Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 6.djvu/220

192 up his lodging in the government house and bade take security for Ikrimeh and that he should be called to account. So an account was taken against him and he was found to be in default for much money, whereupon Khuzeimeh required him of payment; but he said, ‘I have no means of paying aught.’ Quoth Khuzeimeh, ‘It must be paid;’ and Ikrimeh answered, saying, ‘I have it not; do what thou hast to do.’ So Khuzeimeh ordered him to prison and sent to him again, to demand payment of the money; but he replied, ‘I am not of those who preserve their wealth at the expense of their honour; do what thou wilt.’ Then Khuzeimeh bade load him with irons and kept him in prison a month or more, till imprisonment began to tell upon him and he became wasted.

After this, news of his plight came to his wife, who was sore troubled thereat and sending for a freedwoman of hers, a woman of great wit and judgment, said to her, ‘Go forthwith to the Amir Khuzeimeh’s gate and say, “I have a counsel for the Amir.” If they ask what it is, say, “I will not tell it save to himself;” and when thou winnest to him, ask to see him in private and say to him, “What is this thou hast done? Hath Jabir Athrat el Kiram deserved of thee no better requital than to be cast into strait prison and laden with irons?”’ The woman did as she was bidden, and when Khuzeimeh heard her words, he cried out at the top of his voice, saying, ‘Alas, the shame of it! Was it indeed he?’ And she answered, ‘Yes.’ Then he bade saddle his beast forthright and summoning the chief men of the city, repaired with them to the prison and opening the door, went in with them to Ikrimeh, whom they found sitting in evil case, worn out and wasted with blows and misery. When he saw Khuzeimeh, he was abashed and hung his head; but the other bent down to him and kissed his face; whereupon he raised his head and said, ‘What maketh thee do this?’