Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 6.djvu/152

128 Muraash, King of the Jinn, and will be with you anon.’ When Gherib’s men knew that he was safe and well, they rejoiced greatly and said to the Marids, ‘May God rejoice you with good news, O noble spirits!’ So Courjan and Kailjan returned to Muraash and Gherib and acquainted them with that which had happened, whereat Gherib’s heart was set at ease and he said, ‘May God abundantly requite you!’

Then said King Muraash, ‘O my brother, I have a mind to show thee our country and the city of Japhet son of Noah, on whom be peace!’ ‘O King,’ replied Gherib, ‘do what seemeth good to thee.’ So he called for horses and mounting, he and Gherib and Sehim, set out with a thousand Marids, as they were a piece of a mountain cut endlong. They fared on, diverting themselves with the sight of valleys and mountains, till they came to the city of Japhet son of Noah (on whom be peace), where the townsfolk all, great and small, came forth to meet King Muraash and brought them into the city in great state. Then Muraash went up to the palace of Japhet son of Noah and sat down on the throne of his kingship, which was of alabaster, ten stages high, hung with all manner coloured silks and trellised with wands of gold. The people of the city stood before him and he said to them, ‘O descendants of Japhet, what did your fathers and grandfathers worship?’ Quoth they, ‘We found them worshipping the fire and followed their example, as thou well knowest.’ ‘O folk,’ rejoined Muraash, ‘it hath been manifested to us that the fire is but one of the creatures of God the Most High, Creator of all things; and when we knew this, we submitted ourselves to God, the One, the All-powerful Maker of night and day and the revolving sphere, whom no sight comprehendeth, but who comprehendeth all sights, for He is the Subtle, the All-wise. So do ye likewise, and ye shall be saved from the wrath