Exalted son, I remember the savour of your ‘khichadi’* and ‘biryáni’* during the winter. Truly, the ‘kabūli’* cooked by Islám Khán does not surpass them (in point of relish and savour). I wanted to have from you (in my service) Salimán, who cooks ‘biryáni’; but you did not allow him to serve me as my cook. If you happen to find a pupil of his, skilful in the art of cookery, you will send him to me. However, happy is the day when you come, eat, and make others eat. (Couplet) “Happy is the day and happy is the time when a friend enjoys the company of (another) friend.”* (Couplet) “The desire (for eating) has not entirely left me; (though) blackness has departed from (my) hair, it has not departed from (my) face” (i.e. though I have become old, I have not yet given up my former habit of indulging in the pleasures of the palate).*