him go, the choice lies with you."] But the above-mentioned Khánims, who were all either my maternal aunts or their daughters, began with one accord to blame and reproach me, saying: "What in the world will your blood connection with the Barlás lead you to, if it make you neglect such an important duty as this? Sháh Muhammad Sultán was a closer connection by many degrees than he. If [Muhammadi] is your father's uncle, this man [Sháh Muhammad Sultán] was your own uncle, and besides this, your friend and companion. Your cousin Khadija is his wife, and his wife's sister (the daughter of his paternal uncle) is of your household. How can you, in consideration of all this, attach yourself to the side of Muhammadi? " [Such were the taunts and reproaches they poured down on me] ; nevertheless, Fate willed that I should pay no attention to the true words of my relations ; I returned falsehood for truth and would not hear of retaliation.