Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/296

Rh was that I heard thee lamenting to Allâh a while ago, concerning the increase of corruption and wickedness in the land, and who is the man who through avarice stands between his people and their rights? For, by Allâh! that wherewith thou hast filled my ears has sickened me."

The man answered, "Of a truth, O Commander of the Faithful! he who has united himself with greed until he stands between his people and their rights, in consequence whereof the cities of God are filled with oppression and violence, he is, thyself."

"Woe be to thee!" cried el-Mansûr. "How is it possible that I should have joined myself to covetousness when the yellow and the white lie at my door, and I hold the world in my grasp?"

"The Lord be praised, O Commander of the Faithful!" the man replied; "but has any one shown so much avarice as thou? Allâh constituted thee guardian of the affairs and possessions of the Faithful; but thou hast neglected their concerns, and hast devoted thyself to the accumulation of their wealth. And thou hast established between thyself and thy subjects a barrier of plaster and bricks and armed