Storia do Mogor 65.7.2

65.7.2

Out of policy Shahjahan refrained from disgracing one great plunderer, making use of an excellent proverb. He often left the fortress (palace) early in the morning, and as a recreation would gather fruit in the garden in company of his favourite pages. Among these was one called Fedai Can (Fida,e Khan), brother of Bader Can (Bahadur Khan), foster-brother of Aurangzeb, a man who at one time was a very great friend of mine. This Fida,e Khan was an enemy of the Wazir Vizir Can (Wazir Khan), and was in wait for an opportunity of calling the king's attention to the bribes taken by that official. Gathering the best of the fruit, Shahjahan placed them in the hands of Fida,e Khan, and when about to enter the door of the harem, he asked for them [141]. Fida,e Khan made excuses, and said that his majesty had given nothing to him. Shahjahan was displeased, and said to him : ' I gave you the fruit, and you have the temerity to deny it ?' Thereupon Fida,e Khan produced the fruit, and gave it to the king, saying: ' Your majesty observes the petty theft I committed, and overlooks the large amount of more than thirty thousand rupees that every day is robbed by the wazir ?' Shahjahan replied quietly : ' I know it well, and much do I desire to punish him, abhorring as I do all thieves, but sometimes it is necessary to dissemble in order to be well served.'