Through your Majesty’s

TALE IX.

A King of Arabia was sick in his old age,

and there was no hope of his recovery, when a horseman entered the gate and

brought these glad tidings, “ Through your Majesty’s auspices, I have taken

such a fortress ; the garrison are made prisoners, and the troops and subjects

of that quarter have one and all submitted to your government.”

When he heard these words he sighed and

said, “ This good news concerns not me, but mine enemies ; that is, those who

shall succeed to my kingdom. My precious life hath been vainly spent in the

expectation of accomplishing my wishes, but now to what purpose does it serve,

for I have no hope that my past life should return! The hand of Fate beats his

march upon the drum. Alas! mine eyes, take your leave of this head ; hands,

arms, and wrists, bid adieu to each other. Death, a foe to my desire, hath

overtaken me. For the last time come before me, 0 my friends ! my days have

been spent in ignorance ; I have not performed my duty: shun my example.”

TALE X.

In a certain year I was sitting retired in

the great mosque at Damascus, at the head of the tomb of Yahiya the prophet (on

whom be peace !) One of the Kings of Arabia, who was notorious for his

injustice, happened to come on a pilgrimage, and having performed his

devotions, he uttered the following words : “ The poor and the rich are

servants of this earth, and those who are richest have the greatest wants.”

He then looked towards me and said, “ Because Durweshes are strenuous and sincere in their commerce with Heaven, unite your prayers with mine, for I am in dread of a powerful enemy.” I replied, “ Show mercy to the weak peasant, that you may not experience difficulty from a strong enemy. It is criminal to crush the poor and defenceless subjects with the arm of power. He liveth in dread who befriendeth not the poor ; for should his foot slip, no one layeth hold of his hand. Whosoever soweth bad seed, and looketh for good fruit, tor tureth his imagination in vain, making a false judgment of tilings.

Take the cotton out of thine car, and distribute justice to mankind ; for if you refusest justice, there will be a day of retribution. The children of Adam are limbs of one another ; and are all produced from the same substance: when the world gives pain to one member, the others also suffer uneasiness. Thou, who art indifferent to the sufferings of others, deservest not to be called a man.”