The Book of Akbar 256.3

256.3

How can such recognise a Master’s rights to gratitude, or perceive the beauties of a benefactor? What place then is there for thanksgiving for boundless favours? The wild steeds of the o’ermastering passions of such self-pleasers have not such docility that their bridles can be tightened by the band of chiding, or their reins turned by the outspread fingers of counsel! At length His Majesty, in accordance with the decrees of fate, marched from Kabul and encamped at Qara Bagh. From thence he went to Carikaran and from there to the river Baran. It happened that there was a stream on this stage and that His Majesty crossed it on horseback, whilst his followers went off in different directions seeking for a safe passage. His Majesty did not approve of this and instanced in reproof of this disaffected crew, the conduct of the devotees of Shah Ism'ail Safavi, who flung themselves down from a sky-high mountain to seize his handkerchief and made for themselves a lofty foundation of fame and life-sacrifice. Such was His Majesty’s sound opinion of his followers on this occasion, and such was their pusillanimous circumspection. In fine Qaraca Qarabakht and Musahib Munafiq and others, who were burning torches of sedition, represented, directly and indirectly, that they had to do with mountains, and that there were many defiles; that the Mirza would have few men with him, and that the loyal should be stationed on different roads, so that the Mirza should not be able to come out.