Page:The Perfumed Garden - Burton - 1886.djvu/51

Rh me quietly, and be careful not to frighten him." They went to him, took him by the hand, and said to him, "Rise and have no fear—no harm will come to you."

To which the man made answer, "You tell me that I shall not come to harm, and have nothing to be afraid of, and still you do not bid me welcome! And you know that the welcome of a believer is a warrant of security and forgiveness. Then, if the believer does not welcome the believer there is certainly ground for fear." He then got up, and went with them towards the King.

The King stood still, hiding his face with his kaik, as also did his attendants. The latter had their swords in their hands, and leant upon them.

When the man had come close to the King, he said, "Hail be with you, O man!" The King answered, "I return your hail, O man!" Then the man, "Why say you 'O man?'" The King, "And why did you say 'O man?'" "It is because I do not know your name." "And likewise I do not know yours!"

The King then asked him, "What mean those words I have heard: 'Ah! there is no more justice here below! Nobody tells the King what is going on in his states!' Tell me what has happened to you." "I shall tell it only to that man that can avenge me and free me from oppression and shame, if it so please the Almighty God!"

The King said to him, "May God place me at your disposal for your revenge and deliverance from oppression and shame?"