Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 2.10.5

2.10.5

The good old man nevertheless sent a faithful eunuch in secret to condole with the unhappy Prince, to assure him of his unalterable affection, and of the grief into which he was plunged by the late disaster. 'But,' added the King, 'there is surely no reason for despair while an army under Soliman-Chekouh remains. For the present, I advise you to take the road to Dehli, where you will find a thousand horses in the royal stables ; and the governor of the fort has my orders to furnish you with money and elephants. You should not withdraw to a greater distance than prudence may demand ; I shall write frequently, and wish you to be within easy reach of my letters. I still think I possess the means of bringing Aureng-Zebe into my power, and of inflicting due chastisement upon him.' So utterly cast down, so absorbed in sorrow was Dara, that he could frame no answer to this affecting communication, or even transmit a formal acknowledgment of it to his father. He sent several messages to Begum-Saheb, and departed at midnight, with his wife, daughters, and his youngest son Sepehr-Chekouh, accompanied, and this is almost incredible, by not more than three or four hundred persons. Let him pursue his melancholy way to Dehli, while we consider the deep policy and consummate address which marked the conduct of Aureng-Zebe at Agra.