Page:Siyar-ul-Mutakherin.djvu/71

that of his brother Kerim-ed-din. He added, that unless he found some protection or assistance, he had nothing to hope for his safety, or for his life. He had hardly done speaking, when the ladies of his family, whom he had stationed on purpose behind a veil or curtain, began weeping aloud, and the prince's youngest daughter, Maleka-zemany, came from behind the curtain, and seating herself on the governor's lap, repeated to admiration the part she had been taught. In a soothing tone of voice she entreated him to take pity on a forlorn family, and to lend his assistance to her father, at the same time she paid him some compliments, and added these very words, that have been preserved by the author of the memoir: "It is true you are of the race of God's messenger, and you descend in a direct line from the holy Ali; moreover, you enjoy all the advantages which power and a high character can confer, but yet it cannot be denied that it is to Azim-ush-shan's favour that you owe your present station. If, then, you make use of this power in aid of my father, and render him those services which may be expected from your illustrious birth and your high character, you will prove yourself worthy of the distinctions of my grandfather Aurengzib. Whatever be our destiny, beware of what the world shall say of you." The princess had hardly done speaking,