Storia do Mogor 60.4.8

60.4.8

On arrival at the court the noble found that Akbar did not carry out his promises. On this account the prince was much distressed. To make fun of him, Akbar said to him that if it were his desire to leave for his own country permission would be given to him. This speech allowed the prince an opening for displaying by his very disgusted face how he felt the affront of such words, but he spoke not a syllable in reply. Noticing this silence, Akbar flew into a rage, and said to him that liberty to go home should never be accorded him until he had spoken in his (Akbar's) presence. The prince persisted in not speaking ; he would not say even a single word. Thereupon the king issued an order that every time he sat in audience the prince must appear. It would be seen whether he would speak without being asked. Akbar was anxious that the prince should speak, so that he might give him leave to go. But he found that after coming for many days to audience, the prince could not be made to speak. Then he (Akbar) invented this trick to make the man speak without any question being put to him. He ordered them to find out what the prince was most interested in, and they ascertained that he was very skilful in the chase, and well acquainted with the points of animals. Orders were given that every day when the prince was present they should introduce talk about the virtues and properties of the above-named, but saying always the contrary to the facts.