The Book of Akbar 177.2

177.2

If he had had a particle of magnanimity or a glimmering of discernment, he would never even for valid promises have planted his foot in the circle of disloyalty, nor have hearkened to the interested representations of the perfidious, but would have practised honesty and kept his head erect! When his Majesty Jahanbani saw the straits to which the army was reduced, he sent a messenger to Yadgar Nasir Mlrza requesting him to fall quickly upon the ruler of Tatta, who was blocking up the way, so that the army might emerge from the strait of difficulty into ample space. Though the Mlrza had in his heart became alienated, yet he preserved appearances a little by sending out an advance-camp. But with the same crudity of thought, he delayed and loitered in marching out. Thereupon his Majesty Jahanbani sent Shaikh 'Abdu-l-ghafur, who was sprung from the Shaikhs of Turkistan, and whom his Majesty had made one of his intimates, to contrive that the Mirza should advance quickly. But that worthless fellow walked crookedly and as the saying is,— Verse. This very road on which you are going leads (also) to Turkistan. He perverted his mission and by his improper language so affected the short-sighted Mirza that he even neglected appearances and recalled his advance-camp.