Storia do Mogor 65.8.3

65.8.3

They were all perplexed by this question, but Shahjahan ordered them to answer. Sa'dullah Khan, who was the most learned of all, seeing their silence, and fearing some reply which would open the field for Lord Dom Matheus to preach the true faith of Jesus Christ, craved leave from the king to give the answer. He said: 'It was necessary to wait until he who was sleeping should awake, because the very man who was awake was himself waiting to ask from the sleeper which was the right way.' By this he meant to suggest that the Messiah had lost his way, and was waiting for Muhammad to awake to ask him the road. No delay was allowed for Lord Dom Matheus to open his mouth, but the king gave him the signal to take his leave; and Sa'dullah Khan remained a proud victor, receiving the congratulations of all the bystanders. The astrologer who had advised Shahjahan to march in person said one day to the king, as a proof of acquaintance with the courses of the stars, that it was advisable for his majesty to quit the fortress, because there was a planet then dominant which prognosticated the death of the greatest person dwelling therein. He was of opinion that for governor he should select the kotwal (chief police officer). This plan was adopted, and the king went out to hunt. After the lapse of two months Shahjahan received news that the kotwal was dead. He returned to the fortress, and made a great deal of the astrologer, and conferred on him very great rewards.