Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 7.djvu/78

60 them, warbling one to the other in all manner voices and notes.

When the people of Egypt came to this terrible array, they were adread of them and dared not proceed; but Asef said to them, ‘Pass on amidst them and fear them not: for they are subjects of Solomon son of David, and none of them will harm you.’ So saying, he entered between the ranks, followed by all the folk and amongst them the Vizier of Egypt and his company, fearful: and they ceased not to fare on till they reached the city, where they lodged the embassy in the guest-house and entertained them sumptuously, entreating them with the utmost honour, for the space of three days.

Then they carried them before Solomon, prophet of God (on whom be peace!), and they would have kissed the earth before him; but he forbade them, saying, ‘It befits not that a man prostrate himself save to God (to whom belong might and majesty!), Creator of heaven and earth and all other things; wherefore, whosoever of you hath a mind to stand, let him stand, but let none stand to do me worship.’ So they obeyed him and the Vizier Faris and some of his servants sat down, whilst certain of the lesser sort stood to wait on him. When they had sat awhile, the servants spread the tables and they all, men and beasts, ate till they had enough.

Then Solomon bade Faris expound his errand, that it might be accomplished, saying, ‘Speak and conceal nothing of that on account whereof thou art come; for I know wherefore ye come and what is your errand. It is thus and thus.’ And he told him that which had passed between himself and his master, King Aasim; after which he said to him, ‘Is this that I have told thee the truth, O vizier?’ [sic] ‘O prophet of God,’ replied Faris, ‘this thou hast said is indeed truth and verity; but none was with the king and myself, when we discoursed of this mattermatter, [sic]