Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 8.djvu/229

217 they have instructed him therein, so that he surpasseth all who have foregone him in this. What sayst thou, O Shimas?’

The vizier prostrated himself before God (to whom belong might and majesty) and kissed the king’s hand, saying, ‘The ruby, though it be embedded in the solid rock, cannot but shine as a lamp, and this thy son is such a jewel; his tender age hath not hindered him from becoming a sage and praised be God for that which He hath bestowed on him! But to-morrow I will call an assembly of the flower of the amirs and men of learning and examine the prince and cause him speak forth that which is with him in their presence.’

So the king commanded the attendance of the keenest-witted and most accomplished of the erudite and learned and sages of his dominions, and they all presented themselves on the morrow at the door of the palace, whereupon the king bade admit them. Then entered Shimas and kissed the hands of the prince, who rose and prostrated himself to him: but Shimas said, ‘It behoveth not the lion-whelp to prostrate himself to any of the beasts, nor is it seemly that light prostrate itself to darkness.’ Quoth the prince, ‘When the lion-whelp sees the leopard, he prostrates himself to him, because of his wisdom, and light prostrates itself to darkness for the purpose of showing forth that which is therewithin.’ Quoth Shimas, ‘True, O my lord; but I would have thee answer me that whereof I shall ask thee, by leave of his highness and his folk.’ And the youth said, ‘With [my father’s] permission, I will answer thee.’

So Shimas began and said, ‘What is the Eternal, the Absolute, and what are the two essences thereof and whether of the two is the abiding one?’ ‘God,’ answered the prince, ‘(to whom belong might and majesty,) is the