Pagina 144 van 1116

Then raising his eyes heavenwards he said, "O my God![FN#62]

verily Thou wottest that I cast not my net each day save four

times[FN#63]; the third is done and as yet Thou hast vouchsafed

me nothing. So this time, O my God, deign give me my daily

bread." Then, having called on Allah's name,[FN#64] he again

threw his net and waited its sinking and settling; whereupon he

haled at it but could not draw it in for that it was entangled at

the bottom. He cried out in his vexation "There is no Majesty and

there is no Might save in Allah!" and he began reciting:-

Fie on this wretched world, an so it be * I must be whelmed by

grief and misery: Tho' gladsome be man's lot when dawns the morn

* He drains the cup of woe ere eve he see: Yet was I one of whom

the world when asked * "Whose lot is happiest?" oft would say

"'Tis he!"