The Book of Akbar 389.2.4

389.2.4

As the courtiers who were witnesses of this dangerous scene were disturbed by its continuance and were unable to remonstrate, it all at once occurred to them that a remedy might be found if the Ataga Khan who was the prime minister were brought, and if he by prayers and entreaties could withdraw His Majesty from this dreadful occupation, the contemplation of which turned the gall-bladder of the lion-hearted to water. When the distracted Ataga Khan arrived and saw the state of affairs he dropped from his hand the thread of endurance and bared his head. He cried and lamented like oppressed suppliants for justice. Great and small raised hands of entreaty and implored from God the safety of that sacred person which is the principle of peace and tranquillity for mankind. When His Majesty perceived the Ataga Khan’s perturbation he said to him, “You must not make all this lamentation, and if you don’t stop I’ll at once throw myself down from the elephant.” When the Ataga Khan saw that His Majesty was bent upon the business he at once obeyed and from deference outwardly composed his agitated mind. The lion-hearted Shahinshah calmly went on with his terrifying pursuit until the elephant Hawai by the strength of a hidden [arm?] Bagha let fall the strong cable of steadfastness and turned to flee. Hawai looked neither behind nor before and disregarded heights and hollows and went like the wind in pursuit of the fugitive.