The Book of Akbar 389.1.3

389.1.3

The words which passed from his lips were, “If any portion of goodness remain in that evil nature, and he awake from the slumber of negligence and hasten to do homage I shall draw a line of forgiveness over his offences and come back, for he is a plant which we have grown, and the noblest quality of princes is the acceptance of excuses, and the forgiveness of faults, for man that is born of woman is a confection of intoxicants and restorations. If auspiciousness does not guide him, and he does not show an appreciation of the bliss of service he will be disposed of before his disease shall have become chronic, and its remedy difficult, and the inhabitants of that country will be delivered from the hands of several oppressors.” In accordance with these administrative ideas the sublime cortége proceeded under the Divine aid to the eastern cities on the day of Shahrayir 4 Amardad, Divine month, corresponding to Thursday the 4th Zi-l-Q‘ada 968 (17th July, 1561). The protection of Agra was committed to M‘uinu-d-din Ahmad Khan Farankhudi, Mun‘im Khan Khankhanan, Khwaja Jahan and many servants of the threshold of fortune attended His Majesty. He marched stage by stage, diffusing the light of his justice; in appearance he was hunting, but inwardly he was with his God.