Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/300

Rh and the virtuous draw not nigh me nor enter my presence?"

The man replied, "O Commander of the Faithful! open thy door, and cast down the barrier, and succour the oppressed, and exact only such money as is right and proper, and distribute it with justice and equity; and I will be surety that he who has fled will return to thee."

Then said el-Mansûr, "We will do this if it please the Most High God."

And at this moment came the Muazh-zhin calling to prayers. So el-Mansûr rose and prayed; and when his prayer was ended, he sought the man, but found him not. So he said to the chief of his guard, "Bring the man instantly to me."

And the chief of the guard went out seeking him, and found him at the el-Yémeny corner, and said to him, "The Commander of the Faithful requires thee."

"It is impossible for me to come," he replied.

"If thou dost not," said the other, "he will cut off my head."

But the man answered, "It is also impossible that he should cut off thy head."

Then he drew a piece of inscribed parchment out