Page:Sacred Books of the East - Volume 9.djvu/108

92 Said he, ‘ Bring it, if thou art of those who tell the truth !’

And he threw down his rod, and, behold, it was an obvious serpent ! and he plucked out his hand, and, behold, it was white to the spectators !

He said to the chiefs around him, ‘ Verily, this is a knowing sorcerer, he desires to turn you out of your land ! what is it then ye bid ?’

They said, ‘ Give him and his brother some hope, and send into the cities to collect and bring to thee every knowing sorcerer.’

And the sorcerers assembled at the appointed time on a stated day, and it was said to the people, ‘ Are ye assembled ? haply we may follow the sorcerers if we gain the upper hand.’

And when the sorcerers came they said to Pharaoh, ‘ Shall we, verily, have a hire if we gain the upper hand ?’ Said he, ‘ Yes ; and, verily, ye shall then be of those who are nigh (my throne).’ And Moses said to them, ‘ Throw down what ye have to throw down.’ So they threw down their ropes and their rods and said, ‘ By Pharaoh’s might, verily, we it is who shall gain the upper hand !’

And Moses threw down his rod, and, lo, it swallowed up what they falsely devised!

And the sorcerers threw themselves down, adoring. Said they, ‘ We believe in the Lord of the worlds, the Lord of Moses and Aaron !’ Said he, ‘Do ye believe in Him ere I give you leave ? Verily, he is your chief who has taught you sorcery, but soon ye shall know. I will surely cut off your hands and your feet from opposite sides, and I will crucify you all together !’