The Prince at the same time sent part of his forces to Palassy, under the command of Radja D8l8b-ram, with orders to prepare an intrenched camp, and everything necessary for defence and war. That Commander repaired thither, and in appearance, seemed busy in executing the orders he had received; but in fact he was only intent upon his own business; for he not only entered into a private agreement with the English, but added some articles to their treaty with Mir-djaafer-qhan, whilst at the same time he was daily gaining to his party some officers amongst the troops he commanded, under promise of doing for them something according to their own wishes. The same management was likewise practised in town by Mir-djaafer-qhan, who now commenced to appear at Court, but always well accompanied. The defection became now so general, that it is credibly reported that by this time few men remained in their hearts attached to Seradj-ed-döulah; all the rest having been gained over by these two Commanders. The report being now spread that Colonel Clive had moved from Calcutta at the head of an army, this intelligence engaged that Prince to draw from his ears that cotton of sloth and neglect with which he had stuffed them. With visible reluctance of mind, and a heart big with grief and despondence, he quitted his palace of Mans8r-gundj, and marched with those troops in which he reposed a confidence, that is, those belonging to Mir-meden, and to Radja Mohon-lal, and a few others, with which he arrived at Palassy. On the opposite side, Colonel Clive, with the troops of his own nation, and some bodies of Talingas, (the whole of his army not amount­ing to more than two or three thousand men), took post in the grove of Palassy,* where he shewed himself in battle array. A. D. 1757. It was on a Thursday, the fifth of Shevval, in the year 1170; and there the fire of battle and slaughter, that had been hitherto kept alive under a heap of embers, now blazed out into flames. But as the nation of Hat-wearers have no equals in the art of firing their artillery and musquetry with both order and rapidity, there commenced such an incessant rain of balls and bullets, and such a hot endless firing, that the spectators themselves were amazed and confounded; and those in the battle had their hear­ing deafened by the continual thunder, and their eye-sight dimmed by the endless flashing of the execution. All this while Mir-djaafer-qhan, the author of all these evils and troubles, contented himself with standing at a distance with the troops under his command, exactly like one who had come only to see the engage­ment, although his sole aim was to effect Seradj-ed-döulah’s downfall. But this was not the case with Mir-meden, and a few others, who were in earnest, and wished to gain the victory; these were in despair on seeing that inaction. The cannon-balls meanwhile fell so thick amongst them, that this officer did not dare to come to a close engagement; but yet he advanced little by little in good order and with a good countenance, till at last he and Mohon-lal arrived near the grove of Palassy, from whence the English made so violent a fire. It was at about three o’clock in the afternoon. It is reported that the Colonel, at sight of this, severely reprimanded some agent, who was then near his person, and said, “that his master had promised and pledged himself, that the troops, as well as the Commanders, were totally alienated from Seradj-ed-döulah; and that as soon as some engagement should take place, they would do his business effectually.” As much as I can see, added the Colonel, the very reverse of all that is taking place. The agent answered, that “those that were now pressing upon him, were those corps that were attached to Seradj-ed-döulah; and that whenever these should be vanquished, the Colonel would not fail to see tokens of what he (the agent) had promised.” And in reality the day of retribution was now come; for Seradj-ed-döulah and his fortune had now become liable to the laws of retaliation. That valorous Mir-meden, who now behaved so well in the engagement, and who to his heroical valour joined sentiments of attachment and zeal, was overset by a cannon-ball, whilst he was advancing and encouraging his men. This ball, as if sent by an express to exact a tribute upon his existence, carried away one of his thighs, and in appearance left him for dead. He was already winging his flight into eternity, when they brought him in that condition to his Prince; to whom the dying warrior having had just time to say a few words concerning his zeal and the dispositions he had made for the engagement, soon surrendered his soul to his Maker. Such a spectacle struck Seradj-ed-döulah. He was troubled and confounded, and seemed to have lost his presence of mind. He sent for Mir-djaafer-qhan, and patiently waited till the other should be pleased to come. But that General having shewn a disinclination from such an interview, repeated messages and pressing solicitations became necessary to put him in motion. At last he came, accompanied by his son, Miren, alias Mir-mah­med-sadyc-qhan, by Qhadem-hassen-qhan, and by a numerous body of his friends and followers, well-armed. Seradj-ed-döulah spoke to him in the humblest strain, and at last descended to the lowest supplications; he even took his turbant from off his head, (at least this was the report) and placed it before the General; to whom he addressed these very words: I now repent of what I have done; and availing myself of those ties of consanguinity which subsist between us, as well as of those rights which my grandfather, Aaly-verdy-qhan, has doubtless acquired upon your gratitude, I look up to you, as to the only representative of that venerable personage; and hope therefore, that, forget­ting my past trespasses, you shall henceforward behave as becomes a Séyd, a man united in blood to me, and a man of senti­ments, who conserves a grateful remembrance of all the benefits he has received from my family. I recommend myself to you; take care of the conservation of my honour and life.* This affecting speech had no effect on Mir-djaafer-qhan, who finding that the occasion for which he had been looking out this long while, was now at hand, thought only of availing himself of it; so far was he from forgetting what indeed he ought to have for­gotten. Treason having already taken possession of his heart, he coldly answered, that the day was now drawing to its end; and that there remained no time for an attack. Send a counter order to the troops that are advancing, said he; recall those engaged; and to-morrow, with the blessing of God, I will join all the troops together, and provide for the engagement. Seradj-ed-doulah observed, that they might be attacked by the enemy in the night. This also the General took upon himself to provide against, and he promised that the enemy would not form a night attack.

By this time Mohon-lal, who had advanced with Mir-meden, was closely engaged with the enemy; his cannon was served with effect;* and his infantry having availed themselves of some covers and other grounds, were pouring a quantity of bul­lets in the enemy’s ranks. It was at this moment he received the order of failing back, and of retreating. He answered: “That this was not a time to retreat; that the action was so far advanced, that whatever might happen, would happen now; and that should he turn his head, to march back to camp, his people would disperse, and perhaps abandon themselves to an open flight.” Seradj-ed-döulah, on this answer, turned towards Mir-djaafer-qhan, and the latter coldly answered: “That the advice he had proposed was the best in his power; and that as to the rest, His Highness was the master of taking his own resolu­tions.” Seradj-ed-döulah intimidated by his General’s coldness, and overcome by his own fears and apprehensions, renounced his own natural sense, and submitted to Mir-djaafer-qhan’s pleasure; he sent repeated orders, with pressing messages, to Mohon-lal; who at last obeyed, and retreated from the post to which he had advanced.

Verses:

“When the times become dark, and unprosperous for a man,

He never fails to do precisely what he ought not to have done.”

This retreat of Mohon-lal’s made a full impression on his troops. The sight of their General’s retreat damped their courage; and having at the same time spied some parties which were fly­ing Seradj-ed-döulah betrayed and defeated at Palassy. (for they were of the complot), they disbanded likewise, and fled, every one taking example from his neighbour; and as the flight now had lost all its shame, whole bodies fled although no one pursued; and in a little time the camp remained totally empty. Seradj-ed-döulah informed of the desertion of his troops, was amazed; and fearing not only the English he had in his front, but chiefly the domestic enemies he had about his person, he lost all firmness of mind. Confounded by that general abandonment, he joined the runaways himself; and after march­ing the whole night, he the next day at about eight in the morning arrived at his palace in the city. He had ordered that his principal Commanders should attend with their troops for the safety of his person, until he might take breath, and resolve on what he was to do next; but none attended to what he said, and every one, without ceremony, went to his own home; even Mirza-iredj-qhan, his father-in-law, did the same. In vain did the Prince lay his turbant at his feet, and intreat him for God’s sake to remain with him, and to assemble some troops about his palace, that he might stay with safety, if staying should become proper; or depart with some decency, should flight become necessary. He would not hear, and he also quitted him under a variety of pretences, and went to his house. Seradj-ed-döulah abandoned by his troops, and deserted by his whole Court, resolved to retain some people at least about his person; and he ordered that whoever had any demand upon the treasury, should be immediately satisfied. Numbers immediately thronged into it, some for their arrears, and some for advances to help them­selves out. Some others likewise, under a variety of pretences, crowded into it, and received as much as they pretended to; for orders had been given to reject no man; so that during the whole night the treasury was full of people, who took money on every pretence they could devise, and carried it home; but none remained with him notwithstanding that liberality; for he had mistaken the time when it was necessary, not only to abstain from acquiring gold and wealth, but also to spend that already hoarded up at home. He had never thought of being liberal, nor ever had entertained any thoughts about restraining either his tongue or hand from injuring and oppressing people; and now that the day of retribution was already at hand, the day when he was in his turn to suffer all kinds of miseries and all kinds of torments in his own person, he betook himself to a distribution of treasures. He ought to have remembered what the Poet has said:

“Men in power, do not oppress those that have preceded you in it,

For the world is not likely to remain for ever under the same command.

Do not tear (take care) people’s feet from their place,

As it is uncertain whether your own feet shall ever remain where they are.

A number of hearts gained is of more use than a full treasury;

But better still an empty treasury than a throng of alienated hearts.

Do not push any one so rudely as that his feet should stagger and fail,

Lest some day it may be thy fate to fall at those very feet.—

Never think an enemy too inconsiderable;

For I have seen a large mountain grown up from a small stone.

Do’st not thou see that when pismires have joined together,

They can force groans from the most formidable Lions?

Is there any thing in the World so feeble as the silk threads, when asunder?

And yet when twisted together, nothing is so strong; they become equal

to a chain.