Storia do Mogor 65.10.7

65.10.7

Thereupon the buffoon made use of this opening to feign great affection for him, asserting that he meant to cure him in a few moments [153] with a certain smoke. Thus he caused the soldier to be taken by his servants to a room, where he was mounted, with sword, shield, and quiver full of arrows, into a large pot to be fumigated. Once inside he was shut in, and they began to apply the smoke, inducing him to stay where he was. Then, thus shut up, they had him carried by two culles (qulīs) into the presence of Dārā during his time of audience. When they took off the cover of the pot, the poor soldier came out of it fully armed, and was quite terrified at finding himself in such a magnificent court, grander than any he had ever seen before. Everybody began to laugh at him, whereat he was ashamed, and began to run. The prince was much amused ; but men of judgment were in consternation at finding a prince who hoped to inherit a kingdom, and already forty years of age, amuse himself with such childishness.