CHAPTER CVII.
BEGINNING OF THE 37TH DIVINE YEAR FROM THE HOLY ACCESSION, 607
TO WIT, THE YEAR FARWARDĪN OF THE 4TH CYCLE.

On Friday, 5 Jamāda-al-akharī 1000 Ḥijra, 11 March 1592, after the passing of 10 hours, 5 minutes, the glorious Sun illumined Aries, and filled the world with varied delight. Beauty acquired fresh splendour, and the Age received new ornament.

Verse.

The awnings were raised up to heaven.
The blemishes of the skies were veiled.
On every wall there were skilful paintings.
Heaven was astonished as if they were demon-wrought.*

The third cycle ended and the fourth began. Together with strength of heart, and the glory of dawn, a window of enlightenment opened partially and brightness took possession of my darkened mind. A fresh desire to continue my narrative seized me, and my strength increased.

Verse.

Again, my fortune became lightsome;
The delight of speech possessed my soul.
When fortune supplies the opening key
A jewel emerges from the dark stone.

From New Year's day to the culmination (sharf) there were con­tinued feasts, and liberality exceeded desire. A prosperous time ensued for the desert-wanderer, and a new veil was placed over spiritual beauty. The cup* of worldly success and of joy arrived, but the Shāhinshāh's fortune made this the material of increased wis­dom. That day was hostile to reason and taught disturbance, and was a robber of purity. This day is a day of increase of wisdom, and bears rectitude in its breast.

At this time news came that Jalāla had returned unsuccessful from Tūrān, and that he was stirring up strife in the defiles of Tīrāh, and that the tribes of the Afrīdī and Ūrakzaī had broken their alle­giance, and had given a position to that turbulent one. An order was given that Qāsim K. should collect the Afghan (Zābulī) army and should proceed to chastise those hot-headed ones. On New Year's day Aṣaf K., Sāīd K., Gakkar, and some others, were sent off from court, and an order was given that the fief-holders of Sind and Peshawar should be collected, and should join the Tīrāh force. In a short time the hill-country was surrounded, and the Afghans had recourse to supplications and cajolery. They represented that Jalāla had not got a footing, and that he had gone back unsuccessful. Qāsīm K. returned to Kabul without fully inquiring into the matter and without submitting a report to court. Aṣaf K. and the other officers remained there and waited for orders. H.M. did not approve of Qāsīm K.'s haste, and issued an order that he should return and exert himself in making inquiries.