The Book of Akbar 14.4

14.4

Melodious musicians and enchanting vocalists played on divers instruments and produced a variety of notes. Harpers smote the strings of purpose,—lutanists buffetted the world's sorrows,—dulcimer-players bound the chords with the ringlet of success,—strong-breathed flautists drew out harmonious strains,—mandolin-players suspended hearts on the curl of desire,—tambourinists held up the mirror of fortune before their faces,—rare jesters made the tongue eloquent with ingenious conceits,—the jokes of merry buffoons caused the assemblage to break into peals of laughter. World-subduing generals and brigade-adorning captains saluted, with platoons of benedictions,—and crowds of great and small, of sages and servants, paid their respects. Philosophers worthy of Alexander’s approval, and astrolabe-knowing observers who were always seated in the council of mysteries and were confidants of the secrets of the heavens, made the horoscope of the auspicious birth a mirror for their enlightened intellects, and reported that the aspects of the planets and their complete or partial applications prognosticated length of life and the high ascension of the Native on the steps of sovereignty and the degrees of the Khilafat, as witness the scheme which has been taken from their tables and exhibited on a page of abridgment.