Storia do Mogor 60.5.1

60.5.1

Finally Akbar asked how you could distinguish an old lion from a young one. They answered that the lion when old stuck his claws into the ground, and raising himself on his paws, gave forth roars that made the hills to tremble. This time the prince was unable to suppress his desire to speak. With an agitated countenance he said to the courtiers that he was much astonished at their temerity in telling so many falsehoods to such a famous king. He wondered much that, having no knowledge of such things, they should attempt to give descriptions as if they were past-masters in the subject. The other lies he would allow to pass, but must protest that when the lion sticks his claws into the ground, and lifting himself on his paws, roars aloud, it is a sign that he is young and is calling to his lioness. When he walks with the pads of his feet on the ground and his claws sticking up when he roars, it shows that he is old and is not in health. Akbar was very pleased at seeing himself at quits with this prince, who had refused to speak. He bestowed on him a string of pearls, an elephant, and a 'serpao' (sarāpā, a set of robes), and gave him leave to depart for his own country. But before he left, Akbar demanded of him his tents, which were of scarlet colour and embroidered, sending him in their place others of a different colour.