Pagina 500 di 1116

The Caliph examined it and lifted it finding it weighty; so he

gave the fisherman two hundred dinars and sent him about his

business; whilst Masrur, aided by the Caliph, carried the chest

to the palace and set it down and lighted the candles. Ja'afar

and Masrur then broke it open and found therein a basket of

palm-leaves corded with red worsted. This they cut open and saw

within it a piece of carpet which they lifted out, and under it

was a woman's mantilla folded in four, which they pulled out; and

at the bottom of the chest they came upon a young lady, fair as a

silver ingot, slain and cut into nineteen pieces. When the Caliph

looked upon her he cried, "Alas!" and tears ran down his cheeks

and turning to Ja'afar he said, "O dog of Wazirs, [FN#354] shall

folk be murdered in our reign and be cast into the river to be a

burden and a responsibility for us on the Day of Doom?