When Prince Sulān Selīm came to Allahābād, he, from bad companionship, love of flattery, self-indulgence, presumption and harshness, took to disobedience, and made many improper acts his glory. Whenever his improprieties were reported to H.M. he issued injunctions of guidance. At this time it was reported by truthful and disinterested persons that the heart of that cypress of fortune's stream had become excessively addicted to wine. He did not keep ⁸²⁹ his lips from the wine-cup for a moment. When he got habituated to wine, he drank more, but the intoxication was less, and so he added opium. Here a verse came to memory, and it is right to quote it.

We cast the heart's* core into the limpid tears
The wine was without effect; we threw opium into it.

At the time when a double intoxication (of wine and of opium) had taken hold of him, and when the brain was dried up, and his disposition unsettled, he for slight offences ordered unfitting, capital punishments. For instance, he had his Recorder* flayed alive in his presence. And he castrated one of the pages (khwāṣān), and had a khidmatgār (servant) beaten so that he died. They say the record writer was in love with the page and that the page was attached to the khidmatgār. All three became of one mind and took to flight. A party of men who pursued them caught them and pro­duced them while the tongues of the fire of the prince's wrath were shooting forth, and the above-mentioned tyranny was practised on them. The gracious and merciful Khāqān was grieved on hearing of this atrocity and said: “We during the time of our rule have not tried to hurt an ant, and are not willing that a (dead) sheep should be flayed* —though that may appear to be no offence. How has our honoured son had the courage to do such things? and how has he ventured to spoil what has been built up by God?” Inas­much as world-rule does not harmonise with self-will, presumption, tyranny and immoderation, his holy heart was deeply displeased by these deeds and other wickednesses, and he thought of going hunt­ing as far as Allahābād and of exercising justice. If the prince should cast away arrogance and receive the retinue of fortune he would pardon his offences and bring him to court in his train. If he cherished evil thoughts, he would punish him, and awaken him from his slumbers. Accordingly he gave orders for the starting of his advance-camp, and fixed the halting place at three kos from Fatḥpūr, on the bank of the Jumna. The gold-embroidered tents were pitched, and on the night of Monday, 11th Shahrīyūr, 21st August, 1604, that river of Divine wisdom, that ocean of knowledge, embarked in an auspicious hour on the boat, and state in the ship of the Divine aid and protection. The sails were set and the anchor of purpose was raised. When he had gone a little way as there was little water the boat stuck in the sand. Nay, nay, the boat could not support the weight of the Caliphate and put its head on the ground. ⁸³⁰ Though the boatmen tried to move it, they could not succeed. They could not bring it from there into deep water. Of necessity he spent the night on the river. At sun-rise the officers and other grandees arrived in their boats and paid their respects. Though the awakened heart of the world's lord perceived the truth of the matter and inferred from the boat's remaining in its place that his desire (to make the expedition) was unfitting, yet inasmuch as it is not right for a sovereign to turn back without some great cause, he alighted at his camp, having still the resolution. Next day it rained, and it continued to rain heavily for three days. On account of the rain and high wind no one had a tent except the royal enclo­sure and some advance tents of a few intimate servants. The soldiers and the other men of the camp were in much distress. Sud­denly news came of the illness of Miriam Makānī. As she did not approve of the expedition, H.M. did not believe in her illness. He thought her illness was feigned and did not contemplate returning. Till heart-striking news came, and trustworthy* persons reported that she was seriously ill and that the physicians had given up using medicines. Of necessity the loving sovereign gave up the journey and hastened to the capital to see his mother. She who had made ready for the last journey had applied her heart to God, and closed her lips to speech. He spoke to her several times but got no reply. On seeing her desperate condition H.M. fell into uncontrollable lamentation. He was helpless and made over that holy personality to the true Lord and sate down in solitude and indulged in grief.