Page:Ali Baba, or, The forty thieves, destroyed by Morgiana, a female slave.pdf/23

23 and to receive a bastinado of as many blows on the soles of his feet. All this was executed upon the spot; after which, the Naib, leaping from his horse, threw himself at his feet, and watering them with his tears, addressed him thus:—'Father, I have discharged my duty to my God, my sovereign, my country, and my station; permit me now, by my respect and submission, to acquit the debt I owe a parent. Justice is blind, it is the power of God on earth; it has no regard to father or son—God, and our neighbour's right, are above the ties of nature. You had offended against the laws of justice, you deserved this punishment, you would in the end have received it from some other. I am sorry it was your fate to receive it from me, my conscience would not suffer me to act otherwise behave better for the future, and instead of blaming, pity my being reduced to so cruel a necessity.' This done, he mounted his horse again, and continued his journey amid the acclamations and praises of the whole city. Report of which being made to the Sublime Porte, the Sultan advanced him to the post of Cady, from which, by degrees, he rose to the dignity of Mufti, who is the head of both religion and law among the Turks. Were our dealers with false weights to be treated according to the Turkish law, the poor might not be so much imposed on as they are at present.