The Book of Akbar 372.5

372.5

the Shāhinshāh accepted his excuses, and with his sacred hand raised Bairām Khān’s head from the ground of humiliation and embraced him. He took the cloth (fawta) from his neck and wiped from his face the tears of penitence and the dust of shame. With his gracious lips he inquired about his health and bade him sit on his right hand, as had been the rule when Bairām Khān was prime minister (vakīl). He bade Mun‘im Khān sit down beside him, while the other officers took their places according to their rank. With his gracious lips he uttered such words of kindness and favour that the dust of bashfulness and the mist of shame disappeared from his brow. Yet the word remains true. Verse. Though the crime be forgiven, shame abideth.