“Wouldst thou spend the livelong day
In the tavern bright and gay,
I with song would mirthfully
Bear thee joyous company.
“Ready on the board we’ll find,
When the morrow breaks again,
Foaming goblet—rosy wine—
Which with joy once more we’ll drain.
And why should we not follow the good advice?”
The sullen Muhammadan muttered behind his beard, but dared say nothing, for he had need of Salim, as the latter well knew, as an ally in the troubles that might arise from Akbar’s forsaking the faith. He was silent, therefore, and ended with consoling himself for his wrongs by drinking as deeply as any, in spite of what the Prophet might have said.