Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 19.4
A Translation of the Seir Mutaqherin (Haji Mustafa) 19.4
- Language
- English
19.4.1
As the Radja had had a particular regard for me, shewed a deal of fondness for my company, and did everything in his power to oblige me, I thought it incumbent upon my gratitude to conform myself to the complexion of the times; so far, at least, as to accompany him in his journey, I therefore repaired to the place which he had chosen for changing his ground, and for staying two days; and I put a piece of paper into his hands, the purport of which was, "that even men capable of nothing, happen sometimes to be good for something; and that, if he should think it proper, I would accompany him." He wrote at the bottom of the paper these words: "I am now hastening out, uncertain myself of my own fate; but as I retain a grateful sense of your kind offer, I shall, on my return, remember of it, to see you oftener than ever, and to oblige you in every thing in my power; I think it an honour and a happiness to myself to distinguish a man of your merit." The next day Ram-narain departed, and repaired directly to the English camp. On this proceeding, which did not please Govinda-mul, who was now become his confidant, he observed, that it was highly proper now to repair, also, to the Navvab's camp, and to come to some concessions for his having visited Colonel Clive, first. Ramnarain, who was a shrewd man, would not listen to the advice; but the Colonel gave him one of his Commanders, in whose company he repaired to Mir-djaafer-qhan's camp.
19.4.2
A precaution so injurious, could not but highly displease the Navvab, and render both the agent and visitor extremely disagreeable. However, he for the present, repressed his resentment, and a few hours after, he sent him word to encamp at a spot he pointed out to him; and as the Governor was now sure of protection, he complied with the command, and marched two or three days with him, until they arrived at Djaafer-qhan's garden, which is on the banks of the Ganga, close to the suburb of Azim-abad, where they encamped eastward of that city.
19.4.3
It was there that my three younger brothers, Naky-aaly-qhan, and Ghalib-aaly-qhan, and Seyd-aaly-qhan, were introduced to the Navvab, by his brother, Mir-cazem-qhan. As for my own part, I paid that Prince a visit under the mediation of the Paymaster, Mir-cazem-qhan; who generously remembered the rights of consanguinity, and never made use of the great credit which his many important services gave him, but for doing good and obliging others. However, I must confess, that my heart had but very little share in that visit, as I was thoroughly acquainted with that Prince's character, long before the revolution, that had brought him to the Mesned; and I had not the least inclination for his company; nor did I in the two or three months time, which he passed at Azim-abad, pay him more than two or three visits, and this too after he had reprimanded me for my neglect. The truth is, that on observing that his company was in general such as corresponded with his own profligate character, I had no inclination to mix with such people. It was not so with Mir-cazem-qhan, the Paymaster. I used to visit that amiable man often, and although I was then in circumstances distressed enough, I consoled myself, and kept up my spirits by a frequent repetition of these verses, which His Highness Sheh-mahmed-hazin (whom God may place amongst the highest in his paradise!) had often in his mouth:
19.4.4
"Bring to my ears concerts of music; and you waiter, give that remnant of wine." "Let us kill time as we can, and bid defiance to Heaven." But as I have so often mentioned Mir-djaafer-qhan's character, it will not be improper to give some specimen of it, as he gave them himself at this very period of time. A strict friendship, and an intimate union had subsisted at all times between him and Mirza-shems-ed-din, a very sensible, very ingenious gentleman of MOrshOd-abad. The latter had even lent him a sum of money, when the former was in disgrace with Seradj-ed-doulah, and in want of that timely assistance. So that now, that his friend had possession of all the treasures of that Prince, as well as of his extensive dominions, the Mirza very naturally expected mighty returns from the man's gratitude, and from his sense of the important services he had rendered him, at so critical a time. But he was mistaken in his reckoning, and he saw the very reverse of what he expected; he was seldom admitted to the Navvab's company, that is, to that in which the latter unbent his mind, amongst a number of friends. Not that the old Navvab was estranged from him neither; only that he knew him for a diseur-de-bonmots, and a waggish jester that would spare no man; and he feared lest some severe jokes, upon the neglect of which he was the victim, might throw a slur upon the Prince's importance and weight.
