XXIII

One of King Umraw-layas's slaves had absconded, and people that went
after him brought him back. The vizir, who had a dislike to him, used
his interest to have him put to death, that the other slaves (as he
pretended) might not commit the same offence. The poor slave fell at
Umraw-layas's feet, and said: "Whatever may befall me, if thou approve
of it, it is so far proper. What plea can a vassal offer against his
lord and master's decree?--Nevertheless, inasmuch as I am the nurtured
gift of this house, I could not wish that on the last day's reckoning my
blood should stand charged to your account. If, at all events, you are
resolved to put this your slave to death, let it be done with a plea of
legality, that you may not be censured at the day of resurrection." The
king asked, "How can I set up a legal plea?" He replied, "Issue your
command that I may kill the vizir, then give an order to put me to death
in retaliation for him, that you may kill me according to law!" The king
smiled and asked the vizir, "What is your advice in this case?" The
vizir said, "O sovereign of the world! I beg, for the sake of God, that
you will manumit this audacious fellow as a propitiation at the tomb of
your forefathers, lest he also involve me in calamity. The fault was on
my side, in not doing justice to the saying of the wise, who have warned
us:--'When thou didst enter the lists with a practised slinger, in thy
want of skill thou exposest thine own head to be broken. When thou didst
discharge thine arrow at thy antagonist's face thou shouldst have been
upon thy guard, for thou hadst become his butt.'"


XXIV