Page:Tales from the Arabic, Vol 1.djvu/298



When it was eventide, the king summoned the vizier and sought of him the story of the Kingking [sic] and the Tither,tither, [sic] and he said, “Know, O king, that STORY OF THE UNJUST KING AND THE TITHER.

There was once a king of the kings of the earth, who dwelt in a populous city, abounding in good; but he oppressed its people and used them foully, so that he ruined the city; and he was named none other than tyrant and misdoer. Now he was wont, whenas he heard of a masterful man in another land, to send after him and tempt him with money to take service with him; and there was a certain tither, who exceeded all his brethren in oppression of the people and foulness of dealing. So the king sent after him and when he stood before him, he found him a mighty man and said to him, ‘Thou hast been praised to me, but meseemeth thou overpassest the description. Set out to me somewhat of thy sayings and doings, so I may be dispensed therewith from [enquiring into] all thy circumstance.’ ‘With all my heart,’ answered the other. ‘Know, O king, that I oppress the folk and people the land, whilst other than I wasteth it and peopleth it not.’

VOL. I.