Bagh O Bahar, or Tales of the Four Darweshes by Mir Amman of Dihli
page 72 of 305 (23%)
page 72 of 305 (23%)
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said, 'If you do not carry me in the way I wish, then I will go of
myself to the king, and say, this old man concealed me in a cave in the mountains,' The old man smiled and said, 'If I am to receive evil for good, then hard will be my fate.' During this conversation, other men arrived, and a crowd assembled [around them]; perceiving the person they saw to be _Hatim_, they instantly seized him and carried him along; the old man also, a little in the rear, followed them in silent grief. When they brought _Hatim_ before _Naufal_, he asked, 'Who has seized and brought him here?' A worthless, hard-hearted [boaster] answered, 'Who could have performed such a deed except myself? This achievement belongs to my name, and I have planted the standard [of glory] in the sky.' Another vaunting fellow clamoured, 'I searched for him many days in the woods, and caught him at last, and have brought him here; have some consideration for my labour, and give me what has been promised.' In this manner, from avidity for the [promised] pieces of gold, every one said he had done the deed. The old man, in silence, sat apart in a corner, and heard all their boastings, and wept for _Hatim_. When each had recounted his act of bravery and enterprise, then _Hatim_ said to the king, 'If you ask for the truth, then it is this; that old man, who stands aloof from all, has brought me here; if you can judge from appearances, then ascertain the fact, and give him for my seizure what you have promised; for in the whole body the tongue [199] is a most sacred [member]. It is incumbent upon a man to perform what he has promised; for in other respects God has given tongues to brutes likewise; then what would have been the difference between a man and other animals?' "_Naufal_ called the old wood-cutter near him, and said, 'Tell the truth; what is the real state of the matter; who has seized and brought _Hatim_ here?' The honest fellow related truly all that had |
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