Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 9.djvu/390

356 exclaimed, “Would I had died before this hour!” but dared not disobey and repaired to Jaafer’s tent, where he found him carousing and acquainted him with his dreadful errand. Jaafer prevailed upon the messenger, who, like all the world, was indebted to him for many a favour, to return to the Khalif and tell him that he had put him to death. “If he expresses regret,” said the Vizier, “I shall owe you my life; and if not, God’s will be done.” Yasir accordingly returned, leaving Jaafer without the tent, to Er Reshid, who said to him, “Well?” Whereupon he told him what had passed between himself and the Vizier. “Vile wretch,” cried the Khalif, making use of the foulest imprecation known to the Arabs, “if thou answer me another word, I will send thee before him to the next world!” The page accordingly went out and striking off Jaafer’s head, carried it to Er Reshid, who looked at it awhile, then bade him fetch two persons whom he named and whom, on their appearance, he commanded to strike off Yasir’s head, alleging, with characteristic hypocrisy, that he could not bear the sight of Jaafer’s murderer.

Before giving the order for Jaafer’s execution, Er Reshid had despatched an express to his chief of the police at Baghdad, bidding him seize Yehya and Fezl, before the news got wind, and cast them into the Hebs ez Zenadikeh at Baghdad, and after secure the persons of their brothers, sons, grandchildren and all their other relatives and connections, even to their clerks. The