Page:The Way of a Virgin.djvu/127

Rh will advance thee yet farther in honour and favour and largesse; and I will make thee Wazir, for all thy tender age, even as the folk made me Sultan over them and I no older than thou...."

When Kamar al-Zaman heard these words, he was abashed and his cheeks flushed till they seemed aflame; and he said:

"I need not these favours which lead to the commission of sin; I will live poor in wealth but wealthy in virtue and honour."

Quoth she:

"I am not to be duped by thy scruples, arising from prudery and coquetish ways; and Allah bless him who saith:—

"To him I spake of coupling, but he said to me, How long this noyous long persistency?'

But when gold piece I showëd him, he cried, 'Who from the Almighty Sovereign e'er shall flee?"'

Now when Kamar al-Zaman heard these words and understood her verses and their import, he said:

"O King, I have not the habit of these doings, nor have I strenght to bear these heavy burthens for which elder age than I proved unable; then how will it be with my tender age?"

But she smiled at his speech and retorted:

"Indeed, it is a matter right marvellous how error springeth from the disorder of man's intendiment! Since thou art a boy, why standest thou in fear of sin or the doing of things forbidden, seeing that thou art not yet come to the years of canonical responsibility; and the offences of a child incur neither punishment nor reproof? Verily, thou hast committed thyself to a quibble for the sake of