er
be done--that I should deliver over thee to thine enemy for the
sake of my own avarice. In a few days I shall spend the [promised]
wealth, and how long shall I live? I must die at last; then what
answer shall I give to God?' _Hatim_ implored him greatly, and said,
'Take me along with thee--I say so of my own pleasure; I have ever
desired that, should my wealth and life be of use to some one or other
[of my fellow creatures], then so much the better.' But the old man
could not in any way be persuaded to carry _Hatim_ along with him, and
receive the [proclaimed reward. At last, becoming hopeless, _Hatim_
said, 'If you do not carry me in the way I wish, then I will go of
myself to the king, and say, this old man concealed me in a cave
in the mountains,' The old man smiled and said, 'If I am to receive
evil for good, then hard will be my fate.' During this conversation,
other men arrived, and a crowd assembled [around them]; perceiving the
person they saw to be _Hatim_, they instantly seized him and carried
him along; the old man also, a little in the rear, followed them in
silent grief. When they brought _Hatim_ before _Naufal_, he asked,
'Who has seized and brought him here?' A worthless, hard-hearted
[boaster] answered, 'Who could have performed such a deed except
myself? This achievement belongs to my name, and I have planted the
standard [of glory] in the sky.' Another vaunting fellow clamoured,
'I searched for him many days in the woods, and caught him at last,
and have brought him here; have some consideration for my labour,
and give me what has been promised.' In this manner, from avidity
for the [promised] pieces of gold, every one said he had done the
deed. The old man, in silence, sat apart in a corner, and heard all
their boastings, and wept for _Hatim_. When each had recounted his
act of bravery and enterprise, then _Hatim_ said to the king, 'If you
ask for the truth, then it is this; that old man, who stands aloof
from all, has brought me here; if you can judge from appearances,
then ascertain the fact, and give him for my seizure what you have
promised; for in the whole body the tongue [199] is a most sacred
[member]. It is incumbent upon a man to perform what he has promised;
for in other respects God has given tongues to brutes likewise; then
what would have been the difference between a man and other animals?'

"_Naufal_ called the old wood-cutter near him, and said, 'Tell the
truth; what is the real s