Storia do Mogor 346.3
Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 346.3
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346.3.1
I began my journey at once, and at break of day arrived in Pondicherry. I found the good old man, then seventy-three years of age, in a high fever, with pains in the head, absence of sleep, and other symptoms. [38] I started on the treatment forthwith, and held a consultation with the doctors of the Royal Company, one of whom was named Monsieur Maquari, and the other Monsieur Albert. By our efforts and the drugs he was placed out of danger, and by dieting and care was restored to perfect health. Not to break my word, and in compliance with the messages sent me, I went back to Tevanapatam, to the contentment of all my friends, thence back to Pondicherry, and finally to my own house at Madras. Here I received news that a Monsieur Delavale, a married man and resident of Junçalam, a land belonging to the King of Siam, had turned pirate. It is three years ago that he came to Madras in the guise of a merchant. I gave him money to trade with, as did many other persons of this settlement. Having acquired and a supply of goods in this country, he left it. To disabuse his creditors of any hope they entertained of being repaid—at any rate, the capital amount—he captured an English boat loaded with cloth from Bengal, and took its captain a prisoner.
346.3.2
The governor of the place [i.e., Ujung Salang], on the facts being reported, sent orders to seize Delavale; but he fled, followed by all his companions, taking with him the prisoner, but abandoning his house and wife. The governor of the country took possession of his wife and of all the merchandise. Monsieur Delavale sought refuge in another province of the same kingdom, ruled over by a man who was an enemy to the other governor. The followers of this pirate Delavale are two in number, one called Monsieur Masson, the other Monsieur de Roubai. These events have caused such consternation among the merchants that not one of them will venture on a voyage to that port. Although the King Aurangzeb had occupation enough in fighting the Mahrattahs, in conquering different rajahs, and in many other enterprises, he never overlooked the question of getting his son Sultān Akbar into his power. This son, then in Persia, was invited back by many letters, none of which had any effect. At last, in the year 1689, he wrote him one in the most loving terms. It was also the last one sent ; its terms were as follows : ' My beloved son, light of my eyes, part of my heart, Akbar ! I write to you, swearing upon the word of the Ruler over kings, and be God my witness [40], that I esteem and love you more than my other sons. You were ever my solace and consolation, and lightened my afflictions when you were present. Now that you are so far away, I feel their whole weight, and must endure them.
346.3.3
You became disobedient, and were led away by the Rajputs, those demons in human form; thus you lost the favour of Heaven, and were abandoned by it. What can I do ? and what remedy can I offer you for the troubles under which you are now suffering ? When I think on these things, I continue in travail and great sorrow, so that I have lost the desire for longer life. I endure the greatest grief at seeing you so far from this realm, deprived of your princely title, removed from power, stripped of your dignities in the State. Because I love you deeply, I weep bitterly over your wretched condition. Yet did you disregard your youth and loyalty to your family, and are forced to live thus far separated from wives, sons, and daughters. From your self-will you fell a prisoner into the hands of those demoniac Rajputs. They treated you like a ball, struck first by one side and hurled back by the other [41]. Thus were you compelled to take refuge first in one place, then in another. In spite of all these things, although you have been guilty of such heavy crimes, yet, impelled by the love I bear you, I have no desire to inflict farther punishment.' After these words followed two verses, which continued the letter; their sense was as follows: 'In spite of a son being only a little ashes, Yet is he a salve to the suffering eyes of parents.'
346.3.4
'. . . Fortune seeks to favour you. If you have repented of you can come to my Presence, and advance to meet me sure that your sins will be remitted; that I shall not forget you and aggrandize you even in a manner that will exceed your wildest dreams of greatness. Thus will you be repaid for the sufferings and the labours you have undergone. This invitation is not given solely from a desire to see you here, but to obviate your being, as you are now, ruined, solitary, lost, and dishonoured.' 'I do not speak of the Rajah Jaswant Singh, who was the chief of all the Rãjpúts and the follower of Dãrã. O son! Trust not in such nor heed their words, for they will sell you falsified goods yielding you no profit, and in the end causing nothing but regret. Understand, and accept it as infallible, that what I tell you will be for your good, and points out the only right road. Retain it, therefore, in memory, for never again shall I write to you.'