Page:Sacred Books of the East - Volume 9.djvu/119

ⅩⅩⅦ, 40-48. turn.’ And when he saw it settled down beside him, he said, ‘ This is of my Lord’s grace, that He may try me whether I am grateful or ungrateful, and he who is grateful is only grateful for his own soul, and he who is ungrateful, — verily, my Lord is rich and generous.’

Said he, ‘ Disguise for her her throne ; let us see whether she is guided, or whether she is of those who are not guided.’ And when she came it was said, ‘ Was thy throne like this ?’ She said, ‘ It might be it ;’ and we were given knowledge before her, but we were resigned.

But that which she served beside God turned her away ; verily, she was of the unbelieving people. And it was said to her, ‘ Enter the court ;’ and when she saw it, she reckoned it to be an abyss of water, and she uncovered her legs. Said he, ‘ Verily, it is a court paved with glass!’ Said she, ‘ My Lord ! verily, I have wronged myself, but I am resigned with Solomon to God the Lord of the worlds !’

And we sent unto Thamûd their brother Zâliʿh, ‘ Serve God;’ but behold, they were two parties who contended !

Said he, ‘ O my people ! why do ye hasten on evil acts before good deeds ? why do ye not ask forgiveness of God ? haply ye may obtain mercy.’ They said, ‘ We have taken an augury concerning thee and those who are with thee.’ Said he, ‘ Your augury is in God’s hands ; nay, but ye are a people who are tried !’