Storia do Mogor 85.6

85.6

'But at the same time, what can I do but weep when I remember that in my tender age I fell into your hands, Doctor Salih, who, paying no need to the good disposition God had given me, made me waste my time by teaching me trivialities and things that did not concern me — or, at least, things that could only serve me as ornaments in conversing with learned men — overlooking meanwhile the teaching of the things necessary to a prince. For example, did you tell me about the monarchies of the world — that is to say, the Assyrians, the Persians, the Scythians, who formerly were clad in skins, dwelt among mountains, and were few in number, but nowadays, under the name of Turks, dominate and hold with a heavy hand the reins over the whole of Asia and Africa? When was it that you related to me the valour and ingenuity of the European Franks, who with small means met and repelled the forces of the powerful Ottoman? At the least, you ought to have spoken to me of the riches and majesty of China. All these things you withheld.