Pagina 314 de 1116

Now when my son saw that I separated them, he secretly built this

souterrain and furnished it and transported to it victuals, even

as thou seest; and, when I had gone out a-sporting, came here

with his sister and hid from me. Then His righteous judgment fell

upon the twain and consumed them with fire from Heaven; and

verily the last judgment will deal them durer pains and more

enduring!" Then he wept and I wept with him; and he looked at me

and said, "Thou art my son in his stead." And I bethought me

awhile of the world and of its chances, how the Wazir had slain

my father and had taken his place and had put out my eye; and how

my cousin had come to his death by the strangest chance: and I

wept again and my uncle wept with me. Then we mounted the steps

and let down the iron plate and heaped up the earth over it; and,

after restoring the tomb to its former condition, we returned to

the palace.