صفحة 151 من 1116

We wrought them weal, they met our weal with ill; * Such, by my

life! is every bad man's labour: To him who benefits unworthy

wights * Shall hap what inapt to Ummi Amir's neighbor.[FN#73]"

Now when the Ifrit heard these words he answered, "No more of

this talk, needs must I kill thee." Upon this the Fisherman said

to himself, "This is a Jinni; and I am a man to whom Allah hath

given a passably cunning wit, so I will now cast about to compass

his destruction by my contrivance and by mine intelligence; even

as he took counsel only of his malice and his

frowardness."[FN#74] He began by asking the Ifrit, "Hast thou

indeed resolved to kill me?" and, receiving for all answer, "Even

so," he cried, "Now in the Most Great Name, graven on the seal

ring of Sulayman the Son of David (peace be with the holy

twain!), an I question thee on a certain matter wilt thou give me

a true answer?" The Ifrit replied "Yea;" but, hearing mention of

the Most Great Name, his wits were troubled and he said with

trembling, "Ask and be brief." Quoth the Fisherman, "How didst

thou fit into this bottle which would not hold thy hand; no, nor

even thy foot, and how came it to be large enough to contain the

whole of thee?" Replied the Ifrit, "What!