When it was the seventh day, the seventh Wazir, whose name was Bihkamál, came in to the king and prostrating himself to him, said, "O king, what does your long suffering with this youth profit you? Indeed the folk talk of you and of him. Why, then, do you postpone the putting him to death?" The Minister's words aroused the anger of the king, and he bade bring the youth. So they fetched him before him in fetters and Azadbakht said to him, "Ho, woe to you! By God, after this day there abides no deliverance for you from my hand, by reason that you have outraged mine honour,

The Story Of King Bihkard. 79 and there can be no forgiveness for you." The youth replied, "O king, there is no great forgiveness save in case of a great default, for according as the offence is great, in so much magnified is mercy; and it is no grace to the like of you if he spares the like of me. Truly, Allah knows that there is no crime in me, and indeed He commands to clemency, and no clemency is greater than that which spares from slaughter, for your pardon of him whom you intend to put to death is as the quickening of a dead man; and whoever does evil shall find it before him, even as it was with King Bihkard." The king asked, "And what is the story of King Bihkard?" And the youth answered, "Hear, O king,