Storia do Mogor 211.3.1

211.3.1

Adopting another style of life, he gave himself up to pleasure, but only in secret, his occupation being drinking and other pastimes, according to the whim of the moment. His father heard nothing of all that, for the son knew his father's disposition, and his love of seeing his children imitate his feigned strictness. Thus, to gain his approval the prince displayed as many signs of devoutness as ever he could. As he perceived that humility was also much to the taste of the old fellow, he showed the greatest contempt for the riches of this world. He ordered his bowls and dishes to be made of wood, and caused it to be noised abroad that he ate out of these. Further, the trappings of the horse he rode were of plain leather, devoid of all ornaments, although those of his retinue were not of that simple style. As for myself, I knew quite the contrary of all this ; and in his palace he led a jolly life of it, drinking and eating out of dishes and cups of gold. Above all, as to the drink, that I know to be exact, for he had charged me with procuring good wines of Persia and Europe. These I caused to be brought from Surat, and frequently, when he was out of them, he sent to my house for some, for he had more trust in me than in his Mahomedans. One day when he was elated I heard him say that despicable was that king who did not eat out of vessels of emerald.