19.4.5
One day, when the Mirza had found means to be one of the Navvab's company, in his private apartments, the latter to prevent an attack which he dreaded, thought it best to soothe his resentment by some handsome excuses. "Mirza," said the Navvab, "do not believe that I have forgotten the services you have rendered me, or that I do not mind you; you know that all the money which fell into my hands, has been employed in satisfying the English, and in promoting some concerns that admitted of no delay; but I can assure you that whenever I am eased of my engagements, and I find a proper opportunity, I shall not let it slip out of my hands, but will avail myself of it, to return you the services you have rendered me." The Mirza, whose heart was alienated by some months' attendance, answered: My Lord-Navvab, do not tell me so much of your distressed circumstances; for they affect the tenderness of my heart, and will melt me to tears. But what can I do? Had not Seradj-ed-d'dula plundered my house on your account, and reduced me to poverty, I would assist you even now with some money, as I think it a happiness to serve you with all my power; no man in the world deserves so well, as you, every thing which friendship can perform. Here it must be observed, that Mir-djaafer-qhan, who was fond of jewels, and had chanced to enjoy them, but at the end of his life, when he got immense quantities of them at once, was actually loaded with those glittering things;
19.4.6
and he actually wore six or seven bracelets at his wrist, every one of a different species of gems; and he had also hanging from his neck, over his breast, three or four chapelets of pearls, every one of inestimable value. Such was his dress that day, and Shems-ed-din looking earnestly at it, said: My Lord-Navvab, the stones you wear at your arms, are of so inestimable a value, that they can be of no use to any one but yourself; but yet they must be pretty heavy, and could you but give me a slap in the face, with that hand of yours, so loaded, it would ease my heart of much of its grief. But the sarcasm he cracked on the Navvab on another occasion, proved much more severe. The Mirza having accompanied him to Azim-abad saw his character traduced by some jealous, who reported that some of his soldiers of his corps had quarreled with Colonel Clive's people; and that there had happened a fray between them. It chanced that Shems-ed-din himself made his appearance at that very moment; it was in full Derbar, and in the hall of audience. The Navvab fixed his eyes upon him, and spoke a few words that seemed to border upon reprimand. "Sir," said he, "your people have had a fray with the Colonel's people. Is your honour to know, who is that Colonel Clive, and in what station Heaven has seated him?" My Lord-Navvab, answered the Mirza, in getting up instantly, and standing bolt-upright before him; Me, to quarrel with the Colonel! Me!
19.4.7
who never get up every morning, without making three profound bows to his very jack ass? How then could I be daring enough after that, to fall out with the rider himself? After that small digression, for which we hope the readers' connivance, it is proper to revert to the affairs of Azim-abad, and to see how Ram-narain availed himself of the letter, he had obtained at the expense of so much art, and so much good luck. One day Mir-djaafer-qhan, after having much amused himself with the songs and dances of the actresses of that city, conferred the government of the province on his own elder brother, Mir-cazem-qhan; and at the same time he required Ram-narain, to render a full account of the management of the revenue for so many years past. Ram-narain, who had attached himself to the English, on purpose to parry such a stroke, did not fail to complain to Colonel Clive. The Colonel sent a message to the Navvab, to dissuade him from such a design. The message displeased that Prince, who in conversing with the Colonel's agent and envoy, grew warm, and expressed himself in these very words: "What does mean, my Lord! Shall I leave such "a Government in the hands of a Ram-narain, and behold my "own brother without employment? What for, pray? And "for whom?" The Colonel sent word in answer, "that it was "for fear of such contingencies as these that he, on the Navvab's "desiring to be accompanied by the English, in his expedition "to Azim-abad, had objected to his being of the party;
19.4.8
and had "reminded him, that it was improper in him to desire the con"currence of the English in what concerned his finances and the "government of his dominions, as he (the Colonel) might come "to observe many actions of his to be contrary to sound policy "and to good faith; and that once the English being embark"ed with him in those regulations, they would think his honour "as well as their own concerned in preventing wrong measures. "I added," said the Colonel, "that the interference of the "English might produce an alteration, and change our union and "friendship into disputes and discontent. All this you would "not hear; and now that you have brought me so far, and have "made me write, as mediator and as guarantee, a letter, con"firming under my hand and seal a number of promises all made "by yourself, how can I take a share in offering so much in"justice? And how can I be guilty of breaking my word after "having solemnly given it?" The Navvab, surprised at the style of the message, denied that either the Colonel or himself had ever entered into any such agreement. The Colonel, in reply, sent him the minute written by the Navvab's own Secretary, minute which the Colonel had kept as a voucher. The Navvab got it read, and paid great attention to the contents. Surprised at what he heard, he sent for his Secretary and Govinda-mul, and expostulated with them on this strange affair.
19.4.9
These two men who were closely linked together in this business, took care to answer in such a manner, as to confound the old man totally. They observed, "that they had brought that minute to him, and "offered it to his perusal; that he had ordered the contents "to be recited to him, had given his consent, and had requested "that of the Colonel's. They added, that it was not strange at all, "that those contents should have slipped out of his memory, in "the variety of businessess, and avocations that crowded upon "his Princely mind." Mir-djaafer, feeling he was in the wrong, found he had no other party to take, but that of abiding by the Colonel's pleasure, with respect to Ram-narain. He did more; for after having so bluntly published his intention to dispossess the latter, he found it convenient to caress him, and, at the same time, to promise some other preferment to his disappointed brother, whom he desired to quit Azim-abad, in order to live with him at his Court.