Page:The Perfumed Garden - Burton - 1886.djvu/53

Rh house with lofty doors, the walls being on all sides high and inaccessible.

They examined the walls, looking for a place where they might be scaled, but with no result. To their surprise they found the house to be as close as a breastplate.

The King turned to the man and asked him, "What is your name?"

"Omar ben Isad," he replied.

The King said to him, "Omar, are you demented?"

"Yes, my brother," answered he, "if it so pleases God on high!" And turning to the King he added, "May God assist you to-night!"

Then the King, addressing his attendants, said, "Are you determined? Is there one amongst you who could scale these walls?"

"Impossible!" they all replied.

Then said the King, "I myself will scale this wall, so please God on high! but by means of an expedient for which I require your assistance, and if you lend me the same I shall scale the wall, if it pleases God on high."

They said, "What is there to be done?"

"Tell me," said the King, "who is the strongest amongst you." They replied, "The chief of the police, who is your chaouch."

The King said, "And who next?"

"The commander of the guards."

"And after him, who?" asked the King.

"The Grand Vizir."

Omar listened with astonishment. He knew now that it was the King, and his joy was great.

The King said, "Who is there yet?"

Omar replied, "I, O my master."