The Book of Akbar 350.2

350.2

while the minds of the great on account of press of business, and want of leisure for investigation, become confused by the buzzing of such fly-like creatures. Pīr Muḥammad Khān was also the asylum and refuge of mankind, and enviers by profession felt their blood boil and girded themselves up to be tale-bearers and stirrers-up of strife. Bairām Khān’s day was near its close, and he let fall from his hand the thread of deliberation, which is fitted to be the comptroller of men, and put himself into the hands of the envious, and grew suspicious of Pīr Muḥammad’s lofty actions. Without the latter’s having done anything which merited dismissal, he, at the instigation of enviers by profession, and on the statements of untrue and interested persons flung off an honest man who had put his trust in him. Just at this time there was the incident of the Nasir-ul-mulk’s falling ill for some days, and of the Khan-Khanan’s paying him a visit. The Turkish slave, who was the doorkeeper, ignorantly said: “I’ll announce (your arrival).” The Khan-Khanan was put out by this treatment, and when Mulla Pir Muhammad knew of it he came out and made a thousand apologies. At the same time only a few of the Khan-Khanan’s suite were allowed to enter with him. The frown which for some time had been behind his brow came out, and he meditated something against the Nasir-ul-mulk. The envious waiters upon events got their opportunity and made remarks, especially Shaikh Gadai.