Page:Adventures of Baron Wenceslas Wratislaw of Mitrowitz (1862).djvu/218

 in the garden. On seeing them in such miserable plight, just like corpses that had risen from the grave, very pale, emaciated, and nothing but skin and bones, he stood still, and they, being led up to him, fell at his feet, and our aga, indignant at their misery, did not wait for the priest to make his speech to the pasha, but spoke for them himself, saying:—“Lo, here, gracious lord, thou hast these people, who came to us on an embassy, and in silver, in brocade, and in velvet clothing, brought presents of honour to my lord our Emperor, as thou thyself also sawest formerly! Behold, what a change has come to the unfortunates! Are they like living men or dead? Our most holy Alcoran doth not teach us thus to torture guiltless ambassadors. It is now approaching the third year since they have been in this unendurable prison, in irons and fetters, in darkness, with bread and water scantily supplied for nourishment. Have compassion on them for the recompence of the prophet Mahomet! Nay, we shall never enjoy any prosperity so long as we torture and torment with imprisonment these guiltless persons. Look on these unfortunates! See! they are nothing but shadows, and these are stronger than any of the rest.”

Ibrahim replied:—“Dear aga, thou knowest that I am not grand vizier, but am only his lieutenant for the time. Since the mighty Synan Pasha commanded them to be put in prison, God forbid that I should undertake anything counter to him! But when he returns in health, I will make sufficient intercession to him, that they may be quit of so grievous an imprisonment; and, if I were grand vizier myself, I would set them free immediately without deliberation.” Then, taking eight