Page:Tales from the Arabic, Vol 3.djvu/240

218 is the king, mighty of estate and high of dominion!” And he proceedeth to praise him on this wise and endeth by saying, “This is the king, lord of the crown the like whereof nor Solomon nor Mihraj possessed!” Then is he silent, whilst he who is behind the king proclaimeth and saith, “He shall die! He shall die! And again I say, he shall die!” And the other rejoineth, saying, “Extolled be the perfection of the Living One who dieth not!” And by reason of his justice and judgment and understanding, there is no Cadi in his [capital] city; but all the people of his realm distinguish truth from falsehood and know [and practise] truth and right for themselves.’

The Khalif marvelled at my speech and said, ‘How great is this king! Indeed, his letter testifieth of him; and as for the magnificence of his dominion, thou hast acquainted us with that which thou hast seen; so, by Allah, he hath been given both wisdom and dominion.’