The Book of Akbar 278.4

278.4

Having encompassed the Mirza with kingly favours, he bade him adieu. It had been stipulated that the Mirza should not lament in the presence and he therefore restrained himself, but, as soon as His Majesty had gone towards his own tent, he wept and lamented. Next day an order was issued that any of the Mirza’s servants who wished to accompany him, might do so. No one came forward. Those who had boasted of their affection, abandoned it. Calma kuka,—(who by his perfect loyalty and fidelity to His Majesty the Shahinshah obtained the title of Khan ‘Alam and who gave his life for his benefactor and the master of mortals, as will be told in its place),—was standing there. He was His Majesty's table-servant (safarci) and the recipient of royal favour. His Majesty Jahanbani asked him whether he would go with the Mirza, or stay with him. The excellence of Court service and the abundance of royal favour notwithstanding, he preferred the path of fidelity to temporal delights and answered, “I see that it befits my position to serve the Mirza in his dark days of helplessness and black nights of loneliness.”