Page:Tales from the Arabic, Vol 3.djvu/177

 SHEHRZAD AND SHEHRIYAR. When King Shehriyar heard this story, he came to himself and awaking from his drunkenness, said, “By Allah, this story is my story and this case is my case, for that indeed I was in wrath and [danger of] punishment till thou turnedst me back from this into the right way, extolled be the perfection of the Causer of causes and the Liberator of necks! Indeed, O Shehrzad,” continued he, “thou hast awakened me unto many things and hast aroused me from mine ignorance.”

Then said she to him, “O chief of the kings, the wise say, ‘The kingship is a building, whereof the troops are the foundation,’ and whenas the foundation is strong, the building endureth; wherefore it behoveth the king to strengthen the foundation, for that they say, ‘Whenas the foundation is weak, the building falleth.’ On like wise it behoveth the king to care for his troops and do