Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 3.9.8

3.9.8

Bajazet, much offended at this rudeness, told the conqueror not to exult too extravagantly in his good fortune; "It is God," said he, "who exalts or debases Kings, and though you are victorious to-day, you may be in chains to-morrow." "I am very sensible," answered Timur, "of the vanity and mutability of earthly possessions, and Heaven forbid that I should insult a fallen enemy. My laughter proceeded not from any wish to wound thy feelings, Bajazet; it escaped involuntarily, while I was indulging a series of ideas suggested by the uncomeliness of both our persons. I looked at thy countenance, rendered unsightly by the loss of an eye; and then considering that I am myself a miserable cripple, was led into a train of reflections, which provoked me to laughter. What can there be within the circle of a crown," I asked, "which ought to inspire Kings with inordinate self-esteem, since Heaven bestows the bauble upon such ill-favoured mortals?"