The reign of Mu’izz-uddin . 
195 
1871 .] 
despatches in quick succession. Presents and curiosities and sou¬ 
venirs were interchanged ; and many a tale reached Sultan Na<pr- 
uddin in Lak’hnauti, telling how Mu’izz-uddin was lost in dissipa¬ 
tion and Nizam-uddin was detaching from him many maliks and 
nobles of influence, and had nearly brought things to the crisis 
when he would destroy the emperor and secure for himself the 
throne. Sultan Na<pr-uddin wrote letters full of advice and admoni¬ 
tion to his son, and by hints and indications acquainted him with 
Nizam-udclin’s villainous designs for his overthrow. But the in¬ 
toxication of youth, of sovereignty, of selfish indulgence, and of 
dissipation had so driven the emperor out of his senses, that he 
was unable to give heed to his father’s warnings or look into the 
traitorous schemes of Nizam-uddin. Drowned in pleasure and 
frivolity, he meddled with no business that bore on the state and 
tendency of political affairs. Apart from the niaiseries of his 
lemans, and the circling of his cup-bearers, and the languishing 
voices of his singers, and the pleasantries of his jesters, he had no 
care, and no occupation. From hour to hour he made pleasure 
yield him her portion, and from day to day allowed the claims of 
luxury. The Sultan Nagir-uddin, his father, at Lak’hnauti, hearing 
the reports of his recklessness and indifference was grieved and 
perturbed, and saw his son’s ruin imaged in the mirror of expe¬ 
rience. He found that, while absent, his warnings had no effect, 
and resolved to meet his son and say what he had to say face to 
face. He despatched letters full of affection to his son, and at last 
wrote with his own hand to this effect : “ My son ! you have an em¬ 
pire on your hands, and yet you do not relax your pursuit of plea¬ 
sure and enjoyment. I wish that you would think it worth your 
while to meet me, for I am weary with longing to see you.” He 
concluded his letter with this verse— 
<l Let others seek in heaven the abodes of bliss ; 
Whilst thou art here, there is no heaven like this.” 
A vein of tenderness was stirred in the Emperor Mu’izz-uddin 
when he read the affectionate missive of his father. The desire of 
meeting overcame him; the tears ran from his eyes ; and he sent 
a few trustworthy men to Lak’hnauti, and wrote letters proposing 
an interview, and an arrangement was come to, that Mu’izz-uddin 
