rarity of it, that he sends for it every day, and praising it himself the first, shows it to every one present.’  Then whatever king or raja [261] hears this anecdote, the same will certainly laugh at it in his own court.  Great sire, there is an insignificant merchant in Naishapur, [262] who has twelve rubies, each weighing seven miskals, [263] which he has sewed on a collar, and put it round his dog’s neck.”  On hearing this, I became greatly displeased, and said with anger, put this wazir to death.

The executioners immediately seized hold of his hands, and were going to lead him out [to execution].  The ambassador of the king of the Franks, joining his hands [in humble supplication] stood before me.  I asked him what he wanted; he replied, “I hope I may become informed of the wazir’s fault,” I answered, what can be a greater fault than to lie, especially before kings.  He replied, “His falsehood has not yet been confirmed; perhaps what he has said may be true; now, to put an innocent person to death is not right.”  I said to him in reply, “It is not at all consistent with reason, that a merchant, who, for the sake of gain, wanders disconsolate from city to city and from country to country, and hoards up every farthing [he can save], should sew twelve rubies, which weigh seven miskals each, on the collar of a dog.”  The ambassador in answer said, “Nothing is surprising before the power of God; perhaps it may be the case; such rarities often fall into the hands of merchants and pilgrims.  For these two [classes of people] go into every country, and they bring away with them whatever they find rare in [their travels].  It is most advisable for your majesty to order the wazir to be imprisoned, if he is as guilty [as you suppose]; for wazirs are the intelligencers of kings, and such conduct as this appears unhandsome in the latter, that in a case, the truth and falsehood of which is as yet unascertained, to order them to be put to death, and that the services and fidelity of a whole life should be forgotten.

“Mighty sire, former kings have erected prisons for this very reason, that when the kings or chiefs may be in wrath towards any one, then they might confine him.  In a few days their anger will have entirely subsided, and [the suspected one’s] innocence will become manifest, and the king will be exempt from the stain of shedding innocent blood, and not have to answer for it on the day of judgment.”  Though I wished ever so much to refute him, yet the ambassador of the Franks [264] gave such just replies, that he reduced me to silence.  Then I said, well, I agree to what you say, and I pardon him his life.  But he shall remain imprisoned; if in the space of a year his words are proved to be true, that such rubies are round the neck of a dog, then he shall be released; otherwise, he shall be put to death with many torments.  I accordingly ordered the wazir to be carried to prison.  On hearing this order, the ambassador made me his humble obeisance, [265] and performed his parting salute.