The Memoirs of Bābur 933.9.5

933.9.5

A little fragment[2160] had been composed suiting the state of those who had gone away during the past year; I now addressed it to Mullā `Alī Khān and sent it to him by Tardī Beg. It is as follows:—[2161] Ah you who have gone from this country of Hind, [Sidenote: Fol. 330.] Aware for yourselves of its woe and its pain, With longing desire for Kābul's fine air, You went hot-foot forth out of Hind. The pleasure you looked for you will have found there With sociable ease and charm and delight; As for us, God be thanked! we still are alive, In spite of much pain and unending distress; Pleasures of sense and bodily toil Have been passed-by by you, passed-by too by us. (_s. Of the Ramẓān Feast._) Ramẓān was spent this year with ablution and _tarāwiḥ_[2162] in the Garden-of-eight-paradises. Since my 11th year I had not kept the Ramẓān Feast for two successive years in the same place; last year I had kept it in Āgra; this year, saying, "Don't break the rule!" I went on the last day of the month to keep it in Sīkrī. Tents were set up on a stone platform made on the n.e. side of the Garden-of-victory which is now being laid out at Sīkrī, and in them the Feast was held.[2163] (_t. Playing cards._) The night we left Āgra Mīr `Alī the armourer was sent to Shāh Ḥasan (_Arghūn_) in Tatta to take him playing-cards [_ganjīfa_] he much liked and had asked for.[2164] (_u. Illness and a tour._) (_August 3rd_) On Sunday the 5th of Ẕū'l-qa`da I fell ill; the illness lasted 17 days.