Pagina 304 di 1116

Then my torture of scruples[FN#191] grew upon me till I well nigh

went mad, and I found no way to dispel my grief save travel and

return to my father. So I set out and journeyed homeward; but as

I was entering my father's capital a crowd of rioters sprang upon

me and pinioned me.[FN#192] I wondered thereat with all

wonderment, seeing that I was the son of the Sultan, and these

men were my father's subjects and amongst them were some of my

own slaves. A great fear fell upon me, and I said to my

soul,[FN#193] "Would heaven I knew what hath happened to my

father!" I questioned those that bound me of the cause of their

doing, but they returned me no answer.