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Story CVIII

with some of his courtiers had, during a hunting-party in the winter season, strayed far from inhabited places, but, when the night set in, he perceived the house of a Dehqân, and said: "We shall spend the night there, to avoid the injury of the cold." One of the viziers, however, objected, alleging that it was unworthy of the high dignity of a Pâdshâh to take refuge in the house of a Dehqân, and that it would be best to pitch tents and to light fires on the spot.

The Dehqân, who had become aware of what was taking place, prepared some food he had ready in his house, offered it, kissed the ground of service, and said: "The high dignity of the Sultâ would not have been so lowered, but they [i.e. the courtiers] did not wish the dignity of the Dehqân to become high."

The King, who was pleased with these words, moved for the night into the man's house and bestowed a dress of honour upon him the next morning. When he accompanied the King a few paces at the departure, he was heard to say: "Nothing was lost of the Sultân's power and pomp by accepting the hospitality of a Dehqân, but the corner of the Dehqân's cap reached the sun when a Sultân such as thou overshadowed his head." Ā