Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 16.7.10

16.7.10

"and now, that I am going to take possession of my father's "estate, I am, forsooth, to be cajoled out my right. I advise your "Highness to beware of advancing farther; for the consequence "of a step of that nature may be such, as that your head shall "fall into my lap, or my own shall be made fast to your elephant's "foot." So animated an answer, although given only verbally, was repeated with exactitude; and Seradj-ed-doulah having found it just, continued his flight. The answer being faithfully reported to the Viceroy, it made a most unexpected effect. He on a sudden became easy in his mind; and he betrayed several tokens of satisfaction and joy; but when the messenger came to the last part of his message, the old man broke his silence, and could not help screaming out: My head in his lap! or at his Elephant's foot! It is the utmost wish of my heart. As to his head, how didst thou dare, you fellow, to mention it in my presence in this manner? This said, he wrote another letter full of the most tender expressions, and such as he thought capable of softening the young man's mind; and he sent it immediately by an express. "This letter contained the most "passionate expostulations, with the humblest excuses; and it "ended by a request to think better of an old man's tenderness, "and more seriously of his own resolution, as well as of the erroneous conceptions he had imbibed. My dearest one," said he, "you complain without real foundation;