Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 8.djvu/240

228 in the king’s sight?’ (A.) ‘By the performance of the trust of loyal counsel and sound judgment committed to him and the execution of his commandments.’ (Q.) ‘As for that which thou sayst of the vizier’s duty to avoid the king’s wrath and perform his wishes and apply himself diligently to the due execution of that wherewith he charges him, that is a matter of course: but how, if the king’s whole pleasure be in tyranny and the practice of oppression and extortion, and what shall the vizier do, if he be afflicted with the frequentation of this unjust king? If he strive to turn him from his lust and his desire, he cannot avail unto this, and if he follow him in his lusts and flatter him with false counsel, he assumes the responsibility of this and becomes an enemy to the people. What sayst thou of this?’ (A.) ‘What thou sayst, O vizier, of his responsibility and sin, arises only in the case of his abetting the king in his wrong-doing; but it behoves the vizier, when the king takes counsel with him of the like of this, to show forth to him the way of justice and equity and caution him against tyranny and oppression and expound to him the principles of good government, alluring him with the reward that pertains to this and restraining him with warning of the punishment that he incurs [in following his perverse inclinations]. If the king incline to his words, his end is gained, and if not, there is nothing for it but that he depart from him on courteous wise, for that in separation is ease for each of them.’ (Q.) ‘What are the duties of the king to his subjects and of the latter to the king?’ (A.) ‘They shall do what he orders them with a pure intent and obey him in that which pleases him and pleases God and His apostle. It is the king’s duty to protect their possessions and guard their women, even as it is their duty to hearken unto him and obey him and expend their lives freely in his defence and give him his lawful due and praise him