Storia do Mogor 238.7.6

238.7.6

I will tell a story of what happened in one of these gardens. It was situated in front of the royal palace at Lahor, and was called Delcuxao (Dil-kusha), which signifies 'Open Heart.' To it went for recreation twelve officials, and in lightness of heart, drunk as they were, they sent out in search of twelve women. One by one eleven appeared, and one man was left without a lady. As the sun was setting, there appeared one at the entrance of the garden, who walked most gracefully. She was very lovely and well dressed, so that she roused envy in the whole company. Drawing near to him to whom she was allotted, who had come forward to greet her, she perceived it was her husband! [78] Vigorously hastening her pace, and with demonstrations of rage, she fell upon him, tore his clothes, beat and abused him, and said he must have lost his way out walking; the company he found himself in was not such as suited a person of gravity. She dragged him away and took him home, making him out the sinner, although she was an adulteress herself. I noticed that when vassals are in the royal presence they feign to be timid and afraid of His Majesty. These gestures please him, they being the custom. The combats and conquests made by both ancient and modern Mogul kings, it is to be noted, have for the major part been won rather by deceit and false oaths than by force of arms. Never does the Mogul attack any stronghold or give battle unless he is secure of having some traitor to help him.