Pagina 199 di 1116

Thereupon the pillar of smoke rose up till all of it was fully

out; then it thickened and once more became an Ifrit of hideous

presence, who forthright administered a kick to the bottle and

sent it flying into the sea. The Fisherman, seeing how the

cucurbit was treated and making sure of his own death, piddled in

his clothes and said to himself, "This promiseth badly;" but he

fortified his heart, and cried, "O Ifrit, Allah hath

said[FN#103]:-Perform your covenant; for the performance of your

covenant shall be inquired into hereafter. Thou hast made a vow

to me and hast sworn an oath not to play me false lest Allah play

thee false, for verily he is a jealous God who respiteth the

sinner, but letteth him not escape.