The moghul, p.60
The Moghul, page 60
"You took an astonishing risk merely to honor the whims of your Hindudancer, Ambassador." Nadir Sharif had summoned Hawksworth to hisreception room at sunset. "Few men here would have done it."
"I've lived through plagues twice before. In 1592 over ten thousand inLondon died of the plague, and in 1603, in the summer after KingJames's coronation, over thirty thousand died, one person out of everyfive. If I were going to die, I would have by now." Hawksworth listenedto his own bravado and wondered if it sounded as hollow as it was. Heremembered his own haunting fear during the height of the last plague,when rowdy, swearing Bearers, rogues some declared more ill-bred thanhangmen, plied the city with rented barrows, their cries of "Cast outyour dead" ringing through the deserted streets. They charged sixpencea corpse, and for their fee they carted the bodies to open pits at thecity's edge for unconsecrated, anonymous burial, the cutpurse and thealderman piled side by side. As he remembered London again, suddenlythe Hindu rites seemed considerably less barbaric.
"You're a brave man, nonetheless, or a foolish one." Nadir Sharifgestured him toward a bolster. "Tell me, have your English physiciansdetermined the cause of the infection?"
"There are many theories. The Puritans say it's God's vengeance; andastrologers point out that there was a conjunction of the planetsJupiter and Saturn when the last plague struck. But our physicians seemto have two main theories. Some hold it's caused by an excess ofcorrupt humors in the body, whereas others claim it's spread bypoisonous air, which has taken up vapors contrary to nature."
Nadir Sharif sat pensive and silent for a moment, as though ponderingthe explanations. Then he turned to Hawksworth.
"What you seem to have told me is that your physicians have absolutelyno idea what causes the plague. So they have very ingeniously inventednames for the main points of their ignorance." He smiled. "Indianphysicians have been known to do the same. Tell me then, what do youthink causes it?"
"I don't know either. It seems to worsen in the years after crops havebeen bad, when there are hungry dogs and rats scavenging in thestreets. During the last plague all the dogs in London were killed orsent out of the city, but it didn't seem to help."
"And what about the rats?"
"There've always been men in England who make a living as rat-catchers,but with the dogs gone during the plague, the rats naturally started tomultiply."
Nadir smiled thoughtfully. "You know, the Hindus have a book, theBhagavata Parana, that warns men to quit their house if they see asickly rat near it. Indians have long assumed vermin bring disease.Have you considered the possibility that the source of the plague mightbe the rats, rather than the dogs? Perhaps by removing the dogs, youeliminated the best deterrent to the bearer of the plague, the rats?"
"No one has thought of that."
"Well, the European plague has finally reached India, whatever itscause." Nadir Sharif looked away gloomily. "Almost a hundred peopledied in Agra this past week. Our physicians are still searching for acure. What remedies do you use in England? I think His Majesty would bemost interested to know."
"I suppose the measures are more general than specific. Englishmen tryto ward it off by purging the pestilent air around them. They burnrosemary and juniper and bay leaves in their homes. During the lastplague the price of rosemary went up from twelve pence an armful to sixshillings a handful. But the only people helped seemed to be herb wivesand gardeners. One physician claimed the plague could be avoided bywearing a bag of arsenic next to the skin. There's also a belief thatif you bury half a dozen peeled onions near your home, they'll gatherall the infection in the neighborhood. And some people fumigate thecontagious vapors from their rooms by dropping a red-hot brick into abasin of vinegar."
"Do these curious nostrums work?" Nadir Sharif tried to mask hisskepticism.
"I suppose it's possible. Who can say for sure? But the plague alwaysdiminishes after a time, usually with the onset of winter."
"Doesn't your king do anything?"
"He usually leaves London if an infection starts to spread. In 1603,the year of his coronation, he first went to Richmond, then toSouthampton, then to Wilton. He traveled all summer and only returnedin the autumn."
"Is that all he did? Travel?"
"There were Plague Orders in all the infected towns. And any housewhere someone was infected had to have a red cross painted on the doorand a Plague Bill attached. No one inside could leave. Anyone caughtoutside was whipped and set in the stocks."
"And did these measures help?"
"Englishmen resent being told they can't leave home. So people wouldtear the Plague Bills off their doors and go about their business. Sometowns hired warders at sixpence a day to watch the houses and make sureno one left. But when so many are infected, it's impossible to watcheveryone. So there were also orders forbidding assemblies. King Jamesbanned the holding of fairs within fifty miles of London. And allgatherings in London were prohibited by a city order--playhouses, gaminghouses, cockpits, bear-baiting, bowling, football. Even ballad singerswere told to stay off the streets."
"His Majesty may find that interesting." Nadir Sharif turned andsignaled for _sharbat _from the servants. "Perhaps he should issue lawsforbidding assembly before he leaves Agra."
"Is he leaving?" Hawksworth felt his heart stop.
"Day after tomorrow." Nadir Sharif watched as the tray of _sharbat_cups arrived and immediately directed it toward Hawksworth.
"I have to see him one last time before he leaves. Before I leave."
"I really think that's impossible now. He's canceled the daily_durbar_. No one can see him. Even I have difficulty meeting with him."Nadir Sharif accepted a cup from the tray and examined Hawksworthsorrowfully as he sipped it. "In any case, I fear a meeting would doyou little good, Ambassador. He's busy arranging the departure for allthe court, including the _zenana_. There are thousands of people tomove, and on very short notice. In fact, I've been trying to see HerMajesty for several days, but she has received no one." He smiledevenly. "Not even her own brother."
"Where's His Majesty planning to go?"
"Not so very far, actually. Ordinarily he probably would
travel north, toward Kashmir. But since winter is approaching, he'sdecided to go west, to Fatehpur Sekri. The area around the old palacehas remained free of the infection."
"But I have to see him." Hawksworth hesitated. "Do you know what'shappened to Shirin?"
"Nothing, so far as I hear. I believe she's still being held in thefort." Nadir Sharif studied Hawksworth. "But I would advise you in thestrongest possible terms to avoid meddling in the business of thatPersian adventuress and her departed Sufi heretic."
"What I do is my affair." Hawksworth set down his cup harder thannecessary. "I insist on seeing His Majesty. I want you to arrange it."
"But a formal meeting is really quite impossible, Ambassador. Haven't Imade that clear?" Nadir Sharif paused to collect his poise. "Butperhaps if you appeared when his entourage is departing Agra, you mightbe able to speak with him. I have to insist, however, that a meetingnow would be pointless and possibly even dangerous, considering HisMajesty's disposition at the moment."
"I'll see him before he leaves, somehow. I'll find a way."
"Then I wish you Godspeed, Ambassador." Nadir Sharif put down his_sharbat _glass. "Incidentally, there's a large caravan leaving forSurat day after tomorrow. Should I make arrangements for you to joinit?"
"I'm not going anywhere until I see the Moghul."
"You're a headstrong man, Ambassador. Please believe I wish you well.Notwithstanding His Majesty's current views, I've always regarded youhighly." He signaled for a tray of betel leaves and rose, flashing oneof his official smiles. "Who knows? Perhaps your luck is due for achange."
