The History of Fīrūz Shāh (Baranī) 4.11

4.11

This was all reported to the Sultán, but he sometimes dismissed it lightly, and at others used to say, "Men often drink too much, and then say foolish things; do not report drunken stories to me." One day a party was held in the house of Malik Taju-d din Kuchi, a nobleman of some distinction. When the wine had got into the heads of the guests and they were intoxicated, they said to Taju-d din: "You are fit to be a king, but the Sultan is not. If there is any Khilji fit to be a king, it is Ahmad Chap, not Jalalu-d din." This and similar absurdities they uttered. All who were present promised to aid Taju-d din in acquiring the crown. One of them said he would finish the Sultan with a hunting knife, and another drew his sword and said he would make mince-meat of him. Many other foolish vaunts were uttered, all of which were duly reported to the Sultan. He had heard a good deal of these proceedings before, and had made light of them; but on the present occasion, when he learned the extravagant boasts which had been uttered at Taju-d din's party, he could endure no longer, and had all the topers brought before him. He upbraided them severely, and while men were wondering where it would end, he grew hot, and, drawing a sword, threw it down before them, and exclaimed, "Ah drunken negroes, who brag together, and talk, one of killing me with an arrow, and another of slaying me with a sword! Is there one among you who is man enough to take this sword and fight it out fairly with me?