Seite 183 von 1116

Replied King Yunan, "Thou hast spoken sooth, O Wazir, it may well

be as thou hintest O my well advising Minister; and belike this

Sage hath come as a spy searching to put me to death; for

assuredly if he cured me by a something held in my hand, he can

kill me by a something given me to smell." Then asked King Yunan,

"O Minister, what must be done with him?" and the Wazir answered,

"Send after him this very instant and summon him to thy presence;

and when he shall come strike him across the neck; and thus shalt

thou rid thyself of him and his wickedness, and deceive him ere

he can deceive thee." 'Thou hast again spoken sooth, O Wazir,"

said the King and sent one to call the Sage who came in joyful

mood for he knew not what had appointed for him the

Compassionate; as a certain poet saith by way of illustration:-