一千零一夜-天方夜谭-1001 Nights(英文版)-第47部分

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write　an　answer　to　their　king's　letter。

So　the　boy　wrote　an　answer；　wherein；　after　an　elegant　exordium；　he　touched　briefly　on　the　question　of　reconciliation　and　praised　the　good　breeding　of　the　envoy　and　of　his　men；　and　showed　it　to　the　king；　who　said　to　him；　'Read　it；　O　dear　boy；　that　we　may　know　what　is　written　therein。'　So　the　boy　read　the　letter　in　the　presence　of　the　hundred　horse；　and　the　king　and　all　present　marvelled　at　the　excellence　of　its　style　and　sense。　Then　the　king　sealed　the　letter　and　delivering　it　to　the　captain　of　the　hundred　horse；　dismissed　him　with　an　escort　of　his　own　troops；　to　bring　him　to　the　frontier　of　his　country。　So　the　captain　returned；　confounded　at　that　which　he　had　seen　of　the　boy's　knowledge　and　sagacity　and　thanking　God　for　the　speedy　acplishment　of　his　errand　and　the　acceptance　of　＇the　proffered＇　peace；　to　the　King　of　Farther　India；　to　whom　he　delivered　the　presents　and　the　letter；　telling　him　what　he　had　seen　and　heard；　whereat　the　king　was　mightily　rejoiced　and　returned　thanks　to　God　the　Most　High　and　honoured　the　envoy；　lauding　his　care　and　zeal　and　advancing　him　in　rank：　and　he　was　thenceforth　in　peace　and　tranquillity　and　all　contentment。

As　for　King　Wird　Khan；　he　returned　to　the　way　of　righteousness；　abandoning　his　evil　courses　and　turning　to　God　with　sincere　repentance；　and　he　altogether　forswore　women　and　devoted　himself　to　the　ordering　of　the　affairs　of　his　realm　and　the　governance　of　his　people　in　the　fear　of　God。　Moreover；　he　made　the　son　of　Shimas　vizier　in　his　father's　room　and　the　chief　of　his　counsellors　and　keeper　of　his　secrets　and　manded　to　decorate　his　capital　and　the　other　cities　of　his　kingdom　seven　days。　At　this　the　subjects　rejoiced；　glad　in　the　prospect　of　justice　and　equity；　and　fear　and　alarm　ceased　from　them　and　they　were　instant　in　prayer　for　the　king　and　for　the　vizier　who　had　done　away　this　trouble　from　him　and　them。

Then　said　the　king　to　the　vizier；　'What　is　thy　counsel　for　the　proper　ordering　of　the　state　and　the　prospering　of　the　people　and　the　furnishing　of　the　realm　anew　with　captains　and　counsellors　as　before？'　'O　king　of　high　estate；'　answered　the　boy；　'in　my　judgment；　it　behoves；　before　all；　that　thou　began　by　tearing　out　from　thy　heart　the　root　of　frowardness　and　leave　thy　debauchery　and　tyranny　and　devotion　to　women；　for；　if　thou　return　to　the　root　of　transgression；　the　second　backsliding　will　be　worse　than　the　first。'　'And　what；'　asked　the　king；　'is　the　root　of　frowardness　that　it　behoves　me　to　tear　out　from　my　heart？'　'O　mighty　king；'　answered　the　vizier；　little　of　years　but　great　of　wit；　'the　root　of　frowardness　is　the　ensuing　the　desire　of　women　and　inclining　to　them　and　following　their　counsel　and　policy；　for　the　love　of　them　troubles　the　soundest　wit　and　corrupts　the　most　upright　nature；　and　manifest　proofs　bear　witness　to　my　saying；　wherein；　if　thou　meditate　them　and　consider　their　actions　and　the　consequences　thereof　with　eyes　intent；　thou　wilt　find　a　loyal　counsellor　against　thine　own　soul　and　wilt　stand　in　no　need　of　my　advice。

Look　then；　thou　occupy　not　thy　heart　with　the　thought　of　women　and　do　away　the　trace　of　them　from　thy　mind；　for　that　God　the　Most　High　hath　forbidden　the　excessive　use　of　them　by　the　mouth　of　His　prophet　Moses；　so　that　quoth　a　certain　wise　king　to　his　son；　〃O　my　son；　when　thou　succeedest　to　the　throne　after　me；　spare　to　frequent　women　overmuch；　lest　thy　heart　be　led　astray　and　thy　judgment　corrupted；　for　that　their　much　frequentation　leadeth　to　love　of　them；　and　love　of　them　to　corruption　of　judgment。〃　And　the　proof　of　this　is　what　befell　our　lord　Solomon；　son　of　David　（peace　be　upon　them　both！）　whom　God　endowed　with　knowledge　and　wisdom　and　supreme　dominion　above　all　men；　nor　vouchsafed　He　to　any　of　the　kings　of　old　time　the　like　of　that　which　He　gave　him；　and　women　were　the　cause　of　his　father's　offending。

