An impostor plaited his hair and spake, saying, "I am a descendant of
Ali;" and he entered the city along with the caravan from Hijaz, saying,
"I come a pilgrim from Mecca;" and he presented a Casidah or elegy to
the king, saying, "I have composed it!" The king gave him money, treated
him with respect, and ordered him to be shown much flattering attention;
till one of the courtiers, who had that day returned from a voyage at
sea, said, "I saw him on the Eeduzha, or anniversary of sacrifice at
Busrah; how then can he be a Haji, or pilgrim?" Another said, "Now I
recollect him, his father was a Christian at Malatiyah (Malta); how then
can he be a descendant of Ali?" And they discovered his verses in the
divan of Anwari. The king ordered that they should beat and drive him
away, saying, "How came you to utter so many falsehoods?" He replied, "O
sovereign of the universe! I will utter one speech more, and if that may
not prove true, I shall deserve whatever punishment you may command."
The king asked, "What may that be?" He said: "If a peasant bring thee a
cup of junket, two measures of it will be water and one spoonful of it
buttermilk. If thy slave spake idly be not offended, for great
travellers deal most in the marvellous!" The king smiled and replied,
"You never in your life spake a truer word." He directed them to gratify
his expectations, and he departed happy and content.


XXXIII

They have related that one of the vizirs would compassionate the weak
and meditate the good of everybody. He happened to fall under the royal
displeasure, and they all strove to obtain his release. Such as had him
in custody were indulgent in their restraint, and his fellow-grandees
were loud in proclaiming his virtues, till the king pardoned his fault.