Storia do Mogor 281.10.3

281.10.3

When she had finished this harangue, and impressed on him the force of this comparison, she attempted to throw herself at his feet and, as it were, pay him the adoration and homage of a subject to her sovereign. Coming from a sister, this was a thing still more to be prized. But the prince, stiff and unmoved in his ideas, at once dismissed her, saying: 'Madam, forget not that when Muhammad entered the world it was entirely drowned in the idolatry of the unbeliever, but no sooner had that incomparable prophet reached the age of discretion than he busied himself with all his strength in freeing the peoples from so dangerous a condition, by establishing among them his holy doctrines. Of what methods, I beg you to say, did he make use to gain such a happy purpose? Was it not by that of taxation? Thus, as you can see, he had a happy issue of all his undertakings. I have resolved, madam, to imitate so great a man in everything I can, even in the laying on of taxes, and I hope that just as the Lord blessed that great prophet by such means, He will bless me also, me and my designs.' Having finished these words, he bade her good-bye and turned his back upon her, a movement that cut the princess to the very quick.