The　examples　of　this　are　many；　O　king；　and　I　do　but　make　mention　of　Solomon　to　thee　for　that　thou　knowest　that　to　none　was　given　the　like　of　the　dominion　wherewith　he　was　invested；　so　that　all　the　kings　of　the　earth　obeyed　him。　Know　then；　O　king；　that　the　love　of　women　is　the　root　of　all　evil　and　none　of　them　hath　any　judgment：　wherefore　it　behoveth　a　man　to　confine　his　use　of　them　within　the　limits　of　necessity　and　not　incline　to　them　altogether；　for　that　will　cause　him　fall　into　corruption　and　perdition。　If　thou　hearken　to　my　rede；　all　thine　affairs　will　prosper；　but；　if　thou　neglect　it；　thou　wilt　repent；　whenas　repentance　will　not　avail　thee。'

'Indeed；'　answered　the　king；　'I　have　left　my　sometime　inclination　to　women　and　have　altogether　renounced　my　infatuation　for　them；　but　how　shall　I　do　to　punish　them　for　that　which　they　have　done？　For　the　slaying　of　thy　father　Shimas　was　of　their　malice　and　not　of　my　own　will；　and　I　know　not　what　ailed　my　reason　that　I　fell　in　with　their　proposal　to　kill　him。'

Then　he　cried　out　and　groaned　and　lamented；　saying；　'Alas　for　the　loss　of　my　vizier　and　his　just　judgment　and　wise　ordinance　and　for　the　loss　of　his　like　of　the　viziers　and　notables　of　the　state　and　of　the　goodliness　of　their　apt　and　sagacious　counsels！'　'O　king；'　said　the　young　vizier；　'know　that　the　fault　is　not　with　women　alone；　for　that　they　are　like　unto　a　pleasing　modity；　whereto　the　desires　of　the　beholders　incline。　To　whosoever　desireth　and　buyeth；　they　sell　it；　but　whoso　buyeth　not；　none　forceth　him　thereto；　so　that　the　fault　is　his　who　buyeth；　especially　if　he　know　the　harmfulness　of　the　modity。　Now；　I　warn　thee；　as　did　my　father　before　me；　but　thou　hearkenedst　not　to　his　counsel。'　'O　vizier；'　answered　the　king；　'indeed　thou　hast　fixed　this　fault　upon　me；　even　as　thou　hast　said；　and　I　have　no　excuse　except　the　Divine　ordinances。'　'O　king；'　rejoined　the　vizier；　'know　that　God　hath　created　us　and　endowed　us　with　ableness　（188）　and　appointed　to　us　will　and　choice；　so；　if　we　will；　we　do；　and　if　we　will；　we　do　not。　God　mandeth　us　not　to　do　harm；　lest　sin　attach　to　us；　wherefore　it　behoveth　us　to　consider　that　which　it　is　right　to　do；　for　that　the　Most　High　mandeth　us　nought　but　good　in　all　cases　and　forbiddeth　us　only　from　evil；　but　what　we　do；　we　do　of　our　free　will；　be　it　right　or　wrong。'

Quoth　the　king；　'Thou　sayst　truly；　and　indeed　my　fault　arose　from　my　surrendering　myself　to　my　lusts；　albeit　many　a　time　my　reason　warned　me　from　this　and　thy　father　Shimas　often　warned　me　likewise；　but　my　lusts　carried　it　over　my　reason。　Hast　thou　then　with　thee　aught　that　may　＇in　the　future＇　withhold　me　from　mitting　this　error　and　whereby　my　reason　may　be　victorious　over　the　lusts　of　my　soul？'　'Yes；'　answered　the　vizier。　'I　can　tell　thee　what　will　restrain　thee　from　mitting　this　error；　and　it　is　that　thou　put　off　the　garment　of　ignorance　and　don　that　of　understanding；　disobeying　thy　passions　and　obeying　thy　Lord　and　reverting　to　the　policy　of　the　just　king　thy　father；　fulfilling　thy　duties　to　God　the　Most　High　and　to　thy　people；　applying　thyself　to　the　defence　of　thy　faith　and　the　promotion　of　thy　subjects'　welfare；　governing　thyself　aright　and　forbearing　the　slaughter　of　thy　people。

Look　to　the　issues　of　things　and　sever　thyself　from　tyranny　and　oppression　and　arrogance　and　lewdness；　practising　justice　and　equity　and　humility　and　obeying　the　mandments　of　God　the　Most　High；　applying　thyself　to　gentle　dealing　with　those　of　His　creatures　whom　He　hath　mitted　to　thy　governance　and　being　assiduous　in　fulfilling　their　prayers　unto　thee；　in　accordance　with　that　which　is　incumbent　on　thee。　If　thou　be　constant　in　the　practice　of　these　virtues；　may　thy　days　be　serene　and　may　God　of　His　mercy　spare　thee　and　make　thee　revered　of　all　who　look　on　thee；　so　shall　thine　energies　be　brought　to　nought；　for　God　the　Most　High　shall　put　their　hosts　to　the　rout；　and　thou　shalt　have　acceptance　with　Him　and　be　loved　and　reverenced　of　His　creatures。'

'Verily；'　said　the　king；　'thou　hast　quickened　mine　entrails　and　enlightened　my　heart　with　thy　sweet　speech　and　hast　opened　the　eyes　of　mine　understanding；　after　blindness；　and　I　am　resolved　to　do　all　thou　hast　set　forth　to　me；　with　the　help　of　God　the　Most　High；　leaving　my　former　estate　of　lust　and　frowardness　and　bringing　forth　my　soul　from　duresse　into　freedom　and　from　fear　into　safety。　It　behoveth　thee；　then；　to　be　joyful　and　contented；　for　that　I；　for　all　my　greater　age；　am　bee　to　thee　as　a　son；　and　thou　to　me　as　a　dear　father；　for　all　thy　tenderness　of　years；　and　it　is　grown　incumbent　on　me　to　do　my　utmost　endeavour　in　that　thou　mandest　me。

Wherefore　I　thank　the　bounty　of　God　the　Most　High　and　thy　bounty　for　that　He　hath　vouchsafed　me；　by　thee；　fair　fortune　and　good　guidance　and　just　judgment　to　fend　off　my　trouble　and　anxiety；　and　the　deliverance　of　my　people　hath　been　brought　about　by　means　of　the　excellence　of　thy　skill　and　the　goodliness　of　thine　ordinance。　Henceforward；　thou　shalt　be　the　governor　of　my　kingdom　and　equal　to　myself　in　all　but　sitting　upon　the　throne；　and　all　that　thou　dost　shall　be　law　to　me　and　none　shall　gainsay　thy　word；　young　in　years　though　thou　be；　for　that　thou　art　old　in　wit　and　knowledge。　So　I　thank　God　who　hath　vouchsafed　thee　to　me；　that　thou　mayst　guide　me　out　of　the　crooked　paths　of　perdition　into　the　way　of　righteousness。'

Quoth　the　vizier；　'O　august　king；　know　that　no　merit　is　due　to　me　for　giving　thee　loyal　counsel；　for　that　to　succour　thee　by　deed　and　word　is　of　that　which　is　incumbent　on　me；　seeing　that　I　am　but　a　plant　of　thy　bounty；　nor　I　alone；　but　my　father　before　me　was　overwhelmed　with　thy　favours；　so　that　we　are　both　alike　partakers　in　thy　munificence；　and　how　shall　we　not　acknowledge　this？　Moreover　thou；　O　king；　art　our　shepherd　and　ruler　and　he　who　wards　off　our　enemies　from　us　and　to　whom　is　mitted　our　protection　and　our　guardian；　instant　in　endeavour　for　our　safety。　Indeed；　though　we　lavished　our　lives　in　thy　service；　yet　should　we　not　fulfil　that　which　behoveth　us　of　gratitude　to　thee；　but　we　supplicate　God　the　Most　High；　who　hath　set　thee　in　dominion　over　us　and　made　thee　our　ruler；　and　beseech　Him　to　vouchsafe　thee　long　life　and　success　in　all　thine　enterprises　and　not　to　try　thee　with　afflictions　in　thy　time；　but　bring　thee　to　thy　desire　and　make　thee　to　be　reverenced　till　the　day　of　thy　death　and　lengthen　thine　arms　in　beneficence　and　generosity；　so　thou　mayst　have　mandment　over　every　wise　man　and　subdue　every　froward　one　and　all　men　of　wisdom　and　mettle　be　found　with　thee　in　thy　realm　and　all　the　ignorant　and　fainthearted　be　plucked　out　therefrom；　and　we　pray　Him　to　withhold　from　thy　people　scarcity　and　misfortune　and　sow　among　them　love　and　good　fellowship　and　cause　them　to　enjoy　of　this　world　its　prosperity　and　of　the　next　its　felicity；　of　His　grace　and　bounty　and　hidden　mercies。　Amen。　For　He　can　all　things　and　there　is　nought　difficult　unto　Him；　in　whom　all　things　have　their　goal　and　glace　of　returning。'

When　the　king　heard　the　vizier's　prayers　he　was　mightily　rejoiced　thereat　and　inclined　to　him　with　his　whole　heart；　saying；　'Henceforth；　O　vizier；　thou　art　to　me　in　the　stead　of　brother　and　son　and　father；　and　nought　but　death　shall　sever　me　from　thee。　Thou　shalt　have　the　disposal　of　all　that　my　hand　possesses；　and　if　I　have　no　child　to　succeed　me；　thou　shalt　sit　on　my　throne　in　my　stead；　for　thou　art　the　worthiest　of　all　t