CHAPTER LXXII.
BEGINNING OF THE 15TH DIVINE YEAR FROM THE ACCESSION, TO WIT,
THE YEAR KHIRDĀD, THE SECOND CYCLE.

During this gracious time that the Shāhinshāh's cortège was gathering hidden light in Delhi, the vivifying spring arrived, and the bounteous New Year removed the veil from her face. A temperate breeze breathed a fresh soul into the body of the earth. The power of vegetation developed the new comers of the vegetable kingdom. The morning gales, like the breaths of the enlightened of heart, opened the knots of souls. The spring-clouds, like the bosoms of the noble and liberal, exuded abundance and laid the dust of lives.

Verse.

What flowers expanded, and what birds sang!
So that the soul ran to the eye, and a vision came to the ear
I'm like the bird captivated by the presence of the rose
Sometimes I faint, and sometimes sense returns
What need is there of a message to the companions of the garden
When Time is calling out with a thousand tongues.

With auspicious lights the world-adorning Sulān of the east (the sun) cast the shadow of his entry into the mansion of Aries after the passing of two hours and twenty-three minutes of Saturday, 3 Shawwāl 977, 11 March, 1570, and the 15th Divine year from the Accession, viz., the year Khirdād of the second cycle began. For­tune's market again became brisk. In this spring-time H.M., in gratitude and thanksgiving, visited the stations and buildings which right-thinking princes had erected in former times, and received instructive warning thereby. He scattered gold among the humble dwellers in those ruins. He then visited the tomb* of H.M. Jahānbānī, Jinnat-Āshiyānī, which is the altar of pure spirits and bodies, and implored political and spiritual light. From here he pro­ceeded towards Agra and crossed the Jamna. He passed through vil­lages and several times took the pleasure of deer-hunting by moonlight. He went from stage to stage in enjoyment, and at length on the day of Bād, 22 Ardībihisht, Divine month, corresponding to Tuesday, 26 Ẕīlq'ada, 2 May 1570, he arrived at Agra. The people of the city rejoiced. In the beginning of this year Shujā'at Khān, who was one of the great officers, and a favourite, invited the Shāhinshāh to a feast. As H.M.'s disposition was to favour his servants and grant their desires, he accepted, and in an auspicious hour made his dwelling brilliant. He proffered the prostrations of loyalty and made special exertions for H.M.'s entertainment. A magnificent feast was arranged, and H.M. spent one night and one day in that assem­blage, and enjoyed spiritual and physical pleasures, and behaved with kindness and benevolence.