nd each delivered his opinion according to the best of his
judgment. In like manner the king also delivered his sentiments, and
Abu-zarchamahr, the prime minister, accorded in opinion with him. The
other ministers whispered him, saying, "What did you see superior in the
king's opinion that you preferred it to the judgment of so many wise
heads?" He replied: "Because the event is doubtful, and the opinion of
all rests in the pleasure of the most high God whether it shall be right
or wrong. Accordingly it is safer to conform with the judgment of the
king, because if that shall prove wrong, our obsequiousness to his will
shall secure us from his displeasure.--To sport an opinion contrary to
the judgment of the king were to wash our hands in our own blood. Were
he verily to say this day is night, it would behoove us to reply: Lo!
there are the moon and seven stars."

XXXII

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 a