When it was the sixth day, the wrath of the Wazirs redoubled, because they had not won their will of the youth and they feared for their lives from the liege lord; so three of them went in to him and, prostrating themselves before him, said to him, "O king, indeed we are loyal counsellors to your dignity and fondly solicitous for your well-being. Truly, you persists long in leaving this youth alive and we know not what is your advantage within it. Every day finds him yet on life and the talk of folk redoubles suspicion on you; so do you put him to death, that the talk may be made an end of." When the king heard this speech, he said, "By God, truly you say truth and speak rightly!" Then he bade them bring the young treasurer and when he came into the presence said to him, "How long shall I look into your case, and find no helper for you and see them athirst for your blood?"

The Story Of King Bakhtzaman. 75

The youth answered, "O king, I hope for succour only from Allah, not from created beings: if He aid me, none shall have power to harm me, and if He be with me and on my side, because of the truth, from whom shall I fear, because of untruth? Indeed, I have made my intent with Allah a pure and sincere intent, and I have severed my expectation from the help of created things; and whoever seeks aid of Allah finds of his desire that which Bakhtzamán found." The king said, "Who was Bakhtzaman and what is his story?" and the youth said, "Hear, O king,