_ 57 _ those of his council who gave him their opinions every day, but they all referred him to Khwaja Attar, who was present, as the foremost person in the kingdom in power and wisdom and age. In the presence of all Khwaja Attar said Sir, I have been thinking hard about this matter, and what you should do. As my King and master I tell you that from what the merchants of India have told me of these Portuguese, that they defeat and conquer everything and no one defeats them, my advice is that you take the lesser of the evils that you have before your eyes, and that you make some agreement with them, the best you can, so that you make this city and your ports free of the harm that these men can do, since we know that they are lords of the sea. Agreements made in peace are between than those brought about by war, even if they require less tribute than you can negotiate peacefully; because honour discredited by a bad beginning is a great defect. Begin to negotiate, and time will show the right path to take, and if this seems well to everyone and to Rais Nuruddin, who has as much authority in this kingdom as I have, then we will discuss the most we must do. This good decision to negotiate was agreed by all, and then they discussed the answer that was to be sent to the
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