neither the right hand nor the left, but the middle path. Follow
this for a day and a night. Then you will come to a column on
which is a marble slab inscribed with Cufic characters. Do what
is written there; beware of disobedience.' Then he gave his good
wishes for the journey and his blessing, and the prince kissed
his [Bet, said good-bye, and, with thanks to the Causer of
Causes, took the road.

After a day and a night he saw the column rise in silent beauty
to the heavens. Everything was as the wise old man had said it
would be, and the prince, who was skilled in all tongues, read
the following Cufic inscription: 'O travellers! be it known to
you that this column has been set up with its tablet to give true
directions about these roads. If a man would pass his life in
ease and pleasantness, let him take the right-hand path. If he
take the left, he will have some trouble, but he will reach his
goal without much delay. Woe to him who chooses the middle path!
if he had a thousand lives he would not save one; it is very
hazardous; it leads to the Caucasus, and is an endless road.
Beware of it!'

The prince read and bared his head and lifted his hands in
supplication to Him who has no needs, and prayed, 'O Friend of
the traveller! I, Thy servant, come to Thee for succour. My
purpose lies in the land of Qaf and my road is full of peril.
Lead me by it.' Then he took a handful of earth and cast it on
his collar, and said: 'O earth! be thou my grave; and O vest! tee
thou my winding-sheet!' Then he took the middle road and went
along it, day after day, with many a silent prayer, till he saw
trees rise from the weary waste of sand. They grew in a garden,