Page:The Perfumed Garden - Burton - 1886.djvu/50

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The story goes, and God knows its truth, that there was once a powerful king who had a large kingdom, armies and allies. His name was Ali ben Direme.

One night, not being able to sleep at all, he called his vizir, the chief of police, and the commander of his guards. They presented themselves before him without delay, and he ordered them to arm themselves with their swords. They did so at once, and asked him, "What news is there?"

He told them. "The sleep will not come to me; I wish to walk through the town to-night, and I must have you ready to my hand during my round."

"To hear is to obey," they said.

The King then went, saying: "In the name of God! and may the blessing of the prophet be with us, and benediction and mercy be with him."

His suite followed, and accompanied him everywhere from street to street.

So they went on, when they heard a noise in one of the streets, and saw a man in the most violent passion stretched on the ground, face downwards, beating his breast with a stone and crying, "Ah there is no longer any justice here below! Is there nobody who will tell the King what is going on in his states?" And he repeated incessantly: "There is no longer any justice! she has disappeared and the whole world is in mourning."

The King said to his attendants, "Bring this man to