Page:Three crump twin brothers of Damascus (1).pdf/14

14 the Caliph Watik-billah, for it was he himself, that b the adventure of Haroun rrefchid, his grandfather, walked out very often in the night time in the streets of Bagdad to see what passed, and to be capable of making a judgement himself how the people like his government; this Caliph, I say, who was disguised like a merchant, was in the utmost surprise at these words of the porter's: he had been out that night with his prime Viziar, and having met a fisherman he asked him whither he went; I am going answered he, to draw up my nets, which I have left ever since yesterday morning in the Tygris. And what will you do with the fish you catch! replied the Caliph Tomorrow, said he, I will go fell it in the market of Bagdad, to help to maintain my wife and three children. Will you bargain with me for your whole draught? replied Watik-billah. With all my heart, answered the fisherman. Well, said the Caliph, there are ten sequins of gold for it; will that satisfy you? the fisherman was so amazed at such a piece of generosity, that he almost imagined he was in a dream: but putting the sequins in his pocket, my lord replied he transported if I were to have as much for every draught I should soon be richer and more powerful than the sovereign commander of the faithful.

The Caliph smiled at this comparison: he went to the shore of the Tygris, entered into the fishermans boat and, with his Viziar, having helped him to draw up his nets, he was very much amazed at finding in them the two little crumps of Damascus, and a lack in which was the third.

A adventure so surprising, struck him with admiration. Since this draught belongs to me, said he to the fisherman, who was as much surprised as himself, I am resolved to carry it home