“He then seized his son's hand, and seated him on the throne, and when he had descended again from it, he stood with his hands joined, and all were astonished at the scene. The son sat but a short time on the throne, when he descended, and approached his father. The officers of state stood on each side, holding trays of jewels in their hands, which they poured upon the heads of the two kings, and the ground before them was strewed with rubies, pearls, silver, and gold.”
When the father had confirmed the possession of his son upon the throne, he exclaimed with a loud voice before the assembled throng, “This day enough has been accomplished, to-morrow we will convene another assembly. Thanks be to God, that I have attained my wishes, and I have seen the desire of my heart accomplished!” He then kissed his son's head, and returned in his boat to the other side of the river, and again the son filled his own boat with a flood (of wine). A torrent flowed from the ocean of wine, and all immersed themselves in it till they became drunk, and lost all respect for their king, as well as their own senses.
Next day, the Sultán selected some horses, and sent them as a present to his son, and at night the King of the East again embarked on a boat, and visited Kai-kubád. A full description of the festivities on the occasion. The father gave the son a valuable Bengal elephant, “a jewelled crown, lofty on all sides,” and “a throne made of wood, but covered with gold, standing on four feet, with supports for the arms of the king.” The crown was placed upon the son's head, and they sat together upon the throne.
The father requested from his son the gift of a white canopy and black cap, both of which had been used by Balban. These were promised to him, and he retired, declaring his intention of returning the next day. The Sultán then returned to his usual enjoyments.
Next morning, the Sultán sent the white canopy and black cap to his father, and the bearer was rewarded with a robe of honour and presents.
In the evening, the father again embarked on a boat, to have an interview with his son, when he took occasion to instil into his ears good advice respecting the future management of his country, and returned at midnight to his own camp.
The next day, both armies prepared to return to their respective countries. “The army of the east, towards the east, the army of the west, marched towards the west.” An affectionate interview first took place between the two kings, and they finally parted from each other. No one else was allowed to be present. A bridge was made over the river, to facilitate communication between the two armies. Deep grief was expressed on both sides, on taking leave, and, locked in each other's arms, the father reiterated the advice he had before given. On the departure of his father, the son solaced his woes by drinking wine.
As the rainy season had commenced, and the river Ghágra began to rise, the Sultán's army moved from the bank of the river towards Oudh, and encamped at Kautpúr. Khán-i Jahán was appointed to the government of Oudh, and directed to remain there.
“I, who had been in the service of Khán-i Jahán, previous to this, received from him now greater kindness than ever. He took me to Oudh with him, and treated me with such consideration, that I forgot my own country. There I remained with him two years. and knew no sorrow or want. I left my family, to attach myself to him. My mother, who was old, and always telling her beads, remained at Dehli, distressed at my absence. Night and day she was sorrowful that this worthless person was not near her, and used always to write letters inviting me to return. Though my heart was wounded at her grief, I did not like to ask her to come to me, When I was deeply grieved at these perpetual remonstrances, and my heart was greatly unsettled, I mentioned the circumstances to my master, and showed him my mother's letters. He, with his usual greatness, granted my request, and allowed me leave to return to my home, and sent me two trays of gold to enable me to proceed on my journey, which I prosecuted with the rapidity of an arrow, as my mother's grief had filled my heart with anxiety.”
“I had travelled a whole month, without drawing rein, and arrived in the month of Zi'l-Ka'da at the city. Smiling like a flower in a garden, I visited my friends, and thus fulfilled my heart's desire, and was restored to life after death. I placed my head at the feet of my mother, who, when she saw me, embraced me with tears in her eyes, and when relieved from her solicitude, fulfilled the vows which she had made, in consideration of my safe return.”
“Two days after, the news of my arrival was conveyed to the king, and the chamberlain came to call me to his presence. I went and placed my face upon the earth, while my heart was in trepidation. I drew out from my waistband the panegyric I had written, and read it out with a loud voice. The king was greatly pleased at my verses, and honoured me in the eyes of my companions. He treated me with great kindness, and gave me a dress of honour of his own wearing, and two bags of dirhams, and enrolled me amongst his special attendants. My heart was replete with joy, and my poor house was filled with gold. His majesty said, ‘Oh, most perfect of poets, whose very crumbs other poets are glad to pick up, if you will, the wish of my heart can be accomplished. I will give you as much as you like, and no desire of yours shall be left ungratified.’ I bowed to the ground, and replied, ‘Oh, king, what am I capable of, but writing a few laudatory verses, that I should be treated with such condescension? Your majesty bestows everything upon the needy; what need then can you have of such poor services as mine? My imagination is not lively, and I have no accomplishment, but that of being able to write some indifferent Persian. If the wish of his majesty can be gratified by such poor attainments, I am ready to be honoured with his commands.’”
“When I had thus offered my excuses to the king, he thus addressed me: ‘It is my desire, that you should undertake the trouble of writing in verse an account of the interview between the two kings, namely, my honoured father and myself.’ When he had said this, he pointed to the treasure before him, and told me to take it away, bestowing upon me at the same time a dress of honour.”
He determined to effect what the king desired, and after giving the subject much consideration, and secluding himself from all society, and trusting in God, after revolving the subject in his mind for three months, he completed the poem in six months, in 3944 verses, in the month of Ramazán, 688 A.H. (September, 1289 A.D.), and in the 36th year of his age.
Verses upon his pen, inkstand, and paper. Entry of the king into city of Dehli. Conclusion, in which he expresses a hope that his errors may be leniently dealt